Books like 'The Messenger'
Readers who enjoyed The Messenger by Jessica Gadziala also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary friends to lovers suspense alpha male angst slow burn dual-pov competent heroine sunny hero bodyguard-hero
-
Conquered by Riley Edwards
Rated: 4.69 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsDylan Welsh was the last man standing…until Sawyer Glasgow brought him to his knees. Dylan wasn’t ready for Sawyer. He wasn’t ready to confront the truth of his past. He wasn’t ready to admit he’s fallen in love with the sweet, sexy woman who captivated him from the moment he saw her. He’s especially not prepared to face the hurt he’s caused Sawyer. But to keep her, he must do all three... -
Saving His Heart by Avery Maxwell
Never have I ever...The number one rule in medicine is don't fall in love with your patients, but Preston Westbrook makes his own rules. Hand him a life-altering diagnosis, and all bets are off.I'm a doctor without a license. He's a billionaire without a chance.He hired me to care for his failing heart, but when meddling family forces his hand, he introduces me as his girlfriend... -
Someone Like You by Marie Force
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsThe all-new Wild Widows Series about a group of grieving survivors who take Roni into their fold to help her cope with the loss of her husband. The group has only one requirement—members must be willing to entertain the possibility of a “Chapter 2,” as it’s called in widow circles, which means a second chance at love...Categorized as:
slow burn friends to lovers dual-pov office forced proximity second chances m-f contemporary -
Hex by Anna Hackett
She’s the genius hacker known as Hex.He’s a ghost—the deep-cover spy known only as Shade.They generate a dangerous level of white-hot sparks, but he needs her help on a deadly mission.Jet “Hex” Adler loves being a goddess of all thing tech. She provides her team at Sentinel Security with intel and comms, and she’s good at it. No, brilliant...Categorized as:
suspense office forced proximity insta-love possessive hero strong heroine alpha male mystery -
-
Beyond the Chase by Brittney Sahin
When your whole world disappears, where do you turn?Ava Daniels' lab has been wiped clean.Everything is missing, including her boss and the formula for the dangerous chemical substance they had just discovered.The major problem? No one was supposed to know her lab even existed. And now Ava is the main suspect in the crime.Ava needs answers, and she's utterly alone... -
Track Her Down by Melinda Leigh
For Sheriff Bree Taggert, a gruesome double murder exposes the secrets of the dead in a shocking novel of suspense by #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.A teenager returns home from work and finds her parents shot to death in their bed. Responding to the call, Sheriff Bree Taggert realizes the crime wasn’t a burglary gone wrong. The couple was executed... -
Smith by Riley Edwards
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsSmith and Aria's story...Categorized as:
suspense grumpy sunshine found-family forced proximity contemporary military length-medium -
Drown Her Sorrows by Melinda Leigh
Sheriff Bree Taggert is blindsided by a killer’s devious plan in number one Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s novel of escalating shock and suspense.When Sheriff Bree Taggert discovers the body of a young woman floating near the bank of the Scarlet River, a note in her abandoned car suggests suicide. The autopsy reveals a different story...Categorized as:
mystery suspense office competent heroine independent heroine tortured heroine sweet-hero m-f -
Head Over Heels by Karla Sorensen
There’s only one course of action when your dad wants you to marry a clammy-handed wimp to make one of his board members happy—you get yourself stuck in an elevator with a hot stranger and have the steamiest make-out session of your life... -
Playing with Lies by Riley Edwards
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA no-strings kinda guy and a forever kinda woman…what could go wrong?I had a stalker and I knew just who to ask for help—Detective Dalton Neary. My own personal Prince Charming. The problem was, he turned out not to be so charming, at least not in the forever kind of way I was looking for. He was a good-time guy with a sexy smile and a goat game that should be illegal. But not the man for me... -
Axel by Lola Wright
Bailey: I'm the sensible, independent, quiet and hardworking accountant girl next door. My life is safe, sane, predictable and boring. My biggest concern is dealing with my free spirited, wild child parent. Until it's not.The day I see something I shouldn't have and crash into the crazy lives of The Devil's Angels MC is the day my life changes forever...Categorized as:
suspense friends to lovers insta-love alpha male m-f sunny hero independent heroine strong heroine -
Heller's Punishment by J.D. Nixon
