Escape to a place where book boyfriends are real

and love always wins!

Hiya! I’m Mary and I write clean, contemporary love stories that will make you want to curl up with a hot cup of cocoa and sigh happily. My books are about real-life issues like loss and grief, anxiety, body positivity issues, all while telling sweet love stories that always end with a happily ever after.

My heroes are real men with real struggles, but a heart of gold who are looking for their true love. My heroines are also real-life women who are strong, vulnerable, on a journey to find themselves, who are looking for the man God has for them.

If this sounds like your jam, welcome to my world!

Finding Love in Positano series:

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Find out if Unexpected Love is the book for you!

Aria Bianchi was convinced she had mapped out the perfect life, one that was uncomplicated and predictable.
Run her growing publishing house. Check.
Spend time with her crazy but lovable best friend, Corinna. Check.
Watch Pride and Prejudice on the regular. Check.
Follow her dreams of being a writer. Not so much.
Fall in love again as a young widow. Absolutely not.

That is, until the day she finds herself colliding with someone from her past. Her carefully guarded world is plunged into delightful chaos, brimming with swoony moments that rival her favorite romance novels. As her friendship with Alex, the breathtakingly handsome man she hasn’t seen in almost a decade, ignites with an intoxicating spark, the growing connection between them becomes impossible to ignore.

But her heart has been locked away for years since tragedy struck, and she doesn’t know if she can open it again.
As a famous photographer, on the surface, Alex Rossi has it all. But despite his achievements, he wanders the globe in search of something he can’t quite name, a reason to call somewhere home—an albatross searching for its mate.
When he returns to Italy, the last thing Alex expects to find is the one person he never got to have—the one person he now realizes has held his heart since the day he first laid eyes on her in high school. He missed his chance once before with Aria, and he doesn’t plan on missing it again.

Together, can Aria and Alex navigate this unexpected second chance at love, or will the dreams they’ve built separately pull them apart?

Unexpected Love is a second-chance, closed-door romance in the series Finding Love in Positano. It follows three friends as they navigate their dreams, embark on adventures, build their careers, and pursue true love. You’ll find a girl tribe that will make you wish you were part of it, along with funny banter, deep healing, swoony kisses, sizzling chemistry, but no spice, and a guaranteed HEA. Jane Austen would be so proud.

REVIEWS FOR UNEXPECTED LOVE:

Looking for a heartfelt story of love, loss, and acceptance, all set in beautiful Positano? Look no further than Unexpected Love. After a devastating loss, Aria is doing her best to keep it together as she continues to pick up the pieces of her life. Then one day, in walks Alex. They haven't seen each other since their school days, and sparks begin to fly. But Aria is conflicted—she never thought she'd find love again, and she's not sure she's ready to move on. Read this earnest introduction to the "Finding Love in Positano" series to laugh, cry, and find yourself believing in fairytale love again.

Found this new author, and all I can say is WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!?!?! It is beautifully written, so engaging, and just so relatable. I laughed. I cried, like ugly cried. And then I was filled with so much hope! This book is one that will have you feeling ALL THE FEELS!!!!! I would personally LOVE to see this story on film. A must read!

If you're a fan of timeless romance novels, this book is an absolute must-read. It's like the best Hallmark or romance movie brought to life in book form. The story is beautifully crafted, with characters that feel real and relatable. The author captures the essence of love and the complexities of relationships, making you root for the protagonists from the very first page.

The plot is engaging and heartwarming. The setting is picturesque, adding to the overall charm of the story. It's the perfect escape for anyone looking to get lost in a world of love and romance.

Whether you're a hopeless romantic or just looking for a feel-good read, this book will not disappoint. It's a timeless tale that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Maybe Choosing Love is the book you’re looking for:

Is it possible to choose love when it finds you?

Corinna Tupelo is not looking for love. Her career in family law, her tight-knit group of friends, and her uptight, nosy parents are enough to handle. Usually, she’s fiercely independent, but when an unnerving incident at work steals her confidence, she’s forced to turn to the one man she can trust. One that she’s placed firmly in the friend zone, even if he’s a gorgeous ex-pro boxer, loyal to a fault, and fun to be around. There is absolutely nothing going on between them. Never mind the butterflies in her stomach when he touches her hand and says, “That’s my girl.”

Enzo Lazzara is a confirmed bachelor after his disastrous experience with love in college. All his free time outside work is spent with his new dog, Bolo (Enzo is convinced he’s part human). And then there’s his gym, Inspire Fitness, not only a place for people to achieve their health and fitness goals, but also a safe, after-school tutoring program for teens. It’s a passion project for Enzo, and he’s vowed to be a role model for these young people he’s grown to love. When Corinna comes to him, shaken, he makes another vow: No one will ever make her feel like she’s anything but independent, strong, and beautiful.

The more time they spend together—throwing punches, trading banter, and trying (failing) to keep things platonic—the more it starts to feel like they might just be exactly what the other needs. Sometimes, love doesn’t show up the way you plan. Sometimes, it knocks you off your feet.

