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The Mulligan Curse
From the author of All We Could Still Have comes a charming tale about one woman who embraces a family curse, laying bare the dreams we give up—and the chances we take to get them back.
Mary Mulligan has two problems: her wisdom teeth…and everything else. Her only daughter is moving overseas. Her husband would rather go golfing than spend time with her. And Mary’s left to wonder why she abandoned her career ambitions when loneliness is all she has to show for it.
Plus her teeth really, really hurt.
But that’s one problem she can fix—never mind the stories that say if she gets her wisdom teeth removed, the last thirty years of her life will be erased. In fact, Mary wouldn’t mind if the Mulligan curse were actually true.
Turns out, it is.
The world around her hasn’t changed, but Mary is suddenly twenty-four again, with the life she once dreamed of still ahead of her. As she embarks on this new beginning, Mary comes to realize that those dreams aren’t nearly as important as everything she once had. If only she knew how to get it all back.
Mary Mulligan has two problems: her wisdom teeth…and everything else. Her only daughter is moving overseas. Her husband would rather go golfing than spend time with her. And Mary’s left to wonder why she abandoned her career ambitions when loneliness is all she has to show for it.
Plus her teeth really, really hurt.
But that’s one problem she can fix—never mind the stories that say if she gets her wisdom teeth removed, the last thirty years of her life will be erased. In fact, Mary wouldn’t mind if the Mulligan curse were actually true.
Turns out, it is.
The world around her hasn’t changed, but Mary is suddenly twenty-four again, with the life she once dreamed of still ahead of her. As she embarks on this new beginning, Mary comes to realize that those dreams aren’t nearly as important as everything she once had. If only she knew how to get it all back.
273 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2025
89 people are currently reading
4290 people want to read
About the author
Diane Barnes
5 books276 followersDiane Barnes is the author of The Mulligan Curse (February 2025), All We Could Still Have, More Than, Waiting for Ethan, and Mixed Signals. She is also a marketing and corporate communication writer in the health care industry. When she’s not writing, she’s at the gym, running, or playing tennis, trying to burn off the ridiculous amounts of chocolate and ice cream she eats. She and her husband, Steven, live in New England with Oakley, their handsome golden retriever. She hopes you enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
She can be found at www.dianembarnes.com or on Twitter and Instagram @DianeBarnes777.
She can be found at www.dianembarnes.com or on Twitter and Instagram @DianeBarnes777.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
October 16, 2024
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The Book Review Crew Blog
If you could erase years of your life would you want to, even if it means it would change everything? That's the question Mary Mulligan has to answer. Sounds intriguing right? Wrong! I had so many problems with this book, believe the low rating. The first problem I had was Mary herself, she was just so damn unlikeable. The other problem was the plot, it had no surprises and I knew exactly where it was heading. Mary's supposed to be a menopausal, middle-aged woman but she was so gullible and ignorant and she used no common sense. I didn't like Mary's cousin Darbi at all either. She lied by omission to Mary and didn't tell Mary the important repercussions of erasing her life.
If you've read any of my reviews you know repetitiveness is a pet peeve of mine and this book was really repetitive. Over and over again Mary goes into her head thinking of the past and I became bored to tears. I felt like Joe Biden when he debated Trump the first time, "Will you shut up, man!" With books like this, magical realism, you have to have characters that work or are at least likable to some degree. I found Mary to be a whining complainer, you know the "woe is me" type. Add to that her cousin Darbi being untrustworthy and the repetitive plot this is a flop in my opinion. A much-used trope with nothing new or different to add to the genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
If you could erase years of your life would you want to, even if it means it would change everything? That's the question Mary Mulligan has to answer. Sounds intriguing right? Wrong! I had so many problems with this book, believe the low rating. The first problem I had was Mary herself, she was just so damn unlikeable. The other problem was the plot, it had no surprises and I knew exactly where it was heading. Mary's supposed to be a menopausal, middle-aged woman but she was so gullible and ignorant and she used no common sense. I didn't like Mary's cousin Darbi at all either. She lied by omission to Mary and didn't tell Mary the important repercussions of erasing her life.
If you've read any of my reviews you know repetitiveness is a pet peeve of mine and this book was really repetitive. Over and over again Mary goes into her head thinking of the past and I became bored to tears. I felt like Joe Biden when he debated Trump the first time, "Will you shut up, man!" With books like this, magical realism, you have to have characters that work or are at least likable to some degree. I found Mary to be a whining complainer, you know the "woe is me" type. Add to that her cousin Darbi being untrustworthy and the repetitive plot this is a flop in my opinion. A much-used trope with nothing new or different to add to the genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
July 9, 2024
Mary is fifty-four, perimenopausal, her daughter has left home, and her husband spends all of his free time playing golf. Reflecting on her life decisions, Mary is filled with regret for the opportunities she didn't take in her youth, and finds herself wishing she could go back in time to do things differently. The opportunity to do just that presents itself to Mary in the form of the Mulligan Curse, a family curse whereby Mary can revert to her younger self, before her regretful choices were made, by getting her wisdom teeth removed. A nostalgic Mary takes her chance, but returning to her youth brings with it unexpected challenges and tribulations that leave Mary asking herself what matters most in life, and where true happiness lies...
I was apprehensive about the premise of this novel, but upon reading, my scepticism fell away and I instead felt real sympathy for Mary, and intrigue at the decisions she would make. The perspectives of menopausal women aren't explored enough in literary fiction, so Barnes' exploration of the emotional turmoil of getting older was a welcome addition to this novel, and had me rooting for Mary in the early chapters.
That said, as the novel progressed, I became increasingly frustrated by Mary's character, and disengaged from the novel as a result. Barnes writes Mary as having an absurd level of naivety; when struck by the curse, Mary takes a painstaking amount of time to accept what has happened to her, and is in complete denial for the story's entirety, first that she has reverted to her younger self, and second that she cannot return to her previous life. It is clear from the start that there is no known way for Mary to reverse her decision, yet the character constantly speaks of what she will do once she 'gets back to [her] old life,' completely ignorant to her cousin Darbi's poorly concealed knowledge of the contrary. The writing becomes very repetitive in this way, with Mary's constant reflections on her past life becoming tiresome. I found the lack of common sense given to Mary's character, and the repetitive nature of Barnes' writing, really frustrating, and I quickly lost interest in the outcome of the novel as a result.
Similarly, I found cousin Darbi's behaviour throughout the novel impossible to believe. First, that Darbi didn't do more to stop Mary from having her wisdom teeth removed, despite knowing that Mary's daughter would be wiped from existence (merely texting her at the dentist before the procedure, really?), and second, her elusiveness after the change, and decision to lie about her ability to go back. There was no logical reason for her to behave this way, other than to add an element of intrigue to the novel. As with Mary, the unrealistic nature of Darbi's character was distracting and limited my ability to engage with the story itself.
