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Scottish Isles #3
Twilight Tides
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jul 26When I escaped to a Scottish island, I never expected I’d agree to a marriage of convenience with rugged local businessman and single dad, Murray Shaw.
That was before my dangerous ex started threatening me and my visa. The thought of being kicked out of Scotland, leaving behind my friends and the safety I’ve found here, is unthinkable. I’m determined to solve the problem myself. Everyone knows Murray is battling his ex-wife for control of his company and the only way to stop her is to remarry. So I propose a marriage deal that’ll solve both our issues. The fact that I’ve been attracted to the handsome, gentle giant of a Scot since we met is something I’ll just have to ignore if I want to remain in Scotland.
But marriage to Murray is proving to be complicated. Living under the same roof is a far bigger temptation than I anticipated. Beneath Murray’s reserve is a passionate nature that stokes the fires of my own. Soon we’re fighting a searing attraction and an intense emotional connection that’s as thrilling as it is terrifying. After my last disastrous relationship, I don’t trust myself enough to admit there’s far more than physical desire between us.
Yet when Murray finds himself caught in the grasp of a criminal organization intent on using his business for their own means, just as my ex decides to intensify his harassment, I realize there’s no denying that what I feel for my husband is a life-changing kind of love.
However, just as I begin to trust myself enough to give our marriage a real chance, danger rushes to our shore on rough tides, submerging us in a battle that might tear us apart forever…
That was before my dangerous ex started threatening me and my visa. The thought of being kicked out of Scotland, leaving behind my friends and the safety I’ve found here, is unthinkable. I’m determined to solve the problem myself. Everyone knows Murray is battling his ex-wife for control of his company and the only way to stop her is to remarry. So I propose a marriage deal that’ll solve both our issues. The fact that I’ve been attracted to the handsome, gentle giant of a Scot since we met is something I’ll just have to ignore if I want to remain in Scotland.
But marriage to Murray is proving to be complicated. Living under the same roof is a far bigger temptation than I anticipated. Beneath Murray’s reserve is a passionate nature that stokes the fires of my own. Soon we’re fighting a searing attraction and an intense emotional connection that’s as thrilling as it is terrifying. After my last disastrous relationship, I don’t trust myself enough to admit there’s far more than physical desire between us.
Yet when Murray finds himself caught in the grasp of a criminal organization intent on using his business for their own means, just as my ex decides to intensify his harassment, I realize there’s no denying that what I feel for my husband is a life-changing kind of love.
However, just as I begin to trust myself enough to give our marriage a real chance, danger rushes to our shore on rough tides, submerging us in a battle that might tear us apart forever…
428 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 16, 2026
About the author
Samantha Young
118 books28.6k followersSamantha is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee. Samantha has written over 60 books and is published in 31 countries. She writes emotional and angsty romance, often set where she resides—in her beloved home country Scotland. Samantha splits her time between her family, writing and chasing after two very mischievous cavapoos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
July 4, 2026
I have been waiting for London’s story ever since we first met her, and it was everything I wanted and more. Did I binge this in one day? Yes I did!
Samantha Young has such a gift for writing emotional romances that never lose sight of the bigger story. The marriage of convenience setup was fantastic, but it was the slow burn, the yearning, and all the quiet moments between London and Murray that completely stole my heart. They both carried so much emotional baggage, and watching them slowly become each other’s safe place was incredibly satisfying.
Murray was such a wonderful hero. He was kind, protective, an amazing father, and somehow still had that rugged, quietly intimidating presence that made him impossible not to love. London was equally easy to root for. After everything she’d been through, seeing her find the courage to trust again made her journey feel especially rewarding.
The romance wasn’t the only thing keeping me turning pages. The suspense added so much tension, and I genuinely didn’t know how everything was going to come together. Samantha Young balances romance and suspense so well, giving both equal weight without either one overshadowing the other.
One of my favorite parts of this entire series is the setting. Returning to the Scottish island feels like coming home, and the audiobook made it even better. The Scottish accents added so much atmosphere that I never wanted to stop listening.
I honestly love this series more with every book, and Twilight Tides might be my favorite yet.
Samantha Young has such a gift for writing emotional romances that never lose sight of the bigger story. The marriage of convenience setup was fantastic, but it was the slow burn, the yearning, and all the quiet moments between London and Murray that completely stole my heart. They both carried so much emotional baggage, and watching them slowly become each other’s safe place was incredibly satisfying.
Murray was such a wonderful hero. He was kind, protective, an amazing father, and somehow still had that rugged, quietly intimidating presence that made him impossible not to love. London was equally easy to root for. After everything she’d been through, seeing her find the courage to trust again made her journey feel especially rewarding.
The romance wasn’t the only thing keeping me turning pages. The suspense added so much tension, and I genuinely didn’t know how everything was going to come together. Samantha Young balances romance and suspense so well, giving both equal weight without either one overshadowing the other.
One of my favorite parts of this entire series is the setting. Returning to the Scottish island feels like coming home, and the audiobook made it even better. The Scottish accents added so much atmosphere that I never wanted to stop listening.
I honestly love this series more with every book, and Twilight Tides might be my favorite yet.
July 11, 2026
I knew it, I just knew it! I knew London and Murray would be my favorites. And my gosh how they were! INFINITE STARS! My new favorite Samantha Young book is here and it is glorious! Twilight Tides marks the third installment in the Scottish Isles series and I'm telling you, every new book tops the last great one! Buuut there's just something extra special about London and Murray. From the very first crumb the series laid out for them, I was addicted. I yearned for more and more crumbs to be dropped in the background of the first two books, all of it positively serving to heighten my anticipation for their story.
And it's finally here.
London and Murray are a gorgeous match. Firstly, can I just say how much I love that it's London who proposes the marriage of convenience? I love how she's given that moment, after being dimmed, diminished, and ultimately abused in her prior relationship. I love how she takes control of her power and agency to suggest marriage to Murray. It's of course a contract relationship to benefit them both, but it's still a big, courageous moment from London. And she has one big courageous heart. And I love how she opens that heart to Murray. Murray has long paid attention to London, and he takes great care to always give her space and support in the way she needs it. And her proposal is not one he takes lightly or immediately for his own benefit, he ensures it's something that will benefit her as well. They become a terrific tag team. Murray will do what it takes to protect his daughter and London readily joins him to do the same. And he readily does what it takes to protect London too. Their marriage becomes more than what their respective goals are, it becomes about truly supporting and aiding each other’s goals as well. And through it all, a mutual benefit becomes a safe, comforting home. A home where they learn to open up, to trust, and to believe they deserve a new chance at love.
It just was so extremely satisfying to witness. There is a natural build to both their chemistry and relationship, nothing ever felt rushed or unearned, rather its exact opposite. Every new milestone was so highly earned between London and Murray. And their chemistry?! Fireworks! An endless stream of fireworks. The love story is dynamite!
I also want to say how much I loved how the narrative takes its time to also develop a lovely bond between London and Murray's daughter, Kelly. The latter is initially resistant and cold towards London but they bond over a mutual love of Taylor Swift and piano, and London ensures she becomes a safe space for Kelly. The found family aspect in this one is really beautiful, not just the family London and Murray find in each other and Kelly, but their friends as well.
I've been lucky enough to read and love many Samantha Young books but Twilight Tides is now my crown jewel of the collection. Perfection on every level.
Thank you to Samantha Young and House of Hearts for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
And it's finally here.
London and Murray are a gorgeous match. Firstly, can I just say how much I love that it's London who proposes the marriage of convenience? I love how she's given that moment, after being dimmed, diminished, and ultimately abused in her prior relationship. I love how she takes control of her power and agency to suggest marriage to Murray. It's of course a contract relationship to benefit them both, but it's still a big, courageous moment from London. And she has one big courageous heart. And I love how she opens that heart to Murray. Murray has long paid attention to London, and he takes great care to always give her space and support in the way she needs it. And her proposal is not one he takes lightly or immediately for his own benefit, he ensures it's something that will benefit her as well. They become a terrific tag team. Murray will do what it takes to protect his daughter and London readily joins him to do the same. And he readily does what it takes to protect London too. Their marriage becomes more than what their respective goals are, it becomes about truly supporting and aiding each other’s goals as well. And through it all, a mutual benefit becomes a safe, comforting home. A home where they learn to open up, to trust, and to believe they deserve a new chance at love.
It just was so extremely satisfying to witness. There is a natural build to both their chemistry and relationship, nothing ever felt rushed or unearned, rather its exact opposite. Every new milestone was so highly earned between London and Murray. And their chemistry?! Fireworks! An endless stream of fireworks. The love story is dynamite!
I also want to say how much I loved how the narrative takes its time to also develop a lovely bond between London and Murray's daughter, Kelly. The latter is initially resistant and cold towards London but they bond over a mutual love of Taylor Swift and piano, and London ensures she becomes a safe space for Kelly. The found family aspect in this one is really beautiful, not just the family London and Murray find in each other and Kelly, but their friends as well.
I've been lucky enough to read and love many Samantha Young books but Twilight Tides is now my crown jewel of the collection. Perfection on every level.
Thank you to Samantha Young and House of Hearts for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
London + Murray
We already met them in the previous books.
London is Tierney's bestie from New York and after escaping her horrible ex she's now the chef in her friend's new little hotel on the island. But her visa might not be renewed because her ex is threatening her with ... things.
Murray is eleven years older than London. He runs a super successful fishing company and his horrible ex is getting a lot of money out of it every month. Unless he gets married again.
Plus the ex is not treating their teenaged daughter very good - she just wanted custody because of the money. So Murray will try everything to get his daughter and his company back.
