Books like 'Controlled Burn'
Readers who enjoyed Controlled Burn by Marie James also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny suspense single-mother m-f angst height-difference forced proximity slow burn found-family
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Rewriting You by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsI’m a mom to teenagers… I’m also my late husband’s executioner.He was an abusive man on the fast track to devastation. He hung me from a fancy chandelier to die. Had my saviours driven the long way home, I wouldn’t be here today to tell my story. It’s been a long road since then, but my children and I have finally moved back to town. It’s time to lay some ghosts to bed... -
Put Out by Lani Lynn Vale
Angie is a survivor. Anything you could throw at her, she could overcome. After her father left her like a pile of unwanted trash, she began fighting. Fighting to build a life. Fighting to keep her child. Fighting to matter. She thought she had it all figured out. Then Bowen Race Tannenbaum walks into her life, turning it into a flurry of confusion, hope, and then ultimately despair... -
Forever Paired by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.77 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsLandon Davies had worked hard to start his own restaurant. It was a very different path than most of his family had taken. He was one of the few family members that were not military or law enforcement. But his hard work had given him a restaurant that was beginning to take off when a woman’s scream in the alley outside his kitchen changed everything... -
Kitty by Cee Bowerman
Marler ‘Kitty’ Barnes has always been the fun guy who doesn’t stick around after the fun is over. Even in his old profession, he was always quick to take off once the job was done. After his release from prison, he focused on other things but never lost that urge to run as soon as things got serious...Categorized as:
suspense m-f found-family single-mother independent heroine contemporary humor anal sex -
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Dynamite by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.74 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsThey call us the devil twins - a fallacy and unfair assumption on everyone’s part.Well... mostly.My name is Luke Hart, and I’m the oldest of identical twin boys. Although I may be responsible for the ‘devil’ in our name, I have no urge to set the record straight and exonerate the innocent half of our pairing.There’s no point letting the truth get in the way of a good story.Right?Not so...Categorized as:
m-f found-family competent heroine independent heroine sports new adult humor length-medium -
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
A hopeless romantic meets a demoralized radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.Aiden Valentine has a secret: he's fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore's romance hotline, that's a bit of a problem... -
Forever Freed by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.72 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsJackson Parker has seen evil first hand as a Tier 1 government asset with the FBI Hostage Rescue Team. After months of black ops work overseas, he’s finally coming home for a break. But with Keeneston’s wedding of the century, a stowaway on the run, and a plot that could kill thousands of civilians, Jackson gets anything but rest and relaxation... -
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... -
Broken Shadows by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.76 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsTrent Faulkner was happy working with his hands to build custom furniture. He had made a name for himself and his design company. Love wasn’t even on his radar. Then one client broke down his barriers, only to make him leave in the morning. Trent made a resolution to forget about her, but that was hard to do when she was everywhere he looked, including in his heart... -
Forever Burning by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.71 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsColton Davies is living the ultimate bachelor life in Keeneston as the chief fireman. He should be enjoying every moment of it, but a strange feeling in his chest suddenly takes over whenever he sees his friend Cady dancing with other men. The urge to rush in and rescue her is almost overwhelming, but he can’t let himself get carried away... -
Dirty Little Midlife (fake) Date by Lilian Monroe
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsBrooding, grumpy Des has a problem. He needs a date to his family's Thanksgiving reunion for reasons he'd...rather not say.Single mother and all-around hot mess Mia has an even bigger issue: She can't afford her rent, and her new landlord Des is a major you-know-what.So, they make a deal. One simple weekend away in exchange for a serious rent reduction... -
I Can't Even by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsEllodie Cassandra Solaire made a single, solitary New Year’s resolution.That resolution was set in stone, and she wouldn’t be breaking it, no matter what.It was simple: Say yes to every person who asks her out on a date until she finds a boyfriend.Easy, right?Wrong.She breaks that New Year’s resolution three months into the year after a guy gives her serial killer vibes...Categorized as:
suspense forced proximity m-f contemporary military humor from hate to love length-medium -
Colton by Jenna Myles
Love men who fall first? Like strong curvy heroines? How about I throw in a high rise full of billionaires and a hero with some serious golden retriever energy?Evie did the right thing, she saved a life, and it cost her almost everything. I'm going to make damn sure she's made whole again.So I've been carrying her picture around with me for a couple of months... -
Forever Thrown by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.66 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEverything Porter Davies has worked for is about to be ripped away from him with one throw from a rodeo horse. The hits don’t stop there, either. He’d known they’d come for him one day. His father had been the best spy back in his day and they’d been keeping tabs on Porter since he was eighteen... -
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Forever Devoted by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.75 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsLayne Davies needed a break—a break from the busy bodies in her small town of Keeneston, Kentucky and a break from dating men who turned into scared little boys upon meeting her father. That’s why she was so excited to have been invited to speak at a medical conference in Charleston, South Carolina. Never did she think her whole life would change the second she stepped on that stage... -
Forever Secret by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.70 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsSophie Davies has a secret . . . in fact, she has quite a few secrets. Sophie Davies is the head of weapon development for a private firm contracted with the Department of Defense. Because of her knowledge and high security clearances, she has kept her job a secret for fear of kidnapping and sabotage... -
Bishop by Marie James
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsIn the grand scheme of things five years isn’t a very long time. It goes by in a blink, literally. Waking up with no recollection of the last five years is devastating. The woman I remember loving is with someone else. The only family I had is gone, and I’m forced to relive those losses all over again... -
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... -
Fortuity by Jewel E. Ann
From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jewel E. Ann comes a beautiful, passionate, and powerful story about unexpected love, sacrifice, and daring to dream again.Forty-something Gracelyn Glock is living the dream. No husband.No retirement plan.And since her self-imposed man-ban—no need to shave above her knees.After a tragic accident, Gracelyn inherits her ten-year-old nephew...Categorized as:
angst strong heroine single-mother m-f contemporary christian friends to lovers humor -
Forever Saved by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.68 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsJace Davies has devoted his life to helping others. He is opening a new medical practice in his small hometown of Keeneston and is looking forward to starting the next phase of his life. Who knew that the new phase would begin with a 9-1-1 call? Stella Winters left her ex-boyfriend behind for a move to Keeneston to accomplish her dream of opening a garden center... -
Fierce Shadows by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.72 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDare Reigns is Charleston’s newest undercover ATF agent. Dare and his bosses believe a nearby resort is responsible for several deaths from tainted alcohol. As a favor to his friend, Marcy Davies, Dare agrees to a blind date with her grand-niece who lives in the area. What he didn’t tell her was having a date night at the resort would be the perfect cover for him to begin his investigation... -
Forever Ventured by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.77 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsWyatt Davies is faced with a hard choice: give up being a veterinarian or give up the family horse racing farm he inherited. He has one chance to save the farm and that chance lies with horse trainer Camila Callahan. Camila was raised by the United Kingdom's greatest horse trainer, and he taught her everything he knew... -
Royal by Cee Bowerman
A favor for his twin brother put Royal Conner under the spotlight. The highest bidder won and she’s nothing like he thought she’d be. One look and he’s smitten, one conversation and he’s intrigued, one kiss and he’s lost. Paula has too much on her plate to deal with a man... -
Wicked Heart by Ivy Layne
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFinn Sawyer hates everything about being back in Sawyers Bend. He walked away from his family years before, living off his wits and skills in the kitchen, refining his craft as he worked his way across Europe. Then the father who left him for dead is murdered, and the will offers Finn a chance at his dream... -
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She Loves Me by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 27 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:
independent heroine strong heroine m-f humor contemporary friends to lovers sassy heroine audiobook -
