Books like 'The Defender'
Readers who enjoyed The Defender by Gina Azzi also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance action / adventure athlete forced-proximity sports steamy workplace friends-to-lovers religion
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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...Categorized as:
athlete female-mc friends-to-lovers sports steamy action-adventure adult billionaire -
One Last Day of Summer by Shari Low
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsAs a flight to St Lucia leaves the runway, four passengers meet for the first time.After escaping her controlling husband, Bernadette Manson is taking the first extravagant holiday of her new life. But when her best friend cancels, will she be strong enough to fly solo?Tadgh Donovan is about to jet off to his destination wedding when he sees a shocking text... -
Finding the Fight by Brittney Sahin
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsTheir well-kept secrets are about to unravel. Former CIA officer Jessica Scott and Navy SEAL Asher Hayes have worked together for years as part of a black-ops team for the president, but Jessica's close encounter with death is about to change everything between them . .Categorized as:
female-mc forced-proximity friends-to-lovers steamy workplace action-adventure adult alpha-mc -
Her Cowboy Billionaire Bad Boy by Liz Isaacson
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA cowboy billionaire who's rough around the edges, the woman he ghosted last Christmas, and their second chance at happily-ever-after.Ames Hammond loves rules and organization, and his job as a cop gives him the structure he craves. But he quit that job months ago, and he has no idea what he should be doing with his life... -
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Scars & Silver Linings by Kelsey Kingsley
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTwo little, pink lines should have been a good thing, but for Kendall Wright, it felt like the end of the world. Especially when her career as a successful romance novelist had only just begun to take off. But with the acceptance of her flaky boyfriend, and the help of a friendly bartender, she begins to see how those two little, pink lines could actually be a blessing...Categorized as:
female-mc friends-to-lovers religion spirituality action-adventure adult book children -
Wildcard by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMy name is Ben Conner. I’m a pro fighter, the son of a murderous wifebeater, overprotective big brother, and Evelyn Kincaid’s best friend. I’ve known Evie since we were kids. I loathed her on first sight, and picked on her as often as she picked on me, but somewhere around my fifteenth birthday, my dislike was replaced with something else. It was foreign and new, potent and exciting... -
Dirty Like Me by Jaine Diamond
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA gorgeous rock star. An indecent proposal. How can a girl resist? Struggling barista Katie Bloom doesn’t even know who Jesse Mayes is until she inadvertently wins the coveted role of sex kitten in his hot new music video. But by the time she’s in bed with him, she knows his reputation. Love maker. Heartbreaker...Categorized as:
female-mc forced-proximity friends-to-lovers steamy urban workplace action-adventure adult -
SEAL'S PROMISE by Rebecca Deel
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNarrowly escaping a terrorist attack, Rachelle Carter believes the threat is over until continued assaults prove the danger's real. With escape impossible, her survival lies in the hands of a battle-hardened Fortress Security operative. But his skill and experience may not be enough to defend Rachelle against a man determined to eliminate her... -
For the Love of Grace: A Christian Romance by Kimberly Rae Jordan
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThis Christian romance novel of 80,000 words is the second book in The Callaghans & McFaddens series from author Kimberly Rae Jordan. A HANDFUL OF FLOWERS (ASIN: B01APAIXM6) is the prequel to this series. When Bennett McFadden fell in love with Grace Moore as a nineteen-year-old, he'd thought they had a future together...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers religion spirituality action-adventure adult book christian contemporary -
Need Him Like Oxygen by Jessica Gadziala
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWithin the ruthless hierarchy of the mafia, Dav and Cinna reign as powerful capos within the same crime family.Dav, with his gregarious charm and flirtatious disposition, hides a secret darkness that few ever glimpse. Despite his relentless advances, Cinna, strong-willed and fiercely independent, keeps him at arm's length, determined to prove herself an equal in a male-dominated world...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers forced-proximity workplace female-mc steamy romance contemporary organized-crime -
Beyond Us by Abby Brooks
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTwo roommates. One pact. And a kiss that changes everything. Moving in with Eli Hutton was supposed to keep my heart safe. After both our relationships crashed and burned, cohabitation seemed like a no-brainer. A reset from chaos back to stability. A chance to protect one another from Cupid and his stupid little arrows...Categorized as:
female-mc friends-to-lovers religion spirituality action-adventure adult audiobook book -
Her Cowboy Billionaire Birthday Wish by Liz Isaacson
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAll the maid at Whiskey Mountain Lodge wants for her birthday is a handsome cowboy billionaire. And Colton can make that wish come true—if only he hadn’t moved to Coral Canyon after being left at the altar... Annie Pruitt has worked for the Whittaker Brothers for years, and now with the lodge a full-fledged mountain resort, she's the full-time maid up the canyon... -
Home Run by Jordan Marie
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsGreen Lucas doesn't know what's about to hit him. Complete Standalone Romance Wanted A woman with grit and fire who will help me get my son’s head out of his ass. You must be self-sufficient and not looking for a gravy train. Common sense is a plus, book smarts are optional. Cannot have red hair, as my son seems to go for that type and he needs something to shake him up... -
Perfect Blend by M.S. Parker
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBrody: Keeping my mind off Freedom Mercier is damn near impossible. Destiny has thrown curveball after curveball at us. I want her, but how is this ever going to work?Freedom: I learned early on not to trust anyone with my heart. Never date the same person more than once is my general rule... -
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The Contract by Jess Mastorakos
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsShe's got a bad roommate situation in the barracks and I have to clear my father's debts before it's too late.So we strike up a deal and prepare to give Oscar-worthy performances to everyone we know. We'll get married, solve both of our issues thanks to the benefits we'll get as a dual military couple, and then when it's over we'll go our separate ways.There's just one problem...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers religion spirituality steamy action-adventure adult book contemporary -
Preacher Dom by Lucian Bane
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA man of God returns to Hell, Michigan, after serving 7 years in prison. Seeking God’s direction in his new life, Daniel is led to a place called Sodom and Gomorrah--the city’s BDSM club where he runs into Nineveh, a woman trapped in a bad situation with no way out... -
Savage Pawn by Em Petrova
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsShe’s smart enough to know better, except when it comes to the SEAL trying to hack her heart. SEAL Team Blackout Special Operator Drew Gunnison’s motto of duty, honor and integrity fit right in when given missions most special forces fail at...Categorized as:
female-mc forced-proximity friends-to-lovers steamy action-adventure adult book contemporary -
The Proposal by Jess Mastorakos
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMy best friend Shelby convinced me to hire her flash mob company to propose to my girlfriend. Then I was rejected in front of the whole town.To be fair, I probably should have seen that coming. No one thought we'd last.And in a place where everybody knows everybody's business, maybe they know something else I don't ... like that my best friend has been the right one for me all along...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers religion female-mc spirituality contemporary military small-town friendship -
Hard Rock Kiss by Athena Wright
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsRock star god Nathan Walker is the first person to make me feel alive in years. But I can’t let this happen. I can’t let us happen. For my sake, and for his. Nathan Walker is famous. Rich. Gorgeous. A rock star god. The media says he goes through women like tissues. That he’s never been seen with the same girl twice. From the minute we met, I knew there was something more to him... -
Wrecked by Alexis Winter, Cosmic Covers
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMaverick West. Reformed bad boy, my new hot AF roommateAnd…father to my VERY unexpected baby.Look, this isn’t my dream life.I never planned on being a single mom begging to live with my brother-in-law.And it’s no secret he didn’t want this arrangement either.Fresh off of a broken engagement, he isn’t exactly welcoming us with open arms...Categorized as:
forced-proximity friends-to-lovers steamy urban action-adventure adult alpha-mc anthologies -
Jock Blocked (Roommates #2) by Stephanie Brother
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA Billionaires on the Beach Standalone Reverse Harem... -
Knocked Up by the New Zealand Doctor by K.C. Crowne
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhen the sinfully hot New Zealander becomes my accidental housemate...Sweet relief from ten years of pent-up sexual desire is on both our minds.But then something COMPLETELY unexpected happens. Hayden Frost. Star of my virginal fantasies. The man who ruined all other men for me.Walking Adonis. And my brother's hot best friend.It's the day of my brother's wedding... -
Give Me Forever by Weston Parker
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt was lust at first sight.Her curves turned my head, but it wasn’t until she became my assistant that I knew I needed far more than her body.She needs me too.Well, really, she needs my money—bad enough to agree to become my fake fiancée.Her family business is going under, and I’m all-in on being the knight in shining armor...Categorized as:
female-mc friends-to-lovers steamy action-adventure adult anthologies billionaire boss-employee -
Enraptured by Tracie Delaney
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhat’s your worst day ever? Mine is getting fired and discovering my boyfriend cheating on me in the same day.At least I thought that was as bad as it could get.Turns out I was wrong. Only someone with my kind of luck could arrive at an interview for a job I desperately need and then discover my potential new boss is the guy I drunk-kissed the other night...Categorized as:
steamy workplace female-mc urban contemporary billionaire boss-employee organized-crime -
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Beg For It by Alexis Winter
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsYou know that feeling—the one where you tell yourself it’s a terrible idea but you know you’re going to do it anyway?Even though you know that this man isn’t just your father’s best friend who’s twenty years your senior…he’s your new boss.I’m the good girl that’s always done the right thing and yet here I am, fresh out of grad school feeling directionless in life and love...Categorized as:
female-mc friends-to-lovers steamy workplace action-adventure adult age-gap billionaire -
Aaron by Dale Mayer
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFormer Navy SEAL Aaron Hammond has no idea how he wound up at Hathaway House, Texas. Nor does he particularly care. All he can see is his anger. Anger at the betrayal that destroyed his physical body and at the loss of the future he wanted but that he’ll never have now. He’s a cripple, less than half a man, and all he can look forward to is a half life, alone with himself and his pain...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers religion spirituality action-adventure adult book contemporary fiction -
Center of Gravity by K.K. Allen
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratings"If I could rewrite the rules, I'd do it for you."LEXI came to L.A. with dreams bigger than me.To learn from the best choreographers in the business and secure a professional dance gig working for Hollywood's elite.Everything was going according to plan--until I was literally shoved into the arms of the one man who could make or break my career... -
No Mistaken Identity for a Cowboy by Alexa Verde
Rated: 4.70 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSmall-town romance with faith, humor, and more than a dash of danger!A quirky woman with secrets, a military hero helping her search for her birth parents, and a case of mistaken identity… Escape to Cowboy Crossing, where people care about each other, romances are sweet, and six cowboy brothers with Irish blood fall in love when they least expect it... -
Mountain Seeking Princess: A Full Length Moose Mountain Novel by Marley Michaels
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMoose Mountain has been calling her protectors back to the mountain for a reason—she’s under threat and needs to be saved. It’s time to call in a champion and crown a new queen.Martie Cooper has lived her life constantly searching for something to fill an untouchable void in her heart... -
Maybe It's Fate by Ajme Williams
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI was on my way in my high heels looking like a boss babe…Ready to prove to the world that I could make it on my own.And then…A hot businessman turned my world upside down.I was shocked too.Mainly because that hot businessman was my brother’s best friend.He lied about being married to me.I lied about not being in love with him.It was like just any other modern mess... -
The Bridesmaid by Jess Mastorakos
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’ve heard she’s always a bridesmaid and never a bride. But I’d make her mine, if she’d let me.Three years ago, I left South Carolina and the woman I loved without looking back. Okay, that’s a lie. I’ve spent a fair amount of time imagining myself lounging under that Spanish moss with her.Back then, we didn’t have a care in the world. It was simple. Easy. Right. In fact, I’d been about to propose... -
Four Loves by Sarah Gay
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratings**This book was previously published as Love Overboard. This edition has added and edited content** Kai Terrence, sailor by day, billionaire tech giant by night, doesn’t have a problem getting a date, but he isn’t interested in being wanted for his money... -
Forever at Conwenna Cove by Darcie Boleyn
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratings'If you have never read a book by Darcie Boleyn you are definitely missing out.' Rae Reads Following heartbreak, Zoe Russell found a haven in Conwenna Cove. As the owner of the village diner and a volunteer for the local greyhound sanctuary, she’s happy with her peaceful life. Local surfer Nate Bryson plans to leave Conwenna and see the world... -
Tami by Pepper North
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCan a lawn cleaning business introduce an innovative Little to her perfect Daddy?Thinking creatively, animal lover Tami Chamberlin created her own business, Tami’s Canine Poo Service. Cleaning her clients’ lawns of, well, poo, Tami works very hard to earn enough money to support herself... -
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The Unstoppable Patriot by Jennifer Youngblood
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA man desperate to reconstruct the pieces of his past, the small-town girl who wants him back, and the long-kept secret that could destroy everything. Superstar running back Landry Chase is at the top of his game with a bright future ahead of him. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changes... -
Extreme Devotion by Cami Checketts
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAn extreme sports athlete desperately in love; an independent woman afraid to trust. Can they both let go of their fears and embrace their future? Jex Steele lives for his insane stunts and his flirtations with Pearl Jacobsen-Davenport. He prays for the day the independent Pearl will change her last name to one syllable-Steele... -
Enemies-to-Bliss by Abby Brooks
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe synopsis for this enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance is coming...Categorized as:
female-mc friends-to-lovers religion spirituality action-adventure adult billionaire book -
The Ghost Groom (Texas Titan Romances) by Jennifer Youngblood, RaeAnne Thayne
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA tough football player, a devoted sister, and the most difficult choice of all … After a long, painful search that involved legions of duds, Ariana Sanchez, fitness guru and gym owner, finally meets the perfect guy when she least expects it. Not only can Rennen tear up the dance floor, but he has these adorable blonde curls and compelling green eyes, specked with gold... -
Fake Fiancée (For Now) by Penny Wylder
