The Marriage Narrative

By: Claire Kann

Narrated by: Marcella Cox, Emmanuel Ingram

A love just for show grows into something more in this swoonworthy romance from the author of The Romantic Agenda.

Zinnia is an ambitious, successful businesswoman who is not about to wait around for her One True Love. She turns her dating profile into a marriage-merger proposal: a few strategic meetings, move in together, get married—all within thirty days. Her friends think it will never work… until she meets Jordan, a near-perfect applicant with a big secret.

Jordan’s family has spent the last decade starring in a massively popular reality show about their lives. He has finally agreed to join the cast, but production wants him to marry an actress (his ex) in a romantic storyline to boost viewership.

Convinced Zinnia is perfect for the role instead, Jordan proposes a mutually beneficial marriage agreement: she gets her business partner husband, and he gets to help his family on his terms. Together they face strict schedules, wild plot twists, and behind-the-scenes hostilities, all while acting like besotted newlyweds—an intense performance that evolves into a relationship they never expected.

As the line between reality and show blurs, Zinnia and Jordan must choose between a clean contract or a beautifully messy love story.

Critic reviews

"This unique, messy romance is multilayered, exposing Zinnia’s and Jordan’s fears, vulnerabilities, and dreams, all set against a reality-TV backdrop...Kann’s latest will pull readers in quickly and won’t let them go, staying with them long after the last page."—Library Journal (starred review)

"Swoon-worthy. Readers will have no trouble rooting for these two."—Publishers Weekly

"Readers will love getting to peek behind the reality-show curtains and seeing how this relationship blossoms off camera."—Booklist

"Whether you’re a romance enthusiast, a reality TV fan, or someone who enjoys watching love bloom under pressure, The Marriage Narrative promises to deliver a heartfelt story wrapped in glitz, drama, and authenticity."—Houston Style Magazine

Praise for Claire Kann

"[C]haracters that feel so real and lines that sound like poetry.”—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author, on The Romantic Agenda

“Sparkling with emotion and humor, The Romantic Agenda reminds readers that the best parts about life can often be found in the unexpected. A story about letting go and celebrating who you are, Kann’s adult debut is a must-read for anyone who’s ever loved, lost, and embraced love yet again.”—Ashley Herring-Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care

“This hauntingly funny rom-com is filled with interesting, fully developed characters (including the house). The dialogue is witty, and the interactions between characters are realistic to the personalities the author has created.”—Library Journal on Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places

“Swoony and spooky.”—NPR on Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places

Zinnia's character growth/development of her feelings and acknowledging them/learning herself

I enjoyed the writing style of this author. They had well placed moments that made me chuckle.