The Arrangement
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4.2 • 22 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
“A well-curated selection of sexy, short, captivating romances from big-name authors investigating the unexpected twists of arranged marriages.” —Library Journal
A trio of sizzling historical romances that prove passion is timeless . . .
Mischief and the Marquess by Sylvia Day
Justin, the Marquess of Fontaine, and Lady Sophie Milton-Riley are completely ill-suited to one another. But they will have to prove it in order to end their mothers’ insistence that they should marry. Yet the more they attempt to demonstrate how wrong their union would be, the more surprisingly, irresistibly right things feel . . .
THE DUKE’S TREASURE by Minerva Spencer
Plain, prickly Josephine Loman has loved Beaumont Halliwell, the Fifth Duke of Wroxton, since the first time she saw him. But the most beautiful man she’s ever met had eyes only for Jo’s erstwhile friend, who betrayed Beau’s trust by marrying his brother. Beau hasn’t been home in years, but when his brother dies in an accident, he must marry to save the impoverished dukedom. And Jo is the overlooked heiress who will turn his world upside down . . .
THE INCONVENIENT COUNTESS by Kristin Vayden
As the eldest in a poverty-stricken family of daughters, Miss Diana Katherine Lambson’s only option is a marriage of convenience. Her only prospect is a rogue with a miserable reputation. Her only true desire: freedom. And that is exactly what Charles Brook, Earl of Barrington, is willing to offer, in return for the respectability their union will give him. He will even provide Diana with a contract. But does she dare entrust her future to a scoundrel? Does she dare not to?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Though Day receives top billing, it's Spencer and Vayden who give this spicy historical romance anthology its heart. Day's "Mischief and the Marquess" (originally published in 2007) is packed with steamy love scenes but is light on plot. It follows scandalous single mother Lady Sophie Milton-Riley as she tries to foil her mother's attempts at pairing her with Justin, the Marquess of Fontaine, even as Justin resolves to show Sophie how perfect they would be together. In "The Duke's Treasure," Spencer gives the plain, heartbroken Josephine Loman, the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, a second chance at love with Beau, the Duke of Wroxton. Though Beau marries Jo for her fortune, his journey to respecting and then loving her is genuinely sweet. Vayden's "An Inconvenient Countess" also begins with a marriage of convenience, but the romance between destitute Diana Lambson and roguish Charles Brook, Earl of Barrington, develops into a tender and consistently surprising tale of honest friendship and unexpected love. Each of these three takes on arranged marriage is loaded with passion and tenderness. This sparkling collection is a surefire hit.
Customer Reviews
3.5 stars- passionate romance
3.5 stars--My review covers MISCHIEF AND THE MARQUESS by Sylvia Day.
Told from several third person perspectives including Justin, the Marquess of Fontaine, and Lady Sophie Milton-Riley MISCHIEF AND THE MARQUESS follows the rebuilding friendship and relationship between former childhood friends. Lady Sophie Milton-Riley is a single mother who lost the love of her life before her son was born, leaving her reputation tattered and in ruins. Hoping to see their children fall in love, the Dowager Lady Fontaine, and Lady Sophie’s grandmother the Countess of Cardington arrange a meeting between Sophie and Justin, a matchmaking that will hopefully rekindle the attraction and romance from years before. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Justin and Sophie, as Justin prepares to save Sophie’s reputation and the dowry she never knew existed.
Mischief and the Marquess is a quick read; a fast paced, novella of insta-lust to love between two people who have known one another most of their lives but went their separate ways when Sophie fell in love with someone else. Sophie believes her reputation will destroy the Marquess’ good name, while Justin is determined to make an honest woman of the girl he has always loved. The premise is cute and engaging; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is passionate and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.