Books like 'A Very Merry Mess'
Readers who enjoyed A Very Merry Mess by Elana Johnson also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny christmas forced proximity office found-family
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Falling for Mr. Bad by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.64 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsShe’s a badass musician and mechanic with no patience for overinflated egos. He’s a billionaire with no time for drama. Going head-to-head has never been so much fun...or so dirty. Scorching heat, laugh-out-loud humor, and loads of heart make this sexy enemies-to-lovers, close proximity, forbidden, workplace, small town standalone romance unputdownable... -
Forever Wild by K.A. Tucker
From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild comes Forever Wild, a novella that continues the story of Calla's journey to the Alaskan wild and a life she never imagined for herself. The holiday season is upon Calla and Jonah, and with the mistletoe and gingerbread comes plenty of family drama...Categorized as:
christmas found-family contemporary humor new adult grumpy sunshine length-short open-door -
Tempt Me Forever by Layla Hagen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsTwo enemies. One bed. What could possibly go wrong? Our new general manager is the most difficult man on the planet. The night before Drake begins working at my family's hotel, he finds me in the bar, trying to get rid of a boring date. But the guy won’t take even a not-so-subtle hint. Then Drake surprises me and comes to our table, but only to reprimand ME about dating in our workplace...Categorized as:
office forced proximity contemporary humor super rich hero rich heroine from hate to love m-f -
Runaway Bride's Guide to Love by Chelle Sloan
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA swoony, age gap, brother’s best friend, runaway bride romance from bestselling author, Chelle Sloan... -
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Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
Meet cute... Run for the hills—temporarily . That's Colbie Albright's plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie's so over it that she's under it. She's also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival... -
That First Date by Jenn McMahon
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsMy new boss has lost his mind.Marc Ford is everything that I’m not. He wants a long term relationship that leads to marriage and a house full of kids, but I want nothing to do with being tied down to someone. In fact, I have never been in a relationship in my life... -
The Thief Who Saved Christmas by Angela R. Casella
He'd like to be the man in her life, but she already has one-hundred-and-seven collectible Santa Clauses.RyanI'm not a ho-ho-ho kind of guy. My brother and I were raised in foster care, and the closest thing we had to a father was a career criminal who'd sooner steal Christmas than save it. I followed in his footsteps, I'm ashamed to say, and did things for him that I regret... -
A Holly Jilly Christmas: a sweet holiday romantic comedy by Emma St. Clair
My life is nothing like the movies we make at the studio where I work--especially not when it comes to relationships.Which means that there will be absolutely NO romance between me and Case, the grumpy exec I've had a crush on from our very first not-so-meet-cute.We're simply two coworkers scouting the town of Sheet Cake, Texas as a location for filming.That's it... -
Anger Banger by S.M. Shade
The residents of Happy Haven Trailer park have been waiting for this for a long time. The slumlord who abandoned this place and let our homes deteriorate has been court ordered to live here while making repairs. Imagine our surprise when the guy who shows up to move in to the dilapidated trailer across the street isn't the sixty year old man we expected, but his son...Categorized as:
found-family forced proximity new adult from hate to love grumpy sunshine contemporary humor -
Salt Love by Marika Ray
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat do you do when you find out your husband’s cheating on you, your aunt just passed away in Florida, and your boss gave the promotion to your work nemesis, so you threaten him with bodily harm in the middle of a board meeting?Well, after getting escorted out of the building by security, I fly straight to Sunshine Key to deal with my aunt’s estate...Categorized as:
office found-family contemporary grumpy sunshine mature couple humor length-medium m-f -
A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...There's always time for tea... unless you've lost your teapot…Cleo Jordan has only ever wished for one thing – to open her own teashop in memory of her lovely gran...Categorized as:
found-family forced proximity grumpy sunshine small town contemporary humor length-medium -
A Not So Merry Ex-Mas by Abby Greyson
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis is a Dual POV kisses only, sweet holiday romantic comedy . For years I've been dreaming of a real Christmas back home. Tree trimming, decorating, Christmas carols. What I wasn't expecting was Cole.If I was to dream up the perfect man even my wildest imagination would have fallen short compared to Cole Nichols... -
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... -
Fake Fiancé at First Sight by Kristine W. Joy
I can't believe I'm at the point in my life where I need to convince a stranger to pretend to be my fiancée. My publicist came up with the idea to hire a fake fiancée to improve my bad-boy reputation and “win over the hearts and minds of fans.” But I'm the one who impulsively decided to bring one home with me for my brother's vow renewal...Categorized as:
forced proximity found-family humor contemporary friends to lovers m-f length-medium open-door -
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Miles Bailey Gets Down On One Knee by Jen Atkinson
I am Delaney Jones, courageous enough to defy my mother, fearless enough to leave my successful rock band, and daring enough to propose to a perfect stranger.Delaney:Miles wasn’t planned.Which kind of made him perfect.Sure, I’d just said no—to a load of handsome men on a reality show designed to find me a husband, but I didn’t want any of them.I don’t want Miles either—at least, I think I don’t... -
She Likes It, Hey Micah by Dana LeCheminant
Micah Taylor is an eternal optimist, but with every first date that fails, her faith in true love weakens. When offered the chance to help reopen the lodge where her parents were married, Micah is determined to prove her worth and show her boss that she has what it takes to be a great event planner...Categorized as:
forced proximity office contemporary grumpy sunshine age difference humor m-f glimpses-kisses -
Leave Me Breathless by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsShe’s his best friend’s little sister. Completely off-limits. And now she’s moving in with him…When Gabe Winter’s best friend calls with an unusual request – give his broken-hearted little sister a roof over her head for a few months – he readily accepts.But he doesn’t expect Nicole to be quite so enticing. Or for her to bring out all the feelings in him... -
Holiday Heart-On: A Steamy Romantic Comedy Anthology by Serena Bell, Sylvie Stewart
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsGet a head start on the holiday spirit by reading for a great cause! Nineteen of today’s most entertaining rom-com authors have teamed up on #Books4Beats. This collection of festive shorts ranges from sweet to steamy and promises to entertain... -
Keeping a Christmas Promise by Jo Thomas
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFour friendsTwenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright, full of hope and most importantly guaranteed . . .One promiseNow they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they've lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas... -
A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings‘Sparkling, laugh-out-loud, romantic’ Phillipa AshleySt Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere…A clean slate in the world’s cosiest cottage by the sea…When Gwen Starkey and her best friend, Ella Simpson, arrive in St Aidan to take on a cottage renovation, it’s the fresh start they both so desperately need... -
Winning Winnie's Hand by Deborah M. Hathaway
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe’s no damsel, but dang…this knight in shining armor kinda makes her want to be.Born into a driven and successful family, Winnie Knox tries—and fails—to impress her parents and siblings as she bounces from career to career, year to year...Categorized as:
office found-family contemporary from hate to love historical christian humor length-long -
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 office contemporary rockstars friends to lovers humor length-medium -
Wild Thing by Cassie Miller
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen I went back to that dingy motel room with the tempting stranger from the bar, I had no idea that he was my older brother's best friend. And my soon-to-be roommate. I'm Karli Brighton, reigning Queen of Epic Screw-Ups. With twelve med school rejection letters burning a hole in my back pocket, I'm back in my quirky hometown for the summer...Categorized as:
office forced proximity contemporary humor forbidden love dual-pov siblings-bff length-long -
Dearest Malachi Keogh by N.R. Walker
Julian Pollard never believed in love at first sight. That was until he met Malachi Keogh. Well, maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, but it sure was something.Julian had forgotten how to live, how to be happy, and Malachi changed all that. Now together for four years, Julian wants to give Malachi a Christmas he’ll never forget... -
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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... -
Dating For December by Lyndsey Gallagher
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 10 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... -
The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis
Beloved New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis begins a new series—Sunrise Cove—set near beautiful Lake Tahoe, with a heartwarming story of found family and love.During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane... -
The Christmas You Crash by Piper Hale
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOne blizzard. One cabin. One uninvited hockey player. Ho, ho, humbug. Normally I love Christmas. The lights, the snow, the cozy traditions. Then my parents divorced. Intent to avoid awkward holiday drama, I head to our family’s secluded cabin for a nice, relaxing week alone.At least that’s the plan until Ryder Hanson shows up uninvited and dressed like a serial killer... -
She's a Keeper by Ali K. Mulford
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThey’re both used to temporary. Have they unexpectedly found forever?Lark Lachlan has her life under control. Although she enjoys the occasional summer fling with women, the devoted-to-her-career, bisexual zookeeper has no trouble keeping her heart in its cage. So she’s a little surprised to feel an instant, all-consuming attraction to the handsome new volunteer, Logan... -
Anyone But The Superstar by Sara L. Hudson
Pre-order the brand new instalment in Sara L. Hudson's Anyone But You series!What happens when a moviestar and an heiress, both traveling incognito, have a one-night stand?Johnny, aka Felix Jones, is Hollywood's go-to action star. About to film his first romantic comedy, he's looking to change his image and show he's more than just a six pack with pithy one-liners... -
The Valentine's Bet: A Sweet RomCom by Kristine W. Joy
What happens when a hopeful romantic bets a grumpy skeptic that love really exists?Now that I’ve landed my dream job in NYC, I’m finally ready to find Mr. Right.What better way to meet new people in a big city than a speed dating event?Or so I thought—until I got stuck with the biggest cynic in the room... -
Perfect Praise by Grace Pearce
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsMaren and Locke both exist in the same world of professional golf—he's the number one player in the world while she just takes his picture.Never mind that Locke unintentionally leads the press to believe that he and Maren are dating, because when she confronts him, he couldn't care less... -
Long Way Home by Melissa Grace
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJo Kingsley is having a really bad day, and nothing is going according to plan. After her life goes up in flames—literally—she returns home to Nashville to figure out her next move. Soon after she arrives, Jo finds herself alone in a bar licking her wounds when a knight in a shining leather jacket unexpectedly comes to her rescue... -
British Black Sheep (Cocky Hero Club) by Lauren Smith
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn arrogant Brit might just be the right cup of tea for her…He is exactly the kind of man Brie Honeyweather swore never to love…or lust after ever a sexy, arrogant, British bad boy in a designer suit. Alec is the last person Brie wants to be stuck on an international flight to London with, but hey…at least they’re in first class... -
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Wallflower in Bloom by Elise Kennedy
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPainfully shy plant mom Violet Parker is about to experience the thrill of a lifetime when her TV crush lands on her doorstep.Desperate to rehab his public image after a PR disaster, actor / playboy Jack Grant needs a wholesome fake girlfriend for the summer. Violet, meanwhile, needs help stepping out of her comfort zone so her fledgling flower and plant shop, Bloom, will thrive...Categorized as:
forced proximity found-family curvy heroine humor contemporary length-medium fake relationship -
Christmas in Paradise by Brittany Larsen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCould an innocent fling turn into the real thing?I only want two things out of life: a career as a wedding planner extraordinaire and for Mom to stop treating me like a kid. Is that too much to ask? Probably.That is, until I get the chance to plan a televised, Christmas-themed wedding a thousand miles away from Mom in Paradise, Idaho. It seems like all my dreams might be coming true... -
Pity Present by Whitney Dineen
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMollyI haven’t beeninterested in dating since my ex dumped me for a new girl at his law office. Since then, I’ve thrown myself into my work as a hotel gift shop designer. While being single isn’t what I expected, there’s truth to that old saying, “Once bitten, twice shy.” And the bite of a cheater stays with you... -
12 Days of Mistletoe: An Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, Holiday RomCom by Jen Atkinson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHow to end up in Christmas kissing lessons with your downstairs enemy… Break apartment rules? Guilty.Send holiday cards to the downstairs neighbor's grandma? Done. Accidentally become said neighbor's fake girlfriend for a family Christmas photo? Wait, what?I, Bonnie Miller, am no troublemaker. I’m just an anxious girl trying to keep my emotional support pup in a no-pets apartment building... -
The Fate Philosophy by Sarah A. Bailey
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsFollowing the long overdue break-up from her insufferable ex-boyfriend, Macie Cunningham was ready for a fresh start.She thought she’d find that new beginning when she impulsively moved to Los Angeles with her best friend, but after six months here, all she’s discovered is that her life is strenuously the same. The same career—one she’s not so sure she still loves... -
Lost & Found in Copper Ridge by Harlow James
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIt all started with Jack & Diane…And no, not the couple from the popular 80’s song—the couple that signed a five-dollar bill with their names and the location of The Livingston Cabin in Copper Ridge, Colorado.And I just so happened to acquire that five-dollar bill on the same day of the funeral of a close friend AND the day I was supposed to be getting married.Coincidence? Perhaps... -
The Suit by Lulu Moore
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHave you ever met someone who makes your blood boil simply by existing? Or turn your notorious, ice-cool demeanor volcanic in a nanosecond? Perhaps smother your usual air of indifference with a lightning-charged thundercloud, threatening to strike at any moment?Because that’s what she does.It’s been seven peaceful years since I last saw Beulah Holmes... -
Holiday Vibes by Sarah Brenton
Working for a sex toy company after failing to make it in the art world, Jessie Foley knows a di—er, phallus—when she sees one. And her brother’s best friend—the reason she can’t paint—is definitely a phallus...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity found-family from hate to love angst insta-love contemporary humor -
Dirty Secret Love by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa comes an angsty, fake-fiance, opposites attract, secret billionaire romance.What do you do when you’re tired of being the loser?You make up the perfect fiancé, of course.I know it sounds desperate, but hear me out.In my family, everyone is someone.But me? I’m just a small-town librarian with no prospects and no future...Categorized as:
office forced proximity contemporary super rich hero humor angst small town length-medium -
Runaway Love by Lea Coll
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA dream wedding, a bride with cold feet, and the mountain man that comes to her rescue.I never thought that, on my wedding day, I would literally bolt from my wedding, and into the arms of a grumpy mountain man. Emmett offers me a much-needed respite from the chaos, inviting me into his cabin to "hide out" until all the wedding guests leave...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity grumpy sunshine contemporary humor small town length-medium -
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Luca & Ivy and the Four Calling Birds by Ellie Hall
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWould you rather be stranded in a snowstorm with Miss All-things Christmas or the Grinch?IvyIf you ever find yourself on the run, do not, I repeat, do not drive off the road and into an icy pond. Should you have such an accident, do not wander into the woods to a chalet with a blazing fire. But if you lose feeling in your toes and go inside to warm up, do not, I repeat, do not, doze off...Categorized as:
christmas forced proximity contemporary grumpy sunshine from hate to love humor length-short -
Living with Fire: A Firefighter Romance by Tamara Rene
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThis new city was supposed to keep me alive, not burn me to the ground. You know that moment when you realize you’re supremely screwed? That’s me when I realize I’m trapped in my building and see smoke. In the last twenty-four hours I’ve been cheated on, quit my job, and insulted a sexy stranger — now I’m staring death in the face and even my family doesn’t know where I am... -
CONFLICTING VENTURES by A.K. Landow
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 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... -
A Wedding Mismatch by Kaylee Baldwin
Let’s play a Two truths and a lie.1. I am a self-help influencer who is a hot mess.2. If I don’t get some quiet time between planning my sister’s wedding to finish my book, Happily Single, I’m in hot water with my publisher.3. I’m blackmailing the hot grump next-door into letting me live with him until this book is done...Categorized as:
forced proximity found-family contemporary grumpy sunshine humor glimpses-kisses length-medium -
Bride or Die by Madison Score
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsProposal planner Claire Hartley thought calling off her own wedding would be the most traumatic event of her year. But when her ex-college roommate vanishes without a trace and Claire begins receiving mysterious threats, she realizes she has bigger problems...Categorized as:
office forced proximity from hate to love mystery contemporary suspense humor length-long -
Snowed In for Christmas by Sarah Morgan
A family gathering This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal—to avoid their well-meaning family’s endless stream of prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention. An uninvited guest Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job...
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