Love by Accident

by Mary Henderson

He’s been in love with her for years. Too bad she considers him enemy #1.
Leyla Cooper has an amazing life. She’s the CEO of a multimillion-dollar beauty company in sunny San Diego, surrounded by fiercely loyal friends and a family who loves her. She’s feisty, no-nonsense, and proudly living under a strict, self-imposed man ban after her ex completely shattered her heart. Because of that life-altering experience, she has lost herself.
Nikolas Demir is a shy but brilliant neurodivergent scientist who has been in love with Leyla since college. Unfortunately, she’s convinced he tried to derail her college career, and now she can barely stand him. So, of course, he accidentally ends up hired as the head of R&D at her company, thanks to her best friend, Luke, who conveniently forgot that she’s sworn to loathe Nikolas until the end of time.
When unexpected circumstances throw them together, Leyla agrees to be Nikolas’s dating coach so he can win another woman’s heart.
Their strategy sessions quickly turn into laughter, lingering glances, and a kissing lesson that makes Leyla realize she no longer wants to help him win this other woman.
Because she wants him for herself.
How very inconvenient.
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Faith Themes
Workplace Romance
Secret Tattoo
Dating coach
Neurodivergent rep
He falls first and hard

Genres: Christian, Romance, Fiction

236 pages, Paperback/Ebook

First published March 23, 2026

About the author

Mary Henderson is an avid reader, loves to travel, and loves all things chocolate. Her first published book, Dream Big, Girl, has been used as a devotional and Bible study in both the U.S. and Honduras, where she splits up her time. She hosts an ongoing companion podcast, offering opportunities to expand on the themes found in her devotional. Her favorite hobbies are reading, diving, and spending time with her girl tribe from around the world. She believes in true love, the kind that books are written about, and believes that book boyfriends actually do exist in this world. Most days, you’ll find her either at the beach in Honduras or in her favorite café in San Diego, plotting her next adventure and dreaming of her next novel.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Henderson does it again with book 2 in this series! Like in the first book, this book has a beautiful message. That we are God’s masterpieces, created by Him intentionally with purpose.

Other things I loved:
- the supportive families and friend group
- how Mike is such a good friend to Niko
- Niko’s passion in defending Leyla and how he really *sees* her
- Niko’s internal monologues!
- how Mary wrote neurodivergence into the story and how Leyla understands, sees, accepts and loves Niko how he is

The ending sets up book 3 so well and I can’t wait for Mike’s story coming this summer. Looking forward to seeing what has made him how he is!

[Summer Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I read the first page was the moment I knew I was going to be hooked into the story. As a neurodivergent person, I connected with Niko a little bit. I love the connection between Niko and Leyla, and the theming of forgiveness, especially from the Holy Spirit, is incredible!

[Chloe Rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Leyla and Niko’s story is full of ups and downs, making their journey feel really real and emotional. What started as a friendship goes through a huge blow-up, but the growth that follows makes their story even more powerful. Watching them find their way back and grow from everything they went through was so satisfying to read.

Niko’s faith and belief in what they had was beautiful, and it added so much depth to the story. I also absolutely loved the friend group, they were supportive, chaotic in the best way, and honestly the kind of friendship circle anyone would want to be part of.

[Gloria Elemide · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in so quickly, I didn’t even realize how invested I was until I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

From early on, I already knew… this was going to be a 5-star read!

I LAUGHED, SMILED, GOT FRUSTRATED, AND FELT EVERY SINGLE EMOTION 🥺

What a beautiful story! Love by Accident by Mary Henderson is one of those books that completely pulls you in and refuses to let go.

This story gave me everything I love in a good romance,the old-school rom-com feel, but with so much depth and meaning. It wasn’t just cute and fun, it was real. The kind of real that makes your chest tight because you understand the characters so deeply.

Leyla and Niko??? I loved them both so much.

Leyla’s character was written in such a raw and relatable way. You could feel her hurt, her guards, her confusion… and honestly, all I wanted to do was hug her. Watching her slowly find her light again was so rewarding.

And Niko? 🥺
Soft. Kind. Brilliant. Different in the most beautiful way.

