Books like 'Things You Save in a Fire'
Readers who enjoyed Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary friends to lovers sweet-hero grumpy sunshine office independent heroine strong heroine competent heroine sunny hero men in uniform
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Where It All Began by Lucy Score
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsAvailable only through Lucy's newsletter, this free book is the prequel to the popular Blue Moon series and is set in 1985. John Pierce has plans for these two hundred rundown acres. He sees a farm, a family, a future. He’s not about to drag someone in on the ground floor, not before he’s put in the work to turn rubble into home... -
Alice and the Billionaire Boss by Serenity Woods
Rated: 4.59 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsOne night in Wonderland is just the start of my adventures…. On my twenty-fifth birthday, I decide enough is enough. Family responsibilities have made dating impossible. Now I’m single and inexperienced. Like, completely . My virginity is a millstone around my neck. And I want to get rid of it. All I need is one night, with one stranger, so I don’t look like an idiot when I start dating for real...Categorized as:
insta-love grumpy sunshine office m-f contemporary super rich hero virgin heroine length-medium -
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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:
grumpy sunshine friends to lovers office men in uniform m-f small town contemporary humor -
A Breath of Fresh Air by Jessica Redland
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsThe BRAND NEW uplifting novel from MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Jessica Redland Rosie feels like there's something missing in her life. She loves her job as the manager of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, caring for the horses and teaching children to ride, and she loves the home she shares with her mother in the beautiful Lake District... -
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The Fine Art of Faking It by Lucy Score
Davis Gates. Naked. Tossing her a handful of orgasms like he was on a lust-themed parade float. A fifty-year feud. One failed smoke bomb matchmaking scheme. Two enemies turned fake lovers. For the past fifteen years, Eden has worked her ass off to overcome high school. She’s cornered the tourism market in Blue Moon offering visitors a place to stay in her hippie, dippy hometown... -
Try Me by Adriana Locke
“Try me. ”. That’s what Drake Bennett said when I declared on my live podcast that no man could make me fall in love. The former pro football star turned sportscaster didn’t just laugh—he challenged my entire brand. Gianna Knows Best is built on the idea that love is a choice. Drake says it’s a feeling—a magical, uncontrollable, world-shifting experience. I call BS. He says I’m scared... -
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:
small town friends to lovers forced proximity m-f contemporary humor christian audiobook -
Rescuing Emily by Susan Stoker
Renting out the apartment over his garage shouldn’t be a life-changing decision, but when Delta soldier Cormac “Fletch” Fletcher meets Emily Grant, he feels an instant connection. He can’t stand the thought of Emily and her young daughter living anywhere unsafe. Offering cheap rent is a small price to pay for their safety…and Fletch’s peace of mind... -
Kiss My Giraffe by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsEnemies to friends to almost lovers then back to enemies…to lovers. She's got a lot of baggage. .. literally and figuratively. And an entourage. And a freaking giraffe. For real. For a guy who wants to keep things simple, this is anything but. So why can't he stay away? Knox and Fiona's story! Finally! -
The Fear of Falling by Dana LeCheminant
What happens in Italy…follows you home. Avery was supposed to be married by now—not stuck working alongside her ex-fiancé, pretending their failed relationship never happened. So when a solo trip to Italy introduces her to a charming stranger with a devastating smile, a no-strings-attached fling feels like the perfect way to remember there’s more to life than work and heartbreak... -
Behind The Scenes by Christina C. Jones
Perfect. Privileged. Strong. Spoiled. Uptight. Useless. If there’s any one thing Pierre and Logan have in common, it’s their ability to invite snap judgements based on shallow views of who they are. Logan is the privileged only daughter of a respected family whose legacy runs long and deep... -
Never The Bride by Kortney Keisel
No rings. No vows. No ‘til death do us part. As a top divorce attorney who’s built her career—and her walls—on the belief that marriage doesn’t last, Camila swears she’ll never walk down the aisle. After years of watching relationships crumble, she’s made it her personal mission to convince her little sister to avoid getting married at all costs. The problem? Camila’s already married. Secretly... -
Marriage is a Shore Thing: A Small Town, Accidental Marriage Sweet RomCom by Laura Langa
She’s tough. He’s golden. One dare later, they’re hitched. I’ve sworn off love, so accidentally marrying a stranger after a friendly game of Truth or Dare? Worst. Case. Scenario. Never mind that Evander Young is a brilliant ER doctor with a dimpled smile that makes my heart race... -
The Half of It by Theresa Christine
In a small town halfway around the world, she might just find her whole heart. Tough but tender Juniper Martin should have tossed that DNA test. A frustrating workday and one too many cosmos later, she mails a sample that unearths her half-sister in Ireland. Raised in a broken home, Juniper grants trust sparingly...Categorized as:
m-f forced proximity slow burn small town independent heroine sweet-hero contemporary siblings-bff -
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Over & Out by Claire Wilder
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIntroducing a brand new enemies to lovers romance from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claire Wilder! Three months ago, a dirt bike accident stole my confidence, my beloved ride, and the one thing that made me feel alive. Now I’m going through the motions in my coastal tourist town, totally adrift… and trying not to think about the stranger who pulled me from the wreckage...Categorized as:
office forced proximity m-f grumpy sunshine secret-relationship small town from hate to love humor -
If You're Ready by Estie Enders
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSix months ago, Fallon McCann had it all: a house filled with memories, a fulfilling career, a loving fiancé, and a half-planned wedding. Now, her fiancé’s dead, her once-colorful walls have been painted over in shades of gray, and she’s packing up her life in search of a new beginning. When the man responsible for her fiancé’s death shows up on her doorstep, she surprises even herself...Categorized as:
m-f friends to lovers forbidden love slow burn small town men in uniform contemporary length-medium -
Silver Linings by Violet Page
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsSilver James has perfected the art of keeping everything at a distance—her career, her friends, and most definitely romance. Her motto is simple: keep life carefree and fun. The more she avoids the unexpected, the less likely she is to get hurt... -
Reset by Janet Elizabeth Henderson
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFormer soldier Ryan Granger’s life has become all about numbers:. 13 months since he was shot in the head. 7 months spent in a coma. 6 months since he woke, a changed man. 5 hours since he’d been kidnapped. 4 minutes since he’d opened his eyes in an underground cavern. 3 minutes since he’d heard a woman calling for help…. Two strangers trapped together. One impossible way out...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst forced proximity m-f men in uniform contemporary suspense humor -
Driving Maisie Crazy by Deborah M. Hathaway
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“What happens on an Irish bus tour stays on an Irish bus tour…”. This is the second book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this clean, road trip, forbidden romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order. Don't miss the other novels in this series! Book 1: Winning Winnie's Hand. Book 2: Driving Maisie Crazy - 2025...Categorized as:
forced proximity secret-relationship forbidden love contemporary humor length-medium -
Collide by Dylan Allen
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHe’s searching for the truth. I’m living a lie. And as much as we want to,. We can’t stay away from each other. Falling for Carter nearly cost me everything. To save myself I made a deal with the devil. Now, I’ve got a second chance and more to lose than ever. So when he makes it clear he wants me back,. I vow not to make the same mistake twice. Carter has learned his lesson, too...Categorized as:
angst small town forbidden love insta-love new adult contemporary length-medium audiobook -
Knock Out by Jiffy Kate
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIn the blink of an eye, Willow Bernard goes from stocking shelves at the Piggly Wiggly to kicking butt at Viking MMA. Willow Bernard has taken a lot of hits in her twenty-two years but always manages to come back swinging. Hoping to fly under the radar for a change, she relocates to Green Valley... -
Capture by June Gray
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsThe future beckons. .. Elsie has given Henry three chances to win back her trust, but before he is able to complete the challenge, she finds herself faced with a life-changing decision. Elsie must ask herself an important question: is Henry just a thing of the past or does he have a place in her future? The conclusion to the story of Henry and Elsie. -
That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss by Julie Christianson
My dream job just got snapped up by the one man who rejected me…. That’s right. I’m an unemployed twenty-something stuck sleeping on my grandmother’s old futon while Hudson Blaine, the guy who shot me down, gets to manage The Beachfront Inn. Talk about life being unfair. I’m about to flee town with what’s left of my pride when Mr. Rejection begs me to stay... -
Love Letters to Christmas by Camilla Evergreen
He's the best mail lead around, and I'm just his childhood friend turned roommate. .. I've spent my life battling to manage my parents' impossible expectations and trying to catch the eye of Brian Single, a man whose head only turns for mail...Categorized as:
office friends to lovers angst m-f forced proximity insta-love slow burn tortured heroine -
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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... -
She Loves Me by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsWhat are two besties willing to risk for something more? The New York Times bestselling author of This Is Love has the answer in this fun, sexy, and emotional romance about friendship, family, and giving love a chance. Something is off in Piper Dalton’s life, and she has a feeling it might just be her. All her siblings are blissfully settled with their forever loves...Categorized as:
friends to lovers independent heroine strong heroine m-f humor contemporary sassy heroine audiobook -
Moonlight Road by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsWITH HER BELOVED YOUNGER SIBLINGS SETTLED AND HAPPY, ERIN FOLEY HAS EMPTY NEST SYNDROME. AT AGE THIRTY-FIVE. So she's hitting the pause button on her life and holing up in a secluded (but totally upgraded --- she's not into roughing it! ) cabin near Virgin River. Erin is planning on getting to know herself . .. not the shaggy-haired mountain man she meets...Categorized as:
slow burn small town sweet-hero m-f contemporary military virgin heroine length-long -
Southern Heart by Natasha Madison
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsSome secrets have a way of coming back and haunting us, no matter how much we try to bury them. Chelsea. Coming back home was supposed to be normal. Not that my life had ever been normal, but it was getting there. Then I opened the door and found a man—broken, bloodied, and fighting for his life. I don’t know why, but I said I would take care of him. I had to. Needed to...Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers insta-love angst m-f contemporary suspense military -
That Secret Crush by Meghan Quinn
USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn brings more humor and heart with the third novel of her Getting Lucky series: a story about breaking curses and laying your heart on the line... -
Honeysuckle Breeze by B.R. Goodwin
Would you rather know what your best friend’s lips feel like against yours but get ghosted immediately after… or never even taste the possibility of forever? What could be worse than inconveniently falling for your long-distance best friend? How ‘bout sharing an unexpected, but magical, Christmas kiss with him, then being ghosted ever after…... -
Her Protective Lumberjack by Clara King
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsThis curvy girl is running for her life. But her dad’s best friend will stop at nothing to protect her. Chloe. Being the daughter of a cop never prepared me for this. A local crime boss is threatening my life as a deadly warning to my dad. Now, Dad’s sending me to hide out with his buddy, Trace—the only man he trusts. But one look at this rugged lumberjack, and I want him in all the wrong ways...Categorized as:
insta-love forced proximity friends to lovers m-f age difference military virgin hero contemporary -
One Night with the Player (Club Curve) by Eve London
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA brother's best friend. A sister's forbidden desire. Olivia. The man who ruined me for any other is coming home. He thinks he won't have to deal with me, but I’m waiting for him. I need answers only he can provide, and I won’t rest until I get them. The only problem is… once I see Leo Steele, the feelings I’ve kept locked up inside break free... -
West of Port by Carina Taylor
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSydney is out for revenge no matter what it takes—including teaming up with a grumpy, retired cop who wants nothing to do with her. West has retired from the police force. Completely burnt out, he doesn't want to protect anyone anymore. All he wants is to be left alone so that he can refinish his new-to-him sailboat. Unfortunately for him, a woman shows up asking for his help—needing his help...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine office insta-love contemporary mafia age difference humor -
Saving Soul by Ann Penny
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCassidy Ryan is a strong, devoted single mother determined to give her son the fresh start they need. When the job as an end-of-life doula for an elderly billionaire presents itself, she seizes it. This is her chance to get them back on their feet and everything seems to be going to plan until she comes face-to-face with his overprotective grandson...Categorized as:
forced proximity office forbidden love angst super rich hero single-mother contemporary new adult -
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Cougar From Hell by Marika Ray
I have my fresh start in a new town, this time a widow with a preteen daughter who rolls her eyes enough to make them stay that way. Too bad my past mistake is also here to greet me. Daxon Hellman. Town a-hole. Hot young contractor hired to build my house in the woods. It’s only when I’m face-to-face with him for the first time that I realize he’s the mystery man from two years ago...Categorized as:
m-f independent heroine competent heroine cold heroine sunny hero humor contemporary age difference -
The Barista's Guide to the Perfect Steam by Valerie Pepper
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsJodi Bristol knows three things for bad things happen to good people; college girls order the most complicated coffee drinks; and Price Joseph will never see her as anything other than the barista who makes his vanilla oat-milk lattes... -
Uprooted by Andrea Wiseman
Stuck in Montreal with no job prospects, recent biology graduate Soleil Bellerose makes a snap decision to try tree planting in Alberta. She expects long days, blood‑sucking mosquitoes, and hard work. What she doesn’t the wild beauty of the land—and Gabe Hawthorne, the cocky, rugged foreman at Silvertip Reforestation who pushes all her buttons... -
Space Age: Houston, Prepare to Launch by Sara L. Hudson
