Books like 'The Sweetest Thing'
Readers who enjoyed The Sweetest Thing by Maya Hughes also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny grumpy sunshine cold hero
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Wild Open Hearts by Kathryn Nolan
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 33 ratings“I’ve heard that boys with motorcycles have less-than-noble intentions.” “Not a boy,” Beck said. “And you heard right.” Luna da Rosa is America’s Vegan Best Friend. The self-made billionaire is a flower-crowned hippie whose Instagram feed is as popular as Wild Heart - her vegan makeup company. When she’s not changing the cosmetics industry, she’s dazzling her online fans with kombucha recipes... -
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... -
Made For You by Natasha Madison
From Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comesA brand new stand-alone enemies-to-lovers grumpy/sunshine sports romance.A spin-off from the Only One seriesVivienneI did the last thing I ever expected to do. I bought a boat. A beautiful boat that was all mine to spend the summer on.Only thing I was looking forward to was the calm being on the water brought me...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero contemporary sports athletes forced proximity dual-pov from hate to love -
Cash by Lola Wright
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsLiviBeing a female in a male-dominated career can be daunting, but I refuse to allow others’ attitudes to deter me. I always try to be professional, compassionate and non-judgmental. Through hard work, I have earned respect within my department. Wearing a badge and uniform, I’ve seen the best and worst of humanity... -
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Promise Me This by Karla Sorensen
Imagine this: an author with a raging case of writer’s block finds an unexpected source of inspiration in her grumpy, gorgeous new roommate. Sounds amazing, right? Except that new roommate is my childhood best friend. And Ian Wilder has been off-limits since I was five...Categorized as:
cold hero grumpy sunshine contemporary sports humor new adult friends to lovers forced proximity -
Resolution by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsFrom USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a workplace romance between a grumpy, alpha architect and his new client—who just so happens to have the blueprint to bring him to his knees. Romance is not in Wade Mason’s portfolio. This is tragic...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero contemporary humor super rich hero christian cheerful heroine office -
Maybe We Won't by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsA sexy and soul-stirring novel about love, family, and rediscovering what matters most by Melissa Foster, the New York Times bestselling author of Maybe We Will.When workaholic Boston attorney Deirdra de Messiéres is passed over for a well-deserved promotion, she takes a two-month hiatus to show her boss just how much he needs her and heads home to Silver Island...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine humor contemporary age difference tearjerkers friends to lovers length-medium -
Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn
When a chance at being a bridesmaid turns into a chance at being a bride, how can she possibly refuse?Hudson Hopper is in trouble. After doing his business partner Jude a favor by hiring Jude’s younger sister Sloane, Hudson very quickly finds out that she is a massive distraction—especially since she’s now his assistant... -
The Mistletoe Kisser by Lucy Score
Ryan Sosa, grumpy former corporate accountant, has had it up to here with surprises. He didn’t see getting fired coming. And he certainly didn’t anticipate flying across the country to the world’s hippie-est, happiest, most annoying town to save his great-uncle from some mysterious emergency...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero contemporary humor multicultural christmas small town open-door -
One Day Fiance by Lauren Landish
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 29 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... -
Rocky Start by Jennifer Crusie, Bob Mayer
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThink of the movies Grosse Pointe Blank or RED. Retired covert operatives living in a small town in the Smoky Mountains. What could go wrong?Rose Malone’s landlord and employer, Ozzie Oswald, just died and now she has no idea if she has a job or if she and her daughter, Poppy, have a place to live, and that’s on top of the arrest warrant that’s been out for her for nineteen years... -
Always With You (The Connor Family) by Layla Hagen
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsI’ve always relished being a man of mystery. My LA hotel empire is public, but my private life as plain old Reid Davenport stays that way. Right up until it doesn’t, and the tabloids threaten not just my privacy, but that of my family. I’d do anything to protect them from the limelight... -
Wishing on a Star by Mandy Baggot
A single mum. A superstar athlete. A Christmas like no other.Anna Heath is divorced, a single mum and trying desperately to keep her life in order. Despite her friends' best efforts, Anna has stopped looking for love and is determined to give her daughter, Ruthie, a Christmas to remember.Sam Jackman has just been dealt with life-altering news, and all he could think to do was run... -