The neurodivergent representation in this book was handled so well,respectfully, intentionally, and with so much care. It didn’t make him “less than,” it made his journey even more powerful. Seeing how he viewed himself versus who he truly was… that part really stayed with me.

Their dynamic?? Enemies to something more, but layered with misunderstanding, hidden feelings, and tension that had me screaming internally 😭

And let’s not even start with the dating coach moments… because those scenes were EVERYTHING. Funny, awkward, sweet,just perfect.

I also loved how faith was woven into the story so naturally. It didn’t feel forced, it felt lived-in. Like a reminder that love, healing, and growth are all connected.

There were moments that hurt, moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that just felt so soft and beautiful.

This wasn’t just a love story.
It was about healing, understanding, patience… and learning to love people for who they truly are.

Love isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s messy, misunderstood, and complicated… but when it’s real, it’s worth it.

And this book showed that so beautifully 🤍

[Maxine]

If you’re craving a romance that will have you laughing out loud one minute and quietly wrecked the next, Love By Accident isn’t just a recommendation… it’s an experience waiting to happen. 

This friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance is sweet, tender, and unexpectedly emotional. It wraps you up in something light and adorable, then gently presses on the deeper places. 🥺 

As someone who’s heard “too much” and “too loud” more times than I can count, and as a neurospicy individual myself, Leyla and Niko’s story felt incredibly personal. Their story doesn’t just skim the surface of self-worth, it dives straight into it. There were moments that didn’t just resonate… they echoed. Watching them both learn to love themselves and see themselves through God’s eyes instead of the world’s labels was something truly special, and honestly, it taught me a thing or two about how I see myself too. 

Leyla Cooper carries words that cling, the kind that replay on a loop no matter how badly you want silence. Her journey back to faith and self-acceptance is deeply personal and beautifully written, unfolding in a way that feels both gentle and grounding. It reminds you, without ever feeling heavy-handed, just how deeply loved you are by the One who created you. 

And Niko… charming, funny, and unexpectedly soft where it matters most. His struggles never define him, but they shape a tenderness and depth that makes his character shine. His faith, especially his perspective on forgiveness, adds a quiet strength to the story that balances the emotional weight perfectly. 

At its core, this is more than a romance. It’s a story about being seen, truly seen, and what happens when love, real love, starts to dismantle the walls built out of hurt and misunderstanding. It reflects the heart of the Father in such a natural, heartfelt way, showing that even when someone has drifted, His love never does. 

And when that kind of love meets the right person, in His time… healing doesn’t arrive loudly. It unfolds slowly, beautifully, and exactly when it’s needed most. 

And for me, that’s what made this story linger. Not just the romance, but the reminder that even the parts of myself I’ve struggled with are still worthy of love, exactly as they are.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't even know where to begin. I adored this story and adored the characters (several I had met in book 1 of this series -- Love by Design which I also adored!). Once again, Mary Henderson has penned a beautiful story that deals with some of the harsher realties of life, as well as issues of faith and love.

Niko has loved Leyla for so long, but a misunderstanding in college has left them enemies.. at least from Leyla's point of view. When her business partner hires Nko without her knowledge, Leyla is furious. There are definitely painful moments in this book as Niko tries to make amends and keep his feelings for Leyla hidden. What he doesn't realize and Leyla won't admit is she has feelings for him too.. feelings she doesn't want to have. But he frustrates her so with his social awkwardness and obsessive organization and must do it my way attitude. What Leyla, and most everyone else in the book, don't realize is that Niko is neurodivergent.

Henderson does a wonderful job of portraying this without demeaning Niko or making him seem weak or less than because of this. He has and continues to work hard at fit the world. There so much back story about the struggles he has had in life and one of the most moving moments is when he tells how he overcame the image he had of himself.

Despite her attraction and her admiration after learning Niko's "secret", Leyla is determined that they will be nothing more than friends. And then she has a brilliant idea. She's going to help Niko get over his nervousness and uncertainty when it comes to interacting with women by being his dating coach! Oh the scenes that come from this! Priceless!