Might there be someone one the island in need of a husband?
Plus also, London's ex is not the only dangerous element in this book!
══════════════════
That was so heartbreaking and sad and sparky and slow burnish. They both don't think that the other might be interested. Ugh. Idiots. LOL.
I loved reading this. It's all very exciting and dangerous and suspensy and thrillerish.
But also funny and sweet and adorable and islandy. Full of music and baked goods and friends and so much more.
I loved being back on that island.
Like I already said about the first books:
Amazing location.
Perfect Cast!
Can't wait for the final book in this series!
Cammie and Forde!
TWILIGHT TIDES was another perfect book in this amazing series!
Adorable. Funny. Frustrating. Sparky. Heartbreaking. Suspensy. Thrillerish. Slowburnish. Dangerous.
Amazing location. Amazing cast!
Run to your nearest bookdealer for your own Murray - this one is MINE!
If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!
💜
💜
July 4, 2026
HOLY CRAP, this book… it had me hooked from chapter one & I did not want to put it down!! I LOVE Murray & London so much & had been waiting on their story! let me say, this did not disappoint! it was everything I thought it would be plus so much more. Samantha truly has a way of writing a story that makes you feel like you’re actually there with the characters. I loved the suspense aspect so much, too. it kept me on my toes the entire time. & let me just say, I LOATHE Jill. no spoilers, just ugh she’s annoying lol. But anyway, I listened and read, and loved doing this immersive read. This series has a special place in my heart💖
Samantha also has a way of writing the found family trope, I loved that aspect so much too! I love the female (and male) friendships, I honestly just adore all of these characters! The chemistry between Murray & London… whew, you could cut that tension with a knife and I loved every minute of it!
🌊 𝚃𝚁𝙾𝙿𝙴𝚂:
✧.* romantic suspense
✧.* Scotland setting
✧.* single dad
✧.* found family
✧.* marriage of convenience
✧.* slow burn
✧.* domestic abuse survivor
✧.* small town
✧.* duet pov/narration
5⭐️
4🌶️
🫶🏼 HUGE thank you, @authorsamanthayoung for trusting me with your baby! I adore you always💖
Samantha also has a way of writing the found family trope, I loved that aspect so much too! I love the female (and male) friendships, I honestly just adore all of these characters! The chemistry between Murray & London… whew, you could cut that tension with a knife and I loved every minute of it!
🌊 𝚃𝚁𝙾𝙿𝙴𝚂:
✧.* romantic suspense
✧.* Scotland setting
✧.* single dad
✧.* found family
✧.* marriage of convenience
✧.* slow burn
✧.* domestic abuse survivor
✧.* small town
✧.* duet pov/narration
5⭐️
4🌶️
🫶🏼 HUGE thank you, @authorsamanthayoung for trusting me with your baby! I adore you always💖
July 11, 2026
Oh my heart! I completely MELTED and swooned with this INCREDIBLE BOOK! Tears lots and lots of tears!😭😭🥹🥹
I am a sucker for a book playlist but when Samantha tells us to listen to a specific song while reading specific scenes. I bawled my eyes out. What an impact that scene had. The love of music that Murray and London shared and the way they expressed their feelings through music was absolutely beautiful and I swooned so hard. (I’ll be listening to these songs on repeat😭🥹)
Murray is the calm and collected single dad who runs a business. He shares custody with his evil ex and he’s determined to protect his daughter and get full custody. Not only is there a battle with that but also the fact that his ex has the reigns on his business unless he remarries….
London escaped to Scotland to get away from her dangerous abusive ex. Her best friend convinced her that she would be safe getting as far away from the states as possible. She has never felt true love by anyone besides her best friend who feels like a sister. Her work visa will be ending soon. Which sparks her idea of a marriage of convenience! Murray needs a wife and she needs a husband. The relationship she built with his daughter had me in my feels something fierce. 😭
My heart related to this story on many levels.
Learning how to love yourself…
Learning who you are at your core without other controlling you…
Learning how to accept true unconditional love…
Learning that needing help does NOT make you weak…
There are some heavy topics in this book but Samantha showcased the BEAUTIFULLY.
This book has most definitely become my favorite book of the series!
Well done Samantha! Well👏🏼done👏🏼
Tropes:
💜Romantic Suspense
💜Single Dad
💜Marriage of Convenience
💜Age Gap
💜Heroine in Danger
💜Slow Burn
💜Forced Proximity
I am a sucker for a book playlist but when Samantha tells us to listen to a specific song while reading specific scenes. I bawled my eyes out. What an impact that scene had. The love of music that Murray and London shared and the way they expressed their feelings through music was absolutely beautiful and I swooned so hard. (I’ll be listening to these songs on repeat😭🥹)
Murray is the calm and collected single dad who runs a business. He shares custody with his evil ex and he’s determined to protect his daughter and get full custody. Not only is there a battle with that but also the fact that his ex has the reigns on his business unless he remarries….
London escaped to Scotland to get away from her dangerous abusive ex. Her best friend convinced her that she would be safe getting as far away from the states as possible. She has never felt true love by anyone besides her best friend who feels like a sister. Her work visa will be ending soon. Which sparks her idea of a marriage of convenience! Murray needs a wife and she needs a husband. The relationship she built with his daughter had me in my feels something fierce. 😭
My heart related to this story on many levels.
Learning how to love yourself…
Learning who you are at your core without other controlling you…
Learning how to accept true unconditional love…
Learning that needing help does NOT make you weak…
There are some heavy topics in this book but Samantha showcased the BEAUTIFULLY.
This book has most definitely become my favorite book of the series!
Well done Samantha! Well👏🏼done👏🏼
Tropes:
💜Romantic Suspense
💜Single Dad
💜Marriage of Convenience
💜Age Gap
💜Heroine in Danger
💜Slow Burn
💜Forced Proximity
July 12, 2026
Did I finish this book in 1 day, yes I did. I have loved this series & London’s story was so perfect!!
This narration was fantastic!! Samantha Brentmoor & James Cassidy did an amazing job bringing this story to life & giving these characters so much emotion!!
I absolutely loved the emotional aspects Samantha Young gave us in this one. London’s strength & tenderness despite all she’s been through never failed to shine through! Watching her learn to trust was so beautiful! Murray was everything! Kind, protective, and the best daddy to Kelly, but he also had a rough exterior & dealing with his own struggles. I loved how both of these characters loved so fiercely!!
This book was wrapped together with suspense, emotion, and a romance that just kept me rooting for these two!! The Tension, the angst, an amazing slow burn, plus the marriage of convenience trope that hit just right!! Murray & London’s chemistry and the tender moments they shared just made me love this so much! I loved being back in this Scottish town with these characters!! This might be my new favorite of the series!! 🤭
Thank you Samantha Young & House Of Hearts for this gifted early copy! - my opinions are my own!
This narration was fantastic!! Samantha Brentmoor & James Cassidy did an amazing job bringing this story to life & giving these characters so much emotion!!
I absolutely loved the emotional aspects Samantha Young gave us in this one. London’s strength & tenderness despite all she’s been through never failed to shine through! Watching her learn to trust was so beautiful! Murray was everything! Kind, protective, and the best daddy to Kelly, but he also had a rough exterior & dealing with his own struggles. I loved how both of these characters loved so fiercely!!
This book was wrapped together with suspense, emotion, and a romance that just kept me rooting for these two!! The Tension, the angst, an amazing slow burn, plus the marriage of convenience trope that hit just right!! Murray & London’s chemistry and the tender moments they shared just made me love this so much! I loved being back in this Scottish town with these characters!! This might be my new favorite of the series!! 🤭
Thank you Samantha Young & House Of Hearts for this gifted early copy! - my opinions are my own!
Want to Read
April 20, 2026London and Murrayyyyyy yayyyyy
July 5, 2026
Review to come!
June 28, 2026
Twilight Tides had me in a chokehold, it was beyond incredible!!! London is desperate to stay in Scotland and Murray is desperate to get sole custody of his daughter while wanting to cut off the salary he has to pay his ex from his company. So they enter a marriage of convenience and soon living in the same house has sparks flying but outside threats want to destroy their happiness.
The tension and yearning in this book was top tier! The way they had feelings but thought the other didn’t provided delicious angst. I loved how their relationship developed and how when Murray found out that London had feelings for him he went all in. Throughout the book their romance was a slow burn and when they crossed the line, my god, it was hot.
Murray was so gentle and sweet, he was the perfect dad to Kelly. He was also a badass protector so that combination definitely made him a top tier book boyfriend. London was still healing from everything she had been through but she was still so caring and such a fighter for those she loved. I adored how she was there for Kelly, even when she was testing her and her dad, and how she stood up for Murray. I loved them so much! He was her safe place and she gave him the love he deserved.
I of course loved being on this Scottish island and with all these characters I adore. I can’t believe there’s only one more book in this series but I’m very excited for it!!
💜 marriage of convenience
💜 forced proximity
💜 age gap
💜 single dad
💜 small town
💜 suspense
The tension and yearning in this book was top tier! The way they had feelings but thought the other didn’t provided delicious angst. I loved how their relationship developed and how when Murray found out that London had feelings for him he went all in. Throughout the book their romance was a slow burn and when they crossed the line, my god, it was hot.
Murray was so gentle and sweet, he was the perfect dad to Kelly. He was also a badass protector so that combination definitely made him a top tier book boyfriend. London was still healing from everything she had been through but she was still so caring and such a fighter for those she loved. I adored how she was there for Kelly, even when she was testing her and her dad, and how she stood up for Murray. I loved them so much! He was her safe place and she gave him the love he deserved.
