Book Review: The Marriage Jinx by Krista Noorman

Title: The Marriage Jinx
Author: Krista Noorman
Genre: Adult Contemporary / Romance
Publication Date: April 22nd, 2022
Publisher: Indie / Kindle Unlimited
Rating: ⭐⭐

“Will a jinx keep them from happily ever after?

When my best friends and I made a pact after college to wait until we turn thirty to get married, I never thought we’d jinx ourselves. But ever since we signed our names on the dotted line, our dating lives have been one catastrophe after another. That can’t be a coincidence, right?
If that wasn’t bad enough, my new boss is Lucas Abbott—my high school crush and our town’s most eligible bachelor—and the attraction I feel is definitely not one-sided this time.
But before I get too excited about that, we’ve got problems. He’s not allowed to date employees because of a past family scandal His ex-wife won’t keep her nose out of his business.
And don’t forget the jinx.
Now that the guy might finally be in my life, I’m worried it will end in another disaster. But is the jinx our biggest obstacle or are deeper issues standing in our way?” (Goodreads)

I have been trying to read more fall books before it becomes winter and this was one I was looking forward to get to. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me but it happens!

The book is told from dual point-of-views and they come from Penny and Lucas. They were decent characters. I think they both had some things to deal with, especially Lucas being divorced but not totally putting his ex-wife in her place. The marriage pact on Penny’s side was a fun, unique aspect in the beginning but towards the middle it felt like it fizzled out and didn’t have the repercussions it should have from her friends who created it with her.

The other characters in the book were fine. I did want more from them and with this being a series I’m sure some will get more page time. I didn’t really connect or feel drawn to the other characters so I don’t know if I would move on with the sequel to give it another try.

My biggest problem was the romance. It was very much insta-love. Penny had longed for him ever since high school and then they meet conveniently and then she starts working for him, he was infatuated with her without even really knowing her besides from long ago. This type of romance just never works for me.

I think that this book could have been better by being longer and using the setting better. I wish there would have been more about the farm and the small town. It also would have helped the romance to be drawn out more.

Overall, this one was okay but ultimately didn’t work for me.

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Audiobook Review: Mr. Malcolm’s List by Suzanne Allain

Title: Mr. Malcolm’s List
Author: Suzanne Allain
Genre: Regency Romance / Adult
Publication Date: March 2nd, 2009
Publisher: Berkley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that an arrogant bachelor insistent on a wife who meets the strictest of requirements–deserves his comeuppance.

The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife. He’s determined to elude the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he’s beginning to despair of finding this paragon. And then Selina Dalton arrives in town…

Selina, a vicar’s daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia invites her to London.  Until she learns it’s part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia’s scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who seems very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia’s description.

But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind…Mr. Malcolm’s List.” (Goodreads)

This was a very quick read and one that I needed after being sick for awhile! It got me back into reading quickly.

I picked this one up mostly because I saw an article on Facebook saying that it would become a movie. I was very curious when I saw that it was a regency romance and after watching Bridgerton how could I say no? Luckily my library had it and there was no wait!

The book is told from multiple point-of-views but all through third-person narration. I thought this was done well even if the book was short and didn’t leave much room for the development of the characters. It at least gave me a chance to get into their mind and see how they were really feeling, especially Malcolm and Selina.

I would say that the book focuses more on the plot than the actual characters which would definitely make it better for a movie than a book. I like character development, but I at least found enjoyment out of the crazy antics that these characters find themselves in! It is also a clean romance so that is a win for me as well.

Overall, this was a good book to listen to. I am now more excited for the movie and I can’t wait to listen to the author’s other book when I can get my hands on it from the library.