Marin Johns isn’t your typical couples therapist. When it comes to matters of the heart, she’s a total klutz.In this three book series, Marin takes on fidelity, commitment, and fertility treatments. But not without the support of her girlfriends and a few tumbles along the way. This romantic women’s fiction series is filled with honest humor, ride or die friendships, and a leading lady who never … friendships, and a leading lady who never gives up. Fans of Sex and the City and How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days will absolutely LOVE The Marin Test Series. These full-length novels pair perfectly with a hot cup of tea and honey or chilled glass of wine.
Get the Marin Test Series and enjoy the fabulous (mis)adventures of Marin and her friends today!
The Man Test
She’s out to prove he’s no good. He’s too good to be true. Will she prove her point or be swept off her feet?
Couples therapist Marin Johns is in love with love until she catches her fiancé in the act. Heartbroken and convinced her life is a lie, she’s determined to show that all men are double-dealing pigs. So when the handsome and sweet James Young asks her on a date, she sees the perfect chance to prove her theory to the world.
From snooping in his apartment to hiring a fidelity inspector, Marin sets trap after trap to expose James as just another cheating male. But the therapist didn’t realize that the harmless experiment would put her friends at risk. And she certainly didn’t expect her unsuspecting subject to make her heart beat three times as fast…
Head over heels and deeply confused, will Marin double down on her theory or take one last chance on love?
The Man Test is the laugh-out-loud first book in The Marin Test romantic women’s fiction series. If you like witty banter, comic hijinks, and the search for the perfect guy, you’ll love Amanda Aksel’s charming tale.
The Commitment Test
She wants wedded bliss. But is he ready to put a ring on it?
Couples therapist, Marin Johns only wants one thing for Valentine’s Day. Too bad her boyfriend James has a different idea about commitment. Approaching her 33rd birthday and certain that he’s the one, Marin is determined to prove that she’ll make the perfect wife.
With the help of an engagement guru, she’s convinced that James will get down on one knee in 90 days or less. Everything goes perfectly to plan until her college boyfriend resurfaces after a decade. And he’s got his own ideas about their future.
With a dilemma bigger than a 33 carat diamond, will Marin be forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the ring she’s always dreamed of?
The Commitment Test is the second book in The Marin Test romantic women’s fiction series. If you like sweet and sexy book boyfriends, fabulous friendships, and juicy plot twists, you’ll love Amanda Aksel’s sparkling story.
The Pregnancy Test
She’s got baby fever. But the stork is on strike.
Couples therapist, Marin Johns has spent the last year gettin’ down to baby makin’ music with her new husband. But those coveted pink lines are playing hard to get. With thirty-five candles on her birthday cake and an arsenal of fertility treatments, Marin gears up for the most challenging test yet.
Between IUI and IVF, Marin’s counseling practice begins to expand while her uterus doesn’t budge. Marin had no idea that the pursuit of motherhood would strain the marriage she fought so hard for.
Will Marin and James finally get a positive pregnancy test or will they be left behind while everyone around them gets knocked up?
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I reviewed each of these three books separately at 5 and four stars. I think the second, the Commitment Test, is my favorite followed closely by The Man Test. The Pregnancy Test, with a lot of angst over fertility issues, was my least favorite at 4 stars, but still, a good series examining the trials and tribulations of a thirty-something and her group of close friends as they go through hook-ups, courting, break-ups, marriage, pregnancies and their morphing friendships as they mature and find love. Here are my impressions of each volume in the set in more detail:
The Man Test
5 stars
There’s no fury like a woman betrayed! Can Marin get past it?
I loved this tale of a smart woman who makes some bad choices in reaction to her fiance’s bad behavior. Female lead Marin is so steeped in her own sense of unjust betrayal; too bad that her distrust warps her attitude and threatens not just her own ability to find happiness!
The writing is superb–effortless to read with a solid plot and interesting characters, making for an absorbing story. The romancing is mild in heat, mostly closed door, but male-female relationships are the heart of the story, served with a good side of quality time with close friends. Good development of the characters and a lovely, hopeful ending.
The Commitment Test
5 stars
I love and so sympathize with Marin; what a great read!
I was sucked into this realistic drama, the sequel to Aksel’s fine novel the Man Test. Of the two, this one hit me more emotionally. Marin has her man now but wrestles with her need for more. I could so identify with her, especially when she watches changes in the lives of her closest friends and worries what future has in store for her– husband, home, kids? The romantic moments are peppered with Marin’s insecurities and uncertainties about whether her life with James will be enough. James surprises her again and again but not necessarily in a good way! Blast from the past ex-boyfriend Jack’s reappearance added that extra touch of drama.
The writing is superb and I was heavily invested in the characters, both lead and secondary. It’s not all rainbows and roses but that made the happy conclusion all the better!.
The Pregnancy Test
4 stars
Characters are wonderful but a bit heavy on the angst
Author Amanda Aksel is an excellent writer and I really enjoyed the earlier two books, The Man Text and The Commitment Test, in this series, but this one a bit less so because the fertility issues were so sad and frustrating. It seemed that everyone else in Marin’s social circle is moving forward but heroine Marin is stuck dreaming of expanding her perfect family and finding her single-minded focus just makes failure all the more devastating. Marin shows her self-absorbed side; she is so timeline and goal oriented that she misses cues about how her quest is affecting her husband and circle of friends. It seems totally believable and realistic, but after awhile, is got depressing. However, a shout-out to little Stella, an adorable Westie pup who brings joy and light to a household that needs it. My favorite characters in this story were totally supportive hubby James and sultry, successful single mom Telly. The conclusion notwithstanding, be prepared for lots of sad moments partially balanced by positive movement in their friend’s lives.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.