Forever Concealed by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.74 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsCan love find a way when truth is concealed? Gabe Ali Rahman is the standby heir to the crown and he’s okay with that. So what that he’s gotten the reputation of being a playboy prince? He’s had a lot of fun along the way. But now he wants more in life than casual flings... -
Reckless by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 26 ratings“How did you get in here?”That’s not what you want to hear when you’re staring into the sea-green eyes of the hottest man you’ve ever seen. Yet I suppose it’s a fair question, considering I’m an uninvited stranger standing in Boone Mason’s kitchen.If you think that’s bad—just wait. It gets worse...Categorized as:
forced proximity single-mother m-f contemporary humor christian insta-love audiobook -
Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsEvery single thing you want is going to require you to be uncomfortable. Those words had been shared with her by the one man she didn’t think she could take a chance on. She just didn’t know that he was right, or that he was going to be the one making her uncomfortable. Nash Wilder Christopherson was the world’s golden boy. For fifteen years, she watched Nash race from the safety of her phone...Categorized as:
suspense angst forced proximity strong heroine m-f humor grumpy sunshine friends to lovers -
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens
A hilarious love story about a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker.Columnist Anna Appleby has left her love life behind after a painful divorce. Who needs a man when she has two kids, a cat, and uncontested control of the TV remote? Besides, she’d rather be single than subject herself to the hell of online dating...Categorized as:
single-mother m-f height-difference forced proximity contemporary age difference office humor -
Forever Hunted by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.70 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThe hunt is on... Carter Ashton had always been close to the entire Davies family. Until he decided he wanted to bring his relationship with Reagan Davies out of the shadows. As tempers flare, Carter must stand his ground or lose the love of his life. But when an old family friend asks for help, Carter unknowingly brings danger to the doorstep of the woman he loves... -
Van by Melanie Moreland
Vince Morrison, known to most people as Van. Good with his hands, be it crafting a piece of wood, playing his guitar, or pleasing a lover—he excels at them all. Friendly, flirty, and talented, he’s cool under pressure, and hot everywhere else. But he keeps his heart closed, even as his interest and emotions are tested. Olivia Rourke works alongside him at BAM... -
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... -
Hopelessly Shattered: by Bink Cummings
Single Mother- ✔ Dead Father- ✔ Motherless Childhood- ✔ Librarian- ✔ Black Rimmed Glasses to Fit the Job Description- ✔ The Biggest A-hole in the World for an Ex- ✔✔ When you’re born you never know what life will throw at you. You just make the best of it no matter what happens. That’s pretty much been my go-to since infancy... -
Fall into Temptation by Lucy Score
Beckett Pierce is the most eligible bachelor in the nosiest small town in upstate New York. But after his last girlfriend handcuffed herself to his porch and set his welcome mat on fire, he's not looking for any more romance.Even if it lands right in his backyard, and has miles of red hair.Gianna Decker has her hands full--no, overflowing--with problems...Categorized as:
single-mother forced proximity strong heroine found-family m-f contemporary friends to lovers humor -
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Catch a Kiwi by Rosalind James
Breathe, smile, and move on. When you’re writing the next chapter in your rags-to-riches-to-rags story, you need about a million quotes like that. I might be short on inspiration, but I had determination. That was it, except for a very young cousin and a very old campervan, but I was all about starting over...Categorized as:
m-f forced proximity strong heroine independent heroine slow burn contemporary humor poor heroine -
Time to Bounce by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsLoneliness is overwhelming in its intensity. There are times you think you can cope, that you can make it despite the hollow feeling in your chest. Then there are the times when you realize you can’t breathe through the pain of loss. When Gable Buchanan Carter walks into Athena’s life, it’s like a light is switched on inside her chest. Suddenly she can breathe... -
Tied Bond by Emma Hart
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsHolly Woods is going to hell in a handbasket—but this time, Satanists aren’t to blame. Halloween is. Nonna doesn’t understand why there are skeletons and demons everywhere. Mom is threatening to stitch a devil into Nonna’s pillowcase if she doesn’t shut up. Bek is bumbling over a date with Jason, the handsome FBI agent who conveniently got himself relocated to Austin, and I… Well... -
Knocking Boots by Jordan Marie
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsI’ve always heard, don’t fall in love with a cowboy. I just didn't listen. I've sworn off men. They’ve never given me much in life, except a bun in the oven and grief. My kids are my life and all that truly matter. Until him. Jansen Reed is a living fantasy straight from the old west. Sexy drawl, tight jeans and that glint in his eyes that make my knees weak... -
Adler by Jessica Gadziala
