Books like 'Lust Is the Thorn'
Readers who enjoyed Lust Is the Thorn by Jen McLaughlin also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary friends to lovers alpha male strong heroine new adult forbidden love
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Chasing You by Kelly Elliott
Rated: 4.55 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsI chased, you pushedI chased, you friend zonedI chased, you fellNow I chase to protect you.You chased, I resistedYou chased, I acceptedYou chased, I fell Now I pray you’re not too late.After finally winning the heart of the woman I loved, there was no way in hell he was taking her from me... -
![Handle With Care by Helena Hunting]()
Handle With Care by Helena Hunting
HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL. Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin... -
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![The Wrong Bones by Melinda Leigh]()
The Wrong Bones by Melinda Leigh
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsA frantic chase to catch a grave robber reveals a startling discovery in this tenth installment of the Widow’s Island novella series by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.Deputy Tessa Black spots a man disturbing a grave in the local cemetery and gives chase. But when Tessa catches him, she learns that the ghoulish trespasser wasn’t robbing graves; he was burying a box of bones... -
![Seven Summers by Paige Toon]()
Seven Summers by Paige Toon
Six summers to fall in love. One summer to change everything. Liv and Finn meet six summers ago working in a bar on the rugged Cornish coastline, their futures full of promise. When a night of passion ends in devastating tragedy they are bound together inextricably. But Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family—so they make a promise... -
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![Endeared by J.S. Scott]()
Endeared by J.S. Scott
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsAfter finishing a hard-won medical residency, Owen Sinclair now lives his dream as a family physician. The windfall that brought him newfound wealth has also made handsome Dr. Sinclair the town’s most eligible bachelor... -
![Stay Tonight by Kaylee Ryan]()
Stay Tonight by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsSterling It’s always been her, and I just never realized. Now that I’m looking at her that way, I can’t unsee it… and I don’t want to. Alyssa has been my best friend since kindergarten, and these intense new feelings could cost me our friendship. She’s the one I share everything with, good or bad. It makes sense to share my life with her... -
![She Writes Love by Sandi Lynn]()
She Writes Love by Sandi Lynn
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsTwo lives, two losses, and one meeting that changed their lives forever. Learning to move and learning to love again isn’t always easy. The circle of life. It’s something we all know about but are never truly prepared for the unexpected. The unexpected that comes out of nowhere. No warning, no heads up, nothing... -
![Unexpected Fall by Kaylee Ryan]()
Unexpected Fall by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsLife is full of ups and downs. Events that shape who you are, even those that are filled with heartbreak and tragedy. What do you do when actions bring devastation? How do you pick up the pieces and keep moving forward? One breath. One second. One minute. One hour. One day at a time, you learn to live with your unexpected fall... -
![Fall On Me by Chloe Walsh]()
Fall On Me by Chloe Walsh
"Kyle Carter knew every inch of my body. Every fraction of my soul. He was the first man I'd ever been with intimately. The first to break my heart. The first to put it back together again. He was my first, my last and my everything that came in between." In the aftermath of Rachel's vicious attack, Lee and Kyle must once again pick up the pieces of their broken world and move forward... -
![No Feelings Involved by Siobhan Davis]()
No Feelings Involved by Siobhan Davis
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsCan this skeptical player let down his guard long enough to let love into his life, or is this forbidden romance a train wreck in the making? Ryan James doesn’t believe in love. It’s a truth he learned early in life. A truth he carried with him into adulthood... -
![Missing Hart by Ella Fox]()
Missing Hart by Ella Fox
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsMy life has been built on a mountain of secrets, lies and half truths. For a long time I wasn't able to let anyone get close to me. But then I met my Prince Charming. The man who saved me from myself, who showed me what true love was. If only I'd been honest. If only I'd been stronger. If only I could forget...Categorized as:
forbidden love alpha male friends to lovers contemporary pregnancy abuse cruel hero length-medium -
![Fighting for Honor by J.B. Salsbury]()
Fighting for Honor by J.B. Salsbury
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling author JB Salsbury brings her Fighting series to Harper Sloan’s Hope Town in Fighting for Honor. UFL fighter Caleb hasn’t been to Hope Town since he was eighteen. His next big fight takes place in Atlanta and the serene lakefront home from his childhood is the perfect place to train without distractions... -
![Hey, Whiskey by Kaylee Ryan]()
Hey, Whiskey by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsNew standalone from NYT Bestselling Author Kaylee Ryan I’m over this year, and I’m over relationships. I’ve learned that the only person you can count on in life is yourself. Moving forward, I’m living for me. Working toward standing on my own two feet, that’s my goal. Funny how meeting him changed my path... -
![Assured by Kaylee Ryan]()
Assured by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsI’ve always been the guy who plays the field. I like variety and my career ensures that I can have my pick of women. Until her… I’ve always been the girl who wants more. I want the white picket fence, the two point five kids and the dog. That’s what all little girls grow up dreaming about... -
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![Queen of Klutz by Samantha Garman]()
Queen of Klutz by Samantha Garman
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsChoose the best phrase to describe Sibby Goldstein's 1) Sucky. 2) Really sucky. 3) Major suck-fest. D) All of the above. I started my day with a boyfriend and a job. I ended my day with a bottle of tequila. I'll let you connect the dots. Somehow, I wound up working as a waitress at an Italian restaurant. I have no idea what I'm doing. And I'm not just talkin' about life... -
![Tastes Like Candy by Lauren Gilley]()
Tastes Like Candy by Lauren Gilley
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsRaised by a widower and a pack of uncles, Michelle Calloway has known only one way of life, that of the Lean Dogs MC, London chapter. When circumstances force her to flee to America, she fears her days of working alongside the club are over. But Derek Snow isn't the sort of man to let talent go to waste...Categorized as:
alpha male strong heroine forbidden love contemporary bikers age difference angst suspense -
![Craving Lucy by Terri Anne Browning]()
Craving Lucy by Terri Anne Browning
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsUSA Today Bestselling Author Terri Anne Browning’s New Adult series. One kiss can change everything… I wished I’d known that before I’d kissed my best friend. Things are different now. We can’t go back. I’m not even sure I want to go back. I guess the question is…...Categorized as:
new adult alpha male friends to lovers contemporary cheating virgin heroine other-man-woman -
![Unstable by S.E. Hall]()
Unstable by S.E. Hall
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsAfter eight years, Henley Calvert is headed home. Back to the family farm and small town she left behind, never to be thought of again. Too much regret and shame to bear. But she’s the only one left to see to her family’s legacy, so she must return to Ashfall and face all the ghosts that haunt her... -
![Refrain by Kennedy Ryan]()
Refrain by Kennedy Ryan
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsPeople dream of a love that runs deep. So deep it feels like it's always been with you, just waiting for the person who'll own your heart and soul forever. So few ever find it, but for Rhyson Gray and Kai Pearson, happily ever after was only the beginning... One of the biggest rock stars in the world and one of the brightest rising stars make a life together...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers alpha male contemporary dual-pov angst east-asian-mc length-short -
![Hollywood Playboy by Natasha Madison]()
Hollywood Playboy by Natasha Madison
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsBehind the "lights, camera, action" of Hollywood lies a world of deception, love, and seduction. Are you ready for Hollywood Royalty? Jessica An entertainment journalist was the last thing I thought I would be doing. I thought once I got my degree, I would be reporting on stories that made a difference, but now all I do is report on who broke up with who and who is dating who...Categorized as:
alpha male forbidden love new adult contemporary from hate to love angst actors length-medium -
![Sweetest Sorrow by J.M. Darhower]()
Sweetest Sorrow by J.M. Darhower
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsDante Galante has evaded death a few times in his life, but held captive in a sweltering basement, he's certain that death has finally caught up to him. Bloody and barely breathing, he tries to stay strong, but there's only so much a man can endure before darkness takes over. As a critical care nurse, Gabriella Russo witnesses suffering often...Categorized as:
new adult alpha male forbidden love strong heroine suspense mafia pregnancy contemporary -
![Kissing the Rival by Kaylee Ryan]()
Kissing the Rival by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 15 ratings**Kissing the Rival is part of a multi-author series following a group of friends. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone novel.Charlotte I’m not just kissing the rival… I’m falling for him. Spencer Pennington has always been a shameless flirt, but when it came to being the best in our MBA program, all bets were off, and the competition was on... -
![This is Dangerous by Kennedy Fox]()
This is Dangerous by Kennedy Fox
Logan Knight is a real life knight in shining armor. A detective godsend in a sleek black suit has me thinking less than secretive thoughts. Brooding and mysterious, he’s the kind of guy every girl instantly notices. Between his seductive smirk and charming good looks, it’s no wonder I can’t help the way he makes me feel whenever I’m near him. Too bad he’s unavailable—or so he says... -
![Manacle by Bella Jewel]()
Manacle by Bella Jewel
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsI’ve loved Danny since I was five. He’s loved me longer. It seemed destined that we would be together, it seemed like the stars had aligned. Then we grew up and life got in the way. He’s stepping up to be president of the Motorcycle club we grew up in. And I want no part in it. I want to be free, to travel the world and experience life without violence...Categorized as:
friends to lovers alpha male forbidden love new adult contemporary suspense pregnancy bad boys -
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![Pucked Under by Helena Hunting]()
Pucked Under by Helena Hunting
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsRandy Ballistic and Lily LeBlanc are head-over-heels, bed-breakingly, screaming orgasmically in love. But even they have their challenges, mostly outside of the bedroom. With the off-season coming to a close and the boys gearing up for training camp, one more weekend of fun is the perfect way to welcome the new season...Categorized as:
new adult alpha male friends to lovers strong heroine sports hockey contemporary athletes -
![Kissing My Brother's Bride by Molly McLain]()
Kissing My Brother's Bride by Molly McLain
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsMy brother’s fiancée should have been mine. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not quite as bad as it sounds. Linc was running late for their first date and he begged me to stand in until he could get there.I only went to tell the girl to run. To warn her about my brother’s selfish ways and promise she wanted no part of it.But then I saw her...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forbidden love strong heroine new adult contemporary dual-pov length-medium m-f -
![Fallout by Lila Rose]()
Fallout by Lila Rose
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsPoppy Torian has been in love with Jerimiah since she moved to Caroline Springs. Only he didn’t know she existed until her dad joined his father’s MC club, the Venom’s. Friends. It’s what’s she been assigned to, but Poppy wants more. Biding her time, a few years to be exact, she goes to make her move. But when she overhears Jerimiah saying things that crack her heart, she runs... -
![Needing Her by Molly McAdams]()
Needing Her by Molly McAdams
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsShe’s the Girl Next Door. Maci Price isn’t really into relationships. Having four very protective older brothers has always made having a boyfriend very difficult, anyway. But her friend is set on finding her the perfect guy – and thinks the mysterious Connor Green is the perfect pick. He’s Her Brother’s Best Friend. Connor Green is trying to find himself again...Categorized as:
forbidden love alpha male friends to lovers new adult contemporary abuse college men in uniform -
![This is Beautiful: Logan & Kayla, #2 by Kennedy Fox]()
This is Beautiful: Logan & Kayla, #2 by Kennedy Fox
Kayla Sinclair is a saint and real life Angel. She wears her heart on her sleeve and inspires me to be a better person. Rescuing dogs, feeding the homeless, volunteering at the local food pantry are just a few of the ways she gives back to others, although no one has ever been there for her. Falling for her was inevitable, losing her will destroy me...Categorized as:
new adult alpha male friends to lovers humor contemporary single-father length-short -
![Finding Ivy by Claire Kingsley]()
Finding Ivy by Claire Kingsley
After putting her life on hold to care for her dying father, Ivy Nichols feels stuck. Alone and disconnected, she’s struggling to pick up the pieces and move forward. The mysterious William Cole walks into her life, like a beacon of light in a fog. He’s sensual and captivating—awakening Ivy in ways she’s never experienced before... -
![Our Unscripted Story by L.A. Fiore]()
Our Unscripted Story by L.A. Fiore
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsGreyson Ratcliffe. I met him at sixteen, the hot new guy sitting on my jetty, an aspiring artist just passing through. He was my first kiss and my first love. I wanted forever with him. I didn’t even get a year. Five years later, I’m a budding writer who scripts stories of love and struggle, the good and the bad and the ups and the downs... -
![Fearless at Heart by Zoe York]()
Fearless at Heart by Zoe York
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFor twenty years, Seth Kincaid has kept his visits to his home town brief. He’s not avoiding January Hill, exactly—he’s giving his high school girlfriend space. But that distance evaporates when she takes over her family’s marina for the summer... -
![Triumph by Cecilia London]()
Triumph by Cecilia London
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“All of your ideals, your hopes and dreams…they cease to matter if you abandon them in your darkest hour. We have to see this through to the end.”Jack McIntyre and Caroline Gerard have never shied away from a challenge. As dual commanders of the American rebel forces, they now face the greatest adversity of their lives. Every decision has permanent consequences... -
![The Younger Man by Karina Halle]()
The Younger Man by Karina Halle
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsStarting over was her only option.Forty-years old and still reeling from a public and painful divorce, Thalia Blackwood is looking for a fresh start, somewhere far away from her upside down life. When she’s offered a new job as the sports therapist for a football (soccer) team, she jumps at the chance...Categorized as:
new adult forbidden love alpha male friends to lovers sports contemporary age difference angst -
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![Locked Up One Night by Chasity Bowlin, Laramie Briscoe]()
Locked Up One Night by Chasity Bowlin, Laramie Briscoe
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI shouldn't want my ex-wife's little sister, but I do. And turns out, she wants me, too...TroyThere’s one person who pushes all my buttons… Lizzie. My former sister in law. My ex wife’s baby sister. Who was a freaking kid when Emma and I were married. But she’s not a kid anymore and my feelings for her aren’t brotherly. At all... -
![Wild In The Windy City: The Anthology Volume 3 by Rachel Brookes, Audrey Carlan]()
Wild In The Windy City: The Anthology Volume 3 by Rachel Brookes, Audrey Carlan
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNew Year's Eve on Navy Pier.A sexy, breathless night.Eighteen authors bring magic, steam, and romance to the Resolution Gala on Navy Pier this New Year’s Eve. Don’t miss the fireworks.All proceeds from this anthology benefit Bernie's Book Bank (https://www.berniesbookbank.org/)RELEASE DATE December 10, 2019Look for a pre-order link later this Fall!ANTHOLOGY AUTHORS:Rachel BrookesAudrey CarlanL.M... -
![Dangerous Stranger by E.L. Todd]()
Dangerous Stranger by E.L. Todd
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsStandalone. No cliffhanger. HEA. Other books in the series can be read in any order.Jett takes his job as an escort seriously. He's not just playing a part, and he tries to help people as much as he can. When a guy asks him to pose as his boyfriend, Jett doesn't hesitate. Following the rules has always been easy, but with a dude, it will be a walk in the park... -
![A Bridge Between Us by K.K. Allen]()
A Bridge Between Us by K.K. Allen
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsI had always known he wasn’t mine to keep, but that didn’t change the way I loved him—quietly, gently, and from afar. As the seasons changed, the corn stalks grew strong, and the grapevines flourished with hope. But none of it mattered, not when the soil at our feet bound us in a century-old rivalry. We’d never even had a chance...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers forbidden love contemporary suspense mystery angst from hate to love -
![Misconception by Kaylee Ryan]()
Misconception by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsHudson I didn’t plan on kissing my best friend’s twin sister… or falling for her. But it happened all the same. It’s always been Riley, but after I finally get the chance to taste her lips, she ghosts me. Not exactly the response I was hoping for. Getting out of town for a while, and giving her space, seemed like the best thing for us both...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers alpha male forbidden love contemporary pregnancy angst secret child -
![Bouncer by Kim Jones]()
Bouncer by Kim Jones
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsI was born a 1%ER. I earned the right to be a King.For the past ten years, I’ve dedicated my life upholding the legacy that is Kings of Carnage Motorcycle Club. My job as a Nomad is to ensure that King Nation thrives as a whole. And that the poor decisions of one charter doesn’t determine the fate of the patch...Categorized as:
new adult strong heroine alpha male contemporary from hate to love sassy heroine bikers -
![TRUST by Deborah Bladon]()
TRUST by Deborah Bladon
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsMy older brother’s best friend crashed my twenty-first birthday party. Then he took me home with him. Harrison Keene is the type of man women chase.So they can yell at him. He’s as arrogant as they come.Sinfully handsome and annoying blunt, he was born with a diamond-encrusted silver spoon in his mouth.Harrison is the heir to the Keene family fortune... -
![Rain After Fire by Amber Kelly]()
Rain After Fire by Amber Kelly
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIf you play with fire, expect to get burned.I learned at a young age to trust no one, protect myself, and guard my heart. All lessons my mother burned into me. She may not have had a lot to offer in way of help but she poured all she had into me and made me the independent woman I am today. So after laying her to rest, I packed my belongings and moved to the place that she talked about often...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers alpha male strong heroine contemporary angst firefighter length-short -
![My Curvy Bunny by Pippa Lux]()
My Curvy Bunny by Pippa Lux
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGood girls have never looked sweeter. WillowI’m doing all I can to stay afloat, to forget how lonely I am now that my sweet grandparents are gone. Applying for a second job as a waitress at Molly’s Grove, a beautiful, magical restaurant, seems like the perfect solution.But the pain follows me, tainting my excitement. My hope. Until I lay eyes on my new boss, Mason Aldridge...Categorized as:
friends to lovers alpha male new adult contemporary age difference insta-love length-short -
![Flow by Kennedy Ryan]()
Flow by Kennedy Ryan
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsIn 8 years, Marlon James will be one of the brightest rising stars in the music industry. Bristol Gray will be his tough, no-nonsense manager. But when they first meet, she’s a college student finding her way in the world, and he’s an artist determined to make his way in it. From completely different worlds, all the things that should separate them only draw them closer...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers forbidden love strong heroine contemporary multicultural dual-pov angst -
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![In This Life by Cora Brent]()
In This Life by Cora Brent
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsRELEASING MAY 15th!!!! IN THIS LIFE by Cora Brent KATHLEEN Loner. Volatile. Wickedly hot and unforgiving. Probably not the kind of man anyone should trust with an infant. Definitely not the kind of man any woman should trust with her heart. When Nash Ryan returned to town for the sake of his baby brother I thought I already understood who he was...Categorized as:
new adult alpha male friends to lovers contemporary bad boys single-mother single-father m-f -
![Flow by Kennedy Ryan]()
Flow by Kennedy Ryan
Rated: 4.01 of 5 stars · 45 ratings"I can't stop thinking about this book! The story reads like a movie...GRIP has everything I want in a story—dynamic characters, soulful plot, and a lesson at the end that change the way you look at life. 5 massive, gripping stars from me...One of my favorite reads this year. Maybe ever... -
![Trust Me by Lacey Black]()
Trust Me by Lacey Black
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAfter all of the devastating betrayals by the one she loved, Twenty-two year old Avery Stevens has spent three years raising her daughter alone, with her family and best friend as a support system, never leaving her small hometown of Rivers Edge, Missouri...Categorized as:
friends to lovers alpha male forbidden love new adult contemporary single-mother male-pov dual-pov -
![Thief of Hearts by L.H. Cosway]()
Thief of Hearts by L.H. Cosway
Seduce the teacher.Meet the cousin.Make a deal.Steal the painting. Andrea Anderson has no clue of the thoughts churning around in the dark and dangerous ex-con’s head as he enters her classroom. In fact, she’s momentarily lost for words. Not in her entire teaching career has she had a student who looked quite like Stu Cross...Categorized as:
forbidden love alpha male friends to lovers new adult suspense contemporary office bad boys -
![My Way Back to You by Claire Contreras]()
My Way Back to You by Claire Contreras
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsThis book follows Then There Was You. Love isn't always about timing. Sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind and roll with it. I admit I wasn't ready. I know you don't want to look at me, let alone talk to me, but please, let me explain. Let me tell you all the ways my heart broke when you walked away. Let me show you what our years apart have done to me...Categorized as:
new adult alpha male friends to lovers contemporary angst secret child second chances length-medium -
![Drive Me Wild by Julie Kriss]()
Drive Me Wild by Julie Kriss
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsEmily was a cop's daughter, and I was the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. At eighteen, our affair was wild and completely secret. Until she left town for college and a better life, and I hit the road to nowhere.Eight years later, we're both back in town. My father is in prison; Emily is selflessly helping her sister. We should be farther apart than we've ever been...Categorized as:
new adult forbidden love alpha male contemporary bad boys friends-benefits dual-pov length-short
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