The Marriage Goal by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

To love and to cherish, until death or visa fraud do us part.

Juliet:

Taking a job as the Caldwell Chargers' new legal counsel was a calculated risk of pros and cons. Pro: it’s a prestigious position at my age. Con: I’m stuck working with my older brother’s best friend—the man who broke my teenage heart eight years ago.

I’ve spent years avoiding Myles Delavan, and now he’s everywhere. The flirty goalie with gorgeous hair is a tempting distraction I can’t afford. Right up there with my medical bills.

Ignoring his thoughtfulness should be easy. Too bad my heart isn’t getting the memo. When a handsy fan crosses the line, all my cool-headed logic flies out the window. I make every decision with a list of contingency plans--except here I am, announcing myself as Myles’s fiancé.

A fake engagement definitely wasn’t on my agenda. Neither was a marriage of convenience. But I need his money to cover my medication, and he needs my citizenship to keep him from getting deported back to Canada.

Romance isn’t on the list, but if Myles keeps up his steady pursuit against my well-fortified defences, I’m in danger of getting my heart broken all over again.

Myles:

Eight years ago, Juliet Satterfield tried to kiss me. And for the last eight years, I’ve wished I’d let her.

Walking away from her that night was the hardest decision I ever made, but it was the only way to keep her safe—from me. Because I’ll hurt her. It’s in my blood.

A marriage of convenience with my best friend’s little sister isn’t the ideal way to protect her. And staying away from her? Impossible when she flashes that enchanting grumpy scowl at me.

I’m already head over heels in love with my wife, and she has no idea. Loving Juliet is easy, but acting on it is selfish. Because I won’t be the man who breaks her heart… again.

The Marriage Goal is a hockey rom-com featuring a marriage of convenience between a grumpy, neurodivergent lawyer and the steady, bookish goalie who loves her. It’s filled with plenty of heartfelt healing, everyday faith, swoony banter, and laugh aloud small town shenanigans—all without the spice.

The Author

Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht fell in love with fictional realms at a young age and quickly began writing tales of her own--full of hope, brave living in a dark world, and unexpected love stories for the crusty romantics (like herself). She’s a hobbit at heart (but not in height) with deep roots in the past, who loves the occasional adventure, accidentally talks in a British accent on occasion, and has the dry humour to match. When she isn’t writing or reading a book on her never ending to-be-read list, she can be found drinking copious amounts of tea, rewatching comfort shows for the umpteenth time, hanging out with family and friends, reorganising her bookshelves, or playing Christmas music year-round. British Columbia, Canada is the place she calls home, nestled in the foothills.

Book Review

I have really enjoyed the coziness and feeling of family in the first three books of this series, so I was thrilled to be able to go back to see Myles and Juliet's story, who we've gotten to see as a couple in those previous books. (This one takes us back to before book one.) Make it a marriage of convenience with a hockey player set (in part) around the holidays? Yes, please! This one had all the coziness I have come to love in the rest of the series with some added holiday cheer mixed in. Myles and Juliet had such a sweet dynamic between them. They'd had some past hurt between them that they had to work through, but the care between them was evident even before they'd had the chance to work it out. I loved how easily Juliet was to suggest a marriage to keep him from having to leave the country... and how seriously they both took marriage, even if theirs was one of convenience, not romance. The team dynamics added not just that sense of family... but a lot of laughs too. This one was really sweet and perfect for readers who love cozy holiday reads and complicated family dynamics. 

The Marriage Goal is a faith-filled closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Reluctant Romantic series, but I do think it could be enjoyed as standalone as well. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://link.amazon/B0a2zpHrB