I love their dinner out on a practice date at a fancy restaurant.. loved the Princes Bride references.. loved the side characters especially Mike (cannot wait for his story and already know who I hope he gets paired with!).. loved Hyatim (my heart races a bit just typing it!).. love the faith journey that is woven throughout this book.. so beautiful. And there is so very much more!

Again.. this is truly a beautiful story which seems to be all Mary Henderson can write. I am anxiously and excitedly looking forward to more!

[Neire Albarrán · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful and fun story to read. It was my first time reading Mary's work, and I absolutely loved it. This is one of the few books that I think has completely captured the essence of a great rom-com, one of the good ones, the old-school kind. Contemporary romance isn't normally my go-to genre, but from the moment I read the blurb, I knew Love by Accident was special.

Leyla and Nikolas are both precious, relatable characters. You can't help but love them, together and independently. Leyla is a wonderful FMC; she's been hurt, and that pain shapes who she is at the beginning of the story. But she was written in a way that makes you empathize with her and want to give her a hug, because you truly understand where her doubts and hurt come from. It was so rewarding to see her get her light back!

The neurodivergency representation was handled respectfully and beautifully. And Niko? He has a heart of gold, a brilliant mind, a firm faith... and he's just SO sweet! You'll love him.

The story has great pacing and a wonderful cast of characters. I know that readers of Mary's previous work will enjoy seeing familiar faces and catching up with them. I’ll admit, I felt a bit overwhelmed in one chapter because... meddling friends stress me out 🙉😳, but that's entirely a personal thing and didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story 😅. As for the ending... I couldn't have asked for more. There's such a powerful message woven in there. ♥️ Thank you for the reminder, Mary! It was an honor to be an ARC reader for Love by Accident!

Rom-com lovers, this one’s for us! 😍

[Maddie Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niko and Leyla 🌊

A clean enemies to lovers romance with lots of banter and swoony moments and a touch of dating coaching?

Leyla is a scientist/CEO (#girlboss) at her company when she gets some news… an old “friend” will be joining her company soon. And she is… not happy. Niko wants to clear the air. Explain himself, make things right. But she wants nothing to do with him. What will happen with these two?

My thoughts:
A big theme in this authors book is self-love, and that truly is such a blessing to read.

This was such a sweet romance! I really loved Niko’s character and he was so head over heels from the first chapter.

And Leyla. My sweet girl. Ever heard the phrase “who hurt you?” Yeah, this girl has been so hurt. My heart truly went out to her.

When they finally stopped hating each other, watching their friendship blossom into more had me giggling and kicking my feet. Also, that dancing date? Obsessed.

I did find the pace of the story a bit back-and-forth, sometimes slow-burn and sometimes very fast. But I’m a sucker for a good HEA, and this sure was one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quotes I loved:
🌊 “He was the Paris Geller to my Rory Gilmore.”

🌊 “As you wish,” I said, remembering the quote from her favorite movie.”

🌊 “Great, now I was just a hand flex away from insanity”

🌊 “I’d like to pray for you.”

🌊 “You don’t have to change the way you laugh, the way you talk, any of it. Not with me.”

Highlight count: 129

A big thanks to the author, Miss Mary Henderson, for allowing me to receive an e-ARC copy of this sweet romance! My ratings are my own.

[Taniya Laha · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌼 This is a closed-door romance, so the focus is more on emotions and character growth rather than physical scenes. I really loved the character build-up. Nicholas is sophisticated, shy, well-mannered, and brilliant at his work. His calm personality and silent affection make him even more attractive as a male lead. Leyla is strong, ambitious, and independent, which makes their dynamic even better.

🌼 From the very first chapter, Love by Accident pulls you into a nostalgic school setting where two brilliant toppers, Leyla Cooper and Nicholas, unknowingly harbor the softest and most intense crushes on each other. Two sharp minds constantly challenging one another. And somewhere between competition and collaboration, something delicate begins to grow. But circumstances slowly build tension between them, turning them into rivals 💔. Still, you can clearly see that Nicholas adored her in his own quiet way.

🌼 Fast forward nine years, and fate decides to intervene. They meet again, but this time Leyla is the CEO of the company, and Nicholas is hired there… without her knowing. Imagine meeting your school rival and almost-crush again after so many years, and now you have to work together. The tension, the awkwardness, and the old feelings resurfacing — it’s written beautifully.

