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Reader Recommendations – Shaira’s Favorite angsty romance, groveling heroes & second chance romance books

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WOW THIS LIST IS AMAZING!!! You in the mood to read something that might make you want to throw your Kindle? I think this list will have everything you’re looking for. From

  • cruel heroes,
  • arranged marriages,
  • marital strife,
  • unrequited love,
  • cheating, and
  • groveling heroes (<— LOTS of those!!),

if this is your jam, this whole list if for you (and ME!!) 😀

P.S. I LOVE how she labels each one with keywords so we have a good idea of what we’re getting into. 😀

And HERE IT IS! Shaira’s personal recommendations list:

Shaira: So I kind of put together an en extensive list of all my favourite angsty/betrayal unrequited/remorseful/grovelling heavy books and thought I would share it.

The list is hella chaotic, but I thought I would finally just write them all down and share it too… so here it goes;

Hero rejects or hurts/cheats with a good dose of remorse and grovelling after;

Amy: The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders… I really, really liked that one! My heart just hurt for her, and I wanted to be mad at Sandro but he won me over. I actually read the previous version (different cover) where the blurb was a little more vague so I went into it pretty blind…which made it that much more fun angst wise. 😉

Rebecka: It’s better if they have to convince me, I mean the heroine, of their affections. Lol Alessandro from The Unwanted Wife was someone who had to work extra hard. He made me cry, bastard 😉

Robyn: I absolutely hated Sandro from The Unwanted Wife at first, but grew to love him in the end!

Maryse: Yesss Unbreak my heart was intense!!

Angie: I’ll definitely start Unbreak my heart next. Unrequited love!!!! It sounds like I might be reading all day today, which is perfect because it’s raining here in Texas. Thanks for the recommendation.

Robyn: Unbreak My Heart. It is my most favorite books of all time. I have read it so many times. Just thinking about it gives me butterflies. GAH!

Lisa A: Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips was so good I re-read it at least once a year!

Shreyasi: It has good grovel too.

Carla: Kiss an angel by Suzan Elizabeth Phillips (he’s so cruel to her)

Carla: …this is about a convenience marriage, but with time she falls in love with him, even though he treats her like shit. God! He’s such a jerk, actually he can be even cruel sometimes… but I love it! Oh of course, I’m talking about Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Maryse: This was the answer to one of our reader questions: Reader Question… Solved! The book about two doctors, where she has a secret crush on him but he doesn’t like her back & can be mean to her…

Sri: My fav marriage of convenience is “You Can Have Manhattan” by Dangelico. P. It is so good.

Mony: You Can Have Manhattan is fantastic! – a 5-star for sure.

Jean: I really liked You Can Have Manhattan…….just when you are expecting to get a spoiled rotten rich city kid, you get a cowboy!! And I like me a cowboy! Lol!

Lisa M: I finished You Can Have Manhattan. LOVED IT!!! Could not put it down!! Those are the best books!! Now I want to look at what’s books of hers I haven’t read yet & read them.

Aimee: Just finished Pretty Venom!! So good!! I shed a few tears with that one!! Thanks for the recommendation!!!

Alicia: My absolute favorite song right now is from the Evil Love playlist by Ella Fields. It’s called Way Down We Go by Kaleo.

Maryse: This was the answer to TWO reader questions here:

Reader Question… Solved! The mafia book about the teen that was supposed to marry him but has to wait… and

Reader Question… Solved! The book about the heroine that takes her sister’s place to marry him and he’s not happy…

Sarah: I just devoured The woman He Married. Angsty. Well written characters.

Maryse: This was the answer to a reader question: Reader Question… Answered! The book about the wife that sees her husband’s secretary wearing a bracelet…

Ria: My most intense marital strife book is Broken Play by Alison Rhymes.

Aimee: Broken play, was a definite throw your kindle!!

Kim: Okay Broken Play was good. I wanted to slap someone 😂.

