Books like 'The Way Life Should Be'
Readers who enjoyed The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance small town action / adventure culinary family realistic friendship drama season-summer
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Somebody Like You: A Small Town Single Mom Sports Romance by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.64 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsHe’s rich, talented and way out of her league. Now he’s making her an offer she can’t refuse…Football has always been Cam Hartson’s life. When he's forced to retire following an injury, he slinks back to his small home town, planning to lie low and lick his wounds. Until he meets Mia Devlin. The beautiful single mom of two tearaway boys has no interest in love... -
![Save Your Breath by Melinda Leigh]()
Save Your Breath by Melinda Leigh
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsMorgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger investigate the mysterious disappearance of a true-crime writer.When true-crime writer Olivia Cruz disappears with no signs of foul play, her new boyfriend, Lincoln Sharp, suspects the worst. He knows she didn’t leave willingly and turns to attorney Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger to find her before it’s too late... -
![New Beginnings At Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters]()
New Beginnings At Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTwo weddings and a baby…but who will get their happy ever after? Emily Prescott’s life isn’t going to plan. Her dreams of starting a family with fireman boyfriend Greg and opening up her own bakery in London feel like they will never come true. So when a weddinginvite arrives from her oldest friend, Beth Williams, Emily is thrilled... -
![The Secret in Sandcastles by Rachael Bloome]()
The Secret in Sandcastles by Rachael Bloome
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsTwo childhood enemies. One adventure-filled summer. And an unexpected romance they're trying hard to resist...Penny Heart likes to play it safe... in life and in love. When she’s asked to brave her town's most thrilling adventures to revamp their outdated guidebook, things quickly go from bad to worse. The person assigned to help? None other than her childhood nemesis... -
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![Shadow of Doubt by Abbie Zanders]()
Shadow of Doubt by Abbie Zanders
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFormer SEAL Brian “Mad Dog” Sheppard might look like a gentle giant to some, but there's a very good reason for his call name. Threaten someone he cares about and he'll stop at nothing to protect them.That includes his new team of fellow SEALs. They’re all about creating a safe haven for vets trying to readjust to civilian life...Categorized as:
female-mc literary-fiction action-adventure adult book contemporary fiction military -
![Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr]()
Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsColin Riordan came to Virgin River to recuperate from a horrific helicopter crash, the scars of which he bears inside and out. His family is wonderfully supportive, but it's his art that truly soothes his troubled soul. Stung personally and professionally by an ill-advised affair, PR guru Jillian Matlock has rented an old Victorian with a promising garden in Virgin River... -
![Bayou Sweetheart by Lexi Blake]()
Bayou Sweetheart by Lexi Blake
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSparks fly in Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou when a Hollywood starlet falls for a local deputy in a small-town contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake. After leaving the military, Major Blanchard moved to Papillon, Louisiana, to be with his aging father, where he's taken a deputy position with the sheriff’s department... -
![The Rancher's Heart by Anne Carrole]()
The Rancher's Heart by Anne Carrole
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA feud reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys, a love story worthy of Romeo and Juliet. Despite growing up on the Pleasant Valley Ranch, single mom Cat McKenna doesn’t know a thing about cattle. But even with her preference for high heels instead of cowboy boots, she’s determined to save the family ranch she inherited for her son. She just needs to hire the right foreman... -
![The Billionaire’s Second Chance by Weston Parker]()
The Billionaire’s Second Chance by Weston Parker
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFake it with me.That’s what he wanted. My best friend’s brother.Oh, you know the one.Tall. Messy brown hair. Rich as hell.And my ex-boyfriend that I let go years ago to give him freedom to make something of himself.But the past is the past, and honestly, I’m broke.I could use a pick-me-up, and his offer not only helps my pocketbook, but lets me get some points with my best friend too... -
![The Inn at Tansy Falls: Gripping and heart-warming women's fiction full of family secrets by Cate Woods]()
The Inn at Tansy Falls: Gripping and heart-warming women's fiction full of family secrets by Cate Woods
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDearest Nell, if you’re reading this letter, I’m already gone…You’re my best friend in the world, and as my last request I’m asking you to lay me to rest hundreds of miles away, in my crazy gorgeous, totally one-of-a-kind hometown of Tansy Falls. I know you’re a born-and-bred city girl, but hear me out. After first losing Adrian, and then me… I know your heart is hurting, Nell...Categorized as:
female-mc friendship literary-fiction action-adventure adult animals book contemporary -
![Redeeming Ryker by Kelly Collins]()
Redeeming Ryker by Kelly Collins
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsImagine finding out that everything about your life is a lie. Imagine falling for the man who thinks he killed you. Imagine having to remain dead so you can keep him. Twenty-four-year-old Ana Barrett knows who she is. She’s a struggling artist, a loyal friend, an orphan raised by loving grandparents... -
![Ace Magnets by Giulia Lagomarsino]()
