Books like 'The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay'
Readers who enjoyed The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay by Donna Schwartze also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny christmas forced proximity grumpy sunshine military
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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:
christmas grumpy sunshine contemporary humor from hate to love cold hero small town length-medium -
Truly Medley Deeply by Kate Watson
Lucy JaneThe first rule of touring? Don’t fall for your crew.Especially not the grumpy, emotionally caged, impossible-to-read sound guy who acts like tolerating pop-country singers is pure torture.Patrick “Patty” O’Shannan clearly doesn’t want to be here. He does his job and barely looks at me unless it’s to scowl...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary office humor length-medium glimpses-kisses -
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:
forced proximity military suspense contemporary humor from hate to love length-medium m-f -
Forever Wild by K.A. Tucker
From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild comes Forever Wild, a novella that continues the story of Calla's journey to the Alaskan wild and a life she never imagined for herself. The holiday season is upon Calla and Jonah, and with the mistletoe and gingerbread comes plenty of family drama...Categorized as:
christmas grumpy sunshine contemporary humor new adult found-family length-short audiobook -
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Hot SEAL, Silent Knight by Kris Michaels
Rated: 4.78 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsForced to take his 'Use or Lose' vacation days, Romeo Platoon Leader Ted (Bear) Black begrudgingly heads home to Hope City and all the nonsense surrounding Christmas. He'd rather stay in San Diego and spend his downtime working, especially when he's unexpectantly reunited with the woman who was the star of the worst date he'd ever experienced.Noel Laurent is heading home for Christmas... -
Wishing on a Star by Mandy Baggot
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA 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
A 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... -
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... -
Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
Meet cute... Run for the hills—temporarily . That's Colbie Albright's plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie's so over it that she's under it. She's also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival... -
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...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary humor friends to lovers dual-pov m-f glimpses-kisses -
A Holly Jilly Christmas 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:
christmas forced proximity grumpy sunshine humor christian clean contemporary age difference -
The CEO I Hate by Leslie North
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Hating Game meets a much hotter Morning Glory—if the grumpy media exec was her brother’s best friend, and this time they actually kissed.Liam Lockhart is my brother’s best friend, a decade older, and the kind of mistake I swore I’d never make twice.Two years ago, we kissed—hard, hot, unforgettable—until he shoved me away like I was a mistake he couldn’t afford. Message received... -
Matchmaking a Scrooge by Angela R. Casella, Denise Grover Swank
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHe wants to destroy her show. She wants to get on Santa’s naughty list with him. Rowan No man wants to be nicknamed Cupid. My family’s run a matchmaking business for years, though, and my sister’s a romance novelist. You get the picture. To make matters worse, my narcissistic grandmother just sold a reality dating show to network television...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine christmas insta-love humor contemporary abuse men in uniform length-medium -
Left-Handed Monkey Wrench by Giulia Lagomarsino
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsChase Carter. You’ve read about them in Reed Security. You’ve come to know a little about who the men of OPS are. But everything you thought you knew is a lie—smoke and mirrors. The truth of OPS is hidden deep inside, waiting to be revealed. Owens Protective Services. Defend. Investigate. Secure...Categorized as:
forced proximity military contemporary suspense humor friends to lovers alpha male length-medium -
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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 forced proximity found-family small town contemporary humor length-medium audiobook -
A Not So Merry Ex-Mas by Abby Greyson
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis is a Dual POV kisses only, sweet holiday romantic comedy . For years I've been dreaming of a real Christmas back home. Tree trimming, decorating, Christmas carols. What I wasn't expecting was Cole.If I was to dream up the perfect man even my wildest imagination would have fallen short compared to Cole Nichols... -
Musical Games by Evie Alexander
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 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:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary virgin hero insta-love humor length-medium audiobook -
Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 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...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary from hate to love humor length-medium audiobook -
When Our Stars Aligned by Tracy McJames
Sometimes fate takes fifteen years… and thousands of miles to finally bring twopeople together. JaxI’ve been doing just fine on my own, living life on autopilot after my time in the Navy…When my gram told me in her last hours that she’d always known the girl I was supposed tobe with, I figured it was the meds talking... -
She Likes It, Hey Micah by Dana LeCheminant
Micah Taylor is an eternal optimist, but with every first date that fails, her faith in true love weakens. When offered the chance to help reopen the lodge where her parents were married, Micah is determined to prove her worth and show her boss that she has what it takes to be a great event planner...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary age difference humor office m-f glimpses-kisses -
The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole, Margo Lipschultz