NASA Flight Surgeon Dr. Rebecca Sato has earned her dream job. Now she’s ready to explore the next frontier…. having a family. While responsible for the health of astronauts who fly through space in the International Space Station, her feet are firmly planted on the ground. But at thirty-six, the men on her radar are either intimidated by her intellect or not interested in having kids... -
The Fall of Us by Kennedy Fox
What happens when you travel across the country for your dream job and end up sharing a bed with an older man who volunteers you to be his fake girlfriend? You hope you don’t fall in love when it’s time to say goodbye. The Fall of us is an age gap, fake dating, close proximity romance.Categorized as:
forced proximity forbidden love insta-love grumpy sunshine angst small town contemporary new adult -
Engage by June Gray
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsPART FIVE OF JUNE GRAY'S DISARM SERIES. The past has a way of catching up. .. A long time has passed since Elsie's heart was broken, since the person who always shielded her from pain broke her heart. Just when she begins to rebuild, Henry returns and upends everything all over again. Don't miss Capture, part six of the Disarm series! -
Holding on to Chaos by Lucy Score
“I want to be upfront with you. No surprises, no secrets. I want you, Eva. And I think you might be it for me. ”. Eva is a hot mess running from her past and doesn’t mind telling a fib or two to protect her secrets. It’s too bad that she moved to the nosiest small town in the world with Sheriff Sexy—the tall, built human lie detector...Categorized as:
small town insta-love men in uniform m-f sweet-hero tortured heroine humor contemporary -
Red, White, and You by Ash Keller
This Fourth of July, I'm declaring my independence from love. Too bad nobody told Phoenix Wood. Gigi Hart has two goals this summer: keep her bakery stocked with red, white, and blue cupcakes, and avoid anything—or anyone—remotely connected to her health-obsessed family and their fitness empire, Hart Health... -
Hard Boss by Iona Rose
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJuliette. Hudson Sinclair is such a grumpy, snarly, arrogant nightmare no one on the temp agency's books is willing to take on the job of replacing his secretary while she is off sick. Well, here I am, it’s my first day at the agency and I should probably give it a pass as my first job too. At least, that would be the prudent thing to do, but ‘prudent’ is not on my list of virtues... -
The Lighthouse at the Cove by Amy Clipston
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Lighthouse at the Cove is a heartwarming Hallmark-style novel perfect for fans of RaeAnne Thayne and Sherryl Woods where a single dad teams up with a journalist to save the town's historic landmark lighthouse. Kaya Ross, a talented and ambitious journalist, needs a break. Following a tough breakup, Kaya embarks on a road trip along the picturesque coastal route from Maryland to Florida... -
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A Not So Merry Kiss-mas by Abby Greyson
Next Door Neighbors. A Blind Match. And a Kiss That Melts the Ice. Mel. My neighbor’s easy on the eyes, but his blaring music and clanging weights keep me awake. Michael Matthews is all charm and good vibes—qualities that drive my sleep-deprived self up a wall; even if his smile does spark an annoying flutter. Mike. Cole’s been raving about Noelle's best friend since they started dating... -
Up in the Air by Dr. Rebecca Sharp
—Channing—. They say how far you go is directly correlated to how much you are willing to risk. As a snowboarder, I was used to risking a lot - specifically life and limb every time I flew down the mountain and into the air. This time though, I was risking it all. I’d already lost so much. Winning was all I had left. The truth? I hadn’t been invited to the X Games, but my brother had... -
Doors by Clover Down
Levi He is a professional cuddler. He’s always been good with people and after a rough youth, he understands loneliness and pain. Or he thought he did until he knocked on Noelle Shaw’s door. He could never have prepared for meeting her—not for the storm in her eyes or the way she constantly surprises him. Levi thought he was there to help her, but maybe he had it backward... -
Table for Five by Susan Wiggs
In this reader-favorite tale, #1. New York Times. bestselling author Susan Wiggs writes with heartwarming delicacy about life’s unexpected turns, and how family and love can help you find your way home. Lily Robinson and Sean McGuire have nothing in common. She guards her independent lifestyle with a ferocity that hides a fear of love and the pain it can bring... -
Not About Love by Jamie Bennett
“These are not love lessons,” I said, shaking my head. “This is not about love. ”. Tally Taylor is definitely not the woman to instruct anyone in that particular topic. Life hasn’t given much love to her, but it isn’t what she wants, anyway. It’s certainly not what she’s after from men—like, not even her own father loves her, but that’s just the way things are. She’s fine with it... -
Retreat by June Gray
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsReturn to the place where it all began…. Elsie surprises Henry in California in the sexiest way possible, and inadvertently reveals the secret of their relationship to their families. But just when she thinks everything is finally falling back into place, a revelation changes everything…. ~. RETREAT is a 13,000 word erotic romance novelette. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY PLEASE...Categorized as:
friends to lovers tortured hero men in uniform m-f contemporary military length-novella
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