Books like Christmas at the Cove by Rachel Brimble

In this romance set in the American West, the protagonist navigates a life of justice and love as a bachelor sheriff.

A reporter turns to a reclusive journalist for protection, forming an unlikely marriage against a backdrop of secret identities and dangerous threats.

Two people, with a reversal of fortunes. A love of Christmas buried from a difficult past. Regret and resentment abound, with a fire that was never truly extinguished. Now an elite resort owner in snowy Minnesota, Mariana has left her humble past firmly behind her—not to mention an epic heartbreak from 10 years ago. When she decides to expand her business to acquire a quaint Christmas village and reclaim her secret love of the holiday, the last thing she expects is to run into him. Once a wealthy young man who lost it all, Terry is just as dismayed about their encounter as Mariana is. Resentment about their summer romance and their reversal of fortunes—and the fateful Christmas Eve meet-up that never happened—brews between them as Terry becomes an obstacle in her business plans. Mariana is determined to listen to her head, not her heart. After all, she survived these past 10 years by avoiding emotions and making smart decisions, not pining after a lost love. But can she resist him when fate brings them together this Christmas?

"In the whole state of Montana, there's nowhere to hide. Laurel Hodges has changed her identity twice. She's been on the run for the past four years, trying to outdistance the men who blame her for the death of one of their own. She's finally found the peace and stability she needs, for herself and her two children, in the small town of Pineview, Montana. But just when she thinks they're safe-- the nightmare starts all over again. The Crew, a ruthless prison gang with ties to Laurel's brother, will never forget and they'll never forgive. And now that they've finally found her again, they'll stop at nothing. It could all end in seconds. Only Sheriff Myles King stands between Laurel and the men who want her dead" -- author's web site.