Overall, I was disappointed by this book. The plot was pretty predictable, with no shocks or surprises - the overall message is sweet, but it is a message at the centre of countless existing stories, adding nothing new - and the novels characters were unrelatable with unrealistic behaviours. The improbable premise of this novel required a strong delivery to get the reader on board, and unfortunately, I think Barnes missed the mark.
Thank you to Net Galley for providing access to this ARC.
I was apprehensive about the premise of this novel, but upon reading, my scepticism fell away and I instead felt real sympathy for Mary, and intrigue at the decisions she would make. The perspectives of menopausal women aren't explored enough in literary fiction, so Barnes' exploration of the emotional turmoil of getting older was a welcome addition to this novel, and had me rooting for Mary in the early chapters.
That said, as the novel progressed, I became increasingly frustrated by Mary's character, and disengaged from the novel as a result. Barnes writes Mary as having an absurd level of naivety; when struck by the curse, Mary takes a painstaking amount of time to accept what has happened to her, and is in complete denial for the story's entirety, first that she has reverted to her younger self, and second that she cannot return to her previous life. It is clear from the start that there is no known way for Mary to reverse her decision, yet the character constantly speaks of what she will do once she 'gets back to [her] old life,' completely ignorant to her cousin Darbi's poorly concealed knowledge of the contrary. The writing becomes very repetitive in this way, with Mary's constant reflections on her past life becoming tiresome. I found the lack of common sense given to Mary's character, and the repetitive nature of Barnes' writing, really frustrating, and I quickly lost interest in the outcome of the novel as a result.
Similarly, I found cousin Darbi's behaviour throughout the novel impossible to believe. First, that Darbi didn't do more to stop Mary from having her wisdom teeth removed, despite knowing that Mary's daughter would be wiped from existence (merely texting her at the dentist before the procedure, really?), and second, her elusiveness after the change, and decision to lie about her ability to go back. There was no logical reason for her to behave this way, other than to add an element of intrigue to the novel. As with Mary, the unrealistic nature of Darbi's character was distracting and limited my ability to engage with the story itself.
Overall, I was disappointed by this book. The plot was pretty predictable, with no shocks or surprises - the overall message is sweet, but it is a message at the centre of countless existing stories, adding nothing new - and the novels characters were unrelatable with unrealistic behaviours. The improbable premise of this novel required a strong delivery to get the reader on board, and unfortunately, I think Barnes missed the mark.
Thank you to Net Galley for providing access to this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2024
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, mwah!
If you’re feeling lost, read this book!
A sucker punch of reality. The Mulligan Curse is the breath of fresh air we all need, showing us that growing pains can blossom into the power of self actualization. Reminding us that with every setback there is a setup for a powerful comeback.
Mary Mulligan, an in-betweener, is subjected to a generational curse and must overcome a life-changing experience: getting her wisdom teeth out. Although her teeth might be extracted, she’s suddenly three decades younger. Navigating her twenties again, Mary is faced with an unexpected dilemma. Awed by her youthful aspirations, she must choose between life before the dental diversion or her dreams.
And who’s to say you can’t gain any wisdom?
If you’re feeling lost, read this book!
A sucker punch of reality. The Mulligan Curse is the breath of fresh air we all need, showing us that growing pains can blossom into the power of self actualization. Reminding us that with every setback there is a setup for a powerful comeback.
Mary Mulligan, an in-betweener, is subjected to a generational curse and must overcome a life-changing experience: getting her wisdom teeth out. Although her teeth might be extracted, she’s suddenly three decades younger. Navigating her twenties again, Mary is faced with an unexpected dilemma. Awed by her youthful aspirations, she must choose between life before the dental diversion or her dreams.
And who’s to say you can’t gain any wisdom?
February 26, 2025
All my what-ifs got thrown out the window after reading this.
Housewife Mary Mulligan's life is not what she hoped it to be. With her daughter all grown up and no longer needing her and her once loving, attentive husband barely acknowledging her, she’s miserable. Then suddenly, she finds herself in her twenties again, bright-eyed as they come. She realizes everything she once took for granted and wishes she could take it all back. But will that be possible…?
The way this plot was so unique really had me in a chokehold just from reading the blurb! Honestly, I didn’t expect to love this; I just thought it would be a fun and enjoyable read, but it shocked me how much I actually felt about it! It was utterly enchanting, and I had the warmest sense of comfort while reading; I felt at peace wrapped in this amazing story. This was life-changing (for ME). I’m not even exaggerating!
At first, I didn’t like Mary AT ALL—but I think that’s the point. Her character development was so necessary, and it was done so well, I ended up really admiring her and wanting to hug her. I didn’t like Dean at the start either, but I grew to love him! Mary and Dean are both so lovable individually and together—one of my new favorite couples.
I’m in love with this whole story. I can’t wait to reread in the future!
4.5 ★
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾!
Housewife Mary Mulligan's life is not what she hoped it to be. With her daughter all grown up and no longer needing her and her once loving, attentive husband barely acknowledging her, she’s miserable. Then suddenly, she finds herself in her twenties again, bright-eyed as they come. She realizes everything she once took for granted and wishes she could take it all back. But will that be possible…?
The way this plot was so unique really had me in a chokehold just from reading the blurb! Honestly, I didn’t expect to love this; I just thought it would be a fun and enjoyable read, but it shocked me how much I actually felt about it! It was utterly enchanting, and I had the warmest sense of comfort while reading; I felt at peace wrapped in this amazing story. This was life-changing (for ME). I’m not even exaggerating!
At first, I didn’t like Mary AT ALL—but I think that’s the point. Her character development was so necessary, and it was done so well, I ended up really admiring her and wanting to hug her. I didn’t like Dean at the start either, but I grew to love him! Mary and Dean are both so lovable individually and together—one of my new favorite couples.
I’m in love with this whole story. I can’t wait to reread in the future!
4.5 ★
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾!
April 5, 2025
3 stars. I’ve always been a fan of time travel, do-overs and setups of the like, so this book’s premised piqued my interest.
For 54-year old Mary, taking out her wisdom teeth came with the prize of a do-over of her biggest regret - sacrificing her career to become a homemaker. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that this is definitely more of a curse than a prize.
