Books like 'It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard'
Readers who enjoyed It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard by Christina Hovland also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny single-mother single-father friends to lovers mature couple forced proximity
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Love Notes & Lifelines by Avery Maxwell
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsThe job was simple. Always answer the phone—no exceptions—then solve the caller’s catastrophe as efficiently as possible.The rules were simpler. They contact you, not the other way around. Never give them your real name, number, or any personal information not required to help a newly single dad keep his head above water.And never, ever get involved with a caller... -
![Reckless by Adriana Locke]()
Reckless by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 26 ratings“How did you get in here?”That’s not what you want to hear when you’re staring into the sea-green eyes of the hottest man you’ve ever seen. Yet I suppose it’s a fair question, considering I’m an uninvited stranger standing in Boone Mason’s kitchen.If you think that’s bad—just wait. It gets worse...Categorized as:
forced proximity single-mother contemporary humor christian insta-love m-f audiobook -
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![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...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity small town contemporary humor christian m-f audiobook -
![Without You by Lacey Black]()
Without You by Lacey Black
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTuckerI spend my days brewing beer for the popular Brew Crüe Beer Company and my nights devoted to being a dad. Raising a young child with special needs can be tough and stressful, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. He’s everything to me, and the reason I keep going. It’s him and me against the world, and I have no intention of changing that.Then, Kinsley McGregor walks back into my life... -
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![Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke]()
Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a warm and romantic novel about a marriage in trouble, two conspiring kids, and the meaning of long-lasting love. After twenty years, the cracks in Lauren Reed’s marriage are showing. She and her husband, Jack, feel more like roommates than a loving couple...Categorized as:
forced proximity mature couple humor second chances small town contemporary length-medium audiobook -
![Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe]()
Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe
The bad news? Getting hit by a cab can officially get crossed off my bucket list.The worse news? While I’ve woken up from my coma, the man I’m in love with hasn’t stirred from his. And the most terrible news of all? A pregnant woman is at his bedside, holding his hand, and saying that he’s the father of her baby. Sammy Baker is a divorced, single mom trying to find her way again...Categorized as:
friends to lovers single-mother mature couple love triangle contemporary dual-pov cheating humor -
![Kiss My Giraffe by Erin Nicholas]()
Kiss My Giraffe by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsEnemies to friends to almost lovers then back to enemies…to lovers.She's got a lot of baggage...literally and figuratively. And an entourage. And a freaking giraffe. For real.For a guy who wants to keep things simple, this is anything but... -
![Give Me Forever by Layla Hagen]()
Give Me Forever by Layla Hagen
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsHe was my first love. Now he's my roommate. And he won't stop until he wins me back.Conned out of my business I have no other choice but to move back home to Chicago. I’m determined to rebuild everything, but I’m so broke that I can’t even afford to pay rent.Then my first love, Sam Maxwell, unexpectedly pops back into my life and turns out to be my knight in shining armor...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity humor super rich hero contemporary length-short m-f audiobook -
![Loving at 40 by L.B. Dunbar]()
Loving at 40 by L.B. Dunbar
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSexy silver alpha hero returns to his family’s lakeside cottage where there’s a single mother in his bed and her presence just might be the second chance he needs at love and family.Archer McCaryn has been a mystery to his family. At forty-five, he isn’t certain himself who he is anymore. When he returns to the family’s lakeside cottage, he finds there is someone in his garage apartment... -
![Heartsick & Lipsticks by Shawna Renae]()
Heartsick & Lipsticks by Shawna Renae
Nick LockeMy life was exactly how I'd planned it. Growing up, I wanted to rule the world, and being CEO of Locke Media Group fulfilled that dream. I'd started with nothing and built a billion-dollar empire one brick at a time. My motto was work hard, play harder...Categorized as:
single-mother single-father contemporary humor super rich hero length-long open-door -
![Late Nights & Love Lines by Avery Maxwell]()
Late Nights & Love Lines by Avery Maxwell
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe job was simple. Answer the phone, solve the single dad's dilemma, and move on.I'm the temporary solution.The fill-in.The short-term Single Dad Hotline Helper until a more suitable one can be found.I don't get attached, I don't stick around, and I certainly don't fall for the single dad.Until the job said, "Hold my beer," and tipped my world upside down...Categorized as:
single-father friends to lovers small town humor contemporary m-f super rich hero audiobook -
![That First Flight by Jenn McMahon]()
That First Flight by Jenn McMahon
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsSomething tells me, nothing I do can stop myself from feeling things for my roommate.I’ve always wanted to be a chef.But the same day two pink lines showed up on the test, was the day I gave up chasing my own dreams to put my daughter first.I didn’t expect that to lead to a life of being scrutinized by my parents for every single move I made.After years of it, I was done...Categorized as:
forced proximity single-mother friends to lovers humor dual-pov insta-love contemporary pregnancy -
![Stay With You by Melanie Shawn]()
Stay With You by Melanie Shawn
Just when Chrissy Caldwell thought things couldn’t get any worse, life showed up and said, “Hold my beer.”The past year had been a living nightmare, one she couldn’t seem to wake up from... -
![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...Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers humor contemporary length-medium rockstars audiobook -
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![The One I Love by Chelle Sloan]()
The One I Love by Chelle Sloan
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA Sexy, Friends to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Small-Town Romance by bestselling author Chelle Sloan.I can’t remember a time when I haven’t loved my childhood best friend, Amelia.Her big brown eyes and beautiful smile have had a hold on me since we were teenagers.Hell, I even love her kids as if they were my own.Now, she’s divorced, and after twenty years, it’s time to make my move... -
![Sterling Fight by L.B. Dunbar]()
Sterling Fight by L.B. Dunbar
These former friends might be faking their engagement, but revealed crushes prove there might not be anything fictional about their arrangement.In college, I often saw Judd Sylver in the library. He was a cool, broody type of guy who reminded me of a deeply tortured soul who might write poetry... -
![Are We There Yet? by Savannah Scott]()
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... -
![Without You by Lacey Black]()
Without You by Lacey Black
Rated: 4.53 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTuckerI spend my days brewing beer for the popular Brew Crüe Beer Company and my nights devoted to being a dad. Raising a young child with special needs can be tough and stressful, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. He’s everything to me, and the reason I keep going. It’s him and me against the world, and I have no intention of changing that.Then, Kinsley McGregor walks back into my life... -
![The Sweet Spot by Adriana Locke]()
The Sweet Spot by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsShe wants forever. He plays it day by day. They’re both wishing for the best in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s charming and sexy hopefully-ever-after romance.Single mom Palmer Clark will not be sidelined by the new man in town. Sure, the honey-tongued baseball legend is gorgeous, loves puppies, and has charmed his way into the community’s heart, but Palmer craves stability...Categorized as:
friends to lovers forced proximity single-mother single-father sports contemporary small town humor -
![Flirting With Forever by Claire Kingsley]()
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... -
![This is Beautiful: Logan & Kayla, #2 by Kennedy Fox]()
This is Beautiful: Logan & Kayla, #2 by Kennedy Fox
Kayla Sinclair is a saint and real life Angel. She wears her heart on her sleeve and inspires me to be a better person. Rescuing dogs, feeding the homeless, volunteering at the local food pantry are just a few of the ways she gives back to others, although no one has ever been there for her. Falling for her was inevitable, losing her will destroy me...Categorized as:
friends to lovers single-father humor new adult contemporary alpha male length-short -
![Left-Handed Monkey Wrench by Giulia Lagomarsino]()
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 friends to lovers contemporary suspense humor alpha male military length-medium -
![The Head That Wears the Crown by Mariah Stewart]()
The Head That Wears the Crown by Mariah Stewart
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA fortysomething woman’s ordinary life takes a royal detour in an engaging novel about embracing a family legacy and stepping up when it matters most by New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart...Categorized as:
mature couple single-mother contemporary aristocratic heroine humor length-long audiobook -
![The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole, Margo Lipschultz]()
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:
friends to lovers forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary humor menage length-long -
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![The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin]()
The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsYou are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of je ne sais quoi… With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Hattie is in need of a summer escape. So when an opportunity comes up to work at a beautiful, stately chateau in the Champagne region of France she books her flights quicker than the pop of a cork... -
![Second Chance by L.B. Dunbar]()
Second Chance by L.B. Dunbar
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsAnother romance for the over 40. Can one sexy silver fox face the woman he once left behind but never let go? Her. A widow at forty-four, her husband left her a letter. Contact Denton. Once upon a time, the three of them had been best friends. Mati Rath isn’t sure she should look back. Her heart isn’t ready, or so she thinks. Him. A pleading phone call forces him to make a decision...Categorized as:
friends to lovers single-mother contemporary second chances humor length-long audiobook -
![Dirty Little Midlife Dilemma by Lilian Monroe]()
Dirty Little Midlife Dilemma by Lilian Monroe
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsA hot, hilarious fresh start! Nora’s forties begin with a bang…or rather, a crash.What’s worse than bumping into a parked motorcycle and tipping it over?Easy. It’s bumping into a motorcycle, tipping it over, and sending it crashing into an entire row of bikes like horrible, slow-motion dominos.What’s even worse than that?Nora knows the answer...Categorized as:
mature couple friends to lovers contemporary humor death length-medium m-f audiobook -
![The Sneak Peak by Victoria Wilder]()
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... -
![Silver Mayor by L.B. Dunbar]()
Silver Mayor by L.B. Dunbar
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsCharlie Harrington is a respectable man.Mayor to his small, mountain town. Successful attorney. Doting single father.After one mishap in the past, he avoids scandal. Making everyone happy is his goal.He’s nothing but content... and a bit boring.Then one morning, he finds a beautiful woman in his bedroom, and his world turns upside down. His good guy side suddenly wants to be a little bad... -
![CONFLICTING VENTURES by A.K. Landow]()
CONFLICTING VENTURES by A.K. Landow
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSkylar Lawrence is the quiet sister. The one that doesn’t need to be the center of attention. The one who wants happiness above all else. She’s been content to stay in the background and support her sisters as their stars shine bright.She internalizes her struggles. The lingering pain of losing her father, followed by the ending of her relationship with the man she thought was her forever... -
![Pining For You by Marika Ray]()
Pining For You by Marika Ray
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’ve been in love with my best friend since the day I met her freshman year of high school. She was a halo of sunshine on a rainy day, pulling me out of the shadows and making me feel like life was one big roller-coaster ride of excitement. Until the day we graduated and she left on the back of a Harley with some guy who didn’t deserve her, middle fingers in the air... -
![Cabin Fever with My First Flame by Madison Love]()
Cabin Fever with My First Flame by Madison Love
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI'm a chef who can handle the heat. He's a firefighter that can douse a flame. But when sparks reignite between us and old fires begin to burn, dialing 9-1-1 is the last thing on my mind.After my divorce, I got the better end of the deal with three sassy daughters, my food truck, and what was left in the bank account...Categorized as:
single-mother single-father friends to lovers christmas christian humor betrayal contemporary -
![Flutter by Carrie Aarons]()
Flutter by Carrie Aarons
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe can’t stand her, and best believe, the feeling is mutual. Her life is the complete opposite of what he desires. So, why can’t they keep their hands off each other? Forrest Nash is a smug know-it-all... -
![My Not So Wicked Boss by Jennifer Peel]()
My Not So Wicked Boss by Jennifer Peel
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings"I had a feeling their story would be my favorite, and it is. This is the perfect ending to this series!" - Kathy Jo from KJ's Book Nook "I love everything Jennifer Peel writes, but this book--this book is in a class by itself! It's everything romance is meant to be." - Whitney Dineen, Number One Bestselling Author of The Relatively Series Love knows no contract...Categorized as:
single-mother single-father humor contemporary anthologies length-medium m-f boss & employee -
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![Holiday Heart-On: A Steamy Romantic Comedy Anthology by Serena Bell, Sylvie Stewart]()
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... -
![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:
friends to lovers forced proximity single-father small town humor contemporary length-long usa -
![The One I Want by Chelle Sloan]()
The One I Want by Chelle Sloan
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAs a professional football player, I had a playbook for everything on the field. Then I retired and found out there’s no playbook for life—especially when the one you thought was perfect gets flipped upside down. There’s no play for suddenly becoming a divorced, single dad. There’s no plan for moving your family back to the town you grew up in...Categorized as:
single-father forced proximity friends to lovers sports age difference contemporary humor office -
![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... -
![Write or Wrong by Heidi Hutchinson, Smartypants Romance]()
Write or Wrong by Heidi Hutchinson, Smartypants Romance
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsZara Lorna is kind of a big deal. After winning Artist of the Year (again), having a public argument with her boyfriend (again), and being whisked away by a man she barely knows (that’s new), it feels like she can’t go anywhere without drawing attention. It’s taking a toll on her and she could use a break.Deciding to spend some time out of the public eye, she moves to Chicago to be close to Nikki...Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers contemporary rockstars office humor length-medium audiobook -
![Falling for the Single Dad by Whitley Cox]()
Falling for the Single Dad by Whitley Cox
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsWhen a blast from the past could blow up the future.Welcome to Seattle, the Emerald City and home to The Single Dads of Seattle. Ten sexy single fathers who play poker every Saturday night, have each other's backs, love their children without quarter, and hope to one day find love again.This is Liam's story ...Single Dad of Seattle, Liam Dixon has a kick-*ss life... -
![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...Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers grumpy sunshine contemporary humor length-medium audiobook -
![Jesse's Girl by Hannah Brixton]()
Jesse's Girl by Hannah Brixton
Buckle 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...Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers humor contemporary length-long explicit-open-door -
![Behind the Pages: A sultry romcom of the unexpected by K. Iwancio]()
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... -
![The Penalty Shot by Maren Moore]()
The Penalty Shot by Maren Moore
The one and only rule: Nothing affects our roommate agreement.Being a single mom, my life revolves around rules.But…some rules are meant to be broken.And my new roommate is the temptation I can’t afford.Asher Hart, the handsome, tattooed hockey player who’s doing everything he can to penetrate the walls around my heart.I should have known that he would be trouble..Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers single-mother sports contemporary new adult humor athletes -
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![The Atelier Assignment by Annie Dyer]()
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... -
![After Care by L.B. Dunbar]()
After Care by L.B. Dunbar
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA romance for the over 40. Breast cancer survivor Edie Williams is ready to live. Divorced. Mother of two. She’s planned the vacation of a lifetime for a reboot, only to encounter an awakening adventure—Tommy Carrigan. Manager of the band Collision, Tommy Carrigan has his plate full. Independent. Carefree... -
![Dating For December by Lyndsey Gallagher]()
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... -
![A Better Place by Jennifer Van Wyk]()
A Better Place by Jennifer Van Wyk
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsAfter James Cole's wife walked out on him, he put his dreams aside to raise his daughter. But now she's grown and he's ready for more. When the opportunity arises to own a restaurant, his life-long dream, he can't deny that it's meant to be. And for more reasons than one. He’s kept his heart closed off since the day his wife walked away... -
![Nice and Easy by Erin Nicholas]()
Nice and Easy by Erin Nicholas
A hot firefighter who just wants to take care of her and her little boy? Sign her up.Moving in with him and his little girl who already has a huge chunk of her heart? Very nice.Roommates with benefits? Yes, please.Convincing this take-charge alpha to let her take care of him too? That’s not going to be as easy...
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