Category: Contemporary Romance

Anywhere But Here by Madeleine Jaimes

Posted July 22, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Owned, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Suspense, Women's Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction / 2 Comments

When women become too powerful, sometimes the past comes looking for revenge.

Willow Harper built an empire on women’s choice. Her sister, Wren, made certain no one could take it from them.

For years, the twin sisters operated in the shadows of power—among the secrets, scandals, and indiscretions of influential men—quietly controlling the narrative from behind the scenes.

Then the past came looking for retribution.

And the sisters are forced to run.

Wren and Willow disappear without warning, fleeing in opposite directions. From the Badlands of South Dakota to the secluded shores of Bermuda, the sisters must uncover the truth behind a decades-old act of revenge, a buried family secret, and the mother who abandoned them years earlier.

Titles in the Tuckaway Bay series include: Beach Therapy ~ The Space Inbetween ~ The Christmas Storm ~ The Me I Left Behind ~ I Wish You Love ~ Anywhere But Here ~ Before I Fell (For You) ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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A Nantucket Fling by Kathryn Freeman

Posted July 16, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, NetGalley, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Standalone / 0 Comments

Olivia is a fiercely independent woman climbing the ladder of corporate finance. But when her family demands she take time off to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket, she reluctantly agrees.

On the island, she catches the eye of Connor: a handsome, cocky, playboy type—also ten years her junior. Olivia’s sisters egg her on, encouraging a summer fling, but she’s more interested in catching up on her finance reading. Except…he’s funny and sexy, and doing her ego a world of good.

Connor might come across as a playboy because he was one, eight years ago. That all stopped when he became a dad and found himself raising his daughter single-handedly. But this summer, she’s with her grandparents for a month while he’s in Nantucket, working in a restaurant with the hopes of opening his own one day. His time on the island also provides a rare opportunity: to forget the struggles of being a single dad and become the carefree guy he used to be, who very much enjoyed flirting with the opposite sex. Especially when they’re cool, classy, probably older than him, and most definitely out of his league.

As their attraction steadily grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax her tightly held control and indulge in the fling she won’t admit she needs. But too soon, the holiday is over, and they’re back home, living two very different lives. When Connor’s presented with an opportunity to see Olivia again, he leaps at it, but this time it’s different. He’s no longer a charming young playboy but a struggling single dad. A relationship, a family, is not what Olivia wants.

And yet, neither can ignore the intense chemistry that didn’t go away after the summer. Are they just a Nantucket fling… or something much more?

~Standalone Title~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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The Lake House by Lori Foster

Posted July 15, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Kensington Books, NetGalley, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Suspense, Women's Romance Fiction / 0 Comments

When Pixie Nolan first came to Bramble, Kentucky, the abandoned and desperate young single mother found hope, healing, and a fresh start. With the loving support of her best friends—Marlow Heddings and her handsome Marine husband, Cort—Pixie is now happily raising her toddler son in a cozy cottage, managing Marlow’s thriving boutique, and designing firefly logo T-shirts that are selling like hotcakes. The past is behind her, and life is good.

She never expected to make an electrifying connection with a summer renter, a retired Navy SEAL with his own complicated past…

A rugged warrior with scars both seen and unseen, Brogan Rafferty arrives with an adorable baby girl in tow and settles into the lake house next door. And while he’s a stunning addition to the gorgeous scenery, it’s his caring devotion that captures Pixie’s heart—the way he gently snuggles away the precious infant’s cries, or swoops Pixie’s delighted little boy high in the air with his tattooed, muscular arms.

But it’s no coincidence that Brogan has found Pixie, and his startling revelations make it clear she’s the key to healing old regrets and building new dreams. And when a hostile stranger turns up with shocking accusations against Bramble’s new hometown hero, Pixie must put her own fears and heartbreak away for good—and learn what it truly means to trust.

Titles in the Firefly Summer series include:  The Guest Cottage ~ The Lake House ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster

Posted July 5, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Kensington Books, Kindle Unlimited, NetGalley, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Suspense / 0 Comments

Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.

Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.

Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.

To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.

Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship… and even a second chance at love.

Titles in the Firefly Summer series include:  The Guest Cottage ~ The Lake House ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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Italian Devil’s Baby by Heidi Rice

Posted June 30, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Series, Series/Duet, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Kidnapped by the mafia king… for his heir!

Ever-responsible Mia wants one night of unadulterated pleasure, and sinfully attractive Vittorio Rocco readily delivers. Yet, in the Italian’s world, desire is quickly overshadowed by danger…

As gunfire rains down on Vittorio’s estate, he orders Mia’s departure. But dancing with the devil has consequences—she’s pregnant!

Mafia boss Vittorio’s lethal empire was built on control. Upon discovering Mia carries his child, he kidnaps her without hesitation. It will ensure her safety—and submission.

Except hiding her away doesn’t diminish her defiance. Instead, it only reignites the reckless inferno of attraction between them…

Titles in the Captive Mafia Seductions series include: ~ Italian Devil’s Baby ~ Kidnapped by the Devil ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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Last Man Standing by Jill Sorenson

Posted June 22, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Vanessa Nava returns to her Texas hometown as a newly divorced single mom, determined to give her imaginative four-year-old daughter a magical summer. But the serene lakeside cabin she rented? Double-booked. The current occupant is the hottest, grumpiest handyman she’s ever met—claiming it’s under construction and strictly off-limits.

