What do you think?
Rate this book
Marrying Marcus
Marcus Crossan was dark, mysterious, controlling — and Jenna Harper's savior when his younger brother came home engaged to another! Being a Crossan bride was orphaned Jenna's dream — one she could no longer have.
Until Marcus made a stunning offer. Marry him instead of his brother. A bewildered Jenna didn't know where to turn, but Marcus's passionate kisses left her breathless — and suddenly eager to marry.
But once wed, innocent Jenna found herself at sea in a new world of emotions. Marcus's touch woke sensual longings, and she found herself yearning for words of love from her handsome husband.
And then suddenly his brother was free once more... .
Until Marcus made a stunning offer. Marry him instead of his brother. A bewildered Jenna didn't know where to turn, but Marcus's passionate kisses left her breathless — and suddenly eager to marry.
But once wed, innocent Jenna found herself at sea in a new world of emotions. Marcus's touch woke sensual longings, and she found herself yearning for words of love from her handsome husband.
And then suddenly his brother was free once more... .
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Laurey Bright
60 books37 followersLaurey Bright is another pen name of Daphne Clair.
Daphne Clair de Jong decided to be a writer when she was eight years old and won her first literary prize for a school essay. Her first short story was published when she was sixteen and she's been writing and publishing ever since. Nowadays she earns her living from writing, something her well-meaning teachers and guidance counsellors warned her she would never achieve in New Zealand. Her short stories have appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and a collection of them was presented in Crossing the Bar, published by David Ling, where they garnered wide praise.
In 1976, Daphne's first full-length romantic novel was published by Mills & Boon as Return to Love. Since then she has produced a steady output of romance set in New Zealand, occasionally Australia or on imaginary Pacific islands. As Laurey Bright she also writes for Silhouette Books. Her romances often appear on American stores' romance best-seller lists and she has been a Rita contest finalist, as well as winning and being placed in several other romance writing contests. Her other writing includes non-fiction, poetry and long historical fiction, She also is an active defender of the ideology of Feminists for Life, and she has written articles about it.
Since then she has won other literary prizes both in her native New Zealand and other countries. These include the prestigious Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award, with Dying Light, a story about Alzheimer's Disease, which was filmed by Robyn Murphy Productions and shown at film festivals in several countries. (Starring Sara McLeod, Sam's wife in Lord of the Rings).
Daphne is often asked to tutor courses in creative writing, and with Robyn Donald she teachs romance writing weekend courses in her home in the "winterless north" of in New Zealand. Daphne lives with her Netherlands-born husband in a farmlet, grazing livestock, growing their own fruit and vegetables and making their large home available to other writers as a centre for writers' workshops and retreats. Their five children, one of them an orphan from Hong Kong, have left home but drift back at irregular intervals. She enjoys cooking special meals but her cake-making is limited to three never-fail recipes. Her children maintain they have no memory of her baking for them except on birthdays, when she would produce, on request, cakes shaped into trains, clowns, fairytale houses and, once, even a windmill, in deference to their Dutch heritage from their father.
Daphne frequently makes and breaks resolutions to indulge in some hearty outdoor activity, and loves to sniff strong black coffee but never drinks it. After a day at her desk she will happily watch re-runs of favourite TV shows. Usually she goes to bed early with a book which may be anything from a paperback romance or suspense novel to history, sociology or literary theory.
Daphne Clair de Jong decided to be a writer when she was eight years old and won her first literary prize for a school essay. Her first short story was published when she was sixteen and she's been writing and publishing ever since. Nowadays she earns her living from writing, something her well-meaning teachers and guidance counsellors warned her she would never achieve in New Zealand. Her short stories have appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and a collection of them was presented in Crossing the Bar, published by David Ling, where they garnered wide praise.
In 1976, Daphne's first full-length romantic novel was published by Mills & Boon as Return to Love. Since then she has produced a steady output of romance set in New Zealand, occasionally Australia or on imaginary Pacific islands. As Laurey Bright she also writes for Silhouette Books. Her romances often appear on American stores' romance best-seller lists and she has been a Rita contest finalist, as well as winning and being placed in several other romance writing contests. Her other writing includes non-fiction, poetry and long historical fiction, She also is an active defender of the ideology of Feminists for Life, and she has written articles about it.
Since then she has won other literary prizes both in her native New Zealand and other countries. These include the prestigious Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award, with Dying Light, a story about Alzheimer's Disease, which was filmed by Robyn Murphy Productions and shown at film festivals in several countries. (Starring Sara McLeod, Sam's wife in Lord of the Rings).
