The Marriage Bargain

Marriage to a Billionaire, Book 1

By: Jennifer Probst

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner Alexa Maria McKenzie casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend's older brother - the powerful man who once shattered her heart.

Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn't believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father's corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister's childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he offers Alexa a bold proposition: a marriage in name only with certain rules. Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year, so the rules shouldn't be that hard to follow, right? Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans.

©2012 Jennifer Probst (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Full of nonstop sexual tension that crackles off the page." (Laura Kaye, author of Hearts in Darkness)

Standard fare, just ok narration

References to "romance novels" and cliched plot but delivered in a moderately interesting manner. Poor girl marries icy rich childhood friend in a "business deal" that gives her money to save her parents' home and allows him to gain full control of his architectural firm.

It was sweet

There was some good parts that actually had me laughing out loud during their story. I did have a hard time when the narrator tried to be super breathy. It was so much better when she talked then when she tried to make the main character breathy and sexy all the time. I almost didn’t make it through, but I enjoyed the story more.

Good story

It was a really good book. I listened on audiobook and the narrator was driving me insane. Just the way she read the story was like every word was a climax. Like it was a turning point in the story. It was like that with every word spoken. Idk it was weird.

Enjoyed this audio!

After listening/reading to Jennifer Probst more recent STAY Series, I went looking for more books by her. This book made me laugh and my heart squeeze. It was an excellent story. Jennifer writes well with great storylines. I look forward to reading/listening to more of her works!!

Coleen Marlo was an excellent narrator. Her performance was spot on. I hope to hear her narrating more books I tend to listen to most often.

fun light reading

I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the sequel. I thought the ending was very sweet and touching.

Funny, heartbreaking

I downloaded this as a beach listen, well, I couldn't stop once I started. Absolutley clever dialouge, the banter between the characters had me laughing out loud, more than once I had my fellow beach goers laughing at me laughing! As with any good romance, there were parts that were truly heartbreaking. To top it off for me, a pathtically loveable dog, you have to love the dog! All and all, no big surprises, but the story was so clever and witty that you don't mind it being the typical romance story!

Miss Perfect, Loveable Jerk, Soap Opera Ending

What the F did I just read. Oh wait. I shouldn't begin a review like that.

Okay so don't hate me, it's just that honesty is the best policy... so... The book is okay to a point then it takes a nose dive into soap operaville. Who are these rich billionaires that stumble across modern day goddesses who redeem them? It seems to be a running them.

Hot guy with no likable family members except his sister stands to inherit a company and loads of money if he gets married - and he has like a week to find someone... other than his girlfriend. Okay... Then there's Miss Perfect, who owns her own store, volunteers for the local animal shelter, and encourages poetry and happiness to all, including her parents who are sinking into medical bills. She must save them! Her bestie just happens to be Hot Guy's sister. Bingo! Hookup.

Hot guy hates love. Doesn't want marriage, and gah, would you believe his hot model girlfriend is falling for him - how dare she! He breaks it off with her the day before he gets married to his sisters friend, who he hates because he kinda had a moment of liking her back in the day. But she's just too perfect... and hot... and that stunt with the puppies aw how cute is that? Who could resist that? Wait, could he... dun dun dunnnnnn... be falling for his own wife? Now that's just weird.

SPOILERS: So here's what. He meets up with deadbeat dad who tells him he was a mistake - his mom only wanted his dad for his money and this new wifey of his will do the same by getting pregnant. Guess what happens like 5 minutes later. No. Really. And she's so super happy because they're boinking on a regular basis so he must have changed his mind from vehemently not wanting kids right? Wait, what? Why are you so angry? Why don't you want this baby?

Seriously wanted to slap this book silly but I like this iphone so I restrained myself. The author had a great idea and I dunno, maybe got tired of writing it and threw in a crappy climax and ending. If you just want steamy scenes they're not bad. Call it fluff but then if you liked FSOG then you might like this too.

Good book,good laugh

If a romance novel makes me laugh then I'm in.. I love a story that will make me laugh. It makes a story more real.

Truly enjoyed this story!

What did you love best about The Marriage Bargain?

I loved the chemistry between the characters. The story was well written and made you, as the ready really root for the couple.

Any additional comments?

This was a really sweet story and I was pleased with the narration as well.

Love the Story, Not the Voice

Love the story. The characters are well written, the dialogue is easy to follow and keeps my attention, and the story overall is fun and flirty.

My only problem is the narrator. She sounds robotic and unattached, which is not what I want from a romance novel. I think I'd be better off reading this one rather than listening to it.