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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I thought I would love this book. I wanted to love this book. I didn't and it saddens me. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mindset, or perhaps it was the audiobook narrator who read Vincent as haughty. It felt like he talked too much and the story really dragged in the middle.
Then the Big Misunderstanding, though eluded to throughout most of the book, was summarily resolved in a couple of pages.
It was good, just not rereadable.
Then the Big Misunderstanding, though eluded to throughout most of the book, was summarily resolved in a couple of pages.
It was good, just not rereadable.
This book is such a great story about two lost souls finding each other and realizing that they're just what the other needed.
Quick, romantic, fun, and full of characters that beg for their own story. I'm definitely following this author.
Quick, romantic, fun, and full of characters that beg for their own story. I'm definitely following this author.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very low stakes and characteristic of the author’s beautiful prose.
This was nice, I like how soft and comforting both Vincent and Sophia were. And I liked how there was no real external conflict in the entire book, or even among themselves- just within themselves.
This was nice, I like how soft and comforting both Vincent and Sophia were. And I liked how there was no real external conflict in the entire book, or even among themselves- just within themselves.
Historical Romance Genre Study book. Enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
This second book in the "Survivor´s club" series was a little bit better than the third one, still I do not understand what is this all fuss about, seriously I read so many better regency romance writer compared to Mary Balogh....
Questo secondo volume nella serie "Il club dei sopravvissuti" era leggermente meglio del terzo, che ho letto per primo, reasta comunque il fatto che davvero non capisco tutte queste lettrici che impazziscono per Mary Balogh quando io ho letto molti regency Romance decisamente migliori
Questo secondo volume nella serie "Il club dei sopravvissuti" era leggermente meglio del terzo, che ho letto per primo, reasta comunque il fatto che davvero non capisco tutte queste lettrici che impazziscono per Mary Balogh quando io ho letto molti regency Romance decisamente migliori
I think Mary Balogh's novellas work better for me than her full-length novels. Her writing style isn't quite what I prefer, but some of her characters and premises are. The Arrangement had a lot of sweetness and a fantastic slow burn relationship development that felt deep and special. But the story itself dragged for me in many places and I found myself getting easily distracted. I also thought it grew repetitive over a few details. Friends recommended this series though and I see why!
The H and h were both adorable and even though their backgrounds were so dissimilar, the genuineness of how each fulfilled the other popped off the page. The H grew up in genteel poverty before becoming a soldier, but returned from war blinded and inheriting a title and wealth. The h grew up living uncertainly with a wastrel for a father and then passed around to relatives who looked down on her. They interact thanks to a marriage trap that the h's cousin attempts and when the h's interference leads to her expulsion from her home, the H offers a marriage of convenience to benefit them both (he'd been running away from home to escape a marriage of his family's choosing). Their original arrangement involves a marriage of a year and then living separately, but each quickly regrets that condition as they settle beautifully into a warm relationship. Written in third person, dual POV. Small amount of ow drama in that h's cousin is trying to ensnare the H (though he doesn't like her) and no om drama (though a former crush of the h's does make an appearance later and the H feels protective of the h). H not a virgin, but was somewhat inexperienced, and h was a virgin.
I liked how sunny the H was and that he recognized some of his faults (though he was young so still growing), but wanted to grow. He simply didn't know quite how to challenge himself to get there. The h deserved to have someone love her and value her and it was wonderful to see how she embraced her own growth, even when it meant she had to be uncomfortable. She was so creative and I loved that her creativity came out in stories (that she shared with the H), but also in more practical applications like helping to give the H the freedom he craved. There were many scenes of them together, some cute and others more meaningful. I also loved how the H reacted to the h's self-deprecating statements about her looks, he sets her straight and in a possessive way that was lovely and hot. Speaking of hot, the steamy scenes aren't, but they are there with some detail. This story is far more about two strangers impulsively entering a marriage together and finding that they're perfect together.
I did find the side characters of the other Survivors' Club intriguing, since each appears to have come out of the war with a different physical difference or emotional struggle. They were also so protective over the H, not simply because he was blind, but because they loved him. Same with the H's close friend and valet, he was concerned about the marriage because he cared so much for the H. It just underscored what an amazing person the H was. Although the h didn't begin the book with anyone appreciating her, she does form friendships and gain approval. I thought it was great that she also makes a start at connecting with her own family too.
The lack of an epilogue was frustrating though. I'm sure these two characters are supporting characters in other books in the series and yes, both characters had nice growth on page before the end. The ending is HEA with them confessing their love, finding joy in their marriage, and expecting a baby. I just love epilogues. I'm glad I picked this up!
The H and h were both adorable and even though their backgrounds were so dissimilar, the genuineness of how each fulfilled the other popped off the page. The H grew up in genteel poverty before becoming a soldier, but returned from war blinded and inheriting a title and wealth. The h grew up living uncertainly with a wastrel for a father and then passed around to relatives who looked down on her. They interact thanks to a marriage trap that the h's cousin attempts and when the h's interference leads to her expulsion from her home, the H offers a marriage of convenience to benefit them both (he'd been running away from home to escape a marriage of his family's choosing). Their original arrangement involves a marriage of a year and then living separately, but each quickly regrets that condition as they settle beautifully into a warm relationship. Written in third person, dual POV. Small amount of ow drama in that h's cousin is trying to ensnare the H (though he doesn't like her) and no om drama (though a former crush of the h's does make an appearance later and the H feels protective of the h). H not a virgin, but was somewhat inexperienced, and h was a virgin.
I liked how sunny the H was and that he recognized some of his faults (though he was young so still growing), but wanted to grow. He simply didn't know quite how to challenge himself to get there. The h deserved to have someone love her and value her and it was wonderful to see how she embraced her own growth, even when it meant she had to be uncomfortable. She was so creative and I loved that her creativity came out in stories (that she shared with the H), but also in more practical applications like helping to give the H the freedom he craved. There were many scenes of them together, some cute and others more meaningful. I also loved how the H reacted to the h's self-deprecating statements about her looks, he sets her straight and in a possessive way that was lovely and hot. Speaking of hot, the steamy scenes aren't, but they are there with some detail. This story is far more about two strangers impulsively entering a marriage together and finding that they're perfect together.
I did find the side characters of the other Survivors' Club intriguing, since each appears to have come out of the war with a different physical difference or emotional struggle. They were also so protective over the H, not simply because he was blind, but because they loved him. Same with the H's close friend and valet, he was concerned about the marriage because he cared so much for the H. It just underscored what an amazing person the H was. Although the h didn't begin the book with anyone appreciating her, she does form friendships and gain approval. I thought it was great that she also makes a start at connecting with her own family too.
The lack of an epilogue was frustrating though. I'm sure these two characters are supporting characters in other books in the series and yes, both characters had nice growth on page before the end. The ending is HEA with them confessing their love, finding joy in their marriage, and expecting a baby. I just love epilogues. I'm glad I picked this up!
Definitely better than the 1st of the series. I really liked Vincent, and there were some Mary Baloghish times when she perfectly and sensitively captured the experience of someone who lost their eyesight as an adult, but there were also some cringy ableist moments that were a disappointment.
And yes, there was sex outdoors. Again. As always.
And yes, there was sex outdoors. Again. As always.
I started the first book then somehow the blind viscount caught my interest and I suddenly find myself reading "The Arrangement". And I loved the book. Mary Balogh is amazing.
The book has all the elements I liked and cherished. I loved the hero and the heroine is what he needed a strong, kind-hearted partner.
The book has all the elements I liked and cherished. I loved the hero and the heroine is what he needed a strong, kind-hearted partner.