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 13 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 forced proximity friends to lovers contemporary humor menage length-long -
Home Is Where You Park It by Marika Ray
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’s a giant of a man who grunts for words and barks out orders, yet circumstances require I be his fake girlfriend and spend the weekend with him in an isolated cabin.And of course there’s only one bed. Just my luck…But I need this commission check that only Boston can guarantee me... -
Leave Me Breathless by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsShe’s his best friend’s little sister. Completely off-limits. And now she’s moving in with him…When Gabe Winter’s best friend calls with an unusual request – give his broken-hearted little sister a roof over her head for a few months – he readily accepts.But he doesn’t expect Nicole to be quite so enticing. Or for her to bring out all the feelings in him... -
Malicious Compliance by E.M. Lindsey
My life is good. I work from home, I answer to no one, and I pay my rent on time. In short, things are peaceful and solitary—exactly the way I like them. Yes, my apartment might be a dump with paper-thin walls and plumbing issues, but it’s mine all the same. And then he moves in...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity grumpy sunshine m-m from hate to love contemporary humor angst -
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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... -
Holiday Heart-On: A Steamy Romantic Comedy Anthology by Serena Bell, Sylvie Stewart
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsGet a head start on the holiday spirit by reading for a great cause! Nineteen of today’s most entertaining rom-com authors have teamed up on #Books4Beats. This collection of festive shorts ranges from sweet to steamy and promises to entertain... -
Keeping a Christmas Promise by Jo Thomas
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFour friendsTwenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright, full of hope and most importantly guaranteed . . .One promiseNow they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they've lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas... -
A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings‘Sparkling, laugh-out-loud, romantic’ Phillipa AshleySt Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere…A clean slate in the world’s cosiest cottage by the sea…When Gwen Starkey and her best friend, Ella Simpson, arrive in St Aidan to take on a cottage renovation, it’s the fresh start they both so desperately need... -
The Agent by Kimberly Kincaid
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNothing rattles stone-cold FBI Agent Kai Roman. Not chasing down ruthless criminals. Not the grief of losing his wife years ago. Not even inadvertently being caught in the middle of a bank robbery. Except Camila Garza is right beside him when danger strikes, and suddenly he’s the only person who can protect the off-limits beauty. No matter how much her older brother hates him... -
Eggnog Makes Her Easy by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsLindsey is expecting silent nights this holiday. Just her and her boys while her husband serves overseas. But her blue Christmas turns merry when things start rockin’ under the mistletoe thanks to a surprise gift from her naughty Santa.Which is fine. The nice list is overrated anyway... -
Stranded Ranch by Cindy Steel
Her past came back to surprise her. But her past is now a flirty hot cowboy so...I wasn't sure why I gave up a week in the Bahamas with friends to visit my grandparent's home in Wyoming.In January.But one phone call to the ranch to check-in was all it took.It didn't matter that the worst storm to hit Wyoming in years was upon us. I needed to be there. I just didn't know why...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity contemporary friends to lovers clean cowboys humor length-novella -
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...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine friends to lovers contemporary humor length-medium audiobook -
Behind the Pages: A sultry romcom of the unexpected by K. Iwancio
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTwo authors, an intertwined plot, and one heck of an alluring ending to their highly-anticipated bestselling books... With her fantasy series, Bridget Paige is the newest member of the New York Times Bestseller list. Except no one knows who she is. To the world, she's Bridget. To those behind the scenes, she's introverted Paige Booker... -
Flowers and Financiers by Alina Jacobs
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsIn my defense, I never claimed to be professional...At least that’s my excuse for why I mistook a billionaire for a waiter, made off-color comments and accidentally dumped a plate of food all over him.Embarrassing myself is a daily occurrence, just like my unpaid bill notices.But being in a wedding instead of planning one is not...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine forced proximity contemporary super rich hero humor from hate to love suspense m-f -
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The Atelier Assignment by Annie Dyer
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHer assignment is to not fall in love with him…Zeke Brooksbank is in need of a wake-up call. One that shakes him out of the grump he’s permanently in and turns him into a reasonable human being.I’m not staying at his country residence to tame the beast. I’m meant to be cataloguing his art collection, not fangirling over his own paintings, or becoming attached to his little daughter... -
Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date by Lilian Monroe
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsFrom the author of Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge comes a deliciously witty and lighthearted romance brimming with misadventures, misdeeds, misunderstandings…and one perfectly mismatched couple.A notorious rule follower, the old Daphne Davis could do no wrong. But lately she can’t get anything right...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine forced proximity contemporary from hate to love humor office audiobook -
Dating For December by Lyndsey Gallagher
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsHe's an expert at breakups... but this Christmas, can he master a love that lasts?⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Lyndsey Gallagher is THE QUEEN page turners!"My perpetually single status hardly serves as a shining advertisement for HeartSync, the dating agency I own. Nor is it likely to convince my incredibly successful movie star brother, Nate, to invest in my business... -
