Betsy and Devon were once college sweethearts. Now? They’re just friends with benefits—a toxic pattern she can’t seem to break.
For years, he’s kept her close… dating other women, breaking up, and always coming back to her bed. Never offering forever. Never letting her go. Devon doesn’t want a real relationship—he just doesn’t want Betsy with anyone else.
Then she meets Conor.
Charming, confident, and everything Devon isn’t, Conor makes Betsy feel like the leading lady in her own love story—not a back-up plan. With Conor, she finds a swoony hero who actually shows up, plans dates, listens, and gives her his best instead of his leftovers. Their slow burn romance turns into something steamy, heartfelt, and impossible to ignore.
Suddenly Devon is ready to commit. But Betsy’s done waiting. Because she’s finally found the kind of protective, swoony hero romance she deserves—the kind where she’s chosen first.
A steamy, emotional friends with benefits romance with all the angst, jealous ex drama, and swoony new boyfriend energy readers crave—The Back-Up Plan is a must-read for anyone who loves second chance twists, slow burn romance with spice, and heroines who finally choose themselves.
Even though Betsy’s professional career is successful her romantic relationships are anything but. She has been involved in an on again/off again relationship with her boyfriend from college when he finds himself between girlfriends and hasn’t been able to end it. It is only when she meets Connor that she realizes what it truly means to be wanted.
Conor is a successful businessman who appreciates the vision that Betsy brings to a space he wants to renovate. He hires her as his architect but wants a personal relationship as well and he brings the charm and swoon as he shows her that she is his everything.
Conor is patient, understanding and supportive as he shows Betsy that she deserves so much more than she has received from her ex and is willing to wait until she realizes it as well.
Something in her tone must have given away her true feelings about the holiday, because he tightened his grip on her hand. “Not a fan?”
“It’s just another day, isn’t it?” This time, she didn’t bother to temper her words.
“I thought women loved the romance of the holiday. What the hell was that dance just about otherwise?”
Mila grimaced. “It’s only romantic for those in love.”
“I see,” he said, and she could see he did.
“Want to know a secret?” Mila asked, the vodka she’d drunk loosening her lips more than was wise.
He nodded.
“I’ve never had a date or even gotten a kiss on Valentine’s Day.”
“Never?”
“Never.” She was touched by his look of disbelief. It soothed the parts of her that felt undesirable as one Valentine’s Day after another passed without her finding love.
“What’s wrong with the men in Gracemont?”
She laughed, secretly pleased by how aghast he seemed. “Thanks for pretending it’s them, not me.”
“You really don’t see it, do you? Guess it’s up to me to correct that wrong.”
Mila didn’t have time to respond or even analyze what he meant before Boone’s hands grasped her shoulders, and he pulled her toward him.
She gasped the moment his lips touched hers, Boone capitalizing on that by brushing his tongue against hers.
She tasted the cinnamon and apples from the pie Edith Millholland had baked.
That was the last sane thought she had as Boone deepened the kiss, claiming her lips like they were the spoils of war.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers digging into his hair, grabbing it tight enough that Boone groaned. She immediately opened her fists, sorry for hurting him, until he murmured, “Keep holding on, darlin’,” without lifting his lips from hers.
I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter, and I never thought I would become a father, but it turns out—I’m both.
And while being a firefighter was the only career I ever wanted—being a father has become my greatest destiny in this world.
Now I need to do everything I can to protect my son, even if that means going back to my hometown. I won’t let my son down, no matter what, and I will do my duty as a fireman.
Hopefully, I can do it without everything else burning down around me.
Spencer
I never expected to see Kade again—my high school crush and my biggest heartache in adolescence.
I’m not the same person I once was. I’m stronger now. I won’t allow myself to be invisible.
I love being a teacher, and nothing will stop me from being the best one I can be. But Kade coming back into town with his adorable young son in tow—makes it a challenge.
All I can hope is to get through this school year without going back to that unsure, terrified kid.
