The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson

by Lauren H. Brandenburg

It is said that something magical happens during the festival season in Coraloo, something unexplainable. People tend to be a little crazier, reckless. Maybe it's because it coincides the full moon, but Coraloo's constable, Roy Blackwell, is beginning to think it's something else. That said, Roy has other things on his mind, like marrying Margarette Toft. A controversial decision as the Toft and the Blackwell families have a hatred for one another that is older than the town itself. Tradition collides with superstition as the feuding families compete to organize the events surrounding the most talked about wedding in the history of Coraloo. Despite the array of minor catastrophes that ensue, and the timings clashing with a four-week long festival celebrating a legendary beaver, Roy and Margarette hold fast and declare they will do whatever it takes to wed. That is until Roy unearths a town secret - a murder involving a pair of scissors, an actor with a severe case of kleptomania, and the mysterious marriage of Innis Wilkinson. Can good come out of unearthing the past - or will only heartbreak follow?

Genres: Romance

272 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2020

About the author

Lauren H. Brandenburg is a mentor, speaker, and author who happily blurs the lines between traditional genres in both middle-grade and cozy women's fiction. Her fourth book in The Books of the Gardener series, Orlo: The Created, was a finalist for the Selah Award middle-grade novel of the year. The Death of Mungo Blackwell, a humorous family fiction (Lion Hudson publishing) was longlisted for the People's Book Prize in the United Kingdom and won the ACFW award for contemporary fiction. Lauren is a former junior high and high school English teacher who stepped away from her profession to raise and homeschool her two children. She currently lives with her husband, Jamie, and their children in a lovely little town just south of Nashville, Tennessee where they eat and laugh a lot. www.LaurenHBrandenburg.com

Reviews

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is heartwarming and charming, it will inspire joy and laughter. After reading the first book The Death of Mungo Blackwell, I had to read the second book here, The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson.

There’s always characters that author Lauren Brandenburg has created draw you in. As all of us girls
My review on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com

On the front cover of The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, the picture of the scissors play a big part within the story.

I was drawn in by Roy Blackwell’s and Margarette Toft wedding proposal, are their families are enemies.

At thirty-seven Margarette was beginning to wonder if she would ever find her forever until after eight months of her dating Roy Blackwell, he proposed to her.

Coraloo was a place were news traveled fast

Margarette Toff was going to marry constable Roy Blackwell.

She removed her delicate diamond ring 💍 from its velvety hold, and slipped it onto her finger as she had done for the past three mornings. Then she took it off as the family hadn’t heard about the proposal. Margarette hid her ring in a little box from her family. For Margarette Toft, her ring was a symbol of commitment to Roy and to the Blackwells. And a betrayal to the Tofts.

Margarette’s mother called her engagement to be married a rebellious fling.

Constable Roy Blackwell finds out a secret about the marriage if Innis Wilkinson.

Will Margarette and Roy finally get married?

What’s to look forward to is weddings with lots of drama.

[Lauren Brandenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies and gentlemen... I present to you... The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson! Oh, what a joy it was for me to revisit my little village of Coraloo to share with you the story of Margarette Toft and Roy Blackwell. I've grown quite fond of them over the past year, and I absolutely know you will too! And as for Innis Wilkinson... well, she is a bit of a conundrum, and to be honest, I didn't quite know what to make of her myself when I set out to re-tell her tale. But alas, we have grown quite close, and while I must say a bit of her quirkiness has rubbed off on me, I'm honored to be the first to know the mysterious truth behind The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson.

I do hope you will enjoy this tale of love, hope, and finding your place in the world. Happy reading, friends! - Lauren

[MJSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You have to get rid of the excess - the parts that are no longer needed - to expose the good. Sometimes we have a hard time letting go of the excess...the fear and the uncertainty. But if we allow ourselves to be trimmed - pruned, so to speak - we can grow."

This is the first book I have read by the author and I was totally captivated by the unique voice and storyline of this book. The author has received multiple accolades for her first book The Death of Mungo Blackwell so this piqued my interest in trying out this new-to-me author. Though the book is technically the second book in the series, it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. The writing is extremely clever and funny; the premise and plot are quite original and memorable, as are the characters. Reading the book was like slipping into a delightfully unique world where everything is done differently and seen through different sets of eyes.

The author's third person narrative voice in the past is reminiscent of the grandpa in The Princess Bride movie - lyrical, unhurried, and slowly and deliciously leading up to the climax of the story. Her third person narrative voice in the present (Margarette and Roy) is honest, riddled with doubt, but uplifted by hope and love. The century-old feud between the Tofts (Margarette) and the Blackwells (Roy) is ridiculous but eye-opening, the myriad of Toft superstitions is somewhat crazy, the elaborate Blackwell traditions are often sweet and sentimental but sometimes strange, and the way things are done in the tiny tourist town of Coraloo is mind-boggling but fascinating. I loved Margarette and Roy's loyalty and love for their respective families and their valiant effort to try to bring forth peace and unity between the feuding members. Getting to know Innis from the past and present was indeed enlightening and how the author weaves Innis into Margarette and Roy's present is truly ingenious. The wisdom in letting go of our fears and uncertainties and desire for others' approval whispers loudly in Margarette and Roy's ears, as it does to us.

This book will delight anyone looking for a unique read. I received a copy of the book from Lion Fiction via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love new voices in the world of Rom-Com!
This book was a delight to read and I couldn't put it down because I loved the characters and how this new to me author put them through their paces. I snickered through some of it and I clapped my hands through others.
This author has done her job in keeping me entertained. I was absolutely pleased with it.
It's amazing what we'll do to please other people. Especially if we love them enough. This is why I admired Roy Blackwell so much.
Margarette is quite the character herself. I really loved in getting to know her.
The family feud I thought sort of reminded me of the Hatfield and McCoy one except there wasn't any bloodshed involved which is good news of course.
I will need to go back and read Lauren's other book because in a way I felt like I missed out on so much! I didn't know there was another book with this one!
I recommend this book especially if you love rom-com. This book brightened my day considerably
Thank you Lauren. It was awesome!
My thanks for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whimsical and completely unique, Brandenburg's assured voice and sly, cerebral wit have shades of Frederik Backman ,Rachel Joyce and Phaedra Patrick.


I enjoyed her deep character study and how at ease she is in letting her story unfold. What's more, I felt cold after leaving this world that was at once a burst of rainbow and a quiet solitude during a year when we all long to travel.

With just the write notes of whimsy and irony, the duelling families and eccentric onlookers in colourfully-drawn Coraloo are a singular and wonderful escape.


I look forward to where Brandenburg's intelligent and playful and surprising imagination takes us next.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson Lauren H. Brandenburg builds on the success of her Carol Award-winning The Death of Mungo Blackwell. Readers are welcomed back to Coraloo with its zany residents, long-held traditions, and feuding families.

Brandenburg manages to take something that could be absolutely ridiculous and make it charmingly quirky. Roy Blackwell’s patience and desire to ease his fiancée’s burdens is so sweet. Margarette Toft, with her out-of-control task list is easy to relate to. I love that there's more to the author's characters than meets the eye, and the truths revealed as you spend more time with them.

This is a book that is both an escape and a discovery. Whether it’s loving well in the midst of chaos, discovering what is right in front of you, the joys and disappointments of family, or finding the place that is yours, there’s something in this book that will speak to readers in across many areas of life.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars




Margarette Toft is a grade six teacher and is a Toft. That last name has marked her to have all Blackwells in the Coraloo as sworn enemies. She had been engaged before but felt that the union was not “the one.” She is a meticulous woman who kept notebooks and plans for anything and everything. She could never prepare herself to become a Blackwell.

Roy Blackwell is Coraloo’s town constable and, ironically, is a bit of a hypochondriac. (I blame the latter one on his grandmother’s “The Complete Medical Handbook” that he casually reads on occasion. He scrutinizes each bodily ailment he comes into contact with.) He is a quiet man who keeps to himself and hardly muddles with the town’s Blackwells vs. Tofts contentions. It is a surprise boyfriend/fiance of Margarette Toft!

Innis Imogen-Laken Toft is the only daughter of Isabelle Donadieu, an outsider who settled in Coraloo. She has an unusual past as a daughter of a well-known seamstress and was the “keeper of the scissors” based on a fortune teller then later wooed by a traveling actor. She later learned how to alter and hem from her mother but was only until later that she realized her gift a lot later in her life and after a life-changing event.

The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is a slow-burn, self-realization, and the deeper meaning of a relationship kind of book. Its colorful and creative descriptions of the people and the town was a gift. The story flowed organically and seamlessly as the characters discover themselves. The story starts us off at the town’s annual Heaken Beaver Festival, where readers will see the sliced personalities making up Coraloo. The festival is known to produce the “crazies” in people, but little did I know that there is something to this occurrence.

Basing on the title and first impression, I thought I got the book wrong! The only mention of Innis Wilkinson was in Chapter 1 and nothing else until further down the book. It puzzled me, but I kept reading the book until I finally understood Innis’ role and why the author left her story later.

I enjoyed the historical journey of the town’s inception, the founders, and the feud between the Blackwell and the Tofts. The stories were funny and cute. While some serious and sad, it was engaging to keep me reading. Coraloo’s characters all had their “shortcoming,” but in the end, they all made the town what it is – exciting and “rich in history.”

