Books like 'The Ruse of Romancing'
Readers who enjoyed The Ruse of Romancing by Hillary Slaughter also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny m-f from hate to love forced proximity small town shy heroine independent heroine
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Where It All Began by Lucy Score
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsAvailable only through Lucy's newsletter, this free book is the prequel to the popular Blue Moon series and is set in 1985. John Pierce has plans for these two hundred rundown acres. He sees a farm, a family, a future. He’s not about to drag someone in on the ground floor, not before he’s put in the work to turn rubble into home... -
![A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge by Jessica Redland]()
A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge by Jessica Redland
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsCould one chance meeting change your life forever? Zara is at a crossroads in life. While she adores her job as a producer's assistant working on hit TV shows, travelling around the country means she doesn't truly feel that she has a home. With a fractured relationship with her family and unrequited love weighing heavily on her heart, she is torn about what her next step in life should be. . -
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![I Can't Even by Lani Lynn Vale]()
I Can't Even by Lani Lynn Vale
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsEllodie Cassandra Solaire made a single, solitary New Year’s resolution. That resolution was set in stone, and she wouldn’t be breaking it, no matter what. It was simple: Say yes to every person who asks her out on a date until she finds a boyfriend. Easy, right? Wrong. She breaks that New Year’s resolution three months into the year after a guy gives her serial killer vibes...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love m-f suspense contemporary military humor length-medium -
![The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown]()
The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWhen Lady Luck deals her a roadside diner in small-town Texas, a professional poker player discovers home may be the best win of all in this heartfelt romance by. New York Times. bestselling author Carolyn Brown... -
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![Blame It On The Bikini by Barbara Freethy]()
Blame It On The Bikini by Barbara Freethy
"I cannot wait for more of this series, I want everybody’s backstory and everybody’s happy ever after. And if there’s an empty apartment at Ocean Shores, it’s mine! ! " Robin - Goodreads. She traded courtrooms for camera clicks. He traded affection for acquisition... -
![The Fine Art of Faking It by Lucy Score]()
The Fine Art of Faking It by Lucy Score
Davis Gates. Naked. Tossing her a handful of orgasms like he was on a lust-themed parade float. A fifty-year feud. One failed smoke bomb matchmaking scheme. Two enemies turned fake lovers. For the past fifteen years, Eden has worked her ass off to overcome high school. She’s cornered the tourism market in Blue Moon offering visitors a place to stay in her hippie, dippy hometown... -
![Wedding at Sea by Melissa Tagg]()
Wedding at Sea by Melissa Tagg
Rated: 4.72 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsLilian doesn’t remember anything about her life before the day Maggie Muir found her on her front porch—a toddler, abandoned and alone. And maybe that’s okay. She has a beautiful life at Muir Farm, including an adopted family she adores and a successful career as a lawyer. But she also has a secret . . . one that raises just as many questions about her future as it does her unknown past... -
![The Potter's House by Hannah Ellis]()
The Potter's House by Hannah Ellis
Rated: 4.66 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSometimes facing up to the past is the only way to create a better future…. Since the tragic death of his father, Lowen Treneary has kept to himself in his pottery studio on the remote island of Bryher. His quiet life is just the way he likes it. Until Pippa comes along. The local café owner plunges his peaceful existence into chaos and brightens his days while she’s at it... -
![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:
small town forced proximity m-f friends to lovers contemporary humor christian audiobook -
![Riverbend Reunion by Carolyn Brown]()
Riverbend Reunion by Carolyn Brown
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsBack home is the best place to start over in a heart-stirring Texas romance about friendship, second chances, and small-town scandals by New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown. Riverbend, Texas, doesn’t look like the crossroads of anywhere. But for four high school besties reuniting after twenty years, it’s a place to unpack a lot of baggage... -
![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. So why can't he stay away? Knox and Fiona's story! Finally! -
![Flaunt by Adriana Locke]()
Flaunt by Adriana Locke
Looking for a Fake Fiancé. Have 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... -
![Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil]()
Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 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 from hate to love contemporary grumpy sunshine humor length-medium audiobook -
![The Village of Happy Ever Afters by Alison Sherlock]()
The Village of Happy Ever Afters by Alison Sherlock
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsMolly Hopkins has happily watched all of her friends’ dreams come true on Riverside Lane. Deciding to follow her passion for baking, Molly with the help of her friends takes the plunge and opens a Tea Garden in the village hoping to make it a summer to remember! Meanwhile, after a rather public end of his marriage, Logan Armstrong trusts no one but his beloved Grandad... -
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![One Enchanted Moment by Sarah Morgan]()
One Enchanted Moment by Sarah Morgan
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsUSA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan will sweep you away with her Puffin Island series! Life has just thrown Skylar Tempest a serious curveball. So she’s returned home to Puffin Island to regroup among friends. Unfortunately, that means seeing Alec Hunter, who’s become a big-deal TV historian. Sky’s never liked the cynical Alec, and the feeling was mutual. But maybe that was then... -
![Knockout by Jessica Prince]()
Knockout by Jessica Prince
It wasn’t fair that the man I hated with a passion was so freaking gorgeous. Things in Layla Fox’s life were going great. She had a fantastic job, amazing friends, and a killer apartment. There was just one tiny glitch in all that perfect. Her upstairs neighbor was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome . . . and she hated the man with every cell in her body...Categorized as:
from hate to love m-f small town independent heroine forced proximity alpha male contemporary humor -
![Flipping Love You by Erin Nicholas]()
Flipping Love You by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsHe’s the tattooed bad boy her mama warned her about. She’s his hot mess — but mostly hot — next door neighbor. Until a two-night-stand gives them the surprise of a lifetime. .. Jillian Morris is a workaholic who forgets to watch the time. And to eat. And to change her shoes. And to keep even a house-plant alive. And to have any kind of a personal life...Categorized as:
small town independent heroine m-f contemporary humor age difference insta-love pregnancy -
![Greek Secret by Francesca Catlow]()
Greek Secret by Francesca Catlow
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsSet on the sun-drenched island of Corfu, Greek Secret is the perfect romantic getaway for fans of Karen Swan, Kate Frost and Paige Toon. When Ruby arrives in Corfu, she’s greeted by a sparkling sea, hot sand and a new future... -
![The New Doctor at Peony Practice by Christie Barlow]()
The New Doctor at Peony Practice by Christie Barlow
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPreorder the next book in the heartwarming and bestselling Love Heart Lane series. Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what. All’s fair in love and…medicine? Dr Katie O’Neil has only been in Heartcross a few hours when she finds herself already ruffling feathers – not least with medical school nemesis and new colleague Ben Sanders...Categorized as:
small town forced proximity from hate to love m-f humor suspense contemporary length-medium -
![Home on a Yorkshire Farm by Jane Lovering]()
Home on a Yorkshire Farm by Jane Lovering
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsNeeding an escape, Dora swapped city living for life as a shepherdess on her grandad’s Yorkshire farm. More than a decade later Dora is still there, now farming the fifty acres and caring for the one hundred rare sheep by herself. She never hears the call of the city, but instead relishes the peace and simplicity of life on the Moors... -
![Neighbor from Hell: Collection Part I by R.L. Mathewson]()
Neighbor from Hell: Collection Part I by R.L. Mathewson
The New York Times Best Selling Series. .. . The collection of the first four Neighbor from Hell Novels: Playing for Keeps, Perfection, Checkmate and Truce. Playing for Keeps:. Done with being the world's biggest pushover, Haley decides that things are going to start changing... -
![Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood]()
Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood
The companion novel to Laura Wood’s Under Your Spell follows Theo Eliott’s best friend Cynthie Taylor as she’s pulled back into a fake PR relationship with Jack Turner-Jones, the one costar she swore she’d never work with again. When Cynthie Taylor gets her first real acting job, starring in a small British movie, she is over the moon...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity m-f contemporary humor slow burn length-medium actors -
![Beachside Kisses With My Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Kristin Canary]()
Beachside Kisses With My Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Kristin Canary
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn the charming town of Hallmark Beach, love’s a food fight when old flames ignite and rivalries simmer. Things were sailing smoothly in my little slice of paradise until Blake “the Flake” Moffitt waltzed back into town, looking far too handsome for his own good—and mine. Once upon a time, I was hopelessly in love with my best friend's brother, but that fairytale is history... -
![Over & Out by Claire Wilder]()
Over & Out by Claire Wilder
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIntroducing a brand new enemies to lovers romance from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claire Wilder! Three months ago, a dirt bike accident stole my confidence, my beloved ride, and the one thing that made me feel alive. Now I’m going through the motions in my coastal tourist town, totally adrift… and trying not to think about the stranger who pulled me from the wreckage...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity m-f small town office humor length-medium contemporary -
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![The Maverick of the Mountain by Tessa Klein]()
The Maverick of the Mountain by Tessa Klein
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsHe’s big. He’s bearded. AND HE HAS A CHAINSAW! ? You Only Live Once. .. My temporary tattoo feels more like a prescient warning than a gentle reminder after I nearly careen off an old mountain road during the worst storm I’ve ever encountered. I should’ve stayed in town. I should’ve thrown out the hand-drawn map the local gave me... -
![Book and Ladder by Savannah Scott]()
Book and Ladder by Savannah Scott
