Best Contemporary Romance Novels Archives - Page 3 of 5

Best Contemporary Romance Novels

Like a Winter Snow by Lindsay Harrel

December 24, 2021

Cozy up with this charming romance all about unexpected love, true friendship, and family loyalty.

Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s. She may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.

But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to England for the December wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart. The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida. She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.

A review of the novella:

“This novella has just the right amount of sparkle, humor, and poignancy for the season, and a sweet friendship-to-romance.”
Courtney C.

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

On a Night Like This by Barbara Freethy

December 10, 2021

Sara had always been untouchable, his sister’s best friend, and the girl next door…

Smokejumper Aiden Callaway never questioned his job until a fire took the life of his friend, Kyle, and left Aiden with injuries and fractured memories. The truth may clear Aiden of blame but destroy Kyle’s reputation and hurt the people he left behind.

Sara has never forgiven or forgotten the way Aiden brought their teenage relationship crashing down. But the sparks between Aiden and Sara have been smoldering for a very long time. Sara is afraid to take another chance on the man who broke her heart, and Aiden knows better than anyone how dangerous an intense fire can be. As teenagers they weren’t ready for each other. Are they ready now? Or will secrets derail their second chance at love?

The author on her writing style:

“On Night Like This will be my 34th published novel. My books are always complicated. I love big plots and deep emotional moments. I tend to write books that blend the romance genre with suspense and also with women’s fiction. I enjoy writing about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary adventures. And, I like to surprise my readers, which is always a challenge!”
Barbara Freethy

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

Twice Shy by Mona Ingram

June 4, 2021

He broke her heart all those years ago. Now he’s living at her grandmother’s B&B.

Rebecca returns to her childhood home after her grandmother dies, only to discover that she might not have known her beloved Gran at all. Arriving at Waterlily Bay Lodge, she’s surprised to discover her childhood sweetheart in residence… the same young man who disappeared on the night of their high school prom. As the truth about Mitch’s disappearance is revealed, can they come to terms about what tore them apart?

The author on the this “Power of Love” series:

“These are individual stories featuring the healing power of love when lives are shattered and relationships go wrong. ”
Mona Ingram

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

Forever This Time by Maggie McGinnis

February 12, 2021

Snowflake Village might hold more than just ghosts from the past. It might hold the possibility of a second chance at love…

Boston therapist Josie Kendrew specializes in helping other people mend their broken hearts, but her own heart is another story. After years of putting distance between herself and her childhood home, she’s forced to rush back to Echo Lake, Vermont when her father has a stroke, but once she arrives, painful memories threaten to send her driving right back out of town. Between her sweet “little sister” and Ethan Miller, the boy she left behind, Josie finds herself face-to-face with a pain she’s not sure she can endure. Ethan is now—wow—all man, and he’s sitting in the CFO chair of Snowflake Village, her family’s Christmas-themed amusement park … a place noted by journalists as charming and sweet and festive, but a place she’s derisively called Camp Ho-Ho forever—or at least since she was old enough to watch the twinkly lights and endless hours destroy her parents.

Ethan Miller never set out to be the one left behind, but when Josie blew out of town ten years ago with no explanation, suddenly that’s who he was. After a week spent mostly in a Jim Beam haze, he tucked her engagement ring in a drawer and set out to make a life for himself, though their history gnaws at him every day he walks the pathways of Snowflake Village. A lot has changed since Josie fled, so when she drives back in, a mixture of angry, scared, and sad, he has no idea whether she’ll stay … or leave him shattered once again.

A review on the novel:

“Launching the Echo Lake contemporary series, McGinnis weaves an engrossing and uplifting tale of enduring love.”
Publishers Weekly

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

February 5, 2021

If faking love is this easy… how do you know when it’s real?

When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling—not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex’s pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.

Jamie Carter doesn’t believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It’s the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment—and jealousy—of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend…

The author on the genre of chick lit/romantic comedy novels:

“I’m not sure I’m placed to say it’s evolving. I definitely want it to feel like feminism is a thing, but those two things shouldn’t be separate. I mean, you write about women’s lives, why isn’t feminism inherent? I hope Twilight and Fifty Shades are a blip and we get back to spirited, confident, intelligent women. The trouble with romantic comedy is obviously: how does the girl get the guy? That’s the plot, but you’ve got to be very careful that the girl doesn’t get defined by the bloke.”
Mhairi McFarlane

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

Beautifully Broken Pieces (The Sutter Lake Series Book 1) by Catherine Cowles

November 13, 2020

A woman who’s lost everything. A man battling the ghosts of his past.