I of course loved being on this Scottish island and with all these characters I adore. I can’t believe there’s only one more book in this series but I’m very excited for it!!
💜 marriage of convenience
💜 forced proximity
💜 age gap
💜 single dad
💜 small town
💜 suspense
July 7, 2026
“I didn’t know how much longer I could pretend I didn’t want my wife.”
“London, Witherspoon wanted me. And I wanted it to be real between us.”
Oh how I loved this book! It was so worth the wait! Samantha Young has been hinting that London and Murray would end up together and I am so happy that the way it happened was with a marriage of convenience. My heart broke for London and all that she’s been through with her horrible ex. I loved how protective Murray was of her and of his daughter, Kelly. At times it was hard to read how Murray thought he was doing the right thing by not giving in and truly be with London, but when he finally does, oh how delicious it was! The spicy scenes were both sexy and beautiful with Murray truly focusing on London and making sure that she felt safe. The suspense was really entertaining to read and I especially liked the ending with the whole showdown!
I cannot wait for Cammie and Forde’s story next!
Read if you like:
Dual POVs
Marriage of convenience
Single dad
Found family
Romantic suspense
Forced proximity
Slow burn romance
Protective hero
Open door romance
Hero falls first
Scottish romance
“London, Witherspoon wanted me. And I wanted it to be real between us.”
Oh how I loved this book! It was so worth the wait! Samantha Young has been hinting that London and Murray would end up together and I am so happy that the way it happened was with a marriage of convenience. My heart broke for London and all that she’s been through with her horrible ex. I loved how protective Murray was of her and of his daughter, Kelly. At times it was hard to read how Murray thought he was doing the right thing by not giving in and truly be with London, but when he finally does, oh how delicious it was! The spicy scenes were both sexy and beautiful with Murray truly focusing on London and making sure that she felt safe. The suspense was really entertaining to read and I especially liked the ending with the whole showdown!
I cannot wait for Cammie and Forde’s story next!
Read if you like:
Dual POVs
Marriage of convenience
Single dad
Found family
Romantic suspense
Forced proximity
Slow burn romance
Protective hero
Open door romance
Hero falls first
Scottish romance
June 30, 2026
I’d been hoping London and Murray would finally get their own story, so I was chuffed when I found out this book was all about them!
A huge thank you to @authorsamanthayoung for sending me an early copy—I started reading it straight away.
✨ My thoughts:
📘 Nick? I wanted to punch him. What an absolute asshole.
📕 There’s so much happening in the first half of the book—from Kelly, to the boat drama, to Nick being… well, Nick. But it all flows so well and never feels overwhelming.
📗 The entire story is packed with drama, twists, and unexpected turns that kept me hooked from start to finish.
📒 My only complaint? I wanted more! I wasn’t ready for it to end and feel like the story could have gone on longer.
I swear every time a new book in this series comes out, I say it’s my favourite… but this one is now at the top of the list as my favourite.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely loved it!
July 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. This is my first Samantha Young read and I really love her writing. The way you can just read book three in a series but somehow know what's happened before that book is amazing. London is escaping her abusive boyfriend and goes to Scotland to be with her best friend Tierney who runs a B&B. She would as the chef for her. Murray is an owner of his own family business that's fishing. Londons Ex decides he's going to start threatening her again. Murray's ex-wife puts their daughter in dangers. They decide to get married "on paper only". she's staying in his guest room.. crazy things happen and in the middle of the chaos; they fall in love. You have to read and find out what happens.
July 7, 2026
Samantha Young is the one of the best romantic suspense authors. Every book has a good balance between the suspense/mystery and the development of the romance. I felt so connected to the story and these characters. I absolutely loved it!
London is escaping an abusive and controlling ex in Scotland but she is up for a visa renewal and having issues. Murray is dealing with a horrible ex wife who is neglecting their daughter but needs a wife to get sole custody. And so a beautiful marriage of convenience is born.
Single dad
Age gap
Found family
Marriage of Convenience
London is escaping an abusive and controlling ex in Scotland but she is up for a visa renewal and having issues. Murray is dealing with a horrible ex wife who is neglecting their daughter but needs a wife to get sole custody. And so a beautiful marriage of convenience is born.
Single dad
Age gap
Found family
Marriage of Convenience
Read
July 9, 2026Full review to come!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review coming soon!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 stars!
I am loving this series from Samantha Young, and this is such a gorgeous read! An age-gap, single parent, marriage of convenience romance with intensity, suspense and epic longing, I was swept up from start to finish, and I loved every moment of this one!
London is the best friend of Tierney, from book #1 of the series, Half-Light Harbor. We met her in that book when she needed her friend’s help in escaping a dangerously abusive relationship. Now, she’s moved to a remote island in Scotland to be near her best friend, and she has been welcomed into the friend group that includes quietly broody local man, Murray.
Murray is a divorced single dad who is in a really difficult situation. His reckless ex-wife has custody of their teenage daughter, as well as a share of his company’s profits. In order to resolve both of those issues, he needs to get married. When London discovers that she is facing deportation from Scotland back to the US, she proposes a marriage of convenience with Murray, and to help him gain custody of his daughter, he agrees.
It's a fun setup, made even better by the fact that Murray is secretly, hopelessly in love with London. He hides it well, coming across as cold and aloof while keeping his distance from his new, younger wife (there's an 11-year age gap), but with them living under the same roof and needing to play the part of a loving couple in public, every interaction sizzles with sexual tension.
Oh, Murray, you smitten, swoony heartthrob, I could not love you any more. I love watching the quiet, broody men fall, and he falls hard and completely, and his heartfelt longing is beautiful to see.
There is all the tension, longing, and delicious will they/won't they anticipation, and I was completely invested, waiting for the moment they finally give in. It’s a slow burn with epic build up, and oh, it’s worth the wait. Once their feelings are revealed, there is no holding them back, and I loved seeing these two come together.
There is plenty of drama for them to contend with along the way, with threats from London’s ex, and new danger arising within Murray’s business, and the suspense is well written and adds intensity to the story, while providing opportunity to show Murray’s protectiveness, and how these two lean on and support each other. Murray’s daughter also has a lot to deal with and her journey is beautifully heartfelt.
Their friend group is with them and supporting them through it all. Their fun camaraderie is so entertaining, and they share a deep love for each other, always having each other’s backs through all of the ups and downs. There is progression for the previous couples, which I loved to see, and the build up for Forde and Cammie’s book continues to build momentum. Their enemies-to-lovers romance is shaping up to be sensational!
I love being back in the Scottish Isles and with these characters. This is such a gorgeous read, and I loved it.
5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
I am loving this series from Samantha Young, and this is such a gorgeous read! An age-gap, single parent, marriage of convenience romance with intensity, suspense and epic longing, I was swept up from start to finish, and I loved every moment of this one!
London is the best friend of Tierney, from book #1 of the series, Half-Light Harbor. We met her in that book when she needed her friend’s help in escaping a dangerously abusive relationship. Now, she’s moved to a remote island in Scotland to be near her best friend, and she has been welcomed into the friend group that includes quietly broody local man, Murray.
Murray is a divorced single dad who is in a really difficult situation. His reckless ex-wife has custody of their teenage daughter, as well as a share of his company’s profits. In order to resolve both of those issues, he needs to get married. When London discovers that she is facing deportation from Scotland back to the US, she proposes a marriage of convenience with Murray, and to help him gain custody of his daughter, he agrees.
It's a fun setup, made even better by the fact that Murray is secretly, hopelessly in love with London. He hides it well, coming across as cold and aloof while keeping his distance from his new, younger wife (there's an 11-year age gap), but with them living under the same roof and needing to play the part of a loving couple in public, every interaction sizzles with sexual tension.
I was an idiot if I thought falling for London could ever be something I managed or chose. I was over that cliff, and there was no stopping my momentum now.
Oh, Murray, you smitten, swoony heartthrob, I could not love you any more. I love watching the quiet, broody men fall, and he falls hard and completely, and his heartfelt longing is beautiful to see.
“I can’t believe I’ve met my fucking soul mate … and I can’t be with her.”
There is all the tension, longing, and delicious will they/won't they anticipation, and I was completely invested, waiting for the moment they finally give in. It’s a slow burn with epic build up, and oh, it’s worth the wait. Once their feelings are revealed, there is no holding them back, and I loved seeing these two come together.
“You, just as you are, are my fantasy. And I still can’t believe that you’re real and you want me back.”
There is plenty of drama for them to contend with along the way, with threats from London’s ex, and new danger arising within Murray’s business, and the suspense is well written and adds intensity to the story, while providing opportunity to show Murray’s protectiveness, and how these two lean on and support each other. Murray’s daughter also has a lot to deal with and her journey is beautifully heartfelt.
Their friend group is with them and supporting them through it all. Their fun camaraderie is so entertaining, and they share a deep love for each other, always having each other’s backs through all of the ups and downs. There is progression for the previous couples, which I loved to see, and the build up for Forde and Cammie’s book continues to build momentum. Their enemies-to-lovers romance is shaping up to be sensational!
I love being back in the Scottish Isles and with these characters. This is such a gorgeous read, and I loved it.
5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
She proposes a marriage of convenience to save them both. Falling in love with her husband was never part of the deal. 🌊💍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
💍 Marriage of convenience
🏴 Scottish island setting
👨👧 Single-dad hero
🔥 Slow burn and yearning
🛡️ Protective gentle giant
❤️🩹 Healing after a toxic relationship
🏠 Forced proximity
🔪 Romantic suspense
🎧 Atmospheric Scottish accents
I have been waiting for London’s story since we first met her, and Twilight Tides was everything I hoped it would be and more. I devoured this book in one day.
