TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Arrangement

Author:  Mary Balogh

About The Arrangement
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Dell (August 27, 2013)
Buy: Amazon
Blurb: A mesmerizing story of passionate awakening and redemption, Mary Balogh’s new novel unites a war hero consigned to darkness with a remarkable woman who finds her own salvation by showing him the light of love.

Desperate to escape his mother’s matchmaking, Vincent Hunt, Viscount Darleigh, flees to a remote country village. But even there, another marital trap is sprung. So when Miss Sophia Fry’s intervention on his behalf finds her unceremoniously booted from her guardian’s home, Vincent is compelled to act. He may have been blinded in battle, but he can see a solution to both their problems: marriage.

At first, quiet, unassuming Sophia rejects Vincent’s proposal. But when such a gloriously handsome man persuades her that he needs a wife of his own choosing as much as she needs protection from destitution, she agrees. Her alternative is too dreadful to contemplate. But how can an all-consuming fire burn from such a cold arrangement? As friendship and camaraderie lead to sweet seduction and erotic pleasure, dare they believe a bargain born of desperation might lead them both to a love destined to be?

Review: The Arrangement is Book 2 in the Survivor's series, but not to worry, like most historical romance series, this book is a stand alone novel, with tie in characters.

From the very start of the novel you find yourself loving Vincent. He is quite simply "so darn sweet." So is Sophia, though as you learn about her drawings, there is a bit of impishness to her personality.

I was surprised at the lack of conflict between these two characters that are thrown together because of an incident that would have resulted in Vincent being forced to wed Sophia's cousin Henrietta.

Sophia gets along well with Vincent and his friends and family and they embrace her as one of their own, even though they thought she might be after his fortune.

These two are definitely meant to be together.

The only thing I had trouble dealing with were Sophia's relations, The Marches and her uncle's stepson, Sebastian Maycock. I don't think I've ever encountered such nasty, unpleasant characters. It was actually nice that the disappeared from the story for quiet awhile, only to return in the last 50 pages. They create the only conflict of the book, in making Sophia feel bad about herself.

Mary Balogh is a master of regency romance. The Arrangement is an enjoyable read, though a bit considering the plot. At times the novel seemed to drag, with mundane things about Sophia and Vincent.

I loved that Mary has created a series around flawed characters...Vincent is blind and though she drives that point home a lot, it is nice to see a hero that isn't 100% perfect.

I also loved how their relationship grew, I especially loved how Vincent gave Sebastian a little what for, for his lousy treatment of Sophia. I also was pleased that her uncle became part of the family.

The book was a little long, considering their wasn't any real conflict between Sophia and Vincent, but it was a beautiful romance that just about anyone could enjoy.

Rating: 5 flowers

Read my Q & A with Mary here