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An Arranged Marriage (Zebra Historical…
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An Arranged Marriage (Zebra Historical Romance) (edition 1999)

by Jo Beverley

Series: Company of Rogues (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
5111147,412 (3.42)24
An Arranged Marriage - the first book in the “Company of Rogues” series - tells the story of the leader of this group of men, or "Company of Rogues", as they are called. Nicholas Delaney formed the “Rogues” while away at school. He formed this group to fight against the bullying that was notorious at boarding school. The Rogues were not bullies themselves, however they certainly got into their share of scrapes in their school days. They span a wide variety of backgrounds and personalities. Some were titled, some were not, some were outgoing some were shy and bookish. Nicholas is seen throughout this series of books as the obvious leader. He is intelligent, logical and the confidant of all - the keeper of secrets.

This story begins with Eleanor Chivenham being drugged by her brother who arranges her rape. The rape is carried out by Lord Stanbridge who is trying to prove he is not a homosexual. At the time Lord Stanbridge doesn’t realize that the young woman he is having sex with is a well-brought up young lady not a prostitute. When he discovers her the next day and realizes the implications of his actions, he tries to rescue Eleanor by offering marriage to his brother, who we find out is Nicholas Delaney.

Nicholas accepts Eleanor as a wife and marries her but is then immediately embroiled in uncovering a plot to liberate Napoleon - a job that has him pretending to be the lover of a vindictive French brothel owner. Nicholas and Eleanor approach their arranged marriage with a practical dignity; each having their own reasons for wanting this marriage, but both start having feelings for the other. Eleanor sees the trouble and pain beneath Nicholas’ smooth facade and Nicholas stirs Eleanor’s senses despite her attempts to keep her heart protected.

As Nicholas has more and more difficulty performing his job serving his country (which requires him to play the role of lover to the evil brothel owner) as he grows more and more attached to his wife. He calls on members of the Company of Rogues to help him both with his job as a spy and to help maintain his fragile marriage. As the tension increases the Rogues are tested but in true Regency romance fashion, love conquers in the end.

Although on first read, I didn’t really like this book. I was used to the light and easy reads of other authors. A Jo Beverley book is NOT an light and easy read! There is substance; there are difficult topics discussed. These books often are uncomfortable to read but always a rewarding read if you finish it!

I admit it....I’m a sucker for a series of romance books - especially a series of Regency Romances with the connecting theme being a group of rich and powerful men. Jo Beverley attacks some of the most unpleasant topics of the time. Many of her books explore the lack of rights of women of this time and many deal with the class differences. Most of her books have very strong heroines.

Many of Jo Beverley’s book have won one or more awards. An Arranged Marriage was a RITA Finalist, won a Reader’s Choice Award, won Romantic Times Best Regency Novel and was voted a Bookrak Bestseller. ( )
1 vote Sugarbeat | Nov 23, 2010 |
Showing 11 of 11
I guess this is one of those beloved old school type romances but I was so horrified throughout. The opening scene is terrible and it just continues through the book. So one star. TBH I can't believe I finished it. ( )
  aeryn0 | Jul 23, 2023 |
Basically everyone in this story is a dipshit. Really, all the major and most of the minor characters are total garbage buttwipes. And the "despoiling" let's call a spade a spade, it was rape of Eleanor is not treated like a big deal by anyone.

Could I tell you why a similar-ish plot device worked for me in Lord Ruin but not here? No, I couldn't but the dude in that book doesn't actually spend the whole time cheating on his lady, either. Everyone in this book behaves unbelievably, and I just could not accept it.

Was it readable? Sure, I mean, I got through it. Was it enjoyable? That's a big fat NOPE. At least it cost me zero dollars. ( )
  wonderlande | Jan 1, 2023 |
Great romance.

Wonderful plot with unexpected turnings.

