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The Marriage Pact #2
Regrets Only: A Novel (The Marriage Pact) by M.J. Pullen
At thirty-three, Suzanne Hamilton has it all. A successful party-planning business with an elite client list. A swank condo in a hot Atlanta neighborhood and a close group of friends – especially her longtime best friend Marci. A list of men a mile long who have tried to win her heart and failed. Plus, she’s just landed the event that will take her career and social status to the next level. What could she possibly have to regret?Then a freak accident changes everything, and Suzanne discovers that her near-perfect life is just a few steps away from total disaster. She is humiliated and at risk of losing it all… except the surprising support of her newest celebrity client. With nothing else to go on, Suzanne follows him into an unexpected job and unfamiliar territory. Soon she will question everything – her career, her past, her friendships, and even her own dating rules. But when her catalog of past relationships turns into a list of criminal suspects, she is faced with the horrifying possibility that she may not live to regret any of it…
Hardcover
First published July 27, 2012
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About the author
M.J. Pullen
8 books235 followersM.J. Pullen (a.k.a The Distracted Writer) is the author of playful women's fiction and complex, funny contemporary romances. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
June 28, 2015
Is this a novel about the normal and everyday? Nope. Is it still real, captivating, and unputdownable? You betcha! I was introduced to Pullen’s work with the 1st novel in this series and was quite intrigued, but this novel definitely blew that one out of the water. It has love, loss, lust, suspense, family, and friendship all wrapped up in a very intriguing package.
The Pullen combines brilliant descriptions, with a solid narrative, and a captivating storyline to create the perfect balance in this will-they-won’t-they romance. I also appreciate the fact that this novel could be read as a standalone. There are a couple of pieces of background information from the first novel in the series that would help to fill in some blanks, but they aren’t necessary to get the full effect of this amazing novel.
Character development in this novel is also phenomenal. I enjoy the fact that Pullen doesn’t depend on previous novels in this series to develop the main characters. Every aspect of their lives is developed fully and completely, but in a natural manner. You don’t feel like you’re reading excerpts of a biography, but you do feel like you know the characters. They also battle with real trials and issues. There are never any out of this world encounters, even if some of the issues they deal with are at times extreme.
As a whole, I loved this novel. I had enjoyed The Marriage Pact, the first novel in the series, but I absolutely love this one. I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Pullen combines brilliant descriptions, with a solid narrative, and a captivating storyline to create the perfect balance in this will-they-won’t-they romance. I also appreciate the fact that this novel could be read as a standalone. There are a couple of pieces of background information from the first novel in the series that would help to fill in some blanks, but they aren’t necessary to get the full effect of this amazing novel.
Character development in this novel is also phenomenal. I enjoy the fact that Pullen doesn’t depend on previous novels in this series to develop the main characters. Every aspect of their lives is developed fully and completely, but in a natural manner. You don’t feel like you’re reading excerpts of a biography, but you do feel like you know the characters. They also battle with real trials and issues. There are never any out of this world encounters, even if some of the issues they deal with are at times extreme.
As a whole, I loved this novel. I had enjoyed The Marriage Pact, the first novel in the series, but I absolutely love this one. I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2016
This is a light, fun, romantic novel that would make a great Rom-Com movie! A great book for the airplane or beach...where you just want to be entertained and don't need to focus too hard.
August 17, 2012
This is the novel lovers of The Marriage Pact were waiting for. M.J. Pullen's two novels have characters, themes, and even atmosphere in common, but there is no question that Regrets Only is a solid step up from her fine work on The Marriage Pact. I enjoyed both books, but Regrets Only features a deeper look at more complex issues.
Where Marci of TMP fights through the doldrums of her life and finds a path that fits her, Suzanne is already on a path, a successful path that is forcibly ripped from beneath her feet. This story is so timely. We live in an era where 20- and 30-somethings are finding their visions of their futures abolished by forces beyond their control. Seizing that theme, Pullen explores how one woman - a very talented woman - emerges from the rubble and finds ways to survive and, in fact, transcend her circumstances.
And Pullen doesn't portray it as easy -- just as in The Marriage Pact, Suzanne makes mistakes, exhibits blind spots, and is intensely vulnerable. The fear she clearly faces time and again is palpable, and any reader can relate to the feeling of disorientation and loneliness that grips her character as she tries to reinvent herself. Her characters' humanity is a hallmark of Pullen's writing, and it is on full display here. More of the characters in Regrets Only are fully-realized than in The Marriage Pact, and I left the book wondering which of these half-dozen fascinating lives would be the subject of her next novel. We should all hope to be blessed by that book very soon.
For those who read this and think "whoa, I may not be up for anything that deep," don't worry. You'll still find yourself scolding a cowardly suitor, smiling as Marci and Suzanne banter, laughing out loud at reliably witty dialogue, and blushing at some pretty steamy scenes between the sheets. A must-read for anyone who enjoys light writing with important things to say.
Disclaimer: I was a beta-reader for Regrets Only; this review is on the published novel.
Where Marci of TMP fights through the doldrums of her life and finds a path that fits her, Suzanne is already on a path, a successful path that is forcibly ripped from beneath her feet. This story is so timely. We live in an era where 20- and 30-somethings are finding their visions of their futures abolished by forces beyond their control. Seizing that theme, Pullen explores how one woman - a very talented woman - emerges from the rubble and finds ways to survive and, in fact, transcend her circumstances.
And Pullen doesn't portray it as easy -- just as in The Marriage Pact, Suzanne makes mistakes, exhibits blind spots, and is intensely vulnerable. The fear she clearly faces time and again is palpable, and any reader can relate to the feeling of disorientation and loneliness that grips her character as she tries to reinvent herself. Her characters' humanity is a hallmark of Pullen's writing, and it is on full display here. More of the characters in Regrets Only are fully-realized than in The Marriage Pact, and I left the book wondering which of these half-dozen fascinating lives would be the subject of her next novel. We should all hope to be blessed by that book very soon.
For those who read this and think "whoa, I may not be up for anything that deep," don't worry. You'll still find yourself scolding a cowardly suitor, smiling as Marci and Suzanne banter, laughing out loud at reliably witty dialogue, and blushing at some pretty steamy scenes between the sheets. A must-read for anyone who enjoys light writing with important things to say.
Disclaimer: I was a beta-reader for Regrets Only; this review is on the published novel.
October 19, 2014
I was drawn to this book because, even with 19 reviews on Amazon, it averaged five stars. I am a picky reviewer and a tough grader. However, not only is the author a very good story teller, everything in this novel was very good--plot, characterization, believability of obstacles, dialogue, level of detail, sympathetic characters, no slow/boring parts, no excessive expressions of internal longing/self-doubt, etc. I could identify with the h, remembering all the years when my friends claimed I was too picky in who I went out with and that I didn't date anyone long enough to know if it might have worked out.(Yeah, right.) We understand what holds these two apart--an issue that is often the weakest part of contemporary romances. Suzanne is afraid of getting involved in a serious relationship to begin with (for some understandable reasons) and she is intimidated because the H is significantly younger, rich and famous, and has women throwing themselves at him. Then, too, she isn't even sure of his interest because he isn't panting after her like most men. And, we understand why he is intimidated: she is not just beautiful but her background, deportment, and style are way out of his league, she goes through men like tissues, she is strong and independent (as opposed to the groupies he usually associates with), and she doesn't show a clear sign she is interested in him. I liked it that, for a change, instead of an h who has had only one or a couple of lovers (and rather poor ones at that), the h has had the level of sexual experience that is usually only acceptable for an H. Overall, a very good job. This may not get on an all-time great books list with Gone With the Wind, but I'd be surprised if you didn't enjoy it.
September 30, 2018
I really enjoyed this for what's basically a light romance (with some sad moments and a bit of suspense). Suzanne is likeable and flawed without being nuts, Dylan is the dream guy without being too good to be true.
October 31, 2023
not bad just a cute romance but then all of a sudden she was kidnapped??? idk just not memorable I didn't care about it
September 10, 2019
It's a cute, light-hearted, story about a 30-something year old woman who is a power house in her career and yet a bit of a train wreck in her love-life. After a situation causes her business to come to a screeching halt, she needs to re-evaluate her life choices, specifically when it comes to men, and rebuild. At the same time a very handsome, famous, country singer comes into her life and gives her the warm and fuzzies.
While the romance portion of the storyline was pretty predictable, there was a mystery woven throughout. I was surprised by the reveal, the solution wasn't even in my list of 'maybe it was...' possibilities.
Also, I really loved the dynamic between her and her best friend. The emotions and biases that each one have, one happily married with a baby on the way, the other a single pringle with men falling at her feet, while exaggerated, is pretty honest. Each woman felt the need to both defend and put down the other for their life choices, which might be sparked by a sliver of jealousy for the other's lifestyle. Hmmm am I adding too much depth to this relationship? Maybe, but it's my review and I'm sticking to it!
While the romance portion of the storyline was pretty predictable, there was a mystery woven throughout. I was surprised by the reveal, the solution wasn't even in my list of 'maybe it was...' possibilities.
Also, I really loved the dynamic between her and her best friend. The emotions and biases that each one have, one happily married with a baby on the way, the other a single pringle with men falling at her feet, while exaggerated, is pretty honest. Each woman felt the need to both defend and put down the other for their life choices, which might be sparked by a sliver of jealousy for the other's lifestyle. Hmmm am I adding too much depth to this relationship? Maybe, but it's my review and I'm sticking to it!
January 29, 2014
Regrets Only by M.J. Pullen is a Flourish publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Suzanne has reached her thirties and still does not have the desire to marry and do the traditional family thing. She is very career oriented. She is a successful event planner although her first love has always been art.
After her best friend Marci gets married and settles into her happy ever after, Suzanne finds herself feeling resentful of Marci's life. Then Marci announces she is pregnant. Suzanne wants to feel happy for her friend but for some reason she just can't. This leads to an incredible blow up between the two women who have been close since they were children. Marci declares that Suzanne is self absorbed and Marci needs a break from Suzanne for awhile.
After this terrible fight, Suzanne tries to absorb all that Marci accused her of. She makes a list of all the guys she has been involved with and attempts to figure out why she can't seem to stay in a long term committed relationship.
If that weren't upsetting enough, Marci makes a MAJOR blunder with a new client. A country music superstar named Dylan gets Suzanne flustered and she makes some rather unfortunate remarks. But, Dylan's sister is getting married and Suzanne is supposed to work the wedding.
This of course puts Suzanne in contact once more with Dylan. They continue to trade barbs off and on, but they also find they can really talk to each other. But, Suzanne is no where near ready to get into a relationship and Dylan has a girlfriend.
What else could possibly add to Suzanne's stress? Well, it appears she has a stalker. Someone has been setting her up to have accidents, none of which were terribly serious, but all the same Suzanne has managed to make someone really mad.
As Suzanne works on her issues, she finds she has a gift for helping people and begins to shift the focus off of her own self and become a good listener and friend. But, her attraction to Dylan is really making it hard to avoid falling into the old habits she is trying to change. Dylan is the last person on earth she could ever hope to share a long term relationship with. It was all wrong. He was a celebrity, he had women all over him, he was always on the road and on and on. But, try as she might to deny her feelings for Dylan, if Suzanne really wants to make improvements in her life she is going to have to admit her feelings for Dylan and deal with the situation like a mature adult. No More Running Away!!
Can Suzanne change a lifetime full of bad habits? Will she and Marci mend their friendship? Will Dylan and Suzanne be able to work out their differences and make a commitment to each other? Well, first Suzanne will have to survive the wrath of her stalker!
I enjoyed Suzanne's story. All of us are flawed and in Suzanne's case she had commitment issues. Some of this stemmed from her parents disappointment in her career choice, and from a relationship that could have given Suzanne a life much the same as Marci's. But, Suzanne had freaked out and from that point on she had drifted into one short term affair after another, always finding some small reason to break it off. I don't think Suzanne really thought of herself as being self absorbed, but she found that Marci was right at least to some extent. It takes a lot of work for Suzanne to examine her life and vow to improve herself. Character growth is important to a story and Suzanne wasn't the only one with issues to work on. Dylan also will have to make some big choices if he is going to ever have a chance with Suzanne.
I also like the secondary characters. Kate, Dylan's sister, is also having some problems and finds a confidante in Suzanne.
Sadly, a tragedy will lead Suzanne into a field she never would have pictured herself in. She showed true grace and selflessness by putting others needs before her own.
This was another great chapter in this series. I give this one an A.
Suzanne has reached her thirties and still does not have the desire to marry and do the traditional family thing. She is very career oriented. She is a successful event planner although her first love has always been art.
After her best friend Marci gets married and settles into her happy ever after, Suzanne finds herself feeling resentful of Marci's life. Then Marci announces she is pregnant. Suzanne wants to feel happy for her friend but for some reason she just can't. This leads to an incredible blow up between the two women who have been close since they were children. Marci declares that Suzanne is self absorbed and Marci needs a break from Suzanne for awhile.
After this terrible fight, Suzanne tries to absorb all that Marci accused her of. She makes a list of all the guys she has been involved with and attempts to figure out why she can't seem to stay in a long term committed relationship.
If that weren't upsetting enough, Marci makes a MAJOR blunder with a new client. A country music superstar named Dylan gets Suzanne flustered and she makes some rather unfortunate remarks. But, Dylan's sister is getting married and Suzanne is supposed to work the wedding.
This of course puts Suzanne in contact once more with Dylan. They continue to trade barbs off and on, but they also find they can really talk to each other. But, Suzanne is no where near ready to get into a relationship and Dylan has a girlfriend.
What else could possibly add to Suzanne's stress? Well, it appears she has a stalker. Someone has been setting her up to have accidents, none of which were terribly serious, but all the same Suzanne has managed to make someone really mad.
As Suzanne works on her issues, she finds she has a gift for helping people and begins to shift the focus off of her own self and become a good listener and friend. But, her attraction to Dylan is really making it hard to avoid falling into the old habits she is trying to change. Dylan is the last person on earth she could ever hope to share a long term relationship with. It was all wrong. He was a celebrity, he had women all over him, he was always on the road and on and on. But, try as she might to deny her feelings for Dylan, if Suzanne really wants to make improvements in her life she is going to have to admit her feelings for Dylan and deal with the situation like a mature adult. No More Running Away!!
Can Suzanne change a lifetime full of bad habits? Will she and Marci mend their friendship? Will Dylan and Suzanne be able to work out their differences and make a commitment to each other? Well, first Suzanne will have to survive the wrath of her stalker!
I enjoyed Suzanne's story. All of us are flawed and in Suzanne's case she had commitment issues. Some of this stemmed from her parents disappointment in her career choice, and from a relationship that could have given Suzanne a life much the same as Marci's. But, Suzanne had freaked out and from that point on she had drifted into one short term affair after another, always finding some small reason to break it off. I don't think Suzanne really thought of herself as being self absorbed, but she found that Marci was right at least to some extent. It takes a lot of work for Suzanne to examine her life and vow to improve herself. Character growth is important to a story and Suzanne wasn't the only one with issues to work on. Dylan also will have to make some big choices if he is going to ever have a chance with Suzanne.
I also like the secondary characters. Kate, Dylan's sister, is also having some problems and finds a confidante in Suzanne.
Sadly, a tragedy will lead Suzanne into a field she never would have pictured herself in. She showed true grace and selflessness by putting others needs before her own.
This was another great chapter in this series. I give this one an A.
April 24, 2016
I picked up Regrets Only when I needed a quick fun contemporary read, which is what I got. The story enters around an event planner, Suzanne, who was planning a big event for country star Dylan Burke. Unfortunately during the event, something goes very wrong and Suzanne's reputation as an event planner goes down the drain. Not only that, but it seems like someone is out to get Suzanne. Dylan comes to the rescue (for her career) and asks her to plan his sister's wedding, which she accepts.
Obviously sparks fly for Suzanne and Dylan.. however he is seven years younger... and Suzanne has commitment issues (to say the least). There's also the whole mystery behind who was out to get Suzanne. Unfortunately I felt the mystery was slightly unnecessary because it was underdeveloped and to be honest obstructed the flow of the story more than it gave it interest. Maybe because I read too many mystery novels. So take this mystery plot with a grain of salt. Suzanne and Dylan's relationship as somewhat messy.. but I mean, it is one of the times where it had reason to be messy. I really liked Suzanne and Dylan's friendship, and I wished it was developed more before jumping into the romance, but it was still enjoyable.
If you want to pick up a contemporary to get you out of a reading slump, or one you can read through quickly, then this is the one for you. Even if it isn't 100% memorable, at the time I was reading it, I was interested enough to sit and read for long stretches of time. This is a feat for me especially since I have only read 8 books in 2016 so far.
Obviously sparks fly for Suzanne and Dylan.. however he is seven years younger... and Suzanne has commitment issues (to say the least). There's also the whole mystery behind who was out to get Suzanne. Unfortunately I felt the mystery was slightly unnecessary because it was underdeveloped and to be honest obstructed the flow of the story more than it gave it interest. Maybe because I read too many mystery novels. So take this mystery plot with a grain of salt. Suzanne and Dylan's relationship as somewhat messy.. but I mean, it is one of the times where it had reason to be messy. I really liked Suzanne and Dylan's friendship, and I wished it was developed more before jumping into the romance, but it was still enjoyable.
If you want to pick up a contemporary to get you out of a reading slump, or one you can read through quickly, then this is the one for you. Even if it isn't 100% memorable, at the time I was reading it, I was interested enough to sit and read for long stretches of time. This is a feat for me especially since I have only read 8 books in 2016 so far.
February 5, 2016
4.5 Stars This was a pretty funny book for me. Suzanne Hamilton is one of the best event coordinator's in the business, until she is sabotaged. There are a lot of suspects and I went back and forth trying to figure it out. Meanwhile, there's a little love story slowly brewing.
There were so many laugh out moments in this book and of course, you are rooting for Susanne the whole way. Duh!!!
I will say for those of you who care, there is implicit sex for about 10 of the last 30 pages. Just FYI.
It was also pretty funny when Suzanne was trying to figure out why she had dated so many men and still hadn't found the right one.
I was sad when the book ended, because, yet again, I did not want to leave these characters. I found the story to be well written, the characters definitely believable and the book fun, entertaining and an enjoyable read.
Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. There's everything you could ask for in this book. Romance, mystery, kidnapping, redneck hillbillies, a celebrity and a gay assistant who is just a hoot.
There were so many laugh out moments in this book and of course, you are rooting for Susanne the whole way. Duh!!!
I will say for those of you who care, there is implicit sex for about 10 of the last 30 pages. Just FYI.
It was also pretty funny when Suzanne was trying to figure out why she had dated so many men and still hadn't found the right one.
I was sad when the book ended, because, yet again, I did not want to leave these characters. I found the story to be well written, the characters definitely believable and the book fun, entertaining and an enjoyable read.
Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. There's everything you could ask for in this book. Romance, mystery, kidnapping, redneck hillbillies, a celebrity and a gay assistant who is just a hoot.
January 13, 2014
The book started slow for me with a slow build up. Once Suzanne/Dylan started to interact it got better. I was surprise it took them that long to get together and not much in the way of sex happened. The girls Dylan would talk to got on my nerve especially Misty. Then we had the stalker aspect of the book i was surprise by who it was and they were crazy. I did like the surpporting characters with the extra storylines involved. I was hoping Suzanne would not run as she usually does because it seems to be a habit for her. She claims to want more but wants to have an independant life and thinks that will go away if shes in a relationship. I do think she is a little crazy herself and Dylan is a saint to deal with her. I also, didnt get the long breaks in the storyline especailly after Suzanne revealed her feelings. But in the end it was an okay read.
August 2, 2012
I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of M.J. Pullen's sequel to The Marriage Pact and I was not disappointed!
From the opening chapter, I was hooked. I couldn't wait to follow Suzanne on her journey. Just what would happen with Dylan Burke? A surprising twist in the middle of the book kept me turning the page! I couldn't put it down. The characters are well developed and I feel as if I know them (or at least want to know them!) Pullen's attention to detail is amazing and really puts the reader in the locations of the characters. A well written, fun read!
Will there be a book three in the series? I hope so!
From the opening chapter, I was hooked. I couldn't wait to follow Suzanne on her journey. Just what would happen with Dylan Burke? A surprising twist in the middle of the book kept me turning the page! I couldn't put it down. The characters are well developed and I feel as if I know them (or at least want to know them!) Pullen's attention to detail is amazing and really puts the reader in the locations of the characters. A well written, fun read!
Will there be a book three in the series? I hope so!
August 17, 2012
I LOVED THIS SEQUEL TO "THE MARRIAGE PACT". AS SOON AS I FINISHED IT... I WANTED A 3RD BOOK. WE FINALLY GET INTO THE LIFE OF SUZANNE AND HER "PRAYING MANTIS" WAYS W/ MEN. I LOVED DYLAN BURKE FROM THE BEGINNING BECAUSE OF HIS COWBOY, COUNTRY SINGER WAYS. WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH STORY, IT WAS A GREAT STORY THAT HAD ME CRAVING FOR MORE. THERE WAS ALSO A PART IN THE BOOK WHERE I CRINGED B/C I WAS VERY UNHAPPY W/ A DECISION I THOUGHT SUZANNE WAS GOING TO MAKE. I ALMOST LOST IT BUT THEN I COOLED DOWN. :D I REALLY LIKED THIS STORY.
August 17, 2012
Loved it!! I want to be in this crazy circle of friends and live in their fictitious world. I love event planning and Suzanne's neuroses puts me to shame. I now want to go back and read the first book again to get to know Marci and Jake better.
I read most of this book on our road trip and even though I get car sick when I read I couldn't put this down!
I read most of this book on our road trip and even though I get car sick when I read I couldn't put this down!
May 17, 2016
A super romantic comedy! It drew me in right from the beginning and I was compelled to read straight through. The characters were wonderful and so well painted that I really wanted to know what the next steps in their lives would be. The underlying mystery that is woven throughout the book is spectacular - either theme could stand alone but together is magic. A good read.
August 12, 2012
Great sequel! Marci was involved enough to satisfy the readers. I really enjoyed all the twist and turns and was very happy with the final outcome. Hope there is a 3rd book to let us see more of the future!
March 4, 2016
Omg a Great book but I think this story was a little ....uh...common because everybody has that one guy almost everyone loves that one girl that don't but other than that i will read other because it was GREAT
March 14, 2016
Review to come later.
Quick thoughts: really a 3.5 star level of enjoyment.
Quick thoughts: really a 3.5 star level of enjoyment.
August 8, 2018
(Audiobook)
A strong protagonist, like 4 different interwoven plots that didn't seem like too much, a good deal of fun and funny moments. I liked getting a little look into secondary characters' lives which were more often than not pretty well developed.
Things I Did Not Like:
1. The main character's love life was 'pathologized' by so many of the other characters, but the main love interest's sexual past was nothing that needed to be examined.
2. The death of the black detective itself, and the fact that it provides the inspiration for a charity/foundation
Now, I can perfectly understand where one person's romantic relationships could be problematic while another person's are not. That it was the woman with the 'issue' is just too common of a representation for me.
Similarly, the fact that the the first POC portrayed (in the city of Atlanta which is still majority black/AA) is the one who dies isn't something I love to encounter. Although I did think her character was pretty well done, again it's a matter representation - please make it common to have POC in these worlds and for them to sometimes have the same pedestrian lives as the other characters (yes, with perhaps some kidnapping/professional sabotage mixed in).
Other stereotypes I was more happy to overlook, however, were the Dramatic Gays, Pushy Tarts, Dudes Who Love Sports, Lewd Dudes, and Chubby Sociopaths. I guess we all have our pet peeves?
Overall a fun read (listen), with interesting plot(s), a bevy of mostly well-drawn characters, and juicy unfulfilled/ultimately fulfilled love.
A strong protagonist, like 4 different interwoven plots that didn't seem like too much, a good deal of fun and funny moments. I liked getting a little look into secondary characters' lives which were more often than not pretty well developed.
Things I Did Not Like:
1. The main character's love life was 'pathologized' by so many of the other characters, but the main love interest's sexual past was nothing that needed to be examined.
2. The death of the black detective itself, and the fact that it provides the inspiration for a charity/foundation
Now, I can perfectly understand where one person's romantic relationships could be problematic while another person's are not. That it was the woman with the 'issue' is just too common of a representation for me.
Similarly, the fact that the the first POC portrayed (in the city of Atlanta which is still majority black/AA) is the one who dies isn't something I love to encounter. Although I did think her character was pretty well done, again it's a matter representation - please make it common to have POC in these worlds and for them to sometimes have the same pedestrian lives as the other characters (yes, with perhaps some kidnapping/professional sabotage mixed in).
Other stereotypes I was more happy to overlook, however, were the Dramatic Gays, Pushy Tarts, Dudes Who Love Sports, Lewd Dudes, and Chubby Sociopaths. I guess we all have our pet peeves?
Overall a fun read (listen), with interesting plot(s), a bevy of mostly well-drawn characters, and juicy unfulfilled/ultimately fulfilled love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2017
I thought this was much better than the "first" book in the series, The Marriage Pact. It's not really necessary to read that book before this one, though, although I did like knowing the background story of Marci and Jake, as well as Rebecca's part in all of that, since Suzanne spends quite a bit of time with all three in this story.
The book was mostly predictable, although there were some things that I didn't see coming.
Like my friend Katelyn said in her review, it's a bit of fluff, but entertaining and a fun read.
The book was mostly predictable, although there were some things that I didn't see coming.
Like my friend Katelyn said in her review, it's a bit of fluff, but entertaining and a fun read.
June 29, 2017
The second part of a series and although it's is easy to follow, you keep on wondering what happend before. But that is my fault for not starting with the first book.
The story was nice with a hint of suspense that kept growing but then suddenly fell a little flat. Afterwards it picked up again but it ended too soon. I would have liked it to last a bit longer. From that moment on it is going towards a happy ending or does Suzanne keep having doubts?
It's a chicklit lifted to a higher level thanks to the suspense part.
The story was nice with a hint of suspense that kept growing but then suddenly fell a little flat. Afterwards it picked up again but it ended too soon. I would have liked it to last a bit longer. From that moment on it is going towards a happy ending or does Suzanne keep having doubts?
It's a chicklit lifted to a higher level thanks to the suspense part.
May 27, 2020
Definitely better than its predecessor, Regrets Only leans heavily on the assumption that the reader will willingly suspend disbelief throughout the story (unrealistic goings-on abound). Once that’s been done, however, this novel is an enjoyable bit of soft-hearted fluff that had me rooting for Scarlett (Suzanne) and Dylan throughout. I really did enjoy it, even as I rolled my eyes a bit.
3-3.5 stars
3-3.5 stars
January 26, 2021
This is the second book in a series but can be read as a stand alone which is what I did. It is your typical chick lit/rom com type book. It did take a twist through the middle with the stalker and could have gone two ways from there. The author chose to kind of gloss over it and keep on towards happily ever after. This kept the book pretty light overall.
**goodreads first reads giveaway book**
**goodreads first reads giveaway book**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2018
Oh dear. Just skim read the last fifty pages because I couldn't wait to finish it so I could move on to something else. I borrowed this book from the library because the author's work was compared to Emily Giffin's. Love Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed and Something Blue, were fantastic. This not so much. Skip this and read Giffin instead, if you haven't already.
January 12, 2019
This is a good story, I could hardly put it down. It’s a one day read. Suzanne has a lot of sass with her event job. She found out with all her dating, she just may finally have found her match, but still doubts herself. Dylan Burke is a famous singer and she has even more reasons to think they won’t work and she is almost killed by some crazies.
May 3, 2018
I get the impression that this author talks a lot. Several of the scenes are too detailed (a bit overkill). I dang near forgot about the attack. the happening afterwards erased it. I was all set to read the next book but just thinking about it makes my head hurts.
December 4, 2018
Didn't love the characters at first, but they grew on me, as did the book. Not normally a "chic lit" reader, but this is good romantic comedy that doesn't need a lot of attention to read; take it to the beach.
July 21, 2022
I'm not sure whether to categorize it as slow-burn or enemies to lovers, but the build for this couple was so sweet and cozy and felt genuine. The only reason I didn't rate 5 stars was because there was some traumatic stuff that got a little too real for me.
August 6, 2023
Story is a romance/mystery rolled into one - both were enjoyable, easy to read. You can read book description on flap. ( My notes - was alittle surprised Suzanne and Dylan got together but why not 😉)
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December 28, 2016
Cute, but predictable. Standard chick lit. I do get tired of the perfect "long blonde hair, size 6" heroines.
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