🌼 Overall, this book gives us enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, workplace romance, and a slow emotional connection that grows steadily.

[Jenny x Carolena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I was not prepared for this book. Like at all. Leyla is fiery, sarcastic, and still carrying real wounds from an ex who did a number on her self worth. Niko is quiet, brilliant, dryly funny, and so genuinely devoted that it honestly made my chest hurt. Their history goes all the way back to UC San Diego, and the long-held misunderstanding between them gives this story such a strong emotional foundation before the fake dating chaos even begins. And the chaos is SO good. The dating coach setup had me giggling, Leyla's inner monologue is an absolute riot, and Niko had me swooning in ways I did not see coming. The slow burn is real and the chemistry is off the charts — and that one scene with her ex? Niko was such a gentleman I nearly lost my mind.

But honestly what wrecked me most was the heart underneath it all. The way Niko's neurodivergence is woven into who he is — not as a plot device but just as him — is handled so beautifully, and watching Leyla sit with that and slowly soften was everything. The faith thread hit hard too, in the best way. It never feels forced, just quietly honest — the kind that reminds you God isn't the one who creates the distance. We are. By the time I got to the ending I was fully in tears and not even a little embarrassed about it. Sweet, funny, healing, and deeply romantic. This one stays with you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love by Accident by Mary Henderson is a sweet enemies to lovers story that throws in all of the punches.

We see all of the characters that we love in the series also, and we get to explore the new dynamic setting that the author created. I am a huge fan of enemies to lovers and the setup for this one was *chefs kiss. We have a misunderstanding that brews for years in the characters, so real and true communication must be achieved to write the issue. And who doesn’t love a dedicated MMC who looks good in a suit? Sign me up!

🧪Enemies to Lovers
🧪Workplace Romance
🧪Dating Coach
🧪Secret Tattoo
🧪Faith Themes

I loved the candid nature of each of the characters and the inner turmoil each one had to go through to release the trauma they kept inside. This book had plenty of faith elements as well, so though the other characters helped switch perspective on their situation, ultimately they reached out to God to feel different. I really like that. I also liked seeing the support system each of the friends had. They were not alone, and they had with their friends and family, it was heartwarming and beautiful.

If you want a heart wrenching book with faith themes, this is the one for you.

Thank you Mary Henderson for the free book.

[Marteena Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Guacamole...
Where Do I EVEN START?!

Ok first things first, I am weary of Christian romance books mostly because the verses that are thrown in and the conversations about God just come out of the blue. NOT HERE. Everything flows together perfectly with the verses meeting the characters where they're at.

Second the MMC is neurodivergent. And it shows. I have years of experience with those on the spectrum and the misunderstandings/miscommunications MATCH. Mary Henderson clearly did her homework.

Third the FMC...now, typically, I don't gravitate towards books with FMC that I can't relate to. With FMC's character starting with being so bubbly and extroverted, I thought I was going to have a hard time. (Yes, I'm judgy. Sue me.) HOWEVER - this girl has RANGE.

All in all, the characters are Multi-Dimensional; The story is for readers of ALL ages (especially young women who need a glimpse into what real love looks like); and it's concise. I purposely spaced reading this book out but honestly, it could be read in two, maybe three hours (you know, if you cut the swooning and the screaming into pillows)

You will NOT be disappointed.

[Carolinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader, and I never expected to love it as much as I did.

Love by Accident by Mary Henderson is a romance with faith elements that follows Leyla and Niko. After a friendly rivalry in college and a major misunderstanding, Leyla ends up resenting him. Nine years later, their paths cross again when Niko is unexpectedly hired at her company.

My favorite part of the book was the characters. They’re very lovable, funny and I connected a lot with some of them. I personally have a very soft spot for Niko, who is written as neurodivergent. I have to say, I appreciated how thoughtfully and respectfully this aspect of him was handled.

I also believe the faith elements were very well done. They didn’t feel forced and added some really beautiful moments to the story!

I didn’t expect this book to make me feel so much—it made me laugh, tear up, and smile so hard during the sweet moments between Leyla and Niko.

