Contemporary Romance books

Life hasn’t been easy for honky-tonk guitarist Guthrie Woodson, but he’s practiced at enduring the bad times and treasuring the good. He’s been in love before, and while the guy just got married, Guthrie figures that now that he knows what love is, he’ll recognize it if it comes his way again.

Which makes his attraction to Tad Hawkins, the Sacramento cop who has been showing up to Guthrie’s weekend gigs, all the more dangerous.

Tad’s had troubles of his own, but he’s always felt loved. Trying to coax Guthrie, his snakebit guitarist, into his arms is an exercise in patience, but Tad has experience with that. His sister, April, is in addiction recovery. He can take it slow if it means he’ll get to keep some “Guthrie goodness” for himself.

But then Tad has an accident and Guthrie's forced to take actions that leave his vulnerable heart exposed. Tad must fast-track his plans to gentle Guthrie in his life, and Guthrie needs to clear out the history holding him back. Can they forge a solid future on the shifting sands of fortune, or will Guthrie’s past and Tad’s present break them apart before they have a chance?

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Viscount Collin Northington has spent his life under his father’s thumb. When his friend George and his cowboy husband, Alan, offer to let him tag along to the US for two weeks, Collin jumps at the chance to get away. Perhaps the open ranges of Wyoming will put his problems into perspective. He even dreams of meeting a cowboy of his own.

He doesn’t expect his dreams to come true.

When Tank Rogers returned home after his military service, he took over the family ranch the way he knew he was meant to. Now he’s the only one left, but he likes the solitude. Even so, he has no excuse to object to putting up Alan’s friend for a few weeks in exchange for some help around the ranch—it wouldn’t be neighborly.

The feelings he has for his blue-blooded houseguest aren’t exactly neighborly either.
Once Tank realizes there’s more to Collin than upper-crust manners, suddenly his solitary life holds a lot less appeal. But in the long term, Tank doesn’t fit into Collin’s fancy society life any more than Collin fits into Tank’s down-home and dusty ranch… does he?

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Daniel Greene’s life is dance. What it is not? Really anything outside of that. He certainly doesn’t know how to hobnob with rich people or play bartender for their rich private parties, so when his best friend guilts him into doing exactly that, it ought to end in disaster. Instead, it ends with him pressed against a bathroom wall while a hot lawyer kisses his grand jeté-ing brains out.

Aaron Silva is the swooniest. He’s gorgeous, he drips in romance, and the sex is transcendent. So what if he would rather be Daniel’s dream man than talk about work? Being an attorney must be tiring. All those late nights. All those needy clients.

It’s not until Daniel enlists Aaron’s help with some legalese that he stumbles into a bit of a quagmire:

Aaron isn’t a lawyer as Daniel originally assumed. He’s a high-end escort.

Suddenly the clouds Daniel was dancing on get awfully stormy. He can’t compete with other men—richer men—and why should he have to? This changes everything. Well, everything except the way they feel about each other. Can he and Aaron find their way to a happy-ever-after that’s not just another happy ending?

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Sonny Daye works hard in the business he and his lover Ace have built from scratch. He sweats through days that shouldn’t be so hot, he fixes cars that shouldn’t be broke—he even puts up with customers that oughta just drive off the road and spare the car and Sonny himself the pain. On an ordinary day, Sonny can help a bunch of stupid kids, teach a snotty rich guy a lesson, and stop a felon in his tracks without killing him! It's hard work indeed—but Sonny’ll do anything for Ace.

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Amy Lane’s Fish Out of Water universe has expanded to include garage mechanics, assassins, nurses, psychics, and adult film stars. Many of them forged a safe, hidden haven in Victoriana--the middle of the desert.

This collection of shorts revolves mostly around the Victoriana crew—the desert Fish, a group of people with specialized skills, a strong moral code, and an aversion to the rules. Join Burton, Ernie, Ace, Sonny, Jai, and George as they deal with impossible storms, visiting assassins, and—oh yeah—the in-laws, in this series of novellas that shows that being a Fish in the desert isn’t always easy, but a desert fish can always find a home.

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They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but when Lewis wakes up married after a wild, drunken night at his best friend’s bachelorette party, he’s worried he’s affected the rest of his life. Tad might be sweet, drop-dead gorgeous, and so easy to be with, but the obvious solution is a speedy divorce. The fact that they both live in New York City should make the process easy… so why is it taking them so long to sign the papers? Or even take off their rings? And why do they keep ending up in bed?

Tad’s anxiety and fear of coming out to his family has driven guys away before. Can he dare to believe Lewis is different? Lewis, his friends, and his loud, loving Italian family support Tad in a way he’s never experienced, and it’s easy to imagine a lifetime of that unconditional love. But life isn’t a romcom…

Or is it?

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When Garvin Haverton lost his husband, he lost himself. Unable to bear the reminders of their love, he left his friends in Los Angeles for the remote Alaskan wilderness, cut ties with his old life, and started over.

Model William Moreau has let Garvin hide for long enough. He misses his friendship, and he has to know if the spark he felt between them could ignite the love of a lifetime. So he packs a bag, books a flight, rents a car… and almost gets himself killed in a blizzard.

When William shows up half-frozen, Garvin is furious. Unlike William, he doesn’t need to be rescued. He has a life in Alaska: new friends, a dog, a job. But he can’t kick William out into the cold, and it doesn’t take many long, cold Alaskan nights before he realizes that he may have a life, but he hasn’t moved on. He could do that with William. The chemistry between them could heat his little cabin all on its own. But William’s life is in LA, and Garvin can’t go back. Is their unlooked-for romance doomed from the start?

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Klein, aber oho – das könnte Detective Nevin Ngs Motto sein. Auch ein harter Start ins Leben hat ihn nicht davon abhalten können, jetzt beim Portland Police Bureau seine Pflicht zu erfüllen und für seine Mitmenschen da zu sein, wann immer sie ihn brauchen. Er lässt sich nichts gefallen und ist nicht an einer Beziehung interessiert. Bis er zu einem alten Herrn gerufen wird, der von Unbekannten zusammengeschlagen wurde. Und Nevin dort den reichen und etwas steifen Vermieter des Opfers kennenlernt.

Der Bauunternehmer und Immobilienmanager Colin Westwood ist mit all dem aufgewachsen, wovon Nevin nie zu träumen gewagt hätte – Geld im Überfluss und einer Familie, die ihn liebt und unterstützt. Vielleicht sogar etwas zu viel, denn Colin litt als Kind an einer schweren Krankheit und seine Familie hat immer noch nicht begriffen, dass er mittlerweile ein erwachsener Mann ist, der sich um sich selbst kümmern kann. Colin ist sehr wohl an einer Beziehung interessiert, aber bisher ist daraus nie etwas geworden. Deshalb hat er beschlossen, sich in Zukunft vielleicht mit dem zufriedenzugeben, was ihm über den Weg läuft. Weniger Erwartungen, aber dafür mehr Aufregung. Bis er Zeuge eines – oder sogar mehrerer – fürchterlichen Verbrechen wird. Darauf war er nicht vorbereitet gewesen.

Obwohl sie unterschiedlicher nicht sein könnten, fliegen die Funken, wann immer Colin und Nevin sich begegnen. Aber Funken haben keine lange Lebenserwartung, vor allem nicht angesichts der wenigen Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen den beiden Männern und der immer brutaleren Machenschaften, mit denen sie konfrontiert werden. Die Frage ist, ob sie das Herz und die Kraft haben, diese Funken dauerhaft zum Leuchten zu bringen.

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Darby Wright has fought for his independence ever since he lost his sight as a child. But even now that he has his own home and a good job, his overprotective mother doesn’t believe he can handle himself. Darby’s determined to prove her wrong, but there are some things—like finding his guide dog’s potty accident—where an extra set of eyes would come in handy.

Enter See For Me, an app that connects blind clients with sighted volunteers. See For Me is designed for just this sort of emergency, and it’s through this app that Darby meets Reynaldo. Lust at first voice turns to more when Darby and Reynaldo run into each other at a local sandwich shop, where Renaldo seems as nice in person as he was in app.

With Reynaldo, Darby can feel his world expanding. Reynaldo doesn’t just support him but understands him and sees Darby as more than his disability. But will being with Reynaldo mean giving up Darby’s hard-fought independence, or will it mean gaining something more than he ever dreamed?

