I wanted to love this book but I just didn’t. I had a hard time really relating to any of the characters and ended up skimming the last 30%.

This book follows the story of Mary Mulligan who becomes a victim to a family curse which allows her to go back in time to undo her biggest regret in life. However, sometimes we have to see what we have in front of us and appreciate that maybe the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

A heartwarming story that teaches the values of not taking life for granted and that there is beauty in the everyday. This book is an easy read that is light and funny. Very enjoyable!

Well, this didn't work for me.
Sadly, I didn't connect or even care for the main character; the time travel aspect of this book didn't make me feel invested in anything that was going on, and the writing style, even though it wasn't bad in my opinion, it wasn't enough to make me engaged in the narrative, either.
I'm sure this book has its own audience. I'm just not part of it.

The Mulligan Curse serves as a reminder to cherish our loved ones and communicate our needs openly. It explores themes of regret, second chances and the importance of appreciating life’s small joys.

Having only recently read a different time travel book, I enjoyed that instead of travelling back in time to when she was 24, Mary continues to exist in the same “time zone” but in an alternate universe where she is a younger version of herself. It adds a unique and intriguing layer to the narrative.

The Mulligan Curse is an enjoyable, easy read with a satisfying ending. It’s only three stars because Mary’s lack of intelligence is irritating, as is the fact that her cousin didn’t give her the full details before having her wisdom teeth removed!

This book's exploration of regrets, dissatisfaction and appreciating what one has through the protagonist's journey was truly thought-provoking. It made me question my own views on past decisions, and reminded me to look at the positives . While some parts were a bit difficult to get through, the overall story was so engaging that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Mary is fifty-four, perimenopausal, her daughter has left home, and her husband spends all of his free time playing golf. Reflecting on her life decisions, Mary is filled with regret for the opportunities she didn't take in her youth, and finds herself wishing she could go back in time to do things differently. The opportunity to do just that presents itself to Mary in the form of the Mulligan Curse, a family curse whereby Mary can revert to her younger self, before her regretful choices were made, by getting her wisdom teeth removed. A nostalgic Mary takes her chance, but returning to her youth brings with it unexpected challenges and tribulations that leave Mary asking herself what matters most in life, and where true happiness lies...

I was apprehensive about the premise of this novel, but upon reading, my scepticism fell away and I instead felt real sympathy for Mary, and intrigue at the decisions she would make. The perspectives of menopausal women aren't explored enough in literary fiction, so Barnes' exploration of the emotional turmoil of getting older was a welcome addition to this novel, and had me rooting for Mary in the early chapters.

That said, as the novel progressed, I became increasingly frustrated by Mary's character, and disengaged from the novel as a result. Barnes writes Mary as having an absurd level of naivety; when struck by the curse, Mary takes a painstaking amount of time to accept what has happened to her, and is in complete denial for the story's entirety, first that she has reverted to her younger self, and second that she cannot return to her previous life. It is clear from the start that there is no known way for Mary to reverse her decision, yet the character constantly speaks of what she will do once she 'gets back to [her] old life,' completely ignorant to her cousin Darbi's poorly concealed knowledge of the contrary. The writing becomes very repetitive in this way, with Mary's constant reflections on her past life becoming tiresome. I found the lack of common sense given to Mary's character, and the repetitive nature of Barnes' writing, really frustrating, and I quickly lost interest in the outcome of the novel as a result.

Similarly, I found cousin Darbi's behaviour throughout the novel impossible to believe. First, that Darbi didn't do more to stop Mary from having her wisdom teeth removed, despite knowing that Mary's daughter would be wiped from existence (merely texting her at the dentist before the procedure, really?), and second, her elusiveness after the change, and decision to lie about her ability to go back. There was no logical reason for her to behave this way, other than to add an element of intrigue to the novel. As with Mary, the unrealistic nature of Darbi's character was distracting and limited my ability to engage with the story itself.

Overall, I was disappointed by this book. The plot was pretty predictable, with no shocks or surprises - the overall message is sweet, but it is a message at the centre of countless existing stories, adding nothing new - and the novels characters were unrelatable with unrealistic behaviours. The improbable premise of this novel required a strong delivery to get the reader on board, and unfortunately, I think Barnes missed the mark.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing access to this ARC.

I enjoyed the storyline for this, the "what if" and thinking about what I would do in the same situation. Saying that, I found the main character incredibly annoying and self centred, refusing to consider others viewpoints, sulking, not listening... I would have preferred a bit more of a comeuppance for her. The end, where everything goes back to normal and suddenly she appreciates her life again felt a bit pat.

Not a bad book, well written and easy to read. Good for taking on a summer holiday and lounging by the pool with.

Before anything, I would like to thank Diane Barnes, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I decided to read this book because "Shrek Forever After" is one of my favorite movies, and the plot seemed similar enough. It didn't disappoint and I did have a similar experience to the movie.

I didn't care enough about the characters, since I didn't get to know as much about them, and I disliked many things. However, overall, it was a good experience and I enjoyed the reading.

**Pros:**
* I got emotional many times while reading. I finished the book literally sobbing, and it broke me for a few minutes. I had to take a break to stare at * a wall and breathe.
* A lot of the characters are unique and lovable.
* The message in the book is great, and I like how Mary was able to find a balance between prioritizing herself and the people she loves in the end.

**Cons:**
* Mary is insufferably dumb. The things she says and instantly regrets make absolutely no sense.
* Also, her assumptions make no sense. No rational person would assume the things she does without further evidence.
* Her assumptions are used as a plot device to create mystery, but it is all predictable and unnecessary.
* So many sentences are repeated that I feel 50% of the book could be removed to avoid the same sentence appearing twice.
* This is probably because of my early copy of the book, so it won't be considered in my evaluation. Still, I thought it was important to point out that there were a lot of typos and a few grammatical mistakes that the author might want to check before the book comes out.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on Goodreads.

Mary Mulligan unknowingly suffers from the Mulligan Curse. As she begins to regret her past decisions, her wisdom teeth begin making their appearance, causing her significant pain. Despite her cousin Darbi's pleading she does not remove the teeth, Mary does anyway. When she wakes up...she's no longer in her fifty's with a husband who irks her and a grown daughter moving across the globe. Mary is in her early twenties with the opportunity to change her biggest life regret. The catch? Her precious life never existed.

The Mulligan Curse serves as a wonderful reminder to never take those we love for granted. Life can change in a dime, and it is too short to harbor any regrets and not speak up about what you need. Mary's adventure through the past and the lessons along the way are endearing and enlightening for any reader, but especially for anyone who is feeling a bit lost.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Mulligan Curse was a joy to read and kept me engaged throughout. We follow Mary, who is middle aged and feeling every minute - her daughter has left the nest and her husband doesn’t seem to be as into her as he is golf, not to mention things aren’t in the same places on her body they used to be. When Mary disregards her cousin Darbi’s warning about a curse attached to removing her wisdom teeth - something else causing her pain - she finds herself stuck in the Mulligan curse. While it may not seem a curse to many, being able to be 24 again and try to fix her life’s biggest regret, Mary soon finds the grass isn’t greener on the other side.

I loved this story of regrets and the realization of the impact you may have on the people around you and not realize it. Mary was well written and her conundrum had me laughing and feeling sentimental. This is a great book to pick up, especially if you find yourself too often wondering what could have been.

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.