Recommendations based on "Better Than Beginnings: A Better Than Good Short Story Collection (Better Than Stories)"

He’s my new roommate. The best friend I’ve loved forever. But now he’s a scorching-hot single dad and there’s only one bed.I am so screwed.You know the story about “that girl” in high school? Well, that was me, but I’d never let a lousy rumour rule my life. I took every word and rewrote the script. Abigail Ellison: all game, no shame.It’s kind of my brand.Will Kidd is an irresistible bartender with a rep of his own. He wants me. I want him. But I refuse to be a notch on his bedpost or let him be another on mine.When a baby wearing his dimples lands on Will’s doorstep the same day I come begging for a place to crash, Will finally gets serious—and his overprotective daddy vibe is seriously hot.Now we’re raising a baby in Will’s loft. It’s tense. We’re stressed. Will can’t keep sleeping on the sofa and I’m months into a never-ending man-drought, but we know one way to blow off steam…In no time at all, everything good in my world looks like all the things I never wanted. The man, the home, the business, the baby… But it’s impossible to believe any of it is mine to keep.After all, former bad girls and reformed playboys don’t get happily-ever-afters… Do they?

Roman "Quick" Webb is one badass bounty hunter on the crime-filled streets of Atlanta. He's fearless when it comes to carrying out his dangerous job alongside his longtime best friend and business partner, Duke. However, there is one thing that has begun to cause Quick concern and it's the dreadful thought of living out the rest of his life alone. Seeing his best friend and his son fall in love and sharing the special connection that only true soulmates can, has made him all the more aware of what's lacking in his life. Love.Dr. Cayson Chauncey has been wildly attracted to the big, tattooed hunter for almost a year, ever since he performed the surgery that saved Quick's best friend's life. Cayson must've mistaken Quick's gratitude for something more, because the one time he tried to make his desires known, he was harshly rebuffed and left on the man's doorstep feeling stupid for hitting on an obviously very straight man. Cayson never dated a man who was willing to come out of hiding and be with him. Now at almost forty, Cayson is intent on no longer being anyone's dirty secret. Having experienced countless disappointments, and having taken a stand not to fall for any more tricks, Cayson is more than a little skeptical when Quick comes around asking for a second chance to prove himself. The gorgeous man had already made it clear he was definitely uninterested in Cayson... or so he'd thought.Dr. Chauncey stirred up Quick's suppressed, most carnal desires from a place deep down inside of him. He'd reacted so badly the first time that now his sexy surgeon wanted nothing to do with him. It was going to take a fair amount of patience and a whole lot of wooing involved as Quick sets out to convince Cayson that he's worth another chance and that he is the brave lover who Cayson has been looking for.With a scorned ex and a very dangerous job thrown into the mix, Cayson's happiness and all of Quick's promises may not be as easy to keep as they'd hoped.PARTS ONE AND TWO IN THIS SERIES CAN BOTH BE READ AS STANDALONES. THERE ARE NO CLIFFHANGERS IN EITHER BOOKS.

*The limited deluxe edition includes printed edges* New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy returns with her signature heat and humor for a Briar universe standalone romance featuring the next generation Off-Campus characters--where one unforgettable summer changes everything. After a brutal breakup, college junior Blake Logan escapes to her family's lake house in Tahoe, determined to shut out the world. Her plan is simple: no men, no drama. Until Wyatt Graham shows up. Four years older and far too good at getting under her skin, Wyatt is the living embodiment of a "bad idea," and the guy who shattered her pride when she confessed her crush at sixteen. With his music career stalled, Wyatt has come to Tahoe for inspiration. The last thing he expects is to find it with Blake. He's spent years keeping his distance, convinced he's all wrong for her, but she's no longer the innocent girl he once knew. She's confident, captivating, and impossible to ignore. And the slow-burning tension between them? It's catching fire fast. They both know this can't last, but one reckless kiss turns into another, and soon they're tangled in something that feels dangerously like more. Just as they finally give in to the pull, tragedy tears them apart, leaving their hearts in pieces. But forgetting that one, nearly perfect summer? Not a chance. And when fate brings them together again, Blake and Wyatt must decide if this is a second chance...or the final verse.

FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BREATHLESS TRILOGY MAYA BANKSHe was a by-the-book cop who broke the rules in the bedroom... Micah Hudson has painful secrets he's run hard from. He has new friends, a new life, but he's about to be confronted with the one person who reminds him of all he's tried to forget--Angelina, the sister of his oldest friend David. She knows everything about his past, including how he and David fell in love with the same woman, and how they decided the best way to prevent her from tearing them apart was to share her between them. But then a terrible accident left Micah alone...She was willing to do anything to make him see the woman she'd become...Micah lost the two people who meant the most in the world to him. Angelina lost her only family. And she kept her deepest secret close to her heart. Her love for Micah. No longer willing to wait, she decides it's time to go after him and bring him to his knees. She knows his secrets, his desires, his kinks and fetishes, and she'll use whatever it takes to reel him in. Behind the easygoing, loves women exterior lies a man with dark needs and passions. She can give him what he wants. But will he decide she's what he needs?

The three beautiful words a man longs to hear from a woman…Teach me tonight. When tomboy sports reporter Charli Beaumonde loses a dream TV job because she’s not girly enough for primetime, she’s determined to land a big scoop and prove her boss made a mistake. But when she gets too close to a football scandal and finds her life threatened, Charli accepts an offer from family friend Grant Waters to hide out at his place—even if Grant predicts nothing but trouble from his buddy’s hard-headed, uncompromising, irrepressible, younger sister. There’s one more problem… Grant’s “place” is The Ranch, a BDSM resort in Texas, and he’s used to being in charge —even if that means trying to keep Charli in line. But much to Grant’s surprise, she’s intrigued—even envious—of his trainees. They’re the epitome of what she’s never been: sexy, beguiling, and totally irresistible to a man. Still, Grant doesn’t believe for a minute that the sharp-tongued Charli has it in her to be anyone’s submissive. But Charli’s already on her knees vying for the chance to prove that even the Master can be wrong sometimes.  

Secrets: Book FourWhen a Dom invites a shy bookstore owner to live out his fantasies, more than one life will be transformed. Words are Heath Snow's life. He can't remember a time when he didn't have his nose buried in a book. He couldn't make a living as a writer, so he did the next best thing—he bought a bookstore. But when he's not selling books, he's living vicariously through the characters he encounters. Real men can't hold a candle to the hot men in his favorite genre. The Pride display in the bookstore window may be what captured Xavier James's attention, but the man enthusing about books interests him more. The BDSM book lying next to the cash register is a pleasant surprise, and when he draws attention to it, Heath's flushed cheeks and bright eyes pique Xavier's curiosity even further. Xavier is about to learn that some things are more important than work, and Heath is about to step out of his comfort zone, into a place where fantasy and real life coexist.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, by Donna Marie Rogers: Used to the finer things in life, heiress Melinda Spalding is thrown for a loop when her brother relocates to the Midwest. Her parents even expand their business to the small town and put her in charge of the project. Discovering she likes "Mayberry" and its quirky inhabitants is almost as shocking as her growing attraction to the local auto mechanic. But LA is where she belongs-or is home truly where the heart is? Drew Porter learned early on how treacherous women can be-and when snooty "Lindy" Spalding skids into his life and nearly hits his dog, she seems worse than most. An unlikely bond between their pets gives him an intriguing glimpse behind her pretentious exterior. While his heart wonders if there more to her than meets the eye, his head tells him to run as fast as he can in the opposite direction. THE HEART OF THE MATTER, by Stacey Joy Netzel: All Allie Daniels ever wanted was a family of her own-until her doctor informs her she'll never be able to have children. She hides her desolation, refusing to let any man close enough to see her broken heart. Most certainly not the town veterinarian, whose cute three-year-old son reminds her of what she'll never have. Rick Wilde had a serious crush on Allie back in high school, but life took them in different directions. Now a single parent, he returns to Redemption several years later to raise his son, Lukas. His interest in Allie is renewed, but her shoulder is colder than the bitter winter wind. Brought together by an orphaned kitten, Allie finds herself helpless to resist Lukas's impish innocence?not to mention Rick's warm charm and sexy good looks. Does she dare take a chance on an impossible dream, or will Rick's desire for more kids devastate their future? HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Excerpt: "All done, Hot Stuff. Enjoy your soak. Come on, Matt, let's go." "See you tomorrow, Sis." Matt gave her a kiss on the cheek. Feeling impish, Lindy asked Drew, "Can I give you a tip this time?" He held her gaze for several heartbeats, and Lindy suddenly wished she hadn't poked the proverbial tiger. "Matt, would you give us a minute, please?" Lindy's heart tripped when Matt shrugged. He gave Drew a thump on the back, tossed her a smile, and whistled his way downstairs. Lindy bit the inside of her cheek as she lifted her gaze to meet Drew's. "I was only kidding, geez. I mean-" Quick as a whip, Drew hauled her against the solid expanse of his chest and slanted his mouth across hers with near punishing force. Stunned, Lindy simply settled her hands against his chest. Then her senses returned, and she shoved with all her might. He broke off the kiss with a muttered curse, but didn't let her go. Lindy's pulse kicked into overdrive as she looked up and met his gaze. Hypnotic blue eyes stared down at her, holding her gaze captive as if by physical force. Deft hands traveled a scorching path from the curve of her shoulders to the flare of her hips, leaving every inch of her body tingling in their wake. The need to feel his lips on hers again, to taste him, nearly overwhelmed her. A real kiss, though, not in anger, not as punishment. Before she lost her nerve, Lindy twined her arms around his neck and pulled him down for the real thing. With a deep growl, Drew crushed her in his arms. He coaxed her mouth open as his tongue slid inside with skillful ease, exploring, seeking hers. Shivering under his touch, Lindy grew dizzy with yearning. Her heart thumped as his spicy masculine scent wrapped her in sensual bliss. The man was certainly no slouch in the toe-curling kiss department. As quick as it started, he broke the kiss and tore free from her embrace, surprising her off balance. He grabbed her upper arms to steady her, stared at her lips as if he wanted to kiss her again, cursed, and...strode out the door. She flinched as the bedroom door slammed behind him. What the hell?

One night connected them. One decision separated them. One craving tempted them. Ashlyn Hart was done with men, or at least those outside of her books. After stupidly falling for the charms of her cheating ex and having her heart broken yet again, she decided to create a new life. One that involved a career change, a new wardrobe, and the possibility of moving abroad. There was just one hurdle: the confident, stubborn and insanely-tempting Josh Crawford. Josh Crawford hid behind the cliché bachelor lifestyle and a never-ending parade of women. He knew the game and played it well, but the night he tasted perfection four years ago never left him. Back then, he made a spur of the moment decision, one that he has battled with ever since. But beneath the playboy façade was a yearning that wouldn't disappear. A craving for the only woman who could bring him to his knees: Ashlyn Hart. Two weeks changes everything. One night unravels the deepest of desires. A simple taste unleashes memories that can't be tamed. When the girl who dreams of a happily ever after collides with the guy who lives the ultimate cliffhanger, what ending awaits them? Will fear overshadow love? Will the past play hindrance to the future, or will temptation conquer it all?

Claire Daniels is good at a lot of things, but dating isn't one of them. Although she enjoys men of all different shapes, colors, and sizes, she has one requirement: they must have a job on her approved-occupation list. It has to be safe, so they can come home every night, which means no cops, pilots, doctors, ranchers, and absolutely no firefighters. She's kept to her rules thus far-as long as you ignore the tiny crush she has on Trevor Allen, a crush that cannot move toward anything physical because Trevor is a firefighter and a rancher. Not to mention, he's four years younger than she is and the brother of her two best friends. Still, it sure would be nice to have him put out her fire. Trevor Allen also has a few rules when it comes to Claire Daniels: no staring, flirting, smokin' hot fantasies, or touching of any kind. He's been lusting after Claire his whole life, but with a steady stream of willing women and two demanding jobs to hold his attention, he's somehow managed to keep his hands off her. Until they end up in a bathroom together-a small bathroom with very little room to move, leaving him pressed against Claire's lush curves. What's he supposed to do when she looks up at him with those big, green doe eyes and licks her lips? The only thing he can do: kiss the hell out of her, then convince her it can't happen again. Too bad he can't convince himself.

Blaise Knight is content. She owns a trendy, in-demand flower boutique, has great friends, and an obsession with red velvet cake. After a string of disappointing dates, Blaise decides to give up dating, and focus on the things that are most important to her. Greyson Steele is the "family stud". After his stint in the Delta Force, he is coerced into the family business. And, his manipulative mother is planning a wedding for him to a woman he can't stand. But Greyson has other plans. At thirty-nine, Greyson is ready to settle down, but only with a woman he chooses. After meeting the fiery owner of Knight in Bloom, Greyson finds his match. Sparks fly when Blaise and Greyson meet. Can he convince her to take a chance on him? Or will Blaise's past ruin their chances for a future? Their romance forces Greyson on a chase halfway around the world to solve a mystery, and find his love.