Books like 'Beautiful Mess'
Readers who enjoyed Beautiful Mess by Ashley James also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary age difference forced proximity grumpy sunshine from hate to love alpha male single-mother forbidden love daddy-kink single-father
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Happily Never After by Paisley Nash
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMy life was supposed to be simple. Grow old on my family's farm with my high school sweetheart. A few dogs, a bunch of kids. We had a plan.I’d serve my country. She’d go to college. And then, we'd build our forever.Four years in, forever together.But life doesn’t always go as planned.Now, I can’t even bring myself to step foot in the town I once loved... -
![Imperfect Arrangement by Vikki Jay]()
Imperfect Arrangement by Vikki Jay
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsRaymond Teager is the last man I ever expected to fall for— mostly because I can’t stand him.My biggest rival, the arrogant billionaire, is determined to buy the land my grandfather left me. The same land I’ve spent my whole life dreaming about turning into a wedding estate. We’re sworn enemies and this small town isn’t big enough for the both of us… until his daughter chooses me... -
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![A Whole New Ball Game by Stephanie Rose]()
A Whole New Ball Game by Stephanie Rose
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFrom bestselling author Stephanie Rose comes a swoon-worthy sports romance filled with sizzling chemistry, a heart-stealing hero who falls first, and an age-gap love story worth rooting for. Rachel Manning has her hands full working a demanding job at a PR firm and raising her teenage sister. The only time she makes for romance is in the hours she carves out writing steamy novels... -
![A Whole New Ball Game by Stephanie Rose]()
A Whole New Ball Game by Stephanie Rose
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFrom bestselling author Stephanie Rose comes a swoon-worthy sports romance filled with sizzling chemistry, a heart-stealing hero who falls first, and an age-gap love story worth rooting for. Rachel Manning has her hands full working a demanding job at a PR firm and raising her teenage sister. The only time she makes for romance is in the hours she carves out writing steamy novels... -
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![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... -
![Three Reckless Words by Nicole Snow]()
Three Reckless Words by Nicole Snow
A runaway bride brings trouble and temptation to a stone-hearted single dad in this emotional and scorching hot romance by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow.Is there any coming back after you blow your own wedding to pieces?I braced for the fallout when I left my emotionally unavailable groom.I expected the tears, the family wrath, the drama galore... -
![Gotta Be Bayou by Erin Nicholas]()
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... -
![The Dandelion Diary by Devney Perry, Connor Crais]()
The Dandelion Diary by Devney Perry, Connor Crais
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsFrom Wall Street Journal bestselling author Devney Perry comes a new story in her Maysen Jar series…Dear Diary,My dad needs a girlfriend, and I’ve already picked her out.Miss Adler would be perfect for him, right? She’s super pretty. She has the best smile and she gives the best hugs. And she’s, like, the most amazing teacher in the world.Dad is my hero, but I can tell he’s lonely... -
![The Rebel by Marni Mann]()
The Rebel by Marni Mann
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsOne bed. Two stranded strangers. Three wildly passionate nights. A thousand secrets between them. After getting trapped in a blizzard, my private jet grounded, with no hotel room available within miles, I met a woman at the bar. Rowan. A knockout blessed with killer curves, gorgeous emerald eyes, and a mouth that should be illegal... -
![The Dandelion Diary by Devney Perry]()
The Dandelion Diary by Devney Perry
From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Devney Perry comes this special edition version of a new story in her Maysen Jar series…Dear Diary,My dad needs a girlfriend, and I’ve already picked her out.Miss Adler would be perfect for him, right? She’s super pretty. She has the best smile and she gives the best hugs. And she’s, like, the most amazing teacher in the world... -
![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... -
![One Bossy Disaster by Nicole Snow]()
One Bossy Disaster by Nicole Snow
A wild twist of fate throws together two total opposites in this steamy and hysterical grumpy sunshine romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow.Trust me, I'm not falling for a human porcupine.I don't do older men with baggage a mile long.Billionaires? Nope, I'm Miss Independence, thank you very much... -
![Strictly Pretend by Carrie Elks]()
Strictly Pretend by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsA knight in shining armor? Hardly. More like my worst enemy wrapped in a swoon-worthy tux… When Brooks Salinger saves me from heartbreak at a wedding, I never expect to see him again—let alone find him back in my life, set to destroy my family’s bookstore.But when he offers me a wild deal—pretend to be his girlfriend at a ritzy wedding in exchange for saving the store—I reluctantly agree...Categorized as:
from hate to love grumpy sunshine forced proximity contemporary humor length-medium audiobook -
![Hauling Ashe by L.B. Dunbar]()
Hauling Ashe by L.B. Dunbar
