Books like 'Tough Cookie'
Readers who enjoyed Tough Cookie by Smartypants Romance & Talia Hunter also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny grumpy sunshine friends to lovers dual-pov
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Better Than the Prom by Lynn Painter
Prom night has arrived, and Wes Bennett couldn’t be less excited.Not only is he not going with Liz, the girl he’s loved his entire life, but Liz is going with Michael, the guy she’s loved her entire life. Talk about a nightmare.They manage to avoid each other at the event, but every glance he steals of her in that gown, smiling up at her date, feels like a punch to his solar plexus...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov contemporary high-school from hate to love humor length-medium m-f -
Flaunt by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsLooking for a Fake FiancéHave you ever wanted to prove someone wrong so badly that you could taste it?It doesn’t matter if they’re right. The fact that they had the audacity to go there is what counts.Hi. It’s me. I’m that person.The man I’ve been casually seeing told me I’m not “wife material” and I should “lower my expectations... -
Enticing Her Love by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.65 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsPro: Stuck sharing a bed with my hot, broody boss Con: He’s trying to get me fired Discovery Hour reporter Sutton Steele spends her days trying to keep her job, while her insanely hot, infuriating boss, Flynn Braden, would love nothing more than to see her gone... -
The Last Second Chance by Lucy Score
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsWhat would it take to get one last chance? Joey Greer is done having her heart broken. Eight years ago, after a horrific car accident, Jackson Pierce—her high school sweetheart—abandoned her. Abandoned his family. Abandoned the town they'd both grown up in, and fled to Hollywood. He never looked back, and she never forgot him. Or forgave him... -
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Maybe We Won't by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsA sexy and soul-stirring novel about love, family, and rediscovering what matters most by Melissa Foster, the New York Times bestselling author of Maybe We Will.When workaholic Boston attorney Deirdra de Messiéres is passed over for a well-deserved promotion, she takes a two-month hiatus to show her boss just how much he needs her and heads home to Silver Island...Categorized as:
friends to lovers grumpy sunshine humor contemporary age difference tearjerkers length-medium -
Kissing The CEO by Layla Hagen
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsWhat’s that they say about the best laid plans? They are easily derailed. Especially when my high school crush is the CEO of the competition, and his matchmaking grandmother is plotting to bring us together. After getting the promotion of my dreams, I’m determined to prove to my boss that I’m the right person for the job...Categorized as:
dual-pov friends to lovers contemporary humor super rich hero insta-love bad boys from hate to love -
Cinder by Chelle Bliss
Rated: 4.55 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOlive Thornbury only had one crush in high school, and his name was Asher Gallo. She was smitten with him from the first time she had laid eyes on him. But instead of acting on how she felt, she kept her nose stuck in a book, finding safety in the words rather than emotions.Asher had never thought of Olive as anything more than a friend. She was aloof, preferring to read books...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov contemporary suspense humor sweet heroine insta-love alpha male -
Gotta Be Bayou by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsHow do you get over a woman you never should have been, ahem, under in the first place?Just when FBI special agent Spencer Landry had decided to forget about investigative journalist Maxine — Max — Keller and their one hot night together, there's a threat made against her and Spencer's protective instincts get all riled up. Again... -
A Greene Family Christmas by Piper Rayne
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsPreparing a Christmas to remember is no small feat with a family the size of the Greenes. Especially, when the woman who has always been the planner down to every minute detail falls ill, only five days before the holiday.The family has no choice but to scramble to ensure that nothing is amiss. Cookies need to be decorated, gingerbread houses assembled and decorations to be hung...Categorized as:
friends to lovers grumpy sunshine christmas contemporary humor age difference length-novella m-f -
Miles Ever After by T.L. Swan
Miles Ever After... -
Loved Enough by Kelly Elliott
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEven though they’d never dated, Lily Shaw always just assumed she’d eventually end up with Ben, the boy who’s been her bestie since they were toddlers. So she’s understandably shocked to learn he’s getting married—and having a child with his fiancée. Shocked…but not terribly upset. The truth is, she's been feeling butterflies every time she’s near a particular horse trainer on her parents’ ranch... -
Out On a Limb by Josie Watts, Janice Whiteaker
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsNever work for your family. Especially when that family consists of an octogenarian going through a mid-life crisis.Now, instead of running Sweet Side Gardens, my grandad's popping little blue pills and sneaking into closets with my friends’ grandmas…Leaving me to handle everything else.And I was doing a pretty good job up until the night I found myself dangling from a tree.Topless...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine friends to lovers dual-pov humor office contemporary suspense heroine sleuth -
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... -
Put Me in Detention by Meghan Quinn
"You got married on your divorce-cation?" That would unfortunately be correct. I was hanging with the girls, celebrating my divorce when I saw him, my crush, sitting in the corner of the bar all alone. Being single and looking for a wild night, I asked him if he wanted to join me. To my delight, he said yes... -
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Beach Please by Melanie Summers
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA hilarious and heartwarming story that’ll have you snort-laughing, swooning, and sighing with happiness… Lola Gordon's dreams of a thriving surf shop were shattered when her ex vanished with all the money in their business account, leaving her on the brink of losing everything... -
Fake Around and Find Out by S.M. Shade
An enemies-to-lovers, fake relationship romantic comedy.The Happy Haven Trailer Park is not where I hoped to be at age twenty-five.Circumstances have left me without a job or a car in a small town where work is scarce. When my insufferable neighbor approached me with a very indecent proposal to co-star in his videos on the Lonely Hands app, I had to resist the impulse to punch him in the mouth...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine dual-pov humor contemporary from hate to love new adult found-family length-medium -
Hello Tease by Kelsie Hoss
Men view love as a game. One you can walk away from.At least that’s what the men in my life have taught me. My dad ran off when I was young, and just when I thought I was getting my own happily ever after, my ex left me on my own with two kids.Trying to pick up the pieces, I move to a small town where I can have help from my children’s grandparents...Categorized as:
dual-pov grumpy sunshine single-mother humor contemporary suspense length-medium m-f -
The One I Need by Chelle Sloan
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsYou’re cordially invited to the wedding of Oliver Price and Izzy McCall…That’s how my wedding invitations should have started. I should know, I’ve had my wedding planned since I was ten. I should’ve been wearing a designer tuxedo, not a tuxedo t-shirt. The wedding should’ve been in a church with family and friends, not in a 1960’s style chapel with Elvis as the officiant... -
A Borrowed Boyfriend by Angela R. Casella
On a scale of one to ten, how bad is it that I want to see my fake boyfriend naked? Marnie What’s worse than being left at the altar? Becoming a meme because one of your nearest and dearest took a video of you running—and falling—down the aisle and made it internet famous. Yup, I’m that Marnie Jones. My sister is for-real famous, which only makes people more interested in my predicament... -
Knock Out by Jiffy Kate
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIn the blink of an eye, Willow Bernard goes from stocking shelves at the Piggly Wiggly to kicking butt at Viking MMA.Willow Bernard has taken a lot of hits in her twenty-two years but always manages to come back swinging. Hoping to fly under the radar for a change, she relocates to Green Valley...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine friends to lovers sports fighters contemporary humor forced proximity length-long -
The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole, Margo Lipschultz
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsWhen an outgoing musical maven meets the enigmatic neuroscientist next door, will their worlds clash in a dramatic showdown of art versus science, or will they discover that love is the ultimate experiment worth conducting?When celebrated Broadway composer Hadley Olivier’s best friend receives a life-threatening diagnosis, Hadley says goodbye to her beloved home in NYC and sets off to the West...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine friends to lovers contemporary humor forced proximity menage length-long -
John by Jenna Myles
I never planned on getting out of prison. I did what I did to keep my brother safe, and I could live with that.But now I'm out, and I don't know what the hell I'm doing. Everything is too loud, too busy, too overwhelming. And for a man who's used to every decision being made for him...well, let's just say I'm on the verge of doing something stupid to get sent back.Until she walks in, that is... -
Flirting With Forever by Claire Kingsley
He’ll break all her rulesNora Lakes is sophisticated, successful, and happily single. Career problems aside, her life is fine the way it is, thank you very much. Sure, her best friends are all moving into a new season of life—full of husbands and babies and white picket fences. But that’s not what Nora wants. Neither is the gruff, tattooed guy next door. Tattoo artist Dex St... -
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 dual-pov humor contemporary forced proximity christmas angst alpha male -
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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... -
How to Love a Rockstar by D.E. Haggerty
I’m a librarian. Dylan’s a rockstar. We can’t possibly be a match despite what the meddlesome matchmakers of the small town of Winter Falls think.No one is more surprised than me when Dylan walks into a wall the first time he catches sight of me. Even more surprising? He immediately asks me out.Um, I don’t think so...Categorized as:
dual-pov friends to lovers contemporary from hate to love humor length-medium open-door -
Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart
If you ask Mia Madden, the road to dating hell is paved with suspiciously hot online profiles. Take tonight’s date, for example. Alex Conroy’s whole “boardroom in the streets, lumberjack in the sheets” thing totally works for her, but his profile did not convey that he represents everything she loathes about corporate hustle culture. He’s not even worth her bottle of purse wine... -
Damage Control by Lynn Van Dorn
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsEverything to lose. Tyler’s worked hard to kick the dust of the Chicago suburbs off his heels and move on with his life as Hollywood’s newest up-and-comer, burying his demons and hiding his scars from the world. Just as everything seems to be going his way, a scandal from his past threatens everything he’s worked for... -
Dr. Fake Fiance by Louise Bay
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsWhat’s a heartbroken American to do when she’s in London trying to get over her ex? Find herself a fake fiancé. Obviously. I’m walking past Big Ben, trying to get over the world’s worst break up, when I slam into a hot hunk of British man. And pour scorching hot coffee all over him... -
Indirection by Gregory Ashe
Rabid readers. Backbiting authors. A romance convention from hell.Shaw Aldrich and his best friend, boyfriend, and partner, North McKinney, are doing great, thanks. The aftermath of their search for the Slasher has finally settled down. Their private investigation agency is thriving. And after years of missed opportunities, they’re finally together... -
Kissing A Stranger by Lacey Black
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDeckerIf you ask my family, I’m wasting my life. If you ask me, I’m living it to the fullest. Am I capable of doing more? Absolutely. However, slinging drinks at the resort makes me happy. At least for now. Not that my family would understand.It’s just another night behind the bar, until it isn’t. She’s everything I never knew I wanted wrapped up in one breathtaking package... -
The Sneak Peak by Victoria Wilder
My Best Friend. Young. Tempting . She bid on me at my company’s charity auction and won. Back then, she was too young, with hearts in her eyes and her whole life ahead of her. That’s how we started, and after all this time, she’s become my best friend. Being a single dad of twins and running Colorado's most successful summer sports company requires control and focus... -
Billionaire Boss by Julie Capulet
Our deal was simple. One night. Fake names. No strings attached.Until it turns out he’s my new boss...I couldn’t believe my luck when I got sent to a work conference in Hawaii. Living the dream after years of pulling myself up by my bootstraps.The sand, the palm trees and the blue water were straight out of a romantic fantasy.So was the guy at the beachfront bar, let’s be honest. Blue eyes... -
Somebody to Lean On by Jess Mastorakos
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDo I want to kiss my best friend? Yep. Always have. Too bad it’s not that simple.Jackson Wilson and I are long-distance co-guardians of our friends' daughter, and even though we're best friends and we're totally committed to Phoebe, this isn't a romcom where the best friends get together in the end.Unfortunately .But now, Phoebe and I have nowhere to go but Jackson's tiny Tennessee town... -
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Off Duty Volume 3 by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLife happens when you’re not looking. Unfortunately, so do a lot of other things.Hazard and Somerset: Off Duty Volume 3 is a collection of short stories. It includes the following:“If Your Friends Jumped Off a Bridge”Hazard is going to get Evie the perfect toy for her birthday, no matter what. This story takes place before Relative Justice... -
Saving Zane by Kaci Rose
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHe's fighting the silence; she's painting his world with color again.ZaneBattled, broken, and branded by war, I came to Oakside seeking refuge, not redemption.The blast took my hearing and tossed my world into silence.Now I’m a grizzled former Navy SEAL battling with my demons and the silence of my world, until I stumble upon Carlee... -
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... -
A Fish Out of Water by Savannah Scott
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI knew trying to make a fresh start on Marbella Island would mean reinventing myself.I'm only here while I work my way up to my dream role in a major motion picture in Hollywood.Which explains why I took a role playing a mermaid in the island production of In So Deep . What I didn't count on?Ben. The charmer who just took a job as a water sports instructor.Everyone loves Ben.Everyone but me... -
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... -
My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland
From New York Times New Bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new, sexy standalone novel.My planned trip for two unexpectedly turned into a trip for one. Rather than let my breakup get me down, I packed my bags and decided a week at a luxury resort was just what I needed...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov contemporary new adult love triangle humor other-man-woman open-door -
Meant for Stone by Natasha Madison
Ryleigh: Growing up in Hollywood, I was surrounded by liars and phonies. So when I got my law degree, I knew I wanted to work as a district attorney. Busy days turned to long nights—I was on my way up the ladder. Then he happened. Bullied his way into my life as if there was no choice. Suddenly everything I thought I wanted wasn’t as important... -
Passion Project by London Sperry
“Passion Project will charm your pants off and carve itself a permanent place in your heart. Full of deep emotion and top-tier banter, this authentic, affectionate slow burn is absolutely worth the wait.” —Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance “Not only a sparkling romantic comedy, but a thoughtful look at navigating grief and the hopefulness of opening yourself to new possibilities...Categorized as:
friends to lovers grumpy sunshine found-family contemporary humor length-medium open-door -
Wilder With You by Serena Bell
Who knew pretending could be so hot?Clark: It started as a joke. After all, I’d never pretend to date a woman just to get my mom and sister off my back.I would, however, pretend to date her to get her ex-husband off hers.Now the two of us, the wilderness warrior and the wedding planner, are stuck sharing a very small tent... -
The Wrong Guy by Lauren Landish
Best of friends with benefits―and more in common than they ever expected―in a funny and sexy romance by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish. Wren Ford is the city attorney for Cold Springs―a job she takes seriously... -
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Fluke by Adriana Locke
SEEKING AN EX-HUSBAND I need a fake ex-husband. Let me explain … I may have let it slip to my new co-workers that I have an ex-husband. Now they’re fascinated with the details, specifically with him. Why wouldn’t they be? He’s gorgeous, has exceptional skills in the bedroom, and is determined to win me back. But there’s a problem. He doesn’t exist...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov contemporary forced proximity humor explicit-open-door length-medium m-f -
Down And Flirty by Staci Hart
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsNothing good comes after the third date.Date three is the crucial point when things get real, which is exactly why I bounce out the door, twiddling my fingers at whatever poor boy I’ve left behind. Because if I stick around, one of three things will happen: he’ll profess his undying love, he’ll get weird and stalky, or I’ll go crazy. Like, Sid and Nancy crazy...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov contemporary new adult humor friends-benefits male-pov length-medium -
Craving by Lilian Monroe
THE WEDPOCALYPSE CONTINUES... Marlon St. James wants only one thing: to be left alone. He has a house, a successful private security business, and endless peace and quiet. Things are exactly as they should be. Until Camilla. His brother thrusts soft, sweet, curvy Camilla Fox in front of Marlon and announces that she’ll be moving into Marlon’s house. Otherwise, she’ll be homeless. Fine...Categorized as:
dual-pov friends to lovers grumpy sunshine contemporary humor insta-love forced proximity mystery -
That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump by Julie Christianson
BRADYYeah, I shouldn’t have kissed Natalie Slater.Not on the porch. Or at the beach. Or in the storage closet. Especially not the storage closet. But to be fair, she kissed me first. Six months later, I’m still thinking about it.Trouble is, I’ve made promises that tie me to our small town, while Natalie can’t wait to escape. I’ve got no business pursuing her or my secret ambitions... -
How to Love a Rockstar by D.E. Haggerty
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsI’m a librarian. Dylan’s a rockstar. We can’t possibly be a match despite what the meddlesome matchmakers of the small town of Winter Falls think.No one is more surprised than me when Dylan walks into a wall the first time he catches sight of me. Even more surprising? He immediately asks me out.Um, I don’t think so... -
Right Guy, Wrong Word by Jewel E. Ann
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsDo books have souls?Anna Black has the perfect novel choice for her book club. She also has a sexy new neighbor who jumps at the opportunity to join fellow bookworms in discussing her pick for their summer read. It’s lust at first sight and the marriage of two literary souls...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov contemporary humor sassy heroine angst second chances length-medium
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