Reviews

The Un-Arranged Marriage by Laura Brown

punk_flower_child's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

So cute and cheesy. I felt like some points were a little overplayed, but if you're looking for a light-hearted, easy read, with some mild spice, this book is perfect 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, and Sexual content

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

bookishmich14's review

5.0

This book made me whole! It got me out of a reading slump! I honestly connected so much with these characters! Shania and Mark made me feel a whirlwind of emotions! Their parents made me laugh so much, and it reminds me of my mom and her best friend trying to do the same thing that their parents did! I loved this and it’s a fast read for me! It’s a third person book, so if you aren’t a fan of that, i’m here to warn you.

00laura23's review

hopeful informative

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This is an entertaining, fun read. Mark and Shaina are interesting, relatable, intriguing, entertaining, complex characters. I enjoyed them as individual characters and a couple. I enjoyed all the twists and turns that their romance took. Their banter and competition were fun to read. I love that we got an epilogue. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I enjoyed the complexity of each of their family relationships and how it affects them as individuals. The story is easy to read and get into. 

michdenisereads's review

2.0

Sooooo predictable and honestly I was bored through most of it. There was absolutely nothing new and wish they would’ve expanded more on the fact of her hard hearing other than that just being a fact. It was touched on Sum but I felt like it could’ve got deeper and been more emotional just didn’t hit right with me

mycatismybookmark's review

1.0

Fun premise, but it failed to deliver a believable story-line.

Meddling mothers creating two life-long nemesis rather than childhood sweethearts sounds like a fun rom-com romp. But the reason these two have never gotten along is because he didn't know the severity of her hearing loss and she never bothered to tell him she couldn't hear him─for over 30 years!? I just can't conceive how that is even possible. That's a pretty big thing for Mark, who grows up to be a research scientist to miss . . . And Shaina just comes off as someone so self-adsorbed and rude.

I will SHOUT it out for Shaina and the rest of the family, because Mark being and introvert and soft-spoken is not something to be fixed. Being and introvert is not a FLAW! They are constantly ridiculing him for being soft-spoken and it made me irate.

Premise full of potential but with too many road blocks that made it unbelievable and enjoyable.


I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review from Entangled Publishing/NetGalley

bisexualbjtch's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

andrea_author's review

5.0

When Mark and Shaina were born, their mothers decided they were destined for each other. Thirty-two years later, they've barely had a civil conversation. At his sister's wedding celebration, Mark is shocked to learn the reason that Shaina has seemed to ignore him all their lives. Vowing to do better, he agrees to partner with her to win a dream vacation. Will a weekend fling lead to more?

This is a steamy enemies-to-lovers rom com with interfering relatives and tons of sensual tension. It's cute and fun with deeper elements of family dynamics that have left their scars. I appreciated the demisexual representation.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

smalltownbookmom's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this childhood enemies to lovers story featuring a woman born hard of hearing and the childhood friend who never understood her disability.

When Shaina and Mark are forced to drive together to a family wedding and work as a team to win a trip, they finally realize their feelings might be more than either planned for. Full of scavenger hunts, escape rooms and tons of wedding drama.

Great #ownvoices disability rep with a cast of Jewish characters. This was a super fun forced proximity/adventure romance and I was here for it! So happy it's finally available as an audiobook too!!

the_ladythatreads's review

4.0

Enemies to lovers? CHECK
Fun, flirty, and sexy banters? CHECK
Pining? Guy falls hard first? DOUBLE. FREAKING. CHECK.
Spice? CHECK
Likeable supporting cast? CHECK

Such a classic feel good romantic comedy story that will leave you laughing, swooning, and frustrated (at times, we have two stubborn MCs here folks. buckle up!! lol). I've read a lot of enemies to lovers trope (my favorite) and I think it's fair to say that there's a tendency to think like "hey I've read this... it's the same as..." but I think what's still unique (and I like) about this book is how raw and delicately portrayed the perfectly imperfections of the characters. I love Mark and Shaina so much.

Conflict wise is kind of predictable (and ironic if I may so) and I kept asking for a more dramatic one but it never came. Not to say that it wasn't good or all. Most likely just my personal preference for more drama.

Nonetheless, still a great book to read if you're looking for a quick, fun, and flirty read. :)

whatjennahreads's review

4.0

I'm always down to read an enemies to lovers romance - especially when there's a misunderstand as to why they're even enemies in the first place! And that's exactly what happens to Shaina and Mark. They've been rivals since forever but neither of them know what started the feud. Shaina thinks that Mark is rude and thinks he's better than her because she's deaf (he won't speak loud enough for her to hear him), and Mark thinks she's stuck-up and snobby for not responding to him (he doesn't know she's deaf). Obviously there's some miscommunication and this goes on FOR YEARS. They are in their 30s for this book, so must not be that observant (plus how did neither family go so long without saying something).

Everything starts to change when they are forced together to participate in their siblings wedding plans and fight to win an overseas trip. Friendly competition turns into something more when things get heated - inside and out of the innocent wedding games.

Overall I thought this book was really cute. Had tons of steam and spice and was well written. The reason it's 4 stars and not 5 is that the book seemed to drag in places and the Moms really got on my nerves. Their pushing and nagging got to be a lot.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the advanced review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.