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Those Manning Men #1
Marriage of Inconvenience
Rich Manning had known Jamie Warren forever. And he loved her--strictly as a friend. But all that changed the day Jamie asked him to be the father of her as-yet-unconceived child! Rich agreed on one condition: they marry.
Suddenly, Rich was discovering a side of Jamie he'd never seen before, and was swept away by a passion sweeter than anything he'd ever known ... a passion that stunned his senses. But could he prove to the headstrong Mrs. Manning that it was time to let the world in on their secret--that their love was truly here to stay?
Suddenly, Rich was discovering a side of Jamie he'd never seen before, and was swept away by a passion sweeter than anything he'd ever known ... a passion that stunned his senses. But could he prove to the headstrong Mrs. Manning that it was time to let the world in on their secret--that their love was truly here to stay?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
707 people are currently reading
2052 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
896 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
May 28, 2017
What started out as a great idea plummeted into a "why am I still reading this clap trap"
The story could have been so good - plenty of angst in the beginning and multiple ways that Debbie could have turned it on it's head. Instead all that was written was a hoo hum "drama" of a typical marriage of convenience business arrangement issue ... And that could have been solved in 3 chapters ... instead it went on and on and on and on and ... you get the picture
I used to love Debbie's stand alone drama novels, but have come to the conclusion that now she is heavily involved in whimsical romantic sagas she's not the author I once loved :)
I do enjoy a good romantic novel (it's my preferred genre) but I prefer there to be some "issue" or rela tension ... I don't want to read what amounts to a "diary" of events ...
The story could have been so good - plenty of angst in the beginning and multiple ways that Debbie could have turned it on it's head. Instead all that was written was a hoo hum "drama" of a typical marriage of convenience business arrangement issue ... And that could have been solved in 3 chapters ... instead it went on and on and on and on and ... you get the picture
I used to love Debbie's stand alone drama novels, but have come to the conclusion that now she is heavily involved in whimsical romantic sagas she's not the author I once loved :)
I do enjoy a good romantic novel (it's my preferred genre) but I prefer there to be some "issue" or rela tension ... I don't want to read what amounts to a "diary" of events ...
January 28, 2020
This is one of Debbie Macomber's early books. (BTW I think her latest ones are classics.) Yes, it was a romance and part of a series, but the plot is possible and almost believable. Jamie and Rich Manning have been best buds for years. After sobbing her way out of her latest boy friend's betrayal, Jamie approaches Rich with a proposition.
She want him to contribute to an artificial insemination, so that Jamie can have the children she always wanted. Rich insists on a marriage of convenience because no kid of his is going to be born illegitimate. You can imagine how things go from there.
My one criticism is that the couple tended to over react to EVERYTHING with accusations, door slamming, elevator door slamming etc.
She want him to contribute to an artificial insemination, so that Jamie can have the children she always wanted. Rich insists on a marriage of convenience because no kid of his is going to be born illegitimate. You can imagine how things go from there.
My one criticism is that the couple tended to over react to EVERYTHING with accusations, door slamming, elevator door slamming etc.
April 2, 2012
This started out really well but Jamie irritated me so much,i kind off dislike her by the time i finished,keeps turning hot/cold towards Rich hurting him and making matter worse and complicated,anyways even after Jamie's hot/cold fluctuations which lead to misunderstandings they do manage to get their HEA
Okay read
Okay read
June 3, 2025
This book was so cringey, annoying and infuriating throughout. Rich is a master manipulator who, when asked to be a sperm donor for his longtime friend, reluctantly agrees with ridiculous stipulations (like demanding they get married until the baby is born and then get divorced. WTF?). Jaime agrees to his demands anyway since she is so desperate to have a child and isn’t willing to go to a sperm bank and use a random donor. Their marriage was supposed to just be an image that Rich wanted to ridiculously portray for some reason, they would still continue live their own lives, dating whomever they wanted. Except when Jaime has a male friend over, Rich unexpectedly drops by and scolds her about how they are married, etc. It was so anger-inducing to me.
Jaime is portrayed as some idiot who allows a man to control and manipulate her all because she wants a baby. The way Macomber has the male characters (Rich and his brother Paul) demean women makes you wonder if she actually thinks these things.
Also, can authors please, PLEASE stop using the phrase “making love/make love”. It’s so cringey.
Jaime is portrayed as some idiot who allows a man to control and manipulate her all because she wants a baby. The way Macomber has the male characters (Rich and his brother Paul) demean women makes you wonder if she actually thinks these things.
Also, can authors please, PLEASE stop using the phrase “making love/make love”. It’s so cringey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2024
I gave this a four because I really like this author and the book was interesting enough to keep reading. However, it was harder than any roller coaster ride I have been on. Up down up down up down. It actually caused stress in my life. Though I buy into two different perspectives of the same situation, this was overload.
June 21, 2025
honestly I couldn't put the book down but it was terrible. the idea of this fake marriage seemed interesting and could of been so much better but instead I feel rich was manipulating and kind of a jerk
May 12, 2019
This is not my preferred genre to begin with (I read it for my book club), and I knew exactly how the entire plot was going to go from reading the book jacket. Yawn.
July 29, 2019
This kinda reminds me of how my husband and i were first married. We only married to begin because of our baby girl. I wanted her daddy in her life and his family told him to do the right thing. It took us a long time to realize we could be husband and and wife as well as best friends.
As in this book there are several twists and turns and circumstances that are humorous and annoying Jamie and Rich find their way to love, in spite of marriage and a baby. A good read.
As in this book there are several twists and turns and circumstances that are humorous and annoying Jamie and Rich find their way to love, in spite of marriage and a baby. A good read.
February 5, 2019
Good read.
October 8, 2013
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Marriage of Inconvenience was a nice start to The Manning Sisters spin-off series, Those Manning Men. It is a sweet story of two best friends who've had one too many bad dating experiences and have given up on traditional love and marriage. However, both of them badly want a child of their own, so they agree to enter into a marriage of convenience with the intention of producing one via artificial insemination. Things don't exactly go as planned, and before they know it, they've fallen in love.
Rich is a wonderful guy and a great friend to Jamie. He's known her since they worked together on the high school year book where they constantly butted heads, but once they worked through those differences, they became the best of friends. Rich has always been there for Jamie. He's the one person she knows she can call day or night if she needs someone to share her problems or help her out. Rich is very responsible and doesn't take Jamie's proposal to father her child lightly. I liked that he refused to simply be a sperm donor, but instead wanted to be involved every step of the way in the process. He also refuses to let Jamie bear the entire burden of pregnancy and raising a child alone. He wants to be a true father in every sense of the word and for that I admired him. The realization that he'd been in love with Jamie for a long time kind of sneaks up on him, but once he figures it out, he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he wants to be a permanent part of her life if she'll let him.
Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I'm not sure I could have made the choices Jamie did to abandon dating and have a child on her own, but I respected her decisions. At least, she wanted someone she knew and trusted to father her baby rather than a stranger, but of course, that led to all sorts of unintended consequences. Jamie was a sweet heroine, but her biggest faults were her stubbornness and lack of communication. She tends to be one of those women who expects her man to decode her odd moods and unspoken words which could be a little frustrating at times. I have to admit though, that Rich was guilty of these things sometimes too. They were both just a little too stubborn for their own good, which led to several arguments. They have a tendency to misinterpret the other's actions, especially after sharing intimacies, which led to even more miscommunications and misunderstandings. Their obstinacy also makes them both afraid to reveal their feelings, leaving them waiting on the other one to say or do something to indicate they want more than a marriage of convenience. I suppose this could be viewed as a comedy of errors, but it did give me pause. I started to wonder if they were going to make it for the long haul since both of them were so reluctant to open up, but once they finally got past expressing their feelings, things seemed to change between them for the better.
In Marriage of Inconvenience, readers get to know Rich's two brothers a little better. Paul is a journalist and the only one of the brothers who is already married, which makes him the perfect person to give Rich a little advice on the topic. However, his marital status tragically changes, leading him to become the hero of the next book, Stand-In Wife. Jason is a veterinarian and playboy who has no intention of getting married. He is the closest of Rich's siblings and becomes the hero of the third book, Bride on the Loose. Then there is Rich's sister, Christy's ex-fiancé, James, an attorney who helps Rich and Jamie draw up a legal agreement. I had been a little disappointed that a seemingly good man like James got left out in the cold in the last book of The Manning Sisters duet, so it's nice to know that he'll get his HEA too, the fourth and last in the series, Same Time, Next Year.
Overall, Marriage of Inconvenience was a light and easy, but enjoyable read. It contained a lot of themes I typically love, so if Rich and Jamie hadn't been quite so stubborn and hadn't had so many misunderstandings, it probably would have been a keeper for me. As is, I still liked it, and the prospect of Paul, Jason, and James becoming future heroes has sufficiently whetted my appetite for more of “Those Manning Men.” Marriage of Inconvenience was originally published as a stand-alone novel in the Silhouette Special Edition line, and was later reprinted in the single-author anthology The Manning Brides along with the second book of the series.
Marriage of Inconvenience was a nice start to The Manning Sisters spin-off series, Those Manning Men. It is a sweet story of two best friends who've had one too many bad dating experiences and have given up on traditional love and marriage. However, both of them badly want a child of their own, so they agree to enter into a marriage of convenience with the intention of producing one via artificial insemination. Things don't exactly go as planned, and before they know it, they've fallen in love.
Rich is a wonderful guy and a great friend to Jamie. He's known her since they worked together on the high school year book where they constantly butted heads, but once they worked through those differences, they became the best of friends. Rich has always been there for Jamie. He's the one person she knows she can call day or night if she needs someone to share her problems or help her out. Rich is very responsible and doesn't take Jamie's proposal to father her child lightly. I liked that he refused to simply be a sperm donor, but instead wanted to be involved every step of the way in the process. He also refuses to let Jamie bear the entire burden of pregnancy and raising a child alone. He wants to be a true father in every sense of the word and for that I admired him. The realization that he'd been in love with Jamie for a long time kind of sneaks up on him, but once he figures it out, he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he wants to be a permanent part of her life if she'll let him.
Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I'm not sure I could have made the choices Jamie did to abandon dating and have a child on her own, but I respected her decisions. At least, she wanted someone she knew and trusted to father her baby rather than a stranger, but of course, that led to all sorts of unintended consequences. Jamie was a sweet heroine, but her biggest faults were her stubbornness and lack of communication. She tends to be one of those women who expects her man to decode her odd moods and unspoken words which could be a little frustrating at times. I have to admit though, that Rich was guilty of these things sometimes too. They were both just a little too stubborn for their own good, which led to several arguments. They have a tendency to misinterpret the other's actions, especially after sharing intimacies, which led to even more miscommunications and misunderstandings. Their obstinacy also makes them both afraid to reveal their feelings, leaving them waiting on the other one to say or do something to indicate they want more than a marriage of convenience. I suppose this could be viewed as a comedy of errors, but it did give me pause. I started to wonder if they were going to make it for the long haul since both of them were so reluctant to open up, but once they finally got past expressing their feelings, things seemed to change between them for the better.
In Marriage of Inconvenience, readers get to know Rich's two brothers a little better. Paul is a journalist and the only one of the brothers who is already married, which makes him the perfect person to give Rich a little advice on the topic. However, his marital status tragically changes, leading him to become the hero of the next book, Stand-In Wife. Jason is a veterinarian and playboy who has no intention of getting married. He is the closest of Rich's siblings and becomes the hero of the third book, Bride on the Loose. Then there is Rich's sister, Christy's ex-fiancé, James, an attorney who helps Rich and Jamie draw up a legal agreement. I had been a little disappointed that a seemingly good man like James got left out in the cold in the last book of The Manning Sisters duet, so it's nice to know that he'll get his HEA too, the fourth and last in the series, Same Time, Next Year.
Overall, Marriage of Inconvenience was a light and easy, but enjoyable read. It contained a lot of themes I typically love, so if Rich and Jamie hadn't been quite so stubborn and hadn't had so many misunderstandings, it probably would have been a keeper for me. As is, I still liked it, and the prospect of Paul, Jason, and James becoming future heroes has sufficiently whetted my appetite for more of “Those Manning Men.” Marriage of Inconvenience was originally published as a stand-alone novel in the Silhouette Special Edition line, and was later reprinted in the single-author anthology The Manning Brides along with the second book of the series.
September 12, 2022
Even though I ended up reading this super quick, the relationship between Rich and Jamie was just too toxic for me to even fall in love with the characters. I didn't really understand the reason for the marriage especially when they agreed to divorce once the child was born. Also, they just got irritated and full-on angry with each other over the stupidest stuff which then eventually led to the bedroom. It just wasn't healthy at all.
February 23, 2016
I thought this book was a bit hokey, to be honest. I was on board with a plot beginning with a marriage between platonic friends, but the instant jealousy afterward was a little creepy. There were too many details that were just too unrealistic to be clever.
February 8, 2016
This is another story that could and should have been longer I felt. Good fast read there is just a lot more that could have been included in the story.
Read
February 4, 2018Miniseries: The Manning Family
March 5, 2025
Marriage of Inconvenience by Debbie Macomber (1992)
Manning Family #3 Those Manning Men #1
156-page Kindle Ebook story pages 3-153
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Featuring: Blurb, Infidelity, High School Friends, Seattle, Washington; Plot and Ending Spoilers for Books 1 & 2, Seahawks Football, Friends-to-Lovers Trope, Tricenarians, Marriage of Convenience, Baby Fever, Baby Pact, Dual POVS, Marriage Before Romance Trope, Sex - Low Details, Closed Door; Miscommunication, Family Dynamics, Drama, Everyone Can See It But Them Trope, Publisher's Links
Rating as a movie: PG-15
Memorable Quotes: The problem, not that he’d call it a problem, was that she didn’t possess the looks of a beauty queen. She wasn’t plain, nor was she unappealing. She was just—he hated to admit it—ordinary. Generally, there was one thing or other that stood out in a woman. A flawless face. Cascades of shining hair, blond or gold or black… Jamie’s wasn’t blond and it wasn’t brunette but somewhere in between. And it wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either. Some women had eyes that could pierce a man’s soul. Jamie had brown eyes. Regular brown eyes. Not dark or seductive or anything else, just brown eyes. Nice, but average. She was about five-five, and a little on the thin side. Giving the matter some consideration, Rich noted that there didn’t seem to be any distinguishing curves on her. Not her hips, and certainly not her breasts. He could be mistaken of course, since he hadn’t really looked at her that way.… To be honest, he’d never looked at her in any way other than as a friend. She didn’t have a body that would stop traffic. The thing was, a woman could have an ordinary face, but if she had curves, men fell all over themselves. Rich hated to admit something so derogatory about his fellow men, but he felt it was true. What few took the time to see was Jamie’s warm heart and generous spirit. He’d never known a more giving woman. What she’d said about being shy was true, even though he’d denied it. Yet she had spunk and she had spirit. Enough to stand up to him, which was no easy thing.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½💍👶🤰
My thoughts: Guy doesn't realize he's into his friend because she's not blonde, does it get any old school than that? This was more my speed but the trap of being privy to their emotions while watching them fumble was a bit frustrating. Overall I enjoyed the story but would have liked it more if they had gotten along early on, the unnecessary conflict felt like wasted time, and it was constantly happening. Despite the outdated humor, I think it could have easily been a 5-star read if the drama wasn't prolonged extensively.
Recommend to others: Maybe. The vibe of this book is a bit outdated but it still works.
Manning Family
1. The Cowboy's Lady (1990)
2. The Sheriff Takes a Wife (1990)
3. Marriage of Inconvenience (1992)
4. Stand-in Wife (1992)
5. Bride on the Loose (1992)
6. Same Time, Next Year (1995)
7. Silver Bells (2009)
Those Manning Men
1. Marriage of Inconvenience (1992)
2. Stand-in Wife (1992)
3. Bride on the Loose (1992)
4. Same Time, Next Year (1995)
Silver Bells (2009)
Manning Family #3 Those Manning Men #1
156-page Kindle Ebook story pages 3-153
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Featuring: Blurb, Infidelity, High School Friends, Seattle, Washington; Plot and Ending Spoilers for Books 1 & 2, Seahawks Football, Friends-to-Lovers Trope, Tricenarians, Marriage of Convenience, Baby Fever, Baby Pact, Dual POVS, Marriage Before Romance Trope, Sex - Low Details, Closed Door; Miscommunication, Family Dynamics, Drama, Everyone Can See It But Them Trope, Publisher's Links
Rating as a movie: PG-15
Memorable Quotes: The problem, not that he’d call it a problem, was that she didn’t possess the looks of a beauty queen. She wasn’t plain, nor was she unappealing. She was just—he hated to admit it—ordinary. Generally, there was one thing or other that stood out in a woman. A flawless face. Cascades of shining hair, blond or gold or black… Jamie’s wasn’t blond and it wasn’t brunette but somewhere in between. And it wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either. Some women had eyes that could pierce a man’s soul. Jamie had brown eyes. Regular brown eyes. Not dark or seductive or anything else, just brown eyes. Nice, but average. She was about five-five, and a little on the thin side. Giving the matter some consideration, Rich noted that there didn’t seem to be any distinguishing curves on her. Not her hips, and certainly not her breasts. He could be mistaken of course, since he hadn’t really looked at her that way.… To be honest, he’d never looked at her in any way other than as a friend. She didn’t have a body that would stop traffic. The thing was, a woman could have an ordinary face, but if she had curves, men fell all over themselves. Rich hated to admit something so derogatory about his fellow men, but he felt it was true. What few took the time to see was Jamie’s warm heart and generous spirit. He’d never known a more giving woman. What she’d said about being shy was true, even though he’d denied it. Yet she had spunk and she had spirit. Enough to stand up to him, which was no easy thing.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½💍👶🤰
My thoughts: Guy doesn't realize he's into his friend because she's not blonde, does it get any old school than that? This was more my speed but the trap of being privy to their emotions while watching them fumble was a bit frustrating. Overall I enjoyed the story but would have liked it more if they had gotten along early on, the unnecessary conflict felt like wasted time, and it was constantly happening. Despite the outdated humor, I think it could have easily been a 5-star read if the drama wasn't prolonged extensively.
Recommend to others: Maybe. The vibe of this book is a bit outdated but it still works.
Manning Family
1. The Cowboy's Lady (1990)
2. The Sheriff Takes a Wife (1990)
3. Marriage of Inconvenience (1992)
4. Stand-in Wife (1992)
5. Bride on the Loose (1992)
6. Same Time, Next Year (1995)
7. Silver Bells (2009)
Those Manning Men
1. Marriage of Inconvenience (1992)
2. Stand-in Wife (1992)
3. Bride on the Loose (1992)
4. Same Time, Next Year (1995)
Silver Bells (2009)
July 18, 2025
(CONTEXT: I read this book purely because i liked the authors other books. I did not read the about book and if i had i might not have read it, but it is still extremely bad writing. so bad that i have returned to goodreads 😦)
This is possibly the worst book i’ve ever read. This is coming from someone who has binge read 6-7 of these authors books recently and rated them all highly. I can’t even describe my loathing for this book. I’ve read this authors first published book and it’s worlds ahead of this.
First, the characters are boring. they both have non descript banking and office jobs and neither of them seem to have a hobby. Not even trauma besides semi bad ex’s
Second, it felt like they were strangers. I legit felt like they didn’t know eachother/didn’t have any chemistry even as friends. And they supposedly had been friends since highschool?!?! yeah right.
Third what do you mean they never thought the other was even slightly attractive. Never a passing thought in the more than ten years of friendship (getting that number based off of them mentioning a highschool reunion but it’s literally NEVER specified). I have several platonic male friends and once or twice i have thought that they are attractive at the minimum, even if im not wishing for a romantic relationship with them.
Fourth IT WENT IN CIRCLES. Over and OVER AND OVER again there was stupid weird miscommunication. HE ROLLED OVER IN BED AND SHE WAS LIKE OH HE HATES ME. UNIRONICALLY. Like I know you are pregnant ma’am but uhm what. Moms lmk if this is normal. And even if it is HE ACTS THIS WAY TOO. ITS THE 90’s (assuming based on the publishing date) YEAH YOU ARE GOING TO MISS EACH OTHERS CALLS.
Fifth the male main character was a legit whiny baby. Like she was freaked out about you joking (not even joking it was bullying i’m telling you) with her mother about THEM BEING MARRIED AND EXPECTING A CHILD FOR A GOOD REASON THAT WAS NOT CRAZY OF HER. I also felt like his mood swings were kind of scary. Like having read the authors other books, i’m concerned how normal in her writing abusive toxic behavior is.
Also what’s up with the families they felt really weird. Especially Jason. Jason who are you? You are a Doctor with the living habits of a man child? What????
I felt like this was the authors first novel which is majorly not true considering it’s the third in a series. And i’ve read the authors first novel which was actually amazing, especially compared to this.
This is possibly the worst book i’ve ever read. This is coming from someone who has binge read 6-7 of these authors books recently and rated them all highly. I can’t even describe my loathing for this book. I’ve read this authors first published book and it’s worlds ahead of this.
First, the characters are boring. they both have non descript banking and office jobs and neither of them seem to have a hobby. Not even trauma besides semi bad ex’s
Second, it felt like they were strangers. I legit felt like they didn’t know eachother/didn’t have any chemistry even as friends. And they supposedly had been friends since highschool?!?! yeah right.
Third what do you mean they never thought the other was even slightly attractive. Never a passing thought in the more than ten years of friendship (getting that number based off of them mentioning a highschool reunion but it’s literally NEVER specified). I have several platonic male friends and once or twice i have thought that they are attractive at the minimum, even if im not wishing for a romantic relationship with them.
Fourth IT WENT IN CIRCLES. Over and OVER AND OVER again there was stupid weird miscommunication. HE ROLLED OVER IN BED AND SHE WAS LIKE OH HE HATES ME. UNIRONICALLY. Like I know you are pregnant ma’am but uhm what. Moms lmk if this is normal. And even if it is HE ACTS THIS WAY TOO. ITS THE 90’s (assuming based on the publishing date) YEAH YOU ARE GOING TO MISS EACH OTHERS CALLS.
Fifth the male main character was a legit whiny baby. Like she was freaked out about you joking (not even joking it was bullying i’m telling you) with her mother about THEM BEING MARRIED AND EXPECTING A CHILD FOR A GOOD REASON THAT WAS NOT CRAZY OF HER. I also felt like his mood swings were kind of scary. Like having read the authors other books, i’m concerned how normal in her writing abusive toxic behavior is.
Also what’s up with the families they felt really weird. Especially Jason. Jason who are you? You are a Doctor with the living habits of a man child? What????
I felt like this was the authors first novel which is majorly not true considering it’s the third in a series. And i’ve read the authors first novel which was actually amazing, especially compared to this.
March 1, 2021
⏱ Sixty second, no spoiler summary
Two friends, Jamie and Rich, decide to marry so Jamie can have her dream of becoming a mother. The initial plan is secretly wed, use IVF and then divorce once the baby is born. This gives the child Rich’s last name and security financially as the child grows, while leaving their lifelong friendship intact. Of course, things never go this smoothy and feelings develop, both romantically and irrationally. Lots of short fuses and fighting, which is always blamed on hormones. Happy ending, which was predictable.
👍🏻Turn Ons
Macomber writes romance well and has improved over time. Her first books were not my favorites at all, but this one falls in the middle of her writing career and I feel like she has changed up some of the things that bothered me before. This is part of the Manning series, so we follow the same family, with different main characters in each book. I do enjoy a series that checks in with prior MC and Macomber does this well!
👎🏻 Turn Offs
Rich is jealous a lot. Jamie is a whiney, cranky witch. Ha. But really, the emotions are all over the place and lead to characters storming out and upset feelings. They were friends for ages, but it didn’t really feel that way. They also didn’t want to tell anyone that Rich would be fathering the child, but the baby would have his last time. It seemed odd to me that they’d have a “fake” marriage, but then not share that with anyone until a few months before they planned to divorce.
I also do not like that the book I read was two stories in one. I like knowing how many pages I have left, and when the second half of the book is another story, that makes it hard to do. Just a personal preference.
👵🏻 Safe to talk about with Grandma?
I would feel comfortable doing a buddy read with my grandma for this book. There is no super foul language and no explicit sex scenes.
⭐Rating ⭐
I gave this book three stars. I did enjoy it and it was a fast read. I wish the fights in the book weren’t so irrational.
A Marriage of Inconvenience by Debbie Macomber
Paperback
Read 2/25/21-2/26/21
Three stars
Two friends, Jamie and Rich, decide to marry so Jamie can have her dream of becoming a mother. The initial plan is secretly wed, use IVF and then divorce once the baby is born. This gives the child Rich’s last name and security financially as the child grows, while leaving their lifelong friendship intact. Of course, things never go this smoothy and feelings develop, both romantically and irrationally. Lots of short fuses and fighting, which is always blamed on hormones. Happy ending, which was predictable.
👍🏻Turn Ons
Macomber writes romance well and has improved over time. Her first books were not my favorites at all, but this one falls in the middle of her writing career and I feel like she has changed up some of the things that bothered me before. This is part of the Manning series, so we follow the same family, with different main characters in each book. I do enjoy a series that checks in with prior MC and Macomber does this well!
👎🏻 Turn Offs
Rich is jealous a lot. Jamie is a whiney, cranky witch. Ha. But really, the emotions are all over the place and lead to characters storming out and upset feelings. They were friends for ages, but it didn’t really feel that way. They also didn’t want to tell anyone that Rich would be fathering the child, but the baby would have his last time. It seemed odd to me that they’d have a “fake” marriage, but then not share that with anyone until a few months before they planned to divorce.
I also do not like that the book I read was two stories in one. I like knowing how many pages I have left, and when the second half of the book is another story, that makes it hard to do. Just a personal preference.
👵🏻 Safe to talk about with Grandma?
I would feel comfortable doing a buddy read with my grandma for this book. There is no super foul language and no explicit sex scenes.
⭐Rating ⭐
I gave this book three stars. I did enjoy it and it was a fast read. I wish the fights in the book weren’t so irrational.
A Marriage of Inconvenience by Debbie Macomber
Paperback
Read 2/25/21-2/26/21
Three stars
April 29, 2025
That was just..terrible. The writing was so dated, and parts were just offensive and gross. I'm listening to the audiobook of the "republished as two novels in one" called "Springtime Sunshine" and I think that was a huge error on their part.
Jamie asks her longtime pal Rich to be her sperm donor, and after he agrees, it's with the caveat: "We need to get married so when you conceive and the baby is born, they have my name and my child isn't a bastard." Who even talks like that? On behalf of single women everywhere who take charge of their life and create the children they want- Im offended for you.
Jamie agrees (yet dislikes), and they marry. They share a "life changing kiss" (which I think is strange because he is written as having said Many times to his buddy and his brother that Jamie isn't very attractive like other women) and then he is immediately distant (there is no shared wedding night. She accepts this and goes on with her life only for him to proceed to act like a rage-filled caveman. And just when you think she isn't going to put up with it..she does. His literal rage towards her somehow turns on a dime into extreme lust (psychopath anyone?) and a slightly rapey scene takes place. The book continues this way through to the end, and it's summed up as "longtime true love discovered".
Two longtime pals did not discover a secret love for each other and live happily ever after. Two people who were acquainted for a long time and have extremely poor communication skills (throughout the entire story) got married because the man is a controlling narcissist, and the woman is too weak to stand her ground. In a desperate desire to be wanted, the woman allows him to treat her poorly and then take her to bed after he says he loves her. Even after the baby is born, and they "stay together for love" all it felt like was the wrong example to set for what a great relationship should look like.
The whole thing grossed me out, and it's a bummer because I've read newer works by Debbie Macomber that were quite good.
Jamie asks her longtime pal Rich to be her sperm donor, and after he agrees, it's with the caveat: "We need to get married so when you conceive and the baby is born, they have my name and my child isn't a bastard." Who even talks like that? On behalf of single women everywhere who take charge of their life and create the children they want- Im offended for you.
Jamie agrees (yet dislikes), and they marry. They share a "life changing kiss" (which I think is strange because he is written as having said Many times to his buddy and his brother that Jamie isn't very attractive like other women) and then he is immediately distant (there is no shared wedding night. She accepts this and goes on with her life only for him to proceed to act like a rage-filled caveman. And just when you think she isn't going to put up with it..she does. His literal rage towards her somehow turns on a dime into extreme lust (psychopath anyone?) and a slightly rapey scene takes place. The book continues this way through to the end, and it's summed up as "longtime true love discovered".
Two longtime pals did not discover a secret love for each other and live happily ever after. Two people who were acquainted for a long time and have extremely poor communication skills (throughout the entire story) got married because the man is a controlling narcissist, and the woman is too weak to stand her ground. In a desperate desire to be wanted, the woman allows him to treat her poorly and then take her to bed after he says he loves her. Even after the baby is born, and they "stay together for love" all it felt like was the wrong example to set for what a great relationship should look like.
The whole thing grossed me out, and it's a bummer because I've read newer works by Debbie Macomber that were quite good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2020
Hmm, this one was odd. The people were nice, had been friends for thirteen years since high school, talked, got along, were kind and supportive to each other over bad romances and life events, and then the second that marriage in some form and eventual sexing got into the act, they were both completely dysfunctional and jumping to conclusions and defensively ignoring the other and yelling and shrieking and accusing and self-condemning and completely self-sabotaging, to the point that I felt like I knew why their exes had dumped them or slept around or whatever if these were the messes they became whenever romance happened in their lives. The Jekyl and Hyde aspect was super unpleasant to me, and they lost my sympathy--too much drahmah over needless things. All they had to do was frigging talk the way they had been doing for thirteen years as friends. I read the whole book, but don't need to do it again ever. The point may have been to teach the reader that talking to your partner and not jumping to conclusions Is Good, but it happened the hard way. I'm also not a fan of 'must make and have baby no matter what' theme, involving actively 'must buy seeds to make baby and must have it NOW!!! No, new random thought: must get seeds from handsome men I know NOW!' style of thing.
April 30, 2025
Marriage of Inconvenience is by seasoned author Debbie Macomber. This story revolves around the youngest Manning brother as he stumbles upon love that’s actually right before his eyes. The Mannings will be visited again in other of her novels.
Good friends Jamie Warren and Rich Manning have each had disappointing relationships in the past and have reached their early thirties. They both want children but there’s no future partner in sight for either of them. With an internal clock counting down, Jamie proposes to her good friend that they share the DNA for a child through artificial means. Rich’s counter proposal is that they marry and share the experience. Even if the DNA is shared artificially they will each share in the pregnancy, birth, and raising of the child, but without being a real couple. But this may be a giant miscalculation and perhaps will be nature rather than science that brings the couple together. The only issues are meddling families and miscommunication.
