Books like 'Alex'
Readers who enjoyed Alex by A.M. Salinger also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance small town lgbtq mlm forced-proximity slow-burn fake-relationship arranged-marriage steamy
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Marrying Mr. Majestic by Lucy Lennox
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI’ve made myself into many things over the years. A Yale graduate. A brilliant corporate strategist. A city boy. And, though no one outside my inner circle knows it, a billionaire.One thing I never expected to be? Accidentally married to a straight, small-town cowboy named Waylon, the pride and joy of… *checks notes*... Majestic, Wyoming... -
On the Run by May Archer
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI was supposed to be partying with a bunch of celebrities in paradise this week, okay?But then I made one teeny, tiny error in judgement before leaving New York, and suddenly the paparazzi expected me to give a command performance as “the other man” in their straight celebrity “outing” of the week.Um, no, precious. So much no... -
Could Be the One: (Lucas and Becca) by Claire Kingsley
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI’ve always been the good girl, doing what people expect. But when I find myself dumped, instead of engaged, I realize it’s time for a change. I want to stop being so timid. Take risks. Find my naughty side. And who better to help me than my friend Lucas? Sure, Lucas is sexy as sin, with a smile that turns my brain inside out and a body that makes me think a lot of very bad girl thoughts...Categorized as:
steamy forced-proximity slow-burn romantic-love contemporary audiobook friends-to-lovers small-town -
Until You Can't by Brittney Sahin
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brittney Sahin comes a thrilling new standalone romance.She was the girl next door. His brother’s ex. And the woman he spent a decade pretending to hate . . .After twenty years of service, the Navy told me it’d be too risky to operate again, forcing me to retire as a Navy SEAL...Categorized as:
fake-relationship forced-proximity slow-burn steamy 21st-century action-adventure adult age-gap -
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Before the Sunset by Laura Pavlov
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsHe’s an actor in need of an image makeover. She’s determined to show her ex-fiancé that she’s moved on. A fake relationship between two best friends is the perfect solution. Or is it?Reese Murphy has been my best friend since before we took our first steps.She’s the yin to my yang.The peanut butter to my jelly...Categorized as:
fake-relationship forced-proximity steamy slow-burn romance contemporary audiobook fiction -
Because Naughty Holidays Can Be Oh So Nice 2015 by Nicole Edwards
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe readers voted and the winners for the 2015 holiday book are: Alluring Indulgence: Travis, Kylie, Gage; Sniper 1 Security: RT and Z; Club Destiny: Luke, Sierra, Cole. Come and see how they are heating up the holidays this year! The Walker brothers are at it again.. -
The Art of Husbandry by Jay Hogan
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen life drowns you in lemons, to hell with making lemonade. I wanted to burn the whole world. But eighteen months from the day my life was torn apart, I’m tired of the anger. Tired of the nightmares. Tired of putting one foot in front of the other just trying to survive. Three months on a high country sheep station in the middle of nowhere is exactly the reboot I need. A chance to break free... -
Stay Over by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBrooksOverhearing my cousin’s best friend confessing that she’s never been satisfied wasn’t my fault… but offering to help her change that definitely was. Her brother is a friend of mine, and while this has a bad idea written all over it, it doesn’t stop us from becoming friends… with benefits. Palmer is gorgeous, off-limits, and stubborn as hell. For the first time, I’m the one left wanting more...Categorized as:
steamy forced-proximity slow-burn romance contemporary small-town friends-to-lovers age-gap -
The Shipwreck by Rosalind Abel
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLamont Price’s romance novels have been a hit for the past few years. With his gorgeous looks, kind heart, and tender disposition, Lamont is the darling of Lavender Shores. He’s the guy everyone wants to be their best friend, the guy everyone wants to protect. But even with his success and the love of his family, Lamont feels hidden from those around him... -
Devil's Own by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThere’s nothing Devil loves more than giving Angel whatever he wants, especially when it’s what he wants too. The only question is… Does Raven want them?Of course, I’ve noticed Angel and Devil noticing me. I’ve felt their eyes and the deep pulse of their heated wanting... -
Off Key (Whispering Key) by May Archer
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsI’m about to sing you the saddest song in the universe, and it’s called “The Man of My Dreams Married My Sister.” It’s kinda my theme song. And trust me when I tell you, it’s heavy on the violins.Because the man in question? He’s not just any guy, he’s Rafe freakin’ Goodman. My former best friend. The boy who made my summers on Whispering Key magical... -
Sweet Spot by Jessica Prince
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWho knew four little words and a very public kiss would change so much.Gage Langdon didn’t do relationships. After having his heart shattered years ago, he made a vow to never go down that road again. But when his past waltzes into his town, demanding his attention, he reacts without thinking and makes a very public display of kissing his best friend... -
