marytidbury's reviews
381 reviews

God of War by Rina Kent

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Why has it taken me so long to read this book!? I’ve seen it all over TikTok but there was always something stopping me. Why? WHY? I’m obsessed, Emmy and Brooks were everything! The dislike to lovers was perfect, these two had me melting. I enjoyed this book so so much! I adore these characters, and it was so so hot! Like Brooks had me swooning!

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

she’s only gone and done it again!

I’m obsessed with these characters. Lark and Lachlan were perfect. Marriage of convenience just hits different. The protectiveness these two had for each other was spellbinding. I fell head over heels for them! It was considerably less gory than the first book but no less messed up. In the best way. Lark is a badass, she’s a serial Unaliver but with the best heart. Lachlan is a complete grump turned total simp (we love to see it!) This book had me belly laughing at points, and then close to tears the next. There was a mystery woven in the story that had me gripped. I just adored watching these two fall in love. It’s a slowburn with an amazing payoff that was so freaking hot! Honestly one of the best books I’ve read!

Beautifully Broken Redemption by Catherine Cowles

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I’m in deep with this book. I wasn’t sure as I didn’t really know Anna and Mason, but oh my god. This is my favourite in the series. These two stole my heart. My heart was broken hearing about their pasts but them being together healed me. It was so heartwarming to see the family they built with Anna’s niece and nephew. The pain that is at the forefront of this story, and seeing how Mason would do absolutely anything to help Anna through one of the toughest periods of her life, made me melt!
I have so much anger on their behalf at Anna’s parents and her ex.
These two deserve the world. 

False Start by Kandi Steiner

adventurous challenging emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I fell head over heels in love with Madelyn and Kyle. This second chance, single mum romance was so enjoyable. I loved seeing Kyle get his redemption arc, he’s the epitome of a misunderstood MMC. 

It was fun, sexy, heartbreaking and heartwarming all in the same breathe. The transition of their relationship was easy, however I feel there was a moment of madness at the 70% mark where everything was suddenly a bit rushed and things that I think probably should’ve happened at the end, but then it slowed down for the last 6 chapters where the final climax of the story happened. (This is the only reason it’s not a 5*). Saying this though I absolutely adore these two as individuals and as a couple, there’s major miscommunication about their past but watching them work through it together was beautiful. I really felt like they were each others biggest cheerleaders. Then you have Kyles relationship with Mads’ little boy Sebastian. It honestly melted me into.a puddle seeing the bond they had and how much Kyle truly loved and cared for him. 

Madelyn is such a strong woman, she has been through so much, but the way she handles herself is admirable. She’s fiercely protective of her son, and despite her previous relationship being beyond toxic, she doesn’t let anyone walk all over her. She’s a powerhouse of a woman.

I also absolutely ADORED seeing the previous couples in the Red Zone Rivals series. These guys are a family unit and the love they have for each other is beautiful. I just love these guys so so much and I’m so excited to see more of Braden next!

Forgotten Desires by Corinne Michaels

adventurous emotional funny relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

this is my absolute fave in the series. This a single dad, marriage of convenience romance as well as being second chance, small town and billionaire. What more could you want? This follows Brynlee and Crew, Bryn is the youngest of the Whitlock siblings and I’ve loved her from book one. She has the biggest heart and will do anything for the people closest to her. 

Her and Crew met back when they were in college on spring break and had a whirlwind romance before she woke up one morning to see that he had disappeared. Crew knew from a young age what his family expected of him and exactly how his life would play out, as much as he wanted to keep Brynn he knew that his family would never accept it. Fast forward to years later he ends up at her brothers wedding unbeknownst to her he’s turned out to be her brothers new investor. When both are needing different things in their lives, they find that it might just make sense to help each other out, queue the marriage of convenience.

I honestly adored these 2, it was funny, heartwarming and just so full of love. The easiness of their relationship and how you see them realise how much they still love each other after all this time had me melting. And the relationship Brynlee had with Crews daughter was adorable. I’m honestly so sad that this series is over, I have honestly loved every second.

Forbidden King by Laura Pavlov

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Maaateeeeeeee this book. Wow. I’m speechless. I’m obsessed. Laura Pavlov has absolutely nailed the found family trope in this series. It one of the best I’ve ever read, and Forbidden King didn’t disappoint. I didn’t think anything would beat Loving Romeo because I’m head over heels in love with Demi and Romeo, but man oh man. Saylor and Kingston have completely stolen my heart with this brothers best friend, friends to lovers romance. I would die for these two. Both of them have had rough childhoods. 

The two became close when Saylor was placed with King when she was a teenager after her and her brother were removed from their family home. They formed a bond that was unbreakable, they leaned on each other when things were rough, but nothing ever came of it as she was Kings best friends little sister. Fast forward to years later, she’s back from college and opening up a romance bookstore in their small town and they’re thrown together whilst he’s helping her get the store ready for its opening. Lines blur and it might just be time to let themselves fall. 

I adored everything about this love story, the pining, the forbiddeness of wanting each other but knowing they can’t to then the moment they just just can’t hold back any longer. Dandelions might just be my new favourite flowers. The tiny little gestures that just showed so much love between the two of them just had me melting. I just have so much love for these two and I think they will stick in my mind forever.

I also just have to give an honourable mention to the cutest little kid Cutler, aka ‘Beefcake’. This little guy steals the show with ever scene he is in. He’s so sauve and the amount of love that is shown to him by the group just has me sobbing. I’m so excited to see him flourish in his dad Nash’s book next!

Beautifully Broken Control by Catherine Cowles

challenging emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Love me an age gap romance. Kennedy and Cain didn’t disappoint me. Loved every second of this book, their love story was beautiful. The easiness of it warmed my soul, yet their pasts had me heartbroken. I adore how they were there for each other and how they understood one another. I’d say the plot of this book was a lot less tense than her other books. Don’t get me wrong though, there’s still mystery and an overall suspense as to what’s happening

Stay With Me by Brooke Montgomery

challenging emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Okay, I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. I was slightly disappointed by the 1st book. But omg I’m so In love with Magnolia and Tripp. 

I’m sorry but I’m an absolute SUCKER for the accidental pregnancy trope, and I absolutely love it when the love interest isn’t the dad (no cheating involved) and seeing how protective and in love with the FMC he is! Tripp didn’t disappoint in this area. He is obsessed with Magnolia, and I was swooning the entire time. I adore how strong and outspoken Magnolia is. And I ADORE the nicknames🥹

Here With Me by Brooke Montgomery

emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Such a cute read. I wasn’t expecting this to have romantic suspense in it and so I was pleasantly surprised. I will say I was expecting to love this but it didn’t hit as much as I thought it would. But I still loved it!