Several of Rick Reed's novels are on my all-time favorites list, but "Legally Wed" is that rare Reed book that just does not work for me.

After Duncan proposes to his boyfriend of 3+ years and is soundly rejected, Duncan - who seems to be more in love with the IDEA of love and marriage - ends up engaged to his "zany" friend Marilyn. They meet through a plot device that feels very "movie of the week" to me (personally) and after becoming fast friends, Duncan accepts Marilyn's marriage proposal. They set out to have the perfect wedding they both want, determined that their life together will be "enough."

Much of the book deals with Duncan coming to terms with what he really wants, and once perfectly wonderful wedding planner Peter Dalrymple enters (about half-way through the book) sparks fly and all-too-quickly they have their HEA. Perhaps my discontent is because their growing attraction and relationship isn't given enough time to ripen on-page and feels too quickly solved, resolved and moved to a HEA.

Honestly, I wish I absolutely loved this book because there is some wonderful stuff here, but I fully admit that this may be a case of "it's not you...... it's me." 3.5 stars.

Rick. R Reed never ceases to amaze me. All of his books are so diverse and cover a wide range of topics and issues. I was expecting a little more romance, but I also understand how important it was for Duncan to do some soul searching in order to truly learn about himself and ultimately grow.

I've read this book before and I enjoyed it the second time also. Rick R. Reed books are so well written that you can't help but finish it once you start reading them. Duncan and Peter book is funny, sweet, romantic, some angst, but they get their happy ever after. Duncan was ready to give up his sexuality so he can be happy. The book reflects on a friendship between Duncan and Marilyn. I truly enjoyed this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for my honest review. I liked the book and it interesting premise. I thought Duncan and Peter were adorable. I needed more scenes with them though. I didn’t understand Marilyn or why she would go through a wedding with a gay man. I didn’t care for her at all. Which is why I only liked this book and didn’t love it.

Duncan is smarting after his boyfriend turned down his proposal and broke up with him. It’s the final disaster after a long string of them that leads him to drunkenly compose an ad for Craig’s List asking for a woman to marry a gay guy for friendship and platonic love. Surprisingly it leads to Marilyn, the best friend he’s always dreamed of, they get on so well that they start to seriously consider the happy ever after option. Planning leads to meeting the fabulous Peter who seems to connect with Duncan on another level, but he can’t let Marilyn down. Delightful story with beautiful characters, a pleasure to read. My first Rick R. Reed story but it won’t be my last. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a different look at love, life and marriage! Is marriage more about love, companionship, friendship, passion, sex or a combination. Do you need all of them for a marriage to work? Duncan and Marilyn had been unlucky in love and relationships several times before and a drunken advert leads to an unlikely situation. Could it work?
This is an amazing book which explores a lovely friendship. Some great twists and turns which have you laughing and crying. What more could you want in a book!

Here is the irony. When I went to post this on GR, I just realized I already read it previously and didn't like it back then. Usually if I read something a second time it rings a bell. Sadly it didn't and also unfortunately I didn't like the second time as well. The characters I just couldn't relate too. Marilyn was too over the top and too much. The synopsis was better than the story because it's hooked me twice. The fact that the book didn't ring a bell the second time around also tells me the characters were forgettable. I wanted to like this one but I just couldn't.

3.5 Stars

Thank you Netgalley, Rick R. Reed and NineStarPress for the Netgalley review copy in return for an honest review

In this book, you follow 100% gay Duncan who gets rejected when he proposes to his boyfriend Tucker. This being the umpteenth relation failure, Duncan has the crazy idea to marry a woman and post an ad ’Gay man searching for Straight woman for marriage’ in the hope to find a relaxing life. Enter Merilyn, a cat and gay romance-loving chubby woman who agrees to marry him. All goes to plan, but the wedding Planner Peter is quite hot.

The plot was really enjoyable. It had a lot of ups and downs that kept you reading. definitely the beginning got you hooked, starting with loved up Duncan who sees the announcement that gay marriage is legalized and immediately goes to buy his boyfriend a ring. And then the heartbreak when Tucker is not on the same line as him.
The twist with the straight - gay wedding was interesting to read and why and how they were going into it. There is surprisingly very little sex on-page, while they are constantly thinking about it.

The writing style of this book is matter of fact and I enjoyed reading it. The inner dialogues did not work for me, they felt a bit cringy to me.

In terms of characters and relationships. I absolutely adore Merilyn and the friendship between Duncan and Merilyn. I do think this was the best part of the book and the main driving plot.
The relationship between Peter and Duncan was a bit too rushed and too instaloving for me. I would have liked to see more scenes of them interacting and slowly building this amazing romance that it seems to be.
I think this book was more a focused on self-discovery.

A slow start to the book, I didn’t really click with the story as much as I thought I would.

The romance between Duncan and Peter was cute and was by far my favourite part of the story!

Would read another Reed book again for sure

After a slow start Legally Wed by Rick R. Reed eventually turns into a sweet romance. I really liked Duncan and could feel his pain but it took what felt like forever for the author to resolve issues that were painfully obvious to even the most casual observer. My hero in the whole tale was Scout. She is the take no crap kind of character that moves the story along.

I loved this book, easy to read and heart warming whats not to like. The guy that falls in love with the wedding planner and the girl that gets her man. Not everyone's cup of tea maybe I'm sure but a lovely story to read over a weekend during lockdown. Brilliant!

👥Duncan: a man ready for love and marriage💒

4.5🌟stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, really well-written story about a man so ready for love and marriage he can taste it when gay marriage becomes legal in Washington State. When his boyfriend Tucker reveals he's on a different track, lead character Duncan makes a bold move in his search for someone to marry and share his life with. But can a loving though platonic marriage give him and his chosen partner what they really want and deserve?

I am a big fan of Rick R. Reed's writing and each story of his I've read is so different. This one is sweet, not really steamy, with a bit of heat, meaningful glances, kisses and some groping, but full of emotion. Duncan's close relationship with his sister Scout and the growing bond with Marilyn are very touchingly rendered. And despite some devastating setbacks, the characters all find their share of happiness, be it same sex or heterosexual.

Thanks to NineStar Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 stars
Duncan Taylor is an out-gay man in his late 30s who is watching his dream come true play out on TV: same-sex couples in his very own Seattle, Washington are finally allowed to register for a legal marriage, not a partnership. It’s a watershed experience for him, and he’s prepared to ask his boyfriend of the past three years, Tucker, to marry him.

And, Tucker says no. Not now, and not ever. Which is a deep blow to Duncan. He’s so convinced that finding a man to be his monogamous husband is an out of reach dream he goes and does the previously unthinkable. He puts an ad on Craigslist for a female partner. Yep, Duncan figures he’s always had better female friends, and he could marry a woman for the companionship part of it–and having kids as long as they use IVF. Because Duncan really doesn’t want a wife for a sexual partner.

It’s preposterous, right? That’s what Duncan’s sister Scout says. She’s disappointed he’s giving up on finding a truly compatible partner. And yet, Duncan’s ad gets replies. Most are cranks and crack pots, but one extra-salty response has potential, from Marilyn Staples. She’s an older urban woman with a long history of hanging out with gay BFFs. Meeting Duncan is a bit fraught becasue she’s sure this sexy man is yanking her chain. And, she’s had just as bad luck with men as Duncan. They have common goals and interests and they develop a deep friendship. It takes some convincing, but Marilyn does come around to Duncan’s plan.

And then they hire a wedding planner. Peter Dalrymple is a ginger bear who is as gay as they come. He is sweet, sexy, and professional–and mortified to be attracted to a client. It’s a conundrum, and a big wrench in this ludicrous plan. I really loved all the characters here, and could feel their struggle. Duncan is such an earnest guy, who really wants a loving marriage and kids and whatever his het family and friends can get–he thinks–so easily. What Duncan didn’t realize was how deeply such a relationship could hurt both himself and Marilyn. Seeing Peter, and working on the details of a wedding to a person who is only really going to be a friend is like sucking raw lemons while a full pitcher of lemonade sits at your elbow. Duncan’s determination to follow through on his promise to Marilyn in the face of his attraction to a man who appears to finally be “the one” creates some extra conflict of conscience, and very nearly three super unhappy people.

Marilyn can see the writing on the invitations, though, and the platonic love she’s built with Duncan gives her confidence to set him free–she’s made a strong acquaintance with a great (straight) man from Duncan’s past and they have a spark that could grow past the ember stage. What was almost an honest, but dysfunctional, marriage, turns out to be two happy endings. I loved the story, and the angst, and how these folks work out their drama with grace. I read this one years ago, and the re-release is not demonstrably changed. So if you have an older copy, maybe give it a re-read. It’s worth it.

For Duncan Taylor, marriage was supposed to be his happily ever after, however the last thing he ever expected was a firm “No” followed by a breakup. Heartbroken and having a possible existential crisis at 40 he posts a wanted ad on craigslist and oh baby did he ever get more than he bargained for.

After two proposals, rekindling with a long lost friend, contemplating dining at a vaginal buffet and getting a boner for someone who is definitely forbidden, Duncan begins contemplating the foundations of marriage and starts pondering whether there can be a marriage of the minds over the hearts?

This book is a beautiful reminder that when we think we are at our lowest point and given up all hope, love can find us when you least expect it. All you have to do is, put yourself out there, try something new, take a leap of faith and maybe, just maybe, your dreams will come through.

Also aside from all that mushy stuff, any book that rates men based on a food system from Dee.Lish.Us to Not Quite Appealing is a must read in my opinion!