The Arrangement

Title: The Arrangement

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell

Series: Survivors' Club, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780345535870

Length: 366 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it somewhere - I think Wowbrary, though it could have been a blog - and it sounded intriguing.

Comments:

Each of the Survivors have their wounds from the war - whether physical or mental/emotional - and Vincent's are among the more obvious.  He is now blind.  (Though not scarred or marked.)  Somehow, his many female relatives have decided that this means he is somehow incapable or caring for himself and have taken it upon themselves to find him a wife to take care of him.  Gag.  So Vincent runs off, only to find himself further ensnared in his relatives long reach.  He escapes via an arrangement with a lady (in something like the Cinderella role).

I liked Vincent, though I don't understand what could have taken him so long to see how deep he was getting into things with his relatives.  And I really liked Sophia.  Underneath her invisibility and withdrawn ways, there is a strong woman.  Certainly a go-getter when it is put to her.  And I admit, I got emotional when she misconstrued something she overheard Vincent say.  Even though I knew that she was misunderstanding, I still felt wretched for her.  (Oddly enough, the same thing happening in reverse to Vincent did not inspire such depth of feeling in me.)

Of course the end brings a HEA (happily ever after).  Which makes me happy.  And I hope to read the third book, The Escape, when it becomes available.  And apparently there was an e-novella, "The Suitor," between The Proposal and The Arrangement that I missed.  I'm on hold for that.

I didn't know it at the time, but this author is Canadian - she resides in Saskatchewan.

The Proposal

Title: The Proposal

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Series: Survivors' Club, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780385343329

Length: 311 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I had seen The Arrangement and thought it looked interesting, but this came first in the series.

Comments:

Mary Balogh is a Canadian author (resides in Saskatchewan)!  Which I didn't know (or at least didn't remember?) until I was putting this post together.

I enjoy historical romance in general.  It tends to be light, fun reading with perhaps some emotionally intense scenes scattered throughout the odd book (not all of them, by any means).  And in that sense, this book was no exception.  They meet, they fall in love, there are obstacles and doubts, those are overcome, HEA.

Beyond that, I enjoyed the characters.  Hugo and his fellow "Survivor" friends where all great.  But this book sparked a special interest for me in Gwendoline's past.

Because her late husband was (and I apologize for SPOILERs here, but it's important to my thoughts and reactions) depressed.  He had bouts of depression until he finally killed himself.  Gwen repeatedly said he was "sick."  And sad though this may be, why did it make an impression?  As you may know if you've followed me or my blog for any length of time, my father is mentally ill and has actually attempted suicide a total of 4 times in the past two years (the most recent being in September).  His illness is more than just depression (not that it isn't bad enough all on it's own), but I grew up hearing my ma say my dad is sick.  She still loves him.  But he's sick.

So I always have a special interest in books that address this.  And the historical aspect, and the supportive spouse, all added to that.  (You'd be amazed - or maybe you wouldn't - how many people over the years have suggested my ma leave my dad, or have him "put somewhere.")  My apologies for the sensitive subject, but it's definitely a part of the story.

Anyway, since I read the second book in the series shortly after this one, I'm sure you can guess that I'm glad I read it, enjoyed it, and look forward to more by this author.