Well first off. The totally didn’t pay attention to that this book is not one but two books in one

It starts off with one couple and the aspiration that they would like to do in life. And then leads us into another couple

I thought this was quite a sweet book and would like to recommend if you would like to relax into a gentle read.

This book does deal with a death after pregnancy. But if you are ok with that I would definitely recommend this book to you

Two separate stories of couples who come to their marriages in a different way. One going for the child first and one having the child and then the marriage. I know that some people follow these paths to paternity or marriage but I also know that marriage should not be taken lightly and should only happen when love comes first in my opinion.
That being said, you could not help but root for the couples and hope for the best. The narrator was perfect for this genre. Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Marriage of Inconvenience and Stand-In Wife are sweet, heartwarming entries in Debbie Macomber’s Those Manning Men series, filled with relatable characters and emotional depth.

Marriage of Inconvenience

Marriage of Inconvenience kicks off the spin-off series with a charming “friends-to-lovers” tale. Rich and Jamie, best friends tired of failed relationships, agree to a marriage of convenience to have a child through artificial insemination. However, their plan derails as they begin to fall in love.

Rich is a dependable, thoughtful hero who takes Jamie’s proposal seriously, refusing to simply be a sperm donor. He’s a man who wants to be fully involved in their child’s life, and his gradual realization of his love for Jamie was touching. Jamie, on the other hand, is strong and independent, but her stubbornness and poor communication sometimes cause unnecessary conflict. Both characters misinterpret each other’s actions, leading to frustrating misunderstandings, but their chemistry and eventual vulnerability shine through.

The supporting cast, including Rich’s brothers Paul and Jason, adds depth to the story and sets up future books. While the repetitive misunderstandings kept it from being a standout for me, Marriage of Inconvenience was still an enjoyable, lighthearted read that left me eager to continue the series.

Stand-In Wife

Stand-In Wife shifts focus to Paul, Rich’s widowed brother, who is left to care for his three young children after his wife’s tragic death. When his late wife’s sister, Leah, moves in to help, their shared grief and growing affection lead to a marriage of convenience that blossoms into love.

Paul’s guilt and grief are palpable, and his struggle to balance parenthood and unexpected feelings for Leah is compelling. Leah’s selflessness and love for her sister’s children make her a relatable and admirable heroine, though her insecurity—rooted in feeling overshadowed by her more vibrant sister—adds complexity. Their emotional journey is touching, but like the first book, their lack of communication creates unnecessary tension.

Despite some frustrating moments of miscommunication, the romance is tender, and their bond feels genuine. The book captures themes of healing, family, and finding love after loss, making it a moving continuation of the series.

Final Thoughts

Both novels are sweet, character-driven romances that highlight love, family, and second chances. While the misunderstandings and lack of communication occasionally hinder the pacing, the heartfelt emotions and likable characters make the stories worthwhile. Macomber’s skillful setup of future books in the series leaves readers eager to see where Those Manning Men will go next.

I absolutely love Debbie Macomber and she is always one of those authors when a new book comes out, I stop what I'm doing and read it. That's why it pains me so much to give a 2 star and a review to go with it.

There's a big difference in her writing from early on to where she is now and so when a "new" book gets released, I mad the mistake that most readers do.... I assumed it was NEW-NEW and not a republish of early works with a little "polish" and a different name. Now, if I "dug a little deeper" would I have realized this prior, yes - however, in my defense - it's Debbie Macomber and I never dig deeper - I just read.

I am not a fan of bodice rippers or the like and her newer books, although romance are considered "clean reads" or Hallmark style reading and this was not the sort. I only listened through half of the first book before I couldn't listen any more - it was more than I bargained for with my reading. I wish when authors write differently from the beginning of their careers, I wish there was not necessarily a warning label but something on the front cover to say - a retelling or something to that. That way,, if you already read it, you know this or if you are like me, love the author, just not their early works, I know to pass and not get disappointed.

The Marriage of Inconvenience has two best friends Rich and Jamie deciding to have a baby with no strings attached- except for the fact that they will get married and then divorced. However, things get messy when their feelings get in the way. I found myself getting a bit frustrated with the characters as they needed to talk to each other! It would have been a quick fix.
The second book, Stand in Wife, has Leah moving into the home of Paul, her brother-in-law assisting with his family after the unexpected death of her sister. Leah and Paul begin to have feelings for each other, but they are fraught with guilt. What will they do with their feelings?
Once again, if they had talked it would have helped a great deal. Ugh.
The narration by Lisa Zimmerman was well done.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.