Strictly Pretend by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsA knight in shining armor? Hardly. More like my worst enemy wrapped in a swoon-worthy tux… When Brooks Salinger saves me from heartbreak at a wedding, I never expect to see him again—let alone find him back in my life, set to destroy my family’s bookstore.But when he offers me a wild deal—pretend to be his girlfriend at a ritzy wedding in exchange for saving the store—I reluctantly agree... -
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Making Whoopie by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThis marriage of convenience is about to get sticky. Getting hitched for the health insurance is not Jocelyn Asher’s idea of romance.But the hospital quote has really frosted her cookies, and suddenly, “I’m rich. We should just get married,” sounds a whole lot more swoony.Especially when the man proposing is this gorgeous. And takes her to parties featuring champagne and petit fours... -
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... -
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... -
A Holly Jilly Christmas: a sweet holiday romantic comedy by Emma St. Clair
My life is nothing like the movies we make at the studio where I work--especially not when it comes to relationships.Which means that there will be absolutely NO romance between me and Case, the grumpy exec I've had a crush on from our very first not-so-meet-cute.We're simply two coworkers scouting the town of Sheet Cake, Texas as a location for filming.That's it...Categorized as:
cold hero grumpy sunshine christmas humor christian clean forced proximity contemporary -
Beach Please by Melanie Summers
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA hilarious and heartwarming story that’ll have you snort-laughing, swooning, and sighing with happiness… Lola Gordon's dreams of a thriving surf shop were shattered when her ex vanished with all the money in their business account, leaving her on the brink of losing everything... -
Anger Banger by S.M. Shade
The residents of Happy Haven Trailer park have been waiting for this for a long time. The slumlord who abandoned this place and let our homes deteriorate has been court ordered to live here while making repairs. Imagine our surprise when the guy who shows up to move in to the dilapidated trailer across the street isn't the sixty year old man we expected, but his son...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine new adult found-family from hate to love contemporary humor forced proximity -
Real Fake Love by Pippa Grant
If people have polar opposites, Luca Rossi is mine.His butt is in the baseball hall of fame. Mine’s comfortably seated in the hall of lame.When he’s not snagging fly balls out in center field, he’s modeling in shampoo commercials. I once jammed my own finger while stirring cookie dough, and sometimes I forget shampoo is a thing.He’s a total cynic when it comes to love...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero humor sports contemporary new adult friends to lovers athletes -
Musical Games by Evie Alexander
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe's never been kissed, and she's about to rock his world... Bubbly actress Sam is on the brink of the bigtime — all she needs is one lucky break. But when she drops everything for the chance to meet Hollywood’s biggest star, she blows it by blurting out a lie.Now, she’s got ten days to write an album with a man who wants nothing to do with her...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine contemporary forced proximity virgin hero insta-love humor length-medium -
A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...There's always time for tea... unless you've lost your teapot…Cleo Jordan has only ever wished for one thing – to open her own teashop in memory of her lovely gran...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine found-family forced proximity small town contemporary humor length-medium -
Rosie and the Beast Next Door by Kaylee Baldwin
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a hockey player in possession of a bad reputation must be in want of a fake girlfriend.Rosie Forrester is in desperate need of cash after an embarrassing run-in with the law. Enter Dylan Savage, a disgraced hockey player who needs a place to hide out for a few months while he figures out how to get back on his team... -
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Love, Delivered by A.N. Boyden
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTwo years ago, Noah Porter would have been described by his closest family and friends as charismatic, outgoing, the life of the party, and a social butterfly. That all changed when Noah became the victim of a mass shooting at a popular nightclub. Noah escaped with his life, but his two best friends weren't so lucky.Noah now suffers from PTSD, agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression... -
The Love Interest by Kayley Loring
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsDear Fiona,I hope this letter finds you well—and by well, I mean significantly less infuriated than you were yesterday. I’ve wanted to continue our conversation from the night we met, but there are so many things I can’t say or do, now that I’m your professor.As an anonymous letter writer, I can give you some idea of what I have planned for us, once the year is over...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine contemporary humor age difference secret-relationship m-f length-medium -
The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole, Margo Lipschultz
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsWhen an outgoing musical maven meets the enigmatic neuroscientist next door, will their worlds clash in a dramatic showdown of art versus science, or will they discover that love is the ultimate experiment worth conducting?When celebrated Broadway composer Hadley Olivier’s best friend receives a life-threatening diagnosis, Hadley says goodbye to her beloved home in NYC and sets off to the West...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine friends to lovers contemporary humor forced proximity menage length-long -
Sweet Sunshine (the Pembrooke series) by Jessica Prince
She’s a romantic at heart. Chloe Delaney had three very specific wishes, growing up. She wished to stay settled in the small mountain town of Pembrooke, where she grew up, to one day be her own boss, and to fall in love with a man who would be willing to go to the ends of the earth for her...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero humor contemporary length-short explicit-open-door m-f caretaking -
Flirting With Forever by Claire Kingsley
He’ll break all her rulesNora Lakes is sophisticated, successful, and happily single. Career problems aside, her life is fine the way it is, thank you very much. Sure, her best friends are all moving into a new season of life—full of husbands and babies and white picket fences. But that’s not what Nora wants. Neither is the gruff, tattooed guy next door. Tattoo artist Dex St... -
The Nanny and the Nerd by Krista Sandor
Three things NOT to do when nannying for a video gaming mogul (aka the hottest nerd on the planet): #1 Do not get lost in his dreamy green eyes. #2 Do not salivate over his rock-hard abs. #3 No matter what happens, do not fall for his super-nerdy dirty talk! Penny Fennimore is not winning at life...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero new adult humor contemporary super rich hero sweet heroine office -
The Plan by Karla Sorensen
Have you ever fake dated your bodyguard? I don't recommend it. Especially if he's anything like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all and unapologetic grump. To be clear, I didn't want a bodyguard (hence the fake dating idea). Most days, I can’t figure out why he wants the job either. We drive each other insane, probably because we’re as opposite as two people can be... -
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... -
Fish out of Water by Josie Watts, Janice Whiteaker
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsGet a new job. Check.Find a new apartment. Check.Stake out geriatric hit men with my handsome sidekick. Check?Never rent an apartment over the internet.I learned that lesson the hard way. Turns out the sweet two bedroom I was thrilled to make mine is actually smack dab in the middle of a retirement community.Now instead of enjoying Florida’s night life, I’m helping Mrs... -
The Sheriff's Woman by Jackie Weger
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsHe had his eye on her for years. But she was married. Now she’s not. He’s all in. Rachel Cameron prefers to lick her wounds and protect her children from gossip and shame in isolation on a small homestead in the Ozark Mountains. But life-long bachelor and ex-Marine Sheriff Garrett Stark has other ideas... -
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The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole, Margo Lipschultz
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen an outgoing musical maven meets the enigmatic neuroscientist next door, will their worlds clash in a dramatic showdown of art versus science, or will they discover that love is the ultimate experiment worth conducting?When celebrated Broadway composer Hadley Olivier’s best friend receives a life-threatening diagnosis, Hadley says goodbye to her beloved home in NYC and sets off for the West... -
Mistle Text: 'Twas the Text Before Christmas ... by Whitney Dineen, Melanie Summers
Twas the text before Christmas… Twenty-eight-year-old Holly Snow is the only mother her four-year-old niece remembers. Three years earlier, when her sister and brother-in-law were killed, Holly’s dream of becoming an international flight attendant was put on hold so she could be home for baby Faith... -
Perfect Grump by Nicole Snow
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsWall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a laugh-out-loud wild office romance where two total opposites fight to deny their perfect chemistry.I've caught a raging case of bosshole.Signing on as a company driver for Brandt Ideas felt like a dream.Big-girl salary. Stellar benefits. Glorious people—minus one.Nicholas Brandt was put on Earth to drive me insane...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero contemporary new adult military humor super rich hero from hate to love -
Temptress by Jessica Prince
Who knew the grumpy single dad next door would turn out to be The One?As Sloane Chambers stood at her window and creeped on the new guy moving in next door, she was immediately drawn to the tattoos, muscles, and the way his jeans hugged his perfect . . . frame. But when she caught him hacking up her rose bushes with a chain saw, the battle was on... -