Paul McPherson, a Houston native recovering from a gunshot wound, has retreated to Lost Lake to hide and heal in peace. He won’t share his safe haven with anyone—especially not the sheriff’s daughter and her bubbly little girl. Vanessa is stunning, stubborn, and way too tempting for a man with secrets.

Vanessa paid up front and refuses to leave. She sets up camp on his doorstep, transforming mishap into lake days filled with laughter, lemonade stands, and hot summer nights—sending Paul’s buried protective instincts into overdrive.

Texas heat ignites a scorching affair neither saw coming. But when danger closes in, and Paul’s cover is blown, Vanessa must decide: walk away from the summer fling… or fight for a love that could last forever?

Titles in the His to Protect series include: Cowboy’s Last Stand ~ Sheriff’s Honor ~ Last Man Standing ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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Five Star Summer by Sarah Morgan

Posted June 21, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Trade, Harlequin/MIRA, NetGalley, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Standalone / 0 Comments

Running a five-star Cornish hotel should have been Evie Hamilton’s dream job. But restoring it to its former glory will take a miracle. All Evie has is grit and a hoard of unruly staff who love to speculate about her love life. She needs backup, and fast.

Enter Abby Jones. Parachuted in by the hotel’s umbrella company for the summer, Abby thinks Evie could be the best friend she never had. But Abby has her own agenda for being in Cornwall. If her real motives are uncovered, their friendship is going to melt away faster than an ice cream in the summer sun.

Yet Abby’s arrival starts a chain reaction. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. But it’s not just the hotel’s five-star reputation that needs rebuilding – Evie and Abby will also have to brave tearing down their lives in order to reshape their futures…

~Standalone~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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Rainy Day Meet Cute by Debbie Macomber

Posted June 20, 2026 by Marsha in Closed Doors/ Fade to Black, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin/MIRA, NetGalley, No Spice Romance, Previously Published, Small Town Romance, Standalone / 0 Comments

Love ‘N’ Marriage: A young woman discovers that sometimes love’s right there in front of you in this workplace romance.

As Stephanie Coulter discovers, sometimes you find it in the most ordinary places―and what could be more ordinary than the office? Stephanie, who works as an assistant at Lockwood Industries in Minneapolis, is temporarily assigned to the boss – Jonas Lockwood himself. Jonas lives up to (or down to!) his reputation as a tyrant, dictator, and grouch.

But Stephanie’s colleagues, romance readers all, decide that he’s really the classic lonely hero. What he needs, they say, is Love ’n’ Marriage. And the woman they have in mind for him is…Stephanie.

Jury of His Peers: Two childhood rivals reconnect during jury duty—and are forced to navigate their complex feelings for one another.

Caroline Lomax is eager to exercise her civic duty and report for jury duty. However, when she sees a familiar face on her first day, she is near certain that she has come face to face with Ted Thomasson, the thorn in her side throughout high school—and the last person she’d want as a fellow juror.

Ted still seems to relish making Caroline squirm, but he shocks Caroline when he declares that he’s always harbored feelings for her. Just as she attempts to make sense of it all, they’re both selected for the same case . . . and as things intensify in and out of the courtroom, it becomes clear that Caroline has an enormous decision to make.

~Standalone~2-in-1 novel~

This is a no-spice romance, perhaps with closed-door or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved.

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The Rainy Day Bookshop by RaeAnne Thayne

Posted June 19, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Trade, Harlequin/MIRA, NetGalley, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Women's Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction / 0 Comments

Life is full of plot twists…

Sandwiched between caring for her mother and rebuilding the relationship with her estranged daughter, Emma, Rosie Lucas’s life is full. In the best way. With Emma and her 3-year-old daughter, Olive, back home, Rosie has a partner for The Rainy Day Bookshop, the family business, and a chance to fix the past.

What she doesn’t have time for is a romantic relationship. And even if she did, Andrew Morgan is the last person she’d choose. Not only is he an arrogant and reclusive writer, but he’s a single dad with two young kids. She’s already been there, done that. Still, as an irresistible flirtation builds between them, he becomes her unexpected confidante on the distance Rosie can’t seem to overcome with Emma, a secret she can’t quite unravel…

Emma isn’t proud of her past. But she’s pulled herself up by the bootstraps, caring for her own daughter, and protecting her mom at all costs. Just as she always has. She never told Rosie what she saw all those years ago, and she never will. But some secrets refuse to stay buried, and sometimes the truth is more shocking than fiction. Rosie and Emma will have to navigate an unimaginable path forward. Together.

~Standalone~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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The Husband’s Secret by Debra Webb

Posted June 18, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Intrigue, Mystery, NetGalley, Series, Suspense / 0 Comments

Her ex’s mysterious death …is now theirs to solve.

When Brenda Devers sees her estranged—and recently deceased—husband, Scott, at the airport, she reels in shock. She’d buried him three weeks ago—hadn’t she?