My nemesis is about to ruin my life. Is Patrick O’Connell gorgeous? Unfortunately, yes. Jet-black hair, smoldering eyes, and those muscles I accidentally saw when my friends dragged me to spy on the fireman calendar photo shoot. Is Patrick O’Connell also the bane of my existence? Absolutely. He wrecked my dream years ago, and I’ll never forget what he—and his family—took from me...Categorized as:
m-f from hate to love forced proximity small town humor length-medium glimpses-kisses contemporary -
![Mine To Cherish by Natasha Madison]()
Mine To Cherish by Natasha Madison
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsThings are supposed to go smoothly on your wedding day. Aren't they? Clarabella. Did I want to get married today? It's hard to say when he proposed in front of over a hundred people. Everything happened so fast, and I thought it was just nerves. It was not. The knock on the door showed me that what I was feeling was more than just cold feet. I was a runaway bride. Luke... -
![Charity Case: The Complete Series by Piper Rayne]()
Charity Case: The Complete Series by Piper Rayne
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThese three women are the toughest juries they’ll ever have to plead their case to. THIS BOX SET INCLUDES…. Clean Slate (Charity Case #0. 5). Moving two thousand miles away wasn’t my plan, but when family needs you, you come. Before I can head back to my hometown of Chicago though, I have two men to say good-bye to. Neither one of them will be happy to hear the news... -
![Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs by Dana LeCheminant]()
Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs by Dana LeCheminant
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHigh school teacher Brooklyn Briggs has always been great with chemistry but terrible with relationships. When a guy drops into her life—literally—and offers to coach her into getting a date with her longtime crush, she's willing to accept any help she can get. Even if her new flirting coach is her brother Houston's best friend, the guy who drove her crazy all throughout high school...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love m-f contemporary siblings-bff dual-pov multicultural humor -
![Undeniable Temptation by Eden Summers]()
Undeniable Temptation by Eden Summers
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHaunted by a kiss. With his destructive marriage behind him, Ryan Bennett can no longer deny his insatiable attraction to the one woman in control of his future. He needs her. Craves her. She’s the only glimpse of happiness through the building drama in his life and yet one drunken kiss has pushed her further away. Tormented by what’s at stake... -
![That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss by Julie Christianson]()
That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss by Julie Christianson
My dream job just got snapped up by the one man who rejected me…. That’s right. I’m an unemployed twenty-something stuck sleeping on my grandmother’s old futon while Hudson Blaine, the guy who shot me down, gets to manage The Beachfront Inn. Talk about life being unfair. I’m about to flee town with what’s left of my pride when Mr. Rejection begs me to stay... -
![Show Me Forever by Layla Hagen]()
Show Me Forever by Layla Hagen
I 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... -
![The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter]()
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter
She daydreams of whipping up sauces and souffles in her own restaurant. His heart is set on helping foster children. Both dreams are at stake. So are their hearts. With grand plans to open her own bed & breakfast in Chapel Springs, PJ McKinley can't afford the most crucial part: the brick and mortar...Categorized as:
m-f from hate to love forced proximity contemporary christian christmas length-medium new adult -
![Home Is Where You Park It by Marika Ray]()
Home Is Where You Park It by Marika Ray
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’s a giant of a man who grunts for words and barks out orders, yet circumstances require I be his fake girlfriend and spend the weekend with him in an isolated cabin. And of course there’s only one bed. Just my luck…But I need this commission check that only Boston can guarantee me...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love small town m-f grumpy sunshine contemporary humor military -
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![Can't Take The Heat? by Hailey Shore]()
Can't Take The Heat? by Hailey Shore
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsOMG. It's him! TV celebrity chef Antony Renard! And he wants my food truck falafels? Hard pass. I've spent my whole life being judged by my dad. I don't need another bossy/grumpy chef meddling in my food. What's he doing in Calico Cove anyway? Oh, I bet he's hiding out because of that viral video of him losing his cool at his fancy Michelin-starred restaurant. Talk about needing a timeout... -
![You're Mine: A grumpy sunshine spicy romance by Melody Anne]()
You're Mine: A grumpy sunshine spicy romance by Melody Anne
Rated: 4.80 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsCallan is a man always in control. Sasha is a woman with no plan. Will the two of them destroy each other, or will they go up in flames? Callan is the next brother in the game of boxes to open his so-called gift. He’s being sent to the small town of Seaville. What does this mean? He has no idea... -
![Espresso Your Love (The Coffee Loft: Fall Collection) by Bella Greene]()
Espresso Your Love (The Coffee Loft: Fall Collection) by Bella Greene
Welcome back to The Coffee Loft, where a new round of stories has been brewed especially for you. Those of you stopping by to visit again, we’ve missed you. The feeling of home is the same that you loved before. If it’s your first time, prepare to be swept off your feet. While our menu hasn’t changed, we think you’ll be pleased with the fall favorites we’ve added... -