( )
  Bookjoy144 | Mar 2, 2022 |
I have read quite a few Jo Beverly books. At this point of time, i feel this one might have been the worst I read so far. It was soo booring. The main character so un-relatable. I understand that these books are set in victorian times and as such the mental makeup and situations may not relate to present day. However for a reader to dig in to a book, they have to relate to the character, the conflict or even anything in the book. For me this was a complete miss. ( )
  deepatarak | Jun 29, 2021 |
Rape is not romantic. ( )
  sweetfe | Jun 6, 2018 |
This book is somewhat confusing., and perhaps suffers from being a romance rather than a drama. However, there are significant disturbing bits - enough that make it difficult to like the full book as a romance. Examples include the heroine's acceptance of being raped, her easy capitulation to continuing sexual congress, her acceptable of the pregnancy,... and more. The whole husband seducing another woman even as part of his job is pretty ew factor as well. Moves parts of the book into doormat territory. She fights little and worries bout putshing her husband "too far".

If the r book were more geared towards a drama, then I would have less issue with some of it. But the ew factor and doormat tendencies just stalls huge sections of it for me. ( )
  LadyTi | Sep 5, 2017 |
This was the first book I've ever read by Ms Beverley and I was unfamiliar with either her name or her work when I picked it out at random. So, no expectations (apart from an enjoyable read) and no preconceptions.

The rape of Eleanor in the first few pages was unpleasant and confusing. This confusion grew with the circumstances of her improbably speedy recovery from the trauma -- even allowing for her being drugged during the ordeal -- and the facile appearance of a handsome and dashing gallant who offers her marriage and a way out of her moral ruin. The confusion turned to disbelief with the all-too-smooth consummation of the marriage.

I might have given up at this point, but the story of Nicholas' mysterious comings and goings caught my interest. The effect of his clandestine disappearances on Eleanor (and on him) took second place to the story of the plots and conspiracies in which he was enmeshed.

At some point in the book, the mystery and suspense edged out the romance. I have no idea whether this is what Ms Beverley had in mind when she wrote the novel.

As a debut work, [b:An Arranged Marriage|765920|An Arranged Marriage (Company of Rogues, #1)|Jo Beverley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178160219s/765920.jpg|751988] deserves to be rated highly. The narrative is well paced and populated with a few memorable characters, especially the indomitable Miss Hurstmann. On the other hand, many of the other characters seem otiose, and I found myself having to thumb back a few pages to sort out their identities. I see from the reviews here on Goodreads that [b:An Arranged Marriage|765920|An Arranged Marriage (Company of Rogues, #1)|Jo Beverley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178160219s/765920.jpg|751988] is the first of a series, so perhaps the cast of thousands is there for a purpose, though I'm not sure I found any of them interesting enough to want to read an entire novel in which they take centre role -- apart from Miss Hurstmann, that is.

[b:An Arranged Marriage|765920|An Arranged Marriage (Company of Rogues, #1)|Jo Beverley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178160219s/765920.jpg|751988] did turn out to be a long but enjoyable read and I was able to suspend disbelief long enough to avoid some of the surprisingly strong negative reactions experienced by other reviewers.
( )
  skirret | Jan 2, 2015 |
More like 1 1/2 stars. A train wreck in slow motion. Which is a shame because in the end the two main characters are likeable. Especially Eleanor. Nicholas also doesn't really fit the mold of Regency hero. Still, the plot is hicky and gruesome. What's more infuriating is that the author knew that writing a rape Regency romance, even in the late 1990s, was somewhat borderline. The sad thing is that I've read good Regency romance from this writer. Just not this one. ( )
  writerlibrarian | Feb 2, 2014 |
An Arranged Marriage - the first book in the “Company of Rogues” series - tells the story of the leader of this group of men, or "Company of Rogues", as they are called. Nicholas Delaney formed the “Rogues” while away at school. He formed this group to fight against the bullying that was notorious at boarding school. The Rogues were not bullies themselves, however they certainly got into their share of scrapes in their school days. They span a wide variety of backgrounds and personalities. Some were titled, some were not, some were outgoing some were shy and bookish. Nicholas is seen throughout this series of books as the obvious leader. He is intelligent, logical and the confidant of all - the keeper of secrets.

This story begins with Eleanor Chivenham being drugged by her brother who arranges her rape. The rape is carried out by Lord