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)

Bargaining with Emotion

Would you listen to The Marriage Bargain again? Why?

Marriage Bargain was one of those books that I will look back on fondly, but I'm not sure it's one I will pick up again and again just because. It was a nice, intriguing romance but lacked the all-consuming plot and theme that would make me re-read/listen to it again for elements I would have missed upon first read. Don't get me wrong, I've already purchased the second book and Probst is a wonderful writer, but I just don't think it has the action that would call me back again and again.

What three words best describe Coleen Marlo’s performance?

Sigh. She was okay. I've definitely heard way worse narrations, but she made Alexa sound like she had an ever-present cold and Nicholas sound like....well I'm not quite sure, but it wasn't hot. She did great with the Italian accent, though.

Very good story :D

4 stars

This was a pretty good story. This is the first story I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I plan to continue with the next book in the series.

Alexa is a great heroine, I really loved her. She's a strong woman that ends up in a bad position. She does what's needed to protect those she loves. She ends up in her bargain with Nick because she's trying to save her family home and help her family. She never tells him the reason why she needs the money though because she didn't want his charity or pity.

Nick is a hero that you love to shake your head over while waiting for him to wise up (but once he does you know you'll love him). He grew up in a mess of a family home and because of this is convinced he can't love enough to have a real relationship. He decided no marriage and no kids and stuck with it. He only ends up seeking a wife when he's forced to marry or lose the Architectural firm that he loves. Alexa is not his perfect candidate but he's desperate and takes the chance.

Alexa and Nick have a past. Alexa's been best friends with his sister, Maggie, sense they were young so Alexa and Nick spent a lot of time together when they were younger. He was her first kiss along with her first heartbreak. She tries to keep walls up between them as they enter in to the marriage to protect herself. Nick has a hard time dealing with the feelings she brings out in him. They had agreed on no sex during the year of the marriage but have issues not succumbing to attraction.

Things don't go easily but some of Nick's walls drop as he and Alexa get closer. They start to explore a physical relationship but unspoken emotions are present. Alexa hopes this means something more for them just as Nick's fears are being brought back to the forefront. When she comes home with unexpected news, Nick doesn't react well. He suffers from a severe bout of relationship stupidity and things between them bust apart. When Nick finds out he's been an idiot, he executes a pretty good comeback (really loved this part) and manages to get Alexa's forgiveness. It finished in a really good epilogue that ends things nicely for Alexa and Nick while setting up the next book for Maggie and Mike.

I really enjoyed this book. Alexa and Nick were great. Loved the characters in this story. I plan the read the next in the series because I really liked what I saw going on between the next couple. I'd recommend this book. :D

Good quick read

Any additional comments?

I liked the quick pase of the story. I am just such a sucker for tough girls that need to find their own way in life. It is a good read on the plane or over a weekend if you do not want to get stuck in a thick book.
The naration was excellent - the narrator got the Italian accents real well. I could just imagine Mama Conti when listening to her!

Laughing out loud!

It's a fun story, slightly witty and though predictable (hello, of course it is, it's a romance novel) it has some fun moments that made me chuckle out loud. A great listen, well worth a credit!

Really good!

On my 1-10 scale this would rate a 7. It has likable characters, with a fun twist.

Very Good

At first I thought the narrator read a little fast-but as I continued to listen - the narrator ended up doing a Great Job~
I really enjoyed this love story and truly had a couple of Belly Laughs when the husband met the "intruder(s)" with a baseball bat...
It was fun and believable !!!

Narrator

Where does The Marriage Bargain rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I did not like the narrator for this book. She just read it toooooo fast without any emotion. I had to quit listening and just read the book. Please redo with a better narrator or have her slow it down and put some emotion into the read.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

A lot. Read toooo fast and also no emotions.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Loved the book but not the narrator.

Nice Love Story

Would you listen to The Marriage Bargain again? Why?

If I wanted a feel good love story, I might pick it up again.

What did you like best about this story?

It was sweet and funny. Just an easy listen.

What about Coleen Marlo’s performance did you like?

I thought she did a good job of distinguishing voice. Easy to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Sweet Love Story

Good when you're looking for light and fluffy.

A sweet heartwarming romance. The characters were great and the story was humorous. If you like dogs there are plenty in this story. It is defiantly a romance with little else in the storyline and it was predictable, but sometimes that is okay. I had a good chuckle at the end, and I'm not giving any spoilers out. I enjoyed it and it gave me a good pick me up after previously reading two very sad stories. The narrator was good and I will be reading the remaining series eventually.

Great to listen while on a treadmill. Kept my undivided attention. Just what I needed.

Loved every minute of the book. A bit predictable but highly enjoyable.
I could not put it down!