Best Iris Murdoch Novels

"Abby Davison only wants to focus on her career as a nurse, as she has no time for dating after a bad breakup over a year ago. When her mother presses her about settling down, Abby tells her a little white lie: she’s dating Mark Thornton, the handsome and gruff rancher who both frustrates and makes her heart flutter every time they meet. When Mark overhears Abby's lie, he decides to cut her a deal: to keep his silence regarding their make-believe relationship, she'll come to live with him on his ranch until his broken arm heals. Despite her wounded pride and initial trepidation, Abby can’t help but begin to fall for the guarded Thornton brother as the days pass on his ranch. The black sheep of the family, Mark makes no secret that he prefers horses over people. His brusque exterior, though, only conceals hidden depths and a wounded heart that Abby understands all too clearly. As feelings start to bloom between them, neither is sure what is real and what’s make-believe. Yet the sizzling attraction between them is anything but fake, and with every kiss and every touch, they fall harder for each other. But as their pasts begin to creep toward them, unearthing secrets both would rather keep buried, Abby and Mark must learn to trust each other—or risk losing the love both never knew they needed."

***EXCERPT*** "I could burn the world to ashes, and you would still be the only thing worth destroying," he whispered, his lips just close enough to feel my desperate, trembling breath, tears leaking down my eyes. "Your pain is beautiful, Tera," he whispered with a chilling smile. "It shows you're still trying to fight what you know you've already lost." *** Dr. Tera Williams thought her life couldn't sink any lower after signing the divorce papers her husband's mistress threw in her face. But when a twist of fate puts her in a prison cell, stripping her of her career and reputation, she realizes she hasn't even begun to fall. After spending three years in prison, she struggles to get her life back on track again by starting from her lowest. Despite all the hurdles she had to endure from her current boss, she finds love again with Ryan, a single father, who is madly in love with her. But just as she's about to marry him, her worst nightmare resurfaces: She finds out that she is still legally married to her obsessive ex-husband, Logan, who has been doing everything possible to win her back. How does she navigate her life when she is now trapped between two possessive men who are not willing to give her up for the other? Trigger Warning: This is a dark, intense romance with a few scenes of psychological manipulation, violence, and non-con. Recommended for mature readers.

"Megan Flannigan wants only two things in life: to run her bakery The Rise and Shine, and to avoid the handsome and insufferable Officer Caleb Thornton. Caleb has made her life difficult ever since he arrested her over a decade ago, and her one wish is that he leaves her alone—while they both continue to deny the attraction that sparks between them every time they meet. Her wishes are dashed when her bakery is robbed. To make matters worse? Caleb is assigned to the case—and now he’s the officer charged to protect Megan from a dangerous criminal. Caleb Thornton decided to become a police officer to atone for a tragic adolescent mistake. As part of the famously rich and privileged Thornton family, he’s always been aware of how he can never measure up to his family’s expectations. As a result, he follows the letter of the law in both his job and his personal life—except when it comes to the beautiful and fiery Megan. She makes him yearn for something more, and she attracts him as much as she frustrates him. When Caleb is assigned to watch over Megan, he’s forced to reconcile the feelings he’s harbored for her for years. But as danger draws closer to Fair Haven, Megan and Caleb must come to grips with the past—or risk losing the love of a lifetime."

"After witnessing his parents’ doomed love affair, serial playboy Ash Younger decided long ago that love was not meant for him. With his charm and good looks, he’s never lacked for beautiful women. He may push numbers as an accountant by day, but by night, he’s only interested in having a woman in his bed. Yet the night he encounters a mysterious—and gorgeous—widow who doesn’t immediately fall under his seductive spell, Ash realizes he wants her more than he’s ever wanted another woman. Following the loss of her husband two years ago, Violet Fielding wants to focus on two things: her jewelry business and beginning her life anew in the small town of Fair Haven, Washington. She doesn’t have time for men or romance, and she certainly doesn’t have time for a man who’s a well-known playboy and younger than her. Violet already found the love of her life in her husband, and after his death, she knew she could never love anyone again. But when Ash kisses her, all of her plans and promises are turned upside down. A passion stronger than either Ash or Violet could imagine envelops them both one night—and that night changes everything. As old heartbreaks threaten to tear the couple apart, both must find the courage to see that, of all things, love is worth a second chance."

"Ever the prodigal son, Gavin Danvers returns to Heron’s Landing to move on from his recent divorce. With his young daughter in tow, Gavin wants to rebuild his life—alone. He’s done with love and marriage forever. Gavin’s resolve is tested when he meets his daughter’s pretty new teacher. Kat Williamson, with her sweet smile and her devotion to her students, is everything Gavin can never have. Yet when Kat begins to receive escalating threats from a mysterious stalker, Gavin vows to protect her, even going so far as to invite her to live with him. With Kat now under his roof, Gavin can’t stop himself from kissing her. Holding her. Making her his. As he realizes he can love again, Gavin must do everything he can to protect Kat—even at the risk of his own life. This title was previously published as Desire Me Dearly. It’s been rereleased with a brand-new look and with expanded content."

"After his last tour in the Marines, Seth Thornton finds himself adrift when he returns to Fair Haven, Washington. A capable soldier who moved up the ranks, Seth struggles to find his place in a town he once called home as the memories of war continue to haunt him—until the day he encounters the beautiful Rose DiMarco. Seth saves Rose when a man accosts her, yet to his surprise, she spurns his help. Her beauty and her headstrong ways captivate him, and he can’t forget about her. When Rose becomes his new neighbor, she suddenly presents a temptation that the normally aloof Seth cannot resist. He wants her more than he’s ever wanted any woman. Rose DiMarco fled Seattle to escape from an ex-boyfriend who made her life hell. Fair Haven is supposed to be her haven, but her ex isn’t about to let her go. When he threatens her, she never expects her sexy new neighbor Seth to defend her and declare himself her protector. And she definitely doesn’t expect to long for Seth in every possible way: she wants his kiss, his embrace, his caress. His love. But as Rose’s ex-boyfriend vows to divulge all of her darkest secrets, she fears that Seth will never look at her the same way again when he knows the truth. While Rose must confront her demons, Seth must choose between returning to the horrors of war—or embracing a love that could set him free."

C'est une histoire d'amour particulière de Jordan et Elsa, deux mannequins qui se retrouvent à travailler ensemble alors qu'ils s'aimaient même avant de réellement se connaître.

“Sofia, you're really going through a lot. I wish I could help you out” Lisa said, “That man, he deserves to die!” she pulled Sofia in for a warm embrace. They pulled out smiling at each other.  Sofia sniffed her nose and stood up, heading for her bag laying on top of the mini cupboard. "He gave me a check afterwards," Sofia said. Lisa was bewildered, shocked as hell. “How much?” "Two hundred thousand. He even sent a letter last night, saying I was doing very little paying off the debts.I truly want to pay off this stupid debt, quit this job and have my life back"  Sofia explained with a frown. "What?” Lisa exclaimed. “I am so speechless Sofia. You mean he paid that huge amount of money to you? Wow. Some guts he has there. Did you accept it?”  “No, I rejected it. Two hundred thousand can't restore my dignity. I was ashamed of myself tonight”. “But, how do you intend to pay the rest of the debts?” Lisa asked with concern in her voice. “Sofia, I'm scared for you” Sofia dreaded that thought. Thoughts of how she would raise enough money to clear the debts.  The man she met had this ominous, dangerous aura around him. She silently prayed she  would complete his payment so she could finally get her life back. Sofia's peaceful life became chaotic, the moment her mother was unable to pay the debts she owed the Mafia Lord before she died. She was forced to do his biddings. He was cold and ruthless. She fell in love with him. Now she must navigate a world of danger and deception. But can their love survive the secrets and lies that surround them?

"After a messy break-up, police officer Matthew Haldon is fine living in his cabin out in the woods all by himself. He has his dogs to keep him company and his job to keep him busy. He never expects to find love again, especially not with the woman he finds stranded on the side of the road during a blizzard. When Matt realizes that Holly Cook has nowhere to go, he invites her to stay at his cabin for the night. Holly is dangerous, though: with her fiery red hair and her bubbly personality, she tempts Matt like no woman ever has. As the snowstorm rages outside, Matt and Holly share a night that neither will forget. Yet Holly’s past isn’t about to let her go—and now, neither is Matt. This title was previously published as Adore Me Ardently. It’s been rereleased with a brand-new look and with lightly edited content."

In the neon-lit shadows of Novela, Isabella Hart, a red-haired outcast, is drowning in betrayal. Bullied at school and abused by her family, her world shatters when her boyfriend spreads fake nude photos, driving her into the arms of a mysterious stranger for a reckless one-night stand. The next day, she’s stunned to find him—Sebastian Wolfe, a smouldering history professor and Lycan—standing at her lecture podium, his green eyes taunting her with their shared secret. But her life is about to get even worse as Caleb Reed, a charismatic senior with a demonic edge, who hides a deadly mission behind his seductive smile walks into her life. Both men are mated to Bella by the Moon Goddess, their rivalry igniting a lustful, dangerous love triangle. As Bella navigates forbidden passion and relentless torment, she uncovers a shocking truth: she’s a half-werewolf Moonborn, her red hair a mark of a rare lineage destined to destroy the BloodMoon pack’s evil Alpha, Marcus, and his Beta, Veron—Sebastian’s father. With Caleb’s obsession turning violent and Sebastian’s secrets threatening their love, Bella must embrace her powers to survive kidnappings, near-death ambushes, and betrayals that tear her heart apart. When her long-lost father resurfaces, Bella’s fight for her throne becomes a battle for survival, love, and redemption. In a city where werewolves lurk beneath skyscrapers, Bella’s destiny will burn bright—or consume them all. The Professor’s Mate is a dark, sensual werewolf romance, weaving lust, betrayal, and supernatural intrigue in a novel saga of a common human girl rising from ashes to claim her power as an Alpha in the werewolf realm.