Budding Attraction by Saxon James
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFordI’ve never thought much about Orson Naples.He’s a cute guy who I’d seen around town a few times, but then one day he up and left and didn’t reappear until a few years later. No one knows where he went or what he was doing, all this gossipy town knows is that he’s a widower, owns the florist, and is friends with that divorced group that hang out at the Killer Brew all the time... -
The Gift by May Archer
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsDanielI suck at relationships and don’t trust anyone, but there are reasons for that. For one thing, every person I’ve ever cared about has let me down. The only recent exception: O’Leary’s town veterinarian...my new best friend. I came to O’Leary for a fresh start. To pare things down to essentials. To forget about the failures in my past... -
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Shaun's Salvation by K.C. Wells
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsRomance is the last thing Shaun wants, but what if it’s exactly what he needs – and deserves?A selfless son barely holding onShaun doesn’t have much of a life. When he’s not working in the restaurant in Portland, Maine, he’s home looking after his dad, who has dementia... -
Fearless Heart by Brighton Walsh
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsQuinn Cartwright sees me as nothing more than her rival...her enemy. But I’ve been obsessed with her since we were teenagers. She's gorgeous and brilliant with a tongue sharp enough to cut glass…and she has no idea I love it as much as I do.So when she needs someone to put a ring on it because of her a-hole boss, I marry her without hesitation. We draw up a contract on a napkin... -
Life after Love by J.J. Harper
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAll he wanted was a new life, not a new love.MerrickMerrick has the perfect life: a husband, a baby, and a great future ahead of him. Until all that is ripped away, and he’s left alone with his daughter. After two years, he knows it’s time to move on. To find a new life for him and Willow. It comes in the shape of a derelict mill house nestled in the hills above a Devon seaside town...Categorized as:
mlm slow-burn forced-proximity lgbtq romance contemporary friends-to-lovers small-town -
Relief Pitcher by Lee Blair
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI thought I was helping him get his groove back. Turns out he’s helping me fall in love.TylerI have one rule when it comes to matters of my one and done. Consensually, of course. Fun with no complicated romantic feelings. Not that I’m built to experience those, anyway.After my car breaks down on a remote road, I follow a lumbersnack back to his creepy cabin for the cell service... -
Last Round by Charity Ferrell
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat’s the best way to get back at your cheating ex?Give every guy who hits on you his number. That’s what I did when I met Silas. Little did I know, we’d see each other again.One run-in leads to another.One fake date leads to a friendship.That friendship leads to feelings.But everyone knows feelings and friendship doesn't mix.We’re too much the same.It’d never work out...Categorized as:
fake-relationship slow-burn steamy adult book contemporary fiction friends-to-lovers -
Levi's Love by K.C. Wells
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsUnrequited love hurts like hell Levi Brown has loved Noah White since he was a teenager, but Noah isn’t looking for a relationship. Every time Levi sees him, his heart aches for what it cannot have. Because dear Lord, he wants Noah, in his life, in his bed.Especially in his bed. The only reason Levi is still a virgin is because he was waiting for Noah. Except Noah doesn’t want him... -
Save Me by Samantha Chase
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPretending to date the town’s bad boy seemed like a good idea.But who knew that being bad could feel so good…A small town, fake dating, opposites attract standalone romance from NY Times Best Selling Author Samantha ChaseRyleigh Donovan has been unsuccessfully dodging her mother’s matchmaking attempts for far too long...Categorized as:
fake-relationship steamy forced-proximity romance contemporary audiobook family small-town -
Hot Zone by Jacki James
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIf there is one thing Mars Allen knows, it’s that his best friend’s father, Samuel Sheridan, is totally off limits. Too bad the sexy fire chief would be the perfect Daddy. The release date on this book may change... -
His Son's Teacher by Kay Stockham
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsNick Tulane ordinarily won't admit weakness--in himself or in those he loves. But when he learns his son is about to fail in school, the single father is desperate to find a tutor. And Jennifer Rose is perfect.In fact, Jen might be too perfect. Nick's starting to fall for the attractive teacher, and he can't let that happen... -
Grinding by Sean Ashcroft
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTwo childhood best friends. One accidental fake engagement. One Labrador puppy. One week to fall in love.When Harvey runs into his childhood best friend—literally—on the way into Otter Bay for his cousin's wedding, he doesn't plan to end up playing the part of the guy's fiancé...Categorized as:
mlm lgbtq fake-relationship steamy romance contemporary friends-to-lovers small-town -
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Like I Needed by Charlie Novak
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsOne night isn’t supposed to lead to love.Jamie Stone is rich, beautiful, and bored out of his skull. The past few years have been an endless round of parties, and the decadence has lost its lustre. When a late night decision to get away lands him in the small seaside town of Heather Bay, Jamie's convinced he's made a mistake.Heather Bay is no Ibiza, but it does have Will... -
Grumpy Bear by Slade James
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHooking up with an employee is not on my to-do list.Making sure other men have a good time is my business, even if it means suppressing my own desires. It’s opening weekend at my clothing-optional campground, guests are starting to arrive, and I’ve got a pool party and a few hundred peoples’ vacations to save while battling Mother Nature’s tantrums... -
Dirty Trick by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsCan you be friends with benefits with a guy who hates you? What about enemies with benefits instead?My plan to lick every cupcake Boston wants until he realizes I’m his only option might actually work out…Was pretending to sleep with tons of men to keep my crush from hooking up with them a Dirty Trick? Sure. Do I regret it? Not one bit... -
Sagittarius Saves Libra by Anyta Sunday
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTrue love is on the horizon, Sagittarius. It’s a good time to step out of your routine and into the unknown.Jason Lyall wants someone to come home to, someone he can be his most ridiculous self with. Someone who loves him regardless. But no matter how hard he tries, he can never quite make that connection, and now his last girlfriend has moved on—she’s engaged... -
Let Your Hearts Be Light by Fae Quin
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA stranger is just someone you haven’t been forced to spend Christmas with yet.Baxter: As a 42-year-old single father the last thing I expected before Christmas was for my daughter to sign me up for a community matchmaking event... -
Chaser by Charity Ferrell
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThings I never thought would happen:Meeting my boyfriend’s secret wife.Finding out I’m pregnant with his baby.Pretending my best friend is the father.In public, we fake a relationship.In private, we try not to fall in love.The more we pretend, the more we forget it’s only temporary.If only we had known it would change everything...Categorized as:
fake-relationship forced-proximity slow-burn steamy adult book cheating contemporary -
Griff's Place by Riley Hart
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsGRIFFINI always felt I wasn’t wired like my peers, but when my brother, Kellan, gave me three terms—ace, aromantic, and demi—I had possible names for it. Those three words have been on my mind ever since, as has my brother’s best friend, Josh Westbrook. It’s been cool getting to know him and spending time together, just us. He makes me feel something I never thought I’d be able to feel... -
Boyfriend 101 by Riley Hart
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsCamdenI'm a fun-loving guy who doesn't take life too seriously. If there's something I want, I go for it. Why not? Life's too short to slide into the grave with regrets. But what I don't do is go for men who aren't out and proud. Been there, done that. The only real way to get to me is to hurt my brother, but now that Sawyer's happy, he doesn't need me anymore... -
Stroker by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIs there an easy way to tell your lifelong best friend that you secretly married his brother eight years ago? Asking for a friend…When Gates shows up needing a place to crash, I offer him my spare room. Whatever happened between us nearly two decades ago is water under the bridge. I don’t lie awake at night wondering what could have been. Nope, definitely not... -
A Little Bit like Desire by Brooke Blaine
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhat if you had everything in the world you wanted...except the man you never knew you needed? Shaw Jennings, the seductive, enigmatic owner of Body Electric Tattoo works hard and plays even harder. He’s built a life he’s proud of, and though that doesn’t include a significant other, he’s got plenty of sexy men to keep his bed warm at night... -
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Roommate Arrangement by Saxon James
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsPayne:In search of: room to rent.Must ignore the patheticness of a forty-year-old roommate.Preferably dirt cheap as funds are tight (nonexistent).There’s nothing sadder than moving back to my hometown newly divorced, homeless, and lost for what my next move is.When my little brother’s best friend offers me a place to stay in exchange for menial duties, I swallow my pride and jump at the offer... -
Stay Real by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsCourtneyMaybe blurting out my imaginary relationship status to my nagging mother wasn’t the best idea.Declaring that I’m dating my boss’s brother-in-law, well, that was just wishful thinking and a lot of panic.To my embarrassment, they both overheard me. But Merrick not only offers to be my plus one, he agrees to fake date me for the next couple of months leading up to my sister’s wedding...Categorized as:
slow-burn fake-relationship steamy romance contemporary friends-to-lovers small-town audiobook -
My Silver Lining by Laura Pavlov
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA Small Town, Fake Dating, Enemies to Lovers, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.Lulu Sonnet is the bane of my existence.She’s caused me more physical pain than any man should ever endure.From an accidental throat punch to a near death by shovel—Don’t even get me started on that vicious pool ball accident where she almost robbed me of my family jewels... -
Stolen Hart by E. Davies