I have to remember who I am—and when that fear comes back, threatening my newfound confidence—I hope I’ll find the courage to burn it down to the ground and come back stronger than ever.
My hockey career’s final chapter is writing itself. I’m thirty-five now, and with retirement looming, I’m desperate to make this season count—even if it means playing in L.A., the last city I ever wanted to call home.
Then Billie crashes into my life.
She’s sunshine personified—more than ten years younger and my teammate’s little sister.
Every instinct screams she’s forbidden territory.
But one taste of her changes everything.
The chemistry between us is undeniable, explosive.
I know I should walk away, but I can’t.
If her brother discovers us, I stand to lose more than just her—my career could end before I’m ready to hang up my skates.
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach.
Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.
To find out about Kat Mizera’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here
Haunted by past battles and sadness following Lucas’ departure, Alex is thrust back into the fray when a brutal murder threatens to unravel the very fabric of their world. Teaming up with old allies, and the Other Tabard’s Inn’s charming bartender Finn, she navigates a web of shifters, fae, and witches, all while grappling with the darkness growing within her.
As the death toll mounts and the sinister machinations of the Hidden Village reveal themselves, will Alex be able to save her friends without succumbing to her vampiric heritage? Will she allow Finn’s kindness to mend her fractured heart? Perhaps most importantly of all, will she ever find out how Argo, her snarky corgi roomie from hell, fixes his gourmet meals?
Prepare for a tale that tests the limits of love, loyalty and the strength to stand in the light, even as darkness encroaches.
TEASER REVEAL! Through the Five-Hole by S.L. Sterling releases October 14!
“You should be excited. Today is the start of Operation Fix the Fox,” she said, grabbing her bowl and making her way over to the sink. My eyes washed over her body. I could only imagine what my teammates were going to say when I showed up with her tagging along beside me. “Operation Fix the Fox?” “Yep, Fix the Fox. It’s the title I gave to this project. Cute right?” she said, crinkling her nose as she stuffed her things into her bag. “Yeah, really cute. Why on earth would you give this project a title? Let me guess, because you think having a cute title is going to somehow magically help the situation?” “Cute titles always help. Just relax. I’m only going to shadow you this morning. Like I told you yesterday, I want to note your habits.” “Note my habits?” “Yep, I want to have you adjust things that perhaps you shouldn’t do.” “What, like drink beer?” I questioned, crossing my arms over my chest. “Yep, exactly like drinking beer. When you drink, you lose the ability to maintain control, and I think that may be one reason you keep getting yourself into these situations.” Out of the pair of us, if anyone knew what drinking did to someone, it was me. I’d not only spent my time dealing with a drunk father when I was younger, but I also watched him drink himself to death in his later years. “You know what I think?” I questioned. “What?” “I think someone in this kitchen needs to mind their own business. I also think she needs to get more sleep at night instead of staying up all hours keeping the person on the other side of the wall awake while arguing with Mr. Perfect.” She didn’t even skip a beat; she kept shoving things into her bag and then zipped it closed. “Well, thank you for that. Oh, and we weren’t fighting. Now, instead of worrying about me and my habits, how about we focus on the problem at hand? Now, we need to get going.” I rolled my eyes and then drank down the rest of my shake, half listening to what other garbage she was going on about. The moment she stopped speaking, I rinsed out my cup and grabbed my keys.
🖤Mafia & Man of God 🔥Pastor with a breeding k*nk 🖤Age gap spice 🔥V-card heroine 🖤She poisons. He preaches 🔥Soulmate angst 🖤Secret society of brothers 🔥Touch her & I’ll take your hea 🖤Taboo initiations 🔥Pure marriage 🖤Forbidden MMF moments 🔥HEA with rom com vibes
I don’t want forgiveness. I want her.
Wren
SIRE is my gift from God, and the Devil’s son. He saved my innocence from being sold. And now, he must take it. I insist. I don’t care how young I am or how he resists me.
