Recommendations based on "Hard to Fake"

"There are a lot of things I learned in our time together, but the biggest lesson my husband taught me is what it feels like to be loved for the first time in my life." REAL READERS LOVE THE WINDY CITY SERIES: 'SWEET MOTHER. . . literally left a mark on my soul'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I laughed and cried and swooned'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I can't believe it's over. I want to turn back to page 1 and start all over again'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Each and every book in this series has left an imprint on my heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I lost count of the amount of times this book made me cry' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'They have quite literally stolen my heart and I am totally okay with that' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The spice was spicin and the romance was *chef's kiss*' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book took my heart, shattered it, healed it and embedded it back in my chest' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ KENNEDY I'm the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors baseball team, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I'm desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago. But a Las Vegas run-in with the team's shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand. Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I've ever met, but thanks to Isaiah's scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake. Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He's also my brand-new husband. They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas... sometimes it follows you right back home. ISAIAH As the shortstop for Chicago's professional baseball team, I've had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman. I've crushed on the team's athletic trainer for years. I've flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favourite redhead in my bed. We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I'm using our time together to prove to her I'm husband material. Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it's one I refuse to lose. So come on, wife... play along. Play Along is the fourth book in the sensational Windy City series which has gripped over a million readers across the world. But don't worry if you're new round here, you'll still love it as a standalone! TROPES: 🌶️Boy obsessed 🌶️Drunken marriage, turned marriage of convenience, turned... 🌶️ (Step) brother's rival 🌶️Perfectionist FMC + goldren retriever MMC 🌶️He falls first 🌶️Workplace romance 🌶️Family trauma 🌶️Dual POV 'Everything I want in a romance novel: simmering tension, incredible banter, and vulnerability that will make your chest ache . . . When it comes to love stories that stick with you, Liz Tomforde knows exactly what she's doing' LYLA SAGE

"Rachel Reid's hockey heroes are sexy, hot, and passionate!" —#1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren BlakelyFrom the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Game Changers series comes a merry and bright hockey romance about finding your place, finding your people and finding your way back to the one you love the most.For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes. The only player who doesn’t seem to notice is Calgary’s superstar young winger, Casey Hicks.Casey treats Landon like an old friend, even though they’ve only interacted briefly in the past. He’s endlessly charming and completely laid-back in a way that Landon absolutely can’t relate to. They couldn’t have less in common, but Landon needs a place to live that’s not a hotel room and Casey has just bought a massive house—and hates being alone.As roommates, Casey refuses to be defeated by Landon’s one-word answers. As friends, Landon comes to notice a few things about Casey, like his wide, easy smile and sparkling green-blue eyes. Spending the holidays together only intensifies their bromance-turned-romance. But as the new year approaches, the countdown to the end of Landon’s time in Calgary is on.

Don’t hate the player, hate the game…Hunter Adams is a pro football player and my brother’s best friend. He also happens to be the one person in the world I hate.Desperate to keep the reason why I was kicked out of the college I was attending a secret; I agree to be Hunter’s fake girlfriend for his brother’s wedding in the Bahamas.There’s only one problem… it doesn’t really feel like pretend after all. Not with the looks Hunter is giving me, or those searing kisses.I'm seeing a whole different side to Hunter, one that I might actually like.One that makes me wonder if we can be real, or if we’re just playing the game?

People say there’s a fine line between love and hate. If you ask Grady Armstrong, the line’s as obvious as the one across the middle of a hockey rink.So he can’t explain why he doesn’t walk away when his Grindr hookup—a guy who accused him of impersonating himself—turns out to be Max Lockhart, a rival player Grady once punched in the face. Apparently Max can goad him just as well off the ice as he can on it.Max Lockhart showed up thinking he was going to expose a fake. Instead he hooks up with a guy who claims to hate him. And has a good time. A really good time. But that doesn’t mean players from different teams can be together.Max has always wished Grady would relax a little. When the season starts and Grady accepts Max’s offer of help with finding someone to date for real, Max gets his wish. But he should’ve been careful what he wished for, because now that he knows Grady is a big softie under that prickly shell, he’d rather keep Grady for himself.Grady only goes on a handful of dates before he realizes he has a lot more fun with Max. But he can’t be falling for a rival player… can he?