Ace Magnets by Giulia Lagomarsino
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAce Magnets is book 3 in the series A Good Run Of Bad Luck and is best read in order.CorduroyCarter Roy, the man that attracts all the ladies, but never gets them. He's sexy and charming, but hasn't found the woman that can keep his attention.AbbyI just moved to this town six months ago, but I'm already loving it! Granted, I get lost a lot and I tend to stick out like a sore thumb... -
![The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros]()
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsBeckett,If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone...Categorized as:
drama family female-mc friendship historical-fiction realistic action-adventure adult -
![All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata]()
All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsLosing people you love is hard. Aurora De La Torre knows moving back to a place that was once home isn’t going to be easy. Starting your whole life over probably isn’t supposed to be. But a small town in the mountains might be the perfect remedy for a broken heart. Checking out her landlord across the driveway just might cure it too... -
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![Whiplash by Janet Dailey]()
Whiplash by Janet Dailey
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFans of edge of your seat romance and readers of B.J. Daniels, Lindsay McKenna, and Diana Palmer won’t want to miss this electrifying and genuine new page-turner from the bestselling romance legend. When Val Champion returns to the family ranch, she’s ready to put her past behind her. Her dreams of a Hollywood acting career have become a nightmare of fear... -
![Rescued by Stephanie St. Klaire]()
Rescued by Stephanie St. Klaire
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsJust as the walls start to come down, boundaries redefine, and things heat up, tragedy hits the small mountain town of McKenzie Ridge. Sexy EMT Dawson Tayler made hearts break, and panties melt with a single look. Far from home, in the charming tourist town, he lives a simple life his family would be appalled by – if they were alive... -
![The Summer Sand Pact by Jessie Newton]()
The Summer Sand Pact by Jessie Newton
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThese five best friends made a Summer Sand Pact as teens and have only kept it once or twice—until they reunite decades later and renew their agreement to meet in Five Island Cove every summer.Alice Kelton's marriage is in shambles, and while she's always thought she'd stay with her husband, after her last visit to the cove, she went back to the Hamptons and filed for divorce... -
![The Obsession by Nora Roberts]()
The Obsession by Nora Roberts
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsThe riveting new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts“She stood in the deep, dark woods, breath shallow and cold prickling over her skin despite the hot, heavy air. She took a step back, then two, as the urge to run fell over her.” Naomi Bowes lost her innocence the night she followed her father into the woods... -
![Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr]()
Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsReturn to Virgin River with the books that started it all… The recipe for happiness: making it up as you go along Rising sous-chef Kelly Matlock's sudden collapse at work is a wake-up call. Disillusioned and burned out, she's retreated to her sister Jillian's house in Virgin River to rest and reevaluate... -
![Saving Skye: The Pilot Firefighter's Surprise Baby (Eden Mountain Firefighters) by Jenna Gunn]()
Saving Skye: The Pilot Firefighter's Surprise Baby (Eden Mountain Firefighters) by Jenna Gunn
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGorgeous. Smart. Armed with a secret weapon. The young ATF agent was supposed to be a one night thing. But then she woke up the alpha protector in me. Little did I know that her mission would strike me square in my cold, dead heart. And for the first time in ten years I wanted something more. But the complications are as big as the firefighting helicopter that I fly... -
![Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks]()
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a captivating love story filled with suspense and mystery.When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past... -
![Grand Lake Colorado Series: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection by Alexis Winter]()
Grand Lake Colorado Series: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection by Alexis Winter
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA never before published collection of small-town romances from best-selling author Alexis Winter.Lose yourself in each emotional, Kindle melting story. Whether you enjoy second chances, single dads, men in uniform or secret, forbidden love stories you'll enjoy every last word of this complete collection...Categorized as:
female-mc literary-fiction action-adventure adult anthologies contemporary epic fiction -
![Bluegrass Undercover by Kathleen Brooks]()
Bluegrass Undercover by Kathleen Brooks
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIn her first follow-up to the Best Selling Bluegrass Series, Kathleen Brooks brings Keeneston back to life through the Davies Brothers. Cade Davies had too much on his plate to pay attention to newest resident of Keeneston. He was too busy avoiding the Davies Brothers marriage trap set by half the town... -
![Bayou Beauty by Lexi Blake]()
Bayou Beauty by Lexi Blake
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLove returns to Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou in a new small-town contemporary romance sure to charm hearts, from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.Sylvie Martine was prepared to take Washington D.C. by storm, but she put that dream on hold when her beloved hometown of Papillon, Louisiana, needed her most. Now Sylvie's the mayor of the tiny town on the bayou that holds her heart... -