Aditi: Read “The kiss thief” it will satisfy you completely and you will be head over heels for this book

MichelleS: The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen. Still thinking about that one and replaying scenes in my head. Woo-eee-mama. …That Wolfe is a big bad alpha. And everyone has secrets. Every page has me saying, “he did NOT just do that” or “he did NOT just say that”. …Another 5 star read! I’m on a roll here. Could not put it down.

Kimia: I love Kiss Thief. It’s so good.

Shawna: The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen. I love me some Wolfe Keaton!

Renee: My latest reading feast is peppered with books by LJ Shen. The best morsel of all, “The Kiss Thief”. So yummy!

Dennishiel: The Kiss Thief by L. J. Shen is a must read! Frankie & Wolf were true celebrities in my eyes on a more Bonnie and Clyde but classy level! It’s more of a suspense romance! It’s hard to explain plz go read it if you haven’t!

  • Sparrow by L J Shen (arranged marriage/ mafia angst/ grovel)

Kelli: Sparrow- by LJ Shen… also another good one! Arranged marriage and there is another woman involved with the hero.

D.G.: Sparrow was one of my five stars!!! I just LOVED it! It got the emotions going!!! …LOVE a good “arranged” marriage…especially when there is a deception on the H’s part. You know one of those it was a business deal with a parent kinda thing…and then BAM, h finds out and all heck breaks out.

Carla: I just read Sparrow by L.J. Shen and believe me, you are going to love this book! It turned out to be so much more than I had expected. The heroine is the best thing about this book. She has a backbone and gives as good as she gets. And the hero is that jerk that you are going to hate to love. And there is no insta love here, there connection formed over time. it was the perfect mix.;)

  • Until Harry by L.A. Casey (angst/ cheating? / grovel)

D.G.: Until Harry by L.A. Casey…and I LOVED it! Definite 4.5 stars for me…some parts were a little watery, emotional but sooo worth the ride. I normally don’t read a lot of second chance romance but yeah, this one I really, REALLY loved! Lots of alpha males in this one…overprotective uncle, father, brothers…and best friend. Sometimes a girl just needs protecting…even if she doesn’t want it. ****a DG recommended gotta read****

Charity: Until Harry by La Casey, love it!!! Unrequited love and friends to lovers is always good

Mindi: Walk Through Fire is my favorite MC book. I relate to Millie SO much and the way High (when not being a jerk) so unabashedly loves her makes me squishy inside. 🙂

Brooke: LOVE LOVE LOVE Walk Through Fire!

DG: KA’s Walk Through Fire was so good but tore me to pieces….

Ela: READING WALK THROUGH FIRE AND OH GOD THE FEELS! MY HEART IS BREAKING AND MY EYES ARE SWEATING BIG! I’M ALREADY DREADING THE ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maryse: This was the answer to one of our reader questions!! Reader Question – The book about the divorced guy’s daughter that is causing his new girlfriend trouble… 

Jessa: UGLY LOVE, BY COLLEEN HOOVER. If you wanna read something as painfully beatiful as It Ends With Us, go for this book.

Anne: Finished Ugly Love and yep it’s still a 5 star read for me. Just 2 words for you: Miles Archer. Enough said 🙂 …I have to say Ugly Love had some major angsty moments. I cried so much with that book!

Michelle: *blubbering happy tears* oh that part in Ugly Love with the format change just made me start up again…sometimes I want to kick myself with how long it takes me to read books everyone loves!

Amy: Michelle, I loved in Ugly Love how lyrical and sweet his past POV was…and then it wasn’t. And my heart HURT because of the reason why. GAH, I loved that book!

Julie: My favorite moment of all Colleen’s books is the scene in Ugly Love where Miles calls Tate Rachel by mistake. So, so heartbreaking.

  • The Words by Ashley Jade (enemies to lovers/ second chance/rockstar)

Aimee: The Words by Ashley Jade. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! 5+* I’m going to try to wait patiently for the next in this series…. Because I want to know about the next couple!!! It was SOOOO GOOD!!!

