The Marriage Wars: Book One

By: Melissa Gowdy Baldwin

Narrated by: Dahlia Summers

Ten years apart. Three nights of uncovered secrets. One decision to change it all....

Miserable and bound in a marriage she never wanted, Olivia Smith has played her part in the nation's marriage system for the last 10 years. She had two children and supported their schooling, cared for her mother and sister, and never used her challenge pass from the marriage reward system—showing everyone she believed in the life of the nation.

Until now.

Determined to have something for herself, Olivia selects the challenge pass as her 10-year anniversary reward, which allows her three nights with state-sanctioned escorts at the Challenge Center. She experiences intimate encounters, uncovered secrets, and a decision that will change her path forever.

When Ethan, her true love, stands before her as a state-sanctioned escort, Olivia questions the last 10 years of her life. To Ethan, Olivia is the last key to undoing the nation and everyone who believes in its future. To Olivia, Ethan is the escape she's wanted, but now that he's in front of her, can she actually take the leap and leave the world she knows behind her?

In The Marriage Wars: Book One, Melissa Gowdy Baldwin's dystopian world asks us to question the role power and gender play in our need for connection, denial, and choice.

©2023 Melissa Gowdy Baldwin (P)2025 Melissa Gowdy Baldwin

Different

This Dystopian story was a very interesting. Very well narrated as well. Can't wait for book 2 to see where the story goes.

Ironic, parallels to Covid, even though it was written pre-pandemic

Dystopian post pandemic state. It took me a bit to get into this, particularly due to the parallels to reality, even though it was written pre-pandemic it wasn't finished and published until after. Once it got going, I wanted to know what happened next in the beginning. I absolutely did not like the female character, but by the end I was rooting for her.
I don't wanna give away too much but let's say I can't wait for the next book

Enjoyed!

I didn't really have a good idea of what to expect with this book but I ended up enjoying it.
The dystopian world was interesting because I feel like it is something that is totally plausible... which is a little terrifying. It's almost like it took the issues we are facing today and blew them up to make a whole society based around them.
I related to Olivia on a certain level. Mostly, the back and forth she has with herself about whether she liked her life or not, feeling trapped while also loving her children, figuring out the best way to respond to the circumstances while trying to hold on to herself and those she cares about.
I will say the the storyline was slightly predictable and that instead of plot twists, it's more like spilling tea.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would love to see what happens in the second one!

Great book.

This is a must read for lovers of this genre. Sucks me in can wait for book 2.

a slow build

Like a combo of handmaid's tale and divergent. A definite slow build, and you must keep in mind that it's a first book to a trilogy. That being said, I can't wait to read the rest of the story.
Great voices and personalities displayed by the narrator.