![Men or Paws by Rich Amooi]()
Men or Paws by Rich Amooi
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWatch a dog for three weeks, get fifteen thousand dollars. Piece of cake, right? Wrong. First, I have to stay in my client’s guesthouse while he’s in the main house working on an important project. That may not sound so bad, but HE is Hollywood’s Bad Boy, Rocco Romano, voted “Sexiest Man Alive. ”. The guy could charm the pants off a mannequin. Luckily he’s not my type. Seriously...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity humor contemporary length-long standalone standalone-first -
![Sand Dollar Lane by Sheila Roberts]()
Sand Dollar Lane by Sheila Roberts
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsUSA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts will have readers laughing and swooning in turn as two rival business owners compete for the homes and hearts of Moonlight Harbor. Brody Green is finding it hard to recover after being dumped by his fiancée, Jenna Jones, then watching her walk down the aisle with someone else... -
![A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot]()
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... -
![The Wedding Jinx by Becky Monson]()
The Wedding Jinx by Becky Monson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA a person or thing that brings bad luck. I'm Mila Banks, the ultimate jinx. Not just in theory—I've got a track record. Seven weddings, seven disasters. Everything from a groom with a concussion to an attack of red ants (a long story) has happened because of me. So, when my bestie, Nadia, insists on making me her maid of honor, I can't help but try to find a way out of it... -
![Crashing Into You by Melanie Shawn]()
Crashing Into You by Melanie Shawn
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsKennedy Dawes knew her perfect partner was out there…but she was beginning to wonder if he was playing hide and seek in camouflage in the woods because she sure as hell couldn’t find him... -
![The Christmas Dilemma by Sarah Vance-Tompkins]()
The Christmas Dilemma by Sarah Vance-Tompkins
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSkipping Christmas is easy. But it’s impossible to deny your heart… Eli Adair is the first call whenever his family and friends need a hand. But this Christmas, he has no obligations, so he’s taking a break from the stress of big family celebrations. No presents under the tree. No stockings by the fireplace. No twinkling lights. All he wants is to be home alone at Hillcrest House... -
![Set My Heart Bonfire by Marika Ray]()
Set My Heart Bonfire by Marika Ray
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe's a dashing millionaire who thinks everything in life is one big joke, probably because he bathes in piles of money each morning. He’s also my new neighbor, and after a humiliating experience in the cemetery that is my backyard, he becomes my shadow, showing up everywhere just to annoy me. I’m not a fan of happy people...Categorized as:
from hate to love small town m-f contemporary grumpy sunshine super rich hero humor length-medium -
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![Save the Drama for Your Mama by Rich Amooi]()
Save the Drama for Your Mama by Rich Amooi
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsForget meet-cute. This is a meet-disaster. Melody. Cooper Galloway was my bookstore crush for all of five minutes. Then he opened his mouth and ruined my fantasy. Things go from bad to worse when I arrive for my new job and HE greets me at the door... -
![Complex by Kortney Keisel]()
Complex by Kortney Keisel
Tiny Little Lie #1: I want the new resort in Turks and Caicos to open on schedule. Tiny Little Lie #2:I'm not falling for Luke McKenna. Unfortunately, those tiny little lies snowballed into something bigger. Much bigger. Now I'm stuck. It sounds bad. But I'm not a bad person. I'm doing the right thing. .. I think. I'm telling myself I'm a superhero in heels, saving people I care about...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love m-f contemporary humor clean length-medium audiobook -
![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...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love m-f humor contemporary grumpy sunshine dual-pov new adult -
![Flowers and Financiers by Alina Jacobs]()
Flowers and Financiers by Alina Jacobs
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsIn my defense, I never claimed to be professional. .. At least that’s my excuse for why I mistook a billionaire for a waiter, made off-color comments and accidentally dumped a plate of food all over him. Embarrassing myself is a daily occurrence, just like my unpaid bill notices. But being in a wedding instead of planning one is not...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity m-f contemporary super rich hero humor grumpy sunshine suspense -
![Opposites Attract by Jessica Prince]()
Opposites Attract by Jessica Prince
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsDelilah Northcutt has been described as weird, nerdy. But her favorite term is quirky. The eccentric flower shop owner definitely marches to the beat of her own drum. On the rebound from a cheating ex, she’s not looking to open her heart to someone else any time soon...Categorized as:
independent heroine m-f humor contemporary length-novella standalone standalone-first -
![Gone Country by Hunter Snow]()
Gone Country by Hunter Snow
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsTwo worlds. One accidental hit song. The stage is set for the ultimate showdown. Jamie Keaton is a rock star with a reputation as fiery as her songs. Clayton Langley is a country singer who epitomizes Southern charm...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love dual-pov contemporary single-father humor length-long
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