The Marriage Policy Book Review

The Marriage Policy
The Jilted Exes’ Club, Book 2
Eric + Donovan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5

Eric and Donovan have been best friends for most of their lives—close in a way that kind of blurs lines, but neither of them has ever dared to question it—although others do. When Eric gets injured and has no insurance, Donovan suggests something that changes everything: get married so Eric can be covered under his plan. What starts as a practical favor turns into something way more complicated—than either of them expected.

The dynamic between them is believable. There’s familiarity, comfort, and frustration—especially as they both keep avoiding what’s growing between them. If you enjoy the kind of slow burn where two people tiptoe around their feelings while everyone else can already see what’s happening, this story is for you.

About the Author – Riley Hart

I’ve read a few books by Riley Hart, and I can see why readers come back for her. She writes character-driven stories that lean into emotion and connection, without dragging things out too long. The dialogue felt natural, and the relationship between Eric and Donovan was layered in a way that didn’t feel forced. I’ll definitely check out more from her in this series—she is a one-click author for me.

My Thoughts About the Book

It took me a little while to settle into the story. The first few chapters felt a bit too sweet and predictable, and I wasn’t fully pulled in right away—so yeah, it took me a while to get invested. But once the emotional tension started to build, I found myself truly hooked.

What stood out was the way Eric’s bi awakening was handled—it felt honest, not overdone or underdone. I also liked that their friendship remained at the center of the story even as things shifted between them. Their bond was real, and even though they were frustratingly slow to admit how they felt, it made sense to who they were.

The found family element added depth without taking over the story, and the moments of humor helped balance out the more emotional scenes.

Almost Perfect… Except

The book leaned a little too sweet in parts, which made the pacing feel slower early on. I also really wanted a bit more payoff at the end. We got a sweet resolution, but I was hoping for a wedding or at least a more complete epilogue to round it all out. Just a bit more would’ve made this feel fully wrapped up.

Favorite Quote

“I’ve maybe always been in love with you, and that’s why it could never work with anyone else.”. The line is simple but honest. That one line captured everything the story had been building toward.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the mood for a solid friends-to-lovers romance (one of my favorite tropes) with a marriage of convenience twist, this one hits the spot. The emotional build-up is there, the chemistry is incredible, and while it could’ve used a bit more edge or closure, it still left me happy.

4.5 stars. Solid read. I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.

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