Reviewed by Ro
TITLE: The Marriage Policy
SERIES: Jilted Exes Club #2
AUTHOR: Riley Hart
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 252 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 11, 2025
BLURB:
Donovan
What’s a little marriage of convenience between best friends?
I’ve always worked hard to keep the friendship line firmly in place when it comes to Eric. I’m gay, and he’s straight. We’re best friends and nothing more. But he’s my person, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. Which is why when I find out he’s struggling financially and doesn’t have medical insurance, I blurt out six friendship-altering words: I want you to marry me.
Eric
Donovan’s my best friend, the most important person in my life… And he wants to marry me.
Okay, so maybe I haven’t made the best decisions lately. I took a job with no health insurance and no guaranteed money, which was working out fine, if not for the whole getting-injured-and-fired thing. But Donovan has come up with a solution. Marriage. Living together. There’s a small chance we’re a tad codependent, but I always want to be with him, so signing a marriage license shouldn’t really change much. Until the kissing starts…and the touching…and the exploring… And all I know is, I want more. So much more from my husband.
Playing pretend with Donovan is the realest thing I’ve ever felt, and though divorce was the ultimate plan, I’m not sure I want this to end.
Content Warning: MC without medical insurance, discussion on the risks of not having medical insurance, discussion about losing a parent to cancer (in the past).
REVIEW:
This is the second book in the Jilted Exes’ Club series, which centers around three men who were all unknowingly dating the same man, Malcolm. When it becomes public, and is an internet sensation, the three – Hayes, Anthony, and Donovan – meet at become friends. Hayes was the subject of book one, Good Pucking Luck.
This book focuses on Donovan and his best friend, Eric. The funny thing is, they can say we aren’t a couple, he’s straight, all they want, but it’s instantly obvious these two are together. They may not have realized it or gone physical yet, but you see the connection immediately.
These two have been friends since high school. Donovan suffers from juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a painful, exhausting condition that limits what he can do, and Eric has been there for him throughout, even offering to cancel his own birthday party when Donovan can’t make it. Donovan’s parents work two jobs and struggle due to the medical bills, even with insurance. The bond between these two is precious. When Donovan comes out to Eric, it is the sweetest thing and I wish everyone had that type of experience.
Fast forward and Eric, who has taken a job landscaping with a (user) “friend” breaks his ankle. He’s not only unable to work, but he doesn’t have medical insurance and is freaking out. As we all know, in the United States medical bankruptcy is not rare. The book is not preachy but it is honest about what can happen if you don’t have medical insurance. Donovan, rightly so, freaks out when he finds out. When he offers Eric the opportunity to get married so he can jump on Donovan’s insurance, Eric is embarrassed. But knowing that his lease on his apartment is up and the rent was going up, and most importantly that his mother would kill him to realize he has no insurance, he accepts and off to Vegas they go. Even then, Eric feels badly that they are getting a sign and go wedding, with no ceremony. They agree that when Eric has a job and is stable, or one of them meets someone, they will get a divorce. But always, always besties.
One of the problems is that Malcolm did such a number on Donovan (and the other Jilted Exes) that he has trouble believing anyone can love him, even Eric. “I didn’t realize how worthless he made me feel,” I admit. “How his digs really got to me.” It’s so sad because Donovan is a treasure. So even as feelings maybe start to develop, Donovan can’t believe it. Yes, partly because Eric is “straight”, to be fair, but it’s also down to what a number Malcolm did on him.
The side characters here are lovely. Anthony, Hayes, Reylan, and Mads are the friend group we all want—supportive, loving, and willing to tease and call you out on things. And Ana, I am always so grateful when the woman in books is not a raging lunatic, a witch, or just nasty. Ana, who Donovan set Eric up with early on, is wonderful. I adored her, and she is the best. She also sees immediately when Donovan and Eric are oblivious to it.
There are some funny moments and some tender ones. Eric immediately calls Donovan “husband” or, better yet, “Insurance Daddy”. Or when Eric is “…looking down at his lap like he expects his cock to tell him what’s going on.”
The story is sweet (sometimes sticky sweet) and happy. It has very low angst and characters you really like, enjoy, and want the best for!
RATING: 
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