Marit: OMG! Girls. I’m reading Dr. Stanton by T.L Swan. It’s killing me. I usually don’t cry when I read books. But this one has made me cry a river. Its also making me so mad! And happy. Humble. IN LOVE. And all the emotions on the scale. I have read a lot of books lately. No one made me feel like this. This one is a must read 😉

Adele: I second Marit’s Dr. Stanton recommendation! It was fantastic, lots of drama, made me cry too… Hail No was also two thumbs up, more of that drama I seem to be in the mood for and action! Definitely a page turner, very creative and well written.

Lisa Kay: …give me some Stanton……it has everything angst, passion, suspense, hot, hot, hot…..great series for anybody that is uncertain.

Maryse: This one was the answer to a reader question too! Reader Question… Solved! The book about a girl that runs away and becomes a stripper, and her brother and his best friend see her there…

  • The Villain by L J Shen (enemies to lovers/ unrequited)

MichelleS: The Villain, by LJ Shen.  …He’s 12 years older, she’s had a crush on him for years, he is dark and cruel, and you have your trope set up… but I like it.

Mony: The Villain (Boston Belles #2) by L.J. Shen. …Enjoyed The Hunter (Book #1). This one is about Cian “Cruel. Coldblooded. Hades in a Brioni suit.”

Ana: To all you ladies who enjoyed The Hunter by L J Shen, the sequel, The Villain is even better

  • Can’t Let Go by A.P. Jensen (second chance)
  • White Picket Fence Laura Branchflower (marriage/ cheating/ second chance) (not enough grovelling / redemption though)

Angie: …White Picket Fence by Laura Branchflower… it’s OW and I loved it.

Angsty Second Chance Romance:

Michele G: …tortured my poor heart with Carnage by Lesley Jones last week and loved every tear-soaked minute of it.

Tiffany: That series was a rough one to read but MAN I loved it!!!! It has definitely stayed with me over the years.

Kim: I would have to say Carnage gave me a WHAT moment and has stuck with me for years.

Laurie: My favorite epic love story is Carnage.

Kelly: this Kane trilogy is AMAZING! I loved it so much.

Tessa: The Kane Trilogy… *swoon* So different and so sexy. I wanted to kill Jameson and then fall for him. Also, Sanders. *grins* Sanders was too awesome for words.

Yvette: The Kane Trilogy by Stylo Fantome (this one is dark and kinda crazy, but kept me turning those pages…)

Leslie M: Tristan & Danika brought all those emotions back. Gah!

Michele G: I was immersed in the world of Tristan and Danika all weekend (actually still am…I’m currently on the 3rd book, Lovely Trigger). I am absolutely loving it…even though they are breaking my heart!!

Nay: …ALL of us love Tristan and Danika and have recommended them over and over and over!

Chante: Just the Way You Are by Barbara Freethy is a oldie but a major goodie. I fell in love with all of the characters.

Jean: Just getting ready to start Written With You (book 2)……book one was amazing!! ….you MUST read Written With Regret ASAP!! You will not be disappointed! …The ending of book 1? Nope, didn’t see that coming AT ALL!!! Enjoy!

Liz: I just finished written with you and it was an amazing duet. Both books were jaw droppers. It had me until the very end lots of twists and turn and the feels and more feels and some angst. Perfection.

Jenn: Just finished “The Truth About Lies” and although it started out as a slow read for me it turned out to be one of my favorites this year, definitely 5 stars for me! I’m immediately jumping into the second book as I need answers.

Lisa A: I can confirm that Jewel E Ann’s Memories of a Life was fanfreakingtastic!! Pieces of a Life was the calm before the Memories of a Life hurricane. It starts out with a bang and pretty much ramps up from there.

It’s been a while since I felt I had to continually put down a book after every few pages, just to catch my breath. The hits just keep on coming. And I was so certain at one point that I knew what was coming next, but nope. I was wrong!!

And Colten – I really really really loved Colten. If Colten comes in my front door, I’m shoving my husband out the back with a “Tough Luck, Mr. Duck” on his way out (which will make sense if you’ve read the book(s))!!