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt was supposed to be a relaxing bachelorette getaway for my best friend. Trees, wine, chilling.Then I got shoved into a white-water raft with a wild hunk of a man who could easily rip a log in two with his bare hands. Yum. If being teased by my friends for drooling like an animal wasn’t bad enough, I had to go and fall in the river...Categorized as:
steamy forced-proximity workplace sports female-mc contemporary fiction fake-relationship -
The Day He Went Away by Jennifer Millikin
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“Life, fate, the universe, they all broke the rules." I was the luckiest girl in the world. I had it all. Everything I never knew I wanted. Until one day in June, it all came crashing down. My best friend, my life, my love. All gone. I live in the Valley of the Sun, but I’m the darkest storm cloud. "Heal," they all tell me. "Move on...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers religion female-mc urban spirituality romance contemporary military -
The Rebel by Lena Hendrix
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsI was supposed to lay low while my Hollywood drama blew over. Not fall for a man with golden retriever energy who isn’t afraid to take what he wants. I was supposed to lay low while my Hollywood drama blew over. Not fall for a man with golden retriever energy who isn’t afraid to take what he wants...Categorized as:
forced-proximity friends-to-lovers steamy female-mc romance western contemporary small-town -
Daddy's Obsession by K.C. Crowne
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings"Protect my daughter." Not what I expected from an old friend.But when I locked eyes with her, there was no turning back. Raquel has a magnetic sensual beauty,Along with the strength and resilience of a lioness. The loss of my wife left my little girl and I empty.Now Raquel is proof that even a monster can escape his own darkness... -
Fighting for Adalyn by Katie Reus
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe trusted the wrong person…And got good people killed. While Adalyn will live with that mistake forever, she finally got justice. Even if it cost more than she’d imagined. But the past has come back to haunt her—and it wants revenge. An old enemy is out to destroy everything she holds dear, starting with her sister...Categorized as:
forced-proximity workplace friends-to-lovers female-mc romance contemporary found-family military -
Taking It Slow by Jordan Marie
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA bottle of tequila 10 lime wedges 1 sexy blonde Add in a crazy Vegas weekendLick and Swallow.What do you get? A recipe for disaster. Titan Last night I got married. I think. I'm not exactly sure. I was drunk off my ass, so it's not exactly crystal clear. But, I woke up with a ring on my finger, a marriage certificate, and a sneaking suspicion I had a wild wedding night... -
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Rebel Desire: A (Surprise) Single Dad Romantic Comedy by L.K. Farlow
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAs a wedding photographer, it’s no surprise that Ashley Murphy, despite her perpetual singleness, is a little in love with love.When she catches a hunky best man checking her out while on the job, her heart all but shouts, “He’s the one." Until he opens his mouth. Colton Banks is a cocky lawyer with a mean streak a country mile wide. Colton prefers order to chaos... -
Matched to the Mercenary (Seeking Curves) by Hope Ford
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsShe’s going to be mine.She’s my friend’s little sister.She should be off-limits.But I never was one to follow the rules.I was sent to protect her, but one look at her, and I want more.She’s smart, beautiful, and curvy, and she consumes my every thought.But I’m a mercenary.I have enemies all over the world, and I travel more than I’m home.I have plans to make...Categorized as:
female-mc forced-proximity friends-to-lovers steamy 21st-century action-adventure adult age-gap -
Sexy Six by Ahren Sanders
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThey call me Sexy Six Cocky? Absof*ckinglutely Sexy? That's what they say Unstoppable? You bet your ass NFL Golden boy, Super Bowl MVP, and the league's hottest player--on and off the field. To most, I'm a celebrity, with the records to prove it. Fame, fortune, family... I've got it all. Except Grace Monroe. Two years ago, Grace turned my world upside down with just one look... -
PUNCHED by Jacob Chance
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsReagan is the one who got away - or should I say the one I drove away? Now, four years later, she’s back to manage the gym where I train. Seeing her everyday is a distraction I can’t afford. I’m so close to achieving the big payoff I’ve been working for. Nothing’s going to keep me from winning this belt - not even her.This is a second chance MMA romance standalone... -
Fate by Abby Brooks
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe shouldn’t have kissed me. But I shouldn’t have liked it.Garrett Cooper is grumpy. Bossy. Rude. We’re supposed to work together to save my family’s hotel, but sparks fly every time we’re in the same room. And not the good kind.Things get off to a rough start between us, and that’s on me…partially... -
Secrets on the Italian Island by T.A. Williams
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHer work has got in the way of relationships before – but never like thisAnna’s job as a geologist takes her all over the world, including to the beautiful island of Elba, where she’s sent to look for precious metals. And the island isn’t the only thing that’s gorgeous – she can’t believe her luck when she meets windsurfer Marco and sparks fly...Categorized as:
female-mc friends-to-lovers religion spirituality sports action-adventure adult book
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