Books like 'Holding Out'
Readers who enjoyed Holding Out by Serena Bell also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny military friends to lovers virgin heroine siblings-bff m-f
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Maybe Don't Wanna by Lani Lynn Vale
Peter Parker Penn. Unlike the superhero his mother named him after, Parker is no good guy. In fact, if there’s a picture in the dictionary under anti-hero, it’s his. Parker’s spent his life trying to get back on the right side of the tracks, but each step he takes forward, he takes two more steps back. To save one, he hurts others. To make this good, he turns that bad... -
The Lost Letters by Brittney Sahin, Joseph Cannata
Rated: 4.71 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsFrom Joseph Cannata and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brittney Sahin comes the love story of Jesse and Ella told from a unique perspective in this companion novella to the international bestselling novel The Broken One. Step back into the Falcon Falls Security world and experience it like never before...Categorized as:
military friends to lovers m-f humor tortured hero sassy heroine contemporary length-short -
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One Chance, Fancy by Lani Lynn Vale
Benson Bayou Beauregard is the president of the Bear Bottom Guardians MC, and the grandson of the Sergeant at Arms for the Dixie Wardens MC. He’s a mountain of a man and the warden of a prison, and there’s only one thing that can scare him—being told that he’s the father of a three-year-old little girl. A three-year-old little girl that has no clue who he is... -
Officially Over It by Lani Lynn Vale
Going from a professional baseball player to a SWAT officer should’ve been seamless. Should have been. But it wasn’t. All it took was one single calendar shoot for word to spread that Nathan Cox was not only no longer playing professional baseball, but he was also the man behind saving the life of Reggie Morton, the City of Kilgore’s princess. ***... -
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Only for You by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsLove only works when your heart is in the right place. Hers could be right next door…. Single mom Bridgette Dalton doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses—not even in her own flower shop. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t noticed Bodhi Booker. Her ruggedly handsome next-door neighbor would be the perfect candidate for a no-strings fling... -
Can't Help Falling by Courtney Walsh
All it takes to start a fire is one single match. . . Owen Larrabee is not my soulmate. He wasn't when I confessed my love to him on his wedding day, and he isn't now. I should probably say that I wasn't the bride when that happened. I don't have the best timing. He’s got a temper, he's moody, and he has a history of being misunderstood and making big mistakes...Categorized as:
friends to lovers siblings-bff m-f contemporary grumpy sunshine office men in uniform humor -
Forever Notorious by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.81 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAbigail Mueez knows all about being something you’re not. Everyone knows she works security in Washington D. C. , but that wasn’t exactly the truth. There are many layers of deception in Abby’s life from her job to the man she’s with—a man she doesn’t have time to fall in love with when her life and so much more was on the line. Too bad she didn’t tell her heart that... -
Charlie Foxtrot by Giulia Lagomarsino
Rated: 4.73 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMummies. Yeah, you heard me right. That’s my next job—protecting a mummy. It wouldn’t be a problem, except someone doesn’t want this particular mummy to make it to the museum. Not to mention one of my teammates thinks this particular mummy is cursed. On top of this ridiculous job, I’ve also met the most gorgeous woman in the world... -
Nobody Knows by Lani Lynn Vale
All he ever wanted was to matter to someone. What he didn’t know was that he did matter to someone. Someone that worried about him every single day that he was gone. Malachi Gabriel Gnocchi was missing for two years. Thanks to a mission gone wrong, not only had he been captured, but his best friend along with his fellow teammates had been taken, too... -
Once Upon A Sure Thing by Lauren Blakely
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsA sexy, standalone best-friends-to-lovers romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely! It's so easy being best friends with a gorgeous, talented, charming guy. Said no woman ever. Except me. My friendship with Miller is a sure thing — he’s my plus one, my emergency contact, and my shoulder to lean on...Categorized as:
friends to lovers m-f humor contemporary length-medium audiobook standalone standalone-first -
Nuclear Option by Giulia Lagomarsino
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe exciting and thrilling conclusion to Cash and Eva’s story, and the second book in the OPS series! The military defines a Nuclear Option as a drastic step or last resort, and I’m about to take it. Cash. I am an expert marksman, engaging the enemy from afar. You’ll never see me coming because I’m that good. Even a sniper can be drawn out of hiding... -
The Fool by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI don’t know who needs to hear this but take a day off from being the bigger person. Fuck some shit up. Those words were said to him by a stranger in the airport. And from that moment on, he’s only had eyes for her. Too bad they met when she was taking off for three months to parts unknown... -
Clown Motel by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.53 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIt’s not every day you meet a man at the bar, stare at him for hours, and then right when you decide to make a move, he gets up to leave. Worse, when you follow him outside, you see him completely change his appearance by shucking a wig and a button down shirt, dropping them into the nearest trash can... -
Trouble by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsShe wants something real. He wants something now. Together they’re trouble in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s sexy and funny twice-in-a-lifetime love story. With his shameless grin and let’s-play swagger, carpenter Penn Etling leaves women wanting in Dogwood Lane. What do they get? Avery Perry knows: a one-night stand. She’s been there...Categorized as:
friends to lovers m-f humor new adult contemporary independent heroine length-medium audiobook -
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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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers m-f small town contemporary humor forced proximity christian audiobook -
Join the Club by Lani Lynn Vale
There are a few lessons one has to learn for themselves. Then there are the lessons that most people don’t have to learn because it’s just not done. For instance, most people know instinctively that they shouldn’t crave the mother of their brother’s child. Bourne Pena isn’t most men... -
Cocky Origins by Faleena Hopkins
Rated: 4.78 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA period-piece novel to charm the pants right off of you. .. New to the series? A prequel is a great place to start. Fan of the series? Oh boy, are you going to love this. Miss May Eloise Kearns meets for the very first time the young and oh-so-handsome Jerald Daniel Cocker, a submarine planesman for the Navy on special leave in Georgia, U. S. A. , at the end of World War II. True Love. . -
Hot SEAL, Silent Knight by Kris Michaels
Rated: 4.78 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsForced to take his 'Use or Lose' vacation days, Romeo Platoon Leader Ted (Bear) Black begrudgingly heads home to Hope City and all the nonsense surrounding Christmas. He'd rather stay in San Diego and spend his downtime working, especially when he's unexpectantly reunited with the woman who was the star of the worst date he'd ever experienced. Noel Laurent is heading home for Christmas... -
Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann
Taking on the world's deadliest criminals is what the elite security force Troubleshooters Incorporated does best. But now they face a new and powerful threat from their most lethal enemy yet--a shadowy government outfit known only as The Agency...Categorized as:
military friends to lovers m-f contemporary suspense men in uniform mystery alpha male -
Happily Evan After by Kat Baxter
She’s scared to fall. He’s ready to catch her. MARLEY. It was one night. No names. No strings. Just the kind of reckless escape I never let myself have—until him. Now he’s standing in my clinic, smiling like he doesn’t remember me. Which is fine. Because Evan Cartwright is too young, too charming,. and way too dangerous to my heart. EVAN. I knew it was her the moment I saw her... -
Will Bark for Pizza by Caroline Stone
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWill Bark for Bluebell Springs Book 1. A Small Town Brother's Best Friend Romance. After a hard breakup and accepting her successful author career is on a downward spiral, all Kira Mason craves is the comfort of her late mom’s hometown bookstore. Too bad no one warned her it was for sale...Categorized as:
siblings-bff military contemporary humor length-long first-in-series standalone-first -
The Wisteria Tree Cottage by Holly Martin
Get swept away to the sparkling Welsh coast this summer, where the sea glitters in the sunshine and love is in the air. From the bestselling author of The Blossom Tree of Dreams, this is the perfect romantic treat to escape with this summer. Meadow has only ever loved one man – the very gorgeous Bear Brookfield... -
Clap Back by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsBeing a twin is great. What isn’t great is having the hots for the same woman your twin does. Been there, done that, have the t-shirt. Since Auden Carter made that mistake in his teens, he’d promised himself never to do that to his brother again. Hence why he’s tried so hard to stay away from Maven, the sexy bakery owner that seems to have been put on this planet to tempt him... -
Falling In The Mountains by Olivia T. Turner
New town. New job. New Me. New boyfriend? At least that’s what the hot Mountain Man staring me down with hungry eyes seems to think. Julian works in Search and Rescue in the Greene Mountains. He also owns the bungee jump, and that’s where I meet him. Those beautiful possessive eyes stare me down as he straps the cord around my ankles...Categorized as:
military virgin heroine m-f contemporary insta-love age difference alpha male new adult -
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Embrace The Suck by Giulia Lagomarsino, Reggie Deanching
Rated: 4.68 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEmbrace The Suck is book 8 in the OPS Protector Romance series and should be read in order. I should have just stayed home. I thought I could get away and relax. But that was scrapped the first day when Dash and FNG followed me on vacation. It was supposed to be a trip to reset my brain... -
