Books like 'Before They Were Lovers: A Nothing Special Valentine's Origin Story'
Readers who enjoyed Before They Were Lovers: A Nothing Special Valentine's Origin Story by A.E. Via, Abbie Nicole & Jay Aheer also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance grumpy-sunshine mlm slow-burn cheerful-mc alpha-mc law-enforcement grumpy-mc lgbtq
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Hired: Hadley by Nora Phoenix
Rated: 5.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSebastian LeClerc is richer than Midas. He’s also a grumpy a**hole, a playboy, and the world’s worst boss. At least, according to Hadley, who was crazy enough to take the job as Sebastian’s PA.Big mistake. Huge.Sebastian may look like Richard Gere and be equally charming in public, but it’s all an act. Hadley should know, as he’s one of the few people who gets to see the real Sebastian... -
![The Resurrection of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer]()
The Resurrection of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIt took me a while to learn that sometimes no matter how much, or how hard you love someone, or something, you have to let them go. You can’t save a sinking ship.Sometimes, you have someone else you have to be strong for, who needs you more.You make a choice.A devastating one.And you hope, maybe one day, they’ll come back to you... -
![Famous in a Small Town by Kylie Scott]()
Famous in a Small Town by Kylie Scott
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhat chance does a small-town girl have with a world-famous rock star?Two years after his wife’s death, rock star Garrett Hayes hasn’t moved on. But he has moved out of L.A. Where better to escape his past than a small town in the Northern California mountains? If only he could get the townsfolk of Wildwood to leave him the hell alone... -
![Off Duty Volume 2 by Gregory Ashe]()
Off Duty Volume 2 by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHazard and Somerset: Off Duty Volume 2 is a collection of short stories. It includes the following:“John-Henry Somerset: Sold!”Somers enters a charity bachelor’s auction without telling his boyfriend. This story takes place before The Rational Faculty.“Pretty and Pink and Perfect”Hazard plans a toddler’s birthday party. This story takes place before The Rational Faculty... -
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![Vow Maker by Lily Morton]()
Vow Maker by Lily Morton
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDylan Mitchell wants to get married.However, after seven years of being engaged, that’s looking slightly doubtful. After going through ten wedding planners, they’re gaining a reputation somewhat akin to Henry the Eighth on the wedding circuit.Gabe has vetoed symbolic dove releases, forests of flowers, fire-eating performers, and puce as a wedding colour... -
![Disrupted Engagement by Nicky James]()
Disrupted Engagement by Nicky James
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThe ring has been bought, and all Aslan has to do is create the perfect setup for a proposal. No problem. Nothing to it. Quaid deserves the best, and he plans to deliver.After choreographing a romantic evening to officially pop the question, Aslan is ready.But things don’t go as planned, and the evening is ruined. Quaid’s insecurities rear their ugly head, making him suspicious... -
![Matrimonial Merriment by Nicky James]()
Matrimonial Merriment by Nicky James
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWho would have thought Quaid and Aslan would come so far?Join the couple as they scramble to arrange Quaid's dream wedding in under three months. Then take a seat because you are cordially invited to attend the ceremony...Categorized as:
mlm lgbtq law-enforcement grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance contemporary -
![Sterling Brick by L.B. Dunbar]()
Sterling Brick by L.B. Dunbar
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLove wasn’t part of the blueprint when high school sweethearts reunite in their small town. But this former military man never forgot the girl he left behind and he’s more determined than ever to rebuild their relationship brick by brick and heart by heart.Getting locked in the men’s restroom during my mother’s funeral wasn’t exactly how I expected to run into my high school sweetheart...Categorized as:
grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc slow-burn romance contemporary military small-town -
![Dirty Daddies: 2021 Anniversary Anthology by Renee Rose, Laylah Roberts]()
Dirty Daddies: 2021 Anniversary Anthology by Renee Rose, Laylah Roberts
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA DADDY FOR EVERYONE... This collection of twenty-five sexy-as-sin romances star Daddy Doms who demand obedience and require your total surrender. Whether you like Cowboy Daddies, Dark Daddies, Doctor Daddies, Stern Daddies, Shifter Daddies, Alien Daddies, or LGTBQ Daddies, there is a Daddy waiting for you... -
![Off Duty by Gregory Ashe]()
Off Duty by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHazard and Somerset: Off Duty is a collection of short stories. It includes the following: “Tickets to the Gun Show” Emery Hazard just wants to take his boyfriend to a concert, but some people are assholes... -
![Wicked Heat by Ella Frank]()
Wicked Heat by Ella Frank
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsRyanKind, caring, and protective. Those are the three qualities I’m looking for when it comes to my dream man. In a city as big as Chicago, you wouldn’t think he would be that hard to find, right?Wrong.Sure, my boss found a super-sexy detective and my best friend fell madly in love with the most eligible bachelor around... -
![The Life Coach by Sienna Waters]()
The Life Coach by Sienna Waters
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsIt's time to let a little sunshine into your life...Meet Vivien Curtis, a divorced, depressed, reclusive true crime addict. All she wants is to be left alone, and for the kids to stay off her lawn.Until Alice Knowles appears. A young life coach hired by Viv's best friend Evie to get Viv back on her feet again, Alice wants nothing more than to meet Ms. Right, get married, and start adopting cats...Categorized as:
grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc lgbtq enemies-to-lovers contemporary wlw fiction -
![Written at Randy's by Katherine McIntyre]()
Written at Randy's by Katherine McIntyre
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsAn adorkable author and an outgoing club kid as roommates only results in one thing—shenanigans! And of course, love.Love beyond the binary, serving up low angst trans romances at Randy's DinerWritten at Randy’s is a low angst M/X roommates to lovers romance between a reclusive trans male author and a life of the party bigender club kid that reads as a standalone... -
![Off Duty Volume 3 by Gregory Ashe]()
Off Duty Volume 3 by Gregory Ashe
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLife happens when you’re not looking. Unfortunately, so do a lot of other things.Hazard and Somerset: Off Duty Volume 3 is a collection of short stories. It includes the following:“If Your Friends Jumped Off a Bridge”Hazard is going to get Evie the perfect toy for her birthday, no matter what. This story takes place before Relative Justice...Categorized as:
mlm lgbtq law-enforcement grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance contemporary -
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![A Collision of Stars by Georgia Stone]()
A Collision of Stars by Georgia Stone
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOne summer. One bucket list.No one would ever call Ava Monroe a people person, which is unfortunate, as a barista in a busy London coffee shop. Bored, cynical and deathly sarcastic, she’s built up walls for a reason. Despite attempts from her best friend to shake up her routine, Ava refuses to do anything to disrupt her carefully curated life...Categorized as:
grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc slow-burn romance contemporary friends-to-lovers humor -
![Easy Tiger by Ali K. Mulford]()
Easy Tiger by Ali K. Mulford
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s trying to keep his livelihood afloat. She threatens to destroy it. Will two wild hearts finally be tamed?Hawk Lachlan will do anything to save his family’s zoo. With only a year to prove that he and his siblings can handle the responsibility, the gruff eldest brother is determined to fulfill his father’s legacy... -
![Until You by Briar Prescott]()
Until You by Briar Prescott
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEvery life has a before and an after. An invisible line that divides a life into two halves: the before and the after...When Jude is seventeen he overhears something that changes the course of the rest of his life. Now, at twenty-five, he's guarded, distrustful, and determined to keep the rest of the world at arm's length. He doesn't need other people. He has plenty of issues to keep him busy... -
![Wanted: Tender Daddy by Sammi Cee]()
Wanted: Tender Daddy by Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSome hurts change the course of your life forever, but with the devoted attention of an older Daddy, can a boy become comfortable enough in his own skin to hold on tight to the life he deserves? As the last boy left from the original crew of waiters at The Tap Tavern searching for his Daddy, Archie’s filled with nervous excitement. And a little dread. Okay, he’s scared to death... -
![My Surly Soldier by Romeo Alexander]()
My Surly Soldier by Romeo Alexander
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMarco: Life is pretty good...for the most part anyway. A solid career in IT, a good home, and great friends who care about me. It’s a bit lonely. But I’m okay with that. I certainly wasn’t expecting to stumble across a bruised and battered stranger on a dirty street or to discover there was so much more to him than meets the eye... -
![Cruel by Deborah Bladon]()
Cruel by Deborah Bladon
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’s dangerous, addictive, and my newest assignment.The future I desperately crave rests in the palm of his hand.Breathtakingly handsome and painfully private, he’s the sinner who killed a saint. That’s what the world sees when they catch a glimpse of Kavan Bane.He’s the mysterious billionaire tucked away in his penthouse high above Manhattan.My job is to understand him. His goal is to break me... -
![Sweet Spot by TheFeveredBookaholic]()
Sweet Spot by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSierra Lancaster has had an agonizingly mediocre life. She grew up in a happy home, made loyal friends, graduated college, and is now pursuing her dream of running her own bakery. Boring, right? A story like this wouldn't be one for the books. At least not until you bring a hot neighbor into the mix... -
![Whiskey Sour by Addison Beck]()
Whiskey Sour by Addison Beck
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsKnoxWhat do you do when the love of your life chooses someone else?Easy, you find a nice rebound. If it just so happens to be his hot, dumb hunk of a brother, even better.Elton Hill is everything wrong with people. He’s loud, annoying, way too intense, and pushes too hard. But he’s available and our secret friends-with-benefits relationship turns out to be exactly what I need...Categorized as:
mlm lgbtq grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance contemporary enemies-to-lovers -
![Power of the Mind by Nicky James]()
Power of the Mind by Nicky James
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt’s not a real case, he’s not my boyfriend, and we aren’t partners.Three lies I told myself for survival.After ten months of shamefully stalking and showing up randomly on Tallus’s doorstep at midnight (for reasons), the sinfully hot records clerk decided he’d had enough of my games... -
![Better. Obsesión by Carrie Leighton, Elena Rodríguez]()
Better. Obsesión by Carrie Leighton, Elena Rodríguez
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 18 ratings«¿Y si te dijera que prefiero un amor equivocado a un sueño perfecto?»La historia de Thomas y Vanessa ha llegado a su fin. Las mentiras y las traiciones pesan demasiado, y no siempre es posible reparar lo que está roto...Categorized as:
grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance enemies-to-lovers young-adult contemporary fiction -
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![The Underdog by Briar Prescott]()
The Underdog by Briar Prescott
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsAnders:There once was a guy who told a little white lie. That didn’t turn out so well. I would know. I’m the guy.Once upon a time, I told my brother and sister that my dream was to do a triathlon. I never expected them to sign me up for one! Now I’m forced to deal with my very cantankerous personal trainer. Wells Montgomery is an angry, rude, judgmental bastard... -
![The Loner by Riley Hart]()
The Loner by Riley Hart
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDeclanAs a founding member of The Vers, a queer podcast I host with my three best friends, I’m The Loner—quieter than the others, and except for them, I don’t let myself get too close to people. Most of them just let you down anyway, or maybe it’s just that something about me chases people away.Infrequent, no-strings-attached hookups have always worked for me... -
![A Lifetime Kissing You by Riley Hart]()
A Lifetime Kissing You by Riley Hart
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsCharlesI have a great family, a successful career, and never struggle to find the company of a man when I want it, and I do—often. The loss of my brother years ago is the one dark spot in an otherwise perfect life. But at forty-three, my world suddenly feels emptier than it should. Something’s missing... -
![A Gift-Wrapped Holiday by Amy Aislin]()
A Gift-Wrapped Holiday by Amy Aislin
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMal's first priority is giving his six-year-old son the best Christmas ever, a goal made trickier by a recent move to New England after losing his job. As a single dad, he's not looking for romance—especially not with a blond California boy ten years his junior... -
![Mr. Not Quite Perfect by J.S. Cooper]()
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![A Little Christmas: Morrie by B. Ripley]()
A Little Christmas: Morrie by B. Ripley
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’ve never made a Christmas wish, but if I could, I’d ask Santa for a Daddy who understands me.I learned early on in life that gentle hands and friendly smiles can hide darkness underneath. I shy away from cuddles and hugs and refuse to let anyone get too close to me. It’s safer if they stay away and I don’t mind putting up as many barriers as I can to keep everyone out of my space... -
![Infamous Love by Lea Coll]()
Infamous Love by Lea Coll
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOne reality star bad girl. One small-town vet. And the passion is unforgettable... ElleMove away. Dye my hair. Change my name. Fly under the radar.That's my plan to keep the public from recognizing me. I just want to be the new business owner of an old-fashioned barber shop, the ultimate man cave. But all anyone seems to remember is that I'm the bad girl on a popular reality show...Categorized as:
slow-burn grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc contemporary small-town family fiction -
![Nice Guys Still Finish by Harlow James]()
Nice Guys Still Finish by Harlow James
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“Come on. What’s the risk of getting to know me if I’m just some dorky guy that’s hopeless when it comes to dating? I mean, it’s not like you’re going to fall for me.”But hey, a guy could hope, couldn’t he?That was my idea when I met Ariel Logan—my sister’s new assistant on her talk show—to get her to agree to be my relationship tutor in hopes that she’d realize I’m the man she needs... -
![California Sunshine by Chris Mor]()
California Sunshine by Chris Mor
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTwo thousand six hundred and sixty four miles.The Pacific Crest Trail is a big endeavor. But after the way my year started, it might be just what I need. So I’ll take five months alone on a trail. Five months to clear my head and figure out my life. It’ll be good for me.At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.That is, until I meet Nova on the morning I start my trip...Categorized as:
grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc slow-burn romance reverse-harem contemporary humor -
![Waking Up Filthy by R. Cayden]()
Waking Up Filthy by R. Cayden
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhy in the hell is there a naked, tattooed man in my bed?I’m a closeted tennis pro, and I’m certainly not accustomed to waking up with strange men.Never mind that Gabriel is a notoriously flirty rock star and, according to the marriage certificate we find in our Vegas hotel room, my new husband.Last night is a drunken blur, but there’s no doubt in my mind what needs to happen this morning... -
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![Like I Pretended by Charlie Novak]()
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... -
![Of Light and Love by E.V. Bancroft]()
Of Light and Love by E.V. Bancroft
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCarolyn Trent-Parker is one of her generation’s best artists but after losing her wife two years ago, she can no longer paint. In fact, she doesn’t want to do much of anything except hide away. Unwilling to move from her home but with no means of income, she’s forced to get a lodger.Laura Kingston-Lopez is heartbroken and disillusioned, and she heads to England to pursue her masters in animation... -
![Bar Re’s Redemption by STESLARA]()
Bar Re’s Redemption by STESLARA
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings...Categorized as:
lgbtq grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc romance young-adult contemporary fiction -
![Third Time Lucky by Aurora Crane]()
Third Time Lucky by Aurora Crane
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTrust didn’t always go both ways, and Grady Donehue learned that the hard way. He hadn’t learned better after the first betrayal, but he wasn’t going to make the same mistake a third time. Striking up a strange friendship with the equally strange—and straight—soldier, Lake, who had sunshine in his eyes? Grady could do that... -
![UnConVentional Kiss by Katherine McIntyre, K.C. Carmine]()
UnConVentional Kiss by Katherine McIntyre, K.C. Carmine
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOne Comic-Con. One chance encounter. One kiss that changes everything.BeckI never claimed to be easy to love. My steady stream of ex-girlfriends is proof positive, and my anxiety pretty much confirms I’ll be alone for the rest of my life. No matter who I date, I can’t ever feel completely myself.At least until I met Cay, who’s bright, charming, and captures my attention from the start... -
![Scene Queen by Charlie Novak]()
Scene Queen by Charlie Novak
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNote to self: just because he's hot and funny doesn't change the fact he's annoying AF.Hooking up with my irritating as hell neighbour wasn't on my agenda for the week, even if he is ridiculously gorgeous with a smile that lights up my life. His music is too loud, he’s too nosy… but I can’t stop myself from wanting more than a taste... -
![Snowed In by Lexi Blake, Sophie Oak]()
Snowed In by Lexi Blake, Sophie Oak
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPreviously released in the Alphas Confess All anthology with the name In From the Cold. Winter might be cold, but this threesome is heating up … Jessica Phillips never imagined that Gideon Michaels would be at the seminar she was attending in the snowy Aspen wilderness. Gideon broke her heart six months before but introduced her to the world of BDSM... -
![Bad Ideas by Alexa Land]()
Bad Ideas by Alexa Land
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDoctor Theo Koenig is the most annoying man I’ve ever met, and hooking up with him was a terrible idea. So, why can’t I stop myself from coming back for seconds? And thirds?Maybe there’s more to this man than meets the eye... -
![Banger by Kiki Clark]()
Banger by Kiki Clark
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIf there was one thing Kevin knew, it was that his BFF’s ex was bad news.Hank is arrogant, a sloppy drunk, and a complete flirt. And he didn't treat Kevin’s friend the way he deserved.Enough said.It doesn’t matter that everyone else has forgiven and forgotten what happened between Hank and Kevin’s bestie. He won’t let himself fall for the older man’s sweet words or endearments... -
![Sweet as Pie by Beth Bolden]()
Sweet as Pie by Beth Bolden
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLuca Moretti is grumpy—and he wouldn't have it any other way.Wrangling six—Italian—siblings and the family's restaurants would make anyone cranky. But when his mother requests that he save his aunt’s struggling Italian deli in charming, picturesque Indigo Bay, he has no idea that he's about to get an overdose of sweetness... -
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![Skinner by Athena Steller]()
Skinner by Athena Steller
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe BoyMarco is a service sub, but knowing what he needs doesn’t make it any easier to find. There is one mysterious man that comes into the restaurant where he works that makes every desire inside Marco bubble just below the surface. The man that Marco craves to call sir and Daddy might be the only one to ever satisfy his unique kink...Categorized as:
mlm lgbtq grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc law-enforcement romance contemporary -
![Choke Hold by Eve Holmes]()
Choke Hold by Eve Holmes
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.”-Rocky Balboa Ty Roscoe and Luca Mitchell have moved beyond their rivalry in MMA, becoming more than just teammates. Now working together both in and out of the cage, they’re focused on one common making it to the Ultimate Fighting Championship... -
![The Detective's Pleasure by Christa Tomlinson]()
The Detective's Pleasure by Christa Tomlinson
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.“You’ll kneel for me without me having to tell you to. And when you do, you’ll feel so much better. Trust me.” - Detective Sam RobertsOfficer Ryan Bennett: Ambitious and smart, Ryan Bennett is a young officer on Houston’s police force... -
![Frostbite by Deborah Bladon]()
Frostbite by Deborah Bladon
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCalder Frost is everything I don’t want in a man.He’s rude, insensitive, and cold as ice.After he crashes into me on a snowy night, I vow that I’ll do everything in my power to avoid him for the rest of my life.That lasts a day.When I realize that I’ll be forced to spend more time with him, I try to make nice.Calder wants to get naughty.That will never happen... -
![Heart Strain by Michele Notaro, Sammi Cee]()
Heart Strain by Michele Notaro, Sammi Cee
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHolden~ When I get a call that my twin brother’s been shot, I’m in shock as I head back to Baltimore to be with him. Seeing him in a coma is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do; sitting here not knowing whether he’s going to live or die is the worst thing I can imagine. But at least Jameson is with me—he makes it more bearable, and I don’t feel like I’m in this alone... -
![Love Language by Jax Calder]()
Love Language by Jax Calder
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAshtonI’ve shared an office with Dominic, the grumpy raincloud to my endless sunshine, for three and a half years. My roommates and colleagues are convinced I’m obsessed with him, and okay, maybe I am slightly curious about what he signed to me at the staff mid-winter party...
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