At first, I was slightly confused by the setup. I thought the Mary would travel back in time to when she was 24, but she actually continues to exist in the same “time zone” if you will, but in an alternate universe where she’s a younger version of herself. The fact that she regrets the decision to wipe out the last 30 years of her life almost immediately does sucks the fun out of her second chance at youth. I found it hard to root for Mary in the first half, when she wasn’t that keen on this new life herself. However, I really enjoyed seeing the story between Mary and her husband unfold as the novel progressed. By the end, I just wanted this woman to be happy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a compelling reminder to appreciate the small things in life and never take what you have for granted.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For 54-year old Mary, taking out her wisdom teeth came with the prize of a do-over of her biggest regret - sacrificing her career to become a homemaker. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that this is definitely more of a curse than a prize.
At first, I was slightly confused by the setup. I thought the Mary would travel back in time to when she was 24, but she actually continues to exist in the same “time zone” if you will, but in an alternate universe where she’s a younger version of herself. The fact that she regrets the decision to wipe out the last 30 years of her life almost immediately does sucks the fun out of her second chance at youth. I found it hard to root for Mary in the first half, when she wasn’t that keen on this new life herself. However, I really enjoyed seeing the story between Mary and her husband unfold as the novel progressed. By the end, I just wanted this woman to be happy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a compelling reminder to appreciate the small things in life and never take what you have for granted.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2024
When Mary Mulligan becomes the unwitting victim of a family curse, she has the once in lifetime chance for a do-over, but hindsight is always 20/20. Heartfelt and whimsical, The Mulligan Curse is a reminder that the grass is not always greener on the other side and that sometimes happily ever after is already growing in your own backyard.
August 21, 2024
3.75 ⭐
Nice concept. Good execution.
A bit heavy on the "How hadn't she realized that?" and "Dean's wife and Kendra's mother" sometimes. But otherwise quite good.
Reminded me of the film "About Time" with time travel being an important but not too important an element and the focus more on the character and character development than a complicated plot.
Recommended. 👍
Nice concept. Good execution.
A bit heavy on the "How hadn't she realized that?" and "Dean's wife and Kendra's mother" sometimes. But otherwise quite good.
Reminded me of the film "About Time" with time travel being an important but not too important an element and the focus more on the character and character development than a complicated plot.
Recommended. 👍
August 3, 2024
From the author of All We Could Still Have comes a charming tale about one woman who embraces a family curse, laying bare the dreams we give up—and the chances we take to get them back.
First of all, I would like to thank Lake Union Publishing for giving me this free Arc and especially Netgalley. Thank you to these publishers for the opportunity to read this book for free and in advance. I would like to thank the author of this book for writing this story. I really appreciate your work, and I hope you create and write more stories!❤️❤️
I've never heard of this book before, and when I was searching for a book to read on Netgalley, I found this one. The title captured my interest in reading this book because I also liked reading mystery and adventure books, so I tried to read this one. After reading this book, I liked the story and the plot. It was witty and had a touch of humor, and it was kind of appealing. I like the main character here, which is Mary, because she's a kind of funny person😍😍.
I will give this book 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars because the story is good and because of how the author wrote it. I recommend this book for readers who love to read mystery books, adventures, and sci-fi. I like the plot of this book, which is more interesting, and it hooked me up for some chapters of the book. I love time travel books because they are interesting and imaginative.📚
First of all, I would like to thank Lake Union Publishing for giving me this free Arc and especially Netgalley. Thank you to these publishers for the opportunity to read this book for free and in advance. I would like to thank the author of this book for writing this story. I really appreciate your work, and I hope you create and write more stories!❤️❤️
I've never heard of this book before, and when I was searching for a book to read on Netgalley, I found this one. The title captured my interest in reading this book because I also liked reading mystery and adventure books, so I tried to read this one. After reading this book, I liked the story and the plot. It was witty and had a touch of humor, and it was kind of appealing. I like the main character here, which is Mary, because she's a kind of funny person😍😍.
I will give this book 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars because the story is good and because of how the author wrote it. I recommend this book for readers who love to read mystery books, adventures, and sci-fi. I like the plot of this book, which is more interesting, and it hooked me up for some chapters of the book. I love time travel books because they are interesting and imaginative.📚
February 28, 2025
how i imagine the mulligan curse book pitch went:
author: so, it's a time travel rom-com about a 54-year-old emotionally immature woman who isn't happy with her life as a stay-at-home-mom because she gave up a promising career in broadcast journalism at 24 in favor of marrying her now golf-obsessed husband and raising their now 24-year-old daughter (what a coincidence, right?!) her cousin (also her time travel spirit guide) says her chronic wisdom tooth pain means she's feeling "regret" over her life choices but warns her not to get them removed or else she'll return to the age she was when she passed up the opportunity. and here's the really fun part… her last name is Mulligan, so it's like… golf-related and a do-over!
publisher: ah, so she goes back in time and gets to relive her 20s?
author: no, she stays in the same timeline, but she’s 30 years younger and all her family and friends lives have changed around her.
publisher: okay… so she gets to sow her wild oats and enjoy the career and lifestyle benefits of being young again while slowly realizing what she's given up?
author: no, she spends all her time obsessing over every decision she makes and righting the wrongs with her network of friends and family from her "old life" so everything will stay the same when she "gets back."
publisher: so her cousin/spirit guide helps her get back?
author: no, she lies to her and tells her she can’t ever go back to her old life, but in the end, it turns out she can and does.
publisher: so how does she get back?
author: a golf ball smacks her in the head and instead of realistically putting her into a coma, it knocks her back into her old life, where she goes back to being a slightly less-emotionally immature stay-at-home-mom who holds less of a grudge against her husband and daughter.
publisher: 😑
author: so, it's a time travel rom-com about a 54-year-old emotionally immature woman who isn't happy with her life as a stay-at-home-mom because she gave up a promising career in broadcast journalism at 24 in favor of marrying her now golf-obsessed husband and raising their now 24-year-old daughter (what a coincidence, right?!) her cousin (also her time travel spirit guide) says her chronic wisdom tooth pain means she's feeling "regret" over her life choices but warns her not to get them removed or else she'll return to the age she was when she passed up the opportunity. and here's the really fun part… her last name is Mulligan, so it's like… golf-related and a do-over!
publisher: ah, so she goes back in time and gets to relive her 20s?
author: no, she stays in the same timeline, but she’s 30 years younger and all her family and friends lives have changed around her.
publisher: okay… so she gets to sow her wild oats and enjoy the career and lifestyle benefits of being young again while slowly realizing what she's given up?
author: no, she spends all her time obsessing over every decision she makes and righting the wrongs with her network of friends and family from her "old life" so everything will stay the same when she "gets back."
publisher: so her cousin/spirit guide helps her get back?
author: no, she lies to her and tells her she can’t ever go back to her old life, but in the end, it turns out she can and does.
publisher: so how does she get back?
author: a golf ball smacks her in the head and instead of realistically putting her into a coma, it knocks her back into her old life, where she goes back to being a slightly less-emotionally immature stay-at-home-mom who holds less of a grudge against her husband and daughter.
publisher: 😑
November 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️From Lake Union Publishing: Mary Mulligan has two problems: her wisdom teeth…and everything else. Her only daughter is moving overseas. Her husband would rather go golfing than spend time with her. And Mary’s left to wonder why she abandoned her career ambitions when loneliness is all she has to show for it.
