Marriage for One: A Contract That Blossomed Into Love

Marriage for One is a contractual marriage romance novel. Here, Rose is offered a deal by Jack, marry him, to open her dream coffee shop, or lose the chance and her savings.

Jack, a lawyer in need of a wife, does what? Lure a stranger into his office and ask her to be his wife. And like any sane person, Rose calls him insane. She is sure he has lost his mind. After a tough month, this is the last thing she wanted to deal with. So, what does she do? She agrees, of course.

Marriage for One – Blurb

Jack and I, we did everything backward. The day he lured me into his office-which was also the first day we met-he proposed. You’d think a guy who looked like him-a bit cold maybe, but still striking and very unattainable-would only ask the love of his life to marry him, right? You’d think he must be madly in love. Nope. It was me he asked.

A complete stranger who had never even heard of him. A stranger who had been dumped by her fiancé only weeks before. You’d think I’d laugh in his face, call him insane-and a few other names-then walk away as quickly as possible. Well…I did all those things except the walking away part. It took him only minutes to talk me into a business deal…erm, I mean marriage, and only days for us to officially tie the knot.

Happiest day of my life. Magical. Pop the champagne… Not. It was the worst day. Jack Hawthorne was nothing like what I’d imagined for myself. I blamed him for my lapse in judgment. I blamed his eyes, the ocean blue eyes that looked straight into mine unapologetically, and that frown on his face I had no idea I would become so fascinated with in time.

It wasn’t long after he said I was the biggest mistake of his life that things started to change. No, he still didn’t talk much, but anyone can string a few words together. His actions spoke the loudest to me. And day after day my heart started to get a mind of its own. One second he was no one. The next he became everything. One second he was unattainable. The next he seemed to be completely mine. One second I thought we were in love. The next it was still nothing but a lie. After all, I was Rose and he was Jack. We were doomed from the very beginning with those names. Did you expect anything else?

Characters

Rose planned to get married—and she did. But she had always hoped to marry for love, not sign a contract. She had always dreamed of having a family, a family of her own. Someone who would be there for her through everything, beside her, holding her hand. And she knew the marriage she was stepping into was not even slightly close to her dream.

But of course, life came in the way and she had to choose. Choose a short period of sadness or losing her dream, of owning a coffee shop, forever.

Jack wasn’t interested in love. He didn’t have time for a marriage or a wife. He spent his days working and felt completely satisfied that way. Serious and stoic, with a handsome face that rarely smiled, Jack had no room for distractions. But when he stumbled upon Rose, he struck a deal with her—one that would benefit them both. A marriage for two years, and then back to strangers, at least that was the plan.

Marriage for One Vibe

 The book maintains a cute, romantic vibe throughout. When the cold, no-nonsense Jack volunteers to help Rose decorate her shop. We see how Jack grows from a one-word kinda guy to someone who can now string together 2-5 sentences at once. How unexpectedly Rose finds her family in Jack, and vice versa.

A guy, who did not utter a word extra, is now having conversations with his doorman about his daughter. A man who never smiled is now laughing, and Rose is having fun counting all his smiles. Oh! Did I tell you? It’s Rose’s personal mission to make and count all of Jack’s smiles.

From early morning terrace conversations to public dinners to private dinners, each step will leave a smile on your face. Also, let’s not forget the possessive, protective streak Jack faces in all matters – Rose.  And how can a possessive and protective man not feel jealous every once in a while?

Let’s talk Spice

The book, though a minor slow burn, consists of open-door spice. A female lead who is not afraid of asking exactly what she wants and a male at her disposal, eager to give her everything she asks for.

Though let me make it clear, the book does not consist of too much spice. In other words, being a slow burn, not only does the smut come a little late, but it also does not contain too many smut scenes.

Content Warning: health issue, claustrophobia, unhealthy childhood circumstances, con man (brief mention) 

The Takeaway

I would highly recommend this book. Especially if you love a cold and indifferent man completely lost in front of his emotions in regards to her.

Or if you love contract marriages, which turn into true love. I loved the chemistry between them, from their one-sided banters to their constant need for each other.

⭐ 4.2/5 stars: Loved how the author carried out the trope, marriage of convenience. You all should give it a try!