When London’s dangerous ex begins threatening both her safety and her ability to remain in Scotland, she proposes a practical solution to Murray Shaw: a marriage of convenience. Murray needs to remarry to protect his company from his ex-wife, while London needs the security that marriage could provide.
It should be a simple arrangement.
Unfortunately, living with the rugged Scottish businessman she has been attracted to for years makes keeping their relationship strictly practical nearly impossible.
Samantha Young has such a gift for writing deeply emotional romances without losing sight of the larger story. The marriage-of-convenience setup was fantastic, but it was the slow burn, the aching tension, and the quiet domestic moments between London and Murray that completely stole my heart.
Murray was such a wonderful hero. He is kind, protective, devoted to his daughter, and emotionally steady, while still possessing that rugged, quietly intimidating presence that makes him impossible not to love. Beneath his reserved exterior is a passionate man who notices what London needs and gives her the space and safety to find her own strength.
London was equally easy to root for. After everything she endured in her previous relationship, she no longer trusts her instincts or believes she can recognize healthy love. Watching her slowly rebuild that trust and allow herself to depend on Murray made her journey especially meaningful.
What I loved most was the way they gradually became each other’s safe place. Their connection develops through shared meals, honest conversations, protective gestures, family moments, and all the feelings neither of them is ready to name. The emotional intimacy made every bit of yearning and physical tension even more powerful.
The romance was not the only thing keeping me glued to the story. The danger surrounding Murray’s business and London’s escalating problems with her ex added genuine suspense, and I wasn’t sure how everything would come together. Samantha Young balanced the romance and suspense beautifully, giving both storylines enough weight without allowing either one to overpower the other.
Returning to the Scottish island also felt like coming home. The close-knit community, familiar characters, and windswept atmosphere continue to make this series so special. The audiobook made the experience even better, with the Scottish accents adding another layer of authenticity and transporting me completely into the setting.
Emotional, suspenseful, romantic, and filled with delicious slow-burn tension, Twilight Tides might be my favorite book in the series yet.
QOTD: Which marriage-of-convenience moment gets you every time: moving in together, sharing a bed, or realizing the feelings are real?
#TwilightTides #SamanthaYoung #MarriageOfConvenience #ScottishRomance #RomanceBookReview
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
💍 Marriage of convenience
🏴 Scottish island setting
👨👧 Single-dad hero
🔥 Slow burn and yearning
🛡️ Protective gentle giant
❤️🩹 Healing after a toxic relationship
🏠 Forced proximity
🔪 Romantic suspense
🎧 Atmospheric Scottish accents
I have been waiting for London’s story since we first met her, and Twilight Tides was everything I hoped it would be and more. I devoured this book in one day.
When London’s dangerous ex begins threatening both her safety and her ability to remain in Scotland, she proposes a practical solution to Murray Shaw: a marriage of convenience. Murray needs to remarry to protect his company from his ex-wife, while London needs the security that marriage could provide.
It should be a simple arrangement.
Unfortunately, living with the rugged Scottish businessman she has been attracted to for years makes keeping their relationship strictly practical nearly impossible.
Samantha Young has such a gift for writing deeply emotional romances without losing sight of the larger story. The marriage-of-convenience setup was fantastic, but it was the slow burn, the aching tension, and the quiet domestic moments between London and Murray that completely stole my heart.
Murray was such a wonderful hero. He is kind, protective, devoted to his daughter, and emotionally steady, while still possessing that rugged, quietly intimidating presence that makes him impossible not to love. Beneath his reserved exterior is a passionate man who notices what London needs and gives her the space and safety to find her own strength.
London was equally easy to root for. After everything she endured in her previous relationship, she no longer trusts her instincts or believes she can recognize healthy love. Watching her slowly rebuild that trust and allow herself to depend on Murray made her journey especially meaningful.
What I loved most was the way they gradually became each other’s safe place. Their connection develops through shared meals, honest conversations, protective gestures, family moments, and all the feelings neither of them is ready to name. The emotional intimacy made every bit of yearning and physical tension even more powerful.
The romance was not the only thing keeping me glued to the story. The danger surrounding Murray’s business and London’s escalating problems with her ex added genuine suspense, and I wasn’t sure how everything would come together. Samantha Young balanced the romance and suspense beautifully, giving both storylines enough weight without allowing either one to overpower the other.
Returning to the Scottish island also felt like coming home. The close-knit community, familiar characters, and windswept atmosphere continue to make this series so special. The audiobook made the experience even better, with the Scottish accents adding another layer of authenticity and transporting me completely into the setting.
Emotional, suspenseful, romantic, and filled with delicious slow-burn tension, Twilight Tides might be my favorite book in the series yet.
QOTD: Which marriage-of-convenience moment gets you every time: moving in together, sharing a bed, or realizing the feelings are real?
#TwilightTides #SamanthaYoung #MarriageOfConvenience #ScottishRomance #RomanceBookReview
Review of advance copy received from Author
As promised here is my full review...
The Scottish Isles series by Samantha Young just gets better and better with each new release. I was anxiously waiting for the ARC of Twilight Tides to hit my Kindle, because I absolutely LOVE a Marriage of Convenience. I think this harkens back to the days I mostly read historical romance. I feel like it is a tricky trope to get right in a modern day setting (usually some really rich hottie wanting to pay someone to fake it to satisfy a deathbed ultimatum) BUT I had every faith that Samantha Young would get it right. And get it right she did!
London finds herself seeking safe haven on the island of Leth Sholas. Her best friend Tierney and Tierney’s husband Ramsey (Half-Light Habour) helped her to escape a toxic and controlling relationship. It's here in the Scottish Isles that London finds a semblance of peace and a new life, but the fear that she will not be granted an extension on her visa is a constant worry, and for very good reason. The last thing she wants is to have to return to the US where her ex will be looking for her, and with his money and connections, will stop at nothing to find her.
Our MMC Murray has a huge battle on his hands fighting his ex-wife for control of his company and to regain the funds his ex is bleeding from his business. He also wants full custody of his teenage daughter Kelly to get her out of the unsafe home environment she is in when she’s with her mother, who has some very questionable 'acquaintences'. The only clear way to immediately solve some of his problems, is to remarry. When London proposes a marriage of convenience, Murray reluctantly agrees.
I think Sam handled beautifully the relationship that Murray had with his daughter Kelly, and how London navigated trying to build a relationship with both of them, all whilst respecting her place in the family.
Murray and London are so easy to fall in love with. Both carry the weight of the world on their shoulders and carrying that amount of baggage into any new relationship/friendship/partnership is going to be full of bumps and turns. I love the slow burn, yearning they have for each other, but they fight to keep it buried to save complicating their lives further. They both also have some pretty serious trust issues and it isn’t going to be an easy road to trust their feelings and each other. There are definitely bumps in the road to their HEA.
Add in some other dodgy business and you are in for one hell of a ride…I mean read.
I can’t see how Samantha Young can top Twilight Tides with Cammie and Fordes story…but it seems like Sam just loves to prove me wrong. Bring on Midnight Mooring!
06/07 Full review closer to release date but just a heads up...I highly recommend!
Pretty accurate quote for how to navigate a modern day Marriage of Convenience trope 😂
The Scottish Isles series by Samantha Young just gets better and better with each new release. I was anxiously waiting for the ARC of Twilight Tides to hit my Kindle, because I absolutely LOVE a Marriage of Convenience. I think this harkens back to the days I mostly read historical romance. I feel like it is a tricky trope to get right in a modern day setting (usually some really rich hottie wanting to pay someone to fake it to satisfy a deathbed ultimatum) BUT I had every faith that Samantha Young would get it right. And get it right she did!
London finds herself seeking safe haven on the island of Leth Sholas. Her best friend Tierney and Tierney’s husband Ramsey (Half-Light Habour) helped her to escape a toxic and controlling relationship. It's here in the Scottish Isles that London finds a semblance of peace and a new life, but the fear that she will not be granted an extension on her visa is a constant worry, and for very good reason. The last thing she wants is to have to return to the US where her ex will be looking for her, and with his money and connections, will stop at nothing to find her.
Our MMC Murray has a huge battle on his hands fighting his ex-wife for control of his company and to regain the funds his ex is bleeding from his business. He also wants full custody of his teenage daughter Kelly to get her out of the unsafe home environment she is in when she’s with her mother, who has some very questionable 'acquaintences'. The only clear way to immediately solve some of his problems, is to remarry. When London proposes a marriage of convenience, Murray reluctantly agrees.
…what’s the point of life without dreams, eh? Dreaming is something that makes the tragedy of our short lives worthwhile. No?”
I think Sam handled beautifully the relationship that Murray had with his daughter Kelly, and how London navigated trying to build a relationship with both of them, all whilst respecting her place in the family.
”There are things that will happen to her that you can’t control. It’s scary and awful, but that’s life. What you can control is how you show up for her. Do you hear me, Murray? You are the best father I’ve ever known, and I need you to hear me when I say that.”
Murray and London are so easy to fall in love with. Both carry the weight of the world on their shoulders and carrying that amount of baggage into any new relationship/friendship/partnership is going to be full of bumps and turns. I love the slow burn, yearning they have for each other, but they fight to keep it buried to save complicating their lives further. They both also have some pretty serious trust issues and it isn’t going to be an easy road to trust their feelings and each other. There are definitely bumps in the road to their HEA.
I had an inkling that this could go very badly for me. I’d soon find out that was a gross understatement.
Add in some other dodgy business and you are in for one hell of a ride…I mean read.
I can’t see how Samantha Young can top Twilight Tides with Cammie and Fordes story…but it seems like Sam just loves to prove me wrong. Bring on Midnight Mooring!
06/07 Full review closer to release date but just a heads up...I highly recommend!
I was fucking dumbfungled.
Pretty accurate quote for how to navigate a modern day Marriage of Convenience trope 😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 Stars
WOW, this completely blew me away. Just when I thought Samantha Young couldn't get better, somehow she does - I couldn't put this down! If you are after suspense romance...read this series!!
Twilight Tides is the third book in the series and I highly recommend reading them in order. The story is based around London, our FMC who is American but followed her best friend to this Scottish Island to escape an abusive relationship in New York. She scared her visa won't be renewed and she'll have to return there. Our MMC is Murray, a loving Father who is desperately trying to get sole custody of his 14yo daughter as her mum is seriously neglectful and also has him in a financial headlock. Murray needs to get married to get out of that situation and London needs to marry to stay in Scotland. So the book is based on the tropes of marriage of convenience, single father, age gap, suspense/danger and forced proximity.
This was SUCH a brilliant read. I knew I liked both these characters going into the story and it holds some of my favourite tropes, so I had high standards and it definitely exceeded them!
The storyline was fantastic and there was a TON of suspense and danger which I missed a little in the last book. This time Samantha had me on the edge of my seat!
My feelings were all over the place! This was such an emotional and heartwrenching read which had me so absorbed in the characters.
The characters were some of my favourites. London is struggling with her past trauma and although she is trying to move on and live her life, it's not that easy. She is smart, kind and funny and I loved her growth through the book. Murray is an absolute BEAUTE of a man. The strong, silent type but when you crack the shell he is so kind, loyal and gentle. A protector with a heart of gold and such a fantastic Dad too. His daughter Kelly added a lot to the book and I really enjoyed the dynamics she brought.
The romance was so well done. A slow build despite the fact they are both secretly obsessed with each other! The smut was HOT and the romance was adorable. The perfect mix!
I also adore the found family in these books and this one was no different. We still saw a lot of the other characters and that added so much joy to my read!
A fantastic addition to the series and I already cannot wait for the next (and I believe final) book in the series.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
WOW, this completely blew me away. Just when I thought Samantha Young couldn't get better, somehow she does - I couldn't put this down! If you are after suspense romance...read this series!!
Twilight Tides is the third book in the series and I highly recommend reading them in order. The story is based around London, our FMC who is American but followed her best friend to this Scottish Island to escape an abusive relationship in New York. She scared her visa won't be renewed and she'll have to return there. Our MMC is Murray, a loving Father who is desperately trying to get sole custody of his 14yo daughter as her mum is seriously neglectful and also has him in a financial headlock. Murray needs to get married to get out of that situation and London needs to marry to stay in Scotland. So the book is based on the tropes of marriage of convenience, single father, age gap, suspense/danger and forced proximity.
This was SUCH a brilliant read. I knew I liked both these characters going into the story and it holds some of my favourite tropes, so I had high standards and it definitely exceeded them!
The storyline was fantastic and there was a TON of suspense and danger which I missed a little in the last book. This time Samantha had me on the edge of my seat!
My feelings were all over the place! This was such an emotional and heartwrenching read which had me so absorbed in the characters.
The characters were some of my favourites. London is struggling with her past trauma and although she is trying to move on and live her life, it's not that easy. She is smart, kind and funny and I loved her growth through the book. Murray is an absolute BEAUTE of a man. The strong, silent type but when you crack the shell he is so kind, loyal and gentle. A protector with a heart of gold and such a fantastic Dad too. His daughter Kelly added a lot to the book and I really enjoyed the dynamics she brought.
The romance was so well done. A slow build despite the fact they are both secretly obsessed with each other! The smut was HOT and the romance was adorable. The perfect mix!
I also adore the found family in these books and this one was no different. We still saw a lot of the other characters and that added so much joy to my read!
A fantastic addition to the series and I already cannot wait for the next (and I believe final) book in the series.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It has been a few years since I have read a Samantha Young book - that's all on me, not her!
I haven't read the previous books in the Scottish Isles series (this is going to be remedied soon)
I loved getting back into her worlds. Family. friendships, and the dramas that can come along with them.
But mostly we have a lovely fauxmances turn romance.
London is escaping an abusive relationship, Murray doing everything for his daughter, dealing with a vindictive ex wife.
And oh how they can help each other.
They are so hot for each other, but also so clueless abut each other. I loved how everyone in their friendship circle can see that they are falling whilst they are in denial.
There is a lot of suspense and drama in their lives too, and I impatiently turned each page to see how things would turn out.
I am looking forward to coming books, and I will definitely be going back to the first two Scottish Isles books.
I haven't read the previous books in the Scottish Isles series (this is going to be remedied soon)
I loved getting back into her worlds. Family. friendships, and the dramas that can come along with them.
But mostly we have a lovely fauxmances turn romance.
London is escaping an abusive relationship, Murray doing everything for his daughter, dealing with a vindictive ex wife.
And oh how they can help each other.
They are so hot for each other, but also so clueless abut each other. I loved how everyone in their friendship circle can see that they are falling whilst they are in denial.
There is a lot of suspense and drama in their lives too, and I impatiently turned each page to see how things would turn out.
I am looking forward to coming books, and I will definitely be going back to the first two Scottish Isles books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Twilight Tides is the third instalment in the Scottish Isles series. While each book can be read as a standalone, I'd highly recommend reading them in order, not only to avoid spoilers, but also to fully appreciate the characters' journeys and the relationships that develop as familiar faces reappear throughout the series.
We first met London Wetherspoon in Half Light Harbor, where she followed her best friend Tierney to Scotland to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend, Nick. After building a new life for herself and finding a true sense of belonging on Leth Sholas, London has no desire to return to America. But with her visa nearing its expiration and no guarantee that it will be renewed, she's willing to do whatever it takes to stay.
Murray Shaw is a devoted father determined to protect his fourteen year old daughter, Kelly, and finally free himself from the grip of his money hungry ex-wife as he fights for sole custody. So when London unexpectedly proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve both of their problems, it's an offer neither of them can afford to turn down.
Convincing the island residents that their marriage is genuine proves surprisingly easy, the chemistry between London and Murray is impossible to ignore. The real challenge is convincing themselves that their growing feelings aren't becoming something much more real.
As Murray's business and London's future are put at risk, the two begin to lean on one another, sharing not only the painful truths of their pasts but also opening their hearts in ways neither of them expected.
I feel like I say this every time I finish a Samantha Young book, but this one might genuinely be my favourite. I absolutely loved it. It's easily my favourite in the Scottish Isles series, although I've adored every book so far.
Returning to Leth Sholas always feels like coming home. The residents have become so familiar that they feel like family, and Samantha Young has such a gift for creating immersive settings that I never feel like I'm simply reading about the island. I feel like I'm living there alongside these characters.
I can't wait for Forde and Cammie's story. I've been rooting for them from the very beginning, and after everything we've seen so far, I'm so excited to finally dive into their book.
We first met London Wetherspoon in Half Light Harbor, where she followed her best friend Tierney to Scotland to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend, Nick. After building a new life for herself and finding a true sense of belonging on Leth Sholas, London has no desire to return to America. But with her visa nearing its expiration and no guarantee that it will be renewed, she's willing to do whatever it takes to stay.
Murray Shaw is a devoted father determined to protect his fourteen year old daughter, Kelly, and finally free himself from the grip of his money hungry ex-wife as he fights for sole custody. So when London unexpectedly proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve both of their problems, it's an offer neither of them can afford to turn down.
Convincing the island residents that their marriage is genuine proves surprisingly easy, the chemistry between London and Murray is impossible to ignore. The real challenge is convincing themselves that their growing feelings aren't becoming something much more real.
As Murray's business and London's future are put at risk, the two begin to lean on one another, sharing not only the painful truths of their pasts but also opening their hearts in ways neither of them expected.
I feel like I say this every time I finish a Samantha Young book, but this one might genuinely be my favourite. I absolutely loved it. It's easily my favourite in the Scottish Isles series, although I've adored every book so far.
Returning to Leth Sholas always feels like coming home. The residents have become so familiar that they feel like family, and Samantha Young has such a gift for creating immersive settings that I never feel like I'm simply reading about the island. I feel like I'm living there alongside these characters.
I can't wait for Forde and Cammie's story. I've been rooting for them from the very beginning, and after everything we've seen so far, I'm so excited to finally dive into their book.
July 8, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
What a comfort it was to read another book by Sam years after reading Much Ado About You. I was in my early twenties when I reread it twice, and then life happened. Ever since then, I’ve been dreaming of visiting the Scottish Highlands (hopefully this is my year).
This year, Samantha followed me on Instagram. She probably doesn’t know who I am 😂, but I’m truly honored. And I became so excited to read her books again.
When I signed up for this ARC/ALC, I didn’t think I would get the chance, and I’m so glad I did. I don’t regret it for a second, and I’m so grateful to Sam and House of Hearts for this amazing opportunity. I promise I’ll read the whole series in the coming weeks.
I’m in love! I found a new favorite couple, Murray and London are just so perfect together. I love that he fell in love with her first, I loved the romantic suspense, and I loved that Murray is the dad of a teenage girl. He has officially become my favorite single Daddddyyyyy… and he can even singgggg and playyy Guitarrrr and drums🥹🥹😭
I loved watching London’s journey from beginning to end, and I think she still has a road ahead of her, one that will be supported by her found family. I loved the comfort they surrounded her with.