Plus her teeth really, really hurt.
But that’s one problem she can fix—never mind the stories that say if she gets her wisdom teeth removed, the last thirty years of her life will be erased. In fact, Mary wouldn’t mind if the Mulligan curse were actually true.
Turns out, it is.
The world around her hasn’t changed, but Mary is suddenly twenty-four again, with the life she once dreamed of still ahead of her. As she embarks on this new beginning, Mary comes to realize that those dreams aren’t nearly as important as everything she once had. If only she knew how to get it all back.
************************
My review: I love time travel and time loop stories so I had high hopes for this novel. It definitely kept my interest but I was frustrated with Mary. She worked so hard in her alternate life to regain what she "lost". If some of this effort was put into her regular life she may have been a happier person. Yeah, I know...then there wouldn't have been a novel and Mary wouldn't have learned a lesson. Cousin Darbi I also found annoying. If she had actually communicated with Mary at the start Mary wouldn't have had such different expectations about the alternate life.
That being said, I do like in books like this seeing how one person and their choices can change things for others. James was a fun periphery character in that regard. Dean and Kendra seemed so indifferent to Mary in her regular life but was that due to Mary's lack of effort or their selfishness? Overall, no one was super engaging or wonderful in this book except maybe Brady and Kimberly. I was interested in Brady's connection in the alternate life. Plus, his dog had a great name.
Liked this but didn't love it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.
February 13, 2025
Diane Barnes, the Author of “The Mulligan Curse” has written a captivating, mesmerizing, intriguing and thought-provoking novel. I was delightfully entertained, and finished this book in one sitting. I highly recommend this well written novel to others, and I would love to see a sequel. The genres for this book are Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism, Friendship Fiction, Family Fiction, and Humor. There is a touch of time-travel. The author vividly describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, quirky, and likable.
If you had a rare Family Curse available, where you could go back in time, and change something you had always wanted, would you do it? It seems that Mary Mulligan becomes aware that when her wisdom teeth hurt, the Mulligan Curse is offering her a second chance in changing her life, but with consequences. Mary has always dreamed of her career, and now feels abandoned by her husband and daughter. Should she take advantage and relive her life, and if she finds that the one she is currently living is better, can she change the curse ? In this story of the grass always looks greener, Diane Barnes discusses the importance of second chances, forgiveness, family, friends, honesty, love and hope, all written with amazing wit. This heartfelt book is a great good feel book.
If you had a rare Family Curse available, where you could go back in time, and change something you had always wanted, would you do it? It seems that Mary Mulligan becomes aware that when her wisdom teeth hurt, the Mulligan Curse is offering her a second chance in changing her life, but with consequences. Mary has always dreamed of her career, and now feels abandoned by her husband and daughter. Should she take advantage and relive her life, and if she finds that the one she is currently living is better, can she change the curse ? In this story of the grass always looks greener, Diane Barnes discusses the importance of second chances, forgiveness, family, friends, honesty, love and hope, all written with amazing wit. This heartfelt book is a great good feel book.
February 21, 2025
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @dianebarnes777 for the gifted copy
TITLE: The Mulligan Curse
AUTHOR:Diane Barnes
PUB DATE: 02.04.2025
Have you ever heard of the Mulligan curse where if you get your wisdom tooth removed, you may erase the last thirty years of your life?
I would really love to shave off thirty years from my age, but I probably would severely regret all
the memories I have made with my best friend, and my lovely children, which shaped who I am today.
In "The Mulligan Curse" we meet Mary who has a few problems and pains she is dealing with - besides being a golf widow, she is also sad that her daughter is moving away, and now also suffering from wisdom teeth pain. The curse
is true for Mary and she gets a fresh start by turning twenty four again.
The story is beautifully told and addresses themes that will resonate with you - be careful what you wish for, regrets are always in the end, and the importance of living our life in the present with gratefulness in our heart.
QOTD: Imagine your life thirty years ago, where would you be? 😉
#suzyapprovedbooktours #themulligancurse #dianebarnes
TITLE: The Mulligan Curse
AUTHOR:Diane Barnes
PUB DATE: 02.04.2025
Have you ever heard of the Mulligan curse where if you get your wisdom tooth removed, you may erase the last thirty years of your life?
I would really love to shave off thirty years from my age, but I probably would severely regret all
the memories I have made with my best friend, and my lovely children, which shaped who I am today.
In "The Mulligan Curse" we meet Mary who has a few problems and pains she is dealing with - besides being a golf widow, she is also sad that her daughter is moving away, and now also suffering from wisdom teeth pain. The curse
is true for Mary and she gets a fresh start by turning twenty four again.
The story is beautifully told and addresses themes that will resonate with you - be careful what you wish for, regrets are always in the end, and the importance of living our life in the present with gratefulness in our heart.
QOTD: Imagine your life thirty years ago, where would you be? 😉
#suzyapprovedbooktours #themulligancurse #dianebarnes
March 1, 2025
The Mulligan Curse
By: Diane Barnes
Mary Mulligan is going through a personal crisis. Her husband does his own thing and her only daughter is moving away. She is starting to wonder what her life would have been like if she had the career she wanted before getting married.
I believe a lot of people wonder about some “what if” in there life. Whether is a job opportunity passed up, or a relationship updated.
After a trip to the dentist she finds out her pain is from her wisdom teeth, which never came in. The dentist recommends them being pulled.
Normally that is the answer, however she finds out if she gets her wisdom teeth out, the last the thirty years of her year would be erased.
Well, she chooses to get her teeth out and her life is changed forever. Is it for the better or not?
Would every want to go back and change a decision you made?
Thank you Suzy Approved books and the author for this novel. Interesting premise.
By: Diane Barnes
Mary Mulligan is going through a personal crisis. Her husband does his own thing and her only daughter is moving away. She is starting to wonder what her life would have been like if she had the career she wanted before getting married.
I believe a lot of people wonder about some “what if” in there life. Whether is a job opportunity passed up, or a relationship updated.
After a trip to the dentist she finds out her pain is from her wisdom teeth, which never came in. The dentist recommends them being pulled.
Normally that is the answer, however she finds out if she gets her wisdom teeth out, the last the thirty years of her year would be erased.
