Books like 'The Drummer's Heart'
Readers who enjoyed The Drummer's Heart by Penelope Ward also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary forced proximity m-f second chances from hate to love angst fake relationship rockstars friends to lovers bad boys
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Beard Necessities by Penny Reid
Billy Winston’s family is going to see him happy and in love if it’s the last thing they do. No one deserves a happily-ever-after quite as much as the second oldest Winston brother and his lady love, Claire McClure (aka Scarlet St. Claire). Cruelty and circumstance tore them apart almost twenty years ago. Secrecy and bitterness kept them separated...Categorized as:
angst friends to lovers second chances forced proximity sweet heroine dual-pov m-f humor -
Conquered by Riley Edwards
Rated: 4.69 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsDylan Welsh was the last man standing…until Sawyer Glasgow brought him to his knees. Dylan wasn’t ready for Sawyer. He wasn’t ready to confront the truth of his past. He wasn’t ready to admit he’s fallen in love with the sweet, sexy woman who captivated him from the moment he saw her. He’s especially not prepared to face the hurt he’s caused Sawyer. But to keep her, he must do all three... -
Saving His Heart by Avery Maxwell
Never have I ever...The number one rule in medicine is don't fall in love with your patients, but Preston Westbrook makes his own rules. Hand him a life-altering diagnosis, and all bets are off.I'm a doctor without a license. He's a billionaire without a chance.He hired me to care for his failing heart, but when meddling family forces his hand, he introduces me as his girlfriend... -
Someone Like You by Marie Force
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsThe all-new Wild Widows Series about a group of grieving survivors who take Roni into their fold to help her cope with the loss of her husband. The group has only one requirement—members must be willing to entertain the possibility of a “Chapter 2,” as it’s called in widow circles, which means a second chance at love...Categorized as:
slow burn friends to lovers dual-pov forced proximity pregnancy second chances m-f contemporary -
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The Son & His Hope by Pepper Winters
A Sweeping, Heart-wrenching Standalone from New York Times Bestseller Pepper Winters. "Things you should know about me from the very beginning:I was born to true love, witnessed the destruction it causes, and vowed never to let such agony happen to me. I am not a story-teller like my father. I am not a writer like my mother. I am just a son--their son.I am happy being alone...Categorized as:
angst from hate to love friends to lovers m-f new adult contemporary open-door length-long -
Take A Chance On Me by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsOh Sh*tThis is part 2 of the Marc and Meg Duet. It cannot be read as a standalone. Due to spoilers, the above is all the blurb you will get.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The conclusion to the Meg and Marc duet is phenomenal. It’s been a long time since I’ve found a writer that makes me laugh, scream, and cry in the same sitting. This is an epic story - epic love, epic friendship, epic woman finding her way... -
After Burn by Autumn Jones Lake
Rated: 4.78 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsOne spilled secret shines a light on the throne of lies I've been sitting on for years. A revelation with the power to test the bonds of brotherhood like never before. Promises I've made to my brothers I burn to keep. Vows made to my wife I swear to honor. Through the web of tangled loyalties, one thing remains clear. Hope is embedded in my soul... -
Here Comes My Man by Lauren Blakely
A red-hot, enemies-to-lovers, fake boyfriend, second chance romance, and the conclusion to the Hopelessly Bromantic Duet!Let me just say this -- fake dating the cocky movie star was not my idea. Especially since he’s my former roomie and, gulp, my secret ex.But my agent tells me I have no choice since I’m ridiculously overdue with turning in the next big blockbuster love story to my publisher... -
Star by B.B. Easton
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsIn 1999, I met my Prince Charming. He was the tall, tattooed, wickedly handsome bass player for the up-and-coming rock band, Phantom Limb. But, more importantly, he was mine. I knew it the moment he flashed me that shy, dimpled smile. And he knew it too. Hansel "Hans" Oppenheimer wore his heart on one sleeve and scrawled lyrics about me on the other...Categorized as:
angst friends to lovers rockstars bad boys other-man-woman m-f new adult contemporary -
The Start of Something Wonderful by Jessica Redland
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsAutumn Laine has lost her creative sparkle. After losing her grandad and her job as an illustrator in quick succession, she is at a crossroads in life and needs a break. Spending time with her parents in Paris, even in the artistic community of Montmartre, doesn't appear to be the answer... -
Space by Penny Reid
From the New York Times Bestselling Author Penny ReidOne week.Private cabin.Famous physicist.Still an unrepentant slacker.What’s the worst that could happen?Mona’s meticulously planned allotment of relaxation is thrown into chaos by the unscheduled appearance of her older brother’s band of friends, including the one person she'd hoped to never face again... -
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... -
Time by Penny Reid
From the New York Times Bestselling Author Penny Reid A (brokenhearted) physicist. Now an infamous (who is LITERALLY EVERYWHERE!! UGH!) musician. The worst has already happened. Mona has learned that she has nothing figured out and plans are meaningless. After leaving her in Aspen, Abram is now breaking sales-records, rising to rock star fame almost overnight. Mona can’t seem to escape him...Categorized as:
friends to lovers m-f sweet heroine dual-pov second chances angst from hate to love humor -
Burn: Fury Brothers, Book 3 by Anna Hackett
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsI have one goal—arrest billionaire businessman Kavner Fury.I’m dedicated to my job as a Treasury agent, and taking down crooked financial criminals. Just like the one who destroyed my family.Kavner Fury is wealthy, powerful, and ambitious, a combination I know too well. He’s New Orleans’ favorite billionaire... -
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Flaunt by Adriana Locke
Looking 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... -
Path To Resolution by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWolfe Emerson is notorious for two things: being an absolute beast in a boxing ring and being a voluntary mute. His story remains unspoken and he prefers to live his life in silence. That is, until, his world is turned upside down when he meets someone who is louder than life... -
Seven Summers by Paige Toon
Six summers to fall in love. One summer to change everything. Liv and Finn meet six summers ago working in a bar on the rugged Cornish coastline, their futures full of promise. When a night of passion ends in devastating tragedy they are bound together inextricably. But Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family—so they make a promise... -
Wicked Angel by Jaine Diamond
A sinfully hot enemies to lovers romance, about a seductive, a-hole (anti)hero on the brink of self-destruction and the quirky, kind-hearted heroine who discovers his darkest secret—and his heart. I knew it was a mistake to kiss my best friend’s brother—especially behind my boyfriend’s back.In my defense, I had a crush on Johnny for years .But that was before I realized how much I hated him...Categorized as:
from hate to love rockstars forced proximity angst slow burn dual-pov first-person-pov m-f -
This Much Is True by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsWhen celebrity Laina Kelley bolted from her small hometown church on her wedding day, she ran to the first place that came to mind—the home of the local farrier, a gorgeous playboy who just so happens to be her first love … and biggest frenemy... -
Only Ever You by Siobhan Davis
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsAnother emotional, angsty, friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance from the USA Today bestselling author of When Forever Changes and Inseparable.He’s the hot-as-sin rocker hiding a secret that would devastate his fans. She’s the only girl he’s ever loved, but keeping her safe means he had to walk away…RYDERMy entire life is a lie, propelled by one wrong decision that altered my fate...Categorized as:
from hate to love friends to lovers angst second chances bad boys dual-pov rockstars m-f -
Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsEvery single thing you want is going to require you to be uncomfortable. Those words had been shared with her by the one man she didn’t think she could take a chance on. She just didn’t know that he was right, or that he was going to be the one making her uncomfortable. Nash Wilder Christopherson was the world’s golden boy. For fifteen years, she watched Nash race from the safety of her phone...Categorized as:
friends to lovers pregnancy angst from hate to love forced proximity dual-pov m-f humor -
Total Chaos by Nikki Ash
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsKendallMy life has been an endless loop of heartache and breakup songs. I’ve lived in fear that I’m broken and will never find the kind of love that would piece me back together into something whole.When my boyfriend proposes, I say yes, desperate for an easy fix. For a super-glue solution. But, on the day of my wedding, when my dad tells me to follow my heart, it doesn’t lead me down the aisle... -
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... -
Season for Love by Marie Force
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsHis idea of permanence is the VW van that takes him from one gig to the next. . . Owen Lawry has made a living as a traveling musician and enjoys his footloose and fancy free lifestyle... -