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A senseless accident leaves Ryan Blackstone a single father. His son, Leo, survives, only for the hospital to discover he has leukemia. Ryan’s only hope to save him is a bone marrow donor.

A donor registry reveals a perfect match for Leo but unearths an unsettling family secret: Ryan’s wife’s brother isn’t  dead. Then they meet, and Ryan realizes Dylan could save him as well.

Dylan McKenzie stopped thinking about his family’s betrayal when they kicked him out twelve years ago. They would rather say he is dead than gay. So the news of his sister’s death comes as a shock. Dylan is afraid being pulled back into the family will hurt him again, but meeting Ryan and Leo upends his plan to keep his heart closed.

Ryan almost lost everything. Now he must decide if he can gamble losing his family to have everything he’s ever wanted. Together, he and Dylan could be the perfect match. 

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Busy soccer coach Trey Novak doesn’t have time for the awkwardness and upheaval dating can cause, but when his cousin stands him up for a lunch date, he meets someone who changes his mind. 

Dewey Saunders is dying to get a real job in his field and start the rest of his life, but a guy’s got to pay rent, and the coffee shop is where it’s at. When the handsome customer in the coach’s sweats gets stood up, Dewey is right there to commiserate—and maybe make some time with a cute guy. 

Trey’s making hopeful plans with Dewey when his professional life explodes. He and Dewey aren’t in a serious place yet, and suddenly he’s promising to make sports a welcoming place for all people. When Dewey puts himself out to comfort Trey after an awful day, Trey realizes that they might not be in a serious place, but Dewey has serious promise for their future. If someone as loyal and as kind and funny as Dewey is what’s offered, Trey would gladly swipe right for love. 

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When a tackle stopped NFL superstar Tyler Fantana’s heart, millions of fans watched their MVP die on camera. Now America’s Tightest End has headed home to put his broken pieces back together. Tyler knows returning to football could kill him, so keeping his rehab on track seems impossible—until he starts training with a familiar guy-next-door who knocks his jock off.

Josh Ayres has harbored a secret crush on Tyler since high school. Fifteen years later, Josh has blossomed from a quiet nerd into bona fide beefcake, coaching the team for his alma mater. Helping Tyler get back in the game might become the second chance he never expected… if he can work up the courage to confess his feelings to the bad boy he never stopped loving.

Sparks fly as Tyler and Josh join forces to save the school library, battling book bans, malicious gossip, and media pressure. What happens if infatuation turns into something that feels like forever? And when the NFL offers Tyler the chance to reclaim his fame, can he choose between a deadly game and the man who finally taught him that hearts can heal?

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Second chances only happen in the movies… right?

For the past several years, Matthew’s life has been one challenge after another. Keeping his sister’s four orphaned kids fed, clothed, housed, and entertained has him run ragged. Now he’s losing the kids’ mentor and maybe his job, if the plant where he works as an electrician shuts down like the rumors say. When his car won’t start outside the hospital, it’s the last thing he needs. Matthew could use a hero… so of course that’s when Lucas Reardon shows up again.

A-list actor Lucas Reardon returned to his Michigan hometown to say goodbye to his father. The last person he expects to see is Matthew Wilson, the one who got away. Lucas helps Matthew out with the car, the kids, whatever he needs. But really, *he’s* the one who needs saving. Years of the fast-paced Hollywood life have worn him down to nothing, and a deranged stalker is making his life hell. Matthew becomes his refuge. But relationships need time to grow and bloom. With the paparazzi breathing down their necks and a deadline on Lucas’s return to LA, can they build a life worthy of the big screen?

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Renowned surgeon Ben McNatt is up for the job of his dreams, and when he gets it, he’ll be the youngest chief of neurosurgery in his hospital’s history. His success rate is flawless, but his perceived lack of compassion is hurting his chances. He’s always viewed relationships as a distraction, but a loving partner might change his colleagues’ ideas about his heartlessness. He’ll do whatever it takes for this promotion—even pretend to date. The natural choice for his fake boyfriend is the cute guy at the coffee shop.

Jamie Anderson is in student loan debt up to his eyeballs. He has three roommates, and not in a quirky found-family way. He works sixty hours a week as a barista, and his boss won’t stop hitting on him. He’s even given up on love. He makes do with fantasies about the hot doctor that comes in for coffee every day like clockwork.

