Books like 'An Optimist's Guide to Heartbreak'
Readers who enjoyed An Optimist's Guide to Heartbreak by Jennifer Hartmann also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary bikers office new adult forced proximity friends to lovers grumpy sunshine virgin heroine boss & employee bad boys
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The Perfect Catch by Meghan Quinn
"Kiss me. Just this once . . . please Walker."Those whispered words were my undoing . . .As the most hated player in baseball, I had two options: either clean up my image or pack my bags. Being traded wasn't an option which only meant one thing, I had to become compliant.That's how I found myself sharing a small bistro table with Kate Chapman, the Chicago Bobbies newest PR Manager... -
Hammer by Cee Bowerman
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAfter a rough childhood, Hammer settled down to live the good life. He had a wife he adored, children he doted on, and even the house in the suburbs with the white picket fence. But most of all, he finally had the stability he longed for growing up.When he made a decision to help a woman in need, that bliss was short-lived. What he thought was a horrible accident changed his life forever... -
The Son & His Hope by Pepper Winters
A Sweeping, Heart-wrenching Standalone from New York Times Bestseller Pepper Winters. "Things you should know about me from the very beginning:I was born to true love, witnessed the destruction it causes, and vowed never to let such agony happen to me. I am not a story-teller like my father. I am not a writer like my mother. I am just a son--their son.I am happy being alone...Categorized as:
new adult angst from hate to love friends to lovers m-f contemporary open-door length-long -
The Difference Between Somebody and Someone by Aly Martinez
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe world owes you nothing. It took losing the woman I loved and facing the paralyzing task of moving on without her for me to truly understand that. Consumed by regret and razor-sharp memories, I’d resigned myself to a life of loneliness until a survivor from the same plane crash that took my fiancée stormed into my life.Remi Grey was chaos and sunshine, fire and freedom... -
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RUSH: Deluxe Edition by Emma Scott
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsTo be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable. --John MiltonCharlotte Conroy, Juilliard-trained violinist, was on the cusp of greatness when tragedy swooped down on dark wings, crushing her hopes and breaking her heart. The music that used to sing in her soul has grown quiet, and she feels on the verge of setting down her violin for good... -
One Bossy Disaster by Nicole Snow
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA wild twist of fate throws together two total opposites in this steamy and hysterical grumpy sunshine romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow.Trust me, I'm not falling for a human porcupine.I don't do older men with baggage a mile long.Billionaires? Nope, I'm Miss Independence, thank you very much... -
Path To Resolution by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWolfe Emerson is notorious for two things: being an absolute beast in a boxing ring and being a voluntary mute. His story remains unspoken and he prefers to live his life in silence. That is, until, his world is turned upside down when he meets someone who is louder than life... -
Tight Laced by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsOne of us will have to give up the future we’ve dreamed of if we’re going to make this work. It’s not going to be me. We can’t both have that same thought if we want to stay together when our contract ends.But the more I see him struggle against the things his mother does to him, the harder I fall. The more his ex tries to get in his way, the more I want to stand up for him...Categorized as:
age difference friends to lovers forced proximity siblings-bff m-f sports contemporary length-short -
Promise to Love You by J. Saman
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHenry Gauthier: Bassist. Gorgeous. My brother’s best friend. And the man who destroyed my heart.He’s also the man I grew to hate after a one-night stand went horribly wrong. I’ve spent the last three years successfully dodging him like a bullet. Now, fresh out of a bad relationship and living in a new city, I finally feel like I’m starting to get myself together... -
The Deal Dilemma by Meagan Brandy
Ever wonder what would happen if you bribed your brother’s ex-best friend to pop your cherry?Yeah, me either, but I did it anyway. Now the moody man is madder than ever, but I came prepared to strike a deal. One he can’t refuse…Crew Taylor is the picture of perfection, if gruff, grumpy, and prone to throw a punch is your type... -
Hushed Torment by Bella Jewel
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsFrom USA Today, and international bestseller, comes the second book in the Iron Fury MC! One accident changed my life. One single second changed everything for me. In one terrifying moment, everything I knew was gone. Music is the only thing that keeps me holding on. When the opportunity arises for me to tour with country music star, Scarlett Belle, I take it. An escape. A chance... -
Gotta Be Bayou by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsHow do you get over a woman you never should have been, ahem, under in the first place?Just when FBI special agent Spencer Landry had decided to forget about investigative journalist Maxine — Max — Keller and their one hot night together, there's a threat made against her and Spencer's protective instincts get all riled up. Again... -
Love to Tempt You by J. Saman
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOur band's stunning, untouched new assistant was completely off-limits. But that didn't stop me.A car crash. A fake story at the hospital. She warned me when I dragged her from the nightmare that was her life that she could very well destroy mine. I didn't listen. I didn't care.I brought her into my home. Into my life. Gave her a job. My Pandora...Categorized as:
age difference virgin heroine office forced proximity friends to lovers new adult m-f pregnancy -
Kissing the Rival by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 10 ratings**Kissing the Rival is part of a multi-author series following a group of friends. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone novel.Charlotte I’m not just kissing the rival… I’m falling for him. Spencer Pennington has always been a shameless flirt, but when it came to being the best in our MBA program, all bets were off, and the competition was on... -
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Tangled Twosome by Meghan Quinn
Racer McKay is a broody bastard. From the moment I met him, he’s been rude, irritable, and unbearable. And worse? He's broke. A contractor working to remodel my parents pool house for extra cash, he stomps around in those clunky construction boots with his tool belt wrapped around his narrow waist, and a chip on his shoulder. Racer McKay is also infuriatingly . . . sexy as hell...Categorized as:
new adult alpha male from hate to love working class hero office cold hero m-f forced proximity -
The Edge of Chaos by J. Saman, Blake Lockheart
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsYou know that awful moment when you realize you accidentally slept with your best friend's older brother?I met him on my last New Year's Eve in New York. Sparks flew. Madness ensued. And after the hottest night of my life, I ran out on him.Three years later, he and I come face-to-face again.Now, do I not only learn his name, but realize the heat between us hasn't dissipated for a second...Categorized as:
age difference second chances bad boys office friends to lovers alpha male dual-pov siblings-bff -
Cocky Roommate by Claire Kingsley
This roommate thing was a terrible idea. Kendra is a messy-haired, pajama-pants-wearing little ball of sass. The first thing she does is try to make friends with my random from the night before—giving her all sorts of bad ideas. I don’t date. I don’t use words like girlfriend, or I’ll text you later. F*ck that. Relationships aren’t for me...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love forced proximity grumpy sunshine cold hero m-f siblings-bff humor -
No Small Bet by Samantha Christy
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsReluctant single dad.Arrogant villain.Cold-hearted heir.And the enemy of my brothers.I should hate him… so why can’t I stop wanting him?Hawk McQuaid is not the guy who stays.He doesn’t do relationships.Especially not with the virgin amputee who accidentally became his nanny during an elevator mishap.But he’s wound himself around my heart.And it’s the last place he should be.He’ll hurt me... -
How to Date the Guy You Hate by Julie Kriss
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI hate Jason Carsleigh. Gorgeous, sexy, perfect Jason Carsleigh. He was the golden boy in high school - the one every girl dreamed about. Except me. I have my reasons. He owes me big, so I’m calling in a favor. I need Jason as my date for my ex’s wedding. Simple - wear a suit, look hot, and pretend he likes me. That’s it. Then I’m done with him forever. I’m not going to tell him my secrets... -
Dax by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsDavid “Dax” Xavier knew he was supposed to stay away from Arya Rossi. Not only was she too young for him…Arya was the sister of one of his Silver Saints MC brothers. But even Nova’s threat of death to anyone who touched her wasn’t enough to keep Dax from claiming Arya for himself... -
Rider by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsAiden “Rider” Brand knew the Silver Saints MC rule about sisters being off-limits. But he had no clue that his VP was Wendy West’s big brother when he met her. And after their night together, nobody was going to keep him away from the woman he’d claimed as his own... -
Only Rivals by Charity Ferrell
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsThe first boy I ever hated was Jax Bridges.The first man I loved was his best friend.My plan was to meet a boy, fall in love, and live happily ever after.That ended when my boyfriend died and left me half of his business.Now, his best friend and I are business partners.There’s just one problem: We hate each other.Jax and I have been rivals since childhood...Categorized as:
new adult forced proximity tortured hero angst from hate to love contemporary length-medium -
Nova by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsNova Rossi wasn’t happy when the Silver Saints MC president assigned him a babysitting job. Not until he saw Rylee Nelson’s picture. All it took was one look for Nova to realize that his sister’s friend was meant to be his, and he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.Rylee wasn’t expecting to be rescued in middle of the night. Or for Nova’s caveman attitude to turn her on... -
Laws of Physics: Space by Penny Reid, Fiona Fischer
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsAll she wants is forgiveness, and all he wants is revenge... From the New York Times Bestselling Author Penny ReidOne week.Private cabin.Famous physicist.Still an unrepentant slacker...Categorized as:
new adult angst dual-pov from hate to love second chances forced proximity contemporary humor -
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Cash by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsCassius “Cash” Gannon wasn’t thrilled to be assigned babysitting duty that required him to head all the way to Aspen to pick up his charge. But then he met Karina Timkins, and he realized she was the light that he needed in his life.Determined to do whatever it took to keep Karina safe from the mess her father had created, he brought her back to the Silver Saints compound...Categorized as:
bikers alpha male virgin heroine age difference from hate to love new adult contemporary insta-love -
Park Avenue Player by Penelope Ward
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsIt started out like any normal day. Then the fender bender happened. The guy I collided with drove an expensive car and was drop-dead gorgeous. Too bad he was also a total jerk. We argued over whose fault it was and any other thing that came out of his condescending mouth. Eventually, the police came and we went our separate ways. The insurance companies would have to figure things out...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love dual-pov office alpha male boss & employee angst friends to lovers -
Falling into Forever by Avery Maxwell
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhat’s a brokenhearted romance novelist to do when an interview accidentally turns her into the villain? I’ll tell you one thing—the plan definitely wasn’t to turn to the man who taught me that happily ever afters exist only on the page...Categorized as:
friends to lovers grumpy sunshine forced proximity from hate to love m-f contemporary -
Landon & Shay - Part Two: by Brittainy C. Cherry
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsOnce upon a time, I fell in love with a boy.A beautiful, broken boy who had his own world of struggles. People warned me against our love, but I didn't listen.We looked weak. Young, foolish. Dangerously in love. We didn't care.In order to keep our hearts protected from the opinions of others, we became each other’s secret. We shared stolen moments. Tender touches. Secretive embraces... -
Craving Lily by Nicole Jacquelyn
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI grew up hearing about my parents’ love story. How he’d fought for her when she’d refused to fight for herself. The way she’d fought for him when she’d feared that all was lost. I wanted that. But for some reason, I’d always imagined that my love story would be different. That it would be easy. It wasn’t. No, our story was intense, and convoluted, and frustrating. But it was ours...Categorized as:
new adult bikers alpha male friends to lovers age difference possessive hero m-f contemporary -
Forcing You Away by Kennedy Fox
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAs I search for a fresh start, a friend convinces me to move to his small town. Considering I don’t have a place to live, his little sister offers me her spare room.She’s every man’s dream—witty, down to earth, and gorgeous as hell—too bad she’s off-limits. Unspoken words and stolen glances have me eager to please her in all the forbidden ways...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers angst forced proximity siblings-bff contemporary length-short -
Bound by Temptation by Ryan Michele
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author Ryan Michele brings the action packed, steamy next generation Ravage MC filled with angst and loyalty.Every day like clockwork I entered into Fallon’s Bakery. Coffee. That was what I told myself. I was just coming for coffee... -
Target Man by Annie Dyer
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsShe’s out of bounds…As the captain of Manchester Athletic, I know exactly what persona the media and fans need to see.Everything else is behind tightly closed bedroom doors.I didn’t have a pretty childhood. I’m all kinds of broken. The only relationships I have contain boundaries, non-disclosure agreements and safe words...Categorized as:
second chances bad boys forced proximity alpha male friends to lovers angst age difference dual-pov -
On Thin Ice by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn emotional and angsty grumpy x sunshine hockey romance from USA Today and WSJ bestselling author L A Cotton. Are you ready to fall in love with a Laker?When Harper Dixon discovers her father is the Lakeshore U Lakers new assistant coach, she wonders if her life can get any worse.Enter Mason Steele.Arrogant. Cold. With enough ice around his heart to freeze anyone who gets too close...Categorized as:
new adult dual-pov forced proximity from hate to love angst grumpy sunshine m-f sports -
Wedding at the Riverview Inn by Molly O'Keefe
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsAn emotional tale of a magical inn, a wedding gone terribly wrong and a woman searching for a second chance.Alice has hit rock bottom. Once a Michelin-starred chef, she is now drowning in debt, working the line at a chain restaurant and drinking too much. The last person she ever expected to come knocking with a job offer and a fresh start is her ex-husband, Gabe... -
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Cheap Trick by Emily Goodwin
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDanielle Cross has spent her whole life running from breakups and troubles. She’s never stayed in the same place for long…until now.The moment she walks through the doors of Logan Dawson’s bar, there’s an attraction between them neither can deny. And when Danielle needs a date to her sister’s wedding, Logan is the man for the job...Categorized as:
friends to lovers dual-pov office forced proximity new adult contemporary length-short -
The End of Us by Kennedy Fox
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat happens when a stalker threatens your life and you’re flown to a private beach house with your sexy new bodyguard? You break the rules and hope he falls madly in love with you.The End of Us is an age gap, bodyguard, forced proximity standalone romance...Categorized as:
new adult forced proximity age difference grumpy sunshine cold hero contemporary length-short -
All the Wright Moves by K.A. Linde
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA sexy brother's best friend roommates romance set in the world of the Wrights from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde…When I moved in with my brother’s best friend, I thought it was temporary.Weston Wright would be in LA with my brother for six months. I’d get the place to myself to get back on my feet. A perfect plan.Until he comes back and asks me to stay...Categorized as:
friends to lovers alpha male angst forced proximity new adult m-f siblings-bff contemporary -
Confessions of a Litigation God by Sawyer Bennett
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWARNING, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK from Matt Connover, Litigation God: Please do not attempt to read my story in public, as my sexual proclivities have been known to cause squirming in your seat, squeezing of your legs together and unintentional moaning, sometimes with spontaneous bursts of laughter at random moments... -
Laws of Physics: Time by Penny Reid, Fiona Fischer
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsListening time 7 hours 44 minutesFrom the New York Times Bestselling Author Penny ReidLaws of Physics is the second trilogy in the Hypothesis series; Laws of Physics parts 1 (MOTION) & 2 (SPACE) end with a cliffhanger.A (brokenhearted) physicist.Now an infamous (who is LITERALLY EVERYWHERE!! UGH!) musician.The worst has already happened... -
Beneath Your Beautiful by Emery Rose
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsEDEN All I wanted was a fresh start in a new city...and a bartending job. I never intended to fall for the sexy, tattooed bar owner. Dark. Brooding. Emotionally unavailable. But Killian Vincent is a challenge I can’t seem to walk away from. He’s afraid that if I dig too deep, I won’t like what I find. But he’s wrong, and I’m determined to prove it. KILLIAN Love can destroy a man... -
Eating Her Heart Out by Fiona Davenport
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsSawyer Ward had heard wild stories about Katie Blake from her brother—his best friend and business partner. The last thing he expected was to fall for her the minute they met. She was nothing like her brother described, and Sawyer quickly realized the gorgeous blonde was his perfect match in every way...Categorized as:
new adult virgin heroine alpha male age difference friends to lovers m-f siblings-bff contemporary -
Texas by Lila Rose
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsGrowing up around the Hawks Motorcycle Club, Maya and Texas have been in each other’s lives seemingly forever. Maya’s crush on her brother’s best friend has lasted almost as long.Older and somewhat wiser, she knows the man who’s always had her heart will never see her as anything other than his friend’s sister. But try as she might, she can’t escape him...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers alpha male age difference bikers m-f contemporary length-medium -
Mr. Wicked by Marni Mann
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAn alpha billionaire dedicated to no-strings pleasure. A woman committed to changing his wicked mind. Together they ignite a steaming-hot romance by the USA Today bestselling author of Mr. Hook-up.Grayson Tanner has had better days... -
Following His Rules by Kylie Kent
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsFollowing His Rules is book 1 in The Tempter Series; a series of stand-alone, office, best friend’s brother romances.⚠⚠⚠ This book contains adult language, sexual content, age-gap relationships, and so much spice it'll have you dripping sweat as you read. ⚠⚠⚠ShardonnayI need this job...Categorized as:
new adult boss & employee from hate to love age difference office siblings-bff m-f contemporary -
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Mr. Grump by Leslie North
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsI have a confession.I hate bachelorette parties.A night of dick straws, awkward dancing and being told “it’ll be you soon, Kaitlyn!”Especially when it’s at a super swanky Miami club—exactly where I don’t belong.Couldn’t get any worse, right?Enter Mr. Tall, Dark and I-didn’t-know-they-made-people-this-gorgeous.Grump supreme. His scowl has a scowl...Categorized as:
dual-pov forced proximity grumpy sunshine from hate to love office cold hero m-f contemporary -
Temptress by Jessica Prince
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWho knew the grumpy single dad next door would turn out to be The One?As Sloane Chambers stood at her window and creeped on the new guy moving in next door, she was immediately drawn to the tattoos, muscles, and the way his jeans hugged his perfect . . . frame. But when she caught him hacking up her rose bushes with a chain saw, the battle was on... -
Shaken by Charity Ferrell
A see yourself out note isn’t how you want to celebrate the morning after your first one- night stand.The first time I meet Archer Callahan is when I block him in a parking spot.The second is a fender bender.The third is at a bar, drinking away our problems, and finding our way to his bed.I never expected to see him again...Categorized as:
new adult from hate to love angst tortured hero grumpy sunshine office siblings-bff contemporary -
Stay Over by Kaylee Ryan
BrooksOverhearing 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... -
Reputation by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsCoy Mason is a jerk.If there is one truth that Bellamy Davenport knows, it’s that. Hands-down. (Well, that and the fact that she didn’t mean to hurt him. Physically. Coy can’t be hurt emotionally because he doesn’t have a heart.)Coy is not just the small-town, literal boy-next-door... -
My Boss the Billionaire by Maggie Cole, Aaron Shedlock
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsFrom panty flashing to panty melting, I'm in over my head....Noah Parker. Gorgeous and arrogant.From the first moment we meet, I decide I just might hate him...almost as much as I want him. But a scandalous office romance is the last thing I'm willing to risk my career over. Noah's presence is unavoidable, just like our chemistry, and the longer we work side by side, the more mistakes we make...
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