Books like 'Striking a Balance'
Readers who enjoyed Striking a Balance by Jennifer Bene also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
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Grounded by R.K. Lilley
James and Bianca’s story draws to a close in the explosive conclusion to the Up In The Air Trilogy. After a short but earnest courtship, Bianca can no longer deny her feelings for James, and though she’s tried her hardest, she can’t help but see that he cares deeply for her, as well...Categorized as:
alpha male super rich hero bdsm possessive hero strong heroine anal sex tortured heroine bondage -
My Liege of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair
Threatened by university cutbacks, Professor Abigail Bern’s only hope is to publish a provocative research paper--soon. Planning to covertly observe behavior in the notorious Dark Haven BDSM club, she takes a receptionist job. When the owner calls upon her to assist in a demonstration, she’s appalled. Then fascinated... -
This is Who I Am by Cherise Sinclair
When trying to save a woman from slavers, Sam screwed up. Royally. Now Linda wants nothing to do with him. Or with BDSM. She won’t even admit she’s a masochist. As a dominant and sadist, he can give her what she needs, and when an opportunity arises, he slips into her life, intending to make amends. She’s everything he knew she would be…except for her bullheaded determination to be ‘normal’... -
Papi's Savior by Laylah Roberts
She went looking for answers, and instead she found him . . .Loving an overprotective, bossy Daddy Dom comes with its challenges.When he’s also the most powerful, dangerous man in the city . . . yeah, things become even more complicated.Add in a wedding, family issues, a new bodyguard, and life definitely isn’t quiet.One thing is certain, though... -
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Fierce Queen by Sadie Kincaid
My name is Alana Montoya. My husband is the King of L.A. And I am his Queen. I never asked for this life, but now that it’s mine, I will fight for it with every breath in my body. Our love is fire and fury, burning brighter than the heat of a thousand suns... -
Behind the Hands That Kill by J.A. Redmerski
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 30 ratings-Reading Order-#1 - KILLING SARAI#2 - REVIVING IZABEL#3 - THE SWAN & THE JACKAL#4 - SEEDS OF INIQUITY#5 - THE BLACK WOLF#6 - BEHIND THE HANDS THAT KILL#7 - SPIDERS IN THE GROVE---Even professional killers need vacations, but for Victor Faust, his vacation in Venezuela is about more than relaxation and time alone with Izabel Seyfried... -
Diamond Kisses by Pepper Winters
Date is a placeholder only. The Jewelry Box Series will release every 5-9 weeks from the previous edition.Book Four & Final...are you ready for the end?A spin-off from the New York Times Bestselling series Monsters in the Dark.The Jewelry Box Series follows Henri Mercer (Q's half-brother) and you don't have to read Monsters in the Dark to enjoy. The storylines are completely separate... -
Reluctant Surrender by Measha Stone
I took her to protect her. I'll be keeping her as my bride.As her thong is ripped off and my belt lashes her beautiful bare backside for the first time, I can tell Maggie Dudek is finally starting to realize that defying a man like me has consequences.Painful consequences.Rigging a high-stakes poker game put her in danger, but that's not why she's face down on my bed... -
Buttons and Devotion by Penelope Sky
If I don’t give her what she wants—I’ll lose her forever. When Sapphire became my muse, it was supposed to be a business transaction. We both got what we wanted—until she wanted something more. If I don’t give it to her, give her all of me, she’ll walk out of my life. My father already granted his approval—so he would be disappointed if I let her slip through my fingers...Categorized as:
strong heroine possessive hero alpha male m-f suspense contemporary dark explicit-plentiful -
I Will Not Beg by Cherise Sinclair
She signed away her freedomStarved for affection, young Piper Delaney surrenders her life to a Master. But there is no love—only abuse. She’s told she can’t leave; she signed the slave contract. Years later, beaten and starving, she hears an English Dom say the contract’s illegal. Unenforceable. And she runs.She reclaims her life and rises above the nightmare that was her past... -
Buttons and Betrayal by Penelope Sky
Conway paid off Knuckles to keep me—but he expects something in return. I belong to him exclusively, to fulfill every order he gives, personally and professionally. I’m more just his muse now. I’m his in every sense of the word. I live a life of luxury in his mansion, but he treats me like a servant. I can’t deny my attraction for him, but I despise the kind of man he is...Categorized as:
strong heroine possessive hero alpha male m-f suspense contemporary dark explicit-plentiful -
Savage Sin: Bellamy Brothers 1 by Helen Hardt
Rated: 4.78 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsEnter a world of mystery, suspense, sin, and heart-wrenching emotion with Helen Hardt's new series!In prison, they called him Savage.Falcon Bellamy spent years locked up for a crime he didn’t commit, which shattered his dream of serving his country as a Navy SEAL. When he's granted early parole to help with a family emergency, he’s determined to reclaim his life... -
Tiernan by Jane Henry
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen I knew Aisling, she was my sister’s best friend. Young.Innocent.Wild.But that was then.Now I’m hardened and ruthless.A bare-knuckle boxer. An enforcer for the Clan.And that carefree girl is a slave to her addictions with demons in her eyes.And I want her.When she witnesses a murder—a murder I committed—I have no choice but to take her.I’ll keep her silent.I’ll keep her hostage... -
Fallen Rose by Amelia Wilde
Leo Morelli has lost everything.His safety. His sanity. But worse than that, the woman he loves. He will destroy Bishop’s Landing to get her back, even if it means becoming the monster she fears. The entire city will feel his wrath. Haley Constantine loves her beast, but she can’t walk away from her family. They need her now more than ever. It will take more than violence to face these enemies... -
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King of Pain by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsMy vows didn't make me his. My body did. Diego Santos may be wealthy, powerful, and sinfully gorgeous, but his slick veneer doesn't fool me. I know his true nature, and I had planned to end this arranged marriage before it even began. But it wasn't Diego waiting for me at the altar... -
Opal: A Wolfes of Manhattan Novel by Helen Hardt
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe lashes out with spite and venom. He fights back with anger and passion.Being held captive on a South Pacific island and forced to submit to the depravity of strange men was horrific, but it wasn’t the worst experience of Kelly Taylor’s life. Abused as a child and abandoned once she turned eighteen, Kelly is now free…except for the threatening text messages she’s receiving...Categorized as:
dual-pov alpha male super rich hero contemporary dark suspense military length-medium -
Master Thor by Ann Jensen, Rogue London
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsDesperate times call for desperate measures.When I hit rock bottom I found Club Midgard was looking to hire. I knew nothing about BDSM when I interviewed with a man I couldn’t have dreamt up if I’d tried.In his world women are protected.In his world women are honored.In his world lay safety and happiness.ONLY if I gave him my submission... -
A Reckless Note by Lisa Renee Jones
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 21 ratings“I can chase you, and I can catch you, but there is nothing I can do to make you mine.” ― Morrissey It all started with a note, just a simple note hand written by a woman I didn't know, never even met. But in that note is perhaps every answer to every question I've ever had in my life. And because of that note, I travel thousands of miles. I look for her, but find him... -
Ruthless Prince by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAlexandra is a senator's daughter, used to mingling in the company of the rich and powerful, but tonight she will learn that there are men who play by different rules. Men like me. I could romance her. I could seduce her and then carry her gently to my bed. But that can wait... -
Deadly by Suzanne Steele
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSome people say she's a machine and maybe she is when it comes to Born Bratva business. When her father gifts her with a new bodyguard named Oleg she does everything she can to torment him. Through the years of watching over the Pakhan's daughter Oleg finds himself wrapped up in a dark, sadistic, out of control love. It is the only weakness he has ever known... -
Royal Mistake: A Dark Billionaire Arranged Marriage Romance by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsHe keeps what's his. And as far as he's concerned, I'm his already.When Valerio Royal decided I would be accompanying him to his private island, he didn't ask. He just dragged me onto his plane bound and blindfolded with my ass still sore from a spanking.Then, after he finished making me come until I almost passed out, he asked me to marry him...Categorized as:
super rich hero m-f spanking contemporary length-long arranged marriage dark abduction -
Beautiful Devil by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI made my name and my fortune carrying out every hit with absolute precision. But this time it wasn’t a job, it was personal, and something went horribly wrong. This time there was a witness... -
Bratva Jewel by Sabine Barclay
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI can’t resist her. I don’t want to…She’s tried to leave our life behind, but no one walks away from the bratva.She can run, but she can’t hide.I’ll be the one to catch her when she falls. And she will because she’s walking a fine line.I’ll be there because she’s mine.I’ll go to the ends of the Earth for her. She’ll discover her limits and realize only I can please her... -
Escape from Paradise by Gwendolyn Field
When college sophomore Angela Birch sneaks from Texas to Mexico for Spring Break, she believes the worst that can happen is her parents finding out. Wrong. The worst is falling for the ruse of handsome, alluring Fernando...Categorized as:
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Claimed as Revenge by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA Dark Mafia RomanceI claimed her to send a message. I'll keep her for my pleasure.Valencia Rivera was given to me for a night to seal a deal offered to me by her father, but after that pact was broken I decided she was mine to keep. She thought she had a say in the matter, but she found out otherwise when the first stinging lash of my belt landed on her beautiful bottom... -
Made to Beg by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsFirst I made her beg. Then I made her mine.Sierra Fox showed up at my door to ask for my protection, and I gave it to her... for a price. She belongs to me now, and I'm going to use her beautiful body as thoroughly as I please. The only thing for her to decide is how sore her cute little bottom will be when I'm through claiming her... -
The Thief by Zoe Blake
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsI will stop at nothing to get the information I need. No matter how much she fights me… I will win in the end. My little thief cannot steal away, I don’t care how hard she tries. Daddy’s in charge now. She either follows my rules, or there will be consequences… painful ones. This is a dark romance daddy dom series. There are no sweet hugs and kisses from these domineering daddies... -
The Expert by Zoe Blake
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsI control everything about her life... she just doesn't know it.Despite her dangerous profession she has an air of naïve innocence.It makes her weak, vulnerable... easy prey for a man like me.Until now, I've been content to stay in the shadows, but someone has made a deadly mistake, they have threatened what's mine.My little one is about to understand that Daddy is done watching... -
Unveiled by Bella J.
Everyone treats me differently now.Like I'm this broken doll with glue sealing the cracks.It's okay. I can handle their pitying stares.But not his.Not Nicoli's.I hate the way he looks at me like I'm this fragile thing he's too afraid to touch.I want him to love me the way he did before this nightmare started.He needs to realize that I'm stronger than he thinks... -
Blossom in Shadows by Ember Davis
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsZINNIAIn my pain, I have found darkness. When I am at my lowest, I find him. He is all darkness, a place where light doesn’t dare to touch. How can he bring me so much warmth when all I have known is cold for so long? I want him as my savior, but he tastes like sin on my tongue.Being separated from what I love the most due to my body’s own betrayal has broken something inside of me... -
Hawke by Anise Storm
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPreviously published in 2019, "Hawke" has been updated with a new POV and some expanded scenes. Arrogant. Sexy. Reminiscent. I felt all three about my newest client. The moment I met the sexy club owner in need of a party planner, I soon realized why. He was the one responsible for the most mortifying night of my life just one year earlier... -
Adore by T.L. Swan
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsT.L. Swan says: Hello, Adore is available for free on Smashwords as an introduction novella. It is the first few chapters of my book Stanton Adore and was simply to allow people to sample my writing style. Holiday romances are supposed to be fun…..and quick…….not burned into your damn brain... -
The Mercer Curse by Pepper Winters
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsQ Mercer from Tears of Tess meets his half-brother Henri Ward from Ruby Tears for the first time...……….I’ve fought a curse all my life.A curse inherited by my sick father. There is no cure.No antidote for what I am. For years, I existed alone. Fighting the urges, doing my best to stay good.Until Esclave 58 entered my life and I didn’t have to fight so hard... -
Defy by Sienna Snow
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSophia Morelli’s wild and rebellious nature has earned her a notorious reputation in Bishop’s Landing. But everything changes when she crosses paths with Damon Pierce, her brother’s best friend and a Dom at Violent Delights with secrets of his own. The temptation to submit to his dangerous possession becomes too hard to resist...Categorized as:
bdsm super rich hero alpha male dark contemporary age difference mafia length-medium -
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Buttons and Revenge by Penelope Sky
My brother didn’t pay his debts—and now I’m on the hook for it. They already killed him, so I know they won’t hesitate to do the same to me. With nowhere to run or hide, I buy a one-way ticket to Milan to audition for Barsetti Lingerie in the hope I can start a new life. Conway Barsetti chooses me as his next model—but then he wants more...Categorized as:
possessive hero super rich hero alpha male slavery strong heroine m-f contemporary suspense -
Controlled: A Dark Mafia Romance by Piper Stone
She was an enigma, as innocent as she was beautiful. But one taste would never be enough. I was the merciless Don of the Saint family, the title handed to me by my older brother. Our family was notorious and dangerous, running Chicago with iron fists. I had no conscience, no sense of humanity, crushing my enemies like bugs. No one could soothe the beast... -
Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Freed by G.E. Griffin
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsConverted to ebook format, Cover UpdatedFifty Shades Freed from Christian's POVGet inside Christian Grey's mind, as you read the complete Fifty Shades trilogy retold from his point of view, carrying on where E L James left off at the end of 'Fifty Shades... -
Meet Fifty Shades Continued - Fifty Shades Darker by G.E. Griffin
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsConverted to ebook format, Cover UpdatedFifty Shades Darker from Christian's POVGet inside Christian Grey's mind, as you read the complete Fifty Shades trilogy retold from his point of view, carrying on where E L James left off at the end of 'Fifty... -
Endless by W. Winters, Savannah Peachwood
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author W Winters comes an emotionally captivating and thrilling, romantic suspense. He holds a power over me like no one else ever could. Maybe it’s because my heart begs to beat in time with his. Maybe it’s because my body bows to his and his alone. Maybe it’s because he thought he loved me before he even laid eyes on me... -
The Man in the Black Suit by Sylvain Reynard
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsBrazilian Acacia Santos excels at her job as concierge at the prestigious Hotel Victoire in Paris. When her senior colleague is attacked and sent to the hospital, she is tasked with serving one of the hotel’s most mysterious and attractive guests. Nicholas Cassirer checks into the hotel under an assumed name every three months... -
Raw by Belle Aurora
Growing up the way I did, you’d think I’d be more screwed up than what I actually am. Soon as I turned sixteen, I left that bump in the road I called home and took my chances on the street. Best decision I ever made. Now, at the age of twenty six, I’m educated, employed and damn good at my job. My friends have become my family. Like me, they know what it’s like to grow up unloved...Categorized as:
super rich hero alpha male bdsm dual-pov tortured heroine anal sex possessive hero angst -
The Forever One by N.O. One
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHell hath no fury like a scorned mafia queen.They couldn't have my blood so they went after my husband.Their mistake was underestimating me.Controlled by my past and the responsibilities my true heritage bestows on me, I’m driven to make decisions I never once considered... -
Tramp by Mary Elizabeth
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLydia Montgomery is a Tramp. After fleeing a tragic past, Lydia’s determined never to go back to the life she left behind at any price. She lands in Grand Haven, California—a city booming with billion dollar corporations and tech money—and everything changes. Armed with the only lesson she learned from her mother, Lydia builds a life of routine, solitude, and success... -
Bared Betrayal by Bella J
My secret has a name. Gabriel King.And he's my future father-in-law.My new fiancé just became an overnight sensation on the Hollywood scene, and we went from quiet dinners to champagne towers and caviar croquettes with A-listers. While Sebastian basks in his newfound fame, I’m trying to figure out how to fix myself so I can be a good wife.Deep down, I know there’s only one way... -
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Tower by Measha Stone
When Azalea meets Peter Titon, she’s sure it was a one-time chance meeting. But when her over protective mother leaves for a work trip, and the men left behind to protect her fail- she’s taken by Peter in the dark of night with no explanation. Peter isn’t one to explain his motives, and taking Azalea is no exception. He takes what he wants... -
Lavish Corruption by Alta Hensley, Stasia Black
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGood girls don’t break rules—but for one night with him, any risk was worth it.Walker St. Claire is my older brother’s best friend and strictly off limits. Especially while he’s an Initiate during his Trials to gain entrance to the secret society.But after a lifetime of following the rules and being the good girl everyone expected me to be, I’m ready to break a few... -
Love Me by W. Winters, Amelia Wilde
From USA Today best-selling authors W Winters and Amelia Wilde comes a sinful romance with a touch of dark and angst that will keep you gripping the edge of your seat … and begging for more.He was mine. My protector, my lover. My second start at life. The man who promised me there was more than this.He gave me hopeUntil my world fell apart again. It was bound to happen. It’s all life has given me... -
Bratva Sweetheart by Sabine Barclay
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe thought it was only for one night…I’ve never let anyone into my life.At least not like her. Not until her.She sees a side of me that isn’t the bratva monster everyone else believes.Now that she knows, she’s mine.Mine to keep and protect. Mine to please. In return, it’s her love I crave. She’s my soulmate.Every kiss, every touch will take her to her limits, and I’ll be the one to catch her... -
Vital Sign by J.L. Mac
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsI used to have a great life. My little world was bright. I had no complaints. My perfectly simple life made the fall from grace that much more devastating. I plummeted from the heavenly little bubble that I shared with Jake. I fell fast and hard straight into the fiery pits of hell. The knowledge of how things used to be is a bittersweet torture that refuses me even one moment of respite...Categorized as:
tortured heroine possessive hero angst m-f contemporary tortured hero dark length-medium -
Cold-Hearted King by Piper Stone
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsFirst she'll pay for her sins. Then I'll make her mine. Ruthless and brutal, i was considered nothing but a cold-hearted beast, a man with no conscience, incapable of caring for anyone. My family's dark, mafia regime had a merciless hold on Miami, our wealth and savagery well known. There was no room for emotions, no heart of soul allowed and that was fine by me...
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