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A review by karlabrandenburg
The Arrangement by Mary Balogh
5.0
Oh, I do love Ms. Balogh's books!
Afraid of a boring life, Vincent Hunt took a military commission, which promptly rendered him sightless in his first battle. Now, as the heir to a rambling estate, his mother and sisters are smothering him with solicitousness, to the point of trying to shackle him with a wife who "doesn't mind" that he can't see. What else can he do? He runs away with his valet to his humble beginnings.
Sophia has led a difficult life. Born into the gentry, she has had to endure a reprobate father, a runaway mother, and upon losing both of them, she has been handed off to uncaring aunts who, each in their turn, turned her into a silent mouse left to sit in the corner to observe, rather than partake in life. But when her snooty aunt and uncle take it upon themselves to secure a wealthy, titled bachelor for her cousin, Sophia rescues Vincent from being led astray by her scheming relatives, and is thrown out for her trouble.
Well aware of his predicament, Vincent is grateful for the rescue, and then horrified by the results of Sophia's kind assistance. What is an impulsive man to do? He can't leave her to wallow in squalor on the streets of London after her service. So he marries her instead.
The story is brilliantly crafted. Like most marriages in that time period, the bride and groom hardly know each other, and yet there is a sympathy between them. They each want to be their own person, Vincent to regain his life and not use his blindness as a crutch, and Sophia to emerge from her silent corner to finally live her life.
Ms. Balogh's novels are often a study in redemption. Her characters in this novel are well crafted, with both flaws and virtues. The creativity of the heroine neatly matches the desires of the hero, and the conflict that separates them is believable and not overdone. Her handicapped hero is likable and appealing, and there is no better foil for him than the once unattractive Cinderella-like character of Sophia. This novel is a keeper for my shelves, one that I will read many more times in the years to come.
Afraid of a boring life, Vincent Hunt took a military commission, which promptly rendered him sightless in his first battle. Now, as the heir to a rambling estate, his mother and sisters are smothering him with solicitousness, to the point of trying to shackle him with a wife who "doesn't mind" that he can't see. What else can he do? He runs away with his valet to his humble beginnings.
Sophia has led a difficult life. Born into the gentry, she has had to endure a reprobate father, a runaway mother, and upon losing both of them, she has been handed off to uncaring aunts who, each in their turn, turned her into a silent mouse left to sit in the corner to observe, rather than partake in life. But when her snooty aunt and uncle take it upon themselves to secure a wealthy, titled bachelor for her cousin, Sophia rescues Vincent from being led astray by her scheming relatives, and is thrown out for her trouble.
Well aware of his predicament, Vincent is grateful for the rescue, and then horrified by the results of Sophia's kind assistance. What is an impulsive man to do? He can't leave her to wallow in squalor on the streets of London after her service. So he marries her instead.
The story is brilliantly crafted. Like most marriages in that time period, the bride and groom hardly know each other, and yet there is a sympathy between them. They each want to be their own person, Vincent to regain his life and not use his blindness as a crutch, and Sophia to emerge from her silent corner to finally live her life.
Ms. Balogh's novels are often a study in redemption. Her characters in this novel are well crafted, with both flaws and virtues. The creativity of the heroine neatly matches the desires of the hero, and the conflict that separates them is believable and not overdone. Her handicapped hero is likable and appealing, and there is no better foil for him than the once unattractive Cinderella-like character of Sophia. This novel is a keeper for my shelves, one that I will read many more times in the years to come.