Well, she chooses to get her teeth out and her life is changed forever. Is it for the better or not?
Would every want to go back and change a decision you made?
Thank you Suzy Approved books and the author for this novel. Interesting premise.
July 6, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mary Mulligan unknowingly suffers from the Mulligan Curse. As she begins to regret her past decisions, her wisdom teeth begin making their appearance, causing her significant pain. Despite her cousin Darbi's pleading she does not remove the teeth, Mary does anyway. When she wakes up...she's no longer in her fifty's with a husband who irks her and a grown daughter moving across the globe. Mary is in her early twenties with the opportunity to change her biggest life regret. The catch? Her precious life never existed.
The Mulligan Curse serves as a wonderful reminder to never take those we love for granted. Life can change in a dime, and it is too short to harbor any regrets and not speak up about what you need. Mary's adventure through the past and the lessons along the way are endearing and enlightening for any reader, but especially for anyone who is feeling a bit lost.
Mary Mulligan unknowingly suffers from the Mulligan Curse. As she begins to regret her past decisions, her wisdom teeth begin making their appearance, causing her significant pain. Despite her cousin Darbi's pleading she does not remove the teeth, Mary does anyway. When she wakes up...she's no longer in her fifty's with a husband who irks her and a grown daughter moving across the globe. Mary is in her early twenties with the opportunity to change her biggest life regret. The catch? Her precious life never existed.
The Mulligan Curse serves as a wonderful reminder to never take those we love for granted. Life can change in a dime, and it is too short to harbor any regrets and not speak up about what you need. Mary's adventure through the past and the lessons along the way are endearing and enlightening for any reader, but especially for anyone who is feeling a bit lost.
February 4, 2025
This book got me so mad. Enraged at the level of stupidity shown by the main character. Everything was so obvious, so clear, but no. She couldn't pause for a second and find a smart AND EASY solution (the one she finally choses at the end and that I had thought about AT THE VERY BEGINNING). Nope. And don't get me started with the incoherent and very detached behaviour she shows when she envisions her world without her daughter. The unbelievable level of denial and dumbness... I just couldn't. She is so self centered everything had to be about her and I don't think that changed a lot by the end. Oh yes, the end... shut up it's magic. Don't even ask.
I am really mad and sad about this book, because the pitch was real good. Damn.
I am really mad and sad about this book, because the pitch was real good. Damn.
November 18, 2024
Is Darbi (what a stupid spelling) the most infuriatingly cold character to ever exist? If not, there’s certainly a strong case here… a problem that could’ve been entirely avoided by communicating not once but twice. I couldn’t understand why Mary even liked her as she seemed to revel in her displeasure. The ending letter fake out was just lazy writing. This was a miss for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2025
ARC REVIEW - NETGALLERY FIND
RELEASE DATE 2/4/25
🎧🎧🎧
While trying to follow my goal about not buying any books until June, I came across this audiobook.
Here is my review about this ARC LISTEN!
This story had so many quaint and hunourous elements wraved into the plot, which helped keep the story flowing smoothly. It is like a cozy mystery wrh a hidden message wrapped in between the lines.
What I loved:
🎧 Characters that had a sweet sense of vulnerability and courage
🎧 Characters face realistic dilemmas and turbulence, which image them relatable and endearing
🎧 Quirky plot twists and loved the dentist angle
🎧 Descriptive writing and storytelling;
☕️ Chapters flow smoothly, and the style of writing is strong and eloquent
☕️ The narrator did a fantastic job bringing each character to life using great tone dialect and poise
☕️the author reminds the reader of the question, "If you could trade your past and start over world you?"
☕️ This also brings to light the saying be careful what you wish for
MY RATING
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#ARC #CHECKITOUT #books #bookstagrammers #readwithme #netgalley
#audiobooks #bookrecs #audiorecs
#februaryrelease #5star
RELEASE DATE 2/4/25
🎧🎧🎧
While trying to follow my goal about not buying any books until June, I came across this audiobook.
Here is my review about this ARC LISTEN!
This story had so many quaint and hunourous elements wraved into the plot, which helped keep the story flowing smoothly. It is like a cozy mystery wrh a hidden message wrapped in between the lines.
What I loved:
🎧 Characters that had a sweet sense of vulnerability and courage
🎧 Characters face realistic dilemmas and turbulence, which image them relatable and endearing
🎧 Quirky plot twists and loved the dentist angle
🎧 Descriptive writing and storytelling;
☕️ Chapters flow smoothly, and the style of writing is strong and eloquent
☕️ The narrator did a fantastic job bringing each character to life using great tone dialect and poise
☕️the author reminds the reader of the question, "If you could trade your past and start over world you?"
☕️ This also brings to light the saying be careful what you wish for
MY RATING
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#ARC #CHECKITOUT #books #bookstagrammers #readwithme #netgalley
#audiobooks #bookrecs #audiorecs
#februaryrelease #5star
June 15, 2025
3.5/5
July 29, 2024
Mary Mulligan is in a bit of a bad spot. Her relationship is meh, she didn't do anything with her career, her daughter is feeling smothered and moving overseas, and her wisdom teeth are hurting. Then she finds out from her cousin that if she has them taken out, the years will be erased to return her to the thing she most regrets - following her boyfriend instead of her dream job.
So she has her wisdom teeth removed, and finds 30 years erased - she's in the present time, but in a younger body with a career ahead of her.
Of course, she finds that having a chance to do it all over isn't all she thought it would be. Of course, she realises that her relationship was pretty great, and she misses her daughter.
I won't spoil it and say how it ends. I will say that this was a nice read and it was lovely to read the reflection on an actually quite good life.
A good, positive, feel-good story.
(read via an ARC from netgalley)
So she has her wisdom teeth removed, and finds 30 years erased - she's in the present time, but in a younger body with a career ahead of her.
Of course, she finds that having a chance to do it all over isn't all she thought it would be. Of course, she realises that her relationship was pretty great, and she misses her daughter.
I won't spoil it and say how it ends. I will say that this was a nice read and it was lovely to read the reflection on an actually quite good life.
A good, positive, feel-good story.
(read via an ARC from netgalley)
July 20, 2024
What would you do if you had the chance to go back and undo one of your life’s biggest regrets? Would you jump at the chance?
Well that’s what Mary did, without realising the consequences. Unhappy, mid fifties, stay at home mum Mary was given the opportunity to go back and make a different choice - in quite an unusual way I have to say! At first I thought the way she went “back” was so far fetched that I’d struggle to continue reading, but I’m so glad I did. However, the time travel to a different “time zone” confused me - it seemed odd that she was now 24 but everyone else was the same age.