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsIn her latest adventure, rookie security officer Tilly Chalmers has three new assignments to cope with - chaperoning a devious addict to a rehabilitation clinic; live-in security for a strange and isolated religious cult; and protecting a national TV host in a damaging court case...Categorized as:
friends to lovers suspense strong heroine mystery alpha male possessive hero slow burn office -
The Wrong Bones by Melinda Leigh
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 30 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... -
Code Name: Outlaw by Janie Crouch
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsMonths trapped in the clutches of a madman made Jenna Franklin a shell of the woman she once was. All she can do now is use her computer genius from inside the safety of closed doors. Even two years later, going outside = blood-freezing panic. She’s made herself a haven in the only place she’s felt safe since her captivity: Oak Creek, Wyoming—home of her Linear Tactical friends...Categorized as:
mystery suspense alpha male tortured heroine friends to lovers forced proximity dual-pov small town -
-
This Much Is True by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhen celebrity Laina Kelley bolted from her small hometown church on her wedding day, she ran to the first place that came to mind—the home of the local farrier, a gorgeous playboy who just so happens to be her first love … and biggest frenemy... -
Fatal Justice by Marie Force
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsShe looked into the dead face of the man she'd dined with the night before Standing over the body of a Supreme Court nominee, Lieutenant Sam Holland is hip-deep in another high-profile murder case. The fact that she was one of the last people to see Julian Sinclair alive just complicates things even more... -
Heller's Girlfriend by J.D. Nixon
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsTilly Chalmers’ life is complicated. Her boyfriend is demanding more attention while her boss, Heller, is always a distracting temptation...Categorized as:
mystery strong heroine suspense alpha male possessive hero slow burn office love triangle -
A Thin Disguise by Catherine Bybee
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsA former gun for hire and a federal agent find themselves on the right side of love but the wrong end of a bullet in this Richter installment from New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee.On a fateful night in Las Vegas, FBI agent Leo Grant is working on a critical detail in a high-profile child prostitution trial when a beautiful woman jumps into the path of a bullet meant for him... -
The Hero She Craves by Anna Hackett
The last thing he expects on his ship is the off-limits woman he can’t stop thinking about—his best friend’s daughter.After a tough military career as a Navy SEAL, and a member of a covert Ghost Ops team, Lorenzo “Ren” Santoro now calls a research ship home. The ocean, very few people, and solitude…it’s all he needs... -
Forgotten Secrets by Christy Barritt
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFBI Special Agent Jesse Marx doesn’t know which is worse—waking up in a horse stable with no memories of the past two weeks or waking up to discover he’s wearing a wedding band. Not only has he been injured, but he’s also married—something he vowed to never do.Dakota Fleming refuses to feel a connection to any man, much less be tied down to one... -
Give Me Love by Corinne Michaels
New York Times bestselling author Corinne Michaels returns to Rose Canyon where four best friends are faced with their picturesque lives being upended. Emmett Maxwell prides himself on doing the right thing and being honest, but he’s hiding a huge secret and she’s refusing to stay hidden any longer...Categorized as:
friends to lovers suspense forced proximity second chances angst alpha male strong heroine m-f -
Until April by Aurora Rose Reynolds
With happily ever after being something that happens to other people, April Mayson has decided to put all her energy into her career and living her best life, and things are better than ever. Little does she know that her world is about to be turned upside down when she’s asked to help out a family friend, Maxim Kauwe...Categorized as:
suspense alpha male insta-love possessive hero friends to lovers mystery m-f contemporary -
Changing the Rules by Catherine Bybee
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsFrom New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the steamy first novel in her new adrenaline-fueled Richter series.As an employee of MacBain Security and Solutions, Claire Kelly can certainly hold her own. Armed with an impressive set of covert skills, she’s more than prepared to tackle any job that comes her way…except one involving Cooper Lockman...Categorized as:
suspense mystery strong heroine friends to lovers independent heroine bodyguard-hero m-f new adult -
Blaze by Helen Hardt
