Book Review: Marked (The Boys of Bishop Mountain #1) by B.J. Kelleher
Sometimes, a book grabs your attention not just because of its blurb but due to the promise of a whirlwind romance filled with tantalizing tropes. Marked by B.J. Kelleher intrigued me with its setup—a billionaire, military hero tangled in a brother’s best friend story—trust me, I’m a sucker for that kind of drama. But what I stumbled into was a hot mess that left me wondering if I had misjudged a promising premise. Buckle up, folks; it’s about to get bumpy.
At the heart of Marked is Jess, a relatable firecracker who has harbored a crush on her brother’s friend, Mark, since childhood. However, what starts as a sweet crush quickly devolves into a muddled narrative filled with standard miscommunications and irritating relationship hiccups. After a brief kiss eight years ago, Jess and Mark end up on divergent paths; Jess is left in her small hometown, while Mark ventures off into military life. Their reunion is rife with tension—one fueled more by missed connections than genuine chemistry.
Jess is portrayed as a strong character, stubborn about her family and fiercely independent, which makes some of the plot elements troubling. Her self-worth seems entwined with the ability to give Mark biological children, a trope that felt frustratingly outdated and reduced her depth as a character. I couldn’t help but feel that Jess, as well-rounded as she initially seemed, was left wanting in the end. The pivotal moment of her pushing Mark away because of this issue felt like a disservice to her character. Women deserve more than to be defined by their reproductive capabilities!
Kelleher’s writing style has its moments, blending humor with emotional intensity. I found myself chuckling at certain passages, yet it appeared that the pacing of the plot was off. The story relied heavily on time jumps, leading to a disconnect in the on-screen chemistry between Jess and Mark. By the time the climax unfolded, I found myself wondering why we still had 100 pages left to wade through—a frustrating experience.
The romance, which I hoped would blossom into something meaningful, unfortunately resembled more of an extended one-night stand. Mark’s emotional instability—and let’s be honest, his gentlemanly offer of money for Jess’s charity alongside a week-long affair—left a sour taste in my mouth. Not only was it confusing for Jess, but it also felt somewhat exploitative.
Let’s touch on some of the glaring plot holes. The fact that Mark hadn’t seen Jess in eight years, yet somehow maintained connections with her brother, feels utterly unrealistic. And, let’s not forget how Jess checks Mark’s third finger for a ring—only to realize, oops, it’s on the wrong finger. Come on, people!
In closing, Marked has potential but ultimately misses the mark—pun intended. If you’re a die-hard fan of contemporary romances that lean heavily into tropes, perhaps you might find some enjoyment here. However, I urge you to approach with caution. The exploration of themes like self-worth and emotional resilience could have been profound, but instead, they were bogged down by cliches and missteps.
What resonated with me amidst this chaos was the reminder that every romance should empower women rather than diminish them. As I close this chapter on Marked, I’m left reflecting on how vital it is for our stories to champion genuine emotional connections over mere plot-driven theatrics. Maybe, just maybe, another reader will glean something different from this wild ride than I did. Happy reading!
Discover more about Marked (The Boys of Bishop Mountain #1) on GoodReads >>