The stories are the “stars” of this book – hidden, sad, embarrassing, sacred, and, at times, funny. The author is a great storyteller and was very detailed and thought in each character’s focus that shaped Coraloo and its people.

Many charming flashbacks gave readers a better understanding and later connected the importance of Coraloo’s history and tradition.
Although there are a lot of mini-stories in the book, I did not feel overwhelmed or confused. It is with these stories that I got to connect to the characters and the town. The random stories ranged from mystery wedding dressmaker, surprising wedding dress traditions, missing recipe, and cold case murders to the end of finding what’s in Wilkson’s big bag that he lugged around. It was all in the name of entertaining readers.

The author uses the past to help readers connect and understand how a simple tradition/superstition will affect even the youngest of minds. I am glad that Margarette, the teacher, is there to make sure it does not go overboard because some of the kids’ re-interpretations were “out-there,” especially on who did what that caused the feud. It was not all silly “misunderstandings” between townfolks that make up the book. In this sleepy town, who would have known an unsolved murder case that lands on Roy’s lap.

You have to look for the truth, Blackwell, in others and in yourself. That’s when you’ll know who you really are and what you were really created to be.
— The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, Lauren H. Brandenburg

A unique thing about the book is how Innis’ story is juxtaposed with Margarette’s. There were so many similarities both women went through, wherein both:-
1) are Tofts without knowing it,
2) experienced life outside of Coralee and traveled
3) followed their heart versus tradition with choosing their partners, etc.
With so many similarities, they seem to connect at a deeper level with each other’s past and experiences than they realize.
Innis’ story came as a cruel and sinister one. I felt she was robbed of her simplicity and innocence by a conniving man. Readers will relate and empathize as the trainwreck of deception unfolds. That experience may have beaten her, but not broken. I was in awe of her bravery in refocusing her efforts on herself.
Margarette’s story was within her family – wherein her family members kept discouraging her from marrying Roy. It was a mash-up of snide side-comments to even blaming her for all the “bad luck” happening.

In the end, both went against their family tradition for someone who would fight, protect, and keep them safe, which is what a marriage is all about. The rest are just “trimmings” that can either be kept or cut away if in excess.

You have to get rid of the excess – the parts that are no longer needed – to expose the good. Sometimes we have a harder time letting go of the excess…the fear and the uncertainty. But if we allow ourselves to be trimmed – pruned, so to speak – we can grow.
— The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, Lauren H. Brandenburg

My most favorite part of the book was how Roy proposed! It is swoon-worthy not because it was lavishly staged but the opposite! It was the most subdued proposal ever, but it felt right for Roy and Margarette. It is what Margarette wanted.

**Swoon-worthy scene**

I found “interruptions” when Roy is trying to do his job of questioning suspects hilarious. It always comes at an awkward time and leaves Roy (and the readers) at a stand-still as we try to piece together the mystery. The suspects become elusive and disappear! Those moments are stellar, and I always grinned when it happened.

The story’s mystery was solved (?) after so many years after the perpetrator has been long gone. Things are what they seem, and I would not have guessed the “killer” in the end. Roy did and after piecing together stories from each of the townspeople. I believe Roy is very deserving to be a constable, even if he does not believe it.

In summary, The Wedding of Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is engaging and enlightening work. There is a right balance of love, humor, and self-reflection to become the best version of ourselves to the world. It was a compelling read with its colorful descriptions of the town and people. Roy and Margarette both found happiness with each other because that’s what they choose to do – to trim the excess and let the beauty come out from within. It makes readers:
(a) realize that the essential element in a relationship is the people inside the relationship, making everything bearable and braver in a world full of doubt and deceptions, and
(b) not everything is what it seems; nothing is just black and white. It could sometimes be grey and “purple and red.”

I hope you get this book and let me know what you think!

Truth and love had won her over, and with Roy by her side, none of it mattered anymore.
— The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, Lauren H. Brandenburg

Note: The reflective questions at the back of the book were a great treat to recall and relive the wonderful tale again and again. I was able to tackle a lot of the questions given.

[Jennia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a story that is somehow both familiar yet wholly unique, the reader is introduced to a delightful and eccentric cast of characters in the town of Coraloo. The whimsical town, with its celebrated festival revolving around a beaver version of the jackalope, has all the charm and appeal of an older BBC miniseries. Astute observations and clever yet natural banter make a book that could be silly as delicious and satisfying as a freshly baked slice of pie.
While marketed as a rom com, this book is so much more. First, Margarette and Roy are older than your typical couple in a romance (37 and 48), though they encounter their fair share of obstacles. The two belong to feuding families, who are a less tortured and violent version of the Hatfields and McCoys. They are also dealing with their own internal struggles, such as Roy and his slight hypochondria. These deep and layered insights into the town’s individuals launch this beyond what is usually found in this genre and made it easy to connect to the different characters.
As one could guess by the title, the book does not revolve solely around Margarette and Roy. Skipping back a few decades, the reader gets glimpses into Innis’s life before it circles back to the present day. The two storylines merge together by the end, but I can’t say much more since it would be too easy to spoil the grand reveals by even giving a hint of what to anticipate.
Despite wanting this book to never end, I couldn’t put it down. Margarette is the sort of woman I’d want to be best friends with in real life, and Coraloo is the exact sort of town I add to my ever-growing list of places to visit. Charming and unique are the closest words I can find to sum up this remarkable book and I greatly look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher and JustReadTours for a complimentary copy. This did not impact my review.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson by Lauren H. Brandenburg is a delightful book. It took me a while to get into the book, but once I did, it was a good read.

The setting is a "quaint" town named Coraloo. I LOVE Quaint town settings, even in real life. Small town and everyone knows everyone. Although, as with this book that could lead to feuding families. The feuding families of the Blackwells and Tofts really made the book really interesting. I also liked the Humor throughout the book, gave me a few belly laughs while reading. The Characters, the setting, and the mystery aspect really make this a GREAT Book! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I was pleasantly surprised on how WONDERFUL this book is and I look forward to reading more books by Lauren H. Brandenburg.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical romantic comedy centering on Roy Blackwell and Margarette Toft as they prepare for their impending nuptials during the most unpredictable time of the year, between feuding families, a town secret and the crazy happenings of the festival, what could possibly go wrong?

A delightful read, with a full cast of colorful characters that make the enchanting town of Coraloo come alive. I loved the comfortable chemistry between Roy and Margarette, and how they work together to overcome obstacles that threaten their union and unravel the mystery of Innis Wilkinson. This story drifts forward and back in time, as we learn the history of some of the long held prejudices and superstitions of the residents of Coraloo, in this backstory dependent storyline.

Overall, a fun-filled, light-hearted read about the things that we bring and leave behind going into a marriage. I loved getting to know the colorful members of the Coraloo township, both inside and outside the market. There are many hilarious mishaps along the way, and I admired how so many characters were comfortable being their our quirky selves. A sweet romantic comedy, whimsical, and fun!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Amy Earls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so hard. I'd read this again, and I'd recommend this book to everyone. I'll be reading more from this author, for sure.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to come up with just one word to best describe The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, that word would without a doubt would be... charming!

I must admit this was one of those instances when I absolutely judged the book by it's cover... but honestly though... who could blame me? This cover was so unique and charming that I couldn't help but be drawn in. I quickly learned that that quirkiness that had drawn me to the book from the cover to start with carried on throughout the story as well.

In The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, we are taken to the intriguing town of Coraloo where we are introduced to constable Roy Blackwell and schoolteacher Margarette Toft who've recently gotten engaged. The problem? Theirs is a Romeo and Juliet love with their families having such a long lasting feud no one really quite knows what started it all. Between the feud, their families, and the very odd traditions in their town, will they truly be able to pull it off? And how does the mysterious marriage of Innis Wilkinson figure into it all?

I love books about quirky little towns-- and have read MANY. But I must say, this one may be the quirkiest of all. The traditions and superstitions are larger than life, but you couldn't help but love each and every unique character introduced. I couldn't help but want to visit this fictional town just to take it all in and quite honestly, I wasn't ready to leave. This is just the kind of escape from reality that makes me fall in love with reading.

If you enjoy crazy little towns, family feuds and a bit of mystery, this is one book not to be missed! I loved it!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few pages into The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson I knew this book was unique, having a tone and feel that I haven't felt in a book in a very long time. There is something about the small town of Coraloo that has the words "quirky" and "charming" echoing through the pages. With feuding families, and long-time held traditions that make no sense whatsoever to an outsider, you feel like you're in a time warp instead of modern day, and feel lucky to catch a glimpse of this unconventional town.

The novel parallels two very different, yet strangely similar timelines. The first is the wedding planning of two lovebirds, Roy and Margarette, each from one of the feuding families, the Tofts and the Blackwells, that have hated each other for generations. So long, in fact, that no one can give a clear answer of why the hatred for the other is so strong! The just let the feud continue, and both Roy and Margarette hope that their union will bring about peace to the rivals. To make things even more ambitious they plan on having the wedding by the end of the month.

The second timeline is the life story of Innis Wilkinson, the illusive cleaning lady of Coraloo, who was also the old seamstresses daughter, a woman who had her own superstitions, and made Innis's life all the more compelling.

The majority of the story takes place during the annual festival that happens in Coraloo every May, a festival that also brings out all the crazies with it. I actually got lost in this zany world, loving the wedding aspect, the kooky details of the festival, the planning, and finding out the great mystery that shrouds both Innis Wilkerson, and her husband. I can't leave out all the unbelievable traditions! To enter into the Blackwell family you need to read an instruction manual first!

To say I was utterly charmed by this story is an understatement. Loving the uniqueness of the town and its inhabitants gave it a real feel, and yet at the same time it felt like a delusion. I caught myself several times bouncing back and forth with the idea of real or imaginary, with a goofy grin on my face, loving every moment of this fun read!

The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is so refreshingly different from many of the tropes out there right now, which is why I think I enjoyed this book as much as I did! Well, that and who couldn't fall in love with such a uniquely special town and all its inhabitants! A amazingly unique read for sure, but one that with absolutely charm the pants off you!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

[Angela Kreais · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this comedic Romeo and Juliet style love story Margarette Toft is now engaged to Roy Blackwell. The families do not approve of this union and blame it on the Heaken Beaver Festival. Everyone goes a little coocoo during the month of activities that brings tourism to the small town of Coraloo. That must be the couple's problem. Margaret has four weeks to plan their wedding and cross off all the necessary traditions for both families. Roy has his hands full with the town shenanigans and a cold case involving Innis Wilkinson. There are similarities between Innis and Margaret that Roy can't ignore. He is determined to figure out what happened in 1976.

I adored the cast of characters! The charming residents of Coraloo, the feuding families, the mischievous 6th graders. I would love to be one of the others that came to visit so I could people watch. I would want to spend a weekend to shop at the Coraloo Flea Market, get my hair done at Sylvia's, partake in communion on Sunday morning, and experience all of the fun traditions of this small town.

I was invited to participate in The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson reviewer tour hosted by JustReadTours. I received a copy of this novel from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own, any review is voluntary.

[Tera Bradham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson did not disappoint after Brandenburg’s first book in Coraloo! I fell in love with the town in The Death of Mungo Blackwell (the first book in the series), and Brandenburg has done it again! I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from the first book make appearances in this one, but they did not detract from an entirely new plot line. I love these books because they are unique stories. It’s hard to find books nowadays that aren’t just a mix and match between the same plot you’ve read over and over. A mixture of romance, friendship, family, and mystery, this book has something every reader can enjoy.
The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson gives you the chance to let your imagination soar with the author’s as she takes you through a quirky, cozy, fun journey in this book. I laughed multiple times at the details Brandenburg thought up, and I finished this book in a couple of days with a good blanket in hand. Well done and thank you for this cozy read!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. I have to say that it took me a while to get into the book. Parts of the story are still a mystery now that I have finished.
In some ways, life in Coralee is old-fashioned, the townspeople being constantly concerned with what others think and a feud between two families. Then the internet is mentioned, so you realise that it is set in modern times. The romance too, seems naive and the traditions of both families from a bygone age.
I didn't get the relevance of the title and other story until later on in the book. But it all does come together as the book progresses and I am glad that I perservered with it.
I was looking for a different genre after reading a couple of crime stories. This fitted the bill. An unusual writing style, but worth the effort.
Thanks to Net Galley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review

[Tabitha Bouldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious yet deep. The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson has a wide range of characters who really push this novel into another dimension of reading. I loved the extremeness of the townsfolk and how they had misinterpretations for many things, the feud between Toft and Blackwell had a definite vibe that thrilled me and kept me reading. Meggy and Roy wanted to be the stars of the show and end the feuding between their families, but it was the quiet strength of Innis that brought everything full circle. I loved the symbolism of the scissors and how Wilkin offers an explanation at the end. Perfectly done. Humor is one of my love languages, and this novel brings everything it has to the mat.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Amanda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an enjoyable ride! I loved that the author has such a unique way to tell a story. I thought that the way this book goes about the story of Innis, Roy, and Margarette was so much fun to read. The town of Coraloo is a delight to visit again. I don't want to give anything away with this story and the direction that it goes, since you should pick it up for yourself!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

[WS_BOOKCLUB · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is heartwarming, funny, and delightful. Imagine scooping up the zany background characters from the show Gilmore Girls, along with an adorable and kooky town, and making them the main focus of a book, and you’ve got this sweet and funny romp.

Margarette is engaged to marry Roy. However, there’s a big problem: she’s a Toft and he’s a Blackwell. These families have been at each other’s throats for as long as anyone can remember and no wedding is going to change that. This is a feud of Shakespearean proportions, and if Margarette and Roy aren’t careful, it could end just as badly. Meanwhile, the town might have seen its first murder in memory, someone has stolen the recipe to the incredibly potent communion wine and is spiking drinks left and right, and a little elementary school student is predicting doom at every turn. Can Margarette and Roy manage to survive all the feud-related nonsense, or will their wedding go the way of the dodo?

I don’t think there’s a single thing that I didn’t love about this book! The setting- a small town with a weeks’ long festival- is a perfect backdrop for the hijinks the characters get into. Everyone knows everyone, which makes the small town seem even smaller. The two feuding families couldn’t be more different, with everyone on one side or the other. The only thing they agree on is that Tofts and Blackwells shouldn’t marry.

And the characters! The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is chock-full of wonderful, zany people. From Sylvia, the hairdresser whose clients have to get their hair fixed by someone else afterward, to Earl, who always has a colander on his head, each one of them is a fun addition to the book. The way their personalities play off each other and add to the general zaniness of the story is utterly fantastic.

While there are mysterious goings-on that need to be solved, the main charm of this book is in the character development and the sweetness that shines through each page. This is a perfect cozy read. Cuddle up with your favorite warm beverage and get ready to laugh, smile, and leave the stresses of the real world behind for a bit. The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is a hug in book form and I loved every moment of it.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, but this is a gorgeous, sparkling gem of a novel! It was one of those books that is a compete joy to read to the point I felt rather bereft when I reached the end. Everything about it is wonderful, from the enticing cover, to the charming and colourful characters, right down to the beautiful prose that Lauren writes.

Margarette Toft and Roy Blackwell are engaged to be married. They have found each other, fallen head over heels in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together. Preparing for a wedding can be challenging and stressful in normal circumstances but unfortunately the Blackwell and Toft families have been bitter enemies for a long, long time. So lets just say things don’t move along a smoothly as every betrothed couple hope.

I adore Lauren’s story building. Right from the very beginning I was swept away in to the slightly strange town of Coraloo. The inhabitants as strange and interesting as the town’s history which is fed to us gradually through this charming and bewitching tale. Lauren paints a slightly surreal yet vibrant world where traditions reign supreme and grudges are held firm and fast. This strange tale of sparring families and new love soon becomes even better when Lauren throws a murder mystery into the mix and I have to say I adored every single part.

As the story progresses we slip back to the past and visit Innis, a young seamstress as she dreams of a life outside of Coraloo, a life that glitters with love and adventure. A life that certainly doesn’t include the rather dull Wilkin Wilkinson who is so desperately in love with her. The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is so beautifully written with skill and care and Lauren brings the stories of Roy and Margarette and Innis and Wilkin seamlessly together. But will there be a happy ending for both of our couples or does the mysterious alleged murder leave them heartbroken. I whole heartedly recommend this gorgeous novel, Lauren is a truly gifted storyteller. I now also have a copy of The Death of Mungo Blackwell, which I am very much looking forward to reading. This is one author that has leaped to the top of my firm ‘favourites’.

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roy Blackwell’s engagement to Margarette Toft might not be straightforward!

What an utterly beguiling story The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is. I found it charming, humorous, thoroughly entertaining, and quite unlike other books. I loved the dead pan manner with which Lauren H. Brandenburg dropped the most unlikely of comments into her narrative so that I had to keep doing a double take. This added a smashing depth of pleasure. Reading The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson reminded me of the television series Pushing Daisies because of the unusual narrative style mixed with wonderful humour.

Although the narrative has both historical dates and present day modernity with the internet for example, the Coraloo setting and the kaleidoscope of characters gives the story a timeless feel that is thoroughly engaging. As a result, I think the appeal of The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson will endure long after other stories feel passé. Add in the attention to detail, the wonderful descriptions provided by Lauren H. Brandenbug and this is a story that has the effect of a pebble in a pond. Meanings, links and connections ripple across the narrative in a mesmerising manner.

So many themes and connections hold this narrative together, much like the lace on the ancient wedding dress. Echoes of Romeo and Juliet, need, identity, missed opportunity, love and appreciating what might be right under our noses if only we took the time to look give depth and poignancy amongst the humour and entertainment.
There’s a gentle story that escalates the closer Roy and Margarette get to their wedding and that is woven between stands of historical feuds and events that I found totally absorbing, but the real joy in reading The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is the characterisation. I loved Roy and Margarette unreservedly. They are a constant amongst the eccentric people living in Coraloo whose singular and individual behaviours are hugely entertaining.
Offbeat, quirky and utterly charming with a hint of romance, magic, murder and menace, The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson is a smashing story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really recommend it.

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was interesting, it fell a little flat for me.
It had all the makings of a fantastic book, feuding, mystery, and fun characters, I struggled to get into the story.
Roy's job was a bit unbelievable to me. He acted like nothing ever happened in the town, yet was arresting people for a variety of crimes all the time. Also, what police officer doesn't have something to defend himself with?
However, all that said, I really did enjoy Innis's perspective from the past. I found her to be a special and unique character.
All in all, this story was not spectacular but nice if you are looking for a quaint read full of small-town life.

Rating: 3/5
Language: n/a
Romance: some but not much
Spiritual: characters are Christians
Violence: murder mystery

*I received a copy of this novel from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

[Becca (Reflections From My Bookshelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had trouble getting into this book at the beginning but it soon captured my interest. It's quite different then what I typically read. To me it felt part Romeo and Juliet and part fairy tale. The story is about Roy Blackwell and Margarette Taft who had fallen in love in spite of the long lasting feud between their families. The story had a fairy tale feel as if the town of Coraloo was cast under a magic spell with the colorful townspeople, superstitions and the deep family traditions that become very pronounced during the month long festival. All the weird things that happened felt unreal but somehow just fits with this story. Mixed in to their story is the story of Innis Wilkinson. The girl with the scissors. That added a different twist to the story.
I liked all the different family members. Each had their own personality. It's hard to choose who is my favorite.
I think the life lessons in this book can be a good reminder to the reader as well.

This was a different book then what I am used to. It took me awhile to get to and I might not have kept reading but I am glad that I did.

I recommend this book to family and friends.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marriage Of Innis Wilkinson by Lauren H Brandenburg is an entertaining contemporary novel. It is the sequel to The Death Of Mungo Blackwell but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed catching up with familiar characters.
The feud between the Blackwells and the Tofts continues with each side trying to do better than the other. Like Romeo and Juliet, there are two families trying to arrange a marriage. The happy couple feel pulled this way and that as they try to please everyone.
It is important to be the person you were created to be. Others may try to mould us but we need to resist. It is exhausting if we are continually trying to be someone we are not, just to please others. We need to be free to be ourselves.
To live in freedom, we need to live in the truth. The truth will always set us free. We must not build our lives on a foundation of lies.
The characters are all delightfully drawn. I have enjoyed watching them grow and progress. I love the continuing thread of the macaroons running through both books – you need to read them to see what I mean.
The Marriage Of Innis Wilkinson is a unique read. The characters will take up residence in your heart and leave you smiling.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coraloo is a place that seems trapped in its own little time warp. A place where it follows its own fashions and traditions to the letter. A place where the world seems to pass it by without even realising its existence. They say that there are two sides to every story and well there are definitely two sides to this strange and fascinating place, the Tofts’ and the Blackwells worlds are about to collide.

Although this is the second book in this series, I am coming to the story from book two, although I certainly didn’t feel like I shouldn’t be there. Roy Blackwell, Coraloo’s only law enforcement officer has fallen in love with Margarette Toft, who teaches the children of Coraloo and they are planning to marry. The two feuding sides certainly don’t want the pair to marry but at the same time neither wants to be outdone by the other. So let the antics begin!

There I was reading chapter after chapter while flipping back to the title wondering where Innis Wilkinson would fit into the mix, I was a little while in finding out and it still makes me smile thinking about her own story. The characters are quirky and unforgettable and loved the beauty parlour where snippets of gossip would outweigh a bad hair cut any day.

Lauren H Brandenburg weaves an unforgettable story within a story and it felt like I was transported back to the days of fairy tales of true love. It was magical. Loved the end and hope to return to this place again soon.

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and enjoyable story, I really liked the sweet Roy and his Margrette. And a very unexpected plot, quite a twist - didn't see that coming!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book returns to the whimsical and quirky town of Coraloo to tell the story of a few characters but mainly of Constable Roy, Margaret Toft and of course Innis Wilkinson. The town of Coraloo is definitely an interesting place filled with residents that are involved in each other's lives and even more interesting traditions.

Constable Roy and Margarette Toft are planning to get married but when they go tell their family members it all goes down the tubes and the family is in an uproar. Both their families are at war with each other and do not get along. Although the story revolves mainly around the wedding we find out that there is mystery as well as there is a possible murder linked to Innis Wilkinson. And I have to say that the scissors on the cover that intrigued me so much do play a key role in the story. (I will not ruin it for you!)

This is definitely very different from any book that I have picked up this year. Although I must be honest it took me a while to get into it but I didn't feel like it needed to be abandoned and I am glad I didn't. It was refreshing to read. This author definitely has a unique writing style that I can't say I love or disliked because it was an interesting read that drew me in eventually. It definitely took me out of my reading comfort zones and I am glad it did.

(I received a copy of this book from the author through Just Read. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the quirky town of Coraloo in the first book of this series which began with The Death of Mungo Blackwell and have been delighted to return there in this intriguing story about The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson which reunites us with some of the characters from the previous book but also gives us more of insight into the feud between the Tofts and the Blackwells which comes gloriously to life when Margarette Toft and Roy Blackwell announce their engagement at a gathering of stunned relatives.

There's an old fashioned charm about these stories which help to fix them firmly in your heart. There's nothing at all to dislike and I find that I am reading with a huge smile on my face and in these troubled times that feeling is worth its weight in gold. For the time it took me to read about The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, and what an intriguing story that turned out to be, I was transported into a world of quirky characters who get themselves into some improbable situations, all of which are made probable thanks to the author's skill in bringing them gloriously alive in the imagination.

There's intrigue, drama, fun and laughter, all wrapped up in a delightful story about love, friendship ...and family feuds.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the infamous feuding Hatfields and McCoys, Mantagues and Capulets, Campbells and MacDonalds, The Marriage of Innis Wilkerson pits two families with love interests against one another. Blood has yet to be spilled but it might happen any moment.

Constable Roy Blackwell and Margarette Toft are in love and planning to get married. Neither family is jumping for joy, each is willing to undermine the couple whenever possible. In the town of Coraloo there is a committed couple, a bizarre festival embracing and celebrating a Beaver, two families that really dislike each other, too many names to keep track of and then along comes a spider. What the heck does Innis Wilkinson and her husband have to do with all and any of this?!

Imbuing her characters with a touch of hypochondria, a sprinkle of sweetness, salt and lemon to balance, and a great deal of humor, there are some riotously funny shenanigans afoot. Nothing earthshaking going on between the pages just a good bit of fun, love and commitment.

Thank you NetGalley and Lion Fiction for a copy

[H.L. Roethle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a cute, quirky mystery book. Unfortunately, I'm not actually sure what it was. It was so over the top quirky and weird, as well as being American instead of European, that it was difficult to take seriously. Even after finishing it, I'm not sure I even understood what happened or why. I am, however, giving two stars instead of one because it was a /clean/ read, and those are rare in modern lit these days.

The book is set in the United Kingdom somewhere, but you're not told exactly where. And I confess that for nearly half the book I was convinced it was set in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. Characters say "fella" and "shindig" and have a "burgoo festival". I'm sorry, but burguoo was invented in America, specifically Kentucky, and the only burgoo festivals that exist are in Kentucky, Tennessee, and possibly the surrounding Appalachian areas. There's nothing European about this book, except, perhaps, the word "constable".

The characters are wild, and so ridiculously crazy that it was honestly too much. Everyone had the most outlandish names possible, even newcomers to the town, that it felt as if there wasn't a normal human being left on the planet. They believe in HUNDREDS, if not THOUSANDS of superstitions. Religiously. You're absolutely bombarded with them throughout the entire book - it's as if the author assembled every single superstition known to mankind and tried to cram them into one small book. The fourth wall is repeatedly broken, with the characters comparing themselves to Sherlock Holmes and Romeo and Juliet, as if reminding the reader that the book is a loose retelling of sorts.

The town have a festival for a Heaken beaver (it has antlers) that the "ancient people" (we don't know who they are) worshiped, and modern people have a festival for. (Note: I couldn't find this sort of deity in real history.) During the festival, anything goes. Literally. And the author reminds you of this nearly ever other page. The most ridiculous and crazy things are mentioned at random throughout the book, followed up with "but it's the festival, so that's totally fine".

Also there was a very random in-the-past storyline that was running parallel to the modern day storyline but it wasn't explained very well. The book treated it like it was some Very Important Plot Point but by the time the ending happened and both storylines converged, it was confusing and glossed over. I'm still not entirely sure what happened or why they were connected.

One more thing and I'll have done - due to people being completely bound to their superstitions, one character in particular is absolutely traumatized as a young child, but the book completely glosses over this, like it's normal and okay. Her mother requires her to wear a pair of scissors around her neck for Literally Ever, she is never to let them out of her sight unless they're being sharpened (and they have to be sharpened once a week on Saturday,) and she is never EVER to let a mortician take them away from her. Naturally, the child grows up TERRIFIED of humanity in general (because what if they steal the scissors) and frightened to the point of passing out when it comes to morticians. The book does not explain WHY morticians are apparently such horrible people, nor is it explained why the scissors are so valuable that they must be hung around someone's neck forever and never fall into the hands of anyone else.

I really wanted to like this book, but I was extremely disappointed. I'm giving the book two stars because the author did keep the book clean, and I appreciate that - much of modern lit, especially romances, cannot keep it clean, but this book doesn't even have a cuss word in it that I can remember, let alone dirty content.

Perhaps someone who prefers off the wall humor and whimsy would enjoy this more than I did.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from JustReadsTours in exchange for an honest review.