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWith one look, he blew down every wall I built.Barista Aaron Fisher has no time for shame, propriety, or boyfriends. He’s tired of being used—by his family, hookups, and even a would-be blackmailer. A year after his last heartbreak, Aaron’s ready to give love another chance. He swoops in to rescue a gentle, bashful hunky customer from the depths of app-swiping hell... -
Tobias and Beau by Chloe Gray
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsBeau and Tobias never expected to fall in love so quickly. Will that love be enough to last?Beau Matthews knows he wants to be with Tobias, but the two men are so different from one another. Beau lives a mundane life and has a complicated past he'd rather forget. Tobias needs a stern, no nonsense man. Right?Tobias Woods is more then ready for his new life in Bartford... -
Faking by Sean Ashcroft
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA leaked sex tape. A fake relationship. A return home.Ryder swore he was never going back to Otter Bay after leaving at seventeen, but when his life is set on fire in LA, he finds himself ducking into a cozy café on Main Street with his tail between his legs.Unfortunately, he also finds that his best friend, the first boy he ever had a crush on, grew up hot... -
The Wilderness by Rosalind Abel
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWill Epstein had it all—playboy good looks, wealth and prestige, and a gorgeous fiancé to costar with him on a reality television show. But that was years ago, before he was abandoned at the altar on national television. In the aftermath, Will’s world crumbled, leaving him humiliated and lost. Andre Rivera married his first love and lived a dream life until tragedy stepped in... -
Just One Date by Chelsea M. Cameron
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHollis Carr never expected her city-loving self moving to Castleton, Maine, and living in a converted barn. She’s not totally hating the slower pace of life in Castleton, but one thing she can’t handle is the pressure from her mother and her sister to find a nice person to settle down with. Hollis doesn’t do love, period... -
Don't Date a DILF by D.J. Jamison
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI have one rule to live by: Don't Date a DILF.I've seen the consequences of blurring the boundaries between teaching life and dating life, and I'm not about to take that kind of risk.But I didn't count on Hunter Rhodes walking into my school. Never expected that the broad-shouldered, stubble-jawed, absolute glory of a man would be such a sweet and caring father... -
Like I Pretended by Charlie Novak
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPretending to be in love never felt so real. Henry Lu hates being a superstar. Action movies have left a sour taste in his mouth and filming a queer period drama on the Yorkshire coast sounds like the perfect antidote. Meeting grumpy coffee shop owner, Alex, is the cherry on top...Categorized as:
mlm lgbtq slow-burn fake-relationship romance contemporary small-town grumpy-sunshine -
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Meant To Be: A Prequel Daddy Novella by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPJ couldn't be more surprised that he needs a Daddy in the bedroom...Joel and PJ met as pre-teens at Takoda Outreach Center. They’ve shared every secret, first as best friends, then roommates. But now that they’ve graduated from college, adulting presents circumstances and unforeseen problems that they never saw coming... -
System Overload by Saxon James
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsKellerBanging my son’s bestie was a total accident that will never, ever happen again. I’m sure of it.While he might be gorgeous and caught me in a weak moment, when it comes right down to it, my son has been my entire life for the last twenty-six years. I don’t know how to be anything other than his dad.But with Molly heading off to Seattle, he leaves me with a parting gift: Will.His best friend... -
Pretty Dogs by Riley Nash
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIt’s hard to imagine dating when I secretly share a bed with my best friend every night. When we can barely spend an hour apart. When he’ll kill anyone who tries to touch me.We finally escaped the trailer park, but maybe we weren’t ready for freedom. My best friend Beck doesn’t know how to leave the gang he’s always known, even if it costs him his life... -
Something Unexpected by Rory Maxwell
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDOMINIC LAUDER never thought he’d return to Split Rock Ranch. But after twenty years, he finds himself knocking on his aunt’s door. He just wishes he was there with better news... -
Jaxon by Ruby Raynes
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings***Jaxon - Love in Ink - Book 2***AlexMy life is going fine. Okay, it was going fine until I found myself both homeless—my trusty car Trixie on her last leg—and in need of a fake fiancé. What I don't expect is for Jaxon, my long-time crush and the owner of Ink Me, to come swooping in like a knight in shining armor...Categorized as:
mlm fake-relationship lgbtq forced-proximity romance contemporary age-gap friends-to-lovers -
Something Unprofessional by Rory Maxwell
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsEv Bailey is done dating his bosses. After the last disaster, he’s sworn off workplace romances for good. He has a new job in a new city and he’s not going to make the same mistakes again—he knows he’ll never find his perfect Daddy in the corner office. Which is why it’s so inconvenient that his new boss is hotter than sin . . . and an expert at pushing all his buttons...
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