A fake relationship might solve Jamie’s handsy boss problem too. And there’s no way it will lead to real feelings when that’s the last thing either of them wants.
So why are they having so much trouble convincing themselves they aren’t falling for each other?

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Any other year, hockey player Grady Armstrong would be licking his wounds after a disappointing playoffs exit. Somehow, this year, he’s in the stands as his rival-turned-boyfriend Max Lockhart competes for the Stanley Cup… and there’s nowhere he’d rather be. Well, except maybe lifting the Cup himself. So along with preparing his body for next season, Grady prepares to ask Max to stay in his life permanently.

Max figures it can’t be easy for Grady to watch Max cash in on his dreams, but if he’s struggling, he hides it well—which is great, because they don’t get much time together during the season, and it would suck if Grady spent the summer sulking.

But while Grady may still be a competitive bastard, he doesn’t sulk. He nurses Max through hangovers. He comes home with him for the summer. He loses fishing bets. He earns so many boyfriend points Max should really level him up. The question is, how?

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When workaholic Pierce Simms’s sister passes, he suddenly finds himself unemployed, back in the hometown he fled, and raising his niece and nephew. Despite that, he’s confident he has things under control—at least until his sister’s high-school sweetheart shows up.

With his teaching grant ended, Dalton O’Dell is at loose ends and tight purse strings. Just as the world crashes down on him, he learns his ex-girlfriend has passed and named him guardian of her two young children. Chaos ensues when he and her brother, Pierce, are forced together to raise the toddlers in Pierce’s family farmhouse.
 
Nestled in the enchanting beauty of the farm, Pierce and Dalton bond over the challenges of co-parenting and their shared grief as unexpected love blossoms. Love might not be enough, however, if they can’t learn to bridge the gap between their different worlds and overcome the trauma of their pasts.

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Tout le monde a besoin d’être secouru un jour ou l’autre.

Le vétérinaire Mitchell Brannigan connaît des débuts difficiles avec son nouveau voisin lorsque quelqu’un appelle la mairie pour se plaindre du bruit. Mitchell dirige un refuge pour animaux abandonnés, et les chiens aboient. Mais lorsqu’il va faire la paix, il rencontre Beau Pfister et sa petite fille, Jessica… et commence à tomber amoureux.

Beau a déménagé à la campagne pour s’éloigner de son ex-mari violent, mais élever un enfant seul, sans réseau de soutien, est solitaire et épuisant. La dernière chose à laquelle il s’attend est un coup de main de la part du voisin dont il se plaignait tant.

Mitchell comprend ce que c’est de vivre dans la peur de son ex, et il est déterminé à aider Beau à aller de l’avant. Mais lorsqu’une menace invisible pèse sur le refuge et sur Beau, il devient évident qu’il n’a pas réglé ses propres démons.

Mitchell, Beau et Jessica forment une famille parfaite, avec un chihuahua protecteur pour les soutenir. Mitchell ne laissera rien leur arriver.

Mais qui va le sauver ?

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Fisher Moreland a été chassé de sa famille, parce qu’elle ne pouvait plus faire face à ses problèmes. Fisher est bipolaire et vit au jour le jour en essayant de gérer son état, mais il n’a pas toujours le contrôle sur sa vie et s’est auto-médicamenté avec tout ce qu’il pouvait trouver.

JD Burnside a été coupé de sa famille à cause d’un scandale dans sa ville. Il s’est installé à Carlisle, mais a emporté avec lui le charme et la chaleur du Sud. Lorsqu’il aperçoit Fisher sur un banc public par une soirée d’hiver, il l’invite à se joindre à lui et à ses amis pour un repas nocturne.

Au début, Fisher ne sait pas quoi penser de JD, mais il sort peu à peu de sa coquille. Et lorsque son emploi est menacé à cause d’un incendie, le soutien et l’attention de JD dépassent tout ce qu’il aurait pu espérer. Mais lorsque des personnes de son passé réapparaissent en ville, au cœur d’une épidémie de drogue résurgente, Fisher sait qu’elles pourraient très bien saboter sa relation naissante avec JD.

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