I also really enjoyed watching the connection between her and Kelly grow. It was so heartwarming to me.
Quotes I loved:
“I just want you home.” Home. “I’m coming home to you,”
“There was one man who made me feel like I could trust him. One man who made my skin hum and my heart beat rapidly anytime he was near. Murray Shaw.”
“But what’s the point of life without dreams, eh? Dreaming is something that makes the tragedy of our short lives worthwhile. No?”
“But I don’t have a dad like Kelly’s dad. I wouldn’t trade who you are or how you care for the people you love for anything, Murray Shaw. And neither would your daughter.”
“A relationship is give and take, you know. Each partner’s shoulders are metaphorically able to withstand equal burdens.”
“Anthropomorphizing. It means to attribute human characteristics to things that aren’t human.”
“No one is ever truly safe in this world. Bad things happen. It’s scary, but it’s true. That doesn’t mean we sit around waiting for the bad things to happen and forget to live. We must live, or what’s the point to any of this?”
What a comfort it was to read another book by Sam years after reading Much Ado About You. I was in my early twenties when I reread it twice, and then life happened. Ever since then, I’ve been dreaming of visiting the Scottish Highlands (hopefully this is my year).
This year, Samantha followed me on Instagram. She probably doesn’t know who I am 😂, but I’m truly honored. And I became so excited to read her books again.
When I signed up for this ARC/ALC, I didn’t think I would get the chance, and I’m so glad I did. I don’t regret it for a second, and I’m so grateful to Sam and House of Hearts for this amazing opportunity. I promise I’ll read the whole series in the coming weeks.
I’m in love! I found a new favorite couple, Murray and London are just so perfect together. I love that he fell in love with her first, I loved the romantic suspense, and I loved that Murray is the dad of a teenage girl. He has officially become my favorite single Daddddyyyyy… and he can even singgggg and playyy Guitarrrr and drums🥹🥹😭
I loved watching London’s journey from beginning to end, and I think she still has a road ahead of her, one that will be supported by her found family. I loved the comfort they surrounded her with.
I also really enjoyed watching the connection between her and Kelly grow. It was so heartwarming to me.
Quotes I loved:
“I just want you home.” Home. “I’m coming home to you,”
“There was one man who made me feel like I could trust him. One man who made my skin hum and my heart beat rapidly anytime he was near. Murray Shaw.”
“But what’s the point of life without dreams, eh? Dreaming is something that makes the tragedy of our short lives worthwhile. No?”
“But I don’t have a dad like Kelly’s dad. I wouldn’t trade who you are or how you care for the people you love for anything, Murray Shaw. And neither would your daughter.”
“A relationship is give and take, you know. Each partner’s shoulders are metaphorically able to withstand equal burdens.”
“Anthropomorphizing. It means to attribute human characteristics to things that aren’t human.”
“No one is ever truly safe in this world. Bad things happen. It’s scary, but it’s true. That doesn’t mean we sit around waiting for the bad things to happen and forget to live. We must live, or what’s the point to any of this?”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall Twilight Tides is easily one of my favorite Samantha Young books. A delicious and suspenseful slow burn, that captured my attention from start to finish. I loved how protective London and Murray were of each other. Twilight Tides definitely could have been a one sitting read, if I did not have to adult.
“I… Christ, woman, don’t you know I’ve been in love with you for ages?”
"I felt like I’d gotten hit by a thunderbolt when I saw you. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.” 😭😭😭
I have 3rd book syndrome when it comes to Samantha Young, meaning the third book in her series tend to be my favorite. I did not want to put this book down!
"I wanted to learn to love myself" London spoke to me on a spiritual level. I connected to this characters in ways I never imagined. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all, and something I struggle with since my teenage years. Similar to Olivia from Before Jamaica Lane, London made me feel seen. The person that watching others find happiness or seemingly got it all figured out, while you get left behind. But of course realizing the importance of self love and discovery.
Chapter 32 😭
I held my breath the entire book, fully invested in the suspense of it all. I loved how this book built off the last two, which created great world building, while still being a standalone. The ending was a bit rushed, but I overall enjoyed how it played out. Plus it seems there are still some loose ends all around that will come to head in the next book. Can't wait!
And shout to Angus for making me belly laugh, I truly needed that: “I thought we were having cake?” Angus whined. “You can’t bring out a cake and then just leave it. Cake feels sad until it’s in your tummy.” 😂😂😂
October seems like a lifetime away and I am patiently waiting to read Cammie and Forde book. Their banter and chemistry was off the charts.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have read an ARC of the books. I am definitely looking forward to reading it again when I prepare for the release of book 4.
Favorite Quotes:
“You, just you as you are, are my fantasy.
"I think it scared me because it was almost impossible to love someone who didn’t love themselves"
"Aye, fate had brought her to Glenvulin, blowing her in on the tides of Leth Sholas."
“I… Christ, woman, don’t you know I’ve been in love with you for ages?”
"I felt like I’d gotten hit by a thunderbolt when I saw you. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.” 😭😭😭
I have 3rd book syndrome when it comes to Samantha Young, meaning the third book in her series tend to be my favorite. I did not want to put this book down!
"I wanted to learn to love myself" London spoke to me on a spiritual level. I connected to this characters in ways I never imagined. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all, and something I struggle with since my teenage years. Similar to Olivia from Before Jamaica Lane, London made me feel seen. The person that watching others find happiness or seemingly got it all figured out, while you get left behind. But of course realizing the importance of self love and discovery.
Chapter 32 😭
I held my breath the entire book, fully invested in the suspense of it all. I loved how this book built off the last two, which created great world building, while still being a standalone. The ending was a bit rushed, but I overall enjoyed how it played out. Plus it seems there are still some loose ends all around that will come to head in the next book. Can't wait!
And shout to Angus for making me belly laugh, I truly needed that: “I thought we were having cake?” Angus whined. “You can’t bring out a cake and then just leave it. Cake feels sad until it’s in your tummy.” 😂😂😂
October seems like a lifetime away and I am patiently waiting to read Cammie and Forde book. Their banter and chemistry was off the charts.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have read an ARC of the books. I am definitely looking forward to reading it again when I prepare for the release of book 4.
Favorite Quotes:
“You, just you as you are, are my fantasy.
"I think it scared me because it was almost impossible to love someone who didn’t love themselves"
"Aye, fate had brought her to Glenvulin, blowing her in on the tides of Leth Sholas."
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Audiobook 🎧
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I’ve been waiting for London’s story since we first met her in book one and I am not disappointed. My favourite of this series, so far.
London moved to Scotland after running from her ex and wanting to start a new life closer to her best friend. She is desperate to stay, but her ex is threatening to cause issues for her visa. Murray is trying so hard to get sole custody of his daughter, Kelly, who lives on the mainland with her mum who cares very little for the safety of Kelly. They come up with a plan to enter a marriage of convenience to help solve each of their problems. It seemed like a simple solution, but outside threats continue to try and destroy their happiness.
The chemistry between Murray and London has been sizzling since they first met. It was impossible to ignore. This was a slow burn, but totally worth the wait. So much tension, angst and longing for one another.
Murray. The man he is. Perfection. He was an amazing father and would do anything to keep his daughter safe. He was kind and cared for everyone, but he became quite intimidating to anyone who tried to harm his family or those close to him.
We saw snippets in previous books of what London went through with her ex-boyfriend, but in this book we see the real extent of the abuse she suffered. She is such a strong woman to overcome it all and to start over somewhere completely new to her.
I enjoyed seeing London come out of her shell and find the courage to trust again. I loved the relationship she had with Kelly. She really is the mother figure the young girl needed.
The suspense plot had me hooked. Samatha writes this so well. She keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat, wanting more. Once I started the book, I couldn’t stop.
I do enjoy seeing these villains get what’s coming to them and this ending was no different - full of suspense that had me on the edge of my seat. I loved every second of it knowing that justice was served, in the best way.
Huge thank you to Must Love Audio for the ALC. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this series. Time to binge more of Samantha’s books whilst I wait…..
- Marriage of Convenience
- Small Town
- Romantic Suspense
- Single Dad
- Found Family
- Slow Burn
- Age Gap
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I’ve been waiting for London’s story since we first met her in book one and I am not disappointed. My favourite of this series, so far.
London moved to Scotland after running from her ex and wanting to start a new life closer to her best friend. She is desperate to stay, but her ex is threatening to cause issues for her visa. Murray is trying so hard to get sole custody of his daughter, Kelly, who lives on the mainland with her mum who cares very little for the safety of Kelly. They come up with a plan to enter a marriage of convenience to help solve each of their problems. It seemed like a simple solution, but outside threats continue to try and destroy their happiness.
The chemistry between Murray and London has been sizzling since they first met. It was impossible to ignore. This was a slow burn, but totally worth the wait. So much tension, angst and longing for one another.
Murray. The man he is. Perfection. He was an amazing father and would do anything to keep his daughter safe. He was kind and cared for everyone, but he became quite intimidating to anyone who tried to harm his family or those close to him.
We saw snippets in previous books of what London went through with her ex-boyfriend, but in this book we see the real extent of the abuse she suffered. She is such a strong woman to overcome it all and to start over somewhere completely new to her.
I enjoyed seeing London come out of her shell and find the courage to trust again. I loved the relationship she had with Kelly. She really is the mother figure the young girl needed.
The suspense plot had me hooked. Samatha writes this so well. She keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat, wanting more. Once I started the book, I couldn’t stop.
I do enjoy seeing these villains get what’s coming to them and this ending was no different - full of suspense that had me on the edge of my seat. I loved every second of it knowing that justice was served, in the best way.