I found this a really easy read, perfect for a summer beach holiday and read it so quickly. It definitely made me think about my own life choices over the years and if I would make the same choice as Mary. It would be a good choice for a book club as it would raise so many questions.
A sweet book, with a cute message behind it to see the positives in life - a lesson most of us could do with being reminded of!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well that’s what Mary did, without realising the consequences. Unhappy, mid fifties, stay at home mum Mary was given the opportunity to go back and make a different choice - in quite an unusual way I have to say! At first I thought the way she went “back” was so far fetched that I’d struggle to continue reading, but I’m so glad I did. However, the time travel to a different “time zone” confused me - it seemed odd that she was now 24 but everyone else was the same age.
I found this a really easy read, perfect for a summer beach holiday and read it so quickly. It definitely made me think about my own life choices over the years and if I would make the same choice as Mary. It would be a good choice for a book club as it would raise so many questions.
A sweet book, with a cute message behind it to see the positives in life - a lesson most of us could do with being reminded of!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2024
If you had the chance to go and in time, to be able to undo one of your major regrets, would you?
Fifty-four year old Mary Amato has been suffering with her wisdom teeth for a little over a week now, and she wants them removed. Her cousin, Darbi, has advised her not to get them removed due to a family curse... If she has them removed, she could end up going back in time to when she made a mistake in her life, that caused a regret.
Mary thought it was a silly joke, however, after her dental appointment, she woke up as 24 year old Mary Mulligan - before she was married. What made it even more peculiar, is that the year she returned to her younger self was the same as the year 54 yr old Mary lived, and nobody knows who she is.
As Mary tries to understand what has happened to her, and with the 'not so helpful guidance' from Darbi, she quickly realises that her biggest regret wasn't a regret at all.
Can she ever get back to being her older self, back to her husband, and back to her daughter, who doesn't exist in this new life?
A magnificent book, well written and truly thought provoking. I don't cry with books, but the final chapter did bring a tear to my eye.
Highly recommended
Fifty-four year old Mary Amato has been suffering with her wisdom teeth for a little over a week now, and she wants them removed. Her cousin, Darbi, has advised her not to get them removed due to a family curse... If she has them removed, she could end up going back in time to when she made a mistake in her life, that caused a regret.
Mary thought it was a silly joke, however, after her dental appointment, she woke up as 24 year old Mary Mulligan - before she was married. What made it even more peculiar, is that the year she returned to her younger self was the same as the year 54 yr old Mary lived, and nobody knows who she is.
As Mary tries to understand what has happened to her, and with the 'not so helpful guidance' from Darbi, she quickly realises that her biggest regret wasn't a regret at all.
Can she ever get back to being her older self, back to her husband, and back to her daughter, who doesn't exist in this new life?
A magnificent book, well written and truly thought provoking. I don't cry with books, but the final chapter did bring a tear to my eye.
Highly recommended
August 7, 2025
the premise seemed really interesting but the mc was so annoying it was so hard to get through the book
so many bits of information just kept getting repeated over and over it felt like so many chapters just ended the same way
i liked the ending but the last chapter felt a bit incomplete lol
the mc was kind of insufferable but i guess she was also relatable
but still annoying as hell
so many bits of information just kept getting repeated over and over it felt like so many chapters just ended the same way
i liked the ending but the last chapter felt a bit incomplete lol
the mc was kind of insufferable but i guess she was also relatable
but still annoying as hell
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2024
Mary Mulligan is in her mid-fifties. She resides with her husband, who is obsessed golfer. Not long ago, Kendra, her daughter, relocated to London. Mary regrets giving up the chance to become a news anchor on a popular television show, and has a strained relationship with her husband and daughter.
When reflecting on her life as a homemaker and regrets about missed chances, her wisdom teeth begin to throb. She goes to her cousin Darbi, who alerts her about the Mulligan curse.
The Mulligan curse is no laughing matter; when wisdom teeth are extracted, the individual is transported back in time. Mary had her wisdom teeth taken out and is now in her 20s working as a reporter at a local news station. Her husband and daughter are nowhere to be found, and the only individual who can assist her at this moment is Darbi.
Mary must choose between remaining in the present or returning, knowing that it could drastically alter her life.
I won't give away the ending, but the story was enjoyable and the plot was easy to foresee. I believe the conclusion was hastily done. However, the quality of the writing is excellent.
When reflecting on her life as a homemaker and regrets about missed chances, her wisdom teeth begin to throb. She goes to her cousin Darbi, who alerts her about the Mulligan curse.
The Mulligan curse is no laughing matter; when wisdom teeth are extracted, the individual is transported back in time. Mary had her wisdom teeth taken out and is now in her 20s working as a reporter at a local news station. Her husband and daughter are nowhere to be found, and the only individual who can assist her at this moment is Darbi.
Mary must choose between remaining in the present or returning, knowing that it could drastically alter her life.
I won't give away the ending, but the story was enjoyable and the plot was easy to foresee. I believe the conclusion was hastily done. However, the quality of the writing is excellent.
May 24, 2025
I liked the premise of this book and I liked that it was about a 50 year old woman. Mary is unhappy with her life and feels like everyone around her has moved on without her. She is given the chance to go back 30 years and make choices that focus on promoting her career. It's clear from conversations with her friends and family that Mary views her life differently than those around her. And she might be happier if she saw herself more like they do.
Mary does not go back to her 24 year old self until 25% of the way through the book. I like when we get through the back cover very quickly. In the time before she goes back, we are supposed to understand why she is depressed and frustrated. I see it, but I also find her difficult to like. I don't like Mary more when she goes back, she is so convinced that she is going to go back. Her internal conversations are repetitive. We see her grow, but it is so slow and out loud.
There are good life lessons in the story, I just found it hard to root for Mary.
Mary does not go back to her 24 year old self until 25% of the way through the book. I like when we get through the back cover very quickly. In the time before she goes back, we are supposed to understand why she is depressed and frustrated. I see it, but I also find her difficult to like. I don't like Mary more when she goes back, she is so convinced that she is going to go back. Her internal conversations are repetitive. We see her grow, but it is so slow and out loud.
There are good life lessons in the story, I just found it hard to root for Mary.
July 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.
The Mulligan Curse was a joy to read and kept me engaged throughout. We follow Mary, who is middle aged and feeling every minute - her daughter has left the nest and her husband doesn’t seem to be as into her as he is golf, not to mention things aren’t in the same places on her body they used to be. When Mary disregards her cousin Darbi’s warning about a curse attached to removing her wisdom teeth - something else causing her pain - she finds herself stuck in the Mulligan curse. While it may not seem a curse to many, being able to be 24 again and try to fix her life’s biggest regret, Mary soon finds the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
I loved this story of regrets and the realization of the impact you may have on the people around you and not realize it. Mary was well written and her conundrum had me laughing and feeling sentimental. This is a great book to pick up, especially if you find yourself too often wondering what could have been.
The Mulligan Curse was a joy to read and kept me engaged throughout. We follow Mary, who is middle aged and feeling every minute - her daughter has left the nest and her husband doesn’t seem to be as into her as he is golf, not to mention things aren’t in the same places on her body they used to be. When Mary disregards her cousin Darbi’s warning about a curse attached to removing her wisdom teeth - something else causing her pain - she finds herself stuck in the Mulligan curse. While it may not seem a curse to many, being able to be 24 again and try to fix her life’s biggest regret, Mary soon finds the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
I loved this story of regrets and the realization of the impact you may have on the people around you and not realize it. Mary was well written and her conundrum had me laughing and feeling sentimental. This is a great book to pick up, especially if you find yourself too often wondering what could have been.
January 31, 2025
Mulligan’s Curse follows a Mary, a 50something year old woman who gets the chance to go back to her greatest regret, well according to her cousin, but thats crazy right? All Mary has to do is get her wisdom teeth removed and she will wake up 30 years younger. The premise is wonderfully silly, but at its core, it seeks to ask the same big questions as The Midnight Library or The Measure: what makes life worth living?
Unfortunately, I found the main character unbelievably frustrating. Just listen to Darbi and get with the program—is it not obvious you can’t go back to your previous life?? There’s also a huge disconnect in how she suddenly idealizes her previous life (especially her husband) despite spending the first part of the book complaining about everything. The repetition got tedious, and I couldn’t help but stay frustrated at the self-pity and self-despair. Mary also is supposed to be a 54 year old woman in her 24 year old body, but she's written as incredibly naive with very little social skills or common sense. Darbi doesn't quite make sense... she comes across as a genuinely bad person which I don't think was the intention.
Despite a wacky fun concept and what I was hoping would be a great weird girl book, the execution and the characters fell flat for me.
Thank you NetGalley for access to this ARC.
Unfortunately, I found the main character unbelievably frustrating. Just listen to Darbi and get with the program—is it not obvious you can’t go back to your previous life?? There’s also a huge disconnect in how she suddenly idealizes her previous life (especially her husband) despite spending the first part of the book complaining about everything. The repetition got tedious, and I couldn’t help but stay frustrated at the self-pity and self-despair. Mary also is supposed to be a 54 year old woman in her 24 year old body, but she's written as incredibly naive with very little social skills or common sense. Darbi doesn't quite make sense... she comes across as a genuinely bad person which I don't think was the intention.
Despite a wacky fun concept and what I was hoping would be a great weird girl book, the execution and the characters fell flat for me.
Thank you NetGalley for access to this ARC.
November 25, 2024
Mary Mulligan is in her 50's, starting to regret the life she is living with an uninterested husband. She suddenly develops pain in her wisdom teeth and is about to have them removed when her cousin warns her about the Mulligan Curse, telling Mary that when she has her wisdom teeth out, she'll be returned to the same age she was when her biggest regret occurred. Mary doesn't listen and wakes up as a 25-year-old in the same exact present-day timeline, which makes NO SENSE, and the only one that remembers the old Mary is her cousin. This book really irritated me. Spoiler that probably doesn't matter because of course this is what happens, but Mary realizes she really wanted her old life after all and she was just as much to blame for things being the way they were and blah blah blah and she is desperate to return back but, shock, finds out she is stuck. I am just so tired of books that give someone a second chance only to have the moral of the story be that they are happiest in their original life and you should just be grateful for your personal misery, I guess, or have a better attitude. 2 stars.
July 4, 2024
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Mary is disappointed by life - she's not the media star she could have been, her husband prefers golf to conversation, and her daughter is reluctant to spend time with her. When her wisdom teeth suddenly start coming in, she learns that, by having them removed, she could get a chance to start all over again.
Review
The blurb for The Mulligan Curse suggests that it won’t offer many surprises, but I thought it indicated a certain charm, and I thought the wisdom teeth were an interesting twist. By and large, it provided just what was on the label – a charming, familiar, and harmless quick read.
The prose is good, the book moves quickly, and the characters are largely relatable and engaging. However, while the plot twists were mainly as expected, protagonist Mary never really does seem to learn much about herself. She rues her decision to change her life, realizing that she was somewhat selfish – and she continues to be selfish. To be fair, I don’t think that’s what the author intended us to take away, but I had trouble getting past it. The principal point of this trope is to learn to appreciate what you have and Mary does that, but a secondary point is usually to learn from your mistakes, and there I think Mary fails. It was a minor irritant, but one that troubled me more and more as the story went on. For just one example,
I hoped for a little more from the plot. Yes, the idea was familiar, but at the halfway point, I suddenly realized just how closely the whole thing was following the It’s a Wonderful Life template. I think there was room to venture a little farther afield. I found the sudden discover of a key letter disappointingly ‘lucky’ and anticlimactic.
The book also leans a little more heavily into a very specific audience than I think it needed to. Nothing wrong with that per se, but I thought Barnes could have opened up the story a little bit and made the story more broadly relatable.
All in all, a fun, quick, easy read, though more traditional in approach than I’d hoped for.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Mary is disappointed by life - she's not the media star she could have been, her husband prefers golf to conversation, and her daughter is reluctant to spend time with her. When her wisdom teeth suddenly start coming in, she learns that, by having them removed, she could get a chance to start all over again.
Review
The blurb for The Mulligan Curse suggests that it won’t offer many surprises, but I thought it indicated a certain charm, and I thought the wisdom teeth were an interesting twist. By and large, it provided just what was on the label – a charming, familiar, and harmless quick read.
The prose is good, the book moves quickly, and the characters are largely relatable and engaging. However, while the plot twists were mainly as expected, protagonist Mary never really does seem to learn much about herself. She rues her decision to change her life, realizing that she was somewhat selfish – and she continues to be selfish. To be fair, I don’t think that’s what the author intended us to take away, but I had trouble getting past it. The principal point of this trope is to learn to appreciate what you have and Mary does that, but a secondary point is usually to learn from your mistakes, and there I think Mary fails. It was a minor irritant, but one that troubled me more and more as the story went on. For just one example,
I hoped for a little more from the plot. Yes, the idea was familiar, but at the halfway point, I suddenly realized just how closely the whole thing was following the It’s a Wonderful Life template. I think there was room to venture a little farther afield. I found the sudden discover of a key letter disappointingly ‘lucky’ and anticlimactic.
The book also leans a little more heavily into a very specific audience than I think it needed to. Nothing wrong with that per se, but I thought Barnes could have opened up the story a little bit and made the story more broadly relatable.
