Closed door romance Archives

Second Chance with Her Billionaire

by Therese Beharrie

I am notoriously picky when it comes to category romance. Therese Beharrie’s characters are so deeply and richly developed that I can’t help but be drawn in. This is a second chance romance between Summer and Wyatt who divorced two years ago after being married a year. On the surface, the divorce should never have happened, had the two only communicated with one another. But the thing about secrets and insecurities and fears is that they seem so much larger than life and we can easily be frozen by them, instead of risking vulnerability. Their paths cross again at Summer’s parents’ 30th anniversary weekend at a resort in Wilderness, South Africa. (Wyatt works for her dad so it does make sense that he’s there.) Despite how hurt they both feel, they keep orbiting back around each other. Beharrie did a magnificent job of charting their reconciliation. (Closed door.)

Hoosier Daddy

by Ann McMan, Salem West

Friday Jill is a low level supervisor at the local factory. She and her coworkers are on edge because the factory is set to be bought out and there are rumors about labor union organizers coming in. It’s really not good when El, one of the organizers, turns out to be very attractive and seemingly interested in Friday. There are very real stakes between them. How can a factory supervisor date a union organizer? Especially since organizers don’t stay in one place for long and Friday is rooted to her rural town. It was a real pleasure to watch Friday figure out what she needs to do and take control of her life. The book’s greatest strength is the rich sense of place; rural southern Indiana is brought to life in such a way that I could practically see, touch, smell, and taste everything described. Plus, I loved the unexpected exploration of labor unions. (Closed door.)

Spellbound

by Allie Therin

Leigh says: "1920s fantasy MM romance with magical relics and top notch banter! Rory was super antagonistic and not having it, while Arthur was completely smitten. Rory can see an object's past by touching it, a rather valuable commodity for someone who works in an antique shop. But his abilities have put him in danger. He can be surly and distrusting but something about Arthur calls to him. This does a great job examining class differences and identity while whisking us along for a wild ride of a magical mystery. (Closed door.)"

Her Perfect Affair

by Priscilla Oliveras

School librarian Rosa never steps out of line but she throws caution to the wind after dancing with her crush Jeremy at her sister’s wedding. The dance leads to a kiss leads to a (closed door) one-night stand…leads to a surprise pregnancy. This is one of my least favorite tropes but the characters made it work. They’re working through big internal conflicts, like self-worth and belonging, and it was so moving to watch them grow. Rosa was such a booknerd and Jeremy was supportive, as were her sisters. A delight!

Act Like It

by Lucy Parker

I just blew through this series (again) on vacation and it was good for my reading life. Richard and Lainie are actors in London's West End. Though talented, Richard's cranky off-stage antics are turning his fans against him, and the theater is worried they won't be able to sell tickets. Fan favorite Lanie is already stuck working with her cheating ex-boyfriend, and then it gets worse: she's asked to pose as his new girlfriend to help Richard clean up his reputation. And fans love nothing more than an on-stage/off-stage romance, so soon they're packing in the crowds. But then the lines between on-stage and off begin to blur. A fast, fun contemporary romance with a keen sense of humor.

Chirp

Neanderthal Seeks Human

by Penny Reid

This smart contemporary romance series follows a group of seven friends in Chicago, whose relationships blossomed thanks to Knit Night. They rally around each other no matter what's going on and their relationships continue to be a priority even as they each fall in love. Penny Reid's characters have distinct personalities and quirks and it's delightful watching them grow individually and as a group as the series progresses. You'll wish you could be friends with them in real life! (Heads up: the first two books are on the "closed door" side, but the series grows in steaminess as it progresses and is considered "open door" after book 3.)

Chirp

The Chai Factor

by Farah Heron

Calling all enemies-to-lovers fans! Things aren’t going as engineer Amira planned and she’s heading home to finish her grad school thesis in peace. When a fellow train passenger sexually harasses her, with a side of racism to boot, a white man intervenes but Amira is not pleased. And she’s even less pleased when she arrives at her grandmother’s house and learns that same white man is part of a barbershop quartet who is now renting the basement. So much for silence! Amira and Duncan have banter and sparks aplenty, despite the initial animosity. As their relationship evolves, they have to be honest about their differences. Grumpy Amira goes on a real journey with her anger as she figures out the kind of person she wants to be. A humorous, heart-warming contemporary romance that doesn’t shy away from hard topics, like racism, religious homophobia, and workplace sexism. (This is closed door.)

Boyfriend Material

by Alexis Hall

If you enjoy the "fake dating" trope and British humor, this charming romance novel is for you. (I particularly enjoyed it on audio, as narrated by Joe Jameson). As the son of big time rockstars, Luc O'Donnell is reluctantly famous-by-association. Known as a "bad boy" in the press, Luc has seen his fair share of trouble—but he's put that lifestyle behind him. Now that his estranged father is making a big musical comeback, Luc is back in the media and needs to clean up his image in order to maintain his career. Enter Oliver, a straight-laced, super responsible (and handsome) barrister, vegetarian, and good guy. Seemingly polar opposites of each other, Luc and Oliver start fake dating...and if you've ever watched a rom-com, you can guess what happens from there. Full of heart, humor, and endearing side characters, this closed door romantic comedy is completely swoon-worthy.

Chirp

For Never & Always

by Helena Greer

This second chance romance exceeded all expectations! Hannah and Levi had an all-consuming relationship despite having very different visions for their lives. She wanted to work at her family’s inn forever, while he couldn’t wait to escape. Things came to a head and Levi left. When he returns four years later, Hannah’s life is upended once again while they try to figure out what a healthy relationship might actually look like. Plus, their core conflict hasn't changed. Hannah loves her job at Carrigan’s and her agoraphobia makes it difficult to leave, while chef Levi still longs to be anywhere but there. Despite the ways they hurt each other in the past, Levi and Hannah have an undeniable connection and massive chemistry. Now they have to see if they can find a compromise. (Closed door.)

Heart of Stone

by Johannes T. Evans

Do you need an exquisite slow burn of a romance with intense pining and longing glances? Look no further than this angsty historical paranormal romance. Vampire Henry hires Theophilus as his personal secretary. Henry is lonely and touch-starved but also a completely vivacious, lively character. He’s intensely interested in Theophilus’s opinions, whereas Theophilus is completely baffled by his employer and wants to maintain propriety. Their relationship slowly grows from employer-employee to friends to something more. The story focuses on small intimacies and I ate it up. Plus, the prose is gorgeous with an old-fashioned, otherworldly feel. (Closed door.)

Closed door romance

Second Chance with Her Billionaire

Hoosier Daddy

Spellbound

Her Perfect Affair

Act Like It

Neanderthal Seeks Human

The Chai Factor

Boyfriend Material

For Never & Always

Heart of Stone

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations
for every mood

Closed door romance

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations for every mood

100 Book recommendations
for every mood