It's been a while since I loved a romance book so much, and I know that everyone have their own preference but this coming from me says a lot about how amazing this book was 🥹

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading Love By Accident in 2 days. It was so good, I didn’t want to put it down! With all of the rage around spicy romance books it was a breath of fresh air to not have to worry about there being any surprise spice in this book. It was just pure, clean romance. The faith elements sprinkled throughout were so sweet too.

The MMC was a total green flag, gentleman and we need more books like that! Also can we talk about how he's Turkish?! I loved the many international elements in this book. I want to go watch some Turkish dramas now! I also want to go rewatch The Princess Bride, because those references throughout the book had me all nostalgic!

One of my favorite things about this book was that the MMC is neurodivergent. It is written in such a respectful way with so much thought and intentionality. As a mom of a neurodivergent child I really appreciated reading about a character who is neurodivergent in the way that she wrote it!

This was the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely be reading more! She is bringing so much light to the romance genre. If you love a clean, sweet romance book you definitely have to read this book!

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy from the author and am sharing my honest thoughts.

Overall, I did enjoy this Christian fiction story. It had a nice balance of sweet, swoony moments and some genuinely funny scenes that kept it engaging.

That said, I found myself landing at 3 stars for a couple of reasons. First, parts of the story felt a bit rushed, which made it harder to fully connect with certain moments. Second, I occasionally felt lost when it came to the background characters. While I’ve read Love by Design, I still found myself wishing I had more context for some of the side characters and their stories.

After looking into Mary Henderson’s other books, I realized there’s another series that features some of these characters (like Luke and Sofia). While each book can stand alone, readers who—like me—struggle to keep track of names and connections may benefit from reading her earlier series first.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a lot to like, but a few elements kept it from being a higher rating for me.

[Alix Bliffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sweet, funny, heartfelt, and had such a faith driven mindset that it was just the perfect read if you are looking for something to get you in your feelings. Nic and Leyla were college classmates who had a project they were partners on. Through some miscommunication they lost 10 years of being friends. 

When their paths cross again they both fight the attraction they still feel for one another until someone decides to play Hitch and coach Nic through how to go on dates and what to say. 
This book has some amazing humor and a group of friends that make you want to be included in the friendship circle and enjoy their game nights and banter. 

Nic is one character I feel for and I wish more authors like Mary included neurodivergent characters and show they are more than their diagnosis.

Thank you Mary for letting me read an advance copy of this book, it was amazing and I can't wait to see what else you bring to the group from this book. 

[Atonyesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-ARC Review

Refreshing, Light, and Swoony

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book by Mary Henderson. It was a breeze from start to finish. I found myself laughing, smiling, blushing, and shedding a few tears.

What I liked:
The main characters, Niko and Leyla, were well developed, and the attraction between them was believable. I particularly liked the MMC, who was neurodivergent but knew what he wanted and ultimately went for it.
I loved the emphasis on the Christian faith and how it was beautifully woven into their lives as a norm. The Turkish references, soaps, “hayatim,” and all added a unique and enjoyable touch.

What I didn’t like:
The last chapter and epilogue felt a little cheesy to me, and it seemed like their love was being overexplained. Like, yes, I get it. They are in love. Good for them.

Overall:
An entertaining read I would gladly recommend to anyone who enjoys a slow-burn, no-spice, second-chance, workplace Christian romance.

❤️🌺✨😍💐🌊🏝️🥼❤️❤️❤️

[Emily Langan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of Love by Accident by Mary Henderson.

This is a closed-door faith based romance. The FMC Leyla and MMC Nikolas met in college. As peers they challenge each other to be the best. Leyla is a smart, ambitious, outgoing ray of sunshine. Where Nikolas is introverted, brilliant and focused. Both were drawn to one another. However something goes wrong after they're paired up on an assignment.

⏳Flash to nines years later and Nikolas is the villain in Leyla's story.

He gets hired at her company, where she is now CEO, without her knowledge. The tension builds.❤️‍🔥

The story is a slow burn of emotional connection.