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsLife might be a highway but the last thing this grumpy silver fox expected was a cross-country road trip with a ray of sunshine."My sister is driving to California. She could give you a ride.""What?" Tucker Ashe and I say in unison.Mae FoxSurely, my older sister has lost her mind. There is no way I'm driving her insufferable – albeit sexy silver fox – boss two thousand miles... -
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![To Have and To Hold: Arranged marriage stand-alone by Aleatha Romig]()
To Have and To Hold: Arranged marriage stand-alone by Aleatha Romig
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsArranged marriage, age-gap, forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, Romeo and Juliet vibes, family saga, Mafia/cartel romance, Slow burn, Redemption, Morally gray hero, dangerous romanceThe Roríguez cartel is spinning out of control, tragedy putting the alliance and our future in question... -
![Protector of Misty Mountain: An ex-military, age gap, mountain man romance by Eve London]()
Protector of Misty Mountain: An ex-military, age gap, mountain man romance by Eve London
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsShe walked into my world like she belongs here… but I don’t let people stay.JuniperThe mountains were supposed to be my escape—a place to rebuild, to breathe, to prove to myself that I could make it on my own. But from the moment I set foot in Misty Mountain, one mountain man has made it his mission to send me packing. Griffin Calloway...Categorized as:
age difference grumpy sunshine forced proximity contemporary military length-novella -
![The CEO I Hate by Leslie North]()
The CEO I Hate by Leslie North
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Hating Game meets a much hotter Morning Glory—if the grumpy media exec was her brother’s best friend, and this time they actually kissed.Liam Lockhart is my brother’s best friend, a decade older, and the kind of mistake I swore I’d never make twice.Two years ago, we kissed—hard, hot, unforgettable—until he shoved me away like I was a mistake he couldn’t afford. Message received... -
![Bodyguard by Night by Taryn Quinn]()
Bodyguard by Night by Taryn Quinn
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsProtecting my best friend's new sister-in-law Willow from a fan who wants to get a little too close is a no-brainer. Just requires me to do some checking around, to act as her shadow for a while, maybe even give her a place to stay so I can keep an eye on her—all so my best friend's small-town wedding to Willow's sister goes off without a hitch...Categorized as:
forced proximity alpha male age difference contemporary super rich hero length-long m-f -
![A Christmas Auction: A Marriage Auction Novella by Audrey Carlan]()
A Christmas Auction: A Marriage Auction Novella by Audrey Carlan
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFrom New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Audrey Carlan comes a new story in her Marriage Auction series…“’Tis the Season,” some people say, as if the month of December could somehow magically make the world a better place. Fat chance of that happening in Sin City.In my world, nothing is merry and bright. More like dark and dank...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine forced proximity from hate to love contemporary length-short audiobook -
![Chosen by the Mountain Man by Sadie King]()
Chosen by the Mountain Man by Sadie King
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsShe’s the nanny, half my age and off-limits. But my heart has chosen her, even if it breaks me…My military career ended when I became a widower.My daughter needed me, so I came back to Wild Heart Mountain determined to be a good father.Except I’m not. I’m too grumpy, too bitter, too broken.Until Caitlin walks through the door...Categorized as:
age difference single-father grumpy sunshine contemporary military length-novella audiobook -
![The Wild Card by Cassie-Ann L. Miller]()
The Wild Card by Cassie-Ann L. Miller
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt was supposed to be harmless. One fake date with a football player.Except Harry Westbrook is the exact opposite of harmless. My first mistake? Underestimating that boyish smile, those playful eyes, the charming words on those perfect lips. He claims to have a crush on me. But, as hot as he is, I'd bet he's scheduling booty calls like a dentist booking teeth cleanings... -
![Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart]()
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... -
![Between Hate and Desire by Brooke Fox, Brooke Montgomery]()
Between Hate and Desire by Brooke Fox, Brooke Montgomery
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI saw her first.Blonde. Gorgeous. Feisty.I was captivated.But it doesn’t matter because hours later, she walks out of my roommate’s bedroom half naked, and I know I’ve lost my chance.Now, we’re forced to live together and constantly bicker about everything. Though I purposely get under her skin, I can’t stop thinking about her in all the wrong ways... -
![Wild Child by Sadie King]()
Wild Child by Sadie King
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsShe's the Prez's daughter, off-limits and half my age...Wild Child is a forbidden love, steamy short romance featuring a ex-military biker and the curvy younger woman who's off limits... -
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![Stay Here With Me by Carrie Ann Ryan]()
Stay Here With Me by Carrie Ann Ryan
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe Wilder Brothers from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a secret romance that East and Lark never saw coming.The world thinks I only write songs about my ex-boyfriends.They study each lyric to point a finger at which man broke my heart—even if I’ve never met him.Only the man I refuse to write about is the one who is so tangled in my mind that I know I can never be with him... -
![Falling into Forever by Avery Maxwell]()
Falling into Forever by Avery Maxwell
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhat’s a brokenhearted romance novelist to do when an interview accidentally turns her into the villain? I’ll tell you one thing—the plan definitely wasn’t to turn to the man who taught me that happily ever afters exist only on the page...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine forced proximity from hate to love contemporary friends to lovers m-f -
![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... -
![Love After Duty: An Enemies to Lovers Romance by Amber Kelly]()
Love After Duty: An Enemies to Lovers Romance by Amber Kelly
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThis is Langford Tuttle's book. *Small town, Family Saga, Enemies to lovers...Categorized as:
single-father grumpy sunshine from hate to love alpha male contemporary christian insta-love angst -
![The Parkers' Fall In Love Box Set by Ali Parker, Weston Parker]()
The Parkers' Fall In Love Box Set by Ali Parker, Weston Parker
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFive Parker-Family Books for your reading pleasure!Need You NowThe most beautiful girl in the world, and she’s fiery mad at me.It’s not really my fault. I’m a reporter. Digging up stories is my job.Never in a million years did I expect my latest piece to create an enemy out of the one woman I’d give anything to date... -
![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... -
![Irish Rebel by L.K. Shaw]()
Irish Rebel by L.K. Shaw
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCaitlínAfter finally convincing my over-protective family to let me visit my uncle in Dublin, I know this may be my only chance to experience everything I’ve always wanted: Adventure. Excitement. Freedom.Until I’m introduced to the man assigned to be my bodyguard. With his silver-flecked hair and wicked scar, Roarke radiates power and danger. Everything I’m drawn to...Categorized as:
forced proximity age difference from hate to love alpha male mafia contemporary suspense humor -
![Heartache & Playdates by Shawna Renae]()
Heartache & Playdates by Shawna Renae
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“Love isn’t like milk. It has no expiration date.” ~ Nonna RussoMaddox CruzSingle dad. Tech billionaire. Genius. That is what people saw when they looked at me. Those adjectives might all be true, but inside I was still a kid who grew up in the system and was raised by the streets. Which was why I had no plans to attend my 20 year high school reunion...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine single-father alpha male contemporary humor super rich hero length-medium -
![The Rogue by Roxanne Tully]()
The Rogue by Roxanne Tully
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJOB SEARCH - Hideaway Springs, CO 1 result. Single dad rancher seeking live-in nanny for 9-year-old boy. Must have experience, playful and not looking for a real-life love story. (6 wks only - don't apply if looking for long-term.) Hitting refresh ten times on my search doesn’t help. There cannot be only one job in Hideaway Springs... -
![Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil]()
Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt was supposed to be a quick meeting.I’ve been trying to break into acting for years, and now I’m FINALLY up for a lead role in a romcom movie. It’s a huge step up from barista #3, especially considering who’s supposed to play my love interest—Adam Stone...Categorized as:
forced proximity grumpy sunshine from hate to love contemporary humor length-medium audiobook -
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![Invisible Burdens by Jillian D. Wray]()
Invisible Burdens by Jillian D. Wray
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNoah Kinkaid thought going on tour would ease the pressure in his chest, but nothing prepared him for this. As much as he wants to enjoy his band’s new fame, he feels as though he’s losing more control every day.Between the demands on his time, his loss of anonymity, and trying to be everything for everyone – the fans, their label, his bandmates - he can’t even hear the music anymore . . -
![Finally Found You by Claudia Y. Burgoa]()
Finally Found You by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa comes, a new secret baby forbidden love romance, featuring a broody billionaire and a much younger sassy heroine he never saw coming. Being the single guardian for my fifteen-year-old cousin isn’t as easy as you’d think, especially when she runs away to find the dad, who has no idea she exists... -
![Love...It's Wild by Jeannine Colette]()
Love...It's Wild by Jeannine Colette
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsFalling in love has never been this wild… I’m a woman who knows my own worth. And more than anything, I deserve love. Wild, passionate, all-consuming love. What I did not deserve was being forced to hang around my small town to watch the jerk who left me at the alter fawn over his new wife. Instead, I ran. Right into him. Robert Bronson is my friend’s grumpy brother-in-law... -
![Cain by Alex Wolf, Sloane Howell]()
Cain by Alex Wolf, Sloane Howell
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsCain Reardon cares about one thing—expanding his law firm into an empire.He’s a fanatic about discipline and never makes decisions based on emotion.That is, until Marissa Wilson, the new intern from his alma mater, walks through the front door.She’s feisty, hard-headed, and ambitious.He’s never had feelings like this.She drives him insane and makes him want to protect her... -
![Big Grumpy Fireman by Cassi Hart]()
