Reviews for By Arrangement

The average rating for By Arrangement based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2009-01-07 00:00:00 Craig Parnaby I read this book because everyone raved about Madeline Hunter's historicals, and this one in particular. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed this book. I thought David was a great hero. He was the kind of man who did what he set his mind to, and didn't worry too much about what other people thought. He was an 'actions speak louder than words' kind of man. Even though his bride Christiana's reputation has been ruined by a fairly innocent dalliance with a knightly courtier that she thought hung the moon, he is determined to wed her. He even gets a few chances to get out of the arranged marriage but doesn't take them. I liked his patience in wooing his bride, who stubbornly thinks she's in love with another man because she allowed him to take certain liberties (which nowadays would be considered pretty mild but I can see how back in this time it was thought of as being compromised). I liked how you could see that although David was a merchant and looked down upon, he had much more honor than the so-called chivalrous knight who more or less seduced an innocent girl who thought she was in love with him and he with her. As you can see, David made this book for me. He was so romantic and passionate and committed. The kind of husband a girl can only wish for. He's also ruthless and calculating, but that's not necessarily bad under the right circumstances. This definitely was a good introduction to Madeline Hunter for me.

Review # 2 was written on 2015-05-14 00:00:00 John Dimaggio Finally got this book out of my way. I love a good medieval story. Since Madeline Hunter is famous for her medievals, I started this book with much enthusiasm. The premise is interesting enough. David, a low-born but stinking rich merchant, saw Christiana, a ward of the English King, at court and was driven by lust to have her. Being close to the English King in spite of his lowly birth, David offered for Christiana and was granted his lustful wish. The match was frowned upon because Christiana was a of noble birth, first tier, too. Her marrying a merchant was an outrageous thought. Christiana loved another. A cad named Stephen. She resented the fact that she had to marry David and sent for Stephen to come marry her before everything was too late. But of course Stephen did not come. Everyone except Christiana could see that Stephen did not love her and that Christiana was an idiot to believe that she had a noble knight in Stephen. So the marriage was on rocky grounds. The book follows Christiana and David's difficult union. A bride who resented her groom. A groom who desired his bride. Isn't that quaint? David knew nothing about Christiana. But she was so beautiful, David had to marry her. So no relationship building whatsoever. Christiana was in love with someone else and hated David because she thought him beneath her and she was forced to have sex with him. But after great sex, she changed her mind. Now she loved David. Who was Stephen? That idiot who did not know great sex is the way to a woman's heart? It turns out that David, was not a lowly merchant at all. Suffice it to say that Christiana felt like an idiot when David's true parentage came under the light. Some political intrigue, superficial I love you after great sex, the end. I had a lot of problems with the book. It is not about the writing. It was the story itself. I detest Christiana from the beginning. A stupid girl who knew nothing about love, who mistook infatuation for affections, who expected a jerk to be her prince on the white horse, who despised a man who actually wanted her for his lowly birth and never gave him a chance. I wonder, what is to like about Christiana other than the fact that she was beautiful? Christiana's immaturity permeates the story. She did "grow out of" her infatuation for Stephen and "realized" that she loved David. I thought the change strange since nothing has changed for Christiana and David other than the fact that they had great sex. So after they had fantastic sex, Christiana came to realize that now she loved David? I mean, come on, give women a little more credit than that. The attitude change and "falling in love" seemed fake. I honestly do not know what changed. Christiana changed. Just like that. And all because David was such a great lover. And this was supposed to be romantic? Christiana's fault does not stop at being naive and stupid about love. She was quick to anger. Whenever things didn't go her way, she either shut herself in the room or got mad at someone (usually David), accusing them of lying, using, misleading and misunderstanding her. The beautiful Christiana was never at fault. And she was entitled to her anger, because you know, Christiana was not happy. Someone must be responsible for that. And no no, Christiana was always right. I would have given the book 3 stars for the writing. But Christiana made this book such an awful reading experience. I wanted to slap her but I was forced to read about how David loved her for reasons that are beyond my comprehension. Oh but how could I forget, they had great sex. It must be true love.