💞The way he quotes her favorite movie nine years later. Swoon.💞

🫣Closed-door romance
❤️‍🔥Enemies to Lovers
❤️Second chance romance
❤️Workplace romance
✳️Nerodivergent
✝️Faith

[Brooke’s Nook Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not capture me at the beginning but it grew on me about halfway through the book. I don’t know if it was the mood I was in or there was so much going on at the time. I think Niko has to be one of my favorite MMC’s now. He is so faithful to God and he prays over Leyla and gives her scripture to help her see herself the way God sees her. His accent and when he speaks in his language is so sweet and gives you butterflies.

Things I loved about this book:
1. I loved that the MMC is neurodivergent. I have a 4 year old with autism non verbal he is more on the severe side compared to MMC but it gives me hope that maybe one day he could work a job talk and fall in love.
2. I loved it was faith based and included tons of scriptures throughout the book.

Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- Faith based
- Neurodivergent MMC
- Second Chance
- Workplace Romance

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a fun read. I love the way Niko gets so flustered around Leyla🥰 it’s adorable. Niko and Leyla are so cute together and the last quarter of the book had me full on swooning! The whole storyline is based off of a miscommunication/misunderstanding that happened 10 years earlier which could have been so easily fixed when it initially happened, so I didn’t like that, but the MCs were so adorable together! And the faith themes are so beautiful throughout the entire story🥰

Little side note: Ugh, I hate the miscommunication trope so so much! It’s always one little thing that get blown out of proportion😭 and I just don’t understand it!

🌊He Falls First
✨Enemies to Lovers
🌊Workplace Romance
✨Faith Themes
🌊Dual Timelines
✨Opposites Attract
🌊He Yearns For Her
✨Neurodivergent MMC

🌶️: Kisses Only
🤬: None
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

[Lauren Weyrauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read Christian romance; it's just not usually my thing...or it wasn't until now! I LOVED how Mary Henderson has written a beautiful, modern, realistic view of dating and falling in love while holding biblical principles. I didn't find the story cheesy or too far "clean", if that makes sense? Many books by Christian authors are a little too over-the-top wholesome for me and that's just not a world view I love to read about. This book just had great balance.
The characters are well developed and loveable. The wit, humility, and tenderness of the MMC was swoony. The FMC complimented that dynamic so well. The overall story arc moved at a great pace and made sense.
All in all, I rated this 5 stars. Some of the lines from the MMC will stay with me for a long while and I will certainly be going back to read the others in the series. It was an honor to receive this as an ARC (I got behind on reading, so it's a little late) and this author will be going into my regular rotation.

[blush_and_bookmarks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories don’t shout—they quietly settle into your heart. This was one of them.

Love by Accident by Mary Henderson is about two former lab partners whose relationship was shaped by misunderstanding. Nick has loved Leyla for years, but because he’s autistic, the way he expresses himself is misread—and she mistakes his intentions completely.

Years later, when their paths cross again, the truth slowly unfolds… and what once felt impossible starts to feel real.

This was such a tender, emotional read. The autism representation felt thoughtful and well done, and it added so much depth to Nick’s character. Watching Leyla finally see him clearly was everything.

A soft, slow-burn love story about being misunderstood—and finally being known.

❤️‍🔥Enemies to lovers
🤍Disability rep
🥈Second chance love
🔥 Slow burn
💕Dual POV
✝️ Sweet faith elements

[theenchantedalibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to start with this one. Love by Design, the first book in the series was a 4.5 for me. I loved it and thought it was so sweet. However, as soon as I started this book I knew it was going to be even better! Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and the way Mary Henderson adds in the beauty of forgiveness and faith is amazing. I also loved the representation of someone who was nuerodivergent, especially in the way Henderson presents his insecurities. It truly was so enlightening and beautiful to read. I cannot sing enough praises for this book, it is just that good! I cannot express how much I recommend this book! God has given Mary Henderson a real talent and perfect way to minister His love!

[Susan Estes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture this: a story kicks off in college. Two students team up for a project, all smiles and excitement, but things don’t quite go as planned. Misunderstandings arise, and instead of sharing the whole truth, they each make assumptions that spark a bit of anger.