Choosing Love is a kisses-only, friends-to-lovers romance where he falls first, filled with all the feels (but without the spice). There’s no cheating, an “HEA”, and plenty to swoon over, including a hero with “touch her and die” vibes and a heroine who’ll inspire you to overcome challenging obstacles, even if it means choosing love over everything else.

Corinna and Enzo’s story is the second book in the “Finding Love in Positano” series. Though it can be read as a stand-alone, the best way to experience the story is to read the series in order, starting with Unexpected Love, Aria’s story. Don’t worry—Corinna and Enzo appear in Unexpected Love, too.

REVIEWS FOR CHOOSING LOVE:

This wasn’t just a “couldn’t put it down”, but I didn’t put it down until I got to the end! What a sensational story, with enough twist and turns to offer some reality to its pages. Corrina and Enzo are two captivating characters, along with Aria, and Sofia, to the point of being drawn into a part of the friendship that they have. The love story is believable as well as exciting. Would highly recommend.

This was a story that was hard to set down! It’s the second book in the Finding Love in Positano series, yet I did not have any trouble jumping into this story even though I have not read book one.

I really enjoyed the way Corinna and Enzo were friends because of their mutual friends. They started out the story with some attraction to each other, but not believing the other was interested. However, their fringe connection that was based on their friend group grew into an actual friendship between the two as they spent time together doing some self defense training.

And I loved the way they moved from friends to more. They were simply so sweet together and had great chemistry. The friend group was one that I think most anyone would love to have for real in their lives, too.

But wait…then there’s Waiting For Love that will sweep you off your feet, too:

Love can happen suddenly, but sometimes it waits almost a lifetime...

Sofia Rossi is sick of being pushed toward love—just because her girls have found their HEAs doesn’t mean she’s next. As an executive at her family’s cosmetic company, she has a full life. In fact, she’s leaving Positano and heading to San Diego to learn from the wildly successful CEO of another organic beauty company. Things get a little complicated when she meets a handsome California surfer named Lucas on her last free day in SoCal before starting her internship. He’s got sandy blonde hair, sapphire blue eyes, and tattoos, and they spend a perfect afternoon together on the beach. When she walks into Earth Organix the next morning, she comes face-to-face with a grumpy CEO who just happens to be the free-spirited Lucas from the beach. Imagine her surprise when he pretends not to know her.

Luke Austin is tired of maintaining his persona as the cold-hearted CEO who keeps people at a distance. He longs to be the kind of man his grandmother would be proud of, but guilt keeps the mask firmly in place. That is, until he meets a beautiful Italian woman on the beach near his home. When he saves her from a rogue seagull and invites her to spend an afternoon with him, he’s suddenly feeling a connection he wasn’t expecting. The next day, he walks into his office and comes face-to-face with the woman he can’t stop thinking about. As he spends more time with Sofia, he keeps feeling like there’s something familiar about her that reminds him of a girl he loved long ago.

Despite a rocky start, Sofia and Luke can’t fight their startling connection for long. It’s almost like they’ve been waiting for each other.

Tropes:
Grumpy vs Sunshine, Friends to Lovers, Secret Identity, Reverse Age Gap, Forced Proximity, It Was Always You

The entire Finding Love in Positano series is now available on Amazon and is free on Amazon Kindle! Which one will you pick up first? They are each standalone books, but the stories are interwoven, so consider reading the series from the beginning for the best experience.

REVIEWS FOR WAITING FOR LOVE:

Life can go full-circle sometimes. We never forget our first loves, even if decades go by before we see them again. For Sophia and Luke, the memory of their childhood romance continued to hold a special place in their hearts long after the storms of life separated their connection. They both went on to accomplishing incredible achievements, but their personal lives both held people at somewhat of a distance due to sheltered hurts. Despite the walls life had built around her heart, Sophia became a brilliant businesswoman, confident in her gifts and abilities. As someone who ran retail businesses for almost 20 years, I could really relate to her character. And Luke's character did not disappoint either. I just love the style in which this author writes her heroes. Not only did he win back Sophia's heart, but mine as well. I think he's my favorite in this series so far. The story of their separate lives is touching, sometimes heartbreaking, but altogether captivating as we watch fate bring them together again. There is just so much heart in this story. I enjoyed every twist and turn of their satisfying second-chance romance. "Reunited" by Peaches & Herb is the perfect song against the backdrop of the love story between Sophia and Luke, and yes, oh yes, it feels so good!

When you want a true, feel good romance who else to write it than Mary Henderson. The 3rd Book about a lovely friendship of women and family. I would recommend reading all the books but you can read this as a stand alone.

What happens when a family from Italy and one from America meet in Italy and over a few days a bond builds between Sophia and Lucas (Luke). Promises were made to keep in touch but life happens and the two lost touch.
Luke has a successful company in beautiful San Diego and Sophia works with her father in Italy. Sophia goes to San Diego for a 6 week internship/information gathering; what could happen. Not to spoil the plot; they don’t recognize each other; Luke is a workaholic and Sophia is but wants to have some fun. Time passes and again life happens.
There is a beautiful ending with ups and downs and romance.
In this world we are living in and all that is happening, it is book to just enjoy and make you feel good that there is hope.

Ready to fly to the Amalfi Coast and the rugged Southern California Coast? Let’s go!

BUY THE SERIES

**She came to redesign his home. He found his home in her.**

At twenty-four, curvy designer Vicky Lazzara has big dreams, a lot to prove, and zero romantic experience. In fact, she’s never been kissed!
When she lands her first job working with her mentor, redesigning the house of tech innovator Miles Austin, she’s determined to focus on her work, not his ocean-blue eyes or mesmerizing tattoos.
Miles isn’t seeking love. Juggling his role as a single dad to his daughter and managing his health tech company, his heart has remained closed off since his ex-wife left seven years ago, saying she never really loved him.
But Vicky’s faith, the way she treats his daughter like a princess, and how much he laughs when they’re together, draw him in, one quiet conversation at a time.
The only problem is that she’s eight years younger than him and has an overprotective brother back in Rome who has made it clear she’s off-limits.
But sometimes, love doesn’t follow the blueprints. Sometimes God rewrites them completely.
Just as Vicky and Miles are about to see what could be between them, an opportunity back in Rome is offered to her. Should she leave and not pursue what she thinks is the love of her life? Will he ask her to stay and build a life with him and his daughter, MJ?
Love by Design is a beautiful love story, rich in God’s love, His perfect timing, and healing between a single dad who doesn’t believe he will ever be chosen and a younger woman who struggles with her body image.
**Tropes:**
Age Gap, Curvy Girl, Faith Themes, Never Been Kissed, Forced Proximity, Forbidden Romance, Found Family, Single Dad

REVIEWS FOR LOVE BY DESIGN

Book Review: Love by Design by Mary Henderson ⭐ 5/5 Stars — a tender, faith-filled, slow-burn romance about loss, light, and perfect timing
Love by Design feels like standing at the edge of the sea at dusk—barefoot in the sand, heart heavy with grief, yet quietly hopeful. It’s espresso sipped slowly in Rome, fireflies glowing in the dark, daisies woven into hair, and a love that arrives gently… right when the heart is ready.
👨‍👧 Miles Austin is a divorced father whose world revolves around his nine-year-old daughter, Madelyn Jane—sunshine in a bottle and the reason he keeps going after his wife left him. His heart has been closed for years. Love isn’t on his radar. Survival is.
🇮🇹 Victoria “Vicky” Lazzara is eight years younger, deeply observant, and quietly brilliant. An interior designer who sees past appearances and into people’s hearts, she’s never been kissed and has never been in love. Falling for a client—especially one separated by distance, boundaries, and family—isn’t part of the plan.
Except… then there’s Miles. The American man from the wedding. The one who makes her feel like fireflies have taken flight inside her chest.
What unfolds is love at first sight wrapped in patience and restraint—a slow burn of shared silences, espresso dates, beach walks, wishing trees, hoodies exchanged, and the realization that broken people can still make something beautiful together.
Miles is dorky, tender, and devoted—to his daughter and to Vicky. He wants to be her first and last kiss. Her Prince Charming. And Vicky never dims her light. She loves him fully, past and all.
🌼 If you love: ✨ Single-dad MMC 👧 Sweet child side character ☀️ Sunshine FMC with faith 🇮🇹 Rome & harbor aesthetics 🧥 Hoodie moments & first-love tenderness 🔥 Fireflies, wishing trees & soft romance
⚠️ Content Warnings: • Body dysmorphia • Death of a loved one (father)
📖 Final Thoughts: Mary Henderson writes loss in a way that makes your stomach drop—then gently shows you how to breathe again. This story is about waiting, healing, and trusting that even after heartbreak, something beautiful can still find you. Love by Design is a reminder that some people are like fireflies God has made—meant to bring light. 💛✨
- Elizabeth

This story was wonderful! Vicky and Miles actually met before at a wedding and sparks flew then, but with their age gap and the distance between them, it didn’t feel like something either of them could pursue. Add in a protective older brother who’s close to Miles, and it was completely out of the question.

But when Vicky and Miles end up in California at the same time and she’s hired to decorate his apartment, their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. He’s cautious because she’s younger, career focused, and only in the U.S. temporarily. She’s cautious because her job doesn’t allow her to date a client and because he’s him: successful, a dad, handsome, and experienced.

Vicky struggles to see her own worth, but Miles can’t stop seeing it. As her project on his cottage comes to an end and so does her time in the U.S., they have to decide whether to take a leap of faith and see if what they have is worth changing their plans. He never expected to fall in love again. She never expected someone like him to fall for her. And with his daughter, whom Vicky already adores, she wonders if she’s being asked to choose between her career and a future with them.

𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅, 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔. 𝑰 𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒊𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒚 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑪𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕!