3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews

Summary
Mary is disappointed by life - she's not the media star she could have been, her husband prefers golf to conversation, and her daughter is reluctant to spend time with her. When her wisdom teeth suddenly start coming in, she learns that, by having them removed, she could get a chance to start all over again.
Review

The blurb for The Mulligan Curse suggests that it won’t offer many surprises, but I thought it indicated a certain charm, and I thought the wisdom teeth were an interesting twist. By and large, it provided just what was on the label – a charming, familiar, and harmless quick read.

The prose is good, the book moves quickly, and the characters are largely relatable and engaging. However, while the plot twists were mainly as expected, protagonist Mary never really does seem to learn much about herself. She rues her decision to change her life, realizing that she was somewhat selfish – and she continues to be selfish. To be fair, I don’t think that’s what the author intended us to take away, but I had trouble getting past it. The principal point of this trope is to learn to appreciate what you have and Mary does that, but a secondary point is usually to learn from your mistakes, and there I think Mary fails. It was a minor irritant, but one that troubled me more and more as the story went on. For just one example, Mary just seems to take it for granted that she knows her husband will be happier (if less successful) in their initial life than in the alternate one. She never asks him.

I hoped for a little more from the plot. Yes, the idea was familiar, but at the halfway point, I suddenly realized just how closely the whole thing was following the It’s a Wonderful Life template. I think there was room to venture a little farther afield. I found the sudden discover of a key letter disappointingly ‘lucky’ and anticlimactic.

The book also leans a little more heavily into a very specific audience than I think it needed to. Nothing wrong with that per se, but I thought Barnes could have opened up the story a little bit and made the story more broadly relatable.

All in all, a fun, quick, easy read, though more traditional in approach than I’d hoped for.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Barnes' strength lies in her characters. Mary's journey is relatable, filled with the anxieties and desires we all grapple with – the fear of missed opportunities, the longing for a different path. But it's the supporting cast, particularly her family, that truly shines. Their reactions and growth alongside Mary add depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. However, if you're looking for a light and breezy escape, "The Mulligan Curse" might surprise you. The humor is subtle, and the story tackles themes of regret and the weight of the past quite honestly. There are no easy answers here, and Mary's journey isn't a fairy tale.

What it's about: A middle-aged woman triggers her family curse and reverts to her twenties, while remaining in the present day.

Pros: The method of not-time-travel was very original. The writing was solid, a good style and no plot holes.

Cons: I just found all the characters annoying at some point or another, the MC sadly through most of the book, and then the ending felt preachy to me.

All in all, I'd sum up my review as: an okay book that wasn't to my personal taste. My impression is that it is very Hallmark movie-esque, which just happens to not be my cup of tea, so if you like that kind of plot give it a try!

Stars: 2.5/5

I was in the mood for a quick paced book that wasn’t too heavy and The Mulligan Curse delivered. The main character Mary is in her 50s and feeling uninspired in her life. She regrets giving up her career as a news anchor and feels under appreciated as a wife and mother. There’s a strange family curse that allows her to go back in time. Once she goes back to get everything she’s ever wanted, she realizes she already had it all. “Having people to love who love you back: that’s what mattered in life.”

Ratings - 3/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, I recieved a e-ARC of Diane Barnes' "The Mulligan Curse." Let me tell you, it was a quick and breezy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon on the couch.

Unlike your typical time travel or magical do-over story, "The Mulligan Curse" offers a refreshingly realistic take on second chances. Mary Mulligan isn't whisked away to a fantastical new world. Instead, she faces a family curse – a chance to rewind her life thirty years, but with a surprising twist: the world continues as normal.

This unique wrinkle sets the stage for Mary's internal struggle. While the opportunity to pursue her abandoned dreams is undeniably tempting, the curse forces her to confront the life she's built, the relationships she cherishes, and the choices that led her here.

Barnes' strength lies in her characters. Mary's journey is relatable, filled with the anxieties and desires we all grapple with – the fear of missed opportunities, the longing for a different path. But it's the supporting cast, particularly her family, that truly shines. Their reactions and growth alongside Mary add depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

However, if you're looking for a light and breezy escape, "The Mulligan Curse" might surprise you. The humor is subtle, and the story tackles themes of regret and the weight of the past quite honestly. There are no easy answers here, and Mary's journey isn't a fairy tale.

Ultimately, "The Mulligan Curse" is a thought-provoking read for anyone who's ever wondered "what if?" It's a reminder that second chances, even fantastical ones, come with their own set of challenges.

If you’re feeling lost, read this book!

A sucker punch of reality. The Mulligan Curse is the breath of fresh air we all need, showing us that growing pains can blossom into the power of self actualization. Reminding us that with every setback there is a setup for a powerful comeback.

Mary Mulligan, an in-betweener, is subjected to a generational curse and must overcome a life-changing experience: getting her wisdom teeth out. Although her teeth might be extracted, she’s suddenly three decades younger. Navigating her twenties again, Mary is faced with an unexpected dilemma. Awed by her youthful aspirations, she must choose between life before the dental diversion or her dreams.

And who’s to say you can’t gain any wisdom?

When Mary gets an opportunity to relive the past, she realizes how unimportant the past seems, and starts looking for a way to get back to the present.

The Mulligan Curse by Diane Barnes, is a well-written short story about the life of Mary Mulligan; her abandoned wishes and dreams. It emphasises the fickleness of life, and the human nature. It is so easy to romanticise the past, and what could have been, but we should learn to enjoy the present, and find joy in living. In other words, live without regrets, and be careful what you wish for!

3.5 stars rounded up. I’ve always been a fan of time travel, do-overs and setups of the like, so this book’s premised piqued my interest.

For 54-year old Mary, taking out her wisdom teeth came with the prize of a do-over of her biggest regret - sacrificing her career to become a homemaker. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that this is definitely more of a curse than a prize.

At first, I was slightly confused by the setup. I thought the Mary would travel back in time to when she was 24, but she actually continues to exist in the same “time zone” if you will, but in an alternate universe where she’s a younger version of herself. The fact that she regrets the decision to wipe out the last 30 years of her life almost immediately does sucks the fun out of her second chance at youth. I found it hard to root for Mary in the first half, when she wasn’t that keen on this new life herself. However, I really enjoyed seeing the story between Mary and her husband unfold as the novel progressed. By the end, I just wanted this woman to be happy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a compelling reminder to appreciate the small things in life and never take what you have for granted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.