It’s been a while since I blogged about My Favourite Professor & Student Romances, which was inspired by My Professor by R.S. Grey, so I figured it’s time to tackle another off-limits romance. Today’s Book List is titled Forbidden Love: The Nanny and was inspired by my most recent read, ‘The Nanny’ by Lana Ferguson.
It shouldn’t have been much of a surprise given that my all-time favourite book, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is the ultimate FL:TN but when I went back through my Goodreads to prep for this post, I still wasn’t expecting to have read so many modern-day FL:TNs. It’s a popular theme so I’m sure I’ll read more in the future and I’ll keep this blog post updated.
I’m always looking for recommendations so if you’ve got any Forbidden Love: The Nanny romances I might have missed out on, please let me know either in the comments or by e-mail at louisehallbooks@gmail.com.
Until next time, happy reading!
***UPDATED 2 FEBRUARY 2024***
(1) Strings of the Heart (Runaway Train #3) by Katie Ashley (2014)
Twenty year old, Allison Slater has been in love with her brother’s bandmate, Rhys McGowan, since she was fifteen years old. But to him, she’ll always be Jake’s little sister and off limits. Now a college sophomore and licking her wounds from a bad breakup, she sets her sights on making Rhys see her as someone he could date…maybe even love. Her opportunity comes when Rhys visits his parents in Savannah where she is attending college. But the night she’s dreamed of turns to heart-break, and she realizes she’ll never be the one for Rhys.
For Rhys McGowan, his nightmare began when he woke up, naked and hung-over, next to his bandmate’s little sister. Unable to remember a thing from the previous night, he only makes matters worse by lying to Allison about not being interested in her. The truth is he’s spent the last year to ignore his body’s reaction whenever Allison is around. His resolve is tested when Allison comes on tour with Runaway Train, as both Jake and Abby’s nanny and to fulfil her fashion design internship. The more time he spends with her in the close quarters of the bus, the harder it is for him to resist.
Will Rhys realize that having a relationship with Allison is worth fighting for even if it means that he has to fight his best friend for a chance?
Tags: Brother’s Best Friend – Favourite Series – Fictional Musicians
(2) Mr. Smithfield (Mister #3) by Louise Bay (2021)
Wanted: American nanny for an adorable four-year-old. Must be able to handle a moody, brooding, sexy British boss.
I’m a single father, a lawyer and some say the most serious man in London. I’m completely focused on raising my four-year-old daughter.
Since my wife walked out three years ago, the only woman who has ever caught my eye is the strictly off-limits sister-in-law of my best friend, Autumn Lumen.
But temptation is easy to resist because Autumn is only visiting London from Oregon.
Until she moves to London. The nanny quits. And she’s the only woman for the job.
Tags: Favourite Author – Favourite Series
(3) The Sexy One (One Love #1) by Lauren Blakely (2016)
Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move…
- She works with me every single day. Did I mention she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart?
- She works in my home. Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means…
- She’s the nanny. And that makes her completely off-limits… But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her. All of her.
***
The other nannies in this city don’t call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.
I can’t risk my job for a chance at something more… can I? But I don’t know how to resist him much longer either…
(4) Temporary Arrangement (The Renaldis #0.5) (2013)
Alone and broke, Paige Stewart can’t believe her good luck. Who hires a virtual stranger out of a New York City coffee shop to care for their adorable grandson? Apparently Claudia Renaldi does.
Widower Matteo Renaldi isn’t pleased that his mother found a replacement nanny so soon after he fired the last one. Yet little Matty takes to Paige like no other nanny before. And Matteo can’t deny he’s quite taken with her as well. She’s beautiful, sweet, and far, “far” too young for him.
There’s something about the gorgeously sexy Matteo that fills Paige with longing to break through his wall of formality and touch his softer side. But no one knows better than she that crushing on her boss is one thing. Acting on those feelings is forbidden. Foolish. Inevitable.