He decided it was time to retire, settle down, become something nice and tame. Like an arms-dealing biker in some town called Navesink Bank. He could get behind that lifestyle. He'd anticipated a lot of things. Drinking. Brotherhood. A little action peppered in here and there to keep things from getting too dull. But there was one thing he hadn't planned on...Categorized as:
suspense independent heroine m-f angst slow burn found-family competent heroine strong heroine -
The New Doctor at Peony Practice by Christie Barlow
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPreorder the next book in the heartwarming and bestselling Love Heart Lane seriesLove Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter whatAll’s fair in love and…medicine?Dr Katie O’Neil has only been in Heartcross a few hours when she finds herself already ruffling feathers – not least with medical school nemesis and new colleague Ben Sanders...Categorized as:
suspense forced proximity m-f small town humor contemporary from hate to love length-medium -
Dirty Little Midlife Secret by Lilian Monroe
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsLily Viceroy arrived in Heart’s Cove with a suitcase by her side and two eensy weensy secrets tucked into the corners of her heart.Well, that’s if “eensy” and “weensy” are code for “terrifying” and “dire.”Clearly, the only thing for Lily to do is to engage in a good ol’ bout of denial... -
Saving Shadows by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGavin Faulkner was the only doctor in the small South Carolina inner coastal town of Shadows Landing. He was used to patching up everything from fishing lures stuck in skin to gator bites. Nothing could surprise him anymore—except when he found an unconscious woman partially submerged near his dock after a fierce thunderstorm. Ellery St. John’s last memory was of a bat swinging toward her head... -
Under the Radar by Melanie Moreland
When two new roommates discover their mutual crush, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Moreland takes us on a journey of falling in love.One of the Donner boys. Troublemakers.That was the reputation that followed Chase his whole life. Until he grew up and realized he could do better. Be better.But that choice cost him. His freedom, his family, his chance at love...Categorized as:
forced proximity suspense found-family m-f friends to lovers humor dual-pov contemporary -
JINXED by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsDrakeThey call me a flirt. ‘Detective Sl()ts-A-Lot’ when they’re feeling frisky, because my morals are loose, and my choice in women, according to the haters, is unfussy.But they don’t know I’ve been watching her.Waiting for her.The problem is, she’s half my age, and has no business being with a man like me.***RoryThey call me clumsy.Jinxed.And when they’re feeling a little dramatic, doomed...Categorized as:
suspense forced proximity angst age difference humor contemporary new adult length-medium -
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Hauling Ashe by L.B. Dunbar
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsLife might be a highway but the last thing this grumpy silver fox expected was a cross-country road trip with a ray of sunshine."My sister is driving to California. She could give you a ride.""What?" Tucker Ashe and I say in unison.Mae FoxSurely, my older sister has lost her mind. There is no way I'm driving her insufferable – albeit sexy silver fox – boss two thousand miles... -
Forever Entangled by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRyan Parker had always loved Sienna Ashton, but gave up on his fantasy years ago. After working as an undercover FBI Agent in Los Angeles, Ryan gets a phone call telling him to come home to the small town of Keeneston, Kentucky. The woman he thought he was over is now in serious trouble. Sienna Ashton fell in love with Ryan Parker too late... -
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 head7 months spent in a coma6 months since he woke, a changed man5 hours since he’d been kidnapped4 minutes since he’d opened his eyes in an underground cavern3 minutes since he’d heard a woman calling for help…Two strangers trapped together.One impossible way out... -
Skye by Jessica Ames
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSkye Pregnant and in the hands of my enemies, I have no choice but to hope the father of my baby will protect me. I should have known that nothing in my life is ever simple. Rage is furious when he learns the truth about who I really am and his club isn’t prepared to let me go... -
Levi: Driverton 2 by Ruth Cardello
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDriverton’s bad boy is falling in love with his best friend’s cousin and it just might cost him everything.Levi has always had a sweet spot for Katie, but she’s not his type. He likes his women wild, willing, and from out of town so they’re easy to move on from when his interest wanes.Katie is opinionated and off-limits... -
It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
From the USA Today bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script, a novel about a former adolescent TV actress-turned-Hollywood producer whose “fake it till you make it” mantra sets her on a crash course with her past, forcing her to spend a week on Long Island with the last man she thinks might make her believe in love.Love is a lie. Laughter is the only truth...
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