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Fate with a Helping Hand #2
The Marriage Contract
They were destined to fall in love.
But sometimes fate has other plans…
Cara Carvalho and Devin Michaels became best friends one distant summer. No two people were more in sync about what they wanted their lives to be. But fate and their own inner need for success forced them to separate.
But sometimes love needs a helping hand…
Now both are approaching that magic age of 35 and are seeking more from their lives. When Cara’s mom finds a glib promise on the back of Cara’s 17th birthday card, she decides to take matters into her own hands and bring Devin and Cara together again. With a little help and “creative” planning, can they have a second chance at happiness?
* * * * *
“A wonderful romance where a couple get a second chance at happiness. This story is never boring, yet it is very heartwarming as well.” HUNTRESS REVIEWS
“A grandmother who goes skinny-dipping in public, a mother who plans a wedding when there isn’t one, and Cara's reluctant boyfriend, the hapless Roger, bring life to this romance…THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT is a very entertaining read.” FOUR STARS Romantic Times Sunnye Tiedemann
But sometimes fate has other plans…
Cara Carvalho and Devin Michaels became best friends one distant summer. No two people were more in sync about what they wanted their lives to be. But fate and their own inner need for success forced them to separate.
But sometimes love needs a helping hand…
Now both are approaching that magic age of 35 and are seeking more from their lives. When Cara’s mom finds a glib promise on the back of Cara’s 17th birthday card, she decides to take matters into her own hands and bring Devin and Cara together again. With a little help and “creative” planning, can they have a second chance at happiness?
* * * * *
“A wonderful romance where a couple get a second chance at happiness. This story is never boring, yet it is very heartwarming as well.” HUNTRESS REVIEWS
“A grandmother who goes skinny-dipping in public, a mother who plans a wedding when there isn’t one, and Cara's reluctant boyfriend, the hapless Roger, bring life to this romance…THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT is a very entertaining read.” FOUR STARS Romantic Times Sunnye Tiedemann
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 1999
84 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Mondello
106 books544 followersUSA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 30, 2011
Another great book by Lisa Mondello. The Marriage Contract has some great characters including the mother and grandmother. They are funny and willing to do anything to help Cara find love. If you haven't given Ms. Mondello a try please do...she is worth it!
September 16, 2013
Cute, 3.5 rating... the author does a nice job with adding quirky humor with romantic angst...plot not all that original but the execution saves it.
December 17, 2022
Childhood friends to lovers
Cara and Devin have known each other for years. At her seventeenth birthday, they made a vow that if they weren't married by 35, that they would marry each other. Now she's going to be 35 and she's home helping her parents pack up the house to move to Florida. She finds the card that Devin had written the vow to marry her. Cara's mom gets very excited and contacts Devin to come to her birthday and reminds him of the vow. He decides to go because he's dissatisfied with the way his life is going. I thought it was funny that Cara's mom planned their wedding even though Cara is involved with someone else. Will Cara figure out that she really does love Devin before it's too late? Will they follow through with the wedding?
Cara and Devin have known each other for years. At her seventeenth birthday, they made a vow that if they weren't married by 35, that they would marry each other. Now she's going to be 35 and she's home helping her parents pack up the house to move to Florida. She finds the card that Devin had written the vow to marry her. Cara's mom gets very excited and contacts Devin to come to her birthday and reminds him of the vow. He decides to go because he's dissatisfied with the way his life is going. I thought it was funny that Cara's mom planned their wedding even though Cara is involved with someone else. Will Cara figure out that she really does love Devin before it's too late? Will they follow through with the wedding?
November 26, 2024
This was quite a quirky romantic story, but it was spoiled by all the errors, mostly grammatical, but also misplaced words. Doesn’t anyone proofread these books anymore?
February 23, 2015
The Marriage Contract is a contemporary romance novel with a good storyline and believable characters.
The story starts with Cara helping her mother pack. Her parents are moving to Florida. While she and her mother are going through some boxes, she finds a birthday card from Devin Michaels, an old friend whom she hadn't spoken to or seen in years. He'd written in the card that he would marry her if she weren't already married by the time she was 35.
It's now her 35th birthday and she's in a rather cold relationship with a putz named Roger. He'd rather work than spend time with her and he didn't like her family. Her mother, Ruthie, is a little "out there" but Cara loves her and doesn't understand why Roger doesn't.
Skipping over some potentially important parts that might be considered spoilers, Cara's outlook on life has changed. Before this birthday, she'd built a successful career and was content with Roger because there were no demands on her as far as relationships go. They pretty much did what they wanted and met in the middle when the need arose. She realized she wanted and needed more. She wanted a family of her own that consisted of a husband/father who would always be there and the stability of it all. Roger wasn't into that at all. He didn't want children.
Devin is a hot shot defense attorney in Manhattan. He's been on CNN and in the newspapers because of high profile cases he'd won. But he was looking for a change, too and when he got the birthday card he'd given Cara seventeen years ago and talked to Ruthie, he decided to go to Cara's birthday party and spend some time there while he was at it.
He'd always loved her and she'd always loved him but they'd been separated for so long and had gotten caught up in their careers and then, of course, there's Roger. Roger isn't bothered that Cara is spending time with Devin. They were just old friends, after all.
A lot happens in this book. There were a few times that I caught myself close to tears and other times I wanted to smack Cara up along side the head because I thought she was being stupid. Many times I laughed at Ruthie and her antics and Elsie, Cara's grandmother, had a few tricks up her sleeve, too. However, Elsie wasn't in the story as much as I thought she would be but the appearances she did make were fun yet serious.
Overall, it was a great story with a good ending. I wish it had had an epilogue though. Maybe a "Five Years Later" type of thing. I wanted to know more.
The story starts with Cara helping her mother pack. Her parents are moving to Florida. While she and her mother are going through some boxes, she finds a birthday card from Devin Michaels, an old friend whom she hadn't spoken to or seen in years. He'd written in the card that he would marry her if she weren't already married by the time she was 35.
It's now her 35th birthday and she's in a rather cold relationship with a putz named Roger. He'd rather work than spend time with her and he didn't like her family. Her mother, Ruthie, is a little "out there" but Cara loves her and doesn't understand why Roger doesn't.
Skipping over some potentially important parts that might be considered spoilers, Cara's outlook on life has changed. Before this birthday, she'd built a successful career and was content with Roger because there were no demands on her as far as relationships go. They pretty much did what they wanted and met in the middle when the need arose. She realized she wanted and needed more. She wanted a family of her own that consisted of a husband/father who would always be there and the stability of it all. Roger wasn't into that at all. He didn't want children.
Devin is a hot shot defense attorney in Manhattan. He's been on CNN and in the newspapers because of high profile cases he'd won. But he was looking for a change, too and when he got the birthday card he'd given Cara seventeen years ago and talked to Ruthie, he decided to go to Cara's birthday party and spend some time there while he was at it.
He'd always loved her and she'd always loved him but they'd been separated for so long and had gotten caught up in their careers and then, of course, there's Roger. Roger isn't bothered that Cara is spending time with Devin. They were just old friends, after all.
A lot happens in this book. There were a few times that I caught myself close to tears and other times I wanted to smack Cara up along side the head because I thought she was being stupid. Many times I laughed at Ruthie and her antics and Elsie, Cara's grandmother, had a few tricks up her sleeve, too. However, Elsie wasn't in the story as much as I thought she would be but the appearances she did make were fun yet serious.
Overall, it was a great story with a good ending. I wish it had had an epilogue though. Maybe a "Five Years Later" type of thing. I wanted to know more.
July 7, 2024
HEA romance You know the ending from the beginning but you're there for journey not the results.
Nice, sweet, a diversion.
Nice, sweet, a diversion.
March 28, 2012
It's often been said that friendship can be forever. For Cara Carvalho and Devin Michaels, it surely felt like that from the moment they met on a beautiful summer day so long ago. They were the best of friends and did everything together until the moment Devin's father died and everything changed.
Throughout the years, the pair have gone their separate ways. Both have achieved their dreams and have been reaping the rewards of their successes. Yet their lives are as different as night and day. Devin is now a successful lawyer while Cara owns her own shop in the posh Back Bay area in Boston as a successful home interior's expert.
When Cara's parents decide they'd like to move down to Florida, she finds herself agreeing to help her mother pack up the entire house in preparation for them to sell it. Immersed in a world full of past memories, she comes across a card Devin sent her years ago with a promise he'd made in regards to marrying her if she was still single at the age of thirty-five. The card's appearance brings back memories Cara had locked away for so long, memories she now finds herself yearning for.
Her mother, being the crafty person that she is, sees the card as an opportunity to reunite the pair in hopes of making them see just how perfect they are for one another. When Devin shows up on her doorstep, Cara begins to suspect her mother of blatant match-making. Yet deep inside she can't deny the feelings she still harbors for him, feelings Devin himself seems to reciprocate.
Unfortunately, Cara isn't at liberty to give in to what she feels for him. Her boyfriend has joined her for the duration of her vacation and she finds herself caught in the middle of juggling his attentions and Devin's. Despite the minor inconveniences, the two find themselves attracted to one another in more ways than one.
Dodging her mother's machinations, Cara can no longer deny the stirrings of her own heart. She begins to wonder what a life with Devin would be like. The changes that ensue have her questioning just what she wants in life. Yet one thing is clear: Devin holds her heart and she'd do anything to keep him.
I absolutely loved this story. The pace throughout the book was consistent and the camaraderie between all of the characters kept me interested with every turn of the page. I found myself unable to put down the book. That's how good it is! I look forward to reading more of Lisa's work soon.
Throughout the years, the pair have gone their separate ways. Both have achieved their dreams and have been reaping the rewards of their successes. Yet their lives are as different as night and day. Devin is now a successful lawyer while Cara owns her own shop in the posh Back Bay area in Boston as a successful home interior's expert.
When Cara's parents decide they'd like to move down to Florida, she finds herself agreeing to help her mother pack up the entire house in preparation for them to sell it. Immersed in a world full of past memories, she comes across a card Devin sent her years ago with a promise he'd made in regards to marrying her if she was still single at the age of thirty-five. The card's appearance brings back memories Cara had locked away for so long, memories she now finds herself yearning for.
Her mother, being the crafty person that she is, sees the card as an opportunity to reunite the pair in hopes of making them see just how perfect they are for one another. When Devin shows up on her doorstep, Cara begins to suspect her mother of blatant match-making. Yet deep inside she can't deny the feelings she still harbors for him, feelings Devin himself seems to reciprocate.
Unfortunately, Cara isn't at liberty to give in to what she feels for him. Her boyfriend has joined her for the duration of her vacation and she finds herself caught in the middle of juggling his attentions and Devin's. Despite the minor inconveniences, the two find themselves attracted to one another in more ways than one.
Dodging her mother's machinations, Cara can no longer deny the stirrings of her own heart. She begins to wonder what a life with Devin would be like. The changes that ensue have her questioning just what she wants in life. Yet one thing is clear: Devin holds her heart and she'd do anything to keep him.
I absolutely loved this story. The pace throughout the book was consistent and the camaraderie between all of the characters kept me interested with every turn of the page. I found myself unable to put down the book. That's how good it is! I look forward to reading more of Lisa's work soon.
March 30, 2012
The Marriage Contract by Lisa Mondello-Adult Contemporary RomanceKindle format given by author for review/blog tour
Summary:Seventeen years ago Cara and Devin met and became the best of friends. Shortly after that, Devin's father passed away and he left for college right after the funeral. Cara and Devin remained in touch periodically over the years, but eventually lost contact. Their careers defined them and they both got lost in the trail to succeed. Then, Cara decides to go home to help her parents prepare to move and comes across and old card from Devin. It says that he promises to marry her if neither one of them is married by her 35th birthday. Well, her 35th birthday is right around the corner and she's still not married and her mother is itching for some grand babies. What happens next? Her mother meddles of course, bringing Devin back to town.
My Take:I love stories like this because I think in one way or another, most people have had a "wonder what would have happened moment". In this story, the couple became friends first as young adults and for them, the timing to be together wasn't right. There were too many other things going on then and I don't think they could have made a relationship work. Both Cara and Devin were determined to be successful and independent in their careers. Relationships were a secondary priority.
When they finally meet again, they are at different places in their lives. Sure, they are older and that certainly is a factor. I think they both realized that the relationships you make and the love you share is what brings true happiness into your life. I loved the love that they had for each other as friends and loved seeing how it transitioned into a relationship as adults.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It truly is a heart felt romance. It was a fast, nice, read with a bit of humor thrown into the mix.
Summary:Seventeen years ago Cara and Devin met and became the best of friends. Shortly after that, Devin's father passed away and he left for college right after the funeral. Cara and Devin remained in touch periodically over the years, but eventually lost contact. Their careers defined them and they both got lost in the trail to succeed. Then, Cara decides to go home to help her parents prepare to move and comes across and old card from Devin. It says that he promises to marry her if neither one of them is married by her 35th birthday. Well, her 35th birthday is right around the corner and she's still not married and her mother is itching for some grand babies. What happens next? Her mother meddles of course, bringing Devin back to town.
My Take:I love stories like this because I think in one way or another, most people have had a "wonder what would have happened moment". In this story, the couple became friends first as young adults and for them, the timing to be together wasn't right. There were too many other things going on then and I don't think they could have made a relationship work. Both Cara and Devin were determined to be successful and independent in their careers. Relationships were a secondary priority.
When they finally meet again, they are at different places in their lives. Sure, they are older and that certainly is a factor. I think they both realized that the relationships you make and the love you share is what brings true happiness into your life. I loved the love that they had for each other as friends and loved seeing how it transitioned into a relationship as adults.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It truly is a heart felt romance. It was a fast, nice, read with a bit of humor thrown into the mix.
October 20, 2011
The Marriage Contract by Lisa Mondello
Book 2 in Fate With a Helping Hand Series
First Edition published by Domhan Books 1999
Devin Michaels had accomplished what he set out for, he was one of the most successful lawyers. So if he had everything why did he feel so empty? Since he hired Brenda three months ago and seen her brown eyes that reminded him so much of Cara Carvarlho's that’s why. His best friend who helped him through his dad's illness and death. And after not seeing her all these years, he was missing her. Devin makes a life and career changing decision after receiving a phone call from Ruthie, Cara's mother. She has invited him to Cara's 35th birthday. Good bye Manhattan and hello old times.
Cara was helping pack up her family home. How sad to think of strangers living here. While cleaning she found a birthday card from Devin, he had written that he would marry her if she were still single at thirty-five. She laughed, her mother just got excited, not good. As Cara watched strangers buying their belongings at the yard sale a face from the past comes towards her, Devin. When she feels she is unsure of her life around Devin, Cara invites her stable boring boyfriend, Roger, to join her.
Cara would rather run from what she feels for Devin than to let her mom have her way and throw them together. Meanwhile Grandma Elsie is having all the fun in the sun with a much younger man named Albert. And Ruthie continues to plot and plan on how to get her daughter to marry the right man.
**Sexual situations.
Book 2 in Fate With a Helping Hand Series
First Edition published by Domhan Books 1999
Devin Michaels had accomplished what he set out for, he was one of the most successful lawyers. So if he had everything why did he feel so empty? Since he hired Brenda three months ago and seen her brown eyes that reminded him so much of Cara Carvarlho's that’s why. His best friend who helped him through his dad's illness and death. And after not seeing her all these years, he was missing her. Devin makes a life and career changing decision after receiving a phone call from Ruthie, Cara's mother. She has invited him to Cara's 35th birthday. Good bye Manhattan and hello old times.
Cara was helping pack up her family home. How sad to think of strangers living here. While cleaning she found a birthday card from Devin, he had written that he would marry her if she were still single at thirty-five. She laughed, her mother just got excited, not good. As Cara watched strangers buying their belongings at the yard sale a face from the past comes towards her, Devin. When she feels she is unsure of her life around Devin, Cara invites her stable boring boyfriend, Roger, to join her.
Cara would rather run from what she feels for Devin than to let her mom have her way and throw them together. Meanwhile Grandma Elsie is having all the fun in the sun with a much younger man named Albert. And Ruthie continues to plot and plan on how to get her daughter to marry the right man.
**Sexual situations.
May 7, 2012
I was completely delighted the whole time I was reading THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT. Right from Chapter One I enjoyed the characters. Cara, about to approach her 35th birthday, was single and heading to her childhood home to help her mother, Ruthie, prepare the home for sale. Cara knows that this as not going to be an easy task. Between dealing with her mother and with the stress of single hood Cara knew things were bound to become complicated.
The novel takes us on a romantic adventure that starts from finding a wedding contract signed by Cara and her childhood best friend, Devin, on Cara's 18th birthday. Don't be fooled by all this...there are twists and turns, heartbreak and disappointment, as well as forgiveness, love and faith. I absolutely loved this book and finished it in one day because I had to see how it all turned out. You will laugh, cry and root for love to allow for second changes. Pick up The Marriage Contract and settle down for a great 4.5 star read.
The novel takes us on a romantic adventure that starts from finding a wedding contract signed by Cara and her childhood best friend, Devin, on Cara's 18th birthday. Don't be fooled by all this...there are twists and turns, heartbreak and disappointment, as well as forgiveness, love and faith. I absolutely loved this book and finished it in one day because I had to see how it all turned out. You will laugh, cry and root for love to allow for second changes. Pick up The Marriage Contract and settle down for a great 4.5 star read.
July 3, 2016
This is a very sweet story about Cara and Devin. They were really close friends in their teens, and on her eighteenth birthday he gave her a card in which he promised to marry her if they were both still single at thirty five. Well they are. In the interim they have both had successful careers, Devin is at the top of the tree as a defence lawyer. Add Cara's interfering mother, eccentric grandmother, and her exceedingly dull boyfriend who doesn't really want to marry, and certainly doesn't want children, to the mix and you have a delightful, wistful story that plucks at the heartstrings.
Well worth reading.
Well worth reading.
April 24, 2012
Cute weekend read. Best friends reunited to find that they mean a lot more to one another. Of course there is the inconvenient boyfriend to deal with and the fear of losing their friendship if the relationship is taken further. I found Cara's character a bit frustrating in her unwillingness to risk her friendship even though she admits to herself that they both want more. Come on! If she was unsure about Devin's respons I could understand the reluctance. Overall an enjoyable book.
Adult book
Adult book
January 16, 2015
This book is almost too stupid for words!!!
This was the stupidest book I have ever read and I have read some doozies in my life. This book was supposed to be a romantic comedy and it might have been funny if only someone had slapped Cars upside her head so that she would have some sense in the first chapter! The only one more stupid than Cara w
as me for wasting my time reading this stupid book!
This was the stupidest book I have ever read and I have read some doozies in my life. This book was supposed to be a romantic comedy and it might have been funny if only someone had slapped Cars upside her head so that she would have some sense in the first chapter! The only one more stupid than Cara w
as me for wasting my time reading this stupid book!
March 5, 2013
I enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and their battle over how they felt for each other. Devin realized much sooner than Cara. You can't help but loving Cara's mother Ruthie. Ver Good Read and I recommend.
January 23, 2014
Loved it. They parted ways 17 years earlier to let each other meet their goals and accomplish their dreams. Now they are back together but so used to life being this way that it takes a bit of push and shove to finally realize that they belong together and have always loved each other!
March 10, 2015
Love
Love of life of job life family and friends is what this story was all about but in what order as in what should be your top priority in this book we learn priority can change as we get older and wiser.
Love of life of job life family and friends is what this story was all about but in what order as in what should be your top priority in this book we learn priority can change as we get older and wiser.
February 29, 2016
Friendship and Love
I would recommend that you definitely have to read this book it is a marvelous book ,it shows how friendships endure everything and how love can be the end result of that endurance.Crazy families and all.
I would recommend that you definitely have to read this book it is a marvelous book ,it shows how friendships endure everything and how love can be the end result of that endurance.Crazy families and all.
February 26, 2012
I always like a friends to lovers book and this was a cute one.
May 29, 2012
This book was good. Cara and Devin were perfect and love was evident. I wish there was an epilogue but other than that it good.
December 2, 2012
this was a wonderful love story. we all have a Ruthie, I can see me orchestrating my sons wedding
January 6, 2013
Another of the light reading selection
November 1, 2016
Boring. DNF
January 21, 2013
Sweet, sugary, sweet.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews