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Men With Badges #1

Marital Bitch

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Some people never grow up, and there are some people you never grow out of no matter how hard you try.

She’s irrational. He’s crass. She wanted out of South Boston. He never wanted to leave. She keeps him at a distance. He refuses to leave her side. Together, Colleen Frasier and Bradley Patrick are ridiculous and juvenile. Apart, they’re just plain miserable.

While Detective Bradley Patrick was keeping the streets of South Boston safe, Colleen Frasier was busy litigating late into the evening and admiring the view from her high-rise condo downtown. Her life was perfect– sort of. She spent too much time drinking her high-priced lattes and acquiring an impressive shoe collection and before she knew it she was 35 and time for all that other stuff she wanted, like a husband and children, was quickly passing her by. And then there’s that longtime rift that’s kept her and her childhood best friend, Bradley Patrick, at odds for over a decade.

All of that changes on Colleen’s 35th birthday when she receives a surprise marriage proposal from Brad. One night. One birthday wish. Trouble is, he brings out the worst in Colleen. She can’t possibly marry him, can she? She’s never been very good at saying “no” to him, either. What was supposed to end the next day with an annulment takes on a life of its own when video of the wedding ends up on the internet and their families are overjoyed by the news. Fearing the shame of her Catholic family, Colleen has a proposal of her own: pretend the marriage is for real– and Brad is all too willing to play the doting husband.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2013

138 people are currently reading
1925 people want to read

About the author

J.C. Emery

23 books1,249 followers
As a child, JC was fascinated by things that went bump in the night. As they say, some things never change. Now, as an adult, she divides her time between the sexy law men, mythical creatures, bad-ass bikers, and kick-ass heroines that live inside her head and her Netflix addiction. JC is a San Francisco Bay Area native, but has also called both Texas and Louisiana home. These days she rocks her flip flops year-round in Northern California and can't imagine a climate more beautiful. Her dream is to own her own Harley and she feels compelled to tell you that she is Team Peeta all the way.

JC is the author of the Men with Badges series, The Birthright Series, and the Bayonet Scars series.

Find JC Emery on the web...

http://www.jcemery.com
http://twitter.com/jc_emery
http://www.facebook.com/jcemeryauthor
http://www.goodreads.com/jc_emery

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5 stars
686 (25%)
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931 (35%)
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717 (26%)
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209 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
Profile Image for Margo - Putting the Mmmmmm back in Menage.
280 reviews120 followers
March 5, 2013
Summary
RUN don't walk to buy Marital Bitch by J.C. Emery now. It is currently FREE on Amazon, and it was more than worth the cost even if I'd paid full price. In fact I may go buy it on Barnes & Noble just because I think the author deserves the appreciation. Colleen Fraser and Bradley Patrick are what Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli wish they could be. They're funnier, more messed up, and hilariously outrageous.

Fantasy World
This story is all about Boston and the neighborhood of Southie. It's so real it's like taking a vaction in the movie Good Will Hunting.

Tingle Factor
J.C. Emery makes the men real right down to the farts and belches yet sexy all the same. You'll want to shove Colleen out of the way and cuff Brad to the bed so you can have your way with him.

Romance
This relationship has more potholes than a Boston highway after a long winter. Both Brad and Colleen are overgrown children who can't admit their feelings let alone manage an adult relationship. It is no foregone conclusion these two are going to achieve a happy ending. In fact it's not always certain they even want one.

Drama
Colleen has achieved her dream of escaping Southie and becoming a lawyer but has found it brings little happiness. In fact she's almost jealous of Brad's easy acceptance of who he is. Does she betray everything she's worked for if she becomes happily married? Add in all the well meaning “help” from their families and it is a recipe for both hilarity and disaster.

Heroine
Colleen is very Irish in a tragically comic sort of way. She rides the roller coaster of actions without considering consequences while clinging stubbornly to her pride. When she finally starts to extract her head from her ass, she goes on the hormone trip from hell and everyone needs to buckle their seat belts.

Hero
Brad is a typical guy. He's an Irish cop just like his father who loves his family, his neighborhood, and the Red Sox. He's a smart guy though and he knows what makes Colleen tick. That doesn't mean he doesn't do stupid things which result in disaster. He's so adorable you'll even be able to overlook the farting.
Profile Image for Kelly.
1,652 reviews47 followers
April 8, 2013
I thought that whole premise to this novel was quite interesting and could have made for a very lively and entertaining romance novel. Instead I felt that it fell short of my expectations.

Characters: Coleen was mental. Not in an I'm-so-cute-but-don't-mess way or a I'm-mental-but-funny-so-you-love-me way, but in an I'm-scary-and-unrelatable way. I didn't want her to end up with Brad because for all her judging, he was the better person. Emery kept emphasising that they were normal people apart but angry and messed up together, yet Brad stayed the same throughout, it was Coleen who was bipolar. In the end I found that her constant switching from hot to cold just interrupted the flow of the novel and it became a bit too fragmented.

Brad's chapters were by far the best parts of the novel for me. He was funny and charming and I fell in love with him as I should. I loved that he snored and was manly and flawed (Wahey rhyming review), and wasn't some super-perfect billionaire like so many 'heroes' now. Despite Coleen constantly bitching about how he arranged himself in public or how he had a slight paunch or whatever else, I found myself siding with Brad more than Coleen throughout.

Plot: I loved the whole idea of two best friends who were so similar and so close that they constantly clashed, but were ultimately right for each other, was a great plotline. The whole Heather storyline really bugged me, not only did I think it was a stupid reason for them to not be talking, I think it made me think even less of Coleen because she seemed to break boundaries in an attempt to isolate Brad.

For a Kindle freebie it was a quick and light read, but I did find that I was getting annoyed with certain aspects rather than just enjoying it.
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
1,717 reviews161 followers
February 4, 2017
3.5

I love a best friends to lovers plot and a marriage of convenience plot so this one didn't have to do much to be a good read for me.

It was pretty funny in places, with some cute characters doing some stupid things. The humour bordered on the slapstick at times and I was reminded of the Neighbors from Hell series more than once.

Bradley is a detective, Colleen a lawyer, they've been besties since childhood and now they've both reached their mid thirties without ever getting serious about anyone.

Brad was cute, a belching, farting guy with bad breath and a loud mouth. I realise I've not exactly cast in him in the most flattering light, but I'm easily pleased. I quite liked him actually. Colleen on the other hand was a bit of a raging biatch and behaved like a nut job at times; I found her hard to like tbh.

It was cute but some of the craziness got a bit too daft for me, particularly towards the end and that did spoil my enjoyment a little. Still, it was an ok read for a freebie.

Complete story.





Profile Image for Candice.
2,954 reviews135 followers
March 22, 2013
I got this for free on Amazon. What was I expecting? Not sure. I have to say this was pretty funny. However, I thought that "pretty girl" was acting like a child most of the time. Sticking her tongue out, lashing out, throwing things, etc. How Brad put up with all that, I have no idea.

They are best friends, but yet they can't talk to each other?? UGH!

Why the 3 stars? Because I laughed at the games. I laughed at the vows. I laughed at "come now". I laughed at the 2 headed baby. I laughed 'borrowing' pee.

It would have rated better if Colleen wasn't so bi-polar and they actually talked to each other.

A couple of loose ends
Profile Image for M3tamorphasis11.
142 reviews11 followers
March 17, 2013
First off the Title just POPPED at me! I was hooked at that moment, I just had to read it. Let me tell ya, I can so relate in many ways to these characters.

Fantastically written!

Colleen and Bradley are two people from Southie that have grown up together. Literally, since the cradle, Best of friends. For Colleen, Bradley needed to give her his undivided attention and for Bradley, Colleen's happiness and protection is the world to him. That and the fact that he wants all of her love...Well, life happens; they grow, they experiment and experience and fight, fight, fight, banter, banter, banter. Stop talking to each other, but make each other guffaw like no other. Hurt each other, but if it goes to far, are right there to apologize and be the shoulder they need for one another. They both LOVE each other like best friends and soul mates, but they are so ignorant to the soul mate part. Long and behold make each others existance miserable, but just can't stay away and don't want to lose each other. They'd rather be friends than not be anything at all...Fastforward,
The gang is going on a trip to...*Drum Roll* VEGAS! The trip starts off bad, but things work out and everyone arrives safely. Settle in and go out into the town. Do their thing, get drunk. Of course, inebriation-always the ingredient to either a disasterous or hilarious situation; adds to the fun. Well, depending how you look at it. Colleen and Bradley are catching up; having been apart and not having spoken in a while before the trip. Bustin' each others chops, bantering, trying to get the better of the other and sit next to an elderly couple at a poker or roulette table. After several exchanges; well more the older ladies two sense...the older woman's words gets Colleen to thinking and remembering. Beginning to hurt Colleen's feelings and in return cause her to feel defensive. Bradley, of course, realizes this, especially since he knows Colleen better that she knows herself. Takes her out on a walk and does the Bradley thang! He proposes to Colleen and offers her up a plan. What begins as a joke and funny fun, turns into more than they bargained for, but down deeply always dreamed of and never worked up the nerve to even entertain it long enough.

This book was filled with angsts, banter, hilarious and embarassing; no humiliating situations. A lot of the times I thought, Bradley just loved pissing off Colleen for the hell of it! For other reasons as well ;) *So my husband, loves to tick me off! ;) * They begin their life together, pranking each other and all the while making each other look terribly bad around colleagues, family and friends. The one upping each other is what they are trying to ensure. I had tears of guffaw! It was hard to breathe. Seriously! Eventually, things turn out to get more intense, serious, and intimate. I loved what they meant for each other, this book is so wonderful and truley displays the friendship that blossoms into love and the love that ensures the friendship thrive. Bradley was very rough around the edges, crass, playful, jokester, prankster, and pain the ass; but he was also, thoughtful, considerate, protective, loving (especially). He was everything Colleen needed and Colleen was everything he needed. Made for each other, those two were. No one understood them, but themselves; perfect chaos. LMBOROFL! The *PORNTOP* and the *VIAGRA* pranks were priceless. I was laughing so hard for a while, I couldn't breathe. My husband was ready to put a straight jacket on me. I already knew what was going to happen at the beginning of each situation before reading further. I was laughing as I eased into each one. It was like watching a train wreck happen. I was all; "Don't do it!", "Ah, hell woman, leave the laptop", "Red flag!!" "Don't open it!" , "abort, abort" , and "Don't take it, you'll be sorry dude!" GASPPPPPPPPPPPP GUFFAW!!!! This was awesome. The title was great indication. I have been married a while, so it was just too perfectly funny!!

I really recommend you read...go, go, get it!!
Profile Image for Michelle [Helen Geek].
1,775 reviews411 followers
February 28, 2013
02/27/2013 --

Overall Rating = 3.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 2 / 5 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 3.5 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars [Free on Amazon – $.99 on B&N]

This was a cute story. A story about Boston cop, and a Harvard educated lawyer. These two have been so important to each other for forever and can't remember a past without the other in it; best friends their whole lives. They each love the other, but do they LOVE the other? Brad does and now we need to convince Colleen. It really comes down to timing and their timing sucks.

A few things I thought really worked:
1 -- IT WAS FREE [checked and it still is!]!! Why is this important, I'm a book hoarder. I snag all these Amazon freebies and never get around to reading them. So, this year, one of my resolutions, read at least one Amazon freebie a month. I think I've read about four this month!
2 -- This is a debut book and I think the author did a pretty good job. I really liked Brad. He was rough around the edges. I was a little put off at first when the author talked about his bad breath and his other not so pleasant aspects, but he was real. I think this is what she was shooting for and it worked. I loved his nickname for Colleen; pretty girl. Colleen and her crazy antics about drove me up a tree, but in a weird way, I liked her too. She grew on me.
3 -- The setting was working class Boston. Brad is a cop and comes from a family of cops. He and Colleen grew up together. Their parents are best friends. All their lives the fabric of their families has been woven so tightly you don't know where one ends and the other begins. They are tough and a bit rough around the edges, but she represented this well. They love where they live; Red Sox, NE Patriots, Celtics ... What's not to love?
4 -- These are two very imperfect people, in their mid-30's, attractive, but normal people. We don't have a bad boy with tons of angst. We don't have absolutely gorgeous people. We just have people. A pair of people who are the other half of each other and have been their whole lives. We watch as they figure this out. We want to pull our hair out at some of the craziness, but then we laugh out loud and shake our heads. Just nutty, but in a nice way.
5 -- The blurb grabbed me. Had me reading it the same day I downloaded it and this just doesn't happen to me often and certainly not with a freebie.

There were a few things that could have been a bit better for me:
1 -- Colleen's craziness was a bit over the top in a few places. Brad really carried the story for me. This girl was a Harvard grad, but she didn't seem to really be that smart. The logic of her behavior just didn't quite gel.
2 -- The storytelling lagged a bit in places. Not long or lingering, but noticeable. Now, I'm one of those readers who gets terribly impatient quickly, so for me this can be the KISS OF DEATH with any book. Know, it didn't last long or I probably would not have finished it.
3 -- The cover just sucked! Does not do the book justice. The clawing hand was a real distraction. Change the hand and it would be okay.

I hope you have an opportunity to pick up this gem. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. For a debut, I think JC Emery does a really nice job. I'm excited she will have another out soon. I'll definitely read more of her.

Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Stacey.
61 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2013
While I finished this book I really had trouble with it. First off Colleen is supposed to be 35 years old but acts like a petulant child. How Brad put up with her is beyond me. And to be that far out of law school and still be such a low man in the company should have been a huge clue to her. And she acted like that was the only law firm in all of Boston. I mean come on. If she was smart enough to get through law school then she is smart enough to find another job that doesn't make her miserable. By the end of the book I was kind of wishing Darla would literally smack her upside the head.
Profile Image for Cristina Buzoianu.
Author 9 books168 followers
January 26, 2015
Well... this book was nothing like I was expecting and everything I hadn't, but oh, how I loved it!
I had so much fun while reading it and I got fond of the characters.
It's a quick and fun read, perfect for a summer day, but I'd be lying to say that some moments in it didn't bring tears to my eyes.

If you love funny books with bantering couples and awesome supporting characters, go grab this NOW!
I really need more than just five stars to rate it properly.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
June 7, 2018
💝FREE on Amazon today (6/7/2018)!💝
Profile Image for Jenn.
120 reviews184 followers
March 24, 2013
This book was free on Amazon, when I picked it up. I really like it and I would give it a 3.5. The first 20% was back ground on the characters in the book and the set up. Once you got past that it was pretty good and quite a few laughs.I would read the next book this author has coming out for sure=D
Profile Image for Shreya.
121 reviews61 followers
July 6, 2013
Read this book immediately... Like right now...!!! L.O.V.E.D it... :)
Profile Image for Goddess Of Blah.
514 reviews76 followers
June 1, 2013

This book is awesome!!! Funny, actually HILARIOUS, heart-warming, lots of family drama with a realistic romance and an ending that will leave you glad you read the book.

The family drama is brilliant. I loved Colleen Frasier's family (including her inlaws). Just reading about the Frasier and Patrick households is entertaining. The author can really make South Boston sound like an interesting place. I can't articulate enough how good this book was.

If you prefer the clichéd, typical hero's currently found in every book (tall, dark, handsome brooding wealthy types - either a weird billionaire with odd se*xual habits or a vampire) than you may not appreciate a realistic version of the male species. The male protagonist is all male, but realistic male. Not a pretty boy with fangs or a billionaire with issues.

Brilliant plot, characters, ending, everything. Very funny. Beautiful story. Loved it

Some people never grow up, and there are some people you never grow out of no matter how hard you try.

She’s irrational. He’s crass. She wanted out of South Boston. He never wanted to leave. She keeps him at a distance. He refuses to leave her side. Together, Colleen Frasier and Bradley Patrick are ridiculous and juvenile. Apart, they’re just plain miserable.

While Detective Bradley Patrick was keeping the streets of South Boston safe, Colleen Frasier was busy litigating late into the evening and admiring the view from her high-rise condo downtown. Her life was perfect– sort of. She spent too much time drinking her high-priced lattes and acquiring an impressive shoe collection and before she knew it she was 35 and time for all that other stuff she wanted, like a husband and children, was quickly passing her by. And then there’s that longtime rift that’s kept her and her childhood best friend, Bradley Patrick, at odds for over a decade.

All of that changes on Colleen’s 35th birthday when she receives a surprise marriage proposal from Brad. One night. One birthday wish. Trouble is, he brings out the worst in Colleen. She can’t possibly marry him, can she? She’s never been very good at saying “no” to him, either. What was supposed to end the next day with an annulment takes on a life of its own when video of the wedding ends up on the internet and their families are overjoyed by the news. Fearing the shame of her Catholic family, Colleen has a proposal of her own: pretend the marriage is for real– and Brad is all too willing to play the doting husband.

MEN WITH BADGES

A line of romance novels with spunk! New city, new love, new characters, and new adventures– all with the classic heat you expect in your romance. From silly to suspenseful, each MEN WITH BADGES book features a hot new male lead. He may not always be in uniform, but he always carries a badge.

Check out THE SWITCH, book two in the Men with Badges series, at the end of Marital Bitch!
Profile Image for K.M..
166 reviews2 followers
March 4, 2013
I can thoroughly exclaim that this was a GOOD READ. As I read a lot of romance novels that include insta-love, overly-sentimental chicks, unrealistically debonair or extreme Alpha-type men, and/or a predictable plot-line, Marital Bitch was a breath of fresh air.

The premise of the book included a group of childhood friends from Boston going to Vegas to celebrate Colleen's birthday. Colleen is a sophisticated, type-A, career-oriented Harvard law school grad - oft embarrassed of her humble Boston roots, most specifically, her accent! Her male best friend is Brad, a ball-scratching, snoring, burping Boston cop that fully embraces his upbringing, for better or worse. They are complete opposites and usually end up arguing with one another. Brad and Colleen have denied their romantic inclinations for quite some time. However, both are realizing that maybe they don't just love each other, maybe they're actually in love with each other. While in Vegas, a comical chain of events forces the friends to explore their feelings together.

This book was free on Amazon and I was amazed at how much I loved it. I personally related to Colleen, as we have similar personalities - focused on advancing careers, personal life taking a back seat, and brushing off embarrassing blights from our childhoods (even if that includes immature friends). I'm also a bit crazy, an occasional disgusting slob, and prone to break out of my sophisticated facade via random outbursts of immaturity. I liked that the author painted Colleen as a regular woman that has good days and bad days. She loves Brad but is deathly afraid to actually admit it. She ends up resorting to inane antics to get his attention.

Bradley is Colleen's opposite: he's not worried about advancing his career outside of the police department, he's crude and brash and not ashamed of it, and his little biological clock is ticking. Again, the author made this character believable and relatable. Brad doesn't have a perfectly chiseled 6 pack and he doesn't always say the appropriate thing. But he's in love with Colleen and makes it perfectly clear that he wants her in his life, permanently.

The themes of first love, lifelong friendships, as well as the effects of adult-life on said first love and lifelong friendships, are apparent. J.C. Emery's penchant for crude humor is right up my alley. I like her brand of romance and the 3 dimensional characters she's created. Too many romance authors come up with these unbelievably well-put-together females and males that are semi-perfect. Which is probably why I keep looking for my non-existent Mr. Right!! Good to see an authentic (i.e.- typically flawed) modern-day romance. Ready for book number 2!
Profile Image for Goge (BARRONS) le Moning Maniac,.
822 reviews68 followers
February 24, 2015
This was.. Endearing. It made me laugh, cry, sigh in annoyance and disappointment, happy... This book felt REAL (life's struggles and all that jazz). The story felt like the story of their lives, real, 3D, like I was peeking into a real live relationship. "One step forward and two steps back." HOLY F*CK BUT THAT IS SO TRUE FOR THEM.

He's gruff and he loves her and he's crude and he's sweet and funny and very dude-like and sometimes he got on my nerves. She held her own against her Hero. Sometimes her character was a bit unstable and seemed different to me though.. Colleen was unpredictable, fun, crazy (as much as he was saying she was), bi-polar-like, and sometimes..
They matched very well. Even when I was upset with them I was always cheering for them to be together because I got swept into their pace and how they did things and to me, they're 'it' for one another. The only person they'll be happy, truly, with. They went around in circles so much though my eyes probably crossed themselves multiple upon multiple times.

I wish I had more lovey dovey time with them. I wanted to read more of their interaction when they're being loving towards one another. They're separated and arguing and misunderstanding one another a lot. I read a lot of discord. I wanted to read more happy times of them together. Some things flew by glossy-like and I understand why since this book is crushed/jam-packed with lots of events and fast paced them/their-life but I still wanted the gloss to go away some so I could read what was directly happening. I got a lot of quick caps which sucked sometimes.. And I just realized! Colleen never found out the truth about Vicky!! Brad got away with his little game. Boo!

4.5 Stars I really enjoyed and liked this book but I also longed for more..

This book is unique. Different from what I've read before. The title befits the book.


UPDATE: Feb 2015
Just reread this. Waiting for my tears to dry. It’s as frustrating, heart wrenching, lovable, psychotically messy, and good as I recall.
Profile Image for Crystal Marie.
1,483 reviews68 followers
April 10, 2013
Who said that being married was always easy?

Growing up, all Colleen wanted to do was get out of her town. She wanted the high life, the fast living and mainly forgetting where she came from. Bradley loved everything about where he grew up and never wanted to leave. And of course they are best friends, everyone knows opposites attract. Desperate to prove herself in her job, she puts the rest of her life on hold. But Bradley can tell that she’s missing out on life.

What started as a reason to make her smile, and of course the alcohol that was involved, Bradley helped make one of Colleen’s goals come to life, to be married. After a trip to the wedding chapel, and plans to go to the courthouse the next day, things seem to take a drastic change when technology has gotten in the way of the plans. How can Colleen and Bradley make a marriage work when they are constantly fighting with each other as friends?

When I first got this book, I was unsure of what to think of it. It didn’t seem as though something I would enjoy reading, because it’s not my normal type of book. However after starting to read it, I couldn’t put it down! This book made me laugh to the point where I was in tears. There were parts that made me so upset with what was going on that I was actually yelling at the characters! The way that JC was able to be so descriptive with Colleen and Bradley, it was as though you could see them standing in front of you. Overall I have recommended this book to several of my friends and I will continue to in the future. JC has an amazing way with words and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

Sometimes you just have to take that step out of your comfort zone and then you will find something that can make you smile. And that comment works for both the book and for reading this book if it’s not in your normal reading genre!
Profile Image for Terri.
265 reviews19 followers
April 1, 2013

This book is a hilariously manic rant, which had me snorting with laughter on several occasions. I loved the off-balanced, crazy Colleen, and the slightly disgusting and obnoxious, but sexy Brad. I understood why they each drove each other crazy, and also understood why they were both absolutely cray in love with each other. This book was such a fun ride. I found both characters extremely frustrating! but for me that was half the fun.

On the down side: This book needed an editor. There were lots of grammar issues, and some bad proof-reading mistakes, which to me is really, really inexcusable. If you want to self-publish and charge money for work, then read, re-read, edit, give it to others to edit, then read and re-read it again! Use your spell check, grammar check, read it out-loud, then pass it around again. Make it the best possible piece of work it can be. Sloppy self-published books are flooding the market and people are giving good marks to works that are not well-written or well-edited, and its making it really hard for those of us that want to read well-written books to find them. The industry really needs to set some kind of standard or rating that allows us consumers to distinguish amateur writers from published writers.

That said, this was a freebie, and I would beta read for this author any day. There were errors, but the story was still a ton of fun! Still, I would encourage the author to fix the errors, this book is worth it!

Profile Image for Emily.
1,261 reviews
February 26, 2013
Solid 4.5 stars

This book was great on so many levels. It's certainly the first of its kind for me. I'm a self confessed romance junkie, and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book after the synopsis. I'm so glad I gave it a shot.

This is not your typical perfect male bodied hero meets perfect female bodied heroine. It's quite the opposite actually, which is what makes this read so fantastic.

Not only is this book hilarious, but it's the closest I've ever come to reading real, genuine, no nonsense romance.

We're talking imperfect bodies, crude everyday language, high and low everyday emotions, burping, raspberries, farting, peeing, kids in their genuine nature, poor eating habits and honest-to-goodness true lovemaking. I must admit I laughed hysterically with the, "come now" comment from Brad to Colleen. That "demand" appears in all of the romances I've read, contemporary, paranormal, and historical. I've never quite understood how you can command that to happen, so when Colleen let's Brad know this, I can't help but break out laughing.

This is a great REALISTIC love story. I'm looking forward to the next book release later in the Fall of 2013.
15 reviews13 followers
March 3, 2013
I really enjoy this! I was slightly dubious about the title, but it was a free book on Amazon, so I read it.

This is a very real romance. Although it's nice to read a book with charming and perfect characters, I've never experienced anything like that. In this book, the characterisation is shockingly realistic. The characters are crude, selfish, crass and ridiculous at times, but that's the way it is. JC Emery doesn't shy on including flatulence, peeing, burping, arse scratching characters. I also really loved the admittance of the fact that love scenes never happen in real life the way that they happen in romance novels - Colleen very rightly isn't impressed with the 'come now' comment, which made me laugh. Since when does that happen in real life, anyway?

Although sometimes over the top, I found this book hilarious - it was very much a laugh out loud book in several places, and I'd often find myself chuckling along.

I wasn't expecting very much of this book, but I truly enjoyed it. I've read it several times since the first read and plan on keeping it on my Kindle permanently. You can't go wrong with downloading this off of Amazon.
Profile Image for Adrianne James.
Author 12 books149 followers
January 22, 2013
I was lucky enough to get a pre-release copy of Marital Bitch and I have to say it is not like any romance novel I have ever read.

Brad is a real man. A man that could possibly actually exist out there somewhere, making imagining fun grown up time (wink,nudge,girlish giggle)that much better. He is crude and a smart ass, but he loves Colleen something fierce. Plus, he is a cop and pretty damn good in the sack, at least the way the love scenes are written out, it sure as hell sounds like he would is!

Colleen may be technically an adult but she is just as immature as Brad can be. She gives as good as she gets and the boy who has always had her heart, even if she never admitted it, is annoying her to no end and she can't help but love him anyway.

Without giving anything away, their rocky friendship turns into a marriage THEN turns into a romance. Is ass backwards and just perfect. Well done, JC Emery and I cannot wait for the next Men with Badges novel!
Profile Image for Danielle Taylor.
Author 29 books142 followers
May 3, 2013
I've never been very good with writing reviews. Someone said I don't mention enough about the contents of the book... Well, that's because I don't want to spoil it! You want to know what goes on in a book? Get it for yourself and read. If you've not checked out this one, why the heck not?

Marital Bitch is volatile, sizzling, pulse-stopping, and at times, shocking (in a totally good way). I swear, one minute my heart went from racing to dropping into my stomach. I LOVE that we get both Colleen AND Brad's POV. From the very beginning I was rooting for these two. By the middle, I wished they were real so I could slap them both in the head and say, "Um, hello? Get over yourselves and love each other already!" And by the end, I was sobbing - the good kind though!

I seriously recommend you grab a copy RIGHT NOW and read it A.S.A.P. JC Emery is right up there with my very favourite new authors. Can't wait to read her next novel!
Profile Image for María.
606 reviews25 followers
April 23, 2015
This is a not romantic novel. I mean that was so realistic: neither of them were perfect (he had bad breath and she was very immature) but although I can't b in their kind of relationship it was funny read about a man and a woman who fall for their best friend and the struggle that suppose to be married with your totally opposed person, a person who knows you like nobody and still loves you.
The Heather incident was rare...
I like the way Colleen find herself and the fact that Brad had been always in love with her. That was so romantic!!! The way he expressed his love was not romantic at all...But finally they could comunicate and let the other know about their mutual love ♥
The epilog was very funny. The perfect conclusion to an uncommon romance...
Profile Image for Alla.
1,039 reviews50 followers
August 22, 2014
This book surprised me, alot! It had been on my Kindle for a while, I probably downloaded it because it was free at the time. Now I only think 'I should have read it sooner'!
If you are looking for an erotic book to read, this is not the book for you!
But, if you are looking for a book that will make you laugh out loud, with a bit of romance and juicy stuff to of course, this is the book for you. It´s just witty and very delightful to read.
The writing style is very good in my opinion, told mostly from Colleen´s POV but occasionally from Brad´s.
I absolutely don´t regret spending my time on this book.

Profile Image for Neela.
84 reviews30 followers
January 27, 2013
Hahhahahahahhah!! funny funny book! Both Brad and Colleen are immature! Seriously!!!
Still pulling pranks on each other at the age of 35 years old! But both funny as hell!

Sometimes in the part of the book i find Colleen to be a bit more childish!
But Brad and Colleen are made for each other! They love each other and its as plain as day! but both dont even realise it yet!

The epilogue is brilliant! Love it! hahahahhaahah!! The wedding scene in this book is effing FUNNY!!

The 2nd book sounds interesting! =D

4 Stars! =D
Profile Image for Shunda.
43 reviews
February 28, 2013
I literally laughed so loud at this book, I woke up the hubby. This book had everything and then some. I'm so glad I read this. After reading so many books about swoon worthy sexy men it was refreshing to read a book about a man that was realistic and reminded me a little of my hubby. Men are gross sometimes and sexy at the same time. And men love us when we are gross sometime too. And Bradley loved Colleen when she was mean, gross, happy, sad. (Swoon)) New book boyfriend:)
Profile Image for Jodi Nichols.
555 reviews10 followers
March 13, 2013
I picked this book up for free on Amazon and that had to be the best thing I did! I LOVED this book. I was laughing through the entire story!! Colleen and Brad had to be the funniest characters I have ever met in a book. I loved how they could go at each other and still be able to keep their friendship strong. What these two do to each other will have any reader laughing out loud in seconds. Love how this story went and I can't wait to read her next book in this series!
7 reviews
March 21, 2013
First EVER review! I was a little Leary about this book because of the title but when I read the description and saw it was free on amazon I decided to give it a try. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! It was exactly the genre that I enjoy. The characters were well developed and the past relationships were clearly described. I enjoyed the book and read it within a few hours. I actually couldn't go to sleep until I finished it and I will be reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Maria.
108 reviews
April 22, 2014
This book is filled with freaking crazies. The heroine is the craziest chick I've ever come across. But at the same time it was kinda funny too and I laughed out loud several times.

Seriously, this book is crazy from start till end, but if you have a juvenile kind of humor like me you might enjoy it anyways.
Profile Image for Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews.
2,181 reviews63 followers
March 1, 2013
Oil and Vinegar sometimes mix!
Talk about opposites! Endearing story about lifelong friends who truly belong together ... no matter how much they fight and misunderstand each other. Absolutely recommend this book if you want to laugh and enjoy a little spice of life.
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