Books like 'The Winter Before'
Readers who enjoyed The Winter Before by Karen Crompton also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary new adult cold hero disabilities and marks m-f third-person-pov tortured hero small town working class hero shy-hero
-
Wild Island Love by Melissa Foster
Sparks fly between a PR rep and an A-list actor who want nothing to do with each other.Leni Steele might be looking for love, but she’s definitely not looking to be someone’s fake date. Especially not one of the most infuriatingly handsome and annoyingly cocky actors on the planet, Duncan Raz... -
Suit by B.B. Easton
"Since when are you into guys in ties? You only like guys who look like they rob guys in ties. At gunpoint."It was true. By 2003, my type had been well-established. There might as well have been a giant sign on my heart that said, "Good Guys Need Not Apply."Which is exactly why I had to friend-zone Ken Easton... -
Stay Real by Kaylee Ryan
Courtney Maybe blurting out my imaginary relationship status to my nagging mother wasn’t the best idea. Declaring that I’m dating my boss’s brother-in-law, well, that was just wishful thinking and a lot of panic. To my embarrassment, they both overheard me. But Merrick not only offers to be my plus one, he agrees to fake date me for the next couple of months leading up to my sister’s wedding...Categorized as:
new adult small town m-f contemporary suspense length-medium fake relationship open-door -
A Little Tempting by Kelsie Rae
My friend's little sister moved in next door. Dylan Thorne. The one and only. She's cute, in a nerdy wallflower kind of way. She's also off-limits. Or at least that's what my other friend says. Everett's been friends with Dylan's older brother for as long as she's lived. Call it a hunch, but I think he has a thing for Dylan, too, which is why he's warned me to keep my distance... -
-
One Day Fiance by Lauren Landish
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsI’m Poppy Woodstock.Romance author and wholehearted believer in Happily Ever Afters.A terminal case of writer’s block should be my biggest worry. Then I crash into him—literally—and fall into the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Connor Bradley.Thief, rebel… and my new neighbor.One slip with the bad boy next door, and my life becomes stranger than any fiction I could ever write... -
Infinite by Corinne Michaels
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsBook 2 of 2 in Indefinite DuetI was right. I never should've fallen back in love with Quinn. I always knew we wouldn't make it. And to make matters worse, not only did I lose my soulmate--I lost myself as well. Everything was stripped away, leaving me bare and unable to breathe. No one told me it could hurt this much. I was unprepared for this level of agony from the horrible weight of grief...Categorized as:
tortured heroine tortured hero m-f contemporary military tearjerkers abduction length-medium -
Damaged! by J.S. Scott
The final book of the Walker Brothers Trilogy!!! What happens when your entire future is destroyed in moments? Dane My name is Dane Walker, and I'm entirely, irrevocably damaged. I lost my whole life in the plane crash that killed my father and left me scarred, both physically and emotionally, barely clinging to life in a hospital as the sole survivor of the accident. -
Envy by Rachel Van Dyken
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsFrom New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken comes a new story in her Eagle Elite series… Every family has rules, the mafia just has more.... Do not speak to the bosses unless spoken to. Do not make eye contact unless you want to die. And above all else, do not fall in love. Renee Cassani's future is set. Her betrothal is set... -
Touched by Love by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTOUCHED BY LOVE is a USA TODAY BESTSELLER Readers’ Favorite calls Touched by Love, “The best book I’ve read all year!” 5 Stars! An unexpected tragedy leads to an unexpected love. Fall in love with the story thousands of readers are raving about. Fiercely independent Janie Jansen has always believed there were worse things in life than being blind, and she’s spent her life proving it... -
My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsWelcome back to Virgin River with the books that started it all… While the Riordan brothers have a reputation for being rough-and-tumble, Patrick has always been the gentle, sweet-natured one. But his easygoing manner is tested by his high-octane career as a navy pilot, and for the Riordan men, when the going gets tough…the tough find the love of a good woman...Categorized as:
virgin heroine small town m-f contemporary military christmas slow burn length-medium -
The Difference Between Somebody and Someone by Aly Martinez
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsThe world owes you nothing. It took losing the woman I loved and facing the paralyzing task of moving on without her for me to truly understand that. Consumed by regret and razor-sharp memories, I’d resigned myself to a life of loneliness until a survivor from the same plane crash that took my fiancée stormed into my life.Remi Grey was chaos and sunshine, fire and freedom... -
Breaker by Fiona Davenport
All it took was one look for Sebastian “Breaker” Ross to know that Ireland Foster was meant to be his. So when he saw another guy giving the cute rocker chick a hard time, Breaker stepped in…by pretending to be her boyfriend.Ireland thought he was just playing the fake boyfriend to help her out since they’d never met before. But Breaker had every intention of turning the role into a permanent one... -
Truly Mine by Nichole Rose
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen the man of her dreams decides to fight fire with fire, this curvy girl might just go down in flames…Zayne CarmichaelThe moment I set eyes on Emma Cooper, I knew she was meant to be mine.Unfortunately, my shy little lamb loves the word no.She's been rejecting me since day one.So I'm breaking out the big guns and fighting fire with fire.She's got too much on her shoulders... -
The Winning Hand by Nora Roberts
"Did you say I won almost two million dollars?" Running away from her former life and her controlling fiance, Darcy Wallace was down to her last ten dollars. And in the bright lights of a Las Vegas casino, Darcy gambled and won! Suddenly the small-town girl was big news - and in need of protection...Categorized as:
tortured heroine virgin heroine m-f contemporary plain heroine rich heroine open-door length-long -
-
Dangerous Fling by Crystal Kaswell
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsHe's her rock star crush, her go-to fantasy, and he's offering to make all her dreams come true... Rock star Malcolm Strong is used to being in control. Of the band. Of his feelings. Of the woman he has tied to his bed. He never gets close enough to get hurt. He never wants to. Until Lacey. The sassy brunette is working on the band's latest music video... -
Rider by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAiden “Rider” Brand knew the Silver Saints MC rule about sisters being off-limits. But he had no clue that his VP was Wendy West’s big brother when he met her. And after their night together, nobody was going to keep him away from the woman he’d claimed as his own... -
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... -
The Roomie Rulebook by Crystal Kaswell
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOliver is my best friend's older brother. He's brooding, bossy, and painfully off limits. But all rules are off when I move in as his new roommate. When I need a place to crash, I go straight to the guy I know best. My best friend's older brother, Oliver. Who's right in the middle of enjoying his alone time. No big deal, right? It's not like I'm going to die of embarrassment... -
Hack by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsBarrett “Hack” Moore has been obsessed with Paisley Wessex for six long months. All it took was one glance at her picture for the tough MC enforcer to fall for the sweet college student. Staying away from Paisley was the last thing Hack wanted, but that’s what he did because it was what she needed.Paisley didn’t know that the hot biker had been keeping a close eye on her all this time...Categorized as:
new adult virgin heroine m-f contemporary alpha male insta-love bikers length-novella -
Gabbi's Goalie by Nichole Rose
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThis over-the-top goalie refuses to crash and burn when it comes to the woman of his dreams.Atlas JacksThe moment I set eyes on Gabbi Sterling, I know she's mine.Unfortunately, she doesn't agree.Her brother owns my team.Her best friend told a little white lie.And my girl is giving me nine kinds of hell.Right up until we get lost in the woods together.Now, it's up to me to get her out safely... -
Fostering Hope by Amanda Perry
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsBouncing around from one foster home to the next is nothing new for Parker. With her eighteenth birthday approaching, she's ready to be free of the system and be on her own. But when a social worker places her in a new home, Parker will discover what it means to be part of a family who will do everything in their power to keep her safe...Categorized as:
new adult small town tortured heroine virgin heroine contemporary slow burn abduction reverse harem -
Falter by Carrie Aarons
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsRyan Shea has sworn off men. After her last relationship imploded in front of her eyes, she decides to take a break from swimming in the dating pool … possibly forever. The brilliant computer whiz loses her brain when it comes to love, and jumping feet first burns her every time... -
Keep Me Warm at Christmas by Brenda Novak
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMaybe this Christmas can thaw his frozen heart—and heal hers.Hollywood starlet Tia Beckett knows one moment can change your life. Her career had been on the fast track before a near-fatal accident left her with a debilitating facial scar. Certain her A-lister dreams are over, she agrees to house-sit at her producer’s secluded estate in Silver Springs... -
Owned by the Mountain Man by Mia Brody
Can this curvy thief steal the grumpy mountain man’s heart after a break-in gone wrong?LauraI wasn't breaking and entering. I was on my way to grandma's house. That's the honest truth. The fact that I'm dressed like a cat burglar should be of no importance to anyone. Not even the hot mountain man whose cabin I accidentally stumbled into.The coming snowstorm is unexpected.. -
-
Blade by C.M. Steele
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsAnthony “Blade” Santini wants a slice of Jules Walker the second he sees the beauty at Penny’s Bakery. Still, with the world of trouble following the Steele Riders, he knows it’s not safe for her. As much as he’d love to be selfish and seal her fate as his, he refuses to put her in danger... -
The Bratva's Stolen Bride by Jagger Cole
Here comes the bride. My bride.She just doesn’t know it yet…I've carved my name into this world by taking what I want. Born into the streets and raised on brutality and violence, it was the Bratva that took me and made me a man.I decided years ago that there was no room for beauty or goodness in my life...Categorized as:
new adult m-f virgin heroine contemporary mafia alpha male length-short explicit-plentiful -
Moonlight Road by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 37 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:
virgin heroine small town m-f contemporary military slow burn sweet-hero length-long -
Married to the Mountain Man by Mia Brody
Can this gruff mountain man convince his new bride that she belongs with him?BrennonI ruined my brother’s wedding. I punched him in the nose and took his bride for my own. Because he won’t worship those beautiful curves the way I will. He’s not interested in protecting and loving Cadence like I will.In her eyes, this marriage is just a way to save her father... -
Her Cherry by Penelope Bloom
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsHow’d I meet her? Well, a gentleman never brags. Thankfully, I’m no gentleman. First, I paid for her cherry (pie, but that’s not the point), Next, I deflowered her. After that? I left my business card and walked out like I owned the place. Yeah, you could say we hit it off...Categorized as:
new adult virgin heroine m-f humor contemporary super rich hero independent heroine length-short -
Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsSick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands... -
The Sun by Stevie J. Cole
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe cliche in love stories is that the good girl falls for the bad boy who smells of leather and exhaust from his motorcycle, and at the end of the day love conquers all. The stories make it seem so easy. Life, on the other hand, makes it hard. The awful truth is: sometimes love leaves you in ruins...Categorized as:
new adult virgin hero virgin heroine christian contemporary forbidden love length-medium -
Faking the Fall by Julie Christianson
What’s a movie star to do when giving up the spotlight could hurt the ones he loves most?My agent has this idea—an insanely bad idea—to reboot my Hollywood heartthrob status by having my long-lost love dump me … while I’m proposing to her on national TV.The theory? Women everywhere will swoon over poor Lincoln James, scrambling to repair his vulnerable, shattered heart... -
Forever Ago by J. Rose
Pick up this dark romance standalone novel, packed full of soul-destroying love, sizzling tension and guaranteed to break your heart one page at a time! HALLIE I’m alone in the sea of my grief until I meet Zeke, a tornado of complications who leaves destruction in his wake. I fall hard and fast, despite all the warning signs. Our love story is far from a fairy-tale...Categorized as:
new adult m-f tortured hero tortured heroine contemporary college dual-pov first-person-pov -
Hooking Her Up by Cassi Hart
Kayla All of my life, I’ve worked hard to be perfect. From my appearance to my academics, I was expected to do my best, and I went above and beyond. If I’m being honest, it’s exhausting. I dream of having the chance to let it all go, to live my life without the fear of being or doing exactly what’s expected of me. But they’re called dreams for a reason... -
-
Defiant Heir by Michelle Heard
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 15 ratings...Categorized as:
new adult virgin heroine m-f contemporary super rich hero friends to lovers college length-medium -
No Saint by Donna Alam
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsHe steals hearts left and right. Hers is the first one he wants to keep in this scorching romance from Donna Alam.Did you hear the one about the wedding planner who took the bride’s place? No? Maybe that’s because it’s never happened before.Until now.I’ll do a lot of things to keep my business afloat and a roof over my grandmother’s head... -
Forbidden Lyrics by Kelsie Rae
I didn't know who Dove's sister was when we first met.I didn't know that I'd been fooling around with her for a few months before Dove walked into my life.I didn't know that––if I've done the math correctly––I could be the father to her sister's child.But I do know this.Dove has the voice of an angel, and the heart of one too.I might not deserve her, but I refuse to let her go...Categorized as:
new adult cold hero virgin heroine contemporary bad boys possessive hero college explicit-open-door -
216 Rancher Way by Olivia T. Turner
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe town of Cherry Falls is a lot of things, but exciting is not one of them.Which makes my job as a reporter for the town paper really freaking hard.The front page of the last issue featured a story about a raccoon who looked like Samuel L. Jackson.Not exactly thrilling.But when I'm forced to cover the new albino calf on the Cherry Blossom Ranch...I find out the meaning of thrilling... -
Loved by the Hitman by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsLove didn’t have a place in Merrick Ashford’s life. The former Navy SEAL’s entire focus was on his job with Ruthless Corp. Relationships were the last thing on his mind while working on a hit…until Audrey Cantrell spotted him in the middle of an assignment.Merrick didn’t have any other choice. He had to kidnap the beautiful college student to protect his identity...Categorized as:
new adult virgin heroine m-f contemporary military alpha male insta-love length-novella -
Can't Let Go by Gena Showalter
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers tale about an icy war vet and the only woman capable of melting him… With trust issues a mile long, Ryanne Wade has sworn off men. Then Jude Laurent walks into her bar and all bets are off... -
Not About Love by Jamie Bennett
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 10 ratings“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.So, love? No way... -
Still The One by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsComing Soon from Carrie Elks - a small town second chance romance to tug your heartstrings...Nobody expects to meet the love of their life on their first day at school, but from the moment Tanner Hartson set his eyes on Savannah Butler, she stole his breath away.She was beautiful, wild and free. And though her life was hard, she made everything feel easy.As they grew up, they were best friends... -
The Storm by Jean Johnson
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsSixth book in the must-read series from a national bestselling ?fresh new voice in fantasy romance.?( Robin D. Owens) Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day?they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. Though no longer trapped in exile, their growing family faces new problems... -
Rafferty's Rules by Donna Alam
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe relationship may be fake but the o's are real . . . My brothers say if there’s trouble, I’ll find it, If there are shenanigans afoot, I’m usually the root cause. But this time I’ve excelled myself. Because this time I’ve found trouble in a brothel. And brought her home...Categorized as:
virgin heroine new adult m-f humor alpha male super rich hero contemporary length-medium -
-
Bratva Boss's Babysitter: An Instalove Possessive Male Romance by Flora Ferrari
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsErik Godunov is a man to be feared. Six foot seven and built like a dominating bear, with steel colored hair and eyes that pierce, I should be terrified of him. He’s a Bratva boss, a man used to getting what he wants. And what he needs from me is to be a nanny for his ten year old niece, Kat. She’s an orphan after her mother died, and I relate to that, big time... -
First Comes Loathe by Lilly Atlas
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsConceited. Harlot. Easy. Addict.A-list Hollywood actress, Scarlett, has been called every name in the book. Most she’s earned with her attention-seeking antics, high-maintenance personality, and bed-hopping. But even the most glamorous and sought-after actress can have a vulnerable center hidden beneath the glittery exterior...Categorized as:
small town cold hero working class hero anthologies contemporary length-medium famous heroine -
Heiress and the Cowboy by Ella Goode
Stoic Tucker Justice has loved Cameron Hyde-Franklin since their boarding school days but he’s always known he doesn’t fit into her world. She loves parties and people. He had to build his own home on the corner of his family’s ranch. She loves the night life. He loves moonlight. The two are opposites and he knows her star is too bright to hide away on his ranch...Categorized as:
virgin hero cold hero new adult m-f virgin heroine contemporary rich heroine length-novella -
Lost by J.S. Scott, Lane Parker
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsA sexy, moody, broody mountain man who only wants his solitude. A city woman trying to find herself in the backwoods. One horrible rock slide that leaves the two strangers stuck together...whether they want to be or not. I've been holed up in my crappy, one room cabin in the back country of Colorado for so long that I'm basically not even human anymore. And I'm not here because I have to be... -
Vindicated by Misty Walker
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsDustin is a convicted murderer. He’s mournful, bitter, drowning in a sea of self-pity with nothing left to lose. The church has sent me to bring him into the fold. Bound by my namesake, Saint Odilia, I should be defending my spirituality and morality with my life. It only took a few letters to change everything. Odilia saved my life and gave me her heart...Categorized as:
virgin heroine working class hero small town m-f suspense contemporary bad boys alpha male -
Lone Star Lovin' by Debbie Macomber
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsEscape again into one more Orchard Valley love story! Enjoy this classic romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.When Sherry Waterman leaves Orchard Valley, Oregon, for Pepper, Texas, she’s definitely not in the mood to be “courted.” But if anyone could change her mind, it’s the hardworking, good-looking Cody Bailman...
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.