Only now his business troubles have thrust Brenda and her young daughter into sudden do-or-die jeopardy.

Luckily, the single mom’s new neighbor, Ben Clark, is smart, attractive, and seemingly trustworthy, whereas the police and the FBI are not. A top Colby private investigator, Ben’s been hired to protect Brenda.

But as he helps her uncover the truth about Scott, the danger factor amps up—and her worst nightmare might be coming true.

Titles in the Colby Agency: The Next Generation series include: A Colby Christmas Rescue ~ Alibi for Murder Memory of Murder ~ Witness to Murder ~ The Husband’s Secret ~ The Bride’s Betrayal ~ The Missing Couple ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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A Refuge in Montana by Allie Pleiter

Posted June 14, 2026 by Marsha in Closed Doors/ Fade to Black, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Love Inspired (Harlequin), Modern Western Romance, NetGalley, No Spice Romance, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

In Big Sky Country. Sometimes forgiveness takes the most courage…

For her son’s sake, widowed veterinarian Vicky Siden works hard to pretend all is well. But the arrival of game warden Nick Youngston at her family’s animal rescue—with a horse and donkey in tow—changes everything.

With three-year-old Taylor eager to help Nick rehab Buddy and Dunk, Vicky can’t avoid her late husband’s best friend, who she’s always blamed for his death. Nor can Nick avoid the real reason he’s in town.

As old wounds resurface and feelings spark to life, facing the truth could keep them apart—or lead to an unexpected second opportunity at love.

Titles in the Three Sisters Rescue Farm series include: A Montana-Sized Secret ~ A Refuge in Montana ~

This is a no-spice romance, perhaps with closed-door or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved.

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A Surprise for the Single Dad by Jen Gilroy

Posted June 13, 2026 by Marsha in Closed Doors/ Fade to Black, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Heartwarming, NetGalley, No Spice Romance, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

An unexpected reunion…  Brings a loving new beginning!

Returning to quaint Strawberry Pond, New Hampshire, is bittersweet for veterinarian Trevor Kaminski. His hometown is full of memories of the sister he lost. And with his orphaned nephew, Danny, to raise, he suddenly finds himself a single dad.

But reconnecting with his childhood best friend, Laura Sullivan, brings a joyful surprise—romantic feelings that catch them both off guard. Laura is happy to help with Danny, and working with Trevor to save the local animal shelter allows their friendship to deepen and grow…into love.

But self-sufficient Laura never planned on marriage. Can Trevor convince the dedicated bachelorette to embrace a fresh start with an instant family?

Titles in the Strawberry Pond Romance series include:  The Hero Next Door ~ A Surprise for the Single Dad ~

This is a no-spice romance, perhaps with closed-door or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved.

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My Fiancée Promotion by Emmy Grayson

Posted June 10, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, NetGalley, Series/Duet, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Diamonds aren’t forever… Unless they come with desire!

For years, I’ve striven to conceal my blazing attraction to my boss, Aiden Hawke. Aiden never mixes business with pleasure.

But when he demands I play his fake fiancée for a year to secure a deal, my heart almost combusts.

Once he marks me as his to the press and moves me into his penthouse, Aiden’s every heated glance is a special kind of torture. As his icy walls come down, I know I’m playing with fire.

Because my compulsion to be his will linger long after this engagement’s expiration date…

Titles in the Forbidden Bosses series include:  My Fiancée Promotion ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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The Final Target by Nora Roberts

Posted June 10, 2026 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Mystery, NetGalley, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, St. Martin's Press, Suspense, Thriller / 0 Comments

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden’s purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

~Standalone~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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Be With Me by J.H. Croix

Posted June 5, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

He hides his grief behind charm and easy smiles. She’s spent her whole life surviving on her own. Falling in love is out of the question.

The first time I laid eyes on Adele Jacks, she was staring down a wild animal, bold and unforgettable. She stole my breath before I even knew her name. And I’m the guy who doesn’t lose his breath over anyone.

I never planned to fall in love. Not ever. I’m the guy who laughs everything off, the charming cynic who hides his scars behind jokes. But Adele? She’s a force of nature who upends my life.

She’s tough, she’s smart, and she’s hiding something. She’s the kind of wilderness guide who can out-hike me any day and stare down a grizzly without blinking. Before I know it, she’s working at my family’s wilderness resort—walls up, defenses sky-high. She’s slipping through the cracks in my heart every time I catch the vulnerability she tries to hide.

The longer I know her, the harder it becomes to keep things light and uncomplicated the way I always have. Because underneath the flirting and easy smiles, I’ve spent years avoiding anything that feels too real.

But with Adele, I want to protect her, claim her, and make the world safe for her.

When a ghost from her past crosses our path, and I see the flash of something she thought she’d buried — I realize there’s nothing I won’t do to take care of her. Because somewhere between the slow burn, the reluctant sparks, and the small-town chaos, Adele became my forever. Scars and all.

Even if falling for her means finally risking my own heart, too.

Titles in the Heartfire Falls series include:  What We Keep ~ Mine to Hold ~ Be With Me ~ Believe In Us ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

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