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAre you missing the Steel Brothers? Are you yearning for more? Welcome to the next generation! Join the grown children of Jonah, Talon, Ryan, and Marjorie for new adventures, mysteries, and heart-pounding passion...Categorized as:
suspense mystery alpha male angst friends to lovers contemporary sweet heroine sassy heroine -
-
Billionaire Unknown by J.S. Scott
I was perfectly content with my life. My career was booming. I traveled. I did as much charity work as I possibly could for the homeless, and I was perfectly happy with the choices I'd made. At least...I was--until my sister, Dani, came up missing. As an international correspondent, she traveled to war-torn countries, and she'd stepped a little too far over the line... -
Temptation Trails by Claire Kingsley
He’s hunting a killer so she won’t be next.Single dad Garrett Haven doesn’t have time for dating. With a teenage son and a high-stakes job in law enforcement, he has enough on his plate.Besides, he risked his heart once. He has no intention of doing it again.Until he meets her.Harper Tilburn brought her passion for baking to the small town of Tilikum to take over her aunt’s bakery...Categorized as:
suspense grumpy sunshine mystery found-family dual-pov m-f insta-love possessive hero -
Better Than This by Beth Flynn
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsTime doesn’t heal all wounds. Sometimes they just scab over. Haunted by memories of a failed marriage, trauma surgeon Barbie Anderson escapes to her hometown for a fresh start. But the quaint community of Pumpkin Rest has memories and failures of its own that should stay buried...Categorized as:
m-f mystery friends to lovers alpha male strong heroine angst second chances suspense -
Sinful Sorrow by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.78 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsOctober is the month of haunted houses and deadly secrets — allegedly. It’s not like I’m unaccustomed to Death or the cruelty with which he arrives, knocking on one’s door and demanding access... -
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... -
Moonraker's Bride by Madeleine Brent
Born in a Mission in China, Lucy Waring finds herself with fifteen small children to feed and care for. The way she tackles this task leads to her being thrown into the grim prison of Chengfu, where she meets Nicholas Sabine - a man about to die. He asks her a cryptic riddle, the mystery of which echoes through all that befalls her in the months that follow.. -
Gotta Be Bayou by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsHow do you get over a woman you never should have been, ahem, under in the first place?Just when FBI special agent Spencer Landry had decided to forget about investigative journalist Maxine — Max — Keller and their one hot night together, there's a threat made against her and Spencer's protective instincts get all riled up. Again... -
Sinful Summer by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSummer has arrived, and the honeymoon I’ve been scheming over for months is finally here. I’ve been married to the workaholic, medical examiner, Minka Mayet for nearly half a year already. But it took a lost bet and a metric ton of coercion to get her out of her cold office and into a bikini on the deck of a multi-million-dollar boat.Time well spent, if you ask me... -
Deja Brew by Jessica Gadziala
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWithin the struggling cafe Deja Brew, trouble percolates beneath the coffee beans. The shop’s owner, Shale, is forced into a dangerous game by a cartel, and when her shipment vanishes, it's game on.Shale's only hope is an unexpected Junior. Her only regular, and a local hacker with a knack for saving the day... -
Cold Fury by Toni Anderson
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsSeven years ago, Hope Harper was a star defense attorney with a great life and a beautiful family—until she got the wrong defendant released, and he turned around and viciously slaughtered her husband and child. Since then, the only thing Hope cares about is locking bad guys behind bars where they can’t hurt anyone else... -
-
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... -
Into the Tempest by N.R. Walker
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsJeremiah Overton is now in charge of Darwin’s Bureau of Meteorology, and his storm chaser boyfriend, Tully Larson, couldn’t be happier. For Tully, it means watching summer storms with the love of his life but for Jeremiah, it means relearning everything on equipment that’s older than he is. But summer storms also mean it’s cyclone season...Categorized as:
suspense forced proximity insta-love hurt-comfort dual-pov first-person-pov m-m contemporary -
Black Mail: A Black's Bandits Novel by Lynn Raye Harris
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsTyler “Ty” Scott finally gets his book! When Cassie Dixon gets threatening letters, there’s only one person who can help - her best friend’s sexy cousin... -
Sinful Corruption by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.75 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSinful Corruption is the 14th standalone Mayet Justice novel.Full blurb coming soon... -