Fast forward a few years, and their paths cross again. The same untruths linger, and they’re still not quite on the same page. Nico is determined to mend things with Leyla, and it’s like a delightful game of cat and mouse, as they both try to find their way back to each other.

I’ve devoured all Mary’s romance novels. She has this amazing way of writing that lets your imagination run wild, painting vivid pictures with her words. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on reading this one—it’s sure to lift your spirits.

[Lila S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5-star read for me! I felt like this book is for the person with a hurting heart who questions their worth, or the person who was told they were too much. It’s funny because it starts out as a one-sided enemies-to-lovers, because Leyla was so hurt and angry about what happened in college between them. Leyla had an amazing support system, and they loved her through her struggles and kept inviting her to church until she was finally ready to go back. Niko, the neurodivergent, Turkish hero, patiently waited for Leyla to allow him back into his life and attempted to win her over with the ruse of a dating coach. I swooned when he prayed for her!

There are references to Princess Bride, Pride and Prejudice, and the best one of all - DayDreamer, so then I kept picturing Can Yaman while reading. Best of all, it all happens in my city, San Diego! This is a Christian romance with a bit of STEM, workplace romance, and found family. My favorite is the Demir family ethos of: I am God’s masterpiece, created with a purpose. What a great reminder for all of us when we forget. I think I found a new go-to author with Mary Henderson. Highly recommend if you want to swoon, laugh, and experience the love of Jesus.

I received an ARC, but all opinions are my own.

[Nere · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to thank the author for this E-ARC. The following are my honest reviews.

From page 2, I fell in love with Nikolas. I loved and was intrigued by his internal monologue. Leyla was so relatable to me with the struggle of being "too much", but somehow still “not enough”.

I loved the dual timeless and the suspense it got surrounding why Nikolas and Leyla were enemies for so long. It kept me engaged the entire time. I enjoyed the humor so much. I can't count how many times I laughed out loud.

Amazing Highlights: Ephesians 2:10, Hyatim and The Wave. I loved how God's timing is highlighted throughout this series. I was also excited to see the cameos, especially Jojo's. Hi-lar-i-ous!

I can't wait for book three!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, a time was truly had with this book. I’m slowly accepting that Mary Henderson might not be capable of writing anything that doesn’t reach straight into my heart. I fell in love with Love by Design, so the moment I heard there would be a second book, I knew I’d be reading it. This follow‑up didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed this journey of love so deeply, and knowing a third book is on the way just makes me even happier.

One thing that really stayed with me is the reminder that the right person sees you—really sees you—and chooses to highlight the best parts of who you are instead of dimming them. Here’s to hoping and praying we don’t settle for just anyone, but wait for the person who will love every part of us with intention and care.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot to love in this cute romance story! First of all, I’m always appreciative of any neurodivergent representation in a story, and I thought Niko’s experience was well executed. I appreciated Leyla’s reaction to his telling her even better, as she didn’t treat him any differently and was fond of the things that made him different. The yearning that Niko had to suffer through for YEARS was endearing, and him finding the courage to finally admit feelings was such a great scene. I loved that there was no unnecessary 3rd act break up in this story as well. A great read for those who enjoy a slow burn and faith themes.

[Kat Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon worthy!

I absolutely love this book! The author has such a great way of making you feel seen and valued. It is a Christian based story full of light and love.

This story is dual POV with the MMC being neurodivergent. It’s an enemy to lovers story that will definitely make you swoon! If you’ve read the other books by this author and know what “fork gate” is then prepare for another swoony scene in this book that will make you melt! The MMC has many great lines!

This book could be read as a stand alone but would be enjoyed better as part of the series. There is also an interconnected series that takes place before this one. You don’t have to read the first series to enjoy this book, but if you want the friend’s background stories you’ll enjoy the other series as well!

[Emerald Bolander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Nico and Leyla's story. From college rivals to working together very closely. She is sunshine CEO. He is her very shy scientist. The problem is Leyla sees Nico as her personal villain. As tension grows Leyla learns to forgive and heal from her past. To forgive herself and others. As the two grow closer Nico needs a dating coach to ask out a person he likes. Leyla volunteers but as they grow even closer she learns Nico wasn't the villain she thought he was and she may even be falling for him.