Big Grumpy Fireman by Cassi Hart
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCamilla: All I wanted was a traditional Thanksgiving celebration with my family. What I got was a near-death experience. But I can’t say I regret what happened, not when it reunited me with the only man I ever loved . . . and lost. After Damian disappeared without a word seven years ago, my naïve heart never stopped hoping I’d someday find him again... -
![The Fall of Us by Kennedy Fox]()
The Fall of Us by Kennedy Fox
What happens when you travel across the country for your dream job and end up sharing a bed with an older man who volunteers you to be his fake girlfriend? You hope you don’t fall in love when it’s time to say goodbye. The Fall of us is an age gap, fake dating, close proximity romance... -
![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... -
![Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date by Lilian Monroe]()
Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date by Lilian Monroe
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsFrom the author of Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge comes a deliciously witty and lighthearted romance brimming with misadventures, misdeeds, misunderstandings…and one perfectly mismatched couple.A notorious rule follower, the old Daphne Davis could do no wrong. But lately she can’t get anything right...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine from hate to love forced proximity contemporary humor office audiobook -
![Big, Bossy Surprise by Lilian Monroe]()
Big, Bossy Surprise by Lilian Monroe
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsBonnie Delmar should be grateful for her new job.And she is! Being a nanny to a billionaire is a good gig. She’s more than grateful for the opportunity to work for Arlo Noble…until she meets himThat broad-chested, dark-haired, dark-eyed hunk?Yeah…she slept with him. Awkward.But the worst part?Judging by the blank look on his face, their mind-blowing night didn’t register as a blip on Arlo's radar... -
![Just This Once by Sophie Andrews]()
Just This Once by Sophie Andrews
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’m a single mom trying to keep my head above water. He’s the one night stand I was never supposed to see again.As a divorced parent of two teenagers and the manager of a bed and breakfast about to undergo a major renovation, I don’t have time for a relationship.But when a charming, younger guy approaches me during a night out, I give in to the desire to relieve some stress and invite him home... -
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![Love Without Numbers by Jade Dollston]()
Love Without Numbers by Jade Dollston
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsGiannaI hate my dad’s boss.I’d never actually met Auburn Bouvier, but I despised him on principle. He was a cold, demanding dictator who made his employees miserable.When I moved to New York City, it was inevitable that I would run into the head of the Bouvier fashion empire while visiting my dad at his office, and when I did, the man was nothing like I expected.He was worse... -
![Making His Move by Matilda Martel]()
Making His Move by Matilda Martel
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsFord doesn’t have time for love.He's been on his own since childhood and fought for everything he’s ever had. The foster care system taught him to be ruthless. The military taught him discipline. It took twenty years of scrimping and saving, good and bad investments, and trial and error to climb the ladder of success and finally sit on his laurels.But that’s not his style... -
![The Way You Shine by Amelia Chasen]()
The Way You Shine by Amelia Chasen
DelaneyBecoming the nanny for Cole, the older single dad, who's as grumpy as he is quiet–was a curveball I never saw coming.After leaving a toxic relationship, quitting my mundane accounting job, and living in my car, the cautious Cole Campbell helps me get back on my feet.He gives me a job, a room in his countryside home, and a sense of security I’ve never once had in my chaotic life... -
![It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard by Christina Hovland]()
It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard by Christina Hovland
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Christina Hovland comes a single parent, #DateMyCelebrityDad, forced proximity romance. Divorce her Beverly Hills check. Set the neighborhood dumpster on fire with her nightstand buddy… check. Her hunky celebrity chef neighbor rushes to her aid? Sigh. Check mate... -
![Legal Tender by Shae Sanders]()
Legal Tender by Shae Sanders
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNakima Bridges thought sending her twin sons off to college would be the start of a new, exciting life. She's forty, single, and ready to mingle. Except she's not mingling at all. She's always working, especially now. All anyone at Billingsley-Davis can talk about is the two employees who made a sex tape, and as an HR manager, she's been tasked with figuring out how to handle this powder keg... -
![My Ex's Dad is Coming to Town by Eve London]()
My Ex's Dad is Coming to Town by Eve London
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSometimes, love finds you in the most unexpected places... like in the arms of your ex’s dad.WinterThis Christmas was supposed to be about getting away from the mess I left behind, not cozying up to the grumpiest man I’ve ever met—who also happens to be my ex’s father. But Cole’s steady presence and the way he sees past my defenses make me feel safe in a way I never thought possible...Categorized as:
age difference grumpy sunshine forced proximity christmas contemporary length-novella
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