Books like 'Mr. Second Best'
Readers who enjoyed Mr. Second Best by L.M. Fox also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary small town friends to lovers angst forced proximity
-
Untaken Twin by Samantha Christy
A forbidden romance.There’s only one thing worse than your fiancé dying . . .It's having to look into his face every single day.Or should I say - the face of his twin.So I left.I never knew promises were made. Then broken.And I surely never expected those promises to be about me.When I return to my hometown and see his face, the heartache I’ve been running from is front and center...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity angst tearjerkers contemporary new adult open-door length-medium -
![Seabreeze Sunset by Jan Moran]()
Seabreeze Sunset by Jan Moran
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsUntangling secrets at a historic beach inn has unimagined surprises. With the high summer season underway at the Seabreeze Inn, Ivy faces a fresh round of new challenges and reasons to celebrate. She has just one season to make the inn successful enough to pay the tax bill her late husband burdened her with. And her neighbor’s lawsuit could mean an end to the Seabreeze Inn... -
![]()
![]()
Sponsored links -
![The Lucky Shamrock by Carolyn Brown]()
The Lucky Shamrock by Carolyn Brown
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s bighearted novel about family, secrets, small-town Texas romance, and―with a little bit of luck―starting over. Family doesn’t mean everyone has to like each other. That’s the case when cousins Taryn, Anna Rose, and Jorja return to Shamrock, Texas, to help manage their grandmother’s flower shop, the Lucky Shamrock... -
![Heading Home to Lavender Cottage by Alison Sherlock]()
Heading Home to Lavender Cottage by Alison Sherlock
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWith nowhere else to go, Harriet Colgan has returned to the sleepy village of Cranfield to sell her beloved aunt and uncle’s cottage, the only place she ever called home.When she arrives at Lavender Cottage, Harriet discovers plans to replace the beautiful lavender fields, her uncle’s pride and joy, with an industrial warehouse... -
-
![The Sandcastle Hurricane by Carolyn Brown]()
The Sandcastle Hurricane by Carolyn Brown
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsFamily, wounded hearts, and a Texas bed-and-breakfast are in need of repair in New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s inviting novel about down-home comfort and second chances.Cousins Tabby and Ellie Mae are due for a change... -
![The Promise of Tomorrow by Mary Ellen Taylor]()
The Promise of Tomorrow by Mary Ellen Taylor
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsFrom the author of The Brighter the Light comes the moving story about one woman’s reason for leaving home and the love that brings her back.When Olympia leaves her small Virginia town, she doesn’t expect to look back, much less ever come home... -
![Deja Brew by Jessica Gadziala]()
Deja Brew by Jessica Gadziala
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWithin the struggling cafe Deja Brew, trouble percolates beneath the coffee beans. The shop’s owner, Shale, is forced into a dangerous game by a cartel, and when her shipment vanishes, it's game on.Shale's only hope is an unexpected Junior. Her only regular, and a local hacker with a knack for saving the day... -
![Rainbows Over Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton]()
Rainbows Over Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsDon’t dream your life, live your dreams….Phoebe Dashwood is a passionately committed vet who’s living the dream. She’s about to open her own small animal practice at her grandmother’s animal shelter, Puddleduck Farm in the New Forest. Phoebe is helped by her two oldest friends... -
![His Wounded Heart: Small Town Romance by Caitlyn O'Leary]()
His Wounded Heart: Small Town Romance by Caitlyn O'Leary
Rated: 4.75 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe’s my soulmate. But will I be enough to heal his wounded heart?SimonThe Navy’s been my life. Being a SEAL is all I ever wanted, commanding them a dream come true. But I lost sight of everything else and missed the big things—things going on right in front of me. How could I not see how much my sister needed me? I knew her husband was off and should have checked him out...Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers military age difference contemporary length-medium -
![Across the Horizon by Aly Martinez]()
Across the Horizon by Aly Martinez
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez comes a sizzling standalone contemporary romance. “Sometimes love happens when you least expect it.” That was what my husband’s mistress told me the day I found out about their affair... -
![Summer at Forget-Me-Not Cottage by Helen Rolfe]()
Summer at Forget-Me-Not Cottage by Helen Rolfe
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWelcome back to Little Woodville.Visit old friends and new in this super, summer escapist read.Morgan Rosewood finds herself at a crossroads in her life after returning home to Forget-Me-Not Cottage to care for her ailing mother. She and boyfriend Ronan, had plans, big plans, but all these hopes and dreams are put on hold when Morgan's mum suddenly dies... -
![What's It Gonna Take by Lacey Black]()
What's It Gonna Take by Lacey Black
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsGarrethFrom the first moment I saw Reagan Turner at the bar and restaurant I help manage, I was drawn like never before. She was dating someone at the time, which meant she was off-limits, until the jerk broke up with her. I can’t get her out of my head, can’t stop wanting to kiss those perfectly lush lips. Fighting this attraction has been my kryptonite.So, I give in to temptation... -
![Ritorno a Coral Cottage by Jan Moran]()
Ritorno a Coral Cottage by Jan Moran
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsUn nuovo inizio. Una soleggiata località di mare. Un'estate per riscoprire la propria vita. Una nuova serie da leggere in spiaggia, ambientata nell'incantevole villaggio di Summer Beach.Dopo aver perso il lavoro, e non solo, Marina Moore prova a cercare rifugio al Coral Cottage, la casa al mare della sua amata nonna... -
![Love Songs Suck by Becky Monson]()
Love Songs Suck by Becky Monson
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsA reluctant woman, a determined popstar, and the song that started it all.After growing up in Nashville with two musician parents, I promised myself one thing—I would never, ever fall in love with anyone who had anything to do with the music scene. I will take my stable, albeit boring, accountant boyfriend, thank you very much, and live securely ever after. At least that was the plan... -
-
![Fling by Adriana Locke]()
Fling by Adriana Locke
CONTEST: WIN A DATE TO MY HONEYMOONI realize that a social media post isn’t the usual way to secure a date to your honeymoon—for obvious reasons—but here we are.My wedding was canceled. What’s not canceled is the nonrefundable, ten-thousand-dollar all-inclusive vacation at a luxury resort, and I’m not about to let it go to waste.I’m packed and ready to hit the beach...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity angst contemporary office humor open-door length-medium -
![The Path to You by Carrie Ann Ryan]()
The Path to You by Carrie Ann Ryan
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe Wilder Brothers from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a second chance romance that brings Everett Wilder to his knees.The moment I saw Bethany Cole, I knew she was not only out of my league, but in a whole different world.Only I didn’t realize I’d met her before.An explosion stole part of my past, including the first time I’d seen her pretty face...Categorized as:
angst small town friends to lovers contemporary suspense military second chances length-medium -
![Before I'm Gone by Heidi McLaughlin]()
Before I'm Gone by Heidi McLaughlin
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin tells a poignant story about living life to the fullest―and savoring the small moments along the way. Palmer Sinclair has never needed anyone’s help. A successful loan officer, she’s all work and no play... -
![Too Young To Fall In Love by Lacey Black]()
Too Young To Fall In Love by Lacey Black
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsKellenI love my job. Bartending is more than just serving drinks to customers at the hottest bar and restaurant in Stewart Grove. It’s the people I work with and those I meet along the way. I know how to have a good time. Just one flirty little grin and the ladies are like putty in my hands. But they know the score: I’m a one and done guy, not looking to ever fall into the trap of love... -
![I Want to Hold Your Hand by Marie Force]()
I Want to Hold Your Hand by Marie Force
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsFor the Abbott siblings, the Green Mountain state has always been an idyllic place to call home... -
![Wedding at the Riverview Inn by Molly O'Keefe]()
Wedding at the Riverview Inn by Molly O'Keefe
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsAn emotional tale of a magical inn, a wedding gone terribly wrong and a woman searching for a second chance.Alice has hit rock bottom. Once a Michelin-starred chef, she is now drowning in debt, working the line at a chain restaurant and drinking too much. The last person she ever expected to come knocking with a job offer and a fresh start is her ex-husband, Gabe... -
![Forcing You Away by Kennedy Fox]()
Forcing You Away by Kennedy Fox
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAs I search for a fresh start, a friend convinces me to move to his small town. Considering I don’t have a place to live, his little sister offers me her spare room.She’s every man’s dream—witty, down to earth, and gorgeous as hell—too bad she’s off-limits. Unspoken words and stolen glances have me eager to please her in all the forbidden ways...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst forced proximity contemporary new adult siblings-bff length-short -
![High Country Hero by Elle James]()
High Country Hero by Elle James
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLauded for his daring rescue of a medical team captured by Islamic State terrorists, Navy SEAL Enrico “Rico” Cortez feels like anything but a hero. His friend and fellow teammate lost his life during that rescue. Plagued by PTSD, Rico leaves the Navy. Reluctantly, he accepts his only job offer, joining the Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado... -
![Reset by Janet Elizabeth Henderson]()
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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst forced proximity contemporary suspense humor mystery length-medium -
![The Cost of Forgetting You by Hannah Bird]()
The Cost of Forgetting You by Hannah Bird
Falling in love with a Parker must be genetic. It's the only way Delilah Ridgefield can make sense of the mess that is her life. Some other things that are genetic? The hazel eyes she shares with her mom, the need to care for others that she gets from her dad, and her father's dementia diagnosis, which brings him back into her life after years of radio silence... -
-
![Restrictions by Nicole Dykes]()
Restrictions by Nicole Dykes
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLoss. Guilt. Grief.Do you ever truly recover from it?How can you be happy when the person you once looked up to is gone?Sheltered. Ruled. Shamed.Do you ever grow after that?How can you break free from a lifetime of repression?Vivienne and Asher have been through a lot in their young lives... -
![Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods]()
Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsIn the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie O'Brien and Mack Franklin's "not dating" claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susie's thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis... -
![Wishing for Champagne Kisses by Brittanee Nicole]()
Wishing for Champagne Kisses by Brittanee Nicole
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBest Friends Don’t Kiss.Ryan Manning has been my best friend since we were kids. He’s my secret keeper. The holder of all my truths and the person I admire most in the world. He’s also a Lumbersnack and the man I’ve secretly pined after for decades.But we don’t talk about that.I’m just here in Lake Tahoe for the next week to play the part of his doting girlfriend...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity angst humor contemporary christmas dual-pov alpha male -
![The Pocket Pair by Emma St. Clair]()
The Pocket Pair by Emma St. Clair
Do I have feelings for my sister's best friend? Of course not. That would be stupid, considering my sister once threatened to castrate me if I ever hurt Val. Hurting her is the last thing I want to do, which is all the MORE reason I can't have feelings for her. Val deserves the world, and I'm NOT the man who can give it to her... -
![Rockstar Lost by Taryn Quinn]()
Rockstar Lost by Taryn Quinn
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsForever is the lyric I have on repeat. I’m a rockstar on a mission, ready to leave the glamorous music scene behind. But only if I have my best friend, Felicity Hudson, by my side. And in my bed, clad in nothing but her tattoos. Now that I’m back in my small town near Crescent Cove, I have a weekend to blast the friend zone to pieces with the one woman I’ve always loved... -
![Wild Iris Ridge by RaeAnne Thayne]()
Wild Iris Ridge by RaeAnne Thayne
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsLucy Drake and Brendan Caine have only one thing in common… And it's likely to tear them apart. Because it was Brendan's late wife, Jessie—and Lucy's best friend—who'd brought them together in the first place. And since Jessie's passing, Brendan's been distracted by his two little ones…and the memory of an explosive kiss with Lucy years before his marriage. Still, he'll steer clear of her... -
![Falling into Forever by Avery Maxwell]()
Falling into Forever by Avery Maxwell
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhat’s a brokenhearted romance novelist to do when an interview accidentally turns her into the villain? I’ll tell you one thing—the plan definitely wasn’t to turn to the man who taught me that happily ever afters exist only on the page...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity contemporary grumpy sunshine from hate to love m-f -
![A Not So Fictional Fall by Savannah Scott]()
A Not So Fictional Fall by Savannah Scott
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsI live for happily ever afters.And I'm finally meeting my favorite romance author in person! Only, all this time, I thought author, Amelie De Pierre, was a woman. It turns out, Pierre Toussaint is the man behind the books that make me weak in the knees.He could be the consummate book boyfriend with his dreamy hazel eyes, strong jawline, and those black-rimmed glasses. Not to mention that accent... -
![Wonderful by S.C. Stephens]()
Wonderful by S.C. Stephens
Rated: 4.80 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsKellan Kyle finally has everything he’s always wanted—a woman who loves him more than he ever thought possible, family who genuinely cares about him, and the best friends a person could ask for. His band has found success, and they are well on their way to making their dreams come true. But as Kellan quickly learns, sometimes dreams come with a price... -
![May's Ride with Thunder by Eve London]()
May's Ride with Thunder by Eve London
Rated: 4.80 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsHe’s the protector she didn’t know she needed; she’s the love he never thought he deserved.AshleyWhen the Savage Bones MC targets my family’s ranch, I’m desperate for help. I turn to Thunder, a much older member of the Mustang Mountain Riders, and offer him the only thing I have. When he turns me down, I’m left questioning everything...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity age difference contemporary bikers length-novella -
-
![Camden Walker: Apartment 8C (The Wreck Me Series) by Aly Stiles]()
Camden Walker: Apartment 8C (The Wreck Me Series) by Aly Stiles
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDamaged.Drifter.Genius.After surviving severe trauma, Camden Walker has spent his life being trapped by labels. Now, at age twenty-seven, he’s fine being the gifted artist not wired for a world that’s left him scarred. All he wants is to break free and find the beauty that’s been stolen from him.Smart.Successful.Painfully ordinary... -
![Truly Mine by Kennedy Fox]()
Truly Mine by Kennedy Fox
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑳𝒀 𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑬 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕𝒚, 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘-𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚. The night we met in the dimly lit bar, she looked like a brunette bombshell, and I wanted to learn her deepest secrets... -
![The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove by Jaimie Admans]()
The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove by Jaimie Admans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHer new start is about to bee-gin!Having moved into her mum’s spare room after a disastrous break-up, Kayleigh Harwood is desperate for a fresh start...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity small town contemporary mystery humor new adult length-medium -
![A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot]()
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... -
![Love You More by Julia Kent]()
Love You More by Julia Kent
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsColleen Luview's love life is cursed. No—really. The small-town nurse is notorious in her touristy mountain community. After every third date she's ever had, the guy ends up in her emergency room.She's untouchable now, and it's not her fault...Categorized as:
small town friends to lovers forced proximity humor contemporary length-long single-father usa -
![One Night with the Player (Club Curve) by Eve London]()
One Night with the Player (Club Curve) by Eve London
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA brother's best friend. A sister's forbidden desire. OliviaThe man who ruined me for any other is coming home. He thinks he won't have to deal with me, but I’m waiting for him. I need answers only he can provide, and I won’t rest until I get them. The only problem is… once I see Leo Steele, the feelings I’ve kept locked up inside break free... -
![Deja Brew All Over Again by Sylvie Stewart]()
Deja Brew All Over Again by Sylvie Stewart
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTrouble has always had a way of finding me, but I never expected to be carjacked by a hot girl in a wedding dress.As the official family screw-up, not many people count on me for anything but a good time. But Maisy Romero and her little brother need a knight in shining armor, and they need him yesterday... -
![Caution by A.K. Evans]()
Caution by A.K. Evans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLike every hardworking member of Harper Security Ops, Forrest Hickman takes time away from work to relax and recharge. And he often does that while riding his snowboard on the slopes of his favorite ski resort.He wasn’t sure anything would be better than some time alone to clear his head. That is, until he meets someone to spend his break with... -
![Kind of a Sexy Jerk by Lili Valente]()
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... -
![Jesse's Girl by Hannah Brixton]()
Jesse's Girl by Hannah Brixton
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsBuckle up, Buttercup…Three nosy relatives, two jobs, one fledgling side hustle, and zero roommate prospects. No wonder Ada Russo is saltier than the rim of a margarita glass. When her brother’s best friend lands in Lennox Valley needing a place to stay for the summer, Ada’s spare room is the logical choice... -
-
![Love Letters on Hazel Lane by Jennifer Page]()
Love Letters on Hazel Lane by Jennifer Page
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsScrabble fan Jo always seems to pick the wrong guys. Now she's moved to the Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, and decided to give dating one last chance. This time, there's a she will only date men whose names would score highly in her beloved word game.After Tarquin (16 points) proves just as disappointing as the rest, she meets low-scoring local doctor Ras (3 points)... -
![Can't Bucking Wait by Elle Thorpe]()
Can't Bucking Wait by Elle Thorpe
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI’ve wanted to be a big city doctor my entire life. I studied hard. Got into Harvard. Then moved across the other side of the country, leaving my family’s small-town ranch and bull riding school behind. I’ve hated every moment since. My older sister’s wedding is the perfect excuse for an extended trip back home... -
![A Cosy Christmas at Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown]()
A Cosy Christmas at Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsBridget smiled to herself, certain she could see one of the stars twinkling extra brightly in that moment as if to acknowledge her wish and convince her that, yes, Mulberry-On-Sea was just the place they all needed to be... -
![Tanner by Katy Regnery]()
Tanner by Katy Regnery
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery is back with an addictive six-book series featuring the Stewarts of Skagway!When Tanner Stewart learns his crazy ex is returning for a summer in Skagway, he places a personal ad, looking for someone to pose as his fiancée for the summer. Enter McKenna Cabot, a commitment-phobic college professor from Seattle caring for her aging grandmother... -
![Someday by Willow Aster]()
Someday by Willow Aster
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsFrom childhood best friends to high school sweethearts…to a relationship so broken it seems impossible to fix… I’ve loved Sofie Copewell for as long as I can remember. She was all I ever wanted. We said someday we’d have a family together and raise them on our ranch in Landmark Mountain. She was my home. My forever...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity angst contemporary new adult cowboys abuse from hate to love -
![Dear Agony by Georgia Cates]()
Dear Agony by Georgia Cates
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsDear Agony, You've been my shadow, following me through childhood—filling my days and nights with terror and uncertainty. You cleverly disguised yourself as some form of pain or suffering as I grew into a young woman. We were unwavering companions … until I severed our ties. I traded homelessness on the streets of New Orleans for a luxurious bed covered by the finest linens...
Fantastic book recommendations by romance book lovers for romance book lovers.
Find out more about romance.io.
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.
