An Arranged Marriage

This is the most boring book I’ve ever read. It mainly consists of the heroine feeling sorry for herself in an empty house. Most of the plot is obscured until the very end, where all is revealed in narration. The villains are all moustache twirling caricatures, too busy laughing maniacally to themselves to do anything meaningful.

I bought this after reading others' reviews but my reaction was much different. After a spirited start the heroine became deadly dull, some of the characters' behavior was either inexplicable or distasteful or both. The plot felt as if it had to be dragged out inappropriately as if to supply a couple of extra chapters.. Clearly an early work. I wish copyright dates were listed so that I could at least try a later work but this one is headed for the donation box.

If the rogues don't click right away you will never like any of them. But if they do, and they WILL, you will love Nichalas Delaney's story. He was just great and he found a jewel in Eleanor. Loved Lucien here also. It's important to read about Lucien here before reading his own story, though. Otherwise, you might not like him!

Jo Beverley has done it again with this stellar Regency-set historical. Her research is, as always, impeccable. (Contrary to what a previous reviewer has said, her hero's name should not be Lord Nicholas. Daughters of an earl are "Lady Firstname," and sons of an earl are "The Honourable Firstname Lastname.") The historical detail, however, only serves as a delicious garnish for an impeccably drawn, complicated romantic entanglement between an unwilling bride trapped by circumstances not of her own creation, and a brave gentleman willing to (temporarily) sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of his country.This is a grown-up tale of two people who, thrown together in the most uncomfortable of circumstances, learn first to live with each other, then to love each other. Jo Beverley more than earns her reputation as the thinking person's romance author in this touching novel.

I loved this book from beginning to end, and I thought Beverley did a great job of handling the complex story. Eleanor, our heroine, is raped at the start of the book by the Earl of Stainbridge - a rape organised by her own brother, who wishes to blackmail the Earl. Eleanor does not shrug it off - did that reviewer read the book, as opposed to just skimming it? - she was actually contemplating throwing herself into the lake to drown when she met Stainbridge again. Consumed by guilt, Stainbridge - who was already on his way to Eleanor's brother's house at the time - takes Eleanor under his wing, but lies and claims it was his brother who'd raped her.Nicholas Delaney (who, as the son of an Earl, should actually be Lord Nicholas) is engaged on crucial espionage work, and under orders to conduct an affair with Therese Bellaire, suspected to be involved in a Napoleonic plot. However, he agrees to bail his brother out, hoping that he can tie up his investigation quickly and end his affair. Nicholas is like no other man Eleanor has met: he is kind, considerate, values her opinions and treats her in many ways as his equal, unlike most men of the time and unlike her own experience with men. On their wedding night, she learns the truth about her rape, and he makes love to her gently and considerately - yet another hangover from the rape is that she's, naturally, afraid of sex. Of course, the affair in the background means that Nicholas's behaviour is erratic; some of the time he is loving to Eleanor and willingly seeks her company, but as Therese becomes more and more unco-operative and Nicholas comes to care more for Eleanor, he has to distance himself from her and act as if their marriage had never seemed likely to become more than one of convenience. Eleanor, who had guessed that Nicholas has a mistress, accepts it because it was the norm for men at the time, and because their marriage *was* arranged, and the understanding was that she and Nicholas would lead separate lives. Neither of them, after all, she thinks, had anticipated that she'd fall in love with Nicholas.And who wouldn't fall in love with Nicholas?! He is a wonderful creation: charming, amusing, considerate, very capable, intelligent, a great lover, and - best of all - he has a vulnerable side. He also has some fascinating friends. I wish I'd read this book before reading An Unwilling Bride (publishers, *please* make it more clear when books are part of a series, and what their place in the series is!); I would have understood Lucien a lot better if I'd read this first, much as I loved Luce's own story. Francis also appealed enormously, and I hope he gets his own story at some point.Nicholas and Eleanor make a wonderful couple, and I hope to have many glimpses of them in future Company of Rogues books.

Eleanor and Nicholas are two people struggling to make the best of a bad situation. Even though Eleanor believes Nicholas is the man who raped her, she agrees to marry him because the alternative is unthinkable. Once married, Nicholas is torn between his duty to his country and his marriage vows to his new wife. Unfortunately, his duty to his country includes seducing a beautiful and dangerous spy. I read and loved this book several years ago. A recent re-read proved that it stands the test of time as a powerful, emotionally gripping story. A word of caution- once you read it you will have no choice but to begin the search for the rest of the Rogues' stories!