After reading Icebreaker by Hannah Grace last year, I realised that contemporary romance books don’t need to have a third act break-up (gasp!). Icebreaker remains one of my current favourite books and it seems I enjoy books much more if they don’t have a third act break-up as I’m not anxiously awaiting the inevitable big conflict that will (at least temporarily) drive the main characters apart. This isn’t to say that the main characters in these books don’t experience any conflicts or road bumps, but instead they communicate and work together to overcome any obstacles they encounter without breaking up.
If you’re after more books like this, read on to discover nine contemporary romance book recommendations without a third act break-up!
Reckless by Elsie Silver
After leaving a toxic marriage, Winter has a steamy one-night stand with professional bull rider Theo that ends in accidental pregnancy.
Why you’ll love it:
- Cowboy romance
- Small-town setting
- He falls first
- Reformed playboy
- Spicy
Iced Out by Veronica Eden
After swearing off hockey players, Maya catches the eye of the captain of her brother’s rival hockey team, Easton, while dancing on top of a bar.
Why you’ll love it:
- College hockey romance
- Brother’s rival / rival’s sister
- He falls first
- Boy obsessed
- Spicy
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
Lily organises fake treasure hunts using her father’s old maps but when her latest trip goes horribly wrong and happens to involve her ex, Leo the group starts to wonder if the hidden treasure is real.
Why you’ll love it:
- Second chance romance
- Treasure hunting
- Danger, suspense, and mystery elements
- Forced proximity
- Scenic setting
Breakaway by Grace Reilly
Ready to get back into the dating game, Penny proposes a secret “friends with benefits” arrangement with Cooper, a hockey player on the team her dad coaches.
Why you’ll love it:
- Spice coaching
- College hockey romance
- Coach’s daughter
- Forced proximity
- They’re both bookworms
Shutout by Avery Keelan
After moving in with her brother and his teammates, Sera discovers that one of her new roommates, Ty, is her anonymous, spicy hook-up from Halloween.
Why you’ll love it:
- Forced proximity / roommates
- Brother’s teammate
- College hockey romance
- Spicy
- ADHD representation
A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime by Monica Murphy
High-schoolers Wren and Crew are total opposites, but when they’re partnered together for a project, they find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other.
Why you’ll love it:
- High school / boarding school romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Grumpy with sunshine
- Forced proximity
- He falls first
Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer
While recovering from heartbreak, Pippa takes a job as a live-in assistant to professional hockey player Jamie Streicher, whom Pippa had a crush on in high school.
Why you’ll love it:
- Hockey romance
- Forced proximity/ roommates
- Will they/ won’t they vibes
- High school crushes reconnect as adults
- Spicy
Road Trip to Forever by Chelsea Curto
Sparks start to fly between childhood best friends Lola and Patrick whilst taking a road trip to Florida so that Lola can compete in a fashion competition.
Why you’ll love it:
- Childhood best friends to lovers
- Bookstore dates
- He falls first
- Boy obsessed
- Spicy
Better Hate than Never by Chloe Liese
When Kate’s childhood neighbour Christopher learns the real reason behind Kate’s hostile behaviour towards him, he vows to make things right and soon after, sparks start to fly between the once enemies.
Why you’ll love it:
- Childhood enemies to lovers
- Retelling
- ADHD representation
- Forced proximity
- Spicy