All in all, a fun, quick, easy read, though more traditional in approach than I’d hoped for.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.
Who wouldn't want to go back in time and change one of the life-changing decisions? Who wouldn't want to see how life should've turned out if you took an alternate path?
Mary Mulligam has been having some pains in her mouth due to the recent emergence of her wisdom tooth; this scenario should have been perfectly normal had it been Mary Mulligan wasn't in her fifties. So now you see what drew me into the story—who doesn't love a good time travel novel?
The plot was set right; the emergence of Mary's wisdom tooth is due to her having some serious life regrets; she thinks she has not done enough with her life. Now she is old and lonely; her husband doesn't have enough time for her, and her only daughter is moving to a different continent. Her crazy cousin Darbi warns more, like said it in passing, not to have her wisdom tooth removed, but Mary doesn't believe in that nonsense her cousin is spewing, so she gets her tooth removed, and the rest they say is history.
Honestly, I wanted to love it, but there were a lot of holes in the plot, in my opinion, that kept tugging at my mind. I felt disconnected to the story as I felt Mary tried so hard to make her husband look like the bad person; after some time I stopped rooting for her, and what is with the attitude of Darbi after Mary went back in time? The whole going back in time scenario made no sense to me at some point.
What I did love was the lessons this book had to give; it made me look at life differently. Sure, you will have some or a lot of regrets, a lot of things you should have done and shouldn't have, but that is life. Enjoy it, and you never know who is looking up to you just by being yourself. In marriage, communication is very important; talk about what you need and what you don't need; speak to your partner. And I also learned that falling in love with your partner again is very important, as it is easy to lose sight of what is important.
Thank you once again to Netgalley and the author for this e-ARC.
Who wouldn't want to go back in time and change one of the life-changing decisions? Who wouldn't want to see how life should've turned out if you took an alternate path?
Mary Mulligam has been having some pains in her mouth due to the recent emergence of her wisdom tooth; this scenario should have been perfectly normal had it been Mary Mulligan wasn't in her fifties. So now you see what drew me into the story—who doesn't love a good time travel novel?
The plot was set right; the emergence of Mary's wisdom tooth is due to her having some serious life regrets; she thinks she has not done enough with her life. Now she is old and lonely; her husband doesn't have enough time for her, and her only daughter is moving to a different continent. Her crazy cousin Darbi warns more, like said it in passing, not to have her wisdom tooth removed, but Mary doesn't believe in that nonsense her cousin is spewing, so she gets her tooth removed, and the rest they say is history.
Honestly, I wanted to love it, but there were a lot of holes in the plot, in my opinion, that kept tugging at my mind. I felt disconnected to the story as I felt Mary tried so hard to make her husband look like the bad person; after some time I stopped rooting for her, and what is with the attitude of Darbi after Mary went back in time? The whole going back in time scenario made no sense to me at some point.
What I did love was the lessons this book had to give; it made me look at life differently. Sure, you will have some or a lot of regrets, a lot of things you should have done and shouldn't have, but that is life. Enjoy it, and you never know who is looking up to you just by being yourself. In marriage, communication is very important; talk about what you need and what you don't need; speak to your partner. And I also learned that falling in love with your partner again is very important, as it is easy to lose sight of what is important.
Thank you once again to Netgalley and the author for this e-ARC.
January 6, 2025
2.5-3 stars
I think this was the first 2025 advanced copy I received and was super excited to read it. It was the first of Diane's books for me and I had high hopes. But it sadly didn't meet all of them.
It is a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary fiction, a bit of romance and comedy. It looks at middle-age and regrets, and what you're willing to sacrifice to undo those regrets, even if it meant erasing your family.
It is very bizarre. Every time your teeth hurt, it's because you've thought of a regret, and removing your wisdom teeth will erase the 20-odd years of your life since said regret so you can go back and redo it. I mean, where does that idea come from?! Ironically, I wrote this review once I came home from a dentist trip where they were discussing the possible removal of one of my wisdom teeth, so...you never know, this time next month I might be 11 years old.
I didn't take to Mary particularly. I quite liked her as an older woman, but the younger Mary, she just seems too fidgety and flightly and gullible and naïve, and I never felt comfortable reading about her. None of the other characters shone for me either, I didn't like any, but I didn't hate any, they all felt a bit 2D.
I suppose, what I struggled with is that it was hard to believe. I know it's a fantasy and so it's meant to be make-believe, but even in a fantasy world things have to work in context, and it was hard to think that they did.
I found the ending was rushed. It came about all of a sudden, but it was a lovely ending so I didn't mind too much. It started well and ended well, but lost its way in the middle.
I thought it was such an interesting premise and had the potential to be something really special but it all felt a bit formulaic. I did enjoy it, I mean, I read it in a day. There are some positives but overall I don't think it reaches the heights that the unusual premise promised.
I will still keep an eye out for Diane's other books, but overall I think it needed some tidying up and a bit more depth to it for me to say it was really enjoyable. It was okay, just a bit tepid.
I think this was the first 2025 advanced copy I received and was super excited to read it. It was the first of Diane's books for me and I had high hopes. But it sadly didn't meet all of them.
It is a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary fiction, a bit of romance and comedy. It looks at middle-age and regrets, and what you're willing to sacrifice to undo those regrets, even if it meant erasing your family.
It is very bizarre. Every time your teeth hurt, it's because you've thought of a regret, and removing your wisdom teeth will erase the 20-odd years of your life since said regret so you can go back and redo it. I mean, where does that idea come from?! Ironically, I wrote this review once I came home from a dentist trip where they were discussing the possible removal of one of my wisdom teeth, so...you never know, this time next month I might be 11 years old.
I didn't take to Mary particularly. I quite liked her as an older woman, but the younger Mary, she just seems too fidgety and flightly and gullible and naïve, and I never felt comfortable reading about her. None of the other characters shone for me either, I didn't like any, but I didn't hate any, they all felt a bit 2D.
I suppose, what I struggled with is that it was hard to believe. I know it's a fantasy and so it's meant to be make-believe, but even in a fantasy world things have to work in context, and it was hard to think that they did.
I found the ending was rushed. It came about all of a sudden, but it was a lovely ending so I didn't mind too much. It started well and ended well, but lost its way in the middle.
I thought it was such an interesting premise and had the potential to be something really special but it all felt a bit formulaic. I did enjoy it, I mean, I read it in a day. There are some positives but overall I don't think it reaches the heights that the unusual premise promised.
I will still keep an eye out for Diane's other books, but overall I think it needed some tidying up and a bit more depth to it for me to say it was really enjoyable. It was okay, just a bit tepid.
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