This story is a reflection of an earlier time, but there is nothing simpler about it. Filled with well drawn characters and dealing with people going through difficult circumstances, this story will entertain the readers. I did enjoy book and would recommend it!
Good friends Jamie Warren and Rich Manning have each had disappointing relationships in the past and have reached their early thirties. They both want children but there’s no future partner in sight for either of them. With an internal clock counting down, Jamie proposes to her good friend that they share the DNA for a child through artificial means. Rich’s counter proposal is that they marry and share the experience. Even if the DNA is shared artificially they will each share in the pregnancy, birth, and raising of the child, but without being a real couple. But this may be a giant miscalculation and perhaps will be nature rather than science that brings the couple together. The only issues are meddling families and miscommunication.
This story is a reflection of an earlier time, but there is nothing simpler about it. Filled with well drawn characters and dealing with people going through difficult circumstances, this story will entertain the readers. I did enjoy book and would recommend it!
October 21, 2018
This first book in the series appears that it can stand alone. I suspect later books may build on some details, but nothing is left hanging in this one.
I hated Rich and strongly disliked Jamie. For two people who are supposed to be best friends going back 15 or so years, they treat each other horribly and have no trust for one another. Jamie acts like a totally insecure wimp most of the time. Rich acts like a caveman. Both are prickly and seem to be waiting to take offense at the other.
After the premise is set, the plot is extremely thin. It is a roller-coaster ride, but my overall feeling was that it was depressing. I think that many of the situations that depressed me were supposed to have been humorous, but having the leading lady cry all the time and the leading male spark with fury over misunderstandings does not leave me laughing. Admittedly, some of the family stuff was probably funny even if it passed me by.
Mature themes: not really. Love scenes between the married couple were quite mild. There is one scene where the woman says no a couple times, but sends mixed signals and has mixed feelings with the result seeming to be that she really wanted to.
I hated Rich and strongly disliked Jamie. For two people who are supposed to be best friends going back 15 or so years, they treat each other horribly and have no trust for one another. Jamie acts like a totally insecure wimp most of the time. Rich acts like a caveman. Both are prickly and seem to be waiting to take offense at the other.
After the premise is set, the plot is extremely thin. It is a roller-coaster ride, but my overall feeling was that it was depressing. I think that many of the situations that depressed me were supposed to have been humorous, but having the leading lady cry all the time and the leading male spark with fury over misunderstandings does not leave me laughing. Admittedly, some of the family stuff was probably funny even if it passed me by.
Mature themes: not really. Love scenes between the married couple were quite mild. There is one scene where the woman says no a couple times, but sends mixed signals and has mixed feelings with the result seeming to be that she really wanted to.
June 21, 2025
Best Friends to Fake Marriage to Lovers
Jamie wants a baby, and who better to donate to her effort than the man she trusts above all others, her best friend Rich. But Rich has rules that Jamie needs to agree to before it’s a go.
Elements I enjoyed:
The Fake Marriage trope is always fun, and I enjoyed watching the characters’ friendship and familiarity in the beginning of the book as well as a bit of humor throughout. Their initial interactions with his family, especially the brothers, was fun and engaging. I listened to the audio book and the narrator was spot on with all the voices and delivery.
Elements that didn’t work for me:
Since this story has not been updated to include technology, there were misunderstandings galore which were so abundant they gave me whiplash! These particularly annoyed me with Jamie’s character and made Rich seem childish. What happened to their easy rapport as friends? It was exhausting.
Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite writers but I’ll have to say, she’s come a long way since 1992.
This ARC was provided to me by NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Jamie wants a baby, and who better to donate to her effort than the man she trusts above all others, her best friend Rich. But Rich has rules that Jamie needs to agree to before it’s a go.
Elements I enjoyed:
The Fake Marriage trope is always fun, and I enjoyed watching the characters’ friendship and familiarity in the beginning of the book as well as a bit of humor throughout. Their initial interactions with his family, especially the brothers, was fun and engaging. I listened to the audio book and the narrator was spot on with all the voices and delivery.
Elements that didn’t work for me:
Since this story has not been updated to include technology, there were misunderstandings galore which were so abundant they gave me whiplash! These particularly annoyed me with Jamie’s character and made Rich seem childish. What happened to their easy rapport as friends? It was exhausting.
Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite writers but I’ll have to say, she’s come a long way since 1992.
This ARC was provided to me by NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
April 27, 2025
This was my first book by this author and didn’t realize that it was a recent recording of an older book when I requested it from NetGalley. The book is dated both in the technology/culture and also certain aspects of the relationship. Any reader needs to keep that in mind when picking this up as there are some moments between the main characters that would likely offend younger generations. I love marriage of convenience stories and they can usually hardly ever go wrong for me. Unfortunately, the conflict driver in this book is persistent and repeated miscommunication which drives me crazy as a reader. If that doesn’t drive you crazy in a plot, it was an interesting approach to the trope of marriage of convenience.
The narration was well done and really the stars are also acknowledging the narrator. She did a great job voicing both male and female voices.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Content Notes: Multiple fade to black romance scenes
The narration was well done and really the stars are also acknowledging the narrator. She did a great job voicing both male and female voices.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Content Notes: Multiple fade to black romance scenes
March 15, 2025
Audiobook Review⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @htp_hive, @htpbooks, @netgalley for the #gifted audiobook.
Debbie Macomber delivers a light and enjoyable read with Marriage of Inconvenience, a classic marriage-of-convenience story blended with the friends-to-lovers trope. While the premise had promise, the story didn’t completely pull me in.
Lisa Zimmerman’s narration was solid, bringing the characters to life in a way that made the book easy to listen to. The story itself was entertaining, a quick read that delivered exactly what it promised—but it didn’t leave a lasting impact. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t love it. It was one of those reads that was enjoyable in the moment but didn’t linger with me afterward.
If you’re looking for a short, simple romance with a familiar and comforting trope, this is a good pick. But if you’re looking for something with more emotional depth or a story that really grabs you, this one might not fully deliver.
Thank you to @htp_hive, @htpbooks, @netgalley for the #gifted audiobook.
Debbie Macomber delivers a light and enjoyable read with Marriage of Inconvenience, a classic marriage-of-convenience story blended with the friends-to-lovers trope. While the premise had promise, the story didn’t completely pull me in.
Lisa Zimmerman’s narration was solid, bringing the characters to life in a way that made the book easy to listen to. The story itself was entertaining, a quick read that delivered exactly what it promised—but it didn’t leave a lasting impact. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t love it. It was one of those reads that was enjoyable in the moment but didn’t linger with me afterward.
If you’re looking for a short, simple romance with a familiar and comforting trope, this is a good pick. But if you’re looking for something with more emotional depth or a story that really grabs you, this one might not fully deliver.
November 25, 2021
I read this as apart of the Manning Brides bind up. Rich Manning and Jamie have been friends forever. He is a little bit of a playboy but doesn't want to settle down. She is longing for a baby and HEA but it doesn't seem to come. She looks into a sperm donor and asks Rich to be the father of her baby. He says yes but only if they get married. So they do and they plan to get divorced but surprise! They fall in love instead. I liked this book for what it was. I liked how the Manning men seem to be a little better humans than the men that the Manning girls married! This should be read AFTER the Manning Sisters bind up.
March 11, 2022
Marriage of Inconvenience is by Debbie Macomber. Jamie Warren wanted a baby and wanted it now. She didn't want a husband to cause problems; but a lovely Daddy. She decided that her friend, Rich Manning, would be perfect and she hoped he would go along with her plans. She wanted him to become the surrogate parent. When she approached him, he added some terms of his own. He wanted to be involved with the baby, he wanted to get married so the baby would have his name and they would divorce once the baby came. Although she had some reluctant feelings, Jamie agreed. She just hoped she wouldn't regret this.
June 21, 2018
Macomber/marriage of inconvenience
The story was ok but didn't wow. I expected a little more. It's about rich and Jamie who were best friend first. they become disillusion from failed dating. But Jamie wants a baby , without marriage, one thing led to another they both get marry to each other with a lot of stipulations that doesn't work. It was too much like most story written of this type story no wow factor, was a little disappointed, first time i read a story of macomber that I read before from another author similar. But enjoy most of macombe r other books
The story was ok but didn't wow. I expected a little more. It's about rich and Jamie who were best friend first. they become disillusion from failed dating. But Jamie wants a baby , without marriage, one thing led to another they both get marry to each other with a lot of stipulations that doesn't work. It was too much like most story written of this type story no wow factor, was a little disappointed, first time i read a story of macomber that I read before from another author similar. But enjoy most of macombe r other books
March 19, 2023
Lifelong best friends Rich and Jamie agree for him to donate his sperm and artificially inseminate Jamie so that she can have a child. Rich will not comply unless they secretly get married and will divorce after the baby is born. They keep their marriage a secret. They both really love each other but will not admit it. One evening they give in to desire before she is artificially inseminated. She becomes pregnant in the natural way. They go thru more denial about their true feelings for each other but eventually realize that they have always been in Love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
Debbie Macomber’s books are always great for quick, enjoyable beach reads, and Marriage of Inconvenience fits the bill. It touches on a slightly taboo topic for its time (artificial insemination), but overall, it’s a light, fun, and simple story. However, I found the lack of communication between the characters a bit frustrating, though it’s understandable given the era—no texting, just phone tag and answering machines. While it’s not my favorite of Macomber’s works, it’s still an easy, entertaining read.
February 14, 2025
🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book.
So this book isn’t new at all but I believe the audio version is that’s why the ARC was available. I haven’t read any books by Debbie yet but I think I’m gonna read more after this one. As far as the audio went I enjoyed it. The narrator was great and did a good job embodying each character.
I love marriage of inconvenience and the baby that came from it. I loved Jamie and Rich and I loved the way their relationship went from friends to lovers. One of my fav tropes!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book.
So this book isn’t new at all but I believe the audio version is that’s why the ARC was available. I haven’t read any books by Debbie yet but I think I’m gonna read more after this one. As far as the audio went I enjoyed it. The narrator was great and did a good job embodying each character.
I love marriage of inconvenience and the baby that came from it. I loved Jamie and Rich and I loved the way their relationship went from friends to lovers. One of my fav tropes!
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