Huge thank you to Must Love Audio for the ALC. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this series. Time to binge more of Samantha’s books whilst I wait…..
- Marriage of Convenience
- Small Town
- Romantic Suspense
- Single Dad
- Found Family
- Slow Burn
- Age Gap
Review of advance copy received from Author
Twilight Tide
By Samantha Young
I was completely swept away by this book!
Twilight Tide is the third book in Samantha Young's Scottish Isles series, and it was absolutely beautiful. The longing and yearning between Murray and London are classic Samantha Young, and she writes those emotions so exquisitely that I couldn't put this book down. By the time I reached the last page, I was already wishing there was more.
Murray Shaw and London Witherspoon enter into a marriage of convenience, but literally everyone who knows the arrangement can see the undeniable connection between them. One of the things I admire most about Samantha Young's writing is the way she layers unexpected twists and emotional depth into both her characters and her storylines. It makes her books incredibly immersive and so difficult to step away from.
Murray's daughter, Kelly, is a fourteen-year-old trying to navigate an incredibly difficult situation while somehow holding onto her sweet spirit. She was written with such care and grace. The growing relationship between London and Kelly was heartwarming and highlighted London's compassionate nature, despite the hardships of her childhood and the trauma of her most recent relationship. But it was Murray's relationship with Kelly that completely stole my heart. He is such a devoted father, constantly worrying about how his daughter is coping with the chaos her mother continues to create.
I also loved the suspense woven throughout the story. It brought out Murray's protective instincts, showcased London's strength and resilience, and kept me glued to the pages. Nick and Jill made wonderfully despicable antagonists. They were the perfect foils to Murray and London, and I thoroughly enjoyed hating every scene they were in.
One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be the found family in Glenvulin. They completely enchanted me. The friendships feel genuine, full of laughter, teasing, and unwavering support. I loved the way they celebrated together, stood by one another, and proved that family isn't always the one you're born into.
I wasn't ready for this book to end, and even the bonus epilogue felt far too short. I'm so happy this series isn't over yet, and I cannot wait to watch Forde and Cammie get their HEA.
By Samantha Young
I was completely swept away by this book!
Twilight Tide is the third book in Samantha Young's Scottish Isles series, and it was absolutely beautiful. The longing and yearning between Murray and London are classic Samantha Young, and she writes those emotions so exquisitely that I couldn't put this book down. By the time I reached the last page, I was already wishing there was more.
Murray Shaw and London Witherspoon enter into a marriage of convenience, but literally everyone who knows the arrangement can see the undeniable connection between them. One of the things I admire most about Samantha Young's writing is the way she layers unexpected twists and emotional depth into both her characters and her storylines. It makes her books incredibly immersive and so difficult to step away from.
Murray's daughter, Kelly, is a fourteen-year-old trying to navigate an incredibly difficult situation while somehow holding onto her sweet spirit. She was written with such care and grace. The growing relationship between London and Kelly was heartwarming and highlighted London's compassionate nature, despite the hardships of her childhood and the trauma of her most recent relationship. But it was Murray's relationship with Kelly that completely stole my heart. He is such a devoted father, constantly worrying about how his daughter is coping with the chaos her mother continues to create.
I also loved the suspense woven throughout the story. It brought out Murray's protective instincts, showcased London's strength and resilience, and kept me glued to the pages. Nick and Jill made wonderfully despicable antagonists. They were the perfect foils to Murray and London, and I thoroughly enjoyed hating every scene they were in.
One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be the found family in Glenvulin. They completely enchanted me. The friendships feel genuine, full of laughter, teasing, and unwavering support. I loved the way they celebrated together, stood by one another, and proved that family isn't always the one you're born into.
I wasn't ready for this book to end, and even the bonus epilogue felt far too short. I'm so happy this series isn't over yet, and I cannot wait to watch Forde and Cammie get their HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s always good to be back in Scotland and in Leth Sholas with characters that I absolutely love. “Twilight Tides” is an emotional, romantic and action packed marriage of convenience, single Dad romantic suspense that was a great addition to the series.
Ever since escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend, London has been living in Leth Sholas and working at her best friend’s B&B as the head chef. She has slowly adapted to living life on a small isle and without the threat of her ex. But one day, it all changes when he starts threatening London again via text. Terrified of losing her visa status, she proposes to the handsome but quiet single Dad on the isle, Murray Shaw. Murray is a business owner and shares custody of his teenage daughter, Kelly. And when Murrary finds out that his ex has put his daughter in some very dangerous situations, he agrees to London’s proposal. The two agree it’s just on paper but as they spend time on the isle making the marriage look real to the town, strong feelings between them start to develop. And when a threat from London’s past comes back, Murray vows to protect her no matter what.
I have been loving this series so much and I’m happy that we’ve gotten another book. I love the small town feel but how it’s set on an Isle of the coast of Scotland. London is someone I was cheering for from the previous books and I’m so happy she finally got her own book. She is brave, kind and I admired her strength to leave her ex and move to Scotland. Her braveness shines throughout this book as she navigates her new home. Murray is protective and an amazing dad to Kelly. I loved how he would never hesitate to help Kelly or London whenever they needed help. They were the two most important things to him on the isle and he made sure that they knew it. It was a slow burn to them giving into the chemistry they had and it was worth the wait. The tension and build up was amazing and I loved them as a couple. The added action and drama of both of their exes had me reading nonstop as the rollercoaster of emotions raged on. The ending was perfect and I loved the possible couple for the next book in the series, I can’t wait to see where that goes.
Ever since escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend, London has been living in Leth Sholas and working at her best friend’s B&B as the head chef. She has slowly adapted to living life on a small isle and without the threat of her ex. But one day, it all changes when he starts threatening London again via text. Terrified of losing her visa status, she proposes to the handsome but quiet single Dad on the isle, Murray Shaw. Murray is a business owner and shares custody of his teenage daughter, Kelly. And when Murrary finds out that his ex has put his daughter in some very dangerous situations, he agrees to London’s proposal. The two agree it’s just on paper but as they spend time on the isle making the marriage look real to the town, strong feelings between them start to develop. And when a threat from London’s past comes back, Murray vows to protect her no matter what.
I have been loving this series so much and I’m happy that we’ve gotten another book. I love the small town feel but how it’s set on an Isle of the coast of Scotland. London is someone I was cheering for from the previous books and I’m so happy she finally got her own book. She is brave, kind and I admired her strength to leave her ex and move to Scotland. Her braveness shines throughout this book as she navigates her new home. Murray is protective and an amazing dad to Kelly. I loved how he would never hesitate to help Kelly or London whenever they needed help. They were the two most important things to him on the isle and he made sure that they knew it. It was a slow burn to them giving into the chemistry they had and it was worth the wait. The tension and build up was amazing and I loved them as a couple. The added action and drama of both of their exes had me reading nonstop as the rollercoaster of emotions raged on. The ending was perfect and I loved the possible couple for the next book in the series, I can’t wait to see where that goes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yes!!! Murray and London have entered the arena, so to speak. I have been hoping and patiently waiting for these two. There has been instances in the previous two books that made you wonder if anything has or would happen between these two. I am so so ecstatic that Murray and London has a story to be told in Twilight Tides.
You truly feel for these two characters. London. My heart goes out to London since the first book in this series, Half-Light Harbor. She has survived so so much. London is truly a strong woman. Though she has a lot of feelings and still overcoming a lot of that past trauma. Now, she has a visa issue to add to the mix. Murray. That guy. He is just stuck between a boulder and a hard place. He is doing everything he can to get sole custody of his daughter. Now, add in a marriage of convenience! Reading the mutual pining between these two just grabs your attention. You want to keep reading until that pining finally turns into something more.
Samantha Young has a way with words that has your mind traveling to a Scottish small town but also “looking over your shoulder” anticipating for something coming your way.
James Cassidy and Samantha Brentmoor bring Twilight Tides into life. James Cassidy. Whoa. He is a fairly new to me narrator. The Scottish and grit in his voice for Murray can have you fanning yourself. All the different Scottish accents he does for each character is impressive! Samantha Brentmoor?! Brava! She truly has a gift. The various voices she does for this book? Some are just within one paragraph. The way she switches between them is just unbelievable. These two narrate Twilight Tides in a way that has you transported to Leth Sholas and surrounded by people who reside in that small harbor village.
If you have a chance to immersive read Twilight Tides, do it! I was blessed to have received both an ARC and ALC. I would (and will) read and listen to gem of a book when it is officially released.
Thank you to House of Hearts Lit and Samantha Young for the advance reader and listener copy. I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily. I received no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
You truly feel for these two characters. London. My heart goes out to London since the first book in this series, Half-Light Harbor. She has survived so so much. London is truly a strong woman. Though she has a lot of feelings and still overcoming a lot of that past trauma. Now, she has a visa issue to add to the mix. Murray. That guy. He is just stuck between a boulder and a hard place. He is doing everything he can to get sole custody of his daughter. Now, add in a marriage of convenience! Reading the mutual pining between these two just grabs your attention. You want to keep reading until that pining finally turns into something more.
Samantha Young has a way with words that has your mind traveling to a Scottish small town but also “looking over your shoulder” anticipating for something coming your way.
James Cassidy and Samantha Brentmoor bring Twilight Tides into life. James Cassidy. Whoa. He is a fairly new to me narrator. The Scottish and grit in his voice for Murray can have you fanning yourself. All the different Scottish accents he does for each character is impressive! Samantha Brentmoor?! Brava! She truly has a gift. The various voices she does for this book? Some are just within one paragraph. The way she switches between them is just unbelievable. These two narrate Twilight Tides in a way that has you transported to Leth Sholas and surrounded by people who reside in that small harbor village.