Daphne is often asked to tutor courses in creative writing, and with Robyn Donald she teachs romance writing weekend courses in her home in the "winterless north" of in New Zealand. Daphne lives with her Netherlands-born husband in a farmlet, grazing livestock, growing their own fruit and vegetables and making their large home available to other writers as a centre for writers' workshops and retreats. Their five children, one of them an orphan from Hong Kong, have left home but drift back at irregular intervals. She enjoys cooking special meals but her cake-making is limited to three never-fail recipes. Her children maintain they have no memory of her baking for them except on birthdays, when she would produce, on request, cakes shaped into trains, clowns, fairytale houses and, once, even a windmill, in deference to their Dutch heritage from their father.
Daphne frequently makes and breaks resolutions to indulge in some hearty outdoor activity, and loves to sniff strong black coffee but never drinks it. After a day at her desk she will happily watch re-runs of favourite TV shows. Usually she goes to bed early with a book which may be anything from a paperback romance or suspense novel to history, sociology or literary theory.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 17, 2018
Hmmm...nice and humdrum.
Just like the characters....everything goes as expected.
No surprises or twists here. Nothing to analyse as well. *sigh*
Just like the characters....everything goes as expected.
No surprises or twists here. Nothing to analyse as well. *sigh*
February 2, 2009
This was a really good, quick read. Jenna thought she was in love with her best friend growing up, and thought Dean would ask her to marry him when he came back from the United States. When he comes back with a fiancee, she is devastated. Marcus, his older brother steps in to console Jenna and to act as a buffer. What she doesn't know that he has been deeply in love with her for years. When he asks her to marry him, she thinks it just a marriage based on friendship, family love, and passion.
I liked this book a lot because of the fact that Marcus had been so much in love with her, but had kept it to himself because he saw that Jenna only had eyes for his brother, but he takes his chance to have her when he gets a chance. I also liked that although Jenna had been infatuated with Dean, once she is married, she puts those feelings aside and focuses on her marriage and her growing feelings for Marcus. She doesn't have any confusion about that once they get married, and she is faithful to him in heart and body.
Marcus has to deal with his jealousy issues because he doesn't realize that Jenna loves him with a woman's love and not with a girlish infatuation like she did for Dean.
It's a sweet but passionate story of how love can sneak up on you and come in a form that you weren't expecting.
I liked this book a lot because of the fact that Marcus had been so much in love with her, but had kept it to himself because he saw that Jenna only had eyes for his brother, but he takes his chance to have her when he gets a chance. I also liked that although Jenna had been infatuated with Dean, once she is married, she puts those feelings aside and focuses on her marriage and her growing feelings for Marcus. She doesn't have any confusion about that once they get married, and she is faithful to him in heart and body.
Marcus has to deal with his jealousy issues because he doesn't realize that Jenna loves him with a woman's love and not with a girlish infatuation like she did for Dean.
It's a sweet but passionate story of how love can sneak up on you and come in a form that you weren't expecting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2018
Maybe later.
Neither character seems very smart; the H's sister is the one who convinces her it's a good idea. And the little brother is such a wuss.
Neither character seems very smart; the H's sister is the one who convinces her it's a good idea. And the little brother is such a wuss.
October 11, 2025
Cute book. Our hero Marcus is a reasonably nice guy who in the last few chapters develops a serious case of stupids that made me wanna bonk him on the head but he was generally well behaved. Thankfully Jenna our heroine, having known Marcus for a lifetime, is quite free with expressing her opinion on how he seems to have lost his mind.
I liked it. It was cute, it was sweet and up to the point where Marcus starts acting like an amoeba I found him pretty hot. The guy still acts like a decent human being even when he is pissed... meaning doesn't manhandle our heroine even when he's in amoeba mode.
Jenna is nice. She's quite relatable and I really liked her. I felt she needed more time to get over Dean though and Marcus was pressuring her. I also found Marcus' family suffocating. There's nice and there's no-boundaries. So in a waaaaaaaaaay... maybe he was right to be acting like an amoeba when his wife was running around to help his brother who just needed a kick in the butt and a spine transplant?
Didn't like the twins. They seriously needed to understand the concept of giving people space and not being dumb. Thankfully Marcus has his own social circle and I have high hopes for him and Jenna.
What other reviewers said holds. Nothing much happens but it is a pleasant read.
I liked it. It was cute, it was sweet and up to the point where Marcus starts acting like an amoeba I found him pretty hot. The guy still acts like a decent human being even when he is pissed... meaning doesn't manhandle our heroine even when he's in amoeba mode.
Jenna is nice. She's quite relatable and I really liked her. I felt she needed more time to get over Dean though and Marcus was pressuring her. I also found Marcus' family suffocating. There's nice and there's no-boundaries. So in a waaaaaaaaaay... maybe he was right to be acting like an amoeba when his wife was running around to help his brother who just needed a kick in the butt and a spine transplant?