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:
friends to lovers m-f humor super rich hero forced proximity contemporary length-short audiobook -
Not a Role Model by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsYou better watch out for people that bounce back from everything that’s meant to destroy them. Those were the words that Coreline King learned to live by when it came to dealing with Tide ‘Rook’ Crow, member of the Battle Crows MC, general surgeon, and all-around jerk who lived to make her life a living hell...Categorized as:
friends to lovers military m-f virgin heroine from hate to love contemporary bikers alpha male -
The Worst Best Friend by Nicole Snow
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a hilariously uplifting standalone romance where two jaded friends next door bring their lost hearts home. It's all sunshine and butterflies until your brother's best friend dropkicks your heart. I knew I had it coming with Weston McKnight. The Adonis next door. The fever crush. The always protector... -
Dare by Chelle Bliss
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAustin Moore found his purpose in the military, but there was always something missing. He wanted what everyone in his family had…someone to call his own. But his life didn’t make it easy to find a soul mate, someone to be his forever. Sage Hill enlisted to follow in the footsteps of her father, but never wanted to be in his shadow...Categorized as:
military friends to lovers m-f alpha male age difference sassy heroine humor contemporary -
Heavy Petting by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.53 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHe’s her best friend. A reformed bad boy turned hot teacher. And after one spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding. .. her husband. Jordan Benoit and Fletcher Landry have been best friends since they were six. He’s always been The Guy. When she needed picked up, cheered up, or lifted up — like literally, to see the stage at a concert — Fletcher was the guy... -
Zane's Rebel by Loni Nichole
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFor once in his life, this strait-laced attorney is ready to throw caution to the wind. Too bad his sassy, rebellious soulmate refuses to take the risk. Zane. I take on the sassy-mouthed heiress’s case because she needs a good defense. She’s being sued by her father’s former business partner, who wants to destroy her. The odds in this small-town are stacked against her...Categorized as:
friends to lovers virgin heroine m-f contemporary humor alpha male curvy heroine length-novella -
Kitty Valentine Dates Santa by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.55 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsSPIN THE WHEEL. DATE THE GUY. WRITE THE BOOK. Six years ago, Kitty Valentine took the book world by storm when her sweet debut romance hit number one on the New York Times Best Sellers list, which was followed by a string of successful releases. Her latest novel, however, totally bombs, causing her editor to suggest she write much sexier books... -
Sinner by Giulia Lagomarsino
Sinner is the first book in the Reed Security Series. It is preceded by the series For The Love Of A Good Woman and it is recommended that the series be read in order, as characters from the first appear in the second. Cara. I've been broken for six years... -
The Village Inn of Secret Dreams by Alison Sherlock
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsAfter escaping her parents’ unhappy marriage to sleepy Cranbridge a long time ago, Belle Clarke dreams of staying at The Black Swan Inn forever. But with the rundown Inn threatened with closure, Belle may be forced to leave, unless a buyer can be found … quickly. So, when her oldest friend Pete Kennedy returns from working abroad with a plan to save the Inn, Belle should be overjoyed...Categorized as:
friends to lovers m-f christmas contemporary small town humor length-medium audiobook -
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Rafe by Maryann Jordan
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe true measure of a man is not in the mistakes he makes…but in how he handles those mistakes. Rafe Walker gained fame while in the Army when he was photographed for a Military Calendar. Afterward, modeling contracts rolled in but he found his life in California lacking and longed for a change... -
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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers m-f humor contemporary fake relationship open-door fated-mates audiobook -
My True Love by Melissa Foster
Can a man who resents the hand he’s been dealt and a woman who spends her days grateful for every little thing find true love in each other’s arms—or are their differences stronger than both of them? Find out in this funny, sexy, heartfelt romance, and fall in love with Grant and Jules on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, and midnight rendezvous...Categorized as:
military friends to lovers virgin heroine m-f siblings-bff humor super rich hero contemporary -
Tight Hold by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe pro football player I’m faking a relationship with has the perfect solution to my career woes. He’s encouraging me to lean into the pseudo-celebrity life I was born into instead of trying to outrun it, and for the first time in my life, someone sees me for me. I feel like he’s falling for me, too. And then my ex shows up...Categorized as:
friends to lovers m-f contemporary humor sports age difference length-short audiobook -
Cashmere and Camo by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA friends to lovers romance… and then some. Run a pie shop with her sisters for a year. Date for the first time at age twenty-nine. Don’t be terrified. Well, she’s got the first thing under control at least. Mostly. But this is exactly what a best friend is for. Advice, pep talks, matchmaking, sex education…... -
Illicit – A Sizzling Boxed Set by Calinda B., Sylvie Stewart
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsOver 20 illicit romances with the sexy heroes and strong heroines you crave! Lose yourself in the world of hot hookups, where the stories run from sexy to downright scandalous and the characters will leave you breathless. In these pages, you’ll find tantalizing romance, rekindled flames, and forbidden trysts... -
Master Baker by Pippa Grant
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsThey call me the sugar whisperer. Anything your tongue desires, I can bake it. Scones? Child’s play. Cupcakes? I’ll frost them so good you won’t know what hit you. Donuts? Please. You’re talking to a master baker. But there’s one egg I’ve never been able to crack. My best friend. Correction: My former best friend. She’s the apple in my pie. The whip in my cream. The lemon in my meringue...Categorized as:
friends to lovers military m-f humor contemporary from hate to love new adult dual-pov -
Convincing Cara by Melanie Shawn
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsCara McCord had a new lease on life. After hearing the news that she was cancer free, the Texas beauty was ready to move forward and live life to the fullest…starting with losing her virginity. There was only one problem, though—the gorgeous blonde’s heart beat for one cowboy alone, and he was someone she knew she could never have... -
Can't Resist Him by Molly McLain, Sommer Stein
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 12 ratings***. SPECIAL PRE-ORDER PRICE OF $2. 99! ***. Sometimes what you want and what you need are two very different things. Always relegated to the "friends with benefits" corner of small town River Bend, Jenny Riley is done giving the milk for free. Falling hard for a bad boy? Not in the plan, either. Sexy, emotionally-wounded Marine Reservist Brody Nelson just needs someone to lend an ear...Categorized as:
military friends to lovers m-f humor contemporary alpha male length-short standalone -
Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis
What would you change if you had to start your life—and love life—over again? When Emma Harris wakes up from a coma she learns that her fiancé and her BFF have fallen in love, she’s lost her job, and the life she knew is gone. Overwhelmed but grateful to be alive she starts over from scratch. Not as easy as it sounds, of course... -
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Waiting for healing by Sarah Pirtle
Rated: 4.80 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThe battle of wits and flirtatious energy between them was enough to satisfy the desire hiding behind his playful demeanor. Until it wasn't, now he'll stop at nothing to make her his. When I first met Taylor I was enthralled by her very being. The way she was confident, fierce, and loyal to those closest to her made her all the more captivating... -
Enforce by M. Malone, Nana Malone
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI am the shadow that haunts the night. I am a hunter, a protector. .. a force for good. .. I am Jonas Castillo. And now that she’s mine, I’m never letting her go. If only she would let me protect her. .. Seeing the fear in her eyes, makes me want to do the one thing I’ve vowed never to do again… kill. But I’ll do anything to protect what’s mine. ** The finale of The FORCE Duet... -
Quit Bein' Ugly by Lani Lynn Vale
There’s a crush, and then there are the type of feelings that Croft Cruisie evokes from a person. He’s everything that any straight woman would want: tall, handsome, charismatic, muscular, and sweet...Categorized as:
military friends to lovers m-f contemporary humor suspense length-short explicit-open-door -
Just A Kiss by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe's the one woman he shouldn't want. .. Caitie Russell's big brother is getting married. As the proud owner of Holiday Magic, Caitie is the obvious choice to organise the perfect Christmas wedding. Piece of cake, right? If it weren't for one gorgeous, man-shaped problem. .. Her brother's best friend, Brecken Miller. He was her first crush. Her first kiss. Her first broken heart... -
A Change of Heart by Hannah Ellis
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe was never meant to fall for her best friend’s brother. .. Seren has had a soft spot for her best friend’s brother for as long as she can remember. But when she starts to see Kit as more than just a friend, she knows she’s on dangerous ground. Avoiding him is probably her best course of action, but that’s easier said than done when you live on a tiny island... -
Somebody to Lean On by Jess Mastorakos
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDo I want to kiss my best friend? Yep. Always have. Too bad it’s not that simple. Jackson Wilson and I are long-distance co-guardians of our friends' daughter, and even though we're best friends and we're totally committed to Phoebe, this isn't a romcom where the best friends get together in the end. Unfortunately . But now, Phoebe and I have nowhere to go but Jackson's tiny Tennessee town...
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