Customer Reviews

Accidentally Engaged

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was a very nice surprise for me. A lot of chick-lit-type novels try too hard to blend humor, mystery and romance, resulting in a book that's never truly witty, with characters that seem much more like caricatures than people you might actually know or be. But "Accidentally Engaged" is definitely an exception, deftly blending wit that makes you laugh out loud (I'm still laughing over a cute paragraph of internal dialogue after Jack asks Clair "What up?"), with an appealing, original lead character and a bit of supernatural suspense that never feels hokey.

Clair Ivers is a real psychic, and it's definitely to the author's credit that this ends up being completely believable. Clair reads Tarot cards (in the beginning we get a very clear and funny explanation of the meanings of the different cards) and occasionally does private readings. She both appreciates and loathes her gift, which she inherited from her grandmother. One day she is forced to do a reading for Rachel, a woman who is about to marry Jack, a wealthy business owner who manufactures vodka under the family name. Rachel comes with her Jack's sister, Susan and each woman has an agenda: Rachel wants a reading that warns her in absolute terms NOT to marry Jack, while Susan wants a reading that convinces Rachel that marrying Jack is the right thing to do. In the end, Clair ends up giving in to Rachel. There's only one problem: when Rachel exits the reading, she leaves behind her engagement ring.

Now feeling guilty and determined to confront Jack with the ring and with the truth of the reading, Clair sets off to Jack's estate. She also sees a picture of Jack and feels an undeniable attraction and connection to him. Yet before she can meet him in person, she experiences a car crash, runs into a bunch of men she thinks are the estate gardeners (and shares a mind-blowing kiss with one of them), and finds herself mistaken for Rachel by Jack's grandmother.

It's hard to summarize the plot because there's truly so much going on at any given point. But the main drama concerns Clair grappling with her attraction to the man she kissed, as well as her feelings for Jack. The supporting characters are well drawn, with the exception of Jack and Rachel, both of whom I never quite got. By the end, there are all sorts of intriguing threads-- who is Clair fated to be with? Was there ever really a car accident? What was Rachel really up to when she went to have her cards read? What is the deal with Madeleine, Jack's mother, and Anderson, the butler? Mary Carter makes sure to give satisfying answers as she ties up all loose ends. There's also a great ending.

This novel deserves a lot of attention, in my opinion. It's very well crafted and engaging; the writing is also definitely more assured than your average chick lit novel. The style reminded me of a mix of Beth Kendrick and Jennifer Crusie, and if you like those authors, I think you'll enjoy Mary Carter, too.

I've really enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't anything like I expected it to be. From reading the back description I didn't realize Clair, the main character, was a psychic. I just assumed she was a little intuitive and read tarot cards. I was pleasantly surprised to find out how psychi Calir really is and it mae me enjoy it so much more! That spin on this book made it much better than your average chick lit book.

I will definitely read more of Mary Carter's books in the future.

I really liked this book, I had a hard time putting it down. I was very satisfied with my order. It arrived 8 days after I ordered (far less than projected) it and in great conditition. I would definately order from them again.

Too many coincidences, "mysteries" that anybody who's ever watched a soap opera for a week could figure out, and an annoying, not-very-bright main character. Not one I would recommend, sorry.

This book is a page turner -- I loved it as much as Mary Carter's other book "She'll Take It!"

Psychic Clair Ivars couldn't foresee the unusual turn her life was about to take when Rachel Morgan, a bride-to-be with a bad case of pre-wedding jitters, comes to her for a reading. Twice divorced, Clair gives Rachel a piece of impulsive advice that causes her to call of the wedding. Before Clair can take back the things she's said, Rachel rushes out, leaving behind her rather large engagement ring and the address of the intended groom, Jack Heron.
Feeling responsible to fix the mess she caused, Clair rents a car and drives to the Heron Estate to return the ring. On the way there, a large blue heron flies into her windshield, and her car flips over in the woods. Making her way to the road, she hitches a ride with a truckload of gardeners, who are coincidentally in route to the estate. One gardener in particular catches her eye and on a dare, she kisses him.
Once at the estate, this comedy of errors gets interesting when Clair, who's been mistaken for a bridesmaid, is introduced to Jack and his intriguing family. To complicate the situation even more, Clair soon learns that the "gardener" she's been having sexual fantasies about is none other than the groom's best man, Mike. Then, as if that wasn't enough, Jack's eccentric grandmother mistakes Clair for Rachel--the bride.
Clair soon learns that there's more going on at the Heron Estate than meets the eye. But to uncover the truth, she must first get around Jack's conniving mother and sister and past the mysterious butler, Anderson, who seems to be the only character with a clue.
Accidentally Engaged is a charming and fun read. Author Mary Carter weaves a tale that will leave the reader guessing and wondering what Clair is going to get into next. Her cast of zany characters is well-drawn and perfectly mated to the complex story that takes one turn after another.

If you looking for a lax chick book, here it is! Easy read and holds your interest

Psychic Clair Ivers hates her gift as people classify her as a kook, a con, or a conduit with few belonging to the last category. Her current client offers to pay Clair a sizable sum of money if she would provide a false reading to her future sister-in-law Rachel Morgan that would send the superstitious bride into the night. When Clair refuses, her extortionist vows to commit hari kari when the preacher asks the question of the audience if anyone takes exception.

Her reading sends the bride away in panic with her engagement ring left behind. Clair returns the jewelry to its owner, the groom Jack Heron, who to her shock, especially after several failed marriages, is her Jack of her Hearts. Not sure what to do he provides her the time and opportunity she needs to prove they are soulmates. He surprises himself 4when he drafts her as his pretend fiancée for the sake of his grandma and some investors. However, she also fears he will never speak to her again once she tells him the truth that her reading broke his engagement.

Putting that classic TV show Occasional Wife aside, this is an amusing contemporary fantasy romance starring a likable psychic and her Jack of Hearts. The amusing story line focuses on Clair's pratfalls as her skill fails to warn her when she needs it most. Readers will appreciate this funny lighthearted tale of the psychic who found love.

Harriet Klausner

This book is cute, but the characters and storyline are QUITE annoying. Mary Carter uses hyperbolic and wordy phrases as filler. There are major holes in the storyline and the pace is slower than molasses. I like the main characters, Clair Ivers and Jack Heron (there is a metaphor in the beginning that will make your eyes roll in the back of your head). Still, the corny and fragmented dialogue failed to keep me involved in this book (I kept reading the far superior, "Half Blood Prince", the Harry Potter book).

Borrow book from the library (if you are able) and save your money.