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Still Falling for You: Alternate Cover by Siobhan Davis, Kelly Hartigan (XterraWeb)
This book was previously published as ONLY EVER YOU by Siobhan Davis.An emotional, angsty, second-chance romance from USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis.Once there was a boy, with messy blond hair, vibrant blue eyes, and the most dazzling smile, who helped to mend all the dark, broken pieces inside me.Ryder made a bad situation better...Categorized as:
second chances angst rockstars bad boys from hate to love dual-pov friends to lovers m-f -
Harvest Moon by Denise Hunter
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsShe thought he was arrogant. He thought her walls would never come down. Then they fell in love.Forever walking the line between passion and conflict, Laurel and Gavin's relationship ended in divorce after years of miscommunication and unmet expectations. Now pursuing their own separate lives and careers, the two are content . . . though not completely happy...Categorized as:
from hate to love angst m-f forced proximity hurt-comfort second chances dual-pov christian -
Here Comes My Man by Lauren Blakely, Teddy Hamilton
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsListening Length 9 hours and 57 minutesA red-hot, enemies-to-lovers, fake boyfriend, second chance romance, and the conclusion to the Hopelessly Bromantic Duet!Let me just say this -- fake dating the cocky movie star was not my idea. Especially since he’s my former roomie and, gulp, my secret ex...Categorized as:
from hate to love second chances angst forced proximity friends to lovers m-m contemporary queer -
Down To You by Jayne Frost
Rated: 4.70 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEvery story deserves a soundtrack. And ours is epic. She started from perfect. A star who shone brighter than the rest. But then fate took it all away. Now she's broken. A beautiful song with a fractured beat. But I'm still on the rise. Chasing a dream that she's already left behind. If I'm lucky, I can find my redemption in the spotlight. Destiny brought us together. Put her in my path... -
A Different Kind of December by Lesley Jones
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsDecember 1st... A time to reflect and remember for Georgia, and also, she's decided, this year will be a time for change. Starting with high emotion on the anniversary of the day that changed her life and ending on a loud, raucous and raunchy Christmas night, we get a little dip into the lives of some of the Carnage Series favourite characters. This is book 5 in a series. Carnage Book One... -
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... -
With Love, This Christmas by Kimberly Brown
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsNoelle Ackerman loves Christmas and plans to make this Christmas the most special of all. After five years of living in Paris, she has returned home to Grand Hills, the place where love has always dwelled for her. Love for Noelle is not only her family but with the man who stole her heart at the tender age of five.Kane Weston aka Noelle’s tall, dark, and handsome best friend... -
Path To Realization by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsAsher Pryce hides behind a wall of secrets he's spent most of his life building up. How else is the adopted child whose birth parents run a drug cartel supposed to fit in? He's notorious for his overconfident swagger and total lack of patience for bullshit - a master of masks. The one thing in his life he can't fake? His feelings for his best friend's twin sister... -
Landon & Shay - Part Two by Brittainy C. Cherry
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsOnce upon a time, I fell in love with a boy.A beautiful, broken boy who had his own world of struggles. People warned me against our love, but I didn't listen.We looked weak. Young, foolish. Dangerously in love. We didn't care.In order to keep our hearts protected from the opinions of others, we became each other’s secret. We shared stolen moments. Tender touches. Secretive embraces... -
Show Me Forever by Layla Hagen
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsI moved to Chicago six months ago, determined to finally open my own bakery. My landlady was this sweet woman who treated me like her granddaughter. Then she sold the house. Now the devil himself is my landlord and neighbor since I live in the guesthouse on his property. Declan Maxwell is moody, unreasonable, and takes himself far too seriously. Unfortunately for me, he’s also damn sexy... -
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Strawberry Fields for Never by Kate Watson
She’s the desperate CEO hired to rebrand a sleepy Southern orchard. He’s the stubborn heir determined to see her fail.All’s fair in love and farming.As CEO of my marketing firm, my friends’ careers rest on my shoulders. And my shoulders—and company—are failing. Rebranding a famous farm is my final chance to fix what I’ve broken, and nothing can get in my way... -
Entangled by S.E. Hall
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsThings heat up, and not just the Georgia summertime, when Dane and Laney go head to head over plans for her new duplex. But Laney's got his number, and knows just how to coerce her bossy, domineering man. Spend the summer with the gang and find out...just how many is a crowd? The members of the Evolve Crew are getting older; so is the content. Mature audiences recommended... -
Loved Enough by Kelly Elliott
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 15 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... -
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 friends to lovers dual-pov pregnancy found-family humor single-mother insta-love -
Forgotten Dreams by Natasha Madison
When the box of secrets is opened, no one is left the same. SierraI thought I knew until I accidentally discovered my adoring parents' biggest secret on mytwenty-fifth birthday.I am adopted.Part of me is missing, and I set out to find it.Trying to figure out the past piece by piece, I bought a little fixer-upper in the small town I wasgiven up in.Old lies will come out... -
It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsAn absolutely unforgettable and heart-shattering romance, perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Lucy Score and Carley Fortune, that does keeping secrets destroy true love?Anna works two jobs to get herself through college and never, ever talks about her family. It’s easier to keep her distance from everyone until she can finally leave her old life behind...Categorized as:
friends to lovers angst second chances found-family contemporary mystery new adult length-medium -
Always Mine by Scarlett Avery
I broke the number one rule to a long-lasting friendship. I fell for my best friend. Roderick Wolfe... My sexy, tattooed best friend—a former rock star god turned music exec and billionaire—has me locked in the friend zone. I’m just a sidekick to him, but I crave so much more. I want to be the one Rod looks at with lust in his eyes. The thought consumes me, but I suppress it... -
Crushed But Not Defeated by Nicole Dykes
MilesSelfish.That’s the only way Andrew will ever see me. An abused boy who grew up and became a defense attorney for the rich and famous.I’ll never forget the look on his face when I told him. The hurt and disgust I saw in his eyes as I stomped all over his dreams.He left me behind, convincing me he’d hate me forever. Now, circumstances have brought me back into his life... -
The Problem with Players by Brittainy C. Cherry
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsAs a female coach, I’ve always lived by a simple mantra: throw hard, swing for the fences, and never, ever look back--especially when it comes to past flames.So when my ex-boyfriend somehow manages to land the job as my new assistant coach, my life is flipped upside down. The game I thought I'd mastered is now being played with a whole new set of rules.My ex is baseball's all-star Nathan Pierce...Categorized as:
forced proximity friends to lovers from hate to love found-family angst second chances m-f baseball -
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... -
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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... -
Under the Radar by Melanie Moreland
When two new roommates discover their mutual crush, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Moreland takes us on a journey of falling in love.One of the Donner boys. Troublemakers.That was the reputation that followed Chase his whole life. Until he grew up and realized he could do better. Be better.But that choice cost him. His freedom, his family, his chance at love...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov forced proximity found-family m-f humor suspense contemporary -
Separate Like Stars by Diana Kane
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOn paper, Jordan Cohen has it all. With numerous bestsellers under her belt, a number of blockbuster movie adaptations to her credit, and a high profile relationship with one of Hollywood’s most prominent stars, what more could she possibly ask for? Maybe for Olivia Bradley, the only woman to ever break her heart, to exit her life as quickly as she’d re-entered it... -
Hate to Love Him by J. Saman
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA gorgeous, brooding rock god. An unstoppable chemistry we fight to ignore. Desperate passion I want indelibly inked on my soul...Jobless and financially destitute, I have no choice but to see this tour through. Even with my boss hating my guts.A fact he goes out of his way to prove every chance he gets.Lucky for me, the best part of Jasper Diamond is his daughter... -
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... -
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...
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