Title: Regrets Only by M.J. Pullen
The Marriage Pact Series Book Two
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 333 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
At thirty-three, Suzanne Hamilton has no regrets. A successful event planner with a swanky condo in a hot Atlanta neighborhood, she’s got a close group of friends and a list of men a mile long who would happily bend over backwards to win her heart. Plus, she’s just landed the event that will take her career to the next level.
Then a freak accident changes everything. Humiliated, with her career in tatters, Suzanne’s lost her business not to mention her self-respect. She’s managed, however, to retain the surprising support of her newest celebrity client: the sexy country music star, Dylan Burke. Against her better judgment, but without any better offers, Suzanne agrees to plan a wedding for one of the Burke sisters. But when she comes to realize her freak accident was anything but, her catalog of past relationships turns into a list of suspects and Suzanne must question everything—her career, her friendships, and most acutely, her own dating rules.
As it turns out she might have quite a bit to regret after all.
Taking place a few years after the events of The Marriage Pact, M. J. Pullen returns to the same captivating group of lovelorn friends, this time following Suzanne as she discovers that her trusty rules no longer apply. Raising the stakes, Pullen delivers an absorbing, romantic novel that shows how someone with a “perfect life” can lose it all—and then find everything.
Review:
Regrets Only, the second installment in M.J. Pullen’s fantastic series, The Marriage Pact, is a captivating journey of self discovery for lead character, Suzanne Hamilton.
The owner of a successful event planning business, Suzanne is at the top of her career when a very public incident costs her every one of her clients except country musician Dylan Burke. Reluctantly agreeing to plan his younger sister’s wedding, Suzanne begins the painful process of regaining her career while at the same time trying to gain a better understanding of herself. Forced to take an in-depth look at her somewhat checkered dating history, Suzanne is quite introspective as she examines her motives and reasons for ending relationships so quickly. At the time, her rock solid friendship with Marci Stillwell hits a rocky patch and although hurt by Marci’s painful accusations, Suzanne grudgingly admits her friend is right about her.
While questioning pretty much everything about herself and her life up to this point, Suzanne is taken off guard by her attraction to Dylan. Focusing on their many differences, she continually backs away from anything except friendship with him. Eventually regretting her choice, she cannot see how a relationship between them would ever work since she has several reservations about his career. Her experiences with Dylan at his country home reinforce these doubts which leaves Suzanne even more doubtful of a future with him.
Suzanne and Dylan are well rounded and multi-faceted protagonists and their growth throughout the story is phenomenal. They both have flaws that are realistic and easy to relate to. Dylan is little immature at times and he sometimes makes questionable decisions, but he is a truly kindhearted, thoughtful man with a good head on his shoulders. Suzanne is initially somewhat self-absorbed but she is also quite caring and loyal. They bring out the best in each other and it is not hard to root for them a couple as they try to work through their respective issues.
Regrets Only is a charming addition to The Marriage Pact series. The storyline is fast-paced and engaging with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. The characters are quite likable with true to life strengths and weaknesses. M.J. Pullen brings the novel to a heartwarming conclusion that is realistic yet gratifying. An overall insightful and compelling story that old and new fans of the series are sure to love.