Tessa: Speaking of Angst… Angry God up there! *gasps* I can’t even put into words how good that was. Just so much of the dread with Vicious’s story, but in a totally different way. Vicious as a dad is amazing. He’s all, “you hurt my son I will torture and kill you, and no one will find the body” type of dad. lol I expected nothing less.

Robyn: Mercy F*ck! Oh boy, does this sound good.

The h gives everything to the H…her v-card and love. He of course takes it and as they are planning their wedding in bed he tells her she is mercy f*ck. So, she becomes that with every guy she’s with. Sounds like a woman scorned…hehe! Anyway, the H comes back into her life, she calls him the mercy f*cker. I just know it’s gonna get HOT, KS Adkins style!!

Robyn: …it left me squirly and not being able to stop thinking about it. It’s M Robinsons new book Complicate Me (The Good Ol Boys). It’s full of angst and unrequited love. Our favorite!

Alexandra has known these 4 boys basically since birth. As they grow up together her bond with Lucas gets stronger and of course they love each other. They have to deny this love because the rest of the boys and their parents don’t want them together. They go through their trials and tribulations throughout their lives until they finally realize the can’t not be together! I fell in love with Alex and her Boys…

Jean: My Skylar!!!!! An all time favorite!! Will never forget it! …Childhood friends that become so much more and then bam!! That’s all I’m saying!

Dina: OMG “My Skylar ” is AMAZINGGGGGGGG I cant put it down! Ahhhhh READ IT 🙂

Leslie M: I am currently reading Black Swan Affair and have a little pretzel tummy as *BLEEP* is gonna hit the fan soon….I can feel it. *bites nails*

Jen C: Black Swan Affair (omgggg read that a couple of weeks ago SO GOOD I was up all night finishing it too)

Sharon: Black Swan Affair. Solid 4.5 stars for me. It wasn’t what I was expecting. Actually kept me guessing! Nice amount of angst and pretty saucy too. It’s hard to write a review without spoilers!

Cheryl: …I just finished the black swan affair and I really loved it. I generally don’t books that contain cheating. But it was the first chapter I worried but I really enjoyed it from start to finish…

…Not the typical “cookie-cutter” story. Wasn’t sure where it was going and had some twists I didn’t see coming and I was on the edge of my angst-ridden seat waiting for what the h was going to decide.

Second Chance Romance Historical

ANGST/MAFIA/BIKER

Kady: I’m just wondering if anyone can recommend a mafia book with a strong female like Melody from Ruthless People. I have read a few now and the women aren’t weak (I mean you don’t fall for these kinds of guys and be weak) but none of them are in the business.

None of the other women are quite as kicka** as Melody and im spoiled now lol. I want another great one where the girl can give as good as the guy can.

Ashley: I love a good marriage of convenience story. …oooo and Ruthless People by JJ McAvoy … but that’s more arranged.

  • Crow by A Zavarelli (mafia/ angst)

Mony: Crow by A. Zavarelli- …Not a big fan of mafia romances but this one is very good!

About an Irish mafia leader Lachlan Crow. He’s hot, smart, fierce, and loyal to the family above all else. He’s fantastic! Love Irish Hs. Oh, and the h, Mack, is a sassy and strong woman, who’s great at being a thorn in his side.

Lots of action, chemistry, heat & banter +++ 4.5⭐

Catherine: In Adam, Enough Said Adam calls his wife Mia “Freckles” and everytime I read it in the book my heart skipped a beat!!!!

Grace: Adam, Enough Said -Lynda Leeanne! Omg! That cover is like crack to me! It’s the This Can’t Be Happening Series – all really great books and Adam is the third one, but drool starts running down my face if I look at that cover too long.

Xxxx
S

➔➔➔  Love this trope? Browse more unrequited love and/or groveling hero book features and reviews on my blog. 😀

➔➔➔  Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Check out more of our favorites lists! 😀

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