Didn't like the twins. They seriously needed to understand the concept of giving people space and not being dumb. Thankfully Marcus has his own social circle and I have high hopes for him and Jenna.
What other reviewers said holds. Nothing much happens but it is a pleasant read.
July 19, 2019
Jenna is in love with her best friend Dean. She thinks they will get married when he returns from abroad but he returns with a fiance. Dean's older brother Marcus proposes marriage to Jenna and she accepts. Once wed Jenna falls in love with her sweet husband but suddenly Dean is free once more. On top of that Jenna discovers she is pregnant.
Loved the angst! I loved Marcus the hero. Poor guy he was so in love with his wife but his jealousy drove him crazy. Heroine was a sweetheart. She thought she was in love with Dean but she was faithful to Marcus and tried to save her marriage. Very emotional story with wonderful characters. The epilogue with their baby boy is heartwarming. So glad I bought this!
Loved the angst! I loved Marcus the hero. Poor guy he was so in love with his wife but his jealousy drove him crazy. Heroine was a sweetheart. She thought she was in love with Dean but she was faithful to Marcus and tried to save her marriage. Very emotional story with wonderful characters. The epilogue with their baby boy is heartwarming. So glad I bought this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2016
Jenna Harper had loved Dean Crossin for as long as she could remember. When he returned from graduating college in the United States with a fiancee on his arm, she was devastated. Everyone in the Crossin family also felt this was unexpected.
Marcus, Dean's older brother, had always had feelings for Jenna. Yet Jenna had taken him for granted. There was a six year age gap and he had acted very mature; even when they were younger. Because of this I had some moments where I wanted to bang both their heads together but I still enjoyed their ups and downs.
MARRYING MARCUS is a story with a formulaic theme. The difference between this Silhouette and others is Laurey Bright did a fantastic job fleshing out the characters. I also enjoyed that the setting was in New Zealand. If you are looking for a short romance and a fast read try MARRYING MARCUS.
Marcus, Dean's older brother, had always had feelings for Jenna. Yet Jenna had taken him for granted. There was a six year age gap and he had acted very mature; even when they were younger. Because of this I had some moments where I wanted to bang both their heads together but I still enjoyed their ups and downs.
MARRYING MARCUS is a story with a formulaic theme. The difference between this Silhouette and others is Laurey Bright did a fantastic job fleshing out the characters. I also enjoyed that the setting was in New Zealand. If you are looking for a short romance and a fast read try MARRYING MARCUS.
February 13, 2016
Well here is one hero obsessed with his woman! He wanted so badly to do what was right and just but he would not at least try to go for it once that his brother ( and the man the heroine was in puppy love with) was in love and marrying another. I loved this book and the characters were great and I loved Marcus the hero. He is a man after my own heart. Awesome read.
August 5, 2017
3.5 stars
A really nice book where it was fairly obvious that the hero was besotted with the heroine since forever. I liked how their relationship gradually built up.
A really nice book where it was fairly obvious that the hero was besotted with the heroine since forever. I liked how their relationship gradually built up.
June 15, 2007
don't ask. I am addicted to books like this. I could probably list hundred on here that I have read, but I will refrain.
This one is part of a series, but for whatever reason I really love this one. I think I have read it a dozen times.
This one is part of a series, but for whatever reason I really love this one. I think I have read it a dozen times.
December 6, 2017
I love this book. I’ve read it over and over again.
I love the storyline of unrequited love, and a besotted Hero. Marcus (H) has been in love with Jenna for a long time, but she only has eyes for his brother Dean. When Dean comes home with a fiancé, Jenna is heartbroken. Marcus comforts her and convinces her to go on with her life. Eventually he convinces her to date and marry him.
Jenna is unaware of the depths of Marcus’ feelings for her and she thinks he is merely marrying her since it’s time to start a family. Jenna is happy with Marcus, the sex is amazing and she’s anxious to become pregnant, when they learn that Dean’s fiancée has left him...
The story becomes very emotional at this point, Jenna and Katie her sister in law are constantly comforting Dean, while Marcus can’t help feeling jealous. Jenna has realised by now that the love she had felt for Dean was simply a puppy love, and she is only supporting him now as a friend. She now knows she is in love with Marcus and is waiting for the right moment to tell him she is pregnant. Marcus on the other hand, is getting more and more insecure. He loves Jenna so totally that he is willing to let her go so she can be happy with Dean if that is what she really wants, but it is tearing him apart.
Things come to a head, and there is a very emotional scene, until they confess their real feelings for each other. There also is a very nice epilogue with the christening of their son.
I love the storyline of unrequited love, and a besotted Hero. Marcus (H) has been in love with Jenna for a long time, but she only has eyes for his brother Dean. When Dean comes home with a fiancé, Jenna is heartbroken. Marcus comforts her and convinces her to go on with her life. Eventually he convinces her to date and marry him.
Jenna is unaware of the depths of Marcus’ feelings for her and she thinks he is merely marrying her since it’s time to start a family. Jenna is happy with Marcus, the sex is amazing and she’s anxious to become pregnant, when they learn that Dean’s fiancée has left him...
The story becomes very emotional at this point, Jenna and Katie her sister in law are constantly comforting Dean, while Marcus can’t help feeling jealous. Jenna has realised by now that the love she had felt for Dean was simply a puppy love, and she is only supporting him now as a friend. She now knows she is in love with Marcus and is waiting for the right moment to tell him she is pregnant. Marcus on the other hand, is getting more and more insecure. He loves Jenna so totally that he is willing to let her go so she can be happy with Dean if that is what she really wants, but it is tearing him apart.
Things come to a head, and there is a very emotional scene, until they confess their real feelings for each other. There also is a very nice epilogue with the christening of their son.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2020
I was in the mood for an old-school romance and this was ok. It was clear that the H really wanted the h but we didn't see a lot of possessiveness or jealousy. I did like that it was the H doing all the chasing.
September 1, 2016
Good story with nice somewhat formulaic characters. The author can write!
February 28, 2014
So this is what you call it an average book.
it's neither good or bad. hero had an unrequited love for the heroine but i didn't feel it much. and because we'd just been given heroine's POV it's harder to tell. our hero didn't react too much.
but anyway, it's a good book just for your leisure time.
it's neither good or bad. hero had an unrequited love for the heroine but i didn't feel it much. and because we'd just been given heroine's POV it's harder to tell. our hero didn't react too much.
but anyway, it's a good book just for your leisure time.
September 15, 2024
So, this had a lot of potential but never quite fully realized it for me. I needed to see more of the MMC actually falling in love with the FMC in the past. Or present. The author did a decent job convincing me of the FMC's change of heart from one brother to the other but seemed to tell rather than show the MMC's emotional status. Also, there were quite a few time jumps in which there was telling rather than showing that caused the angsty momentum to sputter. It's too bad because the ingredients were there for intensely angsty pining.
February 14, 2018
Jenna Harper always thought that she & her best friend Dean would marry when he returns from getting his education abroad. She is devastated when he returns, but with a fiance. Dean's older brother, Marcus, convinces Jenna to marry *him* instead.
I just had a hard time with this one. I liked that Jenna was faithful to Marcus and tried her best to make her marriage work, but I just didn't get much emotion from her husband.
I just had a hard time with this one. I liked that Jenna was faithful to Marcus and tried her best to make her marriage work, but I just didn't get much emotion from her husband.
June 19, 2021
Maybe 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️This book was really slow to begin with but picked up for me around 1/2 way. There wasn’t enough of a jilt to satisfy me. The h was an idiot who threw away 4 years of her life over a non-commitment, one sided infatuation! 🤦♀️
Read
October 14, 2019Palabras De Amor (Versión)
January 31, 2022
Not my type of read however gave it a crack after “a perfect marriage”. Again I like this - predictable but short story with HEA
May 3, 2023
Author also writes under name Daphne Clair. Set up is same as Dark Dreams but story is quite different.
July 15, 2024
Really sweet romance with not much angst, both characters were likeable and didn’t have too many misunderstandings. Which is not always makes an exiting read but Laurey Bright made it work.
July 31, 2025
Que casal tonto! Se amavam mas nenhum percebia que era correspondido, Marcus com certeza foi um dos melhores mocinhos que já vi, Quero um pra mim.
July 22, 2014
easy read. Marcus is a typical man who clamps up about his feelings until the end of the book where he lets it all out due to jealousy; Jenna is too friendly to her former crush/childhood sweetheart, giving Marcus doubts about their relationship (which didn't really start well in the first place, he just demanded/commanded her to marry him)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Me encanto, me encanto, el protagonista fue tan lindo, la mayoría de las veces tienden a ser rudos en cuanto a palabras. Él verdaderamente la amo todos esos años y espero su oportunidad.
☀️📚☔️
I loved it, I loved it, the protagonist was so cute, most of the time they tend to be rude in terms of words. He really loved her all those years and I look forward to her opportunity.
☀️📚☔️
I loved it, I loved it, the protagonist was so cute, most of the time they tend to be rude in terms of words. He really loved her all those years and I look forward to her opportunity.
March 27, 2017
This is a book of unrequited love by the Hero. I love the Hero in this book. I thought he was patient, understanding and I particularly liked that he was quite protective and willing to wait for the heroine but also letting her know that he wasn't going to wait forever.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews