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A spicy, emotional, and feel-good friends-to-lovers romance that delivers great banter and heartfelt moments, though it sticks close to classic tropes and isn’t shy with the steam. Perfect for those who crave a satisfying grovel and a curvy heroine who comes into her own.

If you liked Before Jamaica Lane, here are the top 100 books to read next:
(We also have 100 recommendations for the series: On Dublin Street)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1
    Beautiful Player
    Book 5 in the series:Beautiful

    Beautiful Player - Beautiful by Christina Lauren
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    A standout, steamy rom-com in the Beautiful series! Great for fans of contemporary romance who love banter, heat, and a genuinely fun couple. Not super deep, but undeniably charming and entertaining.

    'Beautiful Player' by Christina Lauren is a part of the 'Beautiful' series and follows the story of Hanna and Will. Hanna is described as a strong and independent character, different from the previous leading ladies in the series. The book explores the fun and sexy relationship between Hanna and Will, which is built on friendship and banter before turning into something more. The writing style is praised for its blend of humor, steamy scenes, and emotionally impactful moments, making it a favorite among readers.

    I stopped pacing long enough to pull back the curtain and peek out the window, frowning up at the sky. It was still dark out, but I reasoned it was bluer than black and starting to smudge pink and pur...
    2013
    440 pages

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Beautiful )

  2. #2

    Blindsided by Amy Daws
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    A cute, spicy, and emotional friends-to-lovers romance bursting with banter and feels - just be ready to suspend disbelief and embrace the melodrama. Blindsided is great escapism, especially if you love messy, big-hearted characters (and don’t mind a few awkward moments along the way).

    Blindsided by Amy Daws is a romantic comedy that follows the story of Freya and Mac, best friends who navigate their relationship turning into something more. Freya, a self-deprecating and awkward woman approaching her 30th birthday, seeks Mac's help to overcome her insecurities with men. As Mac, a Scottish footballer, becomes her love coach, their friendship evolves into a deep connection filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and unexpected feelings. The book explores themes of self-discovery, friendship turning into love, and overcoming insecurities, all portrayed through a mix of humor, tender moments, and steamy romance.

    “Crikey, I want a pony,” I blubber and blow my nose loudly into a tissue while staring wistfully at the telly as the ending credits of Heartland fill the screen. “Even after watching Jack Bartlett put...
    November 2019
    321 pages

  3. #3
    I Think I Love You
    Book 5 in the series:Oxford

    I Think I Love You - Oxford by Lauren Layne
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    A fun, flirty, and heartwarming contemporary romance perfect for fans of the friends-to-lovers trope - and a charming end to the Oxford series. Not groundbreaking, but reliably feel-good.

    "I Think I Love You" by Lauren Layne is the final book in the Oxford series, focusing on the friends-to-lovers romance between Brit and Hunter, who work together at Oxford's Operations Department. The story follows their journey towards their happily ever after as they navigate their friendship turning into something more, with a mix of sweet, sexy, and emotional moments. The book can be read as a standalone but is recommended to be read in order to fully appreciate the interconnected series and beloved secondary characters.

    The writing style of Lauren Layne in "I Think I Love You" is described as light, sexy, and playful, with a friends-to-lovers romance that keeps readers engaged and rooting for Brit and Hunter. The book offers a balance between sweet and sexy moments, with well-developed characters and a storyline that is both predictable yet enjoyable.

    As far as employees went, Brit Robbins was one of Hunter’s best. His senior product manager was low-maintenance, efficient, and innovative in her proposed solutions. An excellent skill set, considerin...
    July 2018
    204 pages

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Oxford )

  4. #4
    Blurred Lines
    Book 1 in the series:Love Unexpectedly

    Blurred Lines - Love Unexpectedly by Lauren Layne
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    A funny, flirty, and heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance that delivers exactly what it promises. Expect plenty of charm, banter, and all the feels - perfect for a comfort read!

    "Blurred Lines" by Lauren Layne follows the story of best friends turned roommates, Parker and Ben, who navigate their relationship from platonic to friends with benefits to potentially something more. The book delves into themes of friendship, love, and the complexities of transitioning from friends to lovers. The writing style is described as engaging, humorous, and with a perfect balance of humor and depth, making it a compelling and easy read for fans of friends-to-lovers romance.

    I guess technically they were platonic for a while. Stephen had a girlfriend named Libby Tittles, or something unfortunate like that, and Korie had this on-again-off-again thing with her junior high b...
    August 2015
    256 pages

  5. #5
    Melt for You
    Book 2 in the series:Slow Burn

    Melt for You - Slow Burn by J.T. Geissinger
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    A funny, feel-good slow-burn with big heart, memorable banter, and an unforgettable Scottish hero. Not flawless, but a top pick if you’re after uplifting, spicy romance with body positivity and genuine character growth.

    "Melt for You" by J.T. Geissinger is a contemporary romance novel in the 'Slow Burn' series that follows the story of Joellen Bixby, a shy and insecure woman who has a crush on her married boss, Michael Maddox. When Cameron McGregor, a charming athlete, becomes Joellen's neighbor, he offers to help her win over her crush. However, as they spend time together, Cameron starts falling for Joellen, complicating their relationship dynamics. explores themes of self-confidence, body image, and self-discovery, with a writing style that combines humor, emotion, and a slow-burn romance.

    I’m fat. As much as I hate to admit it, the point was driven home with brutal clarity by Granny Gums when she saw me at Thanksgiving and said with a cackle, “Looks like somebody already ate the turkey...
    May 2018
    340 pages

  6. #6

    The Do-Over by M.K. Schiller
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    A fun, trope-filled romance with a glowing-up heroine and a hero who grows on you - if you can handle a rocky start, there’s plenty to love here.

    'The Do-Over' by M.K. Schiller seems to be a contemporary romance novel featuring a fake relationship trope. The story revolves around a heroine who transforms from an initially plain and unattractive character to a more chic and stylish persona with the help of the hero. The relationship between the main characters starts off as fake and cheesy but develops into a genuine and growing attraction over time. The writing style appears to include elements of humor and transformation, as well as a slow burn romance that evolves throughout the plot.

    Kyle Manchester sat at Duggan’s Pub sipping the last of his top-shelf whiskey and wondering where in the hell Brad Jansen was. He was fifteen minutes late. Boy Scout Brad had probably stopped to help...
    2013
    263 pages

  7. #7

    You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning
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    A heartfelt, sometimes frustrating journey of self-acceptance wrapped in a witty, steamy romance. If you're up for emotional honesty and messy, real characters, this is one contemporary romance not to miss!

    "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Sarra Manning follows the story of Neve, a young woman who has struggled with her weight and loneliness. After losing weight to impress her crush, she decides to have a fake relationship with Max to gain experience in romance. explores themes of self-esteem, body image, and relationships, with a mix of humor and depth in the writing style.

    She shuffled to the edge of her seat so she could plant her feet firmly on the floor, straighten her back and yank in her abdominal muscles. It didn’t work. Her doubly reinforced waistband suddenly ga...
    2011
    566 pages

  8. #8

    This Changes Everything - Oakland Hills by Gretchen Galway
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    A charming, funny, friends-to-lovers romcom that’s all heart - perfect for fans of the Oakland Hills series or anyone wanting a sweet, easy read with lovable leads and a warm community vibe.

    'This Changes Everything' in the 'Oakland Hills' series by Gretchen Galway follows the story of Sly and Cleo, who have been friends for years. Their relationship takes a turn when they are tricked into a trip to Las Vegas, leading to a shift from friendship to a romantic relationship. As they return from their trip, Sly and Cleo struggle with their newfound dynamic, navigating their differing desires and the consequences of crossing that line. is described as a romantic and heartwarming story with humorous elements and a focus on the relationships between various characters, including meddling friends and lovable dogs.

    The writing style of Gretchen Galway is praised for its incorporation of humor and relatable characters. explores themes of friendship evolving into love, trust issues, and the challenges of transitioning from friends to lovers. Readers appreciate the depth of the characters, the engaging plot, and the way the author weaves humor into the narrative, making it an enjoyable and entertaining read.

    The sudden pain knocked the smile off Sly’s face. He’d been thinking how cute the girl was, a five-year-old holding the leash of a curly brown mop of a dog that was as tall as she was. “I beg your par...
    August 2015
    310 pages

    (Also, see 73 recommendations for the series Oakland Hills )

  9. #9

    My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
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    A funny, sweet, and modern friends-to-lovers rom-com that’s heavy on group dynamics and dating app mishaps. Not perfect, but charming - especially for fans of awkward online romance and lovable friend groups!

    "My Favorite Half-Night Stand" by Christina Lauren is a contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Millie, a criminology professor, who is best friends with a group of guys. The group decides to try online dating to find dates for a formal event at their university. Meanwhile, Millie starts developing feelings for one of her friends, Reid, and ends up creating a secret profile named Catherine on the dating site. As Catherine, she matches with Reid and begins an emotional relationship with him under this false identity, leading to a complicated situation when Reid discovers the truth. The book explores themes of friendship, romance, deception, and self-discovery, with a mix of humor, banter, and emotional depth in the storytelling.

    The narrative is told through alternating points of view between Millie and Reid, providing insights into their thoughts and feelings as their relationship evolves from friends to lovers. The book delves into the dynamics of the group of friends, their individual quirks, and the challenges they face in navigating love and relationships while maintaining their close-knit bond. The writing style combines elements of humor, romance, and relatable characters, offering a light and engaging read with a touch of emotional depth and character growth.

    When I was in grade school, my best friend, Alison Kim, was obsessed with horses. She was the horse girl—you know the one. She took lessons, came to school in cowboy boots, and always smelled faintly...
    December 2018
    380 pages

  10. #10

    Not So Nice Guy by R.S. Grey
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    A laugh-out-loud, swoony, and super cute rom-com that’s perfect for anyone craving a sweet and sexy friends-to-lovers romance. Not flawless, but full of charm and the kind of chemistry you can’t fake.

    Not So Nice Guy by R.S. Grey is a romantic comedy centered around the friendship between Sam and Ian, who teach at the same high school. Both secretly harbor feelings for each other but are afraid of risking their friendship. When a rumor spreads that they are dating, it forces them to confront their true emotions. The book is filled with humor, banter, and a slow burn friends-to-lovers storyline that keeps the readers engaged. The writing style is light-hearted, funny, and characterized by witty dialogue and endearing characters like Sam and Ian.

    This morning, we’re having sex inside the army barracks again. It’s hot and heavy. The enemy is advancing—we might not make it out alive. Explosions rumble in the sky and in my pants. I’m sweating. Ia...
    August 2018
    285 pages

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