He’s a captivating pastor and a predator when he leaves the pulpit. An escaped Russian Bratva prince, he and his brothers avenge the crimes of their father. He’s the oldest and deadliest of his brothers. The darkest angel.
But Sire gave his flesh for mine, and now I’m his. When his evil father comes for him and my wicked captors come for me, I know he can protect me. He’s brutal, blood thirsty, and beautiful. He’ll be my first, my forever, my sacred sinner.
And I will be his young queen. I want the kings, his brothers, to initiate me. They will protect me, too. I crave their taboo rituals. Our bonds cannot be broken. His secret family will be mine.
Damned and divine, our forbidden love will be stronger than any evil. Evil that is coming for us.
Author’s note: SIRE is a dark, not-mafia-mafia romance set in a world of taboo traditions, biting banter, morally grey heroes in a vigilante band of brothers with some heavy themes, and very explicit scenes. This is an interconnected, standalone—the third in the Belles & Bratva Beasts series—with a guaranteed HEA.
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
Matteo “Lucky” Branson has it all—an elite hockey career, a massive fanbase, and the kind of charm that trends effortlessly on TikTok. As the fun-loving left winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, he’s built a brand on superstition and swagger. But when a viral dating challenge puts him opposite a woman who couldn’t care less about his fame, Lucky’s about to learn the hard way that some games don’t follow the playbook.
They call me Lucky for a reason. My grandmother swears I was cursed at birth—yet somehow, I’ve been kissed by fate every day since. I’ve got my rabbit’s foot, a shamrock tattoo, and quirky rituals by the dozen—and it’s all worked so far. Life’s been smooth. Hockey, clout, fun… I’m skating through.
Until I meet Winifred Shaw. Winnie. She’s smart, bold, and laugh-out-loud funny, with a TikTok following that rivals mine and a dating challenge that’s going viral. The premise? Thirty days of dating to prove an average woman can still land a decent guy. I’m the first to accept the challenge—one night, one chance, and then she moves on. But the moment she rolls her eyes at me, I’m hooked.
She thinks I’m just another overhyped athlete with a pretty face and a lucky streak. But I see her—confident, curvy, electric—and I don’t just want a second date. I want every single one after that.
I’ve always trusted luck to get me where I need to be. But this time? I’m ready to fight for it.
🏒Review🏒 Lucky is such a fun and entertaining character whose antics result in a lot of teasing from his teammates. His social media posts have created quite the following but he is about to meet his match when he comes across a post from Winnie who is looking for an ordinary guy and even though he is anything but, he is determined to show her he is.
Winnie is a teacher who hasn’t had the best experiences when it comes to dating but she never expected her post to garner attention from Lucky. Now he wants to prove that he is an average man, but she is cautious as they couldn’t be more different, and she certainly never expected to enjoy their first date together however she is about to find out that she isn’t the only one with reservations.
This story finds the perfect between humor and emotion, and Lucky knows that she is perfect for him and he isn’t about to let anyone tell him differently. He will protect her and support her in very way possible and the way that he isn’t the only one will touch your heart. CJ Bloom was a perfect choice for the sassy personality of Winnie while Connor Crais brings the heat when it comes to Lucky.
Until the fiery redheaded flight attendant with emerald eyes falls into my lap.
The spark between us is instant. And from the moment her body crashes into mine, I know I need more than just a few hours in the sky with her.
The next time our paths cross, she tells me she’s headed out of the country, and I don’t hesitate to make sure I’m on her flight.
Our time together is filled with a passion I didn’t know existed. And for a moment, I allow myself to imagine what it would be like if our temporary arrangement turned into forever.
Until a call in the middle of the night pulls me back to reality, reminding me that with the enemies I have, letting her get too close would make her my greatest weakness—one I can’t afford.
Four years later, fate intervenes. Because she’s back, serving drinks on my private flight, and she’s apparently been keeping secrets.
With one phone call, I learn she’s been raising my son while pretending I don’t exist.
Now, with my enemies closing in and our secret out, they’re both in danger, and I’m done playing this game her way.
She might not trust me, but I’ll stop at nothing to keep them safe—even if I have to drag her kicking and screaming into my world.
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes When You Blush, a small-town, forced-proximity romance set in Bitterroot Valley!
Blake
I don’t do relationships, but I’m excellent at casual hookups. That’s not to say I’m a jerk. Not at all. I respect women—all women—and I know the value of love. But I’m married to my job as a physician. In fact, I’m married to the hospital, having a full-time affair with the clinic, and my family is my side piece. I don’t have time for a relationship with a woman.
But then the most beautiful human I’ve ever laid eyes on walks onto my plane, and my world tilts. Thanks to a Montana snowstorm, I spend one incredible night with Harper, but wake up alone. She never told me her last name. She’s just … gone. It would figure that the one woman I could see myself breaking my own rules for is the one I can’t have.
Harper
It’s time for me to come home to Montana to help take care of my dad and pick up the slack for my siblings. I’ve been gone for a long time, but this beautiful corner of the world is my home. I’m excited to start my job as a NICU nurse at Bitterroot Valley General and begin a new chapter in my life. A fresh start. A clean slate.
Then he walks into the room, and it’s suddenly hard to breathe. Blake was the one-night stand who still haunts my dreams. The man can do things. Amazing things. But I never thought I’d see him again. Okay, that’s a lie. I knew he worked at this hospital, but he’s an ER doctor. I’m in a different department, so I planned to avoid him. Yet that didn’t last more than the first hour of my first shift.
Now, he’s pursuing me and saying things like forever. But with a past like mine, can I trust that he won’t tire of me and leave? Or is this finally my happily ever after?
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Finding a toddler on my doorstep? Not exactly how I planned for the day to go.
Zara Thompson has loved sexy, ex-Marine Garrett Carson since college—but he was in love with her best friend. For the past twelve years, Zara has kept her secret and her heart guarded.
Then a woman shows up on Garrett’s doorstep with a toddler and a shocking claim: the little girl is his daughter, and her mother—Zara’s former best friend—is dead, killed in a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Now, Garrett is juggling fatherhood, a looming book deadline, a frightened toddler who won’t go near him, and a live-in nanny who refuses to warm up to Zara—especially after she witnesses an unexpected and steamy kiss between Zara and Garrett.
A steamy kiss that sends their close friendship into a tailspin…
But as Zara focuses on expanding her small-town café and helping Garrett be a father, a mix of circumstances beyond her control and buried secrets conspire against her…threatening Zara’s chance at a happily ever after with the man her heart refuses to give up on.
Born in Brighton England, USA Today bestselling author Stina Lindenblatt has lived in a number of countries, including England, the U.S., Finland, and Canada. This would explain her mixed up accent. She has a kinesiology degree and a MSc in sports biological sciences. In addition to writing fiction, she loves photography, and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband, three kids, and their adorable rescue cat.
From USA Today best selling author Scarlett Cole, writing as S. Cole, comes an electrifying second chance romance with extreme ‘hands-off-my-ex-wife’ vibes romance.
Lucy
With my law degree and a life in New York, I convinced myself I’d moved on.
But the second I saw Grudge again, all rough edges and rage, I couldn’t breathe.
He’s now a biker forged in fury, and looks at me like I’m responsible.
Maybe I am.
After all, I divorced him the day he went to prison for protecting me.
I thought I came back for my family’s sake.
But I forgot how it felt to be wanted—to be his.
And now I’m caught between the life I built…
and the man who still makes me ache.
Grudge
Nothing prepared me for her walking back into my world.
My ex-wife. My weakness.
The woman with secrets in her eyes and that mouth I still dream about.
She says she’s not mine anymore.
But I see the way she trembles when I get too close.
She can lie to herself all she wants—
I’ve waited eight years for a second chance…at love or revenge, I’m not sure.
Because the lies run deep between us, and the trouble coming for us both is about to blow everything wide open.
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