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?

When Mary gets an opportunity to relive the past, she realizes how unimportant the past seems, and starts looking for a way to get back to the present.

The Mulligan Curse by Diane Barnes, is a well-written short story about the life of Mary Mulligan; her abandoned wishes and dreams. It emphasises the fickleness of life, and the human nature. It is so easy to romanticise the past, and what could have been, but we should learn to enjoy the present, and find joy in living. In other words, live without regrets, and be careful what you wish for!

3.5 stars rounded up. I’ve always been a fan of time travel, do-overs and setups of the like, so this book’s premised piqued my interest.

For 54-year old Mary, taking out her wisdom teeth came with the prize of a do-over of her biggest regret - sacrificing her career to become a homemaker. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that this is definitely more of a curse than a prize.

At first, I was slightly confused by the setup. I thought the Mary would travel back in time to when she was 24, but she actually continues to exist in the same “time zone” if you will, but in an alternate universe where she’s a younger version of herself. The fact that she regrets the decision to wipe out the last 30 years of her life almost immediately does sucks the fun out of her second chance at youth. I found it hard to root for Mary in the first half, when she wasn’t that keen on this new life herself. However, I really enjoyed seeing the story between Mary and her husband unfold as the novel progressed. By the end, I just wanted this woman to be happy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a compelling reminder to appreciate the small things in life and never take what you have for granted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.