An unassuming five-star read. This was a great story, it did have a couple of misses mainly with how close everyone is supposed to be, but they missed the main part of the other for so long? That I struggled with, but overall, I really enjoyed the whole thing. Mark and Shania both bring something to this story, it was so nice how they didn’t automatically fall in love and have a happily ever after, they were real and that added to the reason I enjoyed this story. I loved the adventures and challenges, as well as the back drops and other characters. I haven’t checked this author out before, but I will certainly be looking out for them in the future.

This was a cute romcom – I was drawn in and intrigued by the representation of hearing impairment as it is not something I seem to come across very often. I enjoyed the premise as well, I’m always excited to pick up an enemies to lovers, so I was ready to try this one. There were several wins for me: mains not falling into typical ‘life’ pattern and representation of a hearing impairment.

Parts were a bit beyond feeling realistic – I found the initial misunderstanding between Shaina and Mark very surprising and a bit hard to believe given the close nature of their families. I think that took me away from the story a bit each time.

Overall, good and fast read, I would definitely try another by the author. Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the chance to read. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is a childhood enemies-to-lovers romance and if that’s something you enjoy this might be just right up your alley. It also includes hard of hearing and demisexual representation.
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That being said, the way this book was written pulled me out of the story plenty of times. I found the writing a little choppy and oftentimes showy and overall, it distracted me which is not something you want, right?
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Despite of this, I actually enjoyed the romance and the way it all unfolded between Mark and Shaina. It was also believable and the chemistry was there. I was rooting for them, even if their ups and downs were somewhat predictable and no moment of the book really wowed me. It was an enjoyable romance, but I wasn’t squealing with unrestrained emotion and swooniness.
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I liked it, but it’s not becoming an all-time favorite of mine or a book I’ll recommend to my friends every chance I get. However, if any of the above representation sounds intriguing to you, check it out and decide for yourself.
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Thank you @netgalley and @entangled_publishing for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

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. :)

Conflict wise is kind of predictable (and ironic if I may so) and I kept asking for a more dramatic one but it never come. 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. :)

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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I enjoyed the miscommunication of the characters, however improbable, and their chemistry, but after a while, it seemed a little repetitive. When Shaina and Mark were getting along, their banter was fun and easy to read. This was a true middle of the road rom com, and a should read if you're looking for something quick.

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.

Thank you NetGalley, Grey’s Promotions, Entangled Publishing, and Laura Brown for an arc in exchange for an honest review! This is a cute book that features some sweet characters and a charming romance.

This light-hearted rom-com keeps readers rooting for the main characters. However, I was a little disappointed because it’s wasn’t really enemies-to-lovers, but instead focused on the miscommunication trope. Mark and Shaina made me laugh though and I enjoyed the representation included.

My biggest issue with this book is that it didn’t keep my interest very well. At about the 1/3rd mark I started to get a little bored with the story. I think the main reason for this is that I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope, but I feel like this book would work really well for people who are.

This is a fast and easy read and I do recommend it for people wanting a quick romance. However, I had my issues with it, and for that reason I’m giving it three stars.

Mark and Shaina's parents have always wanted them to get together, but they have hated each other for decades. In the run up to some family weddings they are forced to spend time together - will the forced proximity give them the chance to get to know each other and change their minds about each other?

A great read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. I have not been compensated for this review and am leaving it voluntarily.

If you ask me, there are not enough novels about demi-sexuals. The hero of this story, Mark, is demi-sexual and I love how the author explained his situation and wrote the character empathetically.

It took a while for me to warm to Shaina - I was sympathetic to her hearing impairment, having hearing impaired people in my family I have witnessed how frustrating it can be to understand what's going on around you. But Shaina wasn't frustrated with anyone else but Mark, and she seemed to single him out to vent at. I sense there is a trend in fiction at the moment to represent females as being unapologetic in their opinions and independence, which I like. But in Shaina, her brashness seemed a little inauthentic. I am sure there will be readers who find her inspiring and altogether real, so maybe it's just me.

I also thought the competition stretched the boundaries of belief a little.

Having said that, this book was a fun read - there was plenty of chemistry between the couple and I liked the pace of the story.

4.5

the miscommunication between shaina and mark was kinda annoying at first, but really established how little they knew each other, even having grown up together. once they overcame that hurdle … things got good and spicy!

#netgalley

I enjoyed Mark and Shainas story but I felt like at times the writing dragged. I feel like a frank conversation between them would have avoided any issues. But the story was somewhat unique and the friendship and support was good for both characters

This is a fun romantic book for anyone who loves reading about messy, complicated relationships !! I loved the witty banter between the main love interest and the protagonist. This book is absolutely adorable and I can’t recommend it enough!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley & Entangled Publishing, LLC!

Since childhood, Shaina Fogel and Mark Goldman’s families have wanted them to be together. A family wedding forces them to interact over a week-long celebration. In spite of their mutual dislike, they decide to work together to win a dream vacation.

The Un-Arranged Marriage is a fun, flirty twist on the enemies to lovers and opposites attract tropes. The storyline starts out strongly but the middle is a little slow. The ending and the epilogue are delightful. Overall, it’s a very sweet story about dealing with meddling families and learning to be yourself.

I appreciate the sensitive way in which the author writes about Shaina’s hearing impairment. It’s represented in a way that I don’t think I have come across before in a romance novel.

This is the first book that I have read from author Laura Brown but I plan on checking out the rest of her backlog in the future.

I loved reading about Mark and Shaina’s journey of going from enemies to lovers. They grew up with their mother’s constantly pushing them together in the hope that they would be childhood sweethearts, but in spite of them they ended up becoming each other’s archenemies. That is until one day when Mark’s car won’t start and he needs a ride to his sister’s wedding. Mark and Shaina’s natural competitive qualities end up being what brings them closer than ever and finally gives them a chance to compete as a team and become much much more. And without giving away too many spoilers, I appreciated the main character’s sexual orientation and disability which ended up playing a big role in the story. This modern romance is unique, funny, and a little spicyyy.

This book will be available to read on March 28th!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for gifting me an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars for this cute misunderstanding to lovers trope. This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. The middle dragged on a bit for me, otherwise would have been a solid 4.
What I loved - a heroine with a disability, adorable pets the lead characters talked to like people, a super fun + meddling family. Both Mark and Shaina were quirky yet lovable.
Thank you to net galley and Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC. The review and opinions within are all my own.

I liked this book... A good plot and well written.

Shaina was a strong character and I liked her for it and Mark a very understanding one. His character felt practical since I could relate to him through a few real life characters. They both complemented each other.

This book throws light on different issues/ themes which many of us might not be generally aware of.

Overall an enjoyable read.

I was hesitant about this book initially but quickly grew to love it! The main characters grew up in intertwined families but hated each other from childhood because Shaina has hearing loss, and Mark never knew that he spoke too softly for her to hear. This seemed a bit far-fetched at first, but as the book explained the insane family dynamics, it made a lot more sense, and I fully committed to cheering on the characters as they go from enemies, to cautious friends, to head-over-heels lovers.

Also, the representation in this book is amazing! Shaina has hearing loss, and the book does a fantastic job of addressing the struggles of living with a disability in a very ableist world. (Laura Brown also has hearing loss, so this is an own-voices story!) Mark is open about his demisexuality, and the characters have very open conversations about what that means in his life and how other people struggle to understand his sexuality. As a disabled demisexual, I LOVED seeing this amazing representation in a book that did not wholly center around their struggles with their disability and sexuality. It is so rare to find a book with good disability or demisexuality representation, so I was thrilled to find a book that includes both!

Thank you to Netgalley, Entangled Publishing, and Laura Brown for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait for this book to be released so I can get my hands on a physical copy!

The Un-Arranged Marriage by Laura Brown is an adorable little rom-com sure to put you in a good mood. This post-pandemic story of love was entertaining. I love a good "enemies to lovers" trope, but that being said, there were some things about it that kept me from giving it a full five stars.

What I didn't like:
1. I find it hard to believe that you could know someone for 32 years and not realize the severity of their hearing loss. I just couldn't believe that Mark never realized he was talking too quietly for Shaina and she never said something.
2. I felt that the final conflict at the end wasn't believable for it to jump to the level it did. It was a minor misunderstanding that blew up more than it needed to.
3. I didn't fully understand Shaina's tension with her brother. It wasn't a strong enough issue for me to relate to. In fact, I had a hard time connecting with Shaina. I connected with Mark more, maybe because I'm more of an introvert.

What I Loved:
1. I absolutely LOVED that the main characters did NOT want kids, In most romances, we either get an epilogue with kids or have some kind of pregnancy trope. I adored that this book did not go that route. As someone who doesn't want kids, it was refreshing to have a story where the main characters felt the same way I do.
2. I loved learning more about demisexuality. It's not something I've heard often talked about, thus I knew very little. I enjoyed the perspective this book gave me and I learned something new!
3. I appreciated having a character with a disability. It was eye-opening to read about a hearing disability. The author did a great job detailing the struggles someone with hearing loss has to deal with.
4. I enjoyed the dynamic of a relationship that is half introverted and half extroverted. Being an "extroverted introvert myself, I could relate to certain things and feelings that both Sahina and Mark felt, did, or said. It was refreshing to see a couple make the dynamic work.

Overall, this was a fun and easy read. Thank you to NetGalley & Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2.5 ⭐

so what initially pulled me in about wanting to read this book is the hard of hearing representation. I've never read about a character that is hard of hearing so i thought it'll be a unique story

unfortunately i had a lot of "miss" points with this one with only a few 'hit" points

something just didn't pull me into the story like I'd want it to. there were a few scenes where i was super into the character interactions but then it would be followed by something annoying which in the end, made me skim-read a lot

i thought Shaina and Mark's reasoning for not wanting to get together rather ridiculous...being childhood arch-enemies (which was actually just miscommunication) and letting their mothers meddling affect them (they are both in their 30's)

there were also the fact that once they did the deed, it's basically all the story became

i had moments where i felt for the characters especially Shaina being her brother's shadow but that was about it... they had their cute ending so yeah.
i should add that this was a rather fast and easy read, i just wish i could've enjoyed it more :(

*𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘓𝘓𝘊. 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯-𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*

Mark and Shania were born 10 days apart to best friends. From the very beginning their mothers decided one day they would fall in love and get married. The problem is Mark and Shania don’t like each other. They have been arch nemeses since they were toddlers, always arguing and competing with each other. Not much room for love with all that hostility in the air.

Flash forward to when they are 32 years ago. Marks younger sister is getting married. Mark is a groomsman and Shania is a bridesmaid. Mark has car troubles and his mother gets Shania to bring him to the week long festivities happening in New Hampshire. During the car ride there Mark realizes that Shania has hearing difficulties and therefore she wears hearing aids in order to hear better. Mark speaks quietly and has his whole life, it’s during this car ride that he realizes that Shania has never been able to hear him speak and that’s why they don’t get along. He realizes she hasn’t been ignoring him all this time, she genuinely can’t hear him speaking. This opens Marks eyes to a lot of issues that could have been avoided over the last 30 years of their lives.

At the celebration Shanias brother Noah announces that him and his fiancé, Norah, won’t be able to attend their honeymoon in a few months time due to work scheduling issues. They create elaborate games to see who the winner will be that can take their spot on the trip. Problem is it has to be a pairing. Shania begrudgingly acts Mark to help her win, he agrees and the competition steams up from there.

This book has a disability rep that I have never seen before and I really loved the inclusion of having hearing aids as something that the female protagonist needs in order to hear properly. She has had them her entire life and she isn’t afraid to advocate for herself and telling people they either need to speak up or she won’t respond. Shania is strong willed and takes care of herself all while running a life coaching business with her best friend.

So I’ll admit, at the beginning of this book I was definitely getting some “The Unhoneymooners” vibes from the book. Luckily that didn’t become an overarching theme of the book; they had to win different competitions in order to be able to take the all expanses paid vacation to Venice.

I personally wish that Mark didn’t feel like so much of a doormat. He’s written to be the perfectly submissive man, except in the bedroom where it is acceptable for him to be demanding. Otherwise he spends a large portion of the book asking for forgiveness for issues in their childhood that are slightly relevant to the here and now it just got tedious after a while. He’s written in a way that just didn’t feel like a believable man to me.

Shania has a lot of trauma to unpack and seeing as how she is a life coach you would think she would have gotten a therapist to help her work through her childhood. She has issues with her parents (who doesn’t?), there is some unresolved stuff with her brother (again, who doesn’t?). But she never tries to sort that stuff out until it’s affecting other aspects of her life.

Mark and Shania are vastly different people. She’s an extrovert always wanting to go out and have a good time. Mark is an introvert who is happier in his lab where he studies. That’s a lot of differences they need to overcome and unfortunately none of that happened where the reader could see it. I loved them as a couple but I wanted more of the nitty gritty stuff where they see if they have what it takes to overcome bigger obstacles. They obviously have chemistry 😉, seriously, this book has the type of spice I am looking for, but I wanted a little more from them at the end of the book.