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![A Better Man: A Small Town Surprise Pregnancy Romance by Carrie Elks]()
A Better Man: A Small Town Surprise Pregnancy Romance by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsShe’s his addiction. He’s her escape.Logan Hartson is gorgeous, successful, and has a smile that’ll knock a woman off her feet. And from the moment Courtney Roberts meets him on a dirt road, the chemistry sizzles between them.Everything about them is wrong. He’s city, she’s country.He owns expensive restaurants. She runs a small farm... -
![Bayou Baby by Lexi Blake]()
Bayou Baby by Lexi Blake
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA heartwarming contemporary romance set in Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake. Seraphina Guidry loves Butterfly Bayou. A young, single mom, she’s trying to find a place for herself in the town she cherishes, but past mistakes have made her wary. She adores her son but has sworn off men... -
![Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr]()
Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsTom Cavanaugh may think he wants a traditional woman, but in Virgin River, the greatest tradition is falling in love unexpectedly....Former Marine Tom Cavanaugh’s come home to Virgin River, ready to take over his family’s apple orchard and settle down. He knows just what the perfect woman will be like: sweet, decent, maybe a little naive. The marrying kind.Nothing like Nora Crane... -
![Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr]()
Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsFOUR YEARS AGO, AIR FORCE SWEETHEARTS FRANCI DUNCAN AND SEAN RIORDAN REACHED AN IMPASSE. SHE WANTED MARRIAGE AND A FAMILY. HE DIDN'T. BUT A CHANCE MEETING PROVES THAT THE BITTER BREAKUP HASN'T COOLED THEIR SIZZLING CHEMISTRY. Sean has settled down in spite of himself --- he's not the cocky young fighter pilot he was when Franci left, and he wants them to try again... -
![Moonlight Road by Robyn Carr]()
Moonlight Road by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWITH HER BELOVED YOUNGER SIBLINGS SETTLED AND HAPPY, ERIN FOLEY HAS EMPTY NEST SYNDROME. AT AGE THIRTY-FIVE. So she's hitting the pause button on her life and holing up in a secluded (but totally upgraded --- she's not into roughing it!) cabin near Virgin River. Erin is planning on getting to know herself ... not the shaggy-haired mountain man she meets... -
![My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr]()
My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsPATRICK RIORDAN ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT NOTHING COULD MATCH THE ADRENALINE RUSH HE GETS FROM HIS JOB. BUT THIS CHRISTMAS, PATRICK’S PULSE IS REALLY RACING... The Riordan brothers may have a reputation for being rough-and tumble, but Patrick has always been the gentle, sweet-natured one. These days, his easygoing manner is being tested by his high-octane career as a navy pilot... -
![Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr]()
Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAt twenty-five, after five years as her mother's caregiver, it's time for Shelby to experience freedom and adventure. Time for travel, college and romance. But when she visits Virgin River, she runs into Luke Riordan, decidedly "not" whom she has in mind. A handsome Blackhawk pilot, Luke exited the army after twenty years, four wars and having been shot out of the sky three times... -
![All Fired Up by Lori Foster]()
All Fired Up by Lori Foster
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe last thing Charlotte Parrish needs in her life is a bad boy. She wants someone responsible and settled ... until she meets Mitch Crews. Mitch is everything she knows she should avoid but everything she can't seem to resist. Mitch is starting over. Now that his mother is gone, he's determined to finally meet the half brothers he's heard about his entire life... -
![Running From the Law by Jami Albright, Jennifer Grace]()
Running From the Law by Jami Albright, Jennifer Grace
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOne night of passion. Two second chances. Three little texts . . .Former child star Charlie Klein is in a world of trouble. She’s broke, jobless, and no longer famous—except with the IRS. She’s ready to run, so an emergency call from Texas is all the excuse she needs to get out of Hollywood. But she doesn’t expect to crash into the sheriff of her hometown, the boy she loved and lost... -
![Raging Heart On: Friends to Lovers Romance by Jordan Marie, Robin Harper]()
Raging Heart On: Friends to Lovers Romance by Jordan Marie, Robin Harper
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsHer biological clock is a ticking time bomb. He’s got the tool it takes to get the job done…And then some. Kayla: Life has never been great. If not for White Lucas and his family, I might have been on the streets. They showed me what family was—what I always wanted. Now I'm nearing thirty, I want my own family. The problem is there’s no man in the picture... -
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![Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis]()
Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIf you’re planning on falling in love… When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s yoga pants, he’s a suit. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul... -
![The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr]()
The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsFrom the Bestselling Author of the hit Netflix series, Virgin River!An exceptional storyteller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr beautifully captures the emotionally charged, complex dynamics that come with being part of any family. Readers will laugh and shed a few tears as they discover what it means to be loved, supported and accepted by the people who mean the most... -
![Hung Up on the Hacker by Kait Nolan]()
Hung Up on the Hacker by Kait Nolan
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCan a white hat hacker and a wild child tattoo artist turn their oops into forever?Former Army Intelligence officer Cash Grantham is a whiz with computers and data. An expert in cyber security, he prides himself on being prepared for anything. That doesn't include his best friend's little sister. The one who's all grown up.Tattoo artist Hadley Steele always had a thing for Cash when she was young... -
![Seizing Mack: A Contemporary Love Story by Abbie Zanders]()
Seizing Mack: A Contemporary Love Story by Abbie Zanders
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCarpe the romance... The Marines gave Heather “Mack” McKenzie a lot of things. Self-discipline. An arsenal of swear words. And the carpe diem attitude to make her fitness center, Seize, a success. The hot new vice cop in town makes her breath catch... -
![Fearless by Stephanie St. Klaire]()
Fearless by Stephanie St. Klaire
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLife teeters in the balance when tragedy strikes the small mountain town of McKenzie Ridge… Everly Shaw’s world takes a direct hit leaving her battling demons she thought she buried long ago. A daredevil at heart that throws caution to the wind, the only risk she wouldn’t gamble on was love... -
![Smoldered: A brother’s best friend/single dad/hot firefighter romance by Annie Dyer]()
Smoldered: A brother’s best friend/single dad/hot firefighter romance by Annie Dyer
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“I didn’t find it weird. It wasn’t like kissing a sister or something. I realized that when you were video calling the other night I wasn’t thinking about you like I would do a sister.”“You know why that it?” She stepped towards him. “Because I’m not your sister...Categorized as:
family literary-fiction female-mc suspense contemporary in-uniform friends-to-lovers small-town -
![Shaken by Annie Dyer]()
Shaken by Annie Dyer
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe can save her life, but can he save her heart as well...Abby Walker arrived in Severton searching for her sister. Two years later, she’s the one being hunted.Life as a cop in a small town shouldn’t include protecting tiny blonde bartenders from big city gangs, but Alex Maynard won’t ever let the bad guys win. The quietest of the Maynard family, he refuses to let anything blur his lines...Categorized as:
family female-mc literary-fiction contemporary friends-to-lovers suspense action-adventure crime -
![The Planner by Jess Mastorakos]()
The Planner by Jess Mastorakos
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsShe’s my best friend’s sister, which makes her off-limits. So why can’t I stay away?I’m a master at hiding my true feelings for Aria Bristol. Well, except for that one time. That one kiss. She almost figured me out then, and I vowed to never let it happen again.The fact that we were separated by thousands of miles helped a lot... -
![The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove by Jaimie Admans]()
The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove by Jaimie Admans
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHer new start is about to bee-gin!Having moved into her mum’s spare room after a disastrous break-up, Kayleigh Harwood is desperate for a fresh start... -
![Chasing The Sun by Carrie Elks]()
Chasing The Sun by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWelcome back to Angel Sands, where the air is heating up...Some people are like sun rays, impossible to pin down. But from the moment Jackson sets eyes on Lydia Paxton, he wants her anyway. Now he just needs to persuade her that he's playing for keeps.Chasing The Sun is an all-new standalone romance, set in the small town of Angel Sands...Categorized as:
family friendship female-mc contemporary small-town friends-to-lovers humor holidays -
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![The Lifetime of A Second by Jennifer Millikin]()
The Lifetime of A Second by Jennifer Millikin
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings*Author's Note: Each novel in the Time Series can be read as a standalone. Brynn Escape. That was my sole focus. Forget the headlines, forget the threats. Forgetting what I’ve done? Never. To disappear, I needed money. I fled the big city in the desert to hide in a small town amongst the pines. The plan? Blend in, work until I have what I need, and then vanish...Categorized as:
female-mc realistic literary-fiction romance suspense contemporary audiobook fiction -
![The Fearless One by Lori Foster]()
The Fearless One by Lori Foster
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“Count on Lori Foster for sexy, edgy romance.” —Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling authorHe had it all planned…until she showed up. Jedidiah Stephens came to the Colorado Rockies for one to uncover the truth behind the fire that killed her family. She’s been chasing down clues, and everything has led her to an isolated campground... -
![Dice by Nicola Jane]()
Dice by Nicola Jane
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDICEThere was only ever one woman for me, but I was forced to leave her behind when we were just kids.Years later, my past collides with my present, and it leads me right back to her. But a long time has passed, and she’s had years of her father breathing poison in her ear.But I won’t give up... -
![Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr]()
Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWelcome back to Virgin River with the books that started it all...A moving story about survival, forgiveness--and the power of love to heal a wounded spirit.Marine corporal Rick Sudder is home early from Iraq--his tour ended abruptly on the battlefield. The carefree boy is gone, replaced by a man who believes his future is as bleak as his mirror image... -
![Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr]()
Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThis year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list: getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It’s time she got over her silly college relationship and moved on... -
![Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr]()
Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsSick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands...
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