Taylor is looking for peace and quiet away from the memories of all she’s lost. A small mountain town where no one knows her seems like the perfect escape. Walker loves his life just the way it is. His town, his family, his brothers in blue. Everything simple and easy–until a chance encounter changes it all.

When Taylor’s solitude is interrupted by the rugged cop, they find that the very thing they were avoiding might be just what they both need. As their iron wills clash and passion flares…a killer lurks. And you never know who might be caught in the crosshairs.

The inspiration behind the novel:

“Beautifully Broken Pieces was born out of the grief I felt when I lost my dad. I really wanted to explore the tougher parts of grief. Then I started to daydream about what might happen if my heroine fell in love while in the midst of that grief. My greatest hope is that I’ve written a book that will resonate with others who have lost a loved one.”
Catherine Cowles

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

The Selection by Kiera Cass

October 16, 2020

Prepare to be swept into a world of breathless fairy-tale romance, swoonworthy characters, glittering gowns, and fierce intrigue…

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The inspiration behind the story:

“The inspiration behind The Selection was thinking about the what ifs of other stories, mainly Esther and Cinderella. I wondered if Esther happened to like the boy next door before she got shipped off to a palace to become the wife of a king. What if she had to slowly let that love die? And Cinderella never asked for a prince, she asked for a night off. What if that person and that job were way too much for her? For some reason, those two things meshed in my head, and I knew I wanted to write about a girl who was poor and would catch the attention of a prince, but she wouldn’t want him because she was already in love.”
Kiera Cass

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

Second Chance on the Corner of Main Street by Meg Easton

July 17, 2020

He shattered her heart when he raced out of town 12 years ago. Can she forgive him now that he’s back?

Fun-loving Whitney Brennan has been running the presses at the Nestled Hollow Gazette while running from love. She’s part of every town gathering, but is terrified of making any real or deep connection with anyone because she knows that if she does, they’ll end up leaving like her mother did. Like the man who taught her everything about the paper did. Like her high school best-friend-turned-boyfriend did on graduation night.

Eli Treanor skipped out of Nestled Hollow twelve years ago and created a new life and a thriving team-building business he thoroughly enjoys in Sacramento. When his parents beg him to come back and run the family outdoor rentals business while his dad has surgery, Eli isn’t happy about returning to the town that didn’t love him, the dad he could never please, and the girl he left behind all those years ago.

When Whitney and Eli are paired together to create the decorations for the Main Street Fall Market, many of their old feelings resurface. But it also opens past wounds. Can Whitney and Eli overcome the fears that are stopping them from giving their love the second chance it deserves?

Review by Award-Winning author of the Safe Harbor series:

“Second Chance on the Corner of Main is a delightful tale of missed opportunity made right. In spite of their hurtful parting years ago, Eli and Whitney’s love sparkles on the page and makes this sweet romance totally sigh-worthy.”
Donna K. Weaver

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

July 10, 2020

Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.

Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment. What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?

The author’s inspiration for the book:

“Five Feet Apart is truly the product of so many people’s hard work, motivated by the desire to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis. From the screenplay by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis, to Justin Baldoni’s work as a director, to Claire Wineland’s incredible contributions and spirit, to my writing of the book adaptation, all of it was done with that intention.”
Rachael Lippincott

Buy now

Read More

Admin
Best Contemporary Romance Novels

Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods

July 3, 2020

For the Sweet Magnolias, friendship lasts a lifetime…

Maddie Townsend might live in a town called Serenity and have the best friends a woman could ask for, but her life is overturned when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. With her three children heartbroken from the change, Maddie has a lot to contend with. On top of it all, after years outside the workforce, she must dust off her business skills to take charge of her best friends’ newest project—planning the town’s only fitness spa for women.

When her son’s developing anger issues begin to affect his passion for baseball, Maddie knows she must step in to help. She didn’t expect to develop feelings for her son’s coach, the handsome Cal Maddox, and to learn he has feelings for her, too. But gossip travels quickly in a small town, and Maddie and Cal’s relationship may threaten both their reputations and careers. Then again, he could be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity after all.

The author on writing dialogue:

“dialogue has always been the easiest part of writing for me. I think that’s because of my background in journalism in general, and as a television critic specifically. As a journalist — in an era before we recorded every interview — I had to train myself to listen closely to the way people phrased things so I could quote their comments accurately. And over the years I heard a LOT of television dialogue.”
Sherryl Woods

Buy now

Read More

Admin

What is your favorite genre of romance novel?