Book: Not the Girl You Marry
Author: Andie J Christopher
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.5 Stars
GoodReads Synopsis:
Jack Nolan is a gentleman, a journalist, and unlucky in love. His viral success has pigeon-holed him as the how-to guy for a buzzy, internet media company instead of covering hard-hitting politics. Fed up with his fluffy articles and the app-based dating scene as well, he strikes a deal with his boss to write a final piece de resistance: How to Lose a Girl. Easier said than done when the girl he meets is Hannah Mayfield, and he's not sure he wants her to dump him.
Hannah is an extremely successful event planner who's focused on climbing the career ladder. Her firm is one of the most prestigious in the city, and she's determined to secure her next promotion. But Hannah has a bit of an image problem. She needs to show her boss that she has range, including planning dreaded, romantic weddings. Enter Jack. He’s the perfect man to date for a couple weeks to prove to her boss that she’s not scared of feelings.
Before Jack and Hannah know it, their fake relationship starts to feel all too real—and neither of them can stand to lose each other.
My Review:
Well technically, I should have read this book before ‘Not That Kind of Guy.’ Hannah’s story happened before Bridget’s, but it did not destroy my curiosity of how Jack and Hannah met, and how the hell did a sweet boy like Jack manage to melt the iron heart of a woman like Hannah. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed diving into Hannah and Jack’s story.
As I mentioned in my previous review of "Not That Kind of Guy," the book followed the story of Bridget, Jack's sister, and Matt, and how they fell for each other during Hannah and Jack's wedding. Now, in 'Not the Girl You Marry,' we go back a couple of years to when Hannah and Jack first met in a bar. Jack is a sweet guy, the perfect boyfriend, brother, and son. He knows exactly how to treat a girl and make her happy. However, despite his efforts, every girl he meets eventually leaves him for better life options.
Hannah, on the other hand, is the exact opposite of Jack. She is overly outspoken, a pro at swearing out loud, extremely honest, and stubborn. Her previous boyfriends have always seen her as sizzling and hot at romance, but never the kind of girl you marry. This belief has left a deep cut in her heart, leading her to wear a protective shield around her emotions. But this shield does not deter Jack; he sees the real Hannah beneath that iron facade. From the moment they meet, they both sense a strong connection, but their past relationships leave them feeling insecure.
The situation takes an interesting turn when Hannah's boss promises to promote her only if she can prove that she is not a bitch and has a boyfriend. Coincidentally, Jack's boss assigns him to write an article on 'how to lose a girl.' Initially, they pretend to be in love for the sake of their respective assignments, but as they spend more time together, genuine feelings start to blossom. The chemistry between them is undeniable. However, what will happen when Hannah discovers that Jack has lied to her for an article?
Some readers might argue that the resemblance of this book to the movie 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' is the reason it falls short of being enjoyable. However, that was not the case for me. I genuinely liked this book. While Jack's swoony and hot character won me over, Hannah's bitchy and confident demeanor stole my heart. The writing style was incredibly smooth and the pacing was fast, making it a breeze to devour.
There was one aspect of the book that slightly dampened my enthusiasm, though. The excessive use of the phrase 'busting the balls' became repetitive. Almost every chapter mentioned Hannah's ability to emasculate anyone who crossed her path, and after a few instances, it grew a bit tiresome. However, this minor flaw did not overshadow the overall enjoyment I derived from the story.
On the whole, 'Not the Girl You Marry' is a spicy and funny book that I would wholeheartedly recommend to all romance lovers. The characters, especially Hannah and Jack, will captivate you with their banter and undeniable chemistry. The book explores themes of insecurity, self-discovery, and the power of love to break down emotional barriers. It is a delightful romantic comedy that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
In conclusion, despite the chronological mix-up in my reading order, 'Not the Girl You Marry' was a fantastic read. The intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and humorous writing style combined to create an engaging and entertaining story.
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