Cute story. There was a lot of miscommunication which 1) is part of the story but 2) got to be very annoying. I mean, when it's practically life and death, you interrupt someone...even if they're arguing, and tell them the truth! But, I enjoyed it and the change in perspective from both ages.

Mulligan’s Curse follows a Mary, a 50something year old woman who gets the chance to go back to her greatest regret, well according to her cousin, but thats crazy right? All Mary has to do is get her wisdom teeth removed and she will wake up 30 years younger. The premise is wonderfully silly, but at its core, it seeks to ask the same big questions as The Midnight Library or The Measure: what makes life worth living?

Unfortunately, I found the main character unbelievably frustrating. Just listen to Darbi and get with the program—is it not obvious you can’t go back to your previous life?? There’s also a huge disconnect in how she suddenly idealizes her previous life (especially her husband) despite spending the first part of the book complaining about everything. The repetition got tedious, and I couldn’t help but stay frustrated at the self-pity and self-despair. Mary also is supposed to be a 54 year old woman in her 24 year old body, but she's written as incredibly naive with very little social skills or common sense. Darbi doesn't quite make sense... she comes across as a genuinely bad person which I don't think was the intention.

Despite a wacky fun concept and what I was hoping would be a great weird girl book, the execution and the characters fell flat for me.

Thank you NetGalley for access to this ARC.

In the thought-provoking and engaging novel "The Mulligan Curse," Diane Barnes crafts a captivating tale of self-discovery, love, and the complexities of life. The story follows Mary Mulligan, a middle-aged woman feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from her life, as she navigates a sudden and unexpected twist of fate.

Barnes' writing is witty, insightful, and relatable, perfectly capturing the voice and emotions of her protagonist. Mary's struggles to come to terms with her aging, her relationships, and her abandoned dreams are deeply resonant. The author expertly explores themes of identity, marriage, motherhood, and the challenges of midlife.

The supernatural element of the Mulligan curse is cleverly woven into the narrative, allowing Mary to embark on a journey of rediscovery and growth. As she navigates her new reality, Mary must confront the choices she made in the past and the person she has become. The author raises important questions about the nature of happiness, fulfillment, and the consequences of our decisions.

The supporting characters, including Mary's husband and daughter, are well-developed and add depth to the story. The author's portrayal of the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of maintaining love and connection over time is nuanced and realistic.

Throughout the book, Barnes balances humor and pathos, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. The story is engaging, and the characters are relatable, making it easy to become invested in Mary's journey.

Overall, "The Mulligan Curse" is a delightful, thought-provoking read that will resonate with fans of women's fiction, magical realism, and stories of self-discovery.

ARC REVIEW - NETGALLERY FIND
RELEASE DATE 2/4/25

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While trying to follow my goal about not buying any books until June, I came across this audiobook.

Here is my review about this ARC LISTEN!

This story had so many quaint and hunourous elements wraved into the plot, which helped keep the story flowing smoothly. It is like a cozy mystery wrh a hidden message wrapped in between the lines.

What I loved:
🎧 Characters that had a sweet sense of vulnerability and courage
🎧 Characters face realistic dilemmas and turbulence, which image them relatable and endearing
🎧 Quirky plot twists and loved the dentist angle
🎧 Descriptive writing and storytelling;
☕️ Chapters flow smoothly, and the style of writing is strong and eloquent
☕️ The narrator did a fantastic job bringing each character to life using great tone dialect and poise
☕️the author reminds the reader of the question, "If you could trade your past and start over world you?"
☕️ This also brings to light the saying be careful what you wish for

MY RATING

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#ARC #CHECKITOUT #books #bookstagrammers #readwithme #netgalley
#audiobooks #bookrecs #audiorecs
#februaryrelease #5star

I really enjoyed this second chance novel and I loved the magical realism aspect of it. Mary is unhappy with her life and contemplating the road not taken when she gets the opportunity to go back and make a different choice. Known as The Mulligan Curse the downside is your life from the point you return to up to the present is gone. I loved seeing the growth in Mary and the realization that she actually loves the life she had and the people in it. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Alex Picard and it was a fantastic way to enjoy this charming novel.

I love these types of stories that include some magical way of changing your life. (If you like this stuff, i recommend sarah ready) What I also love is that this story specifically makes you see the positive aspects of your real life again, and make you appreciate it much more. I think that's my favorite book message. I did miss a bit of explanation as to how what happened, happened, though i guess we dont need to know.
These characters will steal your heart, even though they might not always make the best of choices. How relatable is that though?!

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

I devoured this book and love the premise. It would be perfect for anyone who has ever wondered about the “path not taken” which I think is most of us. I really enjoyed being along for Mary’s “do over” and it caused me to do some self reflection. I would have enjoyed this one any time but it was poignant to read it so early in a new year as I think about things to prioritize in the year ahead. The narrator was perfect for bringing Mary’s story to life.

This is a well written fun story. It leaves you thinking. Great characters. The story flowed well and kept me interested.