Losing My Breath by J. Rose Black
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA Marine never says die. Neither does his princess.Battle lines are drawn when sheltered debutante Meridian Daly moves across the hall from grumpy former special forces Marine Callan Brand. Situated a bit closer than advertised to 'crime alley', Meridian’s neighbor finds himself grudgingly guarding the pampered princess out of habit... -
Claus and Effect by Piper Rayne
Two strangers who couldn’t be more opposite find themselves on an unexpected cross-country road trip days before Christmas where whatever can go wrong, does.He’s an Army Ranger.She’s a baker.He’s organized and rigid.She’s messy and carefree.He doesn’t do relationships.She’s following her heart.His family chat blows up his phone.She just buried her last living relative...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity military grumpy sunshine from hate to love contemporary dual-pov humor -
Lumberjacked by K.C. Crowne
"My cabin. My rules."Three years of celibacy was my life.But now Angela's presence makes things exceptionally.... hard .After the winter storm, she was supposed to be a temporary guest.But, Santa must have a sick sense of humor... I'm addicted to every inch of her.Her full breasts. Her curvy hips. Those sweet innocent eyes filled with untapped potential.The problem is I don't ask. I take... -
The Valentine's Bet: A Sweet RomCom by Kristine W. Joy
What happens when a hopeful romantic bets a grumpy skeptic that love really exists?Now that I’ve landed my dream job in NYC, I’m finally ready to find Mr. Right.What better way to meet new people in a big city than a speed dating event?Or so I thought—until I got stuck with the biggest cynic in the room... -
A Navy SEAL for Christmas by Zoe York
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsNavy SEAL Ben Simmons' return from an overseas tour hasn't gone exactly to plan. He surprises even himself by agreeing to be a model in a life-drawing art class, because the alternative is a lonely, boring holiday break. For high school teacher Chelsea Doyle, who is spending Christmas alone for the first time in her life, the art class she's signed up for should be a highlight... -
The Bodyguard Next Door by Cynthia Eden
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’s danger and a wicked, hot grin…Iris Stuart may have a small crush on her neighbor. After all, Pierce Jennings is gorgeous, muscled, and he has a laugh that makes her toes curl. But she is not going down that particular path of temptation with the former Army Ranger and current Wilde agent. Nope. Not happening. They’ll stay in the friend zone because it’s safer that way...Categorized as:
military forced proximity suspense humor super rich hero contemporary friends to lovers alpha male -
Bluebell's Christmas Magic by Marie Laval
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn army helicopter pilot is staying in a peaceful English village while he recovers from an injury--but his pretty housecleaner has him in a whirl...Cassie Bell is used to mess. Her cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning, is well known in the English village of Red Moss. But now it's almost Christmas--and Cassie has a slightly messier situation to deal with than usual... -
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British Black Sheep (Cocky Hero Club) by Lauren Smith
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn arrogant Brit might just be the right cup of tea for her…He is exactly the kind of man Brie Honeyweather swore never to love…or lust after ever a sexy, arrogant, British bad boy in a designer suit. Alec is the last person Brie wants to be stuck on an international flight to London with, but hey…at least they’re in first class... -
A Lodge Affair by Rachel LaBerge
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIvy Lawson loves a to-do list, hates surprises, and the only outdoor activity she’s interested in is brunch on a patio. After catching her long-term boyfriend—and co-worker—cheating, she’s thrown into leading a high-profile client event at The Emerald Canopy Lodge. AKA: her nightmare destination. Ivy finds herself desperate and anxious to get her job done and leave the lodge as soon as possible...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine forced proximity contemporary dual-pov humor length-medium childfree-couple m-f -
Christmas in Paradise by Brittany Larsen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCould an innocent fling turn into the real thing?I only want two things out of life: a career as a wedding planner extraordinaire and for Mom to stop treating me like a kid. Is that too much to ask? Probably.That is, until I get the chance to plan a televised, Christmas-themed wedding a thousand miles away from Mom in Paradise, Idaho. It seems like all my dreams might be coming true...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity contemporary dual-pov found-family humor length-medium audiobook -
Pity Present by Whitney Dineen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMollyI haven’t beeninterested in dating since my ex dumped me for a new girl at his law office. Since then, I’ve thrown myself into my work as a hotel gift shop designer. While being single isn’t what I expected, there’s truth to that old saying, “Once bitten, twice shy.” And the bite of a cheater stays with you... -
Mixed Up with a Marine by Kait Nolan
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsCan a Marine turned baker and a jaded contractor find their way to a second chance?Braxton Whitmore needs a change. After leaving the Marines, he’s free to build a new life. But is he gonna be a baker? Really? When his buddy inherits a decrepit bar and proposes they partner up to turn it into a bakery, Brax figures why not? Until his ex comes walking in... -
The Fate Philosophy by Sarah A. Bailey
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsFollowing the long overdue break-up from her insufferable ex-boyfriend, Macie Cunningham was ready for a fresh start.She thought she’d find that new beginning when she impulsively moved to Los Angeles with her best friend, but after six months here, all she’s discovered is that her life is strenuously the same. The same career—one she’s not so sure she still loves...
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