(5) Tempted by her Boss (The Renaldis #1) by Karen Erickson (2013)
Paige Stewart has committed the ultimate nanny sin—she’s fallen in love with her boss. She adores Matteo Renaldi’s sweet, precocious son. Who wouldn’t? But it’s torture going about her day-to-day tasks, catching fleeting glimpses of the boy’s enigmatic father. Chastising herself for fantasizing she’s in the Renaldi master bed…
It’s ridiculous, pointless. After all, soon little Matty won’t need her anymore and she’ll move on.
Matteo has no interest in dating. He’s consumed by work, his son…and his son’s nanny. She’s everything he’s not: young, carefree, trusting, maybe a little naïve. She deserves better than an embittered widower. Yet when she accidentally falls into his arms, he can’t resist drawing her in for a kiss that quickly spirals out of control.
As they travel to his family’s home in Italy and slowly fall in love, the whispers start. And when one particularly ugly story blows up in their faces, their reputations might escape unscathed, but their hearts may not…
(6) The Nanny by Lana Ferguson (2023)
After losing her job and being on the brink of eviction, Cassie Evans finds herself with two choices: get a new job (and fast) or fire up her long-untouched OnlyFans account. But there are no jobs to be found, and as for OnlyFans. . . . Well, there are reasons she can’t go back. Just when all hope seems lost, an ad for a live-in nanny position seems the solution to all her problems. It’s almost too perfect—until she meets her would-be employer.
Aiden Reid, executive chef and DILF extraordinaire is far from the stuffy single dad Cassie was imagining. She is shocked when he tells her she’s the most qualified applicant he’s met in weeks, practically begging her to take the job. With hands that make her hindbrain howl and eyes that scream sex, the idea of living under the same roof as Aiden feels dangerous, but with no other option, she decides to stay with him and his adorably tenacious daughter, Sophie.
Cassie soon discovers that Aiden is not a stranger at all, but instead someone who is very familiar with her—or at least, her body. She finds herself at a loss for what to do, given that he doesn’t remember her. As their relationship heats to temperatures hotter than any kitchen Aiden has ever worked in, Cassie struggles with telling Aiden the truth, and the more terrifying possibility—losing the best chance at happiness she’s ever had.
Tags: 2023 New Releases – Chefs
(7) Irresistible (Cloverleigh Farms #1) by Melanie Harlow (2019)
I’m a full-time single dad to three daughters and CFO at Cloverleigh Farms. I don’t have time to fall in love—I’m too busy trying to run a business, keep the red socks out of the white laundry, and get the damn pillowcases on without owing a dollar to the swear jar.
Sure, Frannie Sawyer is beautiful and sweet, but she’s twenty-seven, the boss’s daughter, and my new part-time nanny—which means she’s completely off-limits. It’s bad enough I can’t stop fantasizing about her, what kind of jerk would I be if I acted on the impulse to kiss her?
(Exactly the kind of jerk you’re thinking.)
Actually, I’m worse than that—because I didn’t stop with a kiss, and now I can’t stay away. She makes me feel like myself again. She reminds me what it’s like to want something just for me. She’s everything I ever needed, but nothing I ever imagined.
I’m a former Marine. I should have had the strength to resist her from the start.
But I didn’t. And now I have to choose between the life I want and the life she deserves.
Even if it means giving her up.
Tags: Favourite Author – Favourite Series
![Runaway Love: A Small Town Single Dad Romance (Cherry Tree Harbor Book 1) by [Melanie Harlow]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Mcm+3E84L.jpg)
(8) Runaway Love (Cherry Tree Harbor #1) by Melanie Harlow (2023)
Yes, I’m a single dad who needs a nanny for the summer.
But hire the stranded runaway bride who shows up on my doorstep in a wedding gown with no references, no skills, and no experience?
No one is that desperate.
Except within twenty-four hours, down-on-her-luck Veronica Sutton manages to charm my kids, my family, and half the population of Cherry Tree Harbor into believing she’s perfect for the job.
And for me.
It’s not that I can’t see the appeal–those baby blue eyes? The endless legs? That mouth made for trouble? But I’ve got enough on my plate, raising two kids on my own and keeping the family business alive. I don’t have the time or the inclination to fall for an outspoken city girl.
So I should have kept my hands to myself.
Holding her in my arms was a big mistake. Even worse? Spending the night together. She ignites a possessive fire in me that I’m finding hard to snuff out.
But the most unforgivable? Growing attached to the sound of her laugh, the scent of her skin, and the way her body wraps around mine in the dark.
At the end of the summer, she’ll be gone. And if I’m not careful, she might run away with my heart.
Tags: 2023 New Releases – Favourite Author
(9) A Little Too Late (aka Love, Hannah) (The Austens #3) by Staci Hart (2017)
For nine long months, I’ve been fighting to figure out how to be a single dad, how to be alone.
For nine long months, I’ve been failing.
When Hannah walked through the door, I took my first breath since I’d found myself on my own. She slipped into our lives effortlessly, showing me what I’ve been missing all these years. Because Hannah made me smile when I thought I’d packed the notion of happiness away with my wedding album.
She was only supposed to be the nanny, but she’s so much more.
The day my wife left should have been the worst day of my life, but it wasn’t. It was when Hannah walked away, taking my heart with her.
Tags: Favourite Author – Favourite Series – Modern Retelling
(10) Make A Wish (Spark House #3 by Helena Hunting (2023)
Ever have a defining life moment you wish you could do over? Harley Spark has one. The time she almost kissed the widowed father of the toddler she nannied for. It was so bad they moved across the state and she never saw them again.
Fast forward seven years and she’s totally over it. At least she thinks she is. Until Gavin Rhodes and his adorable now nine-year-old daughter, Peyton, reappear at a princess-themed birthday party hosted by Spark House, Harley’s family’s event hotel. Despite trying to avoid the awkwardness of the situation, she can’t help but notice how unbearably sexy he looks in a tutu. Add to that a spontaneous hives breakout, and it’s clear she’s not even remotely over the mortification of her egregious error all those years ago.
Except Gavin seems oblivious to her inner turmoil. So much so that he suggests they get together for lunch. For Peyton’s sake, of course. It’s the perfect opportunity to heal old wounds. Or it could just reopen them. This is one of those times Harley wishes she could see the future…
Tags: 2023 New Releases – Favourite Author – Favourite Series
(11) Jane by April Lindner (2010)
Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.
But there’s a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane’s much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing secret from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?
Tags: Favourite Author – Fictional Musicians – Jane Eyre – Modern Retelling
(12) Wild for You (The Wilds of Montana #1) by Kristen Proby (2024)
Remington Wild is a single dad of two adorable kids, and as the oldest son of the Wild family, has recently taken over the Wild River Ranch from his father. Life is crazy, and he’s finally willing to admit that he needs help, and the sooner the better. He has no idea that the beautiful woman he sees every day at Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. is the woman who would show up for the job.
Erin Montgomery couldn’t get out of Seattle fast enough. It’s not that she doesn’t love her big, loud family, but living in the big city just wasn’t for her. The minute she stepped foot in Bitterroot Valley, she knew she was home. She loves the slower pace, the friendly people, and her job at the coffee shop. Even the smoking hot grumpy guy who stops in every afternoon can’t put a damper on how much she loves small town life!
Thanks to car trouble, and her stubbornness when it comes to using her trust fund, Erin needs a second job and applies for the position of a part-time nanny. She’s surprised to find that it’s Grumpy himself who answers the door at the ranch, but Erin quickly learns that she loves his kids and the ranch, and it’s a no-brainer to take the job. She just has to remind herself to resist the sexy rancher and keep it strictly professional.
Remington is attracted to his younger nanny, and finds himself falling headfirst in love with her. He and his kids have never been happier, and he knows she is the perfect addition to their family for as long as she’s willing to stay. Hopefully forever.
But when secrets are exposed, one of which endangers his children, will their love survive? Or will it tear them apart?