Rockaway Bride by Pippa Grant
A Rock Star Kidnaps a Runaway Bride… Kidnapping the bride seemed like a good idea at the time. Her fiancé stole my fortune, so I stole his woman. Tit for tat. Or tat for tit. However you want to look at it. The one thing I didn’t expect? Willow Honeycutt, preschool teacher, boy band super fan, is completely crazy. And somehow she’s turned the tables on me...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine humor contemporary forced proximity length-medium explicit-open-door -
Palisades Point by Jennifer Griffith
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA dark and stormy night.A pillared marble mansion.A grumpy but gorgeous CEO. Un-photogenic photographer Beatrix Bay is out to snap pics of the historic mansions on the ocean-side cliffs. But, when her car overturns in the snow, she finds much more than a photo op... -
A Little Christmas Spirit: A Novel by Sheila Roberts
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe best Christmas gifts—family, friendship and second chances—are all waiting to be unwrapped in this sparkling new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts.Single mom Lexie Bell hopes to make this first Christmas in their new home special for her six-year-old son, Brock. Festive lights and homemade fudge, check. Friendly neighbors? Uh, no... -
Heartache & Playdates by Shawna Renae
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“Love isn’t like milk. It has no expiration date.” ~ Nonna RussoMaddox CruzSingle dad. Tech billionaire. Genius. That is what people saw when they looked at me. Those adjectives might all be true, but inside I was still a kid who grew up in the system and was raised by the streets. Which was why I had no plans to attend my 20 year high school reunion...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine contemporary humor super rich hero single-father alpha male length-medium -
Meant For Me by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsUSA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa brings an enemies-to-lovers romance where the billionaire grump can’t help but fall for Ms. Sunshine.I never thought I'd be the proud owner of a quaint small-town bookstore, but life has a funny way of surprising us.With my virtual BFF's encouragement to seize the day and follow my heart... -
Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt was supposed to be a quick meeting.I’ve been trying to break into acting for years, and now I’m FINALLY up for a lead role in a romcom movie. It’s a huge step up from barista #3, especially considering who’s supposed to play my love interest—Adam Stone... -
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Bayou Tonight by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA prequel to Gotta Be Bayou, book one in the Badges of the Bayou series She’s so not his type. But he’s been thinking about her for almost a year now.He needs to figure out a way to get over her.Though kissing her at their friends’ wedding probably isn’t it…FBI agent Spencer Landry is looking for a sweet, bubbly sunshine at home to balance out all the darkness he sees in his work... -
Kind of a Sexy Jerk by Lili Valente
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsSo let me get this straight... For the next few days I’ve got myself a grumpy fake husband who’s also kind of my...bodyguard?I guess that’s a better way to spend the weekend than binge-watching reality television, especially since it’s kind of my fault we’re on the run from the mob and I need a protector.Oops... -
Tease by Camilla Stevens
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 13 ratings“Hello, neighbor. Going down?” Miss PinkThat’s what I call her.Her “real” name is too ridiculous to repeat.Besides, my nickname for her is more than apt. Everything about her is pink, from the pink champagne she gets delivered by the caseload, to the tiny pink feathers I find randomly breezing down the hallway of our apartment building in her wake.It’s ridiculous…in the most addictive way... -
Crank by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 47 ratingsCrank is a standalone romance in a new small town, blue-collar series from USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke. Join readers everywhere as they fall in love with the delicious Gibson Boys. This is one mistake Sienna Landry can’t buy her way out of...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine cold hero humor contemporary cheating from hate to love angst alpha male -
No Strings by Nikki Ash
From USA Today Bestselling Author Nikki Ash comes a brand new, contemporary, stand-alone romance about a single dad who thinks he has everything figured out... until he meets her.SavannahA sexy, single dad and his teenage son weren’t a part of my white picket fence fairy tale, but if life has taught me anything, it’s that things don’t always work out according to plan... -
Otterly Irresistible by Erin Nicholas
What happens when a smoking hot, but grouchy vet meets a sunny and sassy optimist? An opposites attract, grumpy boss, small town romance that's otterly irresistible. Broody wildlife veterinarian Griffin Foster is done. Done trying to save the world. Done getting attached...
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