Books like 'Playing Hard to Get'
Readers who enjoyed Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult college new adult sports friends to lovers alpha male athletes forced proximity angst
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Fallen Crest Forever by Tijan
Rated: 4.64 of 5 stars · 54 ratingsMason Kade is the dream.He is the promise.He's offering what so many would fantasize about, and it's not that I don't want it/him/us.It's the opposite.There might be ghosts haunting me, but this man who's my soulmate is asking me for forever... -
A Sign of Affection, Vol. 3 by Suu Morishita
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsDoes he really see me as a girl? Yuki's a Deaf college student who is at first enchanted by and soon falls in love with an upperclassman in her school named Itsuomi who doesn't care about her lack of hearing but treats her like anyone else. Yuki resolves to face that love head-on and really pursue it proactively... -
Coast by Jay McLean
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsOne life-changing summer. One boy. The boy. The boy who offered me safe touches and heart-stopping smiles - smiles he shared with his son. We filled our days with porch-step kisses, filled our ears with laughter, filled our hearts with love. Deep, soul-aching, desperate love. But love is misleading. It's an invisible, fleeting moment... -
#Bae by Cambria Hebert
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsThis fall... Happily-ever-after. That’s what happens when you get married. Right? Turns out sparkly rings, cake and a fantastic wedding do not automatically grant you that, not even when it’s all you truly want. I’m even starting to doubt the bottomless, unconditional love I share with the man I married will be enough... -
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That Promise by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhat happens to childhood promises when you grow up?Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been two years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered...Categorized as:
sports new adult friends to lovers from hate to love m-f contemporary young adult high-school -
That Promise by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhat happens to childhood promises when you grow up?Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been three years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered... -
Fallen Crest Campout: A Fallen Crest/Crew crossover novella by Tijan
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsSam and Mason return to Fallen Crest for a camping trip.They head north, meeting up with a few friends from Roussou and enjoy a night of booze, some leapfrogging, and there’s a small therapy session to air out some tension in the group... -
The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 65 ratingsTwenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers angst alpha male dual-pov contemporary young adult length-long -
Clipped by Love by Toni Aleo
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsThings are heating up for the Sinclair boys! With one already in the NHL, Jayden Sinclair is hoping to be next! This has been the toughest year of my life. I watched my brother go into the draft without me, my mom got divorced, and the weight of my family’s issues is heavy on my shoulders... -
The Deception You Weave by Tracy Lorraine
I never could hide from him.Kane Legend always finds me.And now he’s found out the truth.The dark secret I’ve been hiding, the one that’s been slowly poisoning me from the inside out.The pain of the words falling from my lips, is nothing compared to the look of devastation in his eyes. Or the rage that follows.The way I thought he hated me back then is nothing compared to the damage he can do now... -
The Proposal by J. Lynn, Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 42 ratingsTwitter fiction story of Cam and Avery.http://www.iheartbigbooks.com/2014/03...http://www.scribd.com/doc/231133105/T..Categorized as:
new adult college friends to lovers alpha male m-f contemporary young adult male-pov -
#Holiday by Cambria Hebert
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsGivers gonna give… Twas the night of game day, And all through the town, Lacey glittering snowflakes fluttered around. They clung to the roads, concealing everything with white. It was a beautiful #holiday sight. The paparazzi were out without any care, In hopes to catch Romeo and Rimmel, rumored to be there. When out on the road there arose such a clatter... -
Gentry Boys by Cora Brent
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 27 ratings“All my life I’d always known what the Gentry boys were. A set of fraternal triplets born to a depraved family, they were rough, sexy and wild as wolves..." DRAW They called us ‘those white trash Gentry boys’ until we believed that’s what we were. Our people squatted at the edge of a hellhole prison town for generations. The childhood we endured was the stuff of nightmares... -
The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 22 ratings"You never got over her. You just left." From author Suanne Laqueur comes an astonishing debut novel: a young man's emotional journey to salvage relationships destroyed in the wake of a school shooting. As a college freshman, Erik Fiskare is drawn to the world of theater but prefers backstage to center stage... -
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Myles by Lisa Helen Gray, Elisia Goodman
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsI’m Kayla Martin... I was once sweet and innocent, saw the world bright with colour, but now all I see is black and white. He not only ripped my innocence away from me, tortured me and made my life a living hell, but he stole the very soul that made me who I am. I’m a shell of the girl I once knew. But it’s all about to change. I’m ready to face my fear... -
The Betrayal You Serve by Tracy Lorraine
You can’t outrun the truth...It changes everything.Her secrets might have been exposed, but mine are still hanging over us.A betrayal that sends her straight into the arms of another.It’s like a knife to my heart.But I was holding the blade.Scarlett gave me an ultimatum, one that I need to take seriously.Walk away from the only life I’ve ever known, everything I’ve worked for... -
Endure by S.E. Hall, Sommer Stein
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsOur vessel may have cracks and dings, tatters in its sail, and sometimes takes on water… but it still cuts through the waves with authority. Because of its Crew— bonded for life. Unsinkable. Will this be our final voyage… or just the beginning of a new chapter in our lives? Endure is best read following Emerge, Embrace, Entangled(novella) and Entice of the Evolve Series... -
That Summer by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsDevaney Diamond’s summer break was shaping up to be the best one ever. Her longtime crush was finally interested in her, and by the time school rolled around in the fall, she knew he’d be her boyfriend...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst sports m-f contemporary young adult high-school length-medium -
Going Long by Ginger Scott
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsThey fell in love in high school and found their way back to one another despite the odds. But can first loves really be forever? For Reed Johnson, the dream was always football. But then Nolan Lennox took over his heart...Categorized as:
athletes friends to lovers alpha male sports college football young adult contemporary -
Forever You by Allie Everhart
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsJade and Garret have a love story like no other. They’ve survived heartache, tragedy, and numerous forces trying to tear them apart, but through it all they’ve developed a love that will endure forever. Now it’s time to celebrate their love with a wedding... -
Whistleblower by Kate Marchant
Kate Marchant presents a story about a young journalist who fights for the truth to come to light—even if it means she might lose everything . . . Laurel Cates has never wanted the spotlight...Categorized as:
new adult sports from hate to love college young adult contemporary behind-doors length-medium -
Let Me Love You by Megan Smith
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsWill their lives take them in different directions? Jaylinn McCormick is determined to forget that one terrifying night which left her feeling broken and tainted. There is one person who can make her whole again… but he is hell bent on keeping her at arm’s length. She has loved him her entire life but can she wait for him to step up to the plate? Cooper Cahill has loved Jaylinn for years... -
The Game Changer: The Final Score by L.M. Trio
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsThe Game Changer: The Final Score is told from 4 different perspectives: Luke, Mikey, JJ & Deanna... (Teaser #1 & Teaser #2 have been moved to my blog page) The story continues with Luke being released from prison, forced to face many challenges that developed due to his careless decisions. His greatest challenge is facing Jesse, the girl he refuses to let go... -
Amour Amour by Krista Ritchie, Ava Erickson
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsListening time 13 hours 21 minutesLove is a circus"Every day,” he says lowly, “I hold a person’s life in my hands. The circus is based one-hundred percent off trust. I give it all to someone, and they give it all to me.”The best aerial technique won’t land 21-year-old Thora James her dream role in Amour—a sexy new acrobatic show on the Vegas strip... -
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Trust Him by Caitlyn Dare
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 15 ratings𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺. 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻.Hadley Rexford wasn’t supposed to get under my skin. But I thought she was like me, until I push her too far, and destroy everything we had.I want to hurt her.Consume her. In the end, I’ll make sure she’s only ever mine.Cole Jagger wasn’t to supposed to become everything to me... -
That Wedding by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsThe gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness. I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he's that boy. The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after. But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions. His parents say I haven’t dealt with my past. I have horrible wedding disaster dreams. I can’t find the perfect dress... -
Bittersweet Always by Ella Fields
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom bestselling author Ella Fields comes an all new standalone. An emotional new adult romance that proves love is worth fighting your demons for. Toby Hawthorne was an enigma. One I didn't factor into my college plans. I wasn't looking for love. I wasn't not looking for it either. And in that state of in-between, he found me. Unaware of the battle he fought everyday, I fell fast... -
Fumbled Hearts by Meagan Brandy
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 47 ratingsAfter months of refusing, I finally agreed to make the move to Alrick Falls. My family thought it was best - that a new scene would be good for me - and I was sick of having the same conversation. So here I am, and the plan is simple. Smile through each day and avoid her at all costs. It’s perfect. Until the cocky quarterback comes into play...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love alpha male dual-pov friends to lovers new adult angst athletes -
Fighter by Tijan
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsAll of Dale's brothers help with their bounty hunting business, all except her. Wanting out of that life, she left for college, but on her first morning back home for the holidays, she’s back to chasing after a bail jumper. When she realizes the jumper is her ex-boyfriend, Jax, Dale gets dragged into helping him evade her brothers so he can win an underground fighting competition... -
The Final Move by Victoria Denault
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsHockey legend Devin Garrison thought he blew his shot. But his relationship with Callie Caplan just went into overtime.Sexy, rich, and one of the biggest stars in the NHL, Devin Garrison has always been the one who had it all. That is until his marriage falls apart and he realizes he has to start over. If he's honest, there has only been one woman who ever really excited him-Callie Caplan...Categorized as:
sports new adult friends to lovers athletes contemporary young adult hockey length-medium -
Pieces of You by Jay McLean
They could’ve been perfect.In another time. Another world.Where his wasn’t falling apart.And hers wasn’t already in pieces.-High school senior Holden Eastwood only has one fear in life: growing up.He spends his days unmotivated, moving from one game to the next, searching for his next challenge...Categorized as:
sports new adult angst from hate to love friends to lovers forced proximity m-f contemporary -
That Wedding by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsMarry the boy next door in this sweet contemporary romance by USA Today Best Selling Author, Jillian Dodd.The gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness. I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he's that boy. The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after.But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions... -
Low Over High by J.A. DeRouen
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsI fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It’s not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor’s edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole. Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they’d be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming... -
Rivals by Piper Lawson
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsWhen the biggest rockstar in the world invited me into his home, there was one rule:Don’t touch his daughter.For a kid from the wrong side of the tracks with no future, the offer should have been a dream come true.Classy new digs.A fancy prep school.Someone who cares what happens to me.Except for that rule.The rich pricks at my new school worship me. I couldn’t care less...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity new adult from hate to love angst college m-f contemporary -
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Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsBesides her family, Lacey Robinson’s only other love is baseball. She’s on top of the world when Arizona State University approaches her to discuss a scholarship. To play for a college boys’ team is beyond what she has ever dreamed. Her fastball is impeccable, her slider equally as good, and her curveball annihilates anyone who dares to step in the batter’s box... -
Rush: The Beginning by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsAn emotional, angsty, rockstar romance from the bestselling author of The Trouble With You and Wicked Beginnings. The sweetheart of Country is about to show the bad boys of Rock, it only takes a single beat for everything to change. Evangeline Walker knows how quickly everything can change. But nothing can prepare her for the moment she meets Rafe Hunter.Intense gray eyes.Wicked smile...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love angst friends to lovers dual-pov contemporary high-school rockstars -
Drops of Rain by Kathryn Andrews
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsAli Rain Sometimes I think to myself, “How did I get here?” Then the pain hits and I remember…it’s because she’s gone. I now live in a new town, go to a new school, and I’m supposed to be moving on with my new life. Only, I no longer know who I am anymore. Dancing is all I have left and every day I feel completely alone. Silence has become the theme song to my life... -
The Fake Zone by Mariah Dietz
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA romance that will have you on the edge of your seat by USA Today Bestselling Author Mariah Dietz.Greyson Meyers can’t afford the distraction of a relationship. His focus is football and earning his degree to ensure his mom never has to work another day.Mila Atwool has it all together—at least, that’s what everyone thinks... -
The Mistakes You Make by Tracy Lorraine
From USA Today bestselling author Tracy Lorraine comes a new dark bully college romance.Some demons we can't outrun.Kane Legend is mine.The gorgeous boy who always finds me.The ruthless bully I've spent my life avoiding.Even leaving Harrow Creek wasn't enough to escape his torment.Because I didn't stay away and neither could he.One weekend home... one party.One night that ruined everything... -
Fumbled Futures: A Sports Romance Collection by Meagan Brandy
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe cocky quarterback and his friends have come together in a boxset! This collections includes Fumbled Hearts, Defenseless Hearts, and the exclusive short story no longer available anywhere else, Fourth Down! Follow new girl, Kalani Embers, and friends on their journeys to forever ... One big book, three addictive love stories! Fumbled HeartsHe’s the persistent playboy who refuses to walk away... -
The Crash Trilogy: Includes Crash, Clash and Crush by Nicole Williams
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLucy Larson lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, and has her sights firmly set on a place at Juilliard. She's on her way to the top and has so far been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Well, up until now…Jude Ryder is the quintessential bad boy and everything a girl like Lucy needs to stay away from, especially if she wants to hold onto her dream future... -
The Game Changer by L.M. Trio
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsIt’s hard to believe that it only takes one split second in time to turn your world completely upside down. Everything that ever made you feel safe and secure; can be gone in an instant...” Jesse’s world is shattered in that instant…the rest of her life is mapped out by a split second change that she never dreamed could happen... -
The Secret Ex-Boyfriend by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 27 ratings"Don’t have a best friend that’s a girl" — this was the advice from my older cousin. I didn’t take it. Because he followed with, "friends don’t f*ck friends. And you’ll want to f*ck her." It was terrible advice. My cousin should’ve told me that being best friends with Baylee Wright — since she was twelve — would be the best and worst decision of my life... -
The Art of Breathing by Cali Melle
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsOne last summer together.One bucket list.One line and once it’s crossed, there’s no going back…Luna Truly was living on bottled air and borrowed time.She had spent most of her life in and out of hospitals.All she wanted to do was live a typical life—one where she didn't feel like she was a burden.Everyone treated her like she was a fragile piece of glass, except for one person...Categorized as:
friends to lovers sports forced proximity football new adult young adult contemporary length-medium -
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Meant To Be by Monica Murphy
Ava Callahan.Love of my life.Wrecker of my soul.I would have sworn on anything that what we shared was real.But she broke my trust. And then my heart. I don't think I can piece it back together without her, but I'm sure gonna try.I’m better off on my own, anyways, right? Who needs girls when you have football?If only I believed that... -
All Broke Down by Cora Carmack
In this second book in "New York Times" and "USA Today" bestselling author Cora Carmack s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with "All Lined Up," a young woman discovers that you can t only fight for what you believe in sometimes you have to fight for what you love. Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one...Categorized as:
sports new adult friends to lovers athletes college contemporary bad boys young adult -
Running Home to You by Suzanne Sweeney
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsLibrarian's Note: this is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B00IFR0XP2 Juliette Fletcher thought she had it all – a strikingly handsome man who adores her, a new business venture with her best friends by her side, and a dream house right on the beach. But appearances can be deceiving and everything comes at a cost... -
Dare to Dream by S.B. Alexander
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHe'll do anything to protect his love, even if it means trading his life for hers... Bad boy Kade Maxwell knows the pain of loss. His sister's death tore his family apart. His life seemed destined down a nightmarish path until he met Lacey Robinson, a light that cuts though his darkness. Despite her own tragedy, her beauty, determination, and dedication makes him believe he can dream again... -
Home Game by Ginger Scott
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFootball has been my life. Not that I ever had a choice in the matter. When your dad is a retired, future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, the gridiron tends to weave its way into your DNA.I always loved the game, but I could do without the spotlight that comes with being Peyton Johnson, the great Reed Johnson’s daughter...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love football athletes young adult high-school contemporary length-medium -
No Rules by Anita Rigins
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsHow to win a game where you know neither the rules nor the codes?Barely arrived on her new campus, Iris witnesses a wave of hysteria in the college corridors. The most select group oncampus has issued an invitation. Who wants to try to join?The Pack members rule the everyone knows them, and everyone wants to be part of it..
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