FMC moves to a small town with her boyfriend or fiance, they break up but she’s decides she likes the town so she sticks around and ends up fake dating the ex’s cousin. Part of an interconnected series i think.
Usually one of the mcs adopts/fosters or lands in a situation where she/he is taking care of a kid. It can be fmc or mmc. Some examples to actually explain this better:
{Things we never got over by Lucy Score} Sunshine fmc finds herself being the guardian of her niece. Niece has been let down before but eventually comes to trust fmc. There is a super grumpy fmc who softens for them both.
{Need him like oxygen by Jessica Gadziala} Rough around the edges badass mafia capo fmc fosters becomes maternal towards the neighbour kid whose parents are always fighting, eventually fosters him and homeless teen. MMC is also mafia capo but golden retriever-y.
{Secret Haven by Catherine Cowles} Closed off MMC discovers he has three younger sisters and fosters them, oldest of the three has major trust issues, marriage of convenience with sunshine fmc to help.
{Filthy Lies and Filthy Truth Duet by Serena Akeroyd} FMC who has been through it finds herself fostering a chaotic young girl. Super sweet relationship. MMC also gone through it but little more sunshine-y than fmc, bonds with kid and it’s v cute.
{Wait for it by Mariana Zapata} FMC has custody of her nephews, grumpy MMC who softens for them.
Phew okay. So that basically lol. Felt like the examples would do a better job explaining it than i could. My non negotiables are basically at least one grumpy or black cat MC who softens, kid/teen needs to be well written, act their age.
I read contemporary, mafia, and fantasy.
Absolutely no historical pls. also no paranormal or shifter or alien romances.