Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Mulligan Curse was a joy to read and kept me engaged throughout. We follow Mary, who is middle aged and feeling every minute - her daughter has left the nest and her husband doesn’t seem to be as into her as he is golf, not to mention things aren’t in the same places on her body they used to be. When Mary disregards her cousin Darbi’s warning about a curse attached to removing her wisdom teeth - something else causing her pain - she finds herself stuck in the Mulligan curse. While it may not seem a curse to many, being able to be 24 again and try to fix her life’s biggest regret, Mary soon finds the grass isn’t greener on the other side.

I loved this story of regrets and the realization of the impact you may have on the people around you and not realize it. Mary was well written and her conundrum had me laughing and feeling sentimental. This is a great book to pick up, especially if you find yourself too often wondering what could have been.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I liked the idea, but it didn't fulfill my expectations. It isn't a bad story, not at all. The style of writing was just not for me, I couldn't really immerse myself in the plot, didnt connect with the characters and the overexplaining. i guess its a vibe thing. The ending was a beetje cheesy but I didn't mind it, it fits the book.

Ratings - 3/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, I recieved a e-ARC of Diane Barnes' "The Mulligan Curse." Let me tell you, it was a quick and breezy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon on the couch.

Unlike your typical time travel or magical do-over story, "The Mulligan Curse" offers a refreshingly realistic take on second chances. Mary Mulligan isn't whisked away to a fantastical new world. Instead, she faces a family curse – a chance to rewind her life thirty years, but with a surprising twist: the world continues as normal.

This unique wrinkle sets the stage for Mary's internal struggle. While the opportunity to pursue her abandoned dreams is undeniably tempting, the curse forces her to confront the life she's built, the relationships she cherishes, and the choices that led her here.

Barnes' strength lies in her characters. Mary's journey is relatable, filled with the anxieties and desires we all grapple with – the fear of missed opportunities, the longing for a different path. But it's the supporting cast, particularly her family, that truly shines. Their reactions and growth alongside Mary add depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

However, if you're looking for a light and breezy escape, "The Mulligan Curse" might surprise you. The humor is subtle, and the story tackles themes of regret and the weight of the past quite honestly. There are no easy answers here, and Mary's journey isn't a fairy tale.

Ultimately, "The Mulligan Curse" is a thought-provoking read for anyone who's ever wondered "what if?" It's a reminder that second chances, even fantastical ones, come with their own set of challenges.

From the author of All We Could Still Have comes a charming tale about one woman who embraces a family curse, laying bare the dreams we give up—and the chances we take to get them back.

First of all, I would like to thank Lake Union Publishing for giving me this free Arc and especially Netgalley. Thank you to these publishers for the opportunity to read this book for free and in advance. I would like to thank the author of this book for writing this story. I really appreciate your work, and I hope you create and write more stories!❤️❤️

I've never heard of this book before, and when I was searching for a book to read on Netgalley, I found this one. The title captured my interest in reading this book because I also liked reading mystery and adventure books, so I tried to read this one. After reading this book, I liked the story and the plot. It was witty and had a touch of humor, and it was kind of appealing. I like the main character here, which is Mary, because she's a kind of funny person

The Mulligan Curse by Diane Barnes is, in essence, an updated version of It's a Wonderful Life, with the protagonist learning the important lessons being a woman, and the events of the book taking part in modern day.
Mary Mulligan has been cursed, or blessed depending on your point of view, with de-aging to the point in time when she made the decision that led to her greatest regret. That regret is deciding to follow her heart instead of accepting a promotion, which eventually saw her age into a somewhat bitter, angry, and unhappy empty nester of a housewife.
The book is well-written, with plenty of relatable instances as Mary deals with the consequences of getting her do-over. As the book unfolds, she sees how different her life, and the lives of those to whom she made a difference without realizing the importance of her effect, would have been had she accepted that job so many years ago. Of course, the reader cannot help but put themselves in her shoes, and wonder what would have changed had they could change their largest regret in life.
While Mary is often relatable, at other times she is irritatingly needy, stubborn, and selfish, refusing to listen to other people even when it has been proven that she should, or to take the feelings of others into consideration. Sadly, the irritating parts, and her internal woe-is-me meltdowns, are quite repetitive, and I found myself skipping entire paragraphs after a while.
Overall, however, the book contains a good premise and makes the readers reflect on their own regrets.
Thank you for the ARC of #TheMulliganCurse to #NetGalley.

A middle-aged woman discovers that she carries a genetic marker that causes her to get wisdom tooth pain when she starts to regret the decision she made in the past. This pain would end up in an extraction and after the extraction she would wake up back at the age before she made the regretted decision.
I love a good time travel novel and this is a complicated one as although the main character travels back in
Age, she is still in the same universe as her friends and family who have not gone back in age . I think this is the first time that I’ve read it on novel that works quite like this. It adds an additional complexity as the main character then has to Ilavoid people who already know her as they would notice that she suddenly looking 20 years younger.
The author has a clear easily read writing style. The novel was a fun enjoyable read which I read in one sitting.
I think they book could write make a good TV series or film. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rights were taken up quickly.
I’d recommend this novel to lovers a quirky time travel concept.

I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK on the 4th of February 2025 by Lake union publishing
this will appear on NetGalley Goodreads and my book blog bionic SarahS books.WordPress.com after publication will also appear an Amazon UK

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, mwah!

If you’re feeling lost, read this book!

A sucker punch of reality. The Mulligan Curse is the breath of fresh air we all need, showing us that growing pains can blossom into the power of self actualization. Reminding us that with every setback there is a setup for a powerful comeback.

Mary Mulligan, an in-betweener, is subjected to a generational curse and must overcome a life-changing experience: getting her wisdom teeth out. Although her teeth might be extracted, she’s suddenly three decades younger. Navigating her twenties again, Mary is faced with an unexpected dilemma. Awed by her youthful aspirations, she must choose between life before the dental diversion or her dreams.

And who’s to say you can’t gain any wisdom?