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Marswood Harbor #2
The Marriage Mistake
“You should kiss me. So we can practice. Otherwise it’ll be obvious that we’re lying.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I was raised to believe I was unlovable. Too cold, too weird, too much brain and not enough heart. My father made very sure of it.
Then I faked a match to a stranger, married him for my inheritance, and moved into the loudest, messiest, most love-filled house I have ever set foot in.
Jack Mars is a charming widower with a smile that's gotten him out of a decade of consequences. His thirteen-year-old daughter Darby runs a swear jar, ships the two of us harder than anyone in town, and sees straight through me on day one.
The deal was one month. Play house, file the certificate, divorce when the money clears. Don't let the kid get attached. Don't get attached to the kid.
All it took to break that rule was one pan of lasagna and algebra homework at the dining room table.
I'm an actuary. I don't do warm. But there's a corkboard of Polaroids in that kitchen, a dog-eared "Best Dad Ever" card on the fridge, and a man who looks at me like I'm not too much—like I'm exactly enough.
I came for the money. I'm terrified I already want to stay.
A steamy standalone small-town marriage of convenience romance featuring a single dad who falls first, a heroine who calculated everything except love, one meddling matchmaking grandmother, and a guaranteed HEA.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I was raised to believe I was unlovable. Too cold, too weird, too much brain and not enough heart. My father made very sure of it.
Then I faked a match to a stranger, married him for my inheritance, and moved into the loudest, messiest, most love-filled house I have ever set foot in.
Jack Mars is a charming widower with a smile that's gotten him out of a decade of consequences. His thirteen-year-old daughter Darby runs a swear jar, ships the two of us harder than anyone in town, and sees straight through me on day one.
The deal was one month. Play house, file the certificate, divorce when the money clears. Don't let the kid get attached. Don't get attached to the kid.
All it took to break that rule was one pan of lasagna and algebra homework at the dining room table.
I'm an actuary. I don't do warm. But there's a corkboard of Polaroids in that kitchen, a dog-eared "Best Dad Ever" card on the fridge, and a man who looks at me like I'm not too much—like I'm exactly enough.
I came for the money. I'm terrified I already want to stay.
A steamy standalone small-town marriage of convenience romance featuring a single dad who falls first, a heroine who calculated everything except love, one meddling matchmaking grandmother, and a guaranteed HEA.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2026
About the author
Lilian Monroe
103 books1,573 followersLilian Monroe lives in a luxurious jungle treehouse surrounded by lush greenery, with an army of scantily-clad men with rippling abdominal muscles ready to attend to her every need.
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
September 15, 2026
it aint really worth it in my opinion
TLDR; Jack’s a jackass and Ember’s a pushover. Terrible pairing.
The summary was misleading. I was led to believe that this was going to have a promising female lead who genuinely approached the arrange marriage with clinical precision and without the immediate shallow attraction. Not even 10 pages in and already Ember (FMC) was flustered with Jack’s (MMC) alleged Greek godlike looks. So right off the bat that already set the tone at how desperate Ember was going to be for Jack’s affections.
I liked the writing, but characters were a major disappointment. Fake marriages always go the same route, however this particular story added the layer of monetary compensation not from the MMC’s side but the FMC. I found it gross that even though Jack had his own successful company, a trust fund, and pending inheritance from his billionaire grandmother, he still angled for more money from Ember. An extra 250k from the meager one million dollar inheritance that Ember was receiving before taxes, seriously? It’s ironic that Jack is a girl dad considering how he treats and goes through women like toilet paper. He doesn’t want his daughter to be treated that way and yet he can’t practice what he preaches. What a worm.
Apart from being a decent father, I did not find any redeeming qualities for Jack. He’s a wh*re (because there no need to associate the term exclusively to women) with control issues and somehow Ember overlooks that because he’s nice to his daughter? Bare effing minimum. She justifies his glaring red flags just because he has a sob story of losing his wife a decade ago? Grow the fk up. It’s like Ember’s intimate relationship age stunted at 16 and her only reference to them are books and tv shows so she thinks Jack is up to par with the standard when in reality, he’s actually below subpar and an underperformer as a partner. The insult to injury is that author made it so that Ember had to make herself smaller in the end just to get her “happily ever after.”
Whatever algorithm that matchmaking technology was on, was obviously very very very wrong because the pairing of Jackass and Ember was not believable at all.
TLDR; Jack’s a jackass and Ember’s a pushover. Terrible pairing.
The summary was misleading. I was led to believe that this was going to have a promising female lead who genuinely approached the arrange marriage with clinical precision and without the immediate shallow attraction. Not even 10 pages in and already Ember (FMC) was flustered with Jack’s (MMC) alleged Greek godlike looks. So right off the bat that already set the tone at how desperate Ember was going to be for Jack’s affections.
I liked the writing, but characters were a major disappointment. Fake marriages always go the same route, however this particular story added the layer of monetary compensation not from the MMC’s side but the FMC. I found it gross that even though Jack had his own successful company, a trust fund, and pending inheritance from his billionaire grandmother, he still angled for more money from Ember. An extra 250k from the meager one million dollar inheritance that Ember was receiving before taxes, seriously? It’s ironic that Jack is a girl dad considering how he treats and goes through women like toilet paper. He doesn’t want his daughter to be treated that way and yet he can’t practice what he preaches. What a worm.
Apart from being a decent father, I did not find any redeeming qualities for Jack. He’s a wh*re (because there no need to associate the term exclusively to women) with control issues and somehow Ember overlooks that because he’s nice to his daughter? Bare effing minimum. She justifies his glaring red flags just because he has a sob story of losing his wife a decade ago? Grow the fk up. It’s like Ember’s intimate relationship age stunted at 16 and her only reference to them are books and tv shows so she thinks Jack is up to par with the standard when in reality, he’s actually below subpar and an underperformer as a partner. The insult to injury is that author made it so that Ember had to make herself smaller in the end just to get her “happily ever after.”
Whatever algorithm that matchmaking technology was on, was obviously very very very wrong because the pairing of Jackass and Ember was not believable at all.
September 20, 2026
He’s cruel and mean from the beginning and that doesn’t change until the last chapter, not romantic
And if you want to make me believe he is a grieving father maybe don’t make him the whore town after his wife’s death
Awful
She is very weak and a doormat
I don’t like that the author make her this way because she is a professional and rich woman, 🙄🙄🙄
The first book in the series is good this one is not
And if you want to make me believe he is a grieving father maybe don’t make him the whore town after his wife’s death
Awful
She is very weak and a doormat
I don’t like that the author make her this way because she is a professional and rich woman, 🙄🙄🙄
The first book in the series is good this one is not
September 11, 2026
Not worth your time
I couldn't get invested in Ember and Jack's arranged marriage. She pays him to get her inheritance. They both have so much emotional baggage that in real life their relationship would not work without serious single and couples therapy. He couldn't man up and acknowledge his feelings until he had alienated the people who mattered most .
Ember was okay until the end. What is wrong with a woman being secure about her love of Math and being successful?? Why would this author take the female character power away by having her give up her career? Shame on Lillian Monroe for negatively influencing women to believe that they can't have the "man of their dreams" and be a successful Mathematician. It truly offensive to all Aspiring and successful women.
This book would be totally unremarkable if it hadn't been for the really bad but " happy" ending. It was not worth the time I spent reading it.
I couldn't get invested in Ember and Jack's arranged marriage. She pays him to get her inheritance. They both have so much emotional baggage that in real life their relationship would not work without serious single and couples therapy. He couldn't man up and acknowledge his feelings until he had alienated the people who mattered most .
Ember was okay until the end. What is wrong with a woman being secure about her love of Math and being successful?? Why would this author take the female character power away by having her give up her career? Shame on Lillian Monroe for negatively influencing women to believe that they can't have the "man of their dreams" and be a successful Mathematician. It truly offensive to all Aspiring and successful women.
This book would be totally unremarkable if it hadn't been for the really bad but " happy" ending. It was not worth the time I spent reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This series just gets more addictive!
This time, we find Etta's algorithm matching Jack (and his teenage daughter Darby) with Ember.
As a widower, Jack has done the best to raise Darby by himself. If he could, he'd never agree to marry anyone, but he strikes a deal with Ember, and they quickly wed.
Ember has her own reasons for needing to be married quickly, and she made sure to get it done. Her analitical mind and quirky personality aren't usually accepted easily, but in time, those attributes are things that end up helping everyone the most!
I appreciated her desire to make her place in Marswood Harbor and the relationships she formed. This is an addictive, suspenseful, steamy read, with everything we love about this author's works.
One of my favorite parts of this series is how we get to "see" Jack's thoughts and feelings at the end of the chapters ... it makes the connection with him feel a bit more intimate. Love it!
The HEA is just as I expected it to be, and was smushy sweet, and funny.
The troubles that started in book one (vandalism/ MC problem) continue here and his family’s security business is scrambling to get it figured out before someone gets hurt.
Plenty of dangers and nail-biting suspense here!!
Reading the series in order will avoid spoilers and is recommended.
I cannot WAIT for more of this storyline. It's engaging, addictive, and easy to connect with the characters.
I thank the author for my ARC and my thoughts are my own.
This time, we find Etta's algorithm matching Jack (and his teenage daughter Darby) with Ember.
As a widower, Jack has done the best to raise Darby by himself. If he could, he'd never agree to marry anyone, but he strikes a deal with Ember, and they quickly wed.
Ember has her own reasons for needing to be married quickly, and she made sure to get it done. Her analitical mind and quirky personality aren't usually accepted easily, but in time, those attributes are things that end up helping everyone the most!
I appreciated her desire to make her place in Marswood Harbor and the relationships she formed. This is an addictive, suspenseful, steamy read, with everything we love about this author's works.
One of my favorite parts of this series is how we get to "see" Jack's thoughts and feelings at the end of the chapters ... it makes the connection with him feel a bit more intimate. Love it!
The HEA is just as I expected it to be, and was smushy sweet, and funny.
The troubles that started in book one (vandalism/ MC problem) continue here and his family’s security business is scrambling to get it figured out before someone gets hurt.
Plenty of dangers and nail-biting suspense here!!
Reading the series in order will avoid spoilers and is recommended.
I cannot WAIT for more of this storyline. It's engaging, addictive, and easy to connect with the characters.
I thank the author for my ARC and my thoughts are my own.
September 4, 2026
I really liked the heroine. She’s spent most of her life being made to feel like she’s too much and not really someone people could love, so watching her slowly realise that maybe she is exactly where she’s meant to be was lovely.
Then there’s Jack, who I absolutely adored. He’s a single dad, a widower and basically the complete opposite of her. Their fake marriage was only supposed to last a month, but obviously things don’t quite go according to plan 😂
I loved the relationship between her and Darby too. Darby definitely knows what she wants and has no problem getting involved in her dad’s love life 😂. Some of their moments together were honestly really cute.
There’s plenty of chemistry between Jack and the heroine, but what I liked most was watching this little family slowly come together. It had some funny moments, some emotional ones and plenty of those feel-good moments that just make you smile.
And I’m always a sucker for a marriage of convenience where they start off pretending and then catch actual feelings. ❤️
A really lovely small-town romance with a single dad, found family, plenty of heart and a guaranteed happy ending.
Definitely one for when you want something romantic, funny and feel-good. 💕📚
Then there’s Jack, who I absolutely adored. He’s a single dad, a widower and basically the complete opposite of her. Their fake marriage was only supposed to last a month, but obviously things don’t quite go according to plan 😂
I loved the relationship between her and Darby too. Darby definitely knows what she wants and has no problem getting involved in her dad’s love life 😂. Some of their moments together were honestly really cute.
There’s plenty of chemistry between Jack and the heroine, but what I liked most was watching this little family slowly come together. It had some funny moments, some emotional ones and plenty of those feel-good moments that just make you smile.
And I’m always a sucker for a marriage of convenience where they start off pretending and then catch actual feelings. ❤️
A really lovely small-town romance with a single dad, found family, plenty of heart and a guaranteed happy ending.
Definitely one for when you want something romantic, funny and feel-good. 💕📚
September 17, 2026
This series is becoming one of my favorites. I absolutely enjoyed the first book, and this one did not disappoint. I love this rendition of arranged marriages. This book focuses on Jack, who's Darby's father. These are characters we were introduced to in the first book. Etta's algorithm did it again, matching Jack with a woman named Ember, and together they decided to marry to get what they want.
Just like the first book, at the end of each chapter we get Jack's thoughts on whatever situation is going on at that time. Though I love getting full chapters of the MMC in most books, I'm starting to really like how this is written. Though it does not give you a lot, just enough to keep you in suspense and wanting to know more.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Just like the first book, at the end of each chapter we get Jack's thoughts on whatever situation is going on at that time. Though I love getting full chapters of the MMC in most books, I'm starting to really like how this is written. Though it does not give you a lot, just enough to keep you in suspense and wanting to know more.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Another amazing story. My first thought was that this book should be so predictable. How wrong I was.
Jack was a widower with a teenager, Darcy (and believe me, she was a standout for me. I am in love with her). Both Jack and Ember agreed to a fake marriage. It was convenient to improve their financial lives, and time flies so that it won´t be a problem. At first, just some days of showing people they were together and life would become the same; they would be free and get the money that was the main reason for all of the whole deal. Easy peasy.
Ember and Jack had struggled with bad experiences from their past. All the insecurities around a relationship haunted their minds. They weren´t seeking love. Easy. Don´t do romance. Don´t get involved. Don´t do anything you could regret later. And? There is always destiny.
Just read this book. No more spoilers. Find for yourself how wonderful these characters are. Enjoy
Jack was a widower with a teenager, Darcy (and believe me, she was a standout for me. I am in love with her). Both Jack and Ember agreed to a fake marriage. It was convenient to improve their financial lives, and time flies so that it won´t be a problem. At first, just some days of showing people they were together and life would become the same; they would be free and get the money that was the main reason for all of the whole deal. Easy peasy.
Ember and Jack had struggled with bad experiences from their past. All the insecurities around a relationship haunted their minds. They weren´t seeking love. Easy. Don´t do romance. Don´t get involved. Don´t do anything you could regret later. And? There is always destiny.
Just read this book. No more spoilers. Find for yourself how wonderful these characters are. Enjoy
September 5, 2026
The Marriage Mistake is an interesting, enjoyable read. The storyline is entertaining and the characters are fascinating. You'll enjoy the twists and turns of this story. The premise is a hoot. The idea of arranged marriage is definitely growing on me.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 7, 2026
Better than book 1!
Still haven’t confirmed by theory from the first book, so hopefully in book 3!
Still haven’t confirmed by theory from the first book, so hopefully in book 3!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Etta Mars is at it again. Meddling in the lives of her grandchildren who just don’t seem to understand that grandma knows best.
This time she’s determined to ensure both Jake and his daughter, her only great-grandchild, complete their family. But after a decade of being a single dad, can Jake finally heal from the loss of his wife? Or will his fear of loss keep him isolated?
Ember is just trying to land a temporary husband to stick it to her now dead father one last time. She never thought that she might actually like like Jake! Can she move past her insecurities and open her heart after a lifetime of being last?
What a great job the author has done in getting the reader to understand the hopes and dreams of her characters. I really felt for Ember with her isolation and lack of confidence in social arenas.
This time she’s determined to ensure both Jake and his daughter, her only great-grandchild, complete their family. But after a decade of being a single dad, can Jake finally heal from the loss of his wife? Or will his fear of loss keep him isolated?
Ember is just trying to land a temporary husband to stick it to her now dead father one last time. She never thought that she might actually like like Jake! Can she move past her insecurities and open her heart after a lifetime of being last?
What a great job the author has done in getting the reader to understand the hopes and dreams of her characters. I really felt for Ember with her isolation and lack of confidence in social arenas.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had a difficult time with this book but I am glad I finished it. Both main characters were hard to like initially. They both had monetary motives to agree to the arranged marriage and they were complete opposites.
Ember was very cold, not a people person, and very analytical. Then there was Jack, charming everyone with his smile, especially females. (If he was a woman, he would of been called a sl-t and blacklisted.) Fortunately the author did a great job filling in their backgrounds for the reader to understand their complex emotional states.
As the story progressed, things start to change for the better as they live together. Jack's teenage daughter is a great character adding to the story. I wasn't a big fan of the spicy sex scenes. I felt Jack came on too dominating.
I did enjoy the ending. There was the predictable chaos first before the HEA.
I received a free advance copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Ember was very cold, not a people person, and very analytical. Then there was Jack, charming everyone with his smile, especially females. (If he was a woman, he would of been called a sl-t and blacklisted.) Fortunately the author did a great job filling in their backgrounds for the reader to understand their complex emotional states.
As the story progressed, things start to change for the better as they live together. Jack's teenage daughter is a great character adding to the story. I wasn't a big fan of the spicy sex scenes. I felt Jack came on too dominating.
I did enjoy the ending. There was the predictable chaos first before the HEA.
I received a free advance copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 13, 2026
4.5 stars. I'm gonna really like this series and its diabolical grandma matriarch.
October 4, 2026
3.5 Stars
The Marriage Mistake
Jack and Ember
Small town, single dad, arranged marriage
I really liked the first book. This one I struggled with.
I love the concept behind this series. Billionaire Grandma has stood by and watched the town she and her husband founded slowly die. Her plan to revitalize is simple. Get her children and grandchildren to fall in love and start repopulating and opening new businesses. And she has a brand new computer algorithm to help with the matches.
Jack lost his wife several years ago. Now he’s raising his thirteen year old daughter on his own. With the help of his large, extended family. He is the face of the security company he and his brothers own. Has never had a problem finding a woman to warm his bed. He’s had the love of his life taken away, he’s not looking for another.
Ember did not grow up in a large happy family. She was raised by her father after her mother died in childbirth. He was never physically abusive, but the emotional and psychological abuse really did a number on her. Caused her to retreat into herself. Become small, invisible. She’s intelligent and resourceful. But socially awkward.
When her father dies, he puts a restriction on her inheritance. Knowing she’ll never be able to claim it. She needs to get married.
So she finds Grandma Mars’ wild plan, studies up on the available men, and manipulates the algorithm and…. Matches up almost perfectly with Jack.
She offers part of her inheritance as payment, he reluctantly agrees. And then they tie the knot.
Like I said, I love this arranged marriage concept.
I love this family and the quirky town and its residents.
Jack was a great dad to Darby. She was always his first priority. He had a plan the way her life was supposed to go, and did his best to see that happen. Except for when that plan did not align with what Darby really wanted. Then he tended to block out her feelings. But he loved her fiercely.
What I struggled with was both Jack and Ember.
They were just hard to like. At least for me personally. All of Jack’s conquests. Every single woman in town has been in his bed, and they have no shame in letting Ember know it. He blows it off, thinks it’s funny. Ignores how it makes Ember feel. Yet when the table is turned, and men are approaching her, he gets angry.
Ember was hard to understand. Quirky, awkward, standoffish. But also able to turn on the charm to get answers that the brothers can’t. Afraid to step out, but jumps right in to override Jacks parenting. ? I just didn’t understand her.
Overall, not a bad book. I’m looking forward to the next brother’s story.
Mostly told from Embers point of view. Jack gets a few paragraphs at the end of each chapter. No cheating. They do separate before finding that happy ending.
The Marriage Mistake
Jack and Ember
Small town, single dad, arranged marriage
I really liked the first book. This one I struggled with.
I love the concept behind this series. Billionaire Grandma has stood by and watched the town she and her husband founded slowly die. Her plan to revitalize is simple. Get her children and grandchildren to fall in love and start repopulating and opening new businesses. And she has a brand new computer algorithm to help with the matches.
Jack lost his wife several years ago. Now he’s raising his thirteen year old daughter on his own. With the help of his large, extended family. He is the face of the security company he and his brothers own. Has never had a problem finding a woman to warm his bed. He’s had the love of his life taken away, he’s not looking for another.
Ember did not grow up in a large happy family. She was raised by her father after her mother died in childbirth. He was never physically abusive, but the emotional and psychological abuse really did a number on her. Caused her to retreat into herself. Become small, invisible. She’s intelligent and resourceful. But socially awkward.
When her father dies, he puts a restriction on her inheritance. Knowing she’ll never be able to claim it. She needs to get married.
So she finds Grandma Mars’ wild plan, studies up on the available men, and manipulates the algorithm and…. Matches up almost perfectly with Jack.
She offers part of her inheritance as payment, he reluctantly agrees. And then they tie the knot.
Like I said, I love this arranged marriage concept.
I love this family and the quirky town and its residents.
Jack was a great dad to Darby. She was always his first priority. He had a plan the way her life was supposed to go, and did his best to see that happen. Except for when that plan did not align with what Darby really wanted. Then he tended to block out her feelings. But he loved her fiercely.
What I struggled with was both Jack and Ember.
They were just hard to like. At least for me personally. All of Jack’s conquests. Every single woman in town has been in his bed, and they have no shame in letting Ember know it. He blows it off, thinks it’s funny. Ignores how it makes Ember feel. Yet when the table is turned, and men are approaching her, he gets angry.
Ember was hard to understand. Quirky, awkward, standoffish. But also able to turn on the charm to get answers that the brothers can’t. Afraid to step out, but jumps right in to override Jacks parenting. ? I just didn’t understand her.
Overall, not a bad book. I’m looking forward to the next brother’s story.
Mostly told from Embers point of view. Jack gets a few paragraphs at the end of each chapter. No cheating. They do separate before finding that happy ending.
September 18, 2026
Notes for me
Book 2
Jack - widowed dad of 13 year old Darby
Ember - very detail and number oriented
Grandma is at it again arranging marriages.
Jack tells Ember upon meeting he is not interested in a marriage his senile Gma arranged. Her response is you’re still talking to me so what is she holding over you?
Ember has to wed in the next 3 months to inherit $1MM. Jack agrees to the wedding for $350k. They wait 4 weeks to file the marriage certificate to convince everyone. They actually have 90 days according to Gma’s rules.
They marry right away with very few people there. Choosing rings later Ember finds a cluster ring she loves and would choose if this was real. Instead it’s a dull scratched gold band.
He becomes intrigued with her. She keeps telling herself he can’t be interested in someone as plain as her . They both think the other isn’t interested.
They fall for each other, but Jack remembers how bleak his life was after wife died. He doesn’t want to experience that again. He pushes her away so she leaves. He receives his share of her inheritance and divorce papers.
I enjoyed the book and the series. Personal preference on the OW. His late wife was a childhood sweetheart who died too young. He was devastated and only considered the OW as blowing off steam.
Safety
Jack thinks how all of the casual sleeping around he’s done since his wife died 10 years ago leaves him feeling minor revulsion at himself. It hasn’t come close to filling the hole in his heart.
Being in a small town she comes in to contact with multiple past partners. A mom in the school pick up line, a man in a store is mad at Jack for throwing his daughter away, his daughter’s best friend’s mother. They all tell Ember it won’t last. Disappointing.
Book 2
Jack - widowed dad of 13 year old Darby
Ember - very detail and number oriented
Grandma is at it again arranging marriages.
Jack tells Ember upon meeting he is not interested in a marriage his senile Gma arranged. Her response is you’re still talking to me so what is she holding over you?
Ember has to wed in the next 3 months to inherit $1MM. Jack agrees to the wedding for $350k. They wait 4 weeks to file the marriage certificate to convince everyone. They actually have 90 days according to Gma’s rules.
They marry right away with very few people there. Choosing rings later Ember finds a cluster ring she loves and would choose if this was real. Instead it’s a dull scratched gold band.
He becomes intrigued with her. She keeps telling herself he can’t be interested in someone as plain as her . They both think the other isn’t interested.
They fall for each other, but Jack remembers how bleak his life was after wife died. He doesn’t want to experience that again. He pushes her away so she leaves. He receives his share of her inheritance and divorce papers.
I enjoyed the book and the series. Personal preference on the OW. His late wife was a childhood sweetheart who died too young. He was devastated and only considered the OW as blowing off steam.
Safety
Jack thinks how all of the casual sleeping around he’s done since his wife died 10 years ago leaves him feeling minor revulsion at himself. It hasn’t come close to filling the hole in his heart.
Being in a small town she comes in to contact with multiple past partners. A mom in the school pick up line, a man in a store is mad at Jack for throwing his daughter away, his daughter’s best friend’s mother. They all tell Ember it won’t last. Disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Phenomenal!
This book is fantastic and I loved it! Grandma Mars is at it again and this time she has her sights set on her grandson Jack. He’s a widower with a teenage daughter and wants nothing to do with marriage since the death of his first wife. But Grandma is bound and determined to get her way so in walks Ember. She’s using this chance at marriage to get her inheritance after the death of her father. He was cold and distant with her and she wants this money to help her make a better life for herself. Things start out rocky between Jack and Ember and it’s quite a bumpy ride. But the more time they spend together, the more they both find feelings are developing although each is sure the other doesn’t feel the same. Ember is able to step in and be a motherly figure when Jack’s daughter Darby needs her the most and I love the relationship that develops between them. But someone is targeting Jack’s family business and it isn’t long until Ember is in danger. This will lead to Jack starting to pull away and the final straw will be when Ember sticks up for Darby when Jack feels she shouldn’t. This will send Ember running back to Chicago, sure that she’ll be alone for the rest of her life. But a old friend returning to town will make Jack see the error of his ways and send him running to Chicago to beg Ember for another chance. She’ll grant it and they get to move forward toward their happily ever after and I love how their story ends! It looks like Jack’s brother Knox is up next and I can’t wait to read his story!
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
This book is fantastic and I loved it! Grandma Mars is at it again and this time she has her sights set on her grandson Jack. He’s a widower with a teenage daughter and wants nothing to do with marriage since the death of his first wife. But Grandma is bound and determined to get her way so in walks Ember. She’s using this chance at marriage to get her inheritance after the death of her father. He was cold and distant with her and she wants this money to help her make a better life for herself. Things start out rocky between Jack and Ember and it’s quite a bumpy ride. But the more time they spend together, the more they both find feelings are developing although each is sure the other doesn’t feel the same. Ember is able to step in and be a motherly figure when Jack’s daughter Darby needs her the most and I love the relationship that develops between them. But someone is targeting Jack’s family business and it isn’t long until Ember is in danger. This will lead to Jack starting to pull away and the final straw will be when Ember sticks up for Darby when Jack feels she shouldn’t. This will send Ember running back to Chicago, sure that she’ll be alone for the rest of her life. But a old friend returning to town will make Jack see the error of his ways and send him running to Chicago to beg Ember for another chance. She’ll grant it and they get to move forward toward their happily ever after and I love how their story ends! It looks like Jack’s brother Knox is up next and I can’t wait to read his story!
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Marswood Harbor: Jack and Ember
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
This one was a slow start for me, and I was pretty mixed on my initial feelings. I actually came close to putting it down and coming back to it later.
But I pushed through, and it definitely picked up.
Jack and Ember aren't quite enemies, but there’s certainly no desire to actually be together when they enter this arrangement.
Throw in a marriage of convenience, small-town drama, mayhem and a whole lot of found family, and things get complicated pretty quickly.
The standout for me was Darcy. I loved her! Watching Ember insist she wasn't maternal while slowly forming such a lovely bond with Darcy was probably my favourite part.
Jack was a f ormer man-ho and, unfortunately, had a few serious d-bag moments, especially when we hit the third-act breakup.
I also would have liked more of Jack’s POV. His perspective was only given in a small section at the back of each chapter, and I think having more insight into what he was thinking and feeling would have added a lot, particularly as his feelings for Ember developed.
So, once the story got moving, I really enjoyed watching Ember find a place where she felt wanted and accepted after spending so long believing she was too much or simply unlovable.
So, definitely a slow start, but I'm glad I pushed through because it ended up being a much more enjoyable read than I initially thought it would be.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
This one was a slow start for me, and I was pretty mixed on my initial feelings. I actually came close to putting it down and coming back to it later.
But I pushed through, and it definitely picked up.
Jack and Ember aren't quite enemies, but there’s certainly no desire to actually be together when they enter this arrangement.
Throw in a marriage of convenience, small-town drama, mayhem and a whole lot of found family, and things get complicated pretty quickly.
The standout for me was Darcy. I loved her! Watching Ember insist she wasn't maternal while slowly forming such a lovely bond with Darcy was probably my favourite part.
Jack was a f ormer man-ho and, unfortunately, had a few serious d-bag moments, especially when we hit the third-act breakup.
I also would have liked more of Jack’s POV. His perspective was only given in a small section at the back of each chapter, and I think having more insight into what he was thinking and feeling would have added a lot, particularly as his feelings for Ember developed.
So, once the story got moving, I really enjoyed watching Ember find a place where she felt wanted and accepted after spending so long believing she was too much or simply unlovable.
So, definitely a slow start, but I'm glad I pushed through because it ended up being a much more enjoyable read than I initially thought it would be.
Review of advance copy received from Author
You know I can say I had trouble with this book for the first half. I truly struggled. With the female character ember. It was not until she stopped letting her past dictate her future aka grow a set of them did I warm up to her. She was a hard character to like. Not because she was mean she was just so average you could not align to her. It was not until she revealed her back story. Her baggage.
I think I also did not like Jack. He was arrogant and the author wrote his character to be not very likeable. Once again it's not because of any horrible past events. His weak personality got me he was not the alpha male I enjoyed. I'm rather partial to the protector male in a series. I thought that with him owning a security company he would be more alpha protector. But he was just the average guy who slept with all the females in town
So as I was reading the characters finally made sense. Both of their posts came out and you realized why they were average. This author did such an amazing job making them break out of the stereotype of average and become the characters you love from this author. She turned ember into the bad arse she deserved to be and Jack became the protector he was paid to be.
Once the real story was revealed the book flowed and was just a book I could not put down.
Don't be discouraged you gotta read this book to understand the depth of characters. It was like reading directions on something to the end!
I think I also did not like Jack. He was arrogant and the author wrote his character to be not very likeable. Once again it's not because of any horrible past events. His weak personality got me he was not the alpha male I enjoyed. I'm rather partial to the protector male in a series. I thought that with him owning a security company he would be more alpha protector. But he was just the average guy who slept with all the females in town
So as I was reading the characters finally made sense. Both of their posts came out and you realized why they were average. This author did such an amazing job making them break out of the stereotype of average and become the characters you love from this author. She turned ember into the bad arse she deserved to be and Jack became the protector he was paid to be.
Once the real story was revealed the book flowed and was just a book I could not put down.
Don't be discouraged you gotta read this book to understand the depth of characters. It was like reading directions on something to the end!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Grandma Mars is at it again, another arranged marriage for her grandsons - using emotional blackmail to get what she wants. I am still not a fan of Etta Mars.
I loved Ember, she has a horrible childhood, which has shaped her adulthood, and all she wants is to claim what's hers and move on with her life. Unfortunately that means marrying Jack Mars. She had guarded walls and an analytical nature, but but I loved her humour when it did make an appearance.
Took me a while to warm up to Jack, with his constant flirting and trying to smile his way through every situation. The constant trail of women trying to throw themselves at him and his long list of previous bed conquests did not make me like him - has he slept with every available women? It certainly felt like he had. Ember really showed him that his charm and smile won't get him everything he wants. He grew on me slowly.
Darcy was sweet and even though Ember claimed she wasn't maternal, she formed a really sweet bond with her.
If you've read book 1, we do get to find out who's been targeting the Mars Security clients and causing damage.
I loved the epilogues; seeing where everyone is a couple of years later.
After meeting Caroline, I'm looking forward to Knox's story next.
📚 Arranged marriage of convenience
📚 Single dad with a teenage daughter
📚 Small-town
📚 Forced proximity
📚 Found family
📚 Meddling grandma
I loved Ember, she has a horrible childhood, which has shaped her adulthood, and all she wants is to claim what's hers and move on with her life. Unfortunately that means marrying Jack Mars. She had guarded walls and an analytical nature, but but I loved her humour when it did make an appearance.
Took me a while to warm up to Jack, with his constant flirting and trying to smile his way through every situation. The constant trail of women trying to throw themselves at him and his long list of previous bed conquests did not make me like him - has he slept with every available women? It certainly felt like he had. Ember really showed him that his charm and smile won't get him everything he wants. He grew on me slowly.
Darcy was sweet and even though Ember claimed she wasn't maternal, she formed a really sweet bond with her.
If you've read book 1, we do get to find out who's been targeting the Mars Security clients and causing damage.
I loved the epilogues; seeing where everyone is a couple of years later.
After meeting Caroline, I'm looking forward to Knox's story next.
📚 Arranged marriage of convenience
📚 Single dad with a teenage daughter
📚 Small-town
📚 Forced proximity
📚 Found family
📚 Meddling grandma
October 9, 2026
Ooohhhh this series … this author … she always somehow outdoes herself. How?! This relatable female lead had me SO INVESTED early in. She’s still finding her voice, her backbone, etc. but she’s bold and gets things done in the meantime. Oh I love her!
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Past tense.
It’s nonstop banter and mini-conflicts, which REALLY gives a chance for the characters to grow. ‘Showing’ rather than ‘telling’ writing style and advanced character development are everywhere—I love this author, and her mad skills.
She uses a teeny bit of deception in order to get what she wants, but it’s not that simple … he does something similar, and each doesn’t understand the other … well, until they do. There’s lots of healing and growth packed in here, along with a little cozy mystery and some danger!
Small town hijinks.
Single dad.
Tit for tat.
Fake relationship.
“We can’t.”
Misunderstandings.
Light suspense.
Overall:
I feel this deserves 5 stars for the character development alone. FMC still has some growing to do, don’t we all, always?! She grew so much though during this read—I appreciated and related to so much of her circumstances. Love this author for portraying REAL, plausible people and their baggage.
5 stars.
🎙️ Audio:
FLAWLESS! PERFECT!!!! Amazing voice-acting, beautiful voices, emotional deliveries throughout, and professional, smooth sound quality overall. 5 stars.
Cannot wait for book 3, what a series!!
Written in first-person POV, alternating.
Past tense.
It’s nonstop banter and mini-conflicts, which REALLY gives a chance for the characters to grow. ‘Showing’ rather than ‘telling’ writing style and advanced character development are everywhere—I love this author, and her mad skills.
She uses a teeny bit of deception in order to get what she wants, but it’s not that simple … he does something similar, and each doesn’t understand the other … well, until they do. There’s lots of healing and growth packed in here, along with a little cozy mystery and some danger!
Small town hijinks.
Single dad.
Tit for tat.
Fake relationship.
“We can’t.”
Misunderstandings.
Light suspense.
Overall:
I feel this deserves 5 stars for the character development alone. FMC still has some growing to do, don’t we all, always?! She grew so much though during this read—I appreciated and related to so much of her circumstances. Love this author for portraying REAL, plausible people and their baggage.
5 stars.
🎙️ Audio:
FLAWLESS! PERFECT!!!! Amazing voice-acting, beautiful voices, emotional deliveries throughout, and professional, smooth sound quality overall. 5 stars.
Cannot wait for book 3, what a series!!
September 9, 2026
She felt unloved!
It took a fake marriage contract to feel loved,wanted,not in the way to be treated has a human person.Ember Kingsley wrote a fake resume to be excepted by Grandma Mars and Jack her grandson.She gets to Mars wood and she isn't sure she wants to go thru with it but she wants the money.She decides to go thru with it,Jack has some rules for her,he also notices if he gets to close to her she flinches or tightens up.They actually do pretty well around each other,they fake it around people or just go do their own thing.Jack starts to open up around her and Darby his daughter notices until the day Ember overstep with Darby and Jack is furious with her and so now Ember feels like she was just being used again,unloved like she felt when her father was alive.She leaves Marswood and goes back to her old drab life.Jack and Darby have talks and she voices her opinion and Jack knows he did wrong and he does some serious thinking and he goes after Ember,he tells her he is sorry but he doesn't want to face the rest of his life without her and he does love her and he isn't giving her a divorce and infact he tears the contract and divorce papers up.Very enjoyable story,two pig headed people learned to communicate with each other or they will live very lonely lives!
It took a fake marriage contract to feel loved,wanted,not in the way to be treated has a human person.Ember Kingsley wrote a fake resume to be excepted by Grandma Mars and Jack her grandson.She gets to Mars wood and she isn't sure she wants to go thru with it but she wants the money.She decides to go thru with it,Jack has some rules for her,he also notices if he gets to close to her she flinches or tightens up.They actually do pretty well around each other,they fake it around people or just go do their own thing.Jack starts to open up around her and Darby his daughter notices until the day Ember overstep with Darby and Jack is furious with her and so now Ember feels like she was just being used again,unloved like she felt when her father was alive.She leaves Marswood and goes back to her old drab life.Jack and Darby have talks and she voices her opinion and Jack knows he did wrong and he does some serious thinking and he goes after Ember,he tells her he is sorry but he doesn't want to face the rest of his life without her and he does love her and he isn't giving her a divorce and infact he tears the contract and divorce papers up.Very enjoyable story,two pig headed people learned to communicate with each other or they will live very lonely lives!
September 19, 2026
🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
I am giving The Marriage Mistake by Lilian Monroe a solid 3-star review! ⭐⭐⭐
A small-town marriage-of-convenience romance filled with cozy harbour vibes, playful banter, and unexpected sparks! 💍🌊✨
ARC Disclosure: A big thank you to author Lilian Monroe for providing an advance digital review copy (eARC) of this book! All thoughts, fanatical reactions, and honest reflections shared in this review are entirely my own.
The Review
The Marriage Mistake by Lilian Monroe brings us back to Marswood Harbor for Book Two in the series! It’s a lighthearted, fast-paced read about two people navigating a accidental or convenient marriage setup, forced proximity, and all the chaotic emotions that come with it.
While the story had plenty of sweet moments and fun small-town dynamics, a few pacing choices and tropes kept it from fully taking off for me. However, if you enjoy marriage-of-convenience tropes, witty banter, and charming coastal settings, it’s still an enjoyable afternoon read!
The Good
Charming small-town Marswood Harbor atmosphere, fun back-and-forth banter, a swoony MMC, and plenty of cozy, romantic moments!
The Not So Good
The pacing felt a bit uneven in places, and certain plot conflicts resolved a little too quickly to build maximum tension!
I am giving The Marriage Mistake by Lilian Monroe a solid 3-star review! ⭐⭐⭐
A small-town marriage-of-convenience romance filled with cozy harbour vibes, playful banter, and unexpected sparks! 💍🌊✨
ARC Disclosure: A big thank you to author Lilian Monroe for providing an advance digital review copy (eARC) of this book! All thoughts, fanatical reactions, and honest reflections shared in this review are entirely my own.
The Review
The Marriage Mistake by Lilian Monroe brings us back to Marswood Harbor for Book Two in the series! It’s a lighthearted, fast-paced read about two people navigating a accidental or convenient marriage setup, forced proximity, and all the chaotic emotions that come with it.
While the story had plenty of sweet moments and fun small-town dynamics, a few pacing choices and tropes kept it from fully taking off for me. However, if you enjoy marriage-of-convenience tropes, witty banter, and charming coastal settings, it’s still an enjoyable afternoon read!
The Good
Charming small-town Marswood Harbor atmosphere, fun back-and-forth banter, a swoony MMC, and plenty of cozy, romantic moments!
The Not So Good
The pacing felt a bit uneven in places, and certain plot conflicts resolved a little too quickly to build maximum tension!
September 6, 2026
Lillian Monroe's 'The Marriage Mistake' (Marswood Harbor Book 2) is a romance about two unlikely people brought together by a grandmother's plan. She posts a bride for her single-father grandson, Jack Mars, on a matchmaking app but accidentally uses Ember Knightly's info. They agree on a deal: Jack wants his inheritance for his and his daughter's future, while Ember hopes to claim her father's inheritance, which requires marriage. They settle on a contract marriage that ends in a no-fault divorce. Jack is a playboy who has been with many women in town since his wife died, while Ember has deep emotional scars, making her feel invisible and unattractive. Living together sparks feelings and physical attraction, with Jack’s charm quickly winning over Ember, blurring and then obliterating boundaries. Even Jack’s 13-year-old daughter, Darby, likes Ember because she brings a woman’s touch to the home. Beneath the romance, a suspenseful subplot unfolds as Jack and his brother’s security company is vandalized, building suspense until the mystery is solved. 'The Marriage Mistake' (Marswood Harbor Book 2) by Lillian Monroe is a story full of romance, spice, and heartbreak, culminating in a happy ending with no cheating.
September 11, 2026
I liked The Marriage Mistake so much more than the first book. Yes, it’s essentially the same basic setup with a scheming grandmother and an arranged marriage, and yes, everybody develops feelings pretty unrealistically fast, but I still had a great time reading it.
Jack and Ember just clicked better for me, and I really appreciated that there was way less self-deprecation and refusal to communicate between them. Their relationship felt easier to get invested in, and I enjoyed watching them actually work through things instead of constantly creating unnecessary drama for themselves.
I also really appreciated the way Darby was incorporated into their decisions and relationship. She wasn’t just treated like a plot device or an obstacle to their romance. Jack and Ember respected her as a person, listened to her, and made an effort to include her in the process, which I thought added a lot to their relationship and made their eventual dynamic feel more believable.
Overall, this one worked much better for me. It has plenty of the same tropes and some of the same unrealistic insta-feelings, but the characters and relationship were easier for me to connect with, and I had a lot more fun reading it.
Jack and Ember just clicked better for me, and I really appreciated that there was way less self-deprecation and refusal to communicate between them. Their relationship felt easier to get invested in, and I enjoyed watching them actually work through things instead of constantly creating unnecessary drama for themselves.
I also really appreciated the way Darby was incorporated into their decisions and relationship. She wasn’t just treated like a plot device or an obstacle to their romance. Jack and Ember respected her as a person, listened to her, and made an effort to include her in the process, which I thought added a lot to their relationship and made their eventual dynamic feel more believable.
Overall, this one worked much better for me. It has plenty of the same tropes and some of the same unrealistic insta-feelings, but the characters and relationship were easier for me to connect with, and I had a lot more fun reading it.
September 12, 2026
No mistake about it!
Ember and Jack enter into an arranged marriage with contracts meant to protect their hearts. Will the walls around their hearts come tumbling down?
Ember was raised to feel small, unlovable, and unworthy by a cold father who blamed her for her mother’s death at childbirth. She becomes a successful actuary who measures every risk in both work and life. What she doesn’t factor into her contract with Jack is feelings.
The wall around Jack’s heart is the result of him still being in love with his late wife, even after a decade.
They both took risks entering into the contracts, her to marry in order to receive her inheritance, and he to benefit from the inheritance and maintained some autonomy from his manipulative grandmother. What neither of them figured into the equation was falling in love.
The Marriage Mistake is cleverly written, with humor, passion, and all the feels. I love how Lilian has ended each chapter with Jack’s POV, which shows his true feelings that are often at odds with Ember’s perceptions.
Darby plays a significant role, both as the daughter Jack loves and the 13 yo girl whose feelings Ember empathizes with., and they form a bond.
I love Lilian Monroe’s books, and this one especially!
Ember and Jack enter into an arranged marriage with contracts meant to protect their hearts. Will the walls around their hearts come tumbling down?
Ember was raised to feel small, unlovable, and unworthy by a cold father who blamed her for her mother’s death at childbirth. She becomes a successful actuary who measures every risk in both work and life. What she doesn’t factor into her contract with Jack is feelings.
The wall around Jack’s heart is the result of him still being in love with his late wife, even after a decade.
They both took risks entering into the contracts, her to marry in order to receive her inheritance, and he to benefit from the inheritance and maintained some autonomy from his manipulative grandmother. What neither of them figured into the equation was falling in love.
The Marriage Mistake is cleverly written, with humor, passion, and all the feels. I love how Lilian has ended each chapter with Jack’s POV, which shows his true feelings that are often at odds with Ember’s perceptions.
Darby plays a significant role, both as the daughter Jack loves and the 13 yo girl whose feelings Ember empathizes with., and they form a bond.
I love Lilian Monroe’s books, and this one especially!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Pelican Cross Promotion and Lilian Monroe for my advanced copy of The Marriage Mistake to read and review! Also big thanks to Lacie for reaching out with the invitation!
I absolutely loved the marriage of convenience trope within this book. Ember needs her inheritance and Jack needs his grandmother to get off of his case about finding a wife; a literal match made in heaven.
Personally, as someone who is a lot like Ember, I really related to her character and her overthinking. I feel like I really need to get a job in risk assessment, I’d be really good at it.
This book starts out a little slow, but it picks up and stays great throughout the rest of the book.
My only beef is Jack the last 20% of the book. I would’ve whooped his ass for speaking to me the way he spoke to Ember. And i definitely wouldn’t have taken him back, but that’s just because I’m an Aquarius eldest daughter lol.
However, that man’s dirty mouth is his redemption quality. Because wow.
I am excited to read the first book in this series and I seriously cannot wait for Knox and Charlotte’s book. I need to know why she hates him so much.
I absolutely loved the marriage of convenience trope within this book. Ember needs her inheritance and Jack needs his grandmother to get off of his case about finding a wife; a literal match made in heaven.
Personally, as someone who is a lot like Ember, I really related to her character and her overthinking. I feel like I really need to get a job in risk assessment, I’d be really good at it.
This book starts out a little slow, but it picks up and stays great throughout the rest of the book.
My only beef is Jack the last 20% of the book. I would’ve whooped his ass for speaking to me the way he spoke to Ember. And i definitely wouldn’t have taken him back, but that’s just because I’m an Aquarius eldest daughter lol.
However, that man’s dirty mouth is his redemption quality. Because wow.
I am excited to read the first book in this series and I seriously cannot wait for Knox and Charlotte’s book. I need to know why she hates him so much.
September 14, 2026
Fake marriage is not usually a trope I reach for, but this one really won me over. It goes to show that you can’t really judge a book by trope alone and you should always give them a chance!
I really enjoyed watching Ember-a quirky studious introvert and Jack, a closed-off single dad- go from “this is just a solution to a problem” to slowly catching real feelings for each other. The chemistry was fun, and I loved all those little moments where their walls started to come down and neither of them could quite pretend this was just an arrangement anymore.
They both have some past trauma to work through, and I appreciated that their relationship did not magically fix everything. Instead, they helped each other feel safe enough to start moving forward and building something new.
I also really enjoyed the family dynamic with his teenage daughter, Darby. Watching these three slowly find their way into something that felt like a real family was such a sweet part of the story.
So while fake dating/marriage usually is not my thing, this one was really well done and I genuinely had such a good time reading it. A little romance, a little found family, some healing, and two people who definitely did not expect their “fake” marriage to turn into something real. ❤️
I really enjoyed watching Ember-a quirky studious introvert and Jack, a closed-off single dad- go from “this is just a solution to a problem” to slowly catching real feelings for each other. The chemistry was fun, and I loved all those little moments where their walls started to come down and neither of them could quite pretend this was just an arrangement anymore.
They both have some past trauma to work through, and I appreciated that their relationship did not magically fix everything. Instead, they helped each other feel safe enough to start moving forward and building something new.
I also really enjoyed the family dynamic with his teenage daughter, Darby. Watching these three slowly find their way into something that felt like a real family was such a sweet part of the story.
So while fake dating/marriage usually is not my thing, this one was really well done and I genuinely had such a good time reading it. A little romance, a little found family, some healing, and two people who definitely did not expect their “fake” marriage to turn into something real. ❤️
September 19, 2026
The Marriage Mistake by Lilian Monroe is a fun and entertaining small-town romance with plenty of chemistry, emotional moments, and the kind of cozy community atmosphere that makes you want to keep reading. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between the main characters develop. What starts out as an unexpected situation quickly becomes much more complicated as feelings get involved. Their chemistry felt natural, and I liked seeing them work through misunderstandings, vulnerability, and the challenges standing between them. The Marswood Harbor setting added an extra layer of charm to the story, with the close-knit small-town feel and supporting characters helping bring everything to life. The pacing kept me interested, and there was a nice balance between romance, humor, and emotional moments. Overall, The Marriage Mistake was a sweet and enjoyable read that fans of small-town romance and marriage-of-convenience stories should definitely check out.
I received an ARC copy from Pelican Cross Promotion. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
I received an ARC copy from Pelican Cross Promotion. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
September 28, 2026
I loved Sadie and Gideon but I LOVE Jack and Ember more.
Jack is a single dad whose whole persona and existence revolves around his daughter Darby and making sure she isn’t hurt by anyone he sees. Ember is a meticulous, on the spectrum, actuary who purposely made her match making profile match Jack in every aspect at possible.
Is Jack an ass to start? Absolutely. Is Ember exacting and unaffectionate? Also a resounding yes. He doesn’t know what to do with true feelings for someone else and she doesn’t know what to do with her feelings at all. Especially with the way she was raised. Darby becomes a bridge between the two, even when Jack doesn’t want her to. Or is it Ember that becomes the bridge between a growing Darby and Jack when she’s a girl in crisis and Jack isn’t the one she wants.
Though their story is unconventional, and yes sometimes I disliked Jack and his bachelor’s mentality, how he grew and how Ember especially grew in her own confidence made me love them more. Do they get their happily ever after when Jack figures out how to remove his head from his rear? You’ll have to read The Marriage Mistake to find out.
Jack is a single dad whose whole persona and existence revolves around his daughter Darby and making sure she isn’t hurt by anyone he sees. Ember is a meticulous, on the spectrum, actuary who purposely made her match making profile match Jack in every aspect at possible.
Is Jack an ass to start? Absolutely. Is Ember exacting and unaffectionate? Also a resounding yes. He doesn’t know what to do with true feelings for someone else and she doesn’t know what to do with her feelings at all. Especially with the way she was raised. Darby becomes a bridge between the two, even when Jack doesn’t want her to. Or is it Ember that becomes the bridge between a growing Darby and Jack when she’s a girl in crisis and Jack isn’t the one she wants.
Though their story is unconventional, and yes sometimes I disliked Jack and his bachelor’s mentality, how he grew and how Ember especially grew in her own confidence made me love them more. Do they get their happily ever after when Jack figures out how to remove his head from his rear? You’ll have to read The Marriage Mistake to find out.
October 2, 2026
Grandma Etta is at it again! Her town needs new people, and this time she’s matchmaking her grandson, Jack, with Ember, the actuary with her own six-week deal.
Ember is smart, uptight, and she often comes across as quirky and awkward. In fact, she doesn’t just work as an actuary; she’s the one who uncovers a potential threat to Jack’s company. Still, for all her brilliance, she struggles with self-acceptance and avoids interacting with Jack’s daughter, Darby, because her deal with Jack limits their time together.
What really bothered me was Ember opening the tea shop. Why would the math-loving actuary want to open a shop like that? It feels like a step backward. She’s moving away from a career that challenges her intellect, which she seems to enjoy, to settle into a role that doesn’t fit her personality. It’s frustrating for me as a reader. Wouldn’t a business that supports her actuarial skills make more sense? In addition, she states she is not the motherly type, but she caves to Jack’s wishes again and goes against her character.
Then there’s Jack. He’s charming, pushy, and a protector of sorts, but he relies on his looks way too much. Seriously, many women in town have had a fling with him, which I found inappropriate for a single dad of a 13-year-old girl. You’d think he’d be more aware of how this might make Ember feel, especially when she’s fighting her own insecurities, but he shrugs it off like it’s nothing. Yet when the tables turn and men approach Ember, he gets angry. I felt he needed to dial back the charm a bit and act like a grown-up.
Overall, I liked book 1 in the series better. The chemistry between Ember and Jack didn’t work for me, and the plot was meh. But if you like the opposites-attract trope with a quirky nerd and a hot single dad, this book may be right up your alley.
Thank you to Ms. Monroe for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
Ember is smart, uptight, and she often comes across as quirky and awkward. In fact, she doesn’t just work as an actuary; she’s the one who uncovers a potential threat to Jack’s company. Still, for all her brilliance, she struggles with self-acceptance and avoids interacting with Jack’s daughter, Darby, because her deal with Jack limits their time together.
What really bothered me was Ember opening the tea shop. Why would the math-loving actuary want to open a shop like that? It feels like a step backward. She’s moving away from a career that challenges her intellect, which she seems to enjoy, to settle into a role that doesn’t fit her personality. It’s frustrating for me as a reader. Wouldn’t a business that supports her actuarial skills make more sense? In addition, she states she is not the motherly type, but she caves to Jack’s wishes again and goes against her character.
Then there’s Jack. He’s charming, pushy, and a protector of sorts, but he relies on his looks way too much. Seriously, many women in town have had a fling with him, which I found inappropriate for a single dad of a 13-year-old girl. You’d think he’d be more aware of how this might make Ember feel, especially when she’s fighting her own insecurities, but he shrugs it off like it’s nothing. Yet when the tables turn and men approach Ember, he gets angry. I felt he needed to dial back the charm a bit and act like a grown-up.
Overall, I liked book 1 in the series better. The chemistry between Ember and Jack didn’t work for me, and the plot was meh. But if you like the opposites-attract trope with a quirky nerd and a hot single dad, this book may be right up your alley.
Thank you to Ms. Monroe for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
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