Books like 'The Pretend Wife'
Readers who enjoyed The Pretend Wife by Bridget Asher also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary m-f fake relationship forced proximity slow burn first-person-pov
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Someone Like You by Marie Force
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsThe all-new Wild Widows Series about a group of grieving survivors who take Roni into their fold to help her cope with the loss of her husband. The group has only one requirement—members must be willing to entertain the possibility of a “Chapter 2,” as it’s called in widow circles, which means a second chance at love...Categorized as:
slow burn forced proximity m-f contemporary friends to lovers single-father death dual-pov -
Finding Monica by Susan Stoker
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsYears of abuse at the hands of her father has taught Monica Collins she can’t trust anyone—especially military men. Since escaping her home, she’s built a successful career as a nanny, showing other kids the love she was denied as a child. But when her employer’s ambassadorial home becomes fair game for intruders during a riot, she’s forced to rely on two SEALs to get her to safety... -
One Wrong Move by Olivia Hayle
The woman I love has always been off-limits. She was my best friend’s fiancée… and now my new roommate. I thought I was used to pain. Harper dated my best friend for years, and I was going to be the best man at their wedding. Until she blows up the engagement and shows up in London with a new job.Being friends never worked for me. That’s why I moved away. But here I am, unable to resist her again... -
Code Name: Libra by Janie Crouch
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsMy code name is Libra. The stars say I’m charismatic, intelligent, charming.The one with the easy smile.Zodiac Tactical has been the biggest part of my life for the past three years. We guard, protect, rescue...eliminate the threat when nobody else can. And I’ve always been at the front lines—first to help in whatever way was needed.Until I took a bullet to the chest... -
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Path To Resolution by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWolfe Emerson is notorious for two things: being an absolute beast in a boxing ring and being a voluntary mute. His story remains unspoken and he prefers to live his life in silence. That is, until, his world is turned upside down when he meets someone who is louder than life... -
The Real Thing by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsWhat happens when a pretend boyfriend wants more than make-believe? Find out in this Westmoreland novel from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson! No red-blooded man turns down the chance to escort gorgeous Trinity Matthews—and Adrian Westmoreland is definitely red-blooded. For her, he'll pretend to be her man. But keeping his hands to himself? That is impossible...Categorized as:
fake relationship m-f contemporary african-american black-mc multicultural length-short -
Reckless by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 26 ratings“How did you get in here?”That’s not what you want to hear when you’re staring into the sea-green eyes of the hottest man you’ve ever seen. Yet I suppose it’s a fair question, considering I’m an uninvited stranger standing in Boone Mason’s kitchen.If you think that’s bad—just wait. It gets worse... -
The Sandcastle Hurricane by Carolyn Brown
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsFamily, wounded hearts, and a Texas bed-and-breakfast are in need of repair in New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s inviting novel about down-home comfort and second chances.Cousins Tabby and Ellie Mae are due for a change... -
Forgotten Secrets by Christy Barritt
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFBI Special Agent Jesse Marx doesn’t know which is worse—waking up in a horse stable with no memories of the past two weeks or waking up to discover he’s wearing a wedding band. Not only has he been injured, but he’s also married—something he vowed to never do.Dakota Fleming refuses to feel a connection to any man, much less be tied down to one... -
Give Me Forever by Layla Hagen
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsHe was my first love. Now he's my roommate. And he won't stop until he wins me back.Conned out of my business I have no other choice but to move back home to Chicago. I’m determined to rebuild everything, but I’m so broke that I can’t even afford to pay rent.Then my first love, Sam Maxwell, unexpectedly pops back into my life and turns out to be my knight in shining armor...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f humor super rich hero friends to lovers contemporary length-short -
Count to Ten by Karen Rose
In all his years in the Chicago Fire Department, Lieutenant Reed Solliday ahs never experienced anything like this recent outbreak of house fires - devastating, vicious and in one case, homicidal. He has another problem - his new partner, Detective Mia Mitchell. She's brash, bossy, and taking the case in a direction he never imagined... -
Defending Home by Caitlyn O'Leary
Rated: 4.64 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWill Two Tormented Souls Have The Courage To Reach For Love?The only family Nolan O’Rourke ever claimed were his Navy SEAL brothers, they had never let him down. His childhood wasn’t rough, it wasn’t hard, it was hell, and now any mission that he was assigned to was a cakewalk in comparison... -
Cheesy on the Eyes by Teagan Hunter
Dating is hard. Dating in a small town? Impossible.Leave it to my little brother to come back home announcing he knocked up his fiancée and the wedding has been moved…to next month.When he tries to set me up with one of his football buddies, I tell him I’ll be bringing my own plus-one.Only problem? I’m hopelessly single.Enter Sullivan Scott, AKA my hero... -
Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
Meet cute... Run for the hills—temporarily . That's Colbie Albright's plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie's so over it that she's under it. She's also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival... -
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Are We There Yet? by Savannah Scott
A vintage VW van. Four friends. A cross-country road trip.It will be the best adventure of my life, if only I can shake the feelings I have for Cameron .Cameron Reeves is as gorgeous as his name makes him sound.He’s about six feet tall, which is the height I always wrote in my ideal man list in my journal. Yes. I have a list of qualities I want in a man... -
Bodyguard by Night by Taryn Quinn
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsProtecting my best friend's new sister-in-law Willow from a fan who wants to get a little too close is a no-brainer. Just requires me to do some checking around, to act as her shadow for a while, maybe even give her a place to stay so I can keep an eye on her—all so my best friend's small-town wedding to Willow's sister goes off without a hitch...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f contemporary super rich hero alpha male age difference length-long -
Cross My Heart by Logan Chance, Lilypad Lit
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Logan Chance comes a riveting tale about friendship, love, and lies. This scorching romance shatters the boundaries between love and make-believe.Thanks to podcaster gossip, my firm thinks I’m not a good fit for the high-profile case of my dreams. They want someone in a committed relationship...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f friends to lovers contemporary suspense super rich hero length-short -
Moonstruck by Dana LeCheminant
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsWith his knack for bad luck, Liam isn’t surprised when he’s awarded house arrest after protecting a fan at his last show. What he didn’t expect was the girl of his dreams showing up with his lunch delivery and turning his confinement into an unexpected friendship... -
Matcha Made in Heaven, Vol. 6 by Umebachi Yamanaka
Chako works hard every day to take care of Isshin’s tea farm. One day, a huge typhoon hits the Kanto area! A pole blown off by a strong wind falls on Chako as she is checking the farm alone... -
Reckless Trust by Nyssa Kathryn
It’s a long-awaited homecoming…but not everyone’s happy about her return. Five years ago, Tilly Taylor’s father did something that cost her everything. Her home. Her friends. And all the trust she’d ever earned. Now she’s back, and ready to prove to everyone that she’s nothing like Martin Taylor. Unfortunately, the small town of Misty Peak doesn’t forgive or forget so easily...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f contemporary suspense military from hate to love explicit-open-door -
Two Wedding Crashers by Meghan Quinn
I don’t know what love is anymore.Well, that’s not entirely true, but I’m going to tell you a little secret: I’ve lost the spark. You know the kind of spark I’m talking about? Where butterflies take flight in your stomach from two hands innocently colliding. Or catching your breath when you first meet someone attractive. Yeah, that spark...Categorized as:
m-f first-person-pov contemporary alpha male length-medium dual-pov explicit-open-door -
Tight Fit by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt’s okay to admit I’m scared.Outside forces are working hard to tear us apart, but we’ve teamed up against them. It’s the internal struggles we’re battling that could spell the ultimate end.When Ben makes a public show to prove how committed we are, I’m left confused as I struggle to figure out whether his feelings for me are real or if they’re part of the act...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f age difference sports friends to lovers contemporary length-short -
Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood
The companion novel to Laura Wood’s Under Your Spell follows Theo Eliott’s best friend Cynthie Taylor as she’s pulled back into a fake PR relationship with Jack Turner-Jones, the one costar she swore she’d never work with again.When Cynthie Taylor gets her first real acting job, starring in a small British movie, she is over the moon...Categorized as:
forced proximity slow burn m-f from hate to love contemporary humor length-medium actors -
Burning for More by Kaye Kennedy
He's reckless. She's hiding behind a lie.They seem destined to be, but could easily crash and burn.DylanHis past made him notoriously reckless and, as a New York City fireman, that could prove fatal. After barely escaping a burning building with a victim, Autumn’s beautiful face was the last thing he expected to see, and their instant connection intrigued but terrified him...Categorized as:
first-person-pov m-f contemporary firefighter length-medium fighters explicit-plentiful -
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Falling into Forever by Avery Maxwell
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhat’s a brokenhearted romance novelist to do when an interview accidentally turns her into the villain? I’ll tell you one thing—the plan definitely wasn’t to turn to the man who taught me that happily ever afters exist only on the page...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f contemporary friends to lovers grumpy sunshine from hate to love -
Blurred Lines by Jessica Prince
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsThere was absolutely no way she was falling for her neighbor. No matter how gorgeous he was.Aurora Keller thought she’d lucked out when she decided to put down roots in Redemption, Tennessee. She had a new business, new friends, and a picture-perfect little house...Categorized as:
slow burn forced proximity m-f first-person-pov contemporary humor from hate to love bad boys -
On the Edge by K. Bromberg
A spicy, only-one-bed Formula 1 romance from New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg. Surely this can’t be the only solution to overhaul my tarnished rep – faking a romance with the good girl intern?But that’s what my agent says. Just a few months of taming my ways—of shedding Formula 1’s party boy image—will land me a lifetime branding deal. One I desperately need... -
Sweet Spot by Jessica Prince
Who knew four little words and a very public kiss would change so much.Gage Langdon didn’t do relationships. After having his heart shattered years ago, he made a vow to never go down that road again. But when his past waltzes into his town, demanding his attention, he reacts without thinking and makes a very public display of kissing his best friend...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f contemporary military friends to lovers length-medium explicit-open-door -
The Deeper I Fall by Erika Kelly
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsHe's a rough and rugged hockey player. She's a posh British princess. To win an enormous inheritance, they’re forced to live together.This is not going to go well.When his former hockey coach passes away, Declan Cadell is shocked to learn the man left him a cattle ranch. Well, not exactly. He’s got one little hurdle to jump first... -
Pining For You by Marika Ray
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’ve been in love with my best friend since the day I met her freshman year of high school. She was a halo of sunshine on a rainy day, pulling me out of the shadows and making me feel like life was one big roller-coaster ride of excitement. Until the day we graduated and she left on the back of a Harley with some guy who didn’t deserve her, middle fingers in the air...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f friends to lovers contemporary marriage of convenience humor length-short -
Seduction Under the Southern Stars by Serenity Woods
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’ve never been good at doing what I’m told… When Joel, an old friend of mine, asks me to stay in New Zealand after my father’s funeral to help his kid sister, Elora, hunt down a family heirloom, I’m not too thrilled. Visiting my home country has dragged up unwelcome memories of the poor, angry young man I used to be, and I’m itching to get back to my European excavations and affluent lifestyle... -
Matcha Made in Heaven, Vol. 9 by Umebachi Yamanaka
Roa invited Chako and Isshin to her parents' house as a thank-you to Isshin for protecting her from an attacker at the tea festival in Fukuoka. While there, Chako gets drunk and sneaks into Isshin's room, wearing pajamas borrowed from Roa... -
Operation Heartbeat by Em Petrova
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s all action. She’s all brains. But when danger heats up, their hearts might just be the biggest risk of all.Navy SEAL leader Ryan “Con” Constantine never planned to fake a marriage with a brilliant, offbeat cryptologist to stop a terrorist plot. But Sophie Edwards isn’t just cracking codes—she’s cracking his carefully guarded heart... -
Matcha Made in Heaven, Vol. 8 by Umebachi Yamanaka
Roa, a popular live streamer who views Isshin's bottled tea, Chako, as a rival, lost control, and Hananoki-en faced backlash! On top of that, they now have to compete with Roa, who is also a tea maker, in a national competition...Categorized as:
m-f slow burn fake relationship contemporary new adult humor length-short glimpses-kisses -
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Fix Her Up by Julia Wolf
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAt thirty, I’m starting over after a scandal that nearly ruined me. New job, new fixer-upper house, and all new outlook.How did I end up with a tall, devilishly handsome Israeli roommate? I can't actually tell you. Avi Cohen steamrolled into my life, and I kind of liked it.He's a flirt, but we have a contract and rule number one is no sex... -
The Trouble with Love and Ink by Harriet Ashford
Emily Lane is supposed to be on vacation. Instead, she’s in a meeting where a new hire steals the promotion she’s been slotted for. To make matters worse, the promotion thief is a bit of a jerk both inside and outside cubicle walls.Needing an escape, Emily takes on her sister’s dare to work for her calligraphy company. After all, Emily has been perfecting her pointed pen skills for over a decade... -
A Christmas Bargain by Ariana Cooper
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHis land for my heart? That wasn't part of the deal. I'm Claire Winters, real estate heiress with a deadline.Desperate to save my family's legacy.Until I meet Derek Everett, the stubborn single dad who holds the key.He's a former Wall Street king.Eight years my senior.Devastatingly handsome with those blue eyes.And he's using our fake relationship as leverage... -
Vibration by K.C. Mills
NyahAs a journalist her life relies on facts.RightAs a protector his job is to keep those facts hidden.When lines get blurred and things aren’t what they appear to be, the only thing you can trust is what you can feel...Categorized as:
m-f forced proximity african-american black-mc explicit-open-door length-short contemporary -
Nailed by Jasinda Wilder
RYDER: You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Laurel. And if that’s all of you I ever get to see, I’ll be the luckiest man in the world for having seen it. I swallow hard. He wasn’t supposed to make it sweet. He was supposed to leave it dirty and inappropriate, so I could tell myself all he wanted was sex... -
Matcha Made in Heaven, Vol. 5 by Umebachi Yamanaka
After her childhood friend, Jin, confessed his feelings for her, Chako tells him she and Isshin understand their feelings for each other. However, Chako realizes she hasn't received a proper answer to her confession… Isshin's texts are blunt, and he doesn't come back on weekends...Categorized as:
m-f slow burn fake relationship contemporary humor new adult length-short glimpses-kisses -
Risky Business by Kelsie Rae
Yes, I climbed into Jake Jensen’s lap and kissed the crap out of him in a crowded bar to make my ex jealous.Yes, I lied to my family and told them I’m in a relationship with the guy, even though he doesn’t know my name or my family’s connection to one of the hottest software companies in the US... -
Twice Knightley in my Bed: A friends-to-lovers romance by Serenity Woods
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsIt’s been zero days since I realized I’m in love with Leander Knight.Lee, or Knightley as everyone calls him, is my brother’s best mate, and he’s always treated me like his kid sister. Okay, so he might not put cockroaches in my lunchbox and lizards down my neck anymore, but even though we work together every day at Hartfield Wildlife Hospital, he’s never seemed interested in me in that way...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f first-person-pov from hate to love contemporary humor length-medium dual-pov -
Bad Neighbor by Maya Nicole
Jade Dalton is the successful owner of an adult toy company, my new neighbor, and now my fake girlfriend.She wants nothing to do with me after I return her missing cat who got into my house and wreaked havoc. However, when she finds herself in a dicey situation at a charity gala we’re both attending, I step in and pretend to be her boyfriend... -
The Ex List by Grace Pearce
Ryan has one hard and fast rule to dating—never settle.But following this rule has led her to become a serial dater. As her number of exes grows, so does the list of reasons why she had no choice but to let them go—the same list she coincidentally keeps texting one particular person after every breakup.Who cares? Grey blocked Ryan’s number after he broke up with her four years ago...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f slow burn first-person-pov contemporary humor length-medium explicit-open-door -
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Juicy Pickle: A Deserted Island with the Boss Romantic Comedy by J.J. Knight
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCan you imagine getting stuck alone on a deserted island with the person you hate most in the world? And no end in sight?Well, that’s me. Bailey Johansson, former assistant to the absolute worst boss ever to boss in the boss world. Stranded on a tiny island owned by a cruise line in an abandoned party hut.In a tropical storm.This is not a love story.It’s not a tale of redemption or heroism...Categorized as:
forced proximity m-f first-person-pov from hate to love contemporary new adult humor length-medium -
Wallflower in Bloom by Elise Kennedy
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPainfully shy plant mom Violet Parker is about to experience the thrill of a lifetime when her TV crush lands on her doorstep.Desperate to rehab his public image after a PR disaster, actor / playboy Jack Grant needs a wholesome fake girlfriend for the summer. Violet, meanwhile, needs help stepping out of her comfort zone so her fledgling flower and plant shop, Bloom, will thrive...Categorized as:
forced proximity fake relationship curvy heroine humor found-family contemporary length-medium -
Billionaire Boss's Fake Fiancée: A Forbidden Office Romance by Ariana Cooper
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMy wallflower assistant became my pretend fiancée.Things got complicated.Let's rewind for a moment...I needed her help to close a crucial deal.As the city's top tycoon, I should've known better.Mixing business with pleasure? Recipe for disaster.But her bubbly charm melted my icy exterior.A destination wedding became our stage.One hotel room. Two racing hearts.My ex stirred up trouble... -
Passing Ships by Amber Kelly
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsExcited to return to Sandcastle Cove as maid of honor for my best friend Avie’s wedding, I’m ready for sun, surf, and celebration. That is until I learn I’ll be sharing a beach cabana with the sexy-as-sin but uptight Naval officer, Lennon Harraway—the groom’s older brother and best man. With his strict, by-the-book personality, Lennon and I are complete opposites...Categorized as:
m-f forced proximity friends to lovers new adult contemporary military length-medium -
Falling for You Again by Kerry Lonsdale
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFate reunites a young woman with her ex-husband in a delightful and inspiring novel about family, old loves, and marriage on a dare by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale.Furniture artisan Meli Hynes still abides by her uncle’s the only lasting love story is the one between artists and their creations... -
The Billionaire's Pregnant One-Night Stand by Leslie North
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsIt was just one night of passion. But it led to something more…When a barroom brawl leads to an ultimatum from his grandfather, handsome billionaire Bastien Durand finds himself neck deep in shampoo and hair color. To prove he’s not the total screw-up his family thinks he is, Bastien agrees to mentor a salon owner whose business is struggling...
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