Tags: Favourite Author
(13) The Ice Seduction (Master #1) by S.K. Quinn (2013)
When Seraphina Harper accepts a nanny position at Mansfield Castle, she’s intrigued to learn that her new boss is Lord Patrick Mansfield – a young, wealthy ex-army officer who is as tough as he is handsome.
Strong and disciplined, Patrick believes that in his cold woodland castle, what he says goes.
But Seraphina isn’t a girl who likes following orders – especially from a man as arrogant as Patrick.
Before long, the pair fall into a forbidden, obsessive love affair that breaks all the rules…
(14) Bed of Ice (Master #2) by S.K. Quinn (2014)
Seraphina is in love. Crazy in love.
And when she and Patrick go deep into the woods, Seraphina finds a wild side she never knew she had.
There is no ‘forbidden’ in the forest. No rules.
Just desire.
But Seraphina has a dark secret.
A secret Patrick can never know.
A secret she will do anything to stop him finding out …
(15) Heart of Ice (Master #3) by S.K. Quinn (2014)
Is Seraphina ready to become Lady Mansfield?
Seraphina has fallen deeply in love with Patrick. She can’t wait to marry her lord of the manor, but there’s a catch. She must become a lady.
Seraphina knows nothing of ball gowns, ceremonies and royal visits. But she must learn to be a perfect lady if she’s going to be the perfect bride.
While Seraphina is finding her way into a whole new world, her troubled family come to stay. And she begins to question everything, especially her engagement to Patrick.
Is Seraphina really good enough to marry Lord Mansfield?
(16) Bombshell (Hollywood A-List #1) by C.D. Reiss (2017)
Hollywood bad boy Brad Sinclair always gets his way, whether it’s the role he wants or the bikini-clad model he has to have. But when a bombshell gets dropped in his lap in the form of a dimpled five-year-old from a forgotten relationship, he knows his life is about to change forever.
Cara DuMont isn’t exactly thrilled when she gets assigned to be the nanny for the latest box-office king. She has one rule: no celebrity fathers, especially single ones with devilish good looks and rock-hard abs.
But as soon as Cara meets Brad and his adorable little girl, she knows she’s in for a world of trouble. Because there’s something about the way Brad looks at her that makes her believe that some rules are meant to be broken…
Tags: Stage & Screen Romance
(17) Just What I Needed (Stage Dive #4.9) by Kylie Scott (2022)
When the Stage Dive crew decides to help, they do it in a big way.
Nanny and housekeeper Jude has been going through a dry patch. Getting ready to dip her toes back into the dating pool is a little nerve racking. And the offers of assistance from her boss, David Ferris, and his band are not helping. Right up until music producer Dean Jennings arrives to work on the band’s latest album.
But Dean is more than a little wary of dating anyone with anything to do with the Stage Dive crew after losing Lena to lead singer Jimmy Ferris all those years ago. Can Jude a) Convince the crew to stay out of her business and b) Woo the man of her dreams?
Tags: Favourite Author – Favourite Series – Fictional Musicians
(18) There With You (Adair Family #2) by Samantha Young (2021)
For Regan Penhaligon, there’s no better place to run to than the exclusive Ardnoch Estate in the remote Scottish Highlands. Her impulsive behavior has finally caught up with her and Regan’s visit with her sister, Robyn, is an opportunity to hide from someone who has grown dangerously obsessed with her.
Determined to make amends for her mistakes, Regan plans to repair her relationship with Robyn by staying close. And when an offer of help comes from Thane Adair, Regan gratefully accepts.
Widower, Thane, needs a new nanny housekeeper for his two young children and when they bond with Regan Penhaligon, he offers her the job. But as the weeks pass and the complex American reveals who she really is, Thane struggles with his growing attraction to her.
Regan never expected to feel so intensely for Thane, but she can’t deny her passion for him or her love for his children. When someone from Thane’s past threatens his family, Regan wants to be his pillar of support. However, his continued inability to trust her might just destroy their chance at future happiness… and the person who drove Regan to Ardnoch might snuff out her chance for any future at all.
Tags: Favourite Author
Louise Hall 
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