Books like 'Unexpected'
Readers who enjoyed Unexpected by E.J. Blaise also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary friends-benefits sports siblings-bff college new adult friends to lovers secret-relationship forced proximity grumpy sunshine
-
Beating Heart by Laura Pavlov
A Small Town, Single Dad, Neighbors to Lovers, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.From the moment my son came into the world—my life changed in the best way.I’d found my purpose.My reason.My heart beats for this kid every damn day.My company is thriving, and life is good.But then Emerson Chadwick happened... -
All Hail the Underdogs by E.L. Massey
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhen seventeen-year-old Patrick Roman is offered a scholarship to a top hockey preparatory school, he thinks maybe his notorious bad luck has finally ended. With a hearing for his legal emancipation on the horizon, he dreams of getting scouted and securing a place on a D1 college team. There’s only one Roman has serious beef with his new winger on the team, Damien Bordeaux...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love forced proximity found-family contemporary hockey length-medium -
Tempting by Bella Matthews
From USA Today and Amazon Top 5 Bestselling Author Bella Matthews comes a Fake Dating, Teach Me, Spicy Sports Romance. A little white lie never hurt anyone . . . or so I thought. One fake date and we’d go our separate ways, at least that’s how hockey’s hottest golden boy—Nixon Sinclair—convinced me this would work. But it turns out, Nix had other plans... -
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... -
-
This Much Is True by Adriana Locke
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhen celebrity Laina Kelley bolted from her small hometown church on her wedding day, she ran to the first place that came to mind—the home of the local farrier, a gorgeous playboy who just so happens to be her first love … and biggest frenemy... -
Strike Zone by Ginger Walls
WYATT:All my friends are under the impression I’m only at Newhouse to chase women and play baseball. Those are two of my favorite pastimes.The truth is, Newhouse is my chance to save my family’s farm. If I don’t get drafted, we’ll lose everything we’ve been working hard to keep.Then I hear her sing and she’s all I can think about. It’s messing up my game and putting my future in jeopardy... -
Neat by Kandi Steiner
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsMy life is over. I swore I would never work at the whiskey distillery with my last name on it, that I would never be a part of my father’s legacy. But when I graduated with my art degree and realized there were no jobs, the devil appeared, and I sold my soul, agreeing to work in the family business if he’d give me the art studio I’d always dreamed of. It can’t be that bad, I thought... -
Awake at Dawn by Amelie Rhys
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen Gemma Briggs moves in with her brother’s friend, the only thing harder than keeping the arrangement a secret is resisting the explosive chemistry she has with her new roommate—hot NFL player, Noah London. After a workplace one-night stand leaves her high and dry with a baby on the way, Gemma Briggs is forced to leave her job as a college figure skating coach... -
The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks by Max Monroe
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsI’m Luciana Wright. Everyone calls me Lucky, but when it comes to love, I’m anything but. I have a long history of dating the wrong men. You know the ones I’m talking about. The beautiful, charming guys who are quite literally too good to be true. The ones who are impulsive in love and prefer short flings over long-term relationships. I’m talking about the jerks...Categorized as:
sports new adult from hate to love forced proximity siblings-bff humor contemporary length-medium -
Laws of Physics by Penny Reid
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOne week.Home alone.Girl genius.Unrepentant slacker.Big lie.What’s the worst that could happen? Mona is a smart girl and figured everything out a long time ago. She had to. She didn’t have a choice... -
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 angst from hate to love contemporary tortured hero length-medium -
Sexiled by Mickey Miller
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMorgan Kennedy:Campus Legend.Ruggedly handsome superstar athlete turned hedge fund manager.My one night stand mistake.And now my boss at my internship.Every staff meeting, I’m taken back to the night I was filled with a need I never knew was possible.Sparks fly between us in the office... -
Writing the Rules by Mariah Dietz
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsPoppy Anderson was nailing her sophomore year at Brighton University. She liked her classes, had the greatest best friend, and was finally ready to start dating again. Or she was … until her ex, Mike, transferred to Brighton and started exchanging long stares and inside jokes that Poppy thought he’d forgotten.Paxton Lawson was long ago labeled ‘The Golden Boy...Categorized as:
new adult sports friends to lovers college siblings-bff contemporary football length-long -
Someone You Love by Kristen Granata
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA touching forced proximity summer romance about healing and taking chances.Charly Johnson created a bucket list when cancer left her mother with less than a year to live. They didn’t make it all the way through the list before she died, but she made Charly promise to finish it and live her life to the fullest.Spending the summer in a coastal mountain city in Maine is next on her list... -
Play Maker by Nikki Hall
Friends without benefits. For now.MacLast year, I only wanted three things out of a good time, a date with Wonder Woman, and a shot at playing and singing in the same Superbowl. This year, I can’t bring myself to care. Until Blue. The quiet girl with the rainbow hair refuses to let me suffer alone, and I’m starting to think losing everything is worth finding her...Categorized as:
sports friends to lovers dual-pov college new adult forced proximity humor contemporary -
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 contemporary m-f -
Fake Around and Find Out by S.M. Shade
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn enemies-to-lovers, fake relationship romantic comedy.The Happy Haven Trailer Park is not where I hoped to be at age twenty-five.Circumstances have left me without a job or a car in a small town where work is scarce. When my insufferable neighbor approached me with a very indecent proposal to co-star in his videos on the Lonely Hands app, I had to resist the impulse to punch him in the mouth...Categorized as:
from hate to love grumpy sunshine dual-pov new adult found-family humor contemporary length-medium -
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... -
The Fake Out by Jenni Bara
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsThings only an idiot would do: 1. Develop an obsession for his best friend’s sister. 2. Agree to let her be his new roommate. 3. Kiss her. Hello I’m Emerson Knight and I am an idiot. I try to stay away from Gianna Damiano, I really do. But between crop tops and fiery glares I can’t get her off my mind... -
Wreck My World by Victoria Ashley
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 13 ratings“The feeling I have in this very moment, after not seeing her for so long, will haunt me forever, reminding me why I left to begin with.” For as long as I can remember, Easton Crews has been off-limits. As much as it kills me, that’s never going to change. After his little disappearing act three years ago, then suddenly showing up out of nowhere, I shouldn't want anything to do with him... -
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 -
Beneath the Ice by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAre you ready to fall in love with a Laker? When Connor Morgan wants something, he goes after it and doesn’t stop until he gets it. Enter Ella Henshaw. She’s the love of his life. Beautiful. Loyal. He has their future all mapped out. When Ella watches Connor take a nasty hit on the ice, she prays it isn’t going to ruin his final season with the Lakers. Or compromise his shot at going pro...Categorized as:
college angst sports forced proximity new adult dual-pov grumpy sunshine contemporary -
A Little Magic by Lindsey Lanza
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsEllie Klein fled Vermont after graduating high school, and she hasn’t been back since. Not to see her overbearing parents nor her distant brother, not even to visit her temperamental cat and beloved dog. And most importantly, she hasn’t been back to see Theo Fox. Her first love and brother’s best friend has been but a distant and painful memory for the last seven years... -
-
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:
sports new adult dual-pov forced proximity from hate to love college angst grumpy sunshine -
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 forced proximity new adult contemporary office length-short -
Golden Boy and the Two Bears by Nash Summers
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsAsher Williams is obsessed with love. His column is thriving, fellow students trust him with their relationship woes, and he’s on his A-game when it comes to matchmaking. At least, matchmaking other than his own. After a heartfelt letter written to his column, Asher is set on aiding the two love-struck heroes who desperately need his help... -
Burn by Ginger Scott
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratings**Burn is the third and final book in the brother’s-best-friend, friends-to-lovers Fuel Series by Ginger Scott. This second-chance romance completes this angsty, steamy, new adult trilogy.Dustin Bridge’s world is about speed. About the edge. His life has been carved by cutting corners and making moves, following impulsive decisions while weighing the facts at hand... -
Because of You by Samantha Brinn
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsI have known Hallie Evans for my entire life.I was eighteen years old when I first realized I was in love with her.For more than a decade, I have kept my feelings a secret, afraid to risk the friendship that means so much to me and the close-knit bonds between my family and hers.But eleven years of waiting is my limit.At a career crossroads, Hallie has some secrets of her own... -
Love You Better by Brit Benson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsKelley Pierce is my person.Loyal. Dependable. Strong. He makes me laugh on my darkest days and calms me when I’m at my most chaotic. He’s also totally gorgeous, or so I’ve been told. And sinfully sexy, not that it matters.Best friends don’t notice those things. Kelley gets me like no one else does, and I get him. Our friendship is perfect.Kind of...Categorized as:
new adult sports friends to lovers friends-benefits found-family contemporary soccer length-medium -
Beneath the Ice by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B0C8DP3TYN.)When Connor Morgan wants something, he goes after it and doesn’t stop until he gets it. Enter Ella Henshaw. She’s the love of his life. Beautiful. Loyal. He has their future all mapped out. When Ella watches Connor take a nasty hit on the ice, she prays it isn’t going to ruin his final season with the Lakers. Or compromise his shot at going pro... -
Hard to Fake by Piper Lawson
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTo my brother’s teammates, I’m off-limits. But when my sorority sister announces she’s bringing my ex to reunion weekend, I need a hot date…and fast.It’s not every day you ask your brother's teammate to be your fake boyfriend. But desperate times call for gorgeous, heart-stoppingly impulsive measures...Categorized as:
sports siblings-bff dual-pov forced proximity friends to lovers found-family new adult basketball -
Behind the Count by Kimberly Readnour
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsDating my brother’s best friend? Yeah, that’s forbidden…Noah Geren.Cessna University’s starting catcher.Sensible. My life-long crush. And totally off-limits.I only want a few things in life. Graduate with a fashion degree. To be taken seriously. And Noah Geren. After my first year of college, I let the idea of him go. And it almost worked Until that late summer night.Shannon Smith... -
On His Face: A Brother's Best Friend Romantic Comedy by Tabatha Kiss
5 Goals for a Perfect Freshman Year1. Learn a new life skill.2. Get a tattoo.3. Pay off my car.4. Enter the Art Fest. Win.5. Fall in love with a stranger.Yes, I know #5 isn’t technically a goal, but I couldn’t think of anything else. Little did I know, I’d cross it off my vision board two weeks into my first semester at Chicago North University.He was the model in my art class... -
-
Spiked by Love by Toni Aleo
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAllison Titov and Asher Brooks have been best friends their whole lives. Brought up together as part of the Assassins family, they might as well be related. But... Ally has never felt anything sisterly toward Asher.In love with Asher since she was a teen, Ally has gone pro at keeping her feelings a secret. It’s been easy.. -
Defining the Rules: A Friends-to-Lovers Sports Romance by Mariah Dietz
It started with friendship. The best stories always do. Our story sounds unlikely. Bizarre. A fable. Like wine and cheese and my favorite pair of jeans, Things got better over time— Too good, it seemed. Arlo Kostas was the starting running back for Brighton University. His quick smile and sharp wit Was enough to disarm even the biggest cynic... -
The Roommate Route by Mariah Dietz
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsUSA Today Bestselling Author Mariah Dietz Delivers a delicious and page-turning, forced-proximity, found family, standalone sports romance you don't want to miss!Nolan Payne, wide receiver for the Camden Knights is equal parts impulsive and reckless, and utterly addictive.He’s also my new roommate.My orderly existence implodes when Nolan proposes…. a situation... -
Broken Boys Can't Love by Micalea Smeltzer
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsOff-limits. That’s what Jude is to me. My older brother doesn’t trust me with his player of a best friend. Which is totally fine, because I’m not interested. As Jude and I reluctantly become friends, I start to see that there’s more to him than others notice. But I still won’t go there, not when I have a crush on someone else... -
Heart Starter by Michelle Hercules
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMy plans were simple. Graduate from college, get a job, and not worry anymore if I can make next month's rent. It turns out I might have a shot at getting drafted to play in the NFL, and nothing will distract me from that goal.I didn't count on Sadie Clarkson wrecking my plans. Our first meeting was explosive, to say the least. Now I can't stop thinking about her sassy attitude or sexy mouth... -
Playing by the Rules by Monica Murphy
What happens when you fall for your brother's best friend? Find out in this upcoming sports romance by New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy...Camden Fields is the star quarterback of our college football team. Quiet. Smart. Absolutely gorgeous. He’s the man all the women on campus rave about. And while he’s had a few casual hookups over the years, it’s never anything serious...Categorized as:
sports college new adult friends to lovers secret-relationship siblings-bff contemporary football -
Someday by Willow Aster
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFrom childhood best friends to high school sweethearts…to a relationship so broken it seems impossible to fix… I’ve loved Sofie Copewell for as long as I can remember. She was all I ever wanted. We said someday we’d have a family together and raise them on our ranch in Landmark Mountain. She was my home. My forever...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers forced proximity angst from hate to love contemporary cowboys abuse -
Forbidden King by Laura Pavlov
From USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling Author Laura Pavlov, comes an all new Small Town, Brother’s Best Friend, Found Family Standalone Romance. Saylor Woodson is the one girl I can’t have, and the only girl I want. She’s my best friend’s little sister, and completely off limits. We have a history, a connection—one that no one else knows about. One that I’ve tried hard to forget... -
Oar Than Friends by Lulu Moore
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsShe's rowing for Cambridge. He's rowing for Oxford. A boat race to go down in history.Arthur Osbourne-Cloud has always had his future mapped out for him – graduate Oxford and follow his dreadful father into politics. Except Arthur wants to do anything but that. He’s more than happy filling his days rowing for golds at the Olympics or World Championships, and this year he has The Boat Race to win... -
Easy Out by Ginger Walls
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsLAUREN:I've been able to keep my personal and academic life separate for the last three years I've been at Newhouse University. Not even my best friend/roommate knows the truth about my past. I learned a long time ago the best way to survive is to be invisible.My hope of graduating under the radar goes up in flames when James Hart gets assigned as my journalism partner...Categorized as:
sports baseball new adult friends to lovers found-family college contemporary virgin heroine -
-
Yes No Maybe by Jessica Sherry
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsTeacher and fix-it queen Rowan Mackey avoids attention. Afflicted with serious burns as a teenager, she gets too many unwanted stares already. Consequently, her difficult dating history has taught her to dislike romance, too. So, it’s no surprise when her boyfriend’s extravagant public proposal goes sideways... -
For Crosby by J. Nathan
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsCrosby Parks had the life most guys only dreamed of. A wealthy family, girls vying for his attention, and pro scouts after his hockey skills. But when the life he knows comes crumbling down, he’s sent to Alabama to escape the media storm and to rebuild his life. If Crosby has any shot of playing professional hockey, he must keep a low profile and graduate from college... -
Full Count by Kimberly Readnour
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDating my bestie? Yeah, I can only wish... Garret Cartel.Cessna University’s starting shortstop.Painstakingly gorgeous.ReservedFriend-zoned since freshman year.I have a knack for falling for unattainable guys.Blame my trust issues.They keep me safe.But this is our final year.My last chance to break the dreaded friend-zone chains before graduation.There’s one slight problem... -
Second to None by K.A. Linde
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA stand alone second chance grumpy sunshine romance about Josie & Maddox by USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde...Maddox Nelson is the only boy I’ve ever loved.And the only one to break my heart.I thought I was over that long ago. After drowning the heartbreak in two failed marriages, I should want safe and easy, and Maddox is nothing but complicated...Categorized as:
new adult friends to lovers angst grumpy sunshine sports forced proximity siblings-bff cold hero -
-
How Jenna Became My Dilemma by Kortney Keisel
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI'm fake dating a man I don't even like. When a tabloid breaks a false story that I'm in a relationship with my co-star, Cody Banner, I'm positive my acting career is over before it's even begun. I'm Done. Finished. But approval ratings skyrocket overnight, putting the rumors on the front page of every news outlet...Categorized as:
dual-pov new adult forced proximity from hate to love contemporary office length-medium
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.