AUTHOR: Jennifer Probst
RATING: 4 STARS (3.5 STARS)
PUBLISHED: February 2012 - Entangled Publishing
SERIES: Yes; Companion Series:
- The Marriage Bargain (February 2012)
"A marriage in name only...
To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner, Alexa Maria McKenzie, casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend's older brother—the powerful man who once shattered her heart.
Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father’s corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister’s childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he’s offers Alexa a bold proposition.
A marriage in name only with certain rules: Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn’t be that hard to follow, right?
Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans…"
MY REVIEW:
The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst was an extremely entertaining contemporary romance novel.
Listed below is my take on the good, the bad, and my overall opinion of this novel.
The good:
This novel was absolutely, positively hilarious! I didn't just giggle a little here and there; I was obnoxiously, out-of-control laughing out loud throughout the novel! In this novel, Alexa and Nick made a list of all of the qualities that they are looking for in their "dream partner". Nick doesn't meet any of Alexa's requirements, and Alexa doesn't really meet any of Nick's requirements. Their different interests definitely made for some funny moments!
Alexa and Nick had a lot of chemistry. Their passion and their connection was believable. The story wasn't very realistic, but Alexa and Nick did a great job making me believe in them. I might not have bought the entire story, but I did buy their love for one another.
This novel was absolutely, positively hilarious! I didn't just giggle a little here and there; I was obnoxiously, out-of-control laughing out loud throughout the novel! In this novel, Alexa and Nick made a list of all of the qualities that they are looking for in their "dream partner". Nick doesn't meet any of Alexa's requirements, and Alexa doesn't really meet any of Nick's requirements. Their different interests definitely made for some funny moments!
Alexa and Nick had a lot of chemistry. Their passion and their connection was believable. The story wasn't very realistic, but Alexa and Nick did a great job making me believe in them. I might not have bought the entire story, but I did buy their love for one another.
The bad:
My only big complaint about The Marriage Bargain is that the storyline wasn't very original. This novel is about a man who doesn't ever want to get married but is forced to because of a stipulation in a relative's will. In order to gain something of monetary value, the man must get married. After entering a loveless marriage, the man and woman fall in love. I've read a handful of other novels with the same premise. Ms. Probst definitely added her own touch to this story, but I must admit that the overall storyline was very familiar.
Also, this story wasn't very realistic or relatable. I put this under "the bad", but it's not necessarily a "bad" thing. This story sweeps you off your feet and draws you in. I didn't think "Omg, yeah right" while I was reading this novel because I was having too much fun enjoying it, but reflecting back on it, I realize how unrealistic the story was. It's fiction. So it's not necessarily supposed to be real. I guess I just like to be able to relate to characters and their situations a little more than I could in this novel.
Overall, this was a really good story. The good definitely outweighed the bad, in my opinion. I enjoyed my first novel by Jennifer Probst, and I'll definitely read more of her novels in the near future.
I gave The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst 4 STARS (3.5 STARS). I encourage this novel to readers when they are looking to get lost in a fun, passionate romantic comedy.
Also, this story wasn't very realistic or relatable. I put this under "the bad", but it's not necessarily a "bad" thing. This story sweeps you off your feet and draws you in. I didn't think "Omg, yeah right" while I was reading this novel because I was having too much fun enjoying it, but reflecting back on it, I realize how unrealistic the story was. It's fiction. So it's not necessarily supposed to be real. I guess I just like to be able to relate to characters and their situations a little more than I could in this novel.
Overall, this was a really good story. The good definitely outweighed the bad, in my opinion. I enjoyed my first novel by Jennifer Probst, and I'll definitely read more of her novels in the near future.
I gave The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst 4 STARS (3.5 STARS). I encourage this novel to readers when they are looking to get lost in a fun, passionate romantic comedy.