Oakland Hills Series by Gretchen Galway, Lucy Riot

The world of fitness apparel isn't ready for Beverly Lewis. She hates the gym, is nice to everybody, and shops at Ross Dress for Less. When she's not teaching preschool, she's wearing yoga pants . . . to nap in. So when she inherits her estranged grandfather's fitnesswear company in San Francisco, nobody expects her to keep it. Fite Fitness needs a heartless suit to save it from bankruptcy, not a thirty-year-old woman who cries when her students leave for kindergarten... moreThe world of fitness apparel isn't ready for Beverly Lewis. She hates the gym, is nice to everybody, and shops at Ross Dress for Less. When she's not teaching preschool, she's wearing yoga pants . . . to nap in. So when she inherits her estranged grandfather's fitnesswear company in San Francisco, nobody expects her to keep it. Fite Fitness needs a heartless suit to save it from bankruptcy, not a thirty-year-old woman who cries when her students leave for kindergarten. Someone like Liam Johnson. A former Olympic swimmer, Liam is Fite's executive vice president. Unlike Bev, he's devoted his life to Fite's success. Managing one little preschool teacher—and his attraction to her—shouldn't be an issue. Right? But Bev's tired of being underpaid and underrated, and refuses to step aside as an obedient figurehead. To everyone's shock and horror, she moves up to San Francisco, sets up an office, and dives into the business. Nothing—not mockery, not exercise, not sabotage, not a disastrously hot night with her aggravating VP—is going to scare her away. As Liam realizes she's tougher than she looks, he discovers that losing Fite might not be nearly as bad as losing her . . . A story about the pursuit of love, happiness, and the perfect yoga pants, Love Handles will speak to anyone who's ever had to face the thing that scares her most. Love Handles is a full-length novel, the equivalent of about 375 print pages. Warning: contains at least two loves scenes and a happy ending. less

Twenty-six-year-old Rose Devlin may shop in the plus-size department, but she’s never had a problem attracting men—with disastrous consequences. Recovering from her latest mistake, Rose has sworn off casual sex and moved to California to grow up, help her best friend, and make something of herself. When Rose asks the cute-but-geeky Mark to help her land a job in high tech, she never expects to unearth his quiet strength, stunning accomplishments—and hidden talents... moreTwenty-six-year-old Rose Devlin may shop in the plus-size department, but she’s never had a problem attracting men—with disastrous consequences. Recovering from her latest mistake, Rose has sworn off casual sex and moved to California to grow up, help her best friend, and make something of herself. When Rose asks the cute-but-geeky Mark to help her land a job in high tech, she never expects to unearth his quiet strength, stunning accomplishments—and hidden talents. With a secret in her own past, Rose tries to keep her distance, but she finds that nerdy Mark isn’t so nerdy when the lights go out. And that maybe, just maybe, she’s not too grown up to risk one more disaster… less

Best friends as children, Jody and Simon finally have a chance at lasting love. If only they didn’t hate each other’s guts. * * * Jody Lapinski is a plus-sized chemist with a problem. The despicable Simon Brogan has moved into the upstairs unit of the San Francisco Bay Area house she shares with her grandmother. Although he’d been a nice friend when they were kids, high school had unmasked him for what he really was—an arrogant, heartless jerk... moreBest friends as children, Jody and Simon finally have a chance at lasting love. If only they didn’t hate each other’s guts. * * * Jody Lapinski is a plus-sized chemist with a problem. The despicable Simon Brogan has moved into the upstairs unit of the San Francisco Bay Area house she shares with her grandmother. Although he’d been a nice friend when they were kids, high school had unmasked him for what he really was—an arrogant, heartless jerk. She wasn’t going to forgive him now just because he was gorgeous and successful. Not after what he’d done. Simon never would’ve signed the lease if he’d known Jody was living downstairs. That he’d have to see the hate in her eyes, still strong after almost a decade. That he’d have to see her sweet, curvy body so often. That he’d be forced to remember how much he’d cared about her... less

Serial temp worker April Johnson is nothing like her wildly successful brothers. She doesn’t have an Olympic gold medal. She doesn’t have millions in the bank from a tech company she founded as a teenager. She doesn’t even have a place to live, not since her boyfriend sneaked off in the middle of the night—skipping out on the rent, his three-legged dog, and her... moreSerial temp worker April Johnson is nothing like her wildly successful brothers. She doesn’t have an Olympic gold medal. She doesn’t have millions in the bank from a tech company she founded as a teenager. She doesn’t even have a place to live, not since her boyfriend sneaked off in the middle of the night—skipping out on the rent, his three-legged dog, and her. Now forced to move back home with her mother and grovel for a job from one of her brothers, April decides it’s past time she got serious about her life. Zack Fain, on the other hand, has been too serious for years. After losing his wife to cancer at the age of twenty-six, he’s done nothing but work on his consulting business. But when he meets April at a new job, he forgets he’s a humorless suit who never gets emotionally involved. She makes him laugh, she turns him on, and he begins to wonder if it’s time he broke a few rules. Although April refuses to get stuck in yet another dead-end relationship, Zack isn’t like any of the guys she’s dated before. This could be the real deal. This could be serious. But is either of them ready for the kind of serious that lasts a lifetime? less

SHORT STORY - about 45 print pages * * * They first met as troubled teens, then were driven apart. Now their paths have crossed again, for a second chance at love. Melissa has shrugged off her past to begin a fulfilling career in horticulture—and isn’t looking for anything that remotely resembles trouble. But Eduardo is definitely trouble. All grown up, he’s more dangerous than ever, with dark eyes that lead her into temptation… and a sensitive heart that knows her deepest secrets... moreSHORT STORY - about 45 print pages * * * They first met as troubled teens, then were driven apart. Now their paths have crossed again, for a second chance at love. Melissa has shrugged off her past to begin a fulfilling career in horticulture—and isn’t looking for anything that remotely resembles trouble. But Eduardo is definitely trouble. All grown up, he’s more dangerous than ever, with dark eyes that lead her into temptation… and a sensitive heart that knows her deepest secrets. Can the seeds of the past grow into a future that blooms? JUST CAN'T FORGET YOU is set in the world of Gretchen Galway’s bestselling Oakland Hills series. It’s a stand-alone short contemporary romance of about 45 print pages. No cliffhanger! less

Sasha Selkirk has been in love with her best friend’s brother, Jake Lapinksi, since she was thirteen. Now twenty-eight, she knows if he was ever going to return her feelings, he certainly would’ve done it by now. So when he shows up at the snowbound mountain cabin where she’s staying—alone, trying again to forget him—she pushes him away, never expecting him to kiss her. Or make any of her other dreams come true… CAN YOU LOVE ME NOW? is a contemporary romance short story of about 45 pages... moreSasha Selkirk has been in love with her best friend’s brother, Jake Lapinksi, since she was thirteen. Now twenty-eight, she knows if he was ever going to return her feelings, he certainly would’ve done it by now. So when he shows up at the snowbound mountain cabin where she’s staying—alone, trying again to forget him—she pushes him away, never expecting him to kiss her. Or make any of her other dreams come true… CAN YOU LOVE ME NOW? is a contemporary romance short story of about 45 pages. Although it’s set in the world of Gretchen Galway’s bestselling Oakland Hills series, you don’t have to read the other stories to enjoy this one. No cliffhangers! Spice level: Sensual. less

**This is a SHORT STORY (about 40 pages) in the Oakland Hills Series** Just what happened with Trixie and Hugo in Las Vegas? After the publication of THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING (the fourth full-length book in the bestselling Oakland Hills series), readers wanted to know more about how Trixie and Hugo got together... more**This is a SHORT STORY (about 40 pages) in the Oakland Hills Series** Just what happened with Trixie and Hugo in Las Vegas? After the publication of THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING (the fourth full-length book in the bestselling Oakland Hills series), readers wanted to know more about how Trixie and Hugo got together. At first the author wasn’t sure the matchmaking grandmother would want her personal life exposed, given she’s usually the one who likes to pull the strings, but as the story developed, she decided Trixie would want you to know all about her accidental romance. Perhaps it will inspire you to find one of your own. She’d like that. Note: This is best enjoyed as a companion story to the novel THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, but can be read as a standalone or introduction to the rest of the Oakland Hills series. less

Millionaire investor Ian Cooper may be the perfect man, but Billie Garcia only wants him for his tool belt.She's just inherited a broken-down house she can't afford to fix up, and Ian has all the skills she needs.  And a few she wants ... Ian is her sister's ex-boyfriend, so the handsome hunk is definitely off limits. Even though he and her sister dated over ten years ago... moreMillionaire investor Ian Cooper may be the perfect man, but Billie Garcia only wants him for his tool belt.She's just inherited a broken-down house she can't afford to fix up, and Ian has all the skills she needs.  And a few she wants ... Ian is her sister's ex-boyfriend, so the handsome hunk is definitely off limits. Even though he and her sister dated over ten years ago. Even though Billie's last boyfriend treated her like a sexy ATM without a daily limit, and she really, really deserves better. Even though-- No, no, no. Off limits. Ian has always loved getting dirty. Getting his hands dirty.... Owning a hot investment firm is great for his net worth, but he financial reports aren't nearly as attractive to stare at as Billie. Her house is just the diversion he needs. He'll have to resist Billie's charms, but he's managed that for years. How hard could it be? Within a week, he can't resist her--and he doesn't want to. But Billie's afraid to risk the heart she's guarded so carefully all these years. Can one impulsive night really be the foundation for a lifetime? ______ Don't miss the other Friends with Benefits standalone romances: The Billionaire's Balle t by Deanna Roy The Billionaire Escape Plan by Ember Casey Yours and Mine by Lacey Silks Always You by Rachel Schurig The Rock Star's Secret Baby by Blair Babylon Going for Broke by Gretchen Galway Next to You by Daisy Prescott less

When accountant Jane finds herself attracted to handsome, free-spirited Grant, will she pursue her long-term goals… or her heart? All work and no play… Jane Garcia’s life is going according to plan: she’s dumped the cheating ex, moved into a beautiful house overlooking the San Francisco Bay, and expects to move up at her accounting firm. But when financial trouble strikes, she’s forced to rent a room to Grant Whitman, a scruffy writer with a full beard who knits his own hats... moreWhen accountant Jane finds herself attracted to handsome, free-spirited Grant, will she pursue her long-term goals… or her heart? All work and no play… Jane Garcia’s life is going according to plan: she’s dumped the cheating ex, moved into a beautiful house overlooking the San Francisco Bay, and expects to move up at her accounting firm. But when financial trouble strikes, she’s forced to rent a room to Grant Whitman, a scruffy writer with a full beard who knits his own hats. No man is an island... Grant Whitman has spent countless weeks alone in the wilderness researching his best-selling books. But after he meets Jane, he knows solitude isn’t going cut it anymore. She’s smart, strong, sexy... and the chemistry between them could roast marshmallows. The problem? A guy like Grant just doesn’t fit into Jane's plans. Fools rush in… As they grow closer, Jane isn’t sure she can continue to resist Grant—or even wants to. Soon all her careful plans begin to unravel like a badly knitted hat. And then, to his surprise, so do Grant’s. But can their wild fling outlast the summer? less