Bad Intentions by Charleigh Rose
Moving to River’s Edge was supposed to be a fresh start. Away from chaos. Away from bad influences and worse relationships. All I wanted was to give my little brother more of a chance than I ever had. It should’ve been simple. I didn’t count on my transgressions following me. And I definitely didn’t count on meeting Dare. Tall, tortured, and tattooed...Categorized as:
angst alpha male insta-love grumpy sunshine independent heroine dual-pov m-f found-family -
Count to Ten by Karen Rose
In all his years in the Chicago Fire Department, Lieutenant Reed Solliday ahs never experienced anything like this recent outbreak of house fires - devastating, vicious and in one case, homicidal. He has another problem - his new partner, Detective Mia Mitchell. She's brash, bossy, and taking the case in a direction he never imagined... -
Cold Fury by Toni Anderson
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSeven years ago, Hope Harper was a star defense attorney with a great life and a beautiful family—until she got the wrong defendant released, and he turned around and viciously slaughtered her husband and child. Since then, the only thing Hope cares about is locking bad guys behind bars where they can’t hurt anyone else... -
The Watcher by Melanie Moreland
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsTo the world, I’m Damien DeSalvo, businessman. I own a security company, ensuring the safety of my clients.But behind the scenes, I’m known as the Watcher.I stay hidden, overseeing the secrecy of Hidden Justice—those who rid the world of its scum, one bad guy at a time.Until the day she stumbles into my path and one kiss changes everything.Stalked and terrified, Raven Bailey needs my protection...Categorized as:
suspense mystery alpha male insta-love angst friends to lovers contemporary length-medium -
It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsAn absolutely unforgettable and heart-shattering romance, perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Lucy Score and Carley Fortune, that does keeping secrets destroy true love?Anna works two jobs to get herself through college and never, ever talks about her family. It’s easier to keep her distance from everyone until she can finally leave her old life behind...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst mystery second chances found-family contemporary new adult length-medium -
-
-
Are We There Yet? by Savannah Scott
A vintage VW van. Four friends. A cross-country road trip.It will be the best adventure of my life, if only I can shake the feelings I have for Cameron .Cameron Reeves is as gorgeous as his name makes him sound.He’s about six feet tall, which is the height I always wrote in my ideal man list in my journal. Yes. I have a list of qualities I want in a man... -
Tempted by Lexi Blake
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsFrom New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…When West Rycroft left his family’s ranch to work in the big city, he never dreamed he would find himself surrounded by celebrities and politicians... -
Taken by Cynthia Eden
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIn New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden’s latest novel, the Last Option Search Team (LOST) returns— and for one agent, the hunt for a serial killer just got very personal . . . HE SWORE TO PROTECT HER . . . Bailey Jones somehow survived her harrowing abduction by the infamous Death Angel... -
Ruthless Revenge by Lillie Locklyn
After dealing with loss, Alvaro and Kendall must trudge forward, facing their problems head-on as the leaders of the Moreno family business. Reconnecting with a family member causes Alvaro to dig deep and reconsider everything he thought he knew about his past. He faces immense emotional turmoil as he struggles to accept someone new and let another go... -
Controlled Burn by Marie James
As the mechanic for Blackbridge Security, when I make a mistake things don’t work properly.Correcting that mistake is the only way to get things operational.I meet issues in my personal life with the same mindset.How was I to know the woman I’ve been flirting with at the gym is the same woman I called a noise complaint on?I got her kicked out of her condo.My first response: Move in with me...Categorized as:
suspense m-f dual-pov first-person-pov angst forced proximity slow burn found-family -
High Country Hero by Elle James
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLauded for his daring rescue of a medical team captured by Islamic State terrorists, Navy SEAL Enrico “Rico” Cortez feels like anything but a hero. His friend and fellow teammate lost his life during that rescue. Plagued by PTSD, Rico leaves the Navy. Reluctantly, he accepts his only job offer, joining the Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado...
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences

Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.