If you have a chance to immersive read Twilight Tides, do it! I was blessed to have received both an ARC and ALC. I would (and will) read and listen to gem of a book when it is officially released.
Thank you to House of Hearts Lit and Samantha Young for the advance reader and listener copy. I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily. I received no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Another 5 star read from Samantha Young? I'm not surprised. She became an auto buy author for me after her Highlands series and this Scottish Isles series is gearing up to be another favorite. All 3 books, including this one, was phenomenal.
Twilight Tides is about London, Tierney's bestie that we met in Half Light Harbor. We saw her struggles with her abusive ex and needing to be rescued by her bestfriend and Ramsey. Fast forward to today and we see London living in the coastal small town as a chef. Her big issue is her visa is up for extension and due to obvious reasons, she really does not want to come back to New York. In comes the grumpy and hot single dad Murray. We also got glimpses of his struggles with his ex wife and trying to get custody for his daughter on the previous book. With both London and Murray seeing the benefits of a marriage, they agree to conveniently pretend they've been secretly dating and have gotten married. What could go wrong right? Except of course, they fall in love. Not without complications though namely, his daughter and her trust issues, London's deranged ex boyfriend, Murray's equally deranged ex wife and a whole slew of bad guys.
It is truly a s**tshow if I ever read one but the story is so nicely written with lots of tension, romance, pining, sweet music and swoony moments with a little bit of spice and lots of action and chaos. I read this whole thing in one sitting. The love story and romance was a great balance to the mystery and suspense aspect of the book. I love London and really ached with her in the beginning as she was finding her place in Murray and Kelly's life. I felt so sad reading her POV and seeing her doubt herself and heal from her trauma. I felt the same for Murray. These are really two of the best people who are meant to be and deserve happiness and love in their lives - and they got that! Love the friend group and the found family as well. I cannot wait for Cammie's book next.
Highly recommend this book and this whole series! Thank you to Samanth and her team for both the eARC and the ALC! Samantha and James were amazing narrators. Truly embodied London and Murray perfectly!
Twilight Tides is about London, Tierney's bestie that we met in Half Light Harbor. We saw her struggles with her abusive ex and needing to be rescued by her bestfriend and Ramsey. Fast forward to today and we see London living in the coastal small town as a chef. Her big issue is her visa is up for extension and due to obvious reasons, she really does not want to come back to New York. In comes the grumpy and hot single dad Murray. We also got glimpses of his struggles with his ex wife and trying to get custody for his daughter on the previous book. With both London and Murray seeing the benefits of a marriage, they agree to conveniently pretend they've been secretly dating and have gotten married. What could go wrong right? Except of course, they fall in love. Not without complications though namely, his daughter and her trust issues, London's deranged ex boyfriend, Murray's equally deranged ex wife and a whole slew of bad guys.
It is truly a s**tshow if I ever read one but the story is so nicely written with lots of tension, romance, pining, sweet music and swoony moments with a little bit of spice and lots of action and chaos. I read this whole thing in one sitting. The love story and romance was a great balance to the mystery and suspense aspect of the book. I love London and really ached with her in the beginning as she was finding her place in Murray and Kelly's life. I felt so sad reading her POV and seeing her doubt herself and heal from her trauma. I felt the same for Murray. These are really two of the best people who are meant to be and deserve happiness and love in their lives - and they got that! Love the friend group and the found family as well. I cannot wait for Cammie's book next.
Highly recommend this book and this whole series! Thank you to Samanth and her team for both the eARC and the ALC! Samantha and James were amazing narrators. Truly embodied London and Murray perfectly!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Samantha Young has become one of those authors I know I can count on for a romance that blends heartfelt emotion with just the right amount of suspense, and Twilight Tides was no exception.
London and Murray completely stole my heart.
London has escaped an abusive relationship and started over in Scotland, but with her visa running out, she’s running out of options. Murray is a gruff, protective single dad fighting for custody of his daughter, and when London proposes a marriage of convenience to help them both, neither of them expects it to become something real.
I absolutely loved that London was the one who proposed the marriage. It put a fresh spin on a trope I already love, and watching these two slowly let their guards down made their relationship feel completely earned. Murray is exactly the kind of protective hero I can’t get enough of. He isn’t over-the-top or controlling… he simply shows up when London needs him most. I found myself rooting for them from beginning to end.
What really kept me invested was the balance between the romance and the suspense. The danger surrounding their pasts kept the pages turning without ever overshadowing the emotional heart of the story.
I experienced this one on audio, and it only made an already wonderful story even better. This is dual narration done right.
Samantha Brentmoor was phenomenal. She completely embodied London while effortlessly bringing every other character in her chapters to life. She’s one of those narrators I could listen to voicing every character in a book and never get tired of it.
James Cassidy was equally fantastic as Murray, and hearing him perform with a Scottish accent was just the icing on the cake. He seamlessly transitioned between every character in his chapters, making every conversation flow effortlessly.
Together, they created one of those audiobooks where you stop thinking about the narration and simply get lost in the story.
If you love marriage of convenience, protective heroes, emotional healing, romantic suspense, and a couple you’ll be cheering for every step of the way, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
London and Murray completely stole my heart.
London has escaped an abusive relationship and started over in Scotland, but with her visa running out, she’s running out of options. Murray is a gruff, protective single dad fighting for custody of his daughter, and when London proposes a marriage of convenience to help them both, neither of them expects it to become something real.
I absolutely loved that London was the one who proposed the marriage. It put a fresh spin on a trope I already love, and watching these two slowly let their guards down made their relationship feel completely earned. Murray is exactly the kind of protective hero I can’t get enough of. He isn’t over-the-top or controlling… he simply shows up when London needs him most. I found myself rooting for them from beginning to end.
What really kept me invested was the balance between the romance and the suspense. The danger surrounding their pasts kept the pages turning without ever overshadowing the emotional heart of the story.
I experienced this one on audio, and it only made an already wonderful story even better. This is dual narration done right.
Samantha Brentmoor was phenomenal. She completely embodied London while effortlessly bringing every other character in her chapters to life. She’s one of those narrators I could listen to voicing every character in a book and never get tired of it.
James Cassidy was equally fantastic as Murray, and hearing him perform with a Scottish accent was just the icing on the cake. He seamlessly transitioned between every character in his chapters, making every conversation flow effortlessly.
Together, they created one of those audiobooks where you stop thinking about the narration and simply get lost in the story.
If you love marriage of convenience, protective heroes, emotional healing, romantic suspense, and a couple you’ll be cheering for every step of the way, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my first Samantha Young book, and it definitely won't be my last!
From the very first chapter, Twilight Tides had me completely hooked. The story opens with a bang, and I immediately felt London's fear, heartbreak, and desperation. Samantha Young did such an incredible job building the suspense that I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next.
I'm usually not a fan of strong accents in audiobooks because they can sometimes pull me out of the story, but that wasn't the case here. The narrators did an incredible job, and the accents only added authenticity to the Scottish setting without ever distracting from the experience.
Even though this is the third book in the series and I hadn't read or listened to the first two, I never felt lost. The story stands perfectly on its own while still making me want to go back and experience the earlier books.
And then there's Murray... what an incredible MMC. He was everything I love in a romance hero - strong, dependable, gentle, and fiercely protective. Watching him quietly care for London without expecting anything in return completely stole my heart. As a single dad, his patience, kindness, and unwavering support made him such an easy character love.
The found family aspect was another highlight for me. The friendships felt genuine, the community came together beautifully, and it gave the story so much warmth despite the darker themes.
The spice was more than I personally prefer, but since I know that's simply my own reading preference, it didn't affect my overall rating. The emotional connection, suspense, and character development were more than enough to make this an enjoyable read.
If you love romantic suspense with an emotionally protective hero, a resilient heroine, beautiful found family moments, and a breathtaking Scottish setting, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
TROPES
• Romantic Suspense
• Scotland Setting
• Single Dad
• Found Family
• Marriage of Convenience
• Domestic Abuse Survivor
• Small Town Romance
• Dual POV / Dual Narration
From the very first chapter, Twilight Tides had me completely hooked. The story opens with a bang, and I immediately felt London's fear, heartbreak, and desperation. Samantha Young did such an incredible job building the suspense that I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next.
I'm usually not a fan of strong accents in audiobooks because they can sometimes pull me out of the story, but that wasn't the case here. The narrators did an incredible job, and the accents only added authenticity to the Scottish setting without ever distracting from the experience.
Even though this is the third book in the series and I hadn't read or listened to the first two, I never felt lost. The story stands perfectly on its own while still making me want to go back and experience the earlier books.
And then there's Murray... what an incredible MMC. He was everything I love in a romance hero - strong, dependable, gentle, and fiercely protective. Watching him quietly care for London without expecting anything in return completely stole my heart. As a single dad, his patience, kindness, and unwavering support made him such an easy character love.
The found family aspect was another highlight for me. The friendships felt genuine, the community came together beautifully, and it gave the story so much warmth despite the darker themes.
The spice was more than I personally prefer, but since I know that's simply my own reading preference, it didn't affect my overall rating. The emotional connection, suspense, and character development were more than enough to make this an enjoyable read.
If you love romantic suspense with an emotionally protective hero, a resilient heroine, beautiful found family moments, and a breathtaking Scottish setting, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
TROPES
• Romantic Suspense
• Scotland Setting
• Single Dad
• Found Family
• Marriage of Convenience
• Domestic Abuse Survivor
• Small Town Romance
• Dual POV / Dual Narration
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