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back with an all-new enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating sports romance about a playboy hockey rookie and the disciplined softball pitcher completely immune to his charms. Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He's made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow "orgasm donor" is his roomie--and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone's bull...and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him. When he discovers she's carrying a serious torch for her brother's best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can't seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he's agreed to be Skylar's fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they've ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control. But it's all just pretend...right

Things are heating up for the Sinclair boys! With one already in the NHL, Jayden Sinclair is hoping to be next!This has been the toughest year of my life. I watched my brother go into the draft without me, my mom got divorced, and the weight of my family's issues is heavy on my shoulders. I feel like it's my job to fix everything while working my butt off in school and trying to make my game better. I have to go into the draft. It will give my family the support they need, and it will prove that I'm good enough. But to get there, I have to show I can be the best captain for the Bellevue Bullies. The spot is mine-no one can take it. First though, Jude is making me go on a brother's weekend. Innocent enough, I guess...until I see her. She's the biggest competitor I've ever faced. Not only for my spot but also my heart. It's hard to ignore someone like Baylor Moore. *** I don't lose. I can't. My dad has bred me to be the best in anything I do. I am driven, I am smart, and I am going to be the first woman in the National Hockey League. No two ways about it. I've worked too hard. I've been through too much not to have what I want. I know I can do it. I will make my dad proud, and no one will stand in the way of that. That is, until I let him in. He scares me. He makes me feel. And he could very well be the one person who can make me want more than just to win. We both have the same goal. Victory. But how do you compete against the person you want to win? It's not easy. Love isn't something you can control. It isn't like a puck that can be handled by a stick. No, it has a mind of its own and does what it wants. Neither of us saw it coming, and we really don't know if there is a way to score, especially when you're being Clipped by Love.

She hates me…I’m going to make her fall in love with me anyway.As captain of the SoCal Vipers, the last couple of seasons haven’t been going well. My stats are slipping, and I’m at risk of being traded.So, I’m not in the mood for a case of mistaken identity with the woman playing bouncer at the arena door.But when I find out she’s come to town to escape her controlling family and make a fresh start, I know I can’t just let her walk away.I’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe.And if that means claiming her forever…then all the better.Because she’s mine.Even if she doesn’t know it yet.When the Game Breakers meet more than hearts will be broken…They’ll claim, protect, and...maybe just rock their women's worlds.Series tropes include:   •   enemies to lovers   •   mistaken identity   •   starting over   •   rags to riches   •   protective MMCs   •   found family   •   and more...Authors' note: There are some difficult themes in this story. For CW information, please check this book's page on Elise's website.

It's time to drop the gloves and fight! Support the Fight against cancer that is. This anthology of 8 brand new novellas is hot enough to melt the ice these players skate on. Featuring stories from popular New York Times & USA Today, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble bestselling authors, including Toni Aleo, Cassandra Carr, Cindy Carr, Jami Davenport, Catherine Gayle, Jaymee Jacobs, V.L. Locey, Bianca Sommerland, and Nikki Worrell. New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author - Toni Aleo TANGLED IN THE LACES In Tangled in the Laces, Karson King is on the fast track to the pros and Lacey Martin is coming back from a hard fight against cancer and is terrified of him but their love is too much to ignore. Will Karson prove that he will protect her heart at all costs, or will he leave Lacey to pick up the pieces of her life once again? Cassandra Carr and Cindy Carr HOOKING HANNAH When Hannah attends an all-star game, she doesn't expect a hockey player of all people to turn her world upside down. Her sister is married to a player and Hannah never wanted that life. But Scott could change everything. For Scott's part, he has to know the woman who stirred his blood with just a look, and once he does, he realizes he wants Hannah to be his forever. Now to convince her... Jami Davenport CRASHING THE BOARDS (Seattle Sockeyes 1.5) Professional party crasher, Izzy Maxwell, needs the cooperation of reluctant party guest Cooper Black, the team captain of Seattle's new hockey team, but Cooper can't get past his anger over the team's relocation to Seattle. Can Izzy melt Cooper's frozen heart or will this party crash along with her fledgling business? Catherine Gayle TAKING A SHOT (Portland Storm 2.5) Katie Weber has had a crush on Jamie Babcock for almost two years, since he joined her father's hockey team, the Portland Storm as an eighteen-year-old rookie. When cancer takes her health, her hair, and even her friends, she can't bear to go to senior prom...until Jamie intervenes. Jaymee Jacobs A VALUABLE TRADE Bryan's life gets turned upside down when he gets traded to the Dallas Comets, and things get even messier when he meets Georgiana, the Director of Team Services. He's got a lot of work to do to prove his worth to his new team, but Georgiana's sure he'll prove to be a valuable trade. V.L. Locey HEIR APPARENT Superstar Cam Evans is fighting to climb out of a slump thats growing worse with each day of living in denial. Fresh from the minors, Jacobi Neal is hungry for this chance to play back-up for the legendary goalie. Can two men battle each other, their inner demons, and the sizzling attraction building between them? Bianca Sommerland BLIND PASS (The Dartmouth Cobras 0.5) Nothing could stop Tim Rowe, the assistant coach of the Dartmouth Cobras, from falling in love with Madeline, but love alone can't satisfy every need. Sometimes, to reach the goal, you have to take the chance with a . . . Blind Pass. Nikki Worrell - CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN (Prequel to Scorpions Series) Keith Lambert is the captain of the Flyers-until he's not. To everyone's shock, he's traded to the San Diego Scorpions. As if that's not bad enough, Phoebe, his girlfriend of two years, decides she doesn't love him enough to follow. All alone in a new town, Keith is drawn to Kelly, his take out delivery girl. When she shows up at ice girl tryouts, he's lost. She's all he can see. Can he convince her to forget her past and take a chance on him or is he destined to be alone in a new town a little bit longer? **Proud Supporters of Hockey Fights Cancer.

He had total control of his game--until she changed all the rules . . . As one of the best players in the NHL and the "golden boy" of the league, Avery Westwood knows he has to keep his cool--on and off the ice. His whole life is a carefully constructed image of perfection for the media and his brand sponsors. Of course, that means he can never let his true feelings show. But when it comes to the sexy sister of his former teammate, Avery might be willing to make an exception . . . even if it means breaking all his own rules. As far as Stephanie Deveau is concerned, having a thing for Avery is the equivalent of psychological napalm. Très bad idea. Then he moves in next door, all sexy smiles and a deliciously hot body that she can't resist. Something's happening between them--it's intense, a little (a lot) out of control, and real. Only Avery doesn't know everything about Stephanie's past. And the one exception to his rule might just be the one girl who could destroy his career. MORE IN THE HOMETOWN PLAYERS SERIES: One More Shot Making a Play The Final Move Winning It All

"I don't break hearts. I break headboards . . . "When it comes to scoring in the pro hockey league, Alex Larue is crushing it-with the hot puck bunnies. He's the life of the party, the guy with all the jokes . . . and the one whose Party Guy mask keeps the real him well hidden. The last thing he needs is anyone finding out about his troubled past, or the nightmares that haunt him still. Brie Bennett is less than impressed by Alex from the moment she meets him. And even though he insists on volunteering at the charity she runs, she doesn't trust him. He's hiding something...but so is she. She's not just the rich, privileged New York princess he thinks she is. The animosity between them is undeniably addictive and as their worlds keep colliding it becomes supercharged with something else - attraction. But if they stop playing games and let each other in, they both might lose. MORE IN THE HOMETOWN PLAYERS SERIES:One More ShotMaking a PlayThe Final MoveWinning It AllOn the Line