Jennifer (from our Facebook page) is in the mood for a certain type of book, and lo and behold, I’m in the mood for the same thing!!
She asks:
“I need a book recommendation. I need an alpha male or some unrequited love to make me feel better. It seems I’ve been reading emotionally draining (just finished Raw) and stress inducing books lately. I’m searching for a book to make me feel like Wallbanger did. Something well written, funny, and steamy. I’m asking for too much, aren’t I? At any rate, help! Thanks in advance. You guys are awesome! “
Yep… right there with you Jennifer! But for me, it doesn’t have to be comedy-romance, but definitely upbeat (or witty) as well as plenty of romantic pining in the “he’s hard-to-get” area. You know… a la “Kristen Ashley”.
I’m in the mood to read a book where the characters are adults (or at least pretty well into it), the girl has a big crush, and the alpha is well… a little harder to get? Maybe doesn’t quite give up his alpha-bad-boy status so fast. That would be awesome!
For example, in Kristen Ashley’s books… something like when she (“she” being us, 😉 ’cause that’s how Kristen Ashley’s books read) was:
- crushing on Mitch (the cop in Law Man (Dream Man)) in and he was amused with her cute crush. Or!!
- When she was really into Hawk (the mercenary in Mystery Man (Dream Man)), and he was all… *shrug* “I’ll see you when I see you…” <—
GAH!!! or - when she was into “Tack” (in Motorcycle Man (Dream Man)) and he was all… “baby you gave it away too quickly so that’s what happens…” <—
OH NO HE DIDN’T!!! ROAR!!!!! (and fun!!) *smirk* - Or like when she was hopelessly in love with Ham (the drifter bad-boy in Jagged (Colorado Mountain), who was her “on and off again” for years, but never wanting to commit to her. Even having a few other girlfriends in other towns. It was good the way it was, he insisted, and he didn’t want to be tied down. Ugh! My heart. I mean her heart!
Hehe. Can you tell one of my all time favorite series is the “Dream Man” series. 😉 Yep. They gave me goosebumps. I swooned as I crushed with her, I *squeed* as she finally, you know… caught his eye 😉 and then I huffed in outrage when he was mostly… nonchalant about the whole thing. Always a great start to a kick-ass potential love story when we (the readers) have to work for it. And often, HE ends up having to work for it, too.
So what I’m asking is… more please!!! It doesn’t have to be Kristen Ashley (although I’m thinking of sifting through my collection and dusting off another, because I love her books so much and they always hit the spot!) but if you guys know of just the book I’m looking for, I’m all ears! 😀
UPDATED 08-07-2020!!!
Brooke: Wow I cant believe the Avoiding series by KA Linde isnt on that list. Probably the best unrequited and angst ridden series Ive ever read.
Sapphire has experienced a lot of financial difficulties and she feels as though she will not be able to support her mother or her younger brother Jimmy. When all hope seems lost she is offered a job as a nanny from a rich and successful owner of a photography magazine, Anthony Black. Sapphire should be excited, only she has never really liked Anthony, they have never truly gotten along and she had always been in love with Anthony’s twin brother Andre. So why instead of making her his nanny, had Anthony asked Sapphire for her hand in marriage, a marriage for a lifetime?
Tami D: Try Wicked Burn by Beth Kery. Vic is very alpha hot. I also liked the Until series by Aurora Rose Reynolds.
Sandra: Deena, check Broken by A.E Murphy. Very angsty, and the hero is completely smitten.
Samantha: Broken by A. E. Murphy—HOLYYYYYYYYYYY CRAP!! Fantastic, and weird, and angsty, and so sad. Can’t wait to get started on the 2nd one! Worth a read you guys!!!
Deena: Thank you so much Sandra! Will definitely check it out. Any other recommendations are welcomed :))
Reader Recommendations (from below in the comments AND our Facebook page):
- Creed (Unfinished Heroes) by Kristen Ashley
- Rock Chick Series by Kristen Ashley
- Jake Undone (A Gemini Novel) by Penelope Ward
Jen: Jake Undone is unrequited for the first half…she wants him and he gives off mixed signals and won’t actually let himself touch her…she wants it but he keeps a distance. It was a great book. Lots of stuff going on and once they finally are together, there are more obstacles of course! Highly recommend it.
- Play It Safe by Kristen Ashley
- Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley
- Rule: A Marked Men Novel by Jay Crownover
- Wild by Adriane Leigh
- Catch (Assassins #1) by S. Poirier
- All of Me by Gina Sorelle
- Corps Security Series by Harper Sloan
- Before Jamaica Lane (Dublin Street) by Samantha Young
- Friends Without Benefits (Knitting in the City) by Penny Reid
- Unforgiven by Elizabeth Finn
- Black Knights Inc. Series by Julie Ann Walker
- Pieces of Perfect by Elizabeth Hayley
- Push the Envelope (Blythe College) by Rochelle Paige
- Until November (Until series) by Aurora Rose Reynolds
- Used (Unlovable, #1) (Unlovable Series) by Lynetta Halat <—- THIS is the one I’m reading right now. So good so far!!!
- Fixed Trilogy Reading Order by Laurelin Page
- Redneck Ex by Claire Croxton
- Naked Werewolf Series by Molly Harper
Dream Man is one of my favorites, too. 🙂
I’ve been listening to Mystery Man over and over and over and over and over…LOL
Good luck finding something!
Yep… . Me too. I’m so looking for another that will give me the “feels” the way Mystery Man did. That would rock my world. Hawk. He was WOW!!! and still one of my #1’s.
Maryse pretty much sums it up, it can’t get better than KA, but if you’re looking for a fun, sexy, and little bit crude book thats LOL, then I highly recommend The Infamous Ellen James.
Creed…by KA. Second chance with an Alpha!
Oh I don’t think I’ve read Creed yet!!
Oh, Creed was really good! A couple with a history…my favorite!
Jake Undone by Penelope Ward was a good one..
Play it safe & Heaven and Hell, both by KA. Or if you’re after some tasty fun… read Knight by KA too! LUSH!!! x
Hi Maryse! I really enjoyed Rule by Jay Crownover. It’s the first book in her Marked Men series. I can’t remember if you’ve read that one yet, but it was one of my faves last year. The second and third books are out now too.. I loved them all 🙂 Happy reading!
The entire Rock Chick series by Kristen Ashley is wonderful – ALL Alpha men and sassy women! Some have lots of comedic word sparring or situations that the girls find themselves in and the men have to come and save them. Others are not “as funny” but still very good with all the guys in almost every book.
What are you waiting for? Creed and Sylvie are awesome! One of my all time favorite KA reads. Sweet young love that gets torn apart and when they find each other later…OMG! scorching!!
My friend C.P. Smith’s first novel is being released tomorrow…A Reason to Breathe. Hot Alpha Sheriff with a sassy reporter and a serial killer. Great dialogue and story. Highly recommend it!
Jen? Jake Undone… was it unrequited? Was he hard to get? I hear that book is awesome, so I need to look into it…
Ooh…if you’re looking for super hot, I suggest Wild by Adriane Leigh.
To be honest, this does not meet your ‘unrequited’ criteria, but I read a book called Catch by Solange Poirier, and her style reminded me of K.A.’s. It was an excellent read!
Jake Undone is unrequited for the first half…she wants him and he gives off mixed signals and won’t actually let himself touch her…she wants it but he keeps a distance. It was a great book. Lots of stuff going on and once they finally are together, there are more obstacles of course! Highly recommend it.
Oh, do I have a hot Alpha man for you Maryse. His name is Jack and he’s a hot alpha sheriff in A Reason to Breathe by CP.Smith.
Loved loved loved that book, i got a change to read a ARC. Hot alpha man, sassy reporter, steamy sex and a serial killer. And the best news is it’s being published on january 21!
Creed is one of the best KA books..and is soooo HOT!!! Maryse you need to read this one!
Marscha…great minds think alike. Jack is one hot piece of man flesh!
I just finished a book I really enjoyed it was a rec on scandalicious book blog. I’m hoping ok to mention another blog. The book was All of me by Gina Sorrelle. I really liked Stella and Nathan with his “screwed up adorableness.” Nathan had a awkwardness and vulnerability that reminded me a little bit of Matt’s in night owl. By the way thank you, thank you for that rec. Night Owl was was the weekend before read and All of me this last Sat read.
Been a few years but for laugh out loud used to read Katie McAlister. May have to look her up again. For KA I loved Breathe don’t see it mentioned as often.
Since you’re talking Kristen Ashley like…. how about KA herself? Did you read Play it Safe? Grayson Cody is one of the MOST yummy book-boyfriends ever. Hope you didn’t skip over this one since it is one of her stand-alones (not part of any series). I am in a serious book funk and will welcome any recommendations. I think I need an oldie but goodie that I might have missed??? any suggestions?
BTW – I liked Play it Safe a lot more than Creed. The Unfinished Heroes series is good, but a little bit more gritty than I am in the mood for right now. Maybe we could do a TOP FIVE Kristen Ashley list??? For those who love her but don’t know where to go next?? Because Fairytale Comes Alive is another one of my favorites by her.
Maryse, KA’s Creed is one her all time best books! I can’t believe you haven’t read that one. You would adore it! The childhood history between the two is beautiful and heartbreaking. Their reconnection isn’t easy, it’s angst-filled and emotionally gut-wrenching and they don’t go easy on each other. But it’s KA so of course we’re sucked into every layer and feel for them both. Oh, and did I mention it’s HOT HOT HOT! Knight and Raid were also great books in this series (I say series but you could read each on its own), but Creed really is the most emotional of the three books. And I think Creed is probably my favorite KA alpha of all time. <3
I’ve just read Mystery Man, my first KA book, and I get all the fuss now, it’s fantastic!! And I kind of don’t want to read anything else for a while!! The closest series that I’ve read to these kind of books, with the Tough Talking, tough loving Alpha Men that get under your skin, is Madeline Sheehans Undeniable series, which I know you’ve read, and Harper Sloans Corp Security series, which I know you haven’t read. I look forward to reading what you come up with!!
All this Creed talk wants to make me re-read it! I just finished Heaven and Hell this morning and I just can’t seem to get into anything else. 🙁
Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young. Somewhat unrequited love. She likes him, but he’s not willing to admit it. And their best friends so that’s a plus. <3
Friends without Benefits by Penny Reid is good. So funny.
I agree. Anything by KA is fantastic.
Unforgiven by Elizabeth Finn!!!!!! They were friends in the past but something huge happens and 6 years later he hates her. He tells her he hates her but……he just can’t stay away. He goes from hot to cold and she just accepts it because she feels guilty. This book is awesome!!! I highly recommend it!
I really enjoyed Before Jamaica Lane, best friends to secret lovers, very emotional, sweet and sexy. KA, anything by her is fantastic. Heaven and Hell is one of my favs. The h, in an abusive marriage, for years thought about the H, a famous sports star, a fantasy, to escape her reality. After the death of her husband, they meet by chance, and off their story goes. Sam is awesome, super hot, protective but of course has his own issues to deal with.
I have a quick question. Has anyone read The Do Over by M.K. Schiller? It looks good but not exactly bargain so just wondering.
For a laugh out loud read a little similar to Kristen Ashley (yet different too) try the Naked Werewolf series by Molly Harper. The first one had me laughing so hard that my husband came to check on me! I have been reading the Outlander series and taking a break between each book for something a little quicker and more lighthearted to read and these books fit the bill.
I have heard a great review about COMING HOME by Priscilla Glenn. Has anymore reed this??
Until November Series. All of the books in the series feature brothers who are definitely Alpha.
I love all KA books, specially Motorcycle Man and the Chaos Series… Oh and you want something similar to Wallbanger?… Try the Neighbor from Hell series by R.L. Mathewson, that series is great, super funny and full of sexy hot alphas… ;D
Oh Nadia loooved the Neighbor from Hell series. Perfect characters in every book. Mid life Love series also great read. Just finished Fantasyland series by KA. All have given me book hangover. xoxo
Yes to all these recs. Also I’d like to say that I bought Motorcycle Man a long time ago when the cover was plain. This new super foxy cover is making me happier than I can properly express. Holy hotness!
KA Books are great. One that hasn’t been mentioned was Sweet Dreams. I just loved this book. About a girl whose husband left her and she packed her bags and moved where she landed a job as a waitress in a biker bar in a place called Carnel. then she met Tatum a part owner inthe bar. She has insecurites about her looks and starts swimming and running. Loses all this weight and looks hot. Totally motivational. I even started running. GREAT GREAT Book. You wont be disapointed.
What about lynsay sands whole argeneau series? They are all funny and almost always have unrequited love!!
I would suggest Cherry Girl by Raine Miller, he’s a little alpha, DEFINETLY unrequited love there. Creed by KA was a bit too emotional for me, although I enjoyed it, there were heavy issues in there. Heavy Issues by Elle Ayacart, not quite unrequited but DEFINETLY alpha male with some funny parts. The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle, and Emily Snow’s books, maybe the first one is Devoured? If you are looking for funny, alpha male, we can’t forget the This Man series by Jodi Ellen Malpas, I mean is there anyone more alpha than Jesse Ward?
Hi Maryse,
I miss one awesome new book on your list that got released today. It’s from a new author.CP Smith: A Reason to Breathe. It has a HOT Alpha sheriff ( and i know you like your alpha man) ,a sassy reporter,plenty of steamy sex and a serial killer.The book has that KA feel about it but mrs Smith gives it her own signature style of writing. Love love loved this book!!
Jennifer (from Face Book Page):
If your looking for a funny read with an Alpha male that gives you sorta the feel of “Wallbanger” try “Tangled” by Emma Chase. She also has book1.5 out (just a very short 40 page pre-clip of the next book to follow her “Tangled” series is “Holy Friggin’ Matrimony”. “Twisted” and “Tamed” are available for pre-order now…but no worries…”Tangled” won’t leave you frustrated that the sequels aren’t out yet like some others. I actually read “Holy Friggin’ Matrimony” to my husband one night because he had to know why I was hilariously laughing. Since it is told from the male POV he thought it was funny and totally related. Now he repeats and uses some of the quotes from the book which always makes me crack up.
“My favorite dress of Kate’s [yours] is the one on the floor”…
In response to Jennifer. I was just recently feeling the same way… wanting to find something similar to Wallbanger and not emotionally draining. I read Raw last week too. But….I found it!! I am reading “Denial” by Ember Chase. OMG. I can’t put it down! This book has taken me in a totally diff direction that I thought originally and it is soooo good. I have laughed more than I expected. I am also in agreement about all the other recomendations; like Creed-very good!! Neighbor from Hell and Mystery Man. Loved them all!!
KA is my go-to gal. Have every single one of her books in their own little collection on my Kindle. Whenever I need just a “little somthin'” that I *know* for a fact will give me the book fix I need — I head for my KAs (straight to the good parts — hehe).
Oh, and if you want guys who don’t realize what they have until it’s almost too late and they have to really work for it — don’t forget the Neighbor From Hell series! Quicker reads than KA and they’re so funny, too!
Wow, looks like so many great recommendations! I read Mystery Man and Law Man, but haven’t read Motorcycle Man yet! Creed and Jake Undone both look good too! I have lots of KA books downloaded that I have just not gotten to yet! And it’s a snow day here in the suburbs of Philadelphia!! Love Snow Days….curled up on the couch getting ready to read while watching the beautiful snow come down! Now, if I could only decide WHAT to read…..too many to choose from!!
Lots of great books listed! Check out the G-Man Series while you’re at it by Andrea Smith. Not quite a KA-type book, but I kind of like her alphas better. Diamond Girl, Love Plus One and Night Moves have hot alphas that each are a bit different – as are the situations. Can be read as stand-lone, but I recommend in order…. also, check out All He Wants by C.C. Gibbs if you haven’t already. Made me tingle for sure!
you need to put this list off to the right on your blog “Alpha Male Crushes” or something like that…I have alot but havent read them yet…this little habit of mine is becoming quite costly.
Only 2 weeks until Kaleidoscope by KA!!!!!!
unforgiven
I have been in the same kind of book mood-needing something like mentioned in this post but unfortunately I have exhausted my KA options so I looked through the suggestions and picked and just finished “all of Me” by Gina Sorelle! What a fantastic read! Hero is an extremely damaged alpha with child abuse and PTSD issues. Heroine is a feisty Italian nurse who goes after what she wants. A realistic, moving story.Highly recommended! I see more books following(I hope)
Ok so I was looking for my own alpha male. I’m totally addicted myself. I love any of KA books. Loreli james has some hot sexy cowboy series. And anything by Sylvia day especially the crossfire series. They are amazing deep soul searching feelings. Not so much on the funny side but I love me some drama and not the oh I love you too quickly. I like the mystery. Even though yes the men have to have the girl at first site..
Tina, another really good book is it ain’t me babe by tillie cole. I just loved it. So different from other books. It’s aBout a girl in a cult. She escapes, her beliefs and what she had to do. She escapes to a motorcycle gang. Really worth a read.
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Try Wicked Burn by Beth Kery. Vic is very alpha hot. I also liked the Until series by Aurora Rose Reynolds.
There is a contemporary romance novel called, For A Lifetime by Dallacey E Green. Anthony is an alpha male while Sapphire is a strong, yet sweet innocent. It is a really great book!!!
Here is the story line.
Sapphire has experienced a lot of financial difficulties and she feels as though she will not be able to support her mother or her younger brother Jimmy. When all hope seems lost she is offered a job as a nanny from a rich and successful owner of a photography magazine, Anthony Black. Sapphire should be excited, only she has never really liked Anthony, they have never truly gotten along and she had always been in love with Anthony’s twin brother Andre. So why instead of making her his nanny, had Anthony asked Sapphire for her hand in marriage, a marriage for a lifetime?
here is the link to the book https://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-Dallacey-e-green/dp/1480052620
Wow I cant believe the Avoiding series by KA Linde isnt on that list. Probably the best unrequited and angst ridden series Ive ever read.
You’re right, Brooke!!!! Perfect suggestion and it was TOTALLY unrequited love. The epitome of it!
Any book about unrequited love from hero’s part? 🙂
Deena, check Broken by A.E Murphy. Very angsty, and the hero is completely smitten.
Thank you so much Sandra! Will definitely check it out. Any other recommendations are welcomed :))
I just finish reading Mastered by Maya Banks. Can anyone recommend a book with a hero like Drake Donovan? Rich, powerful, hot – and learning that he can care and love?
Maryse, I just read a book that is totally unrequited and I love it! I had to tell you! I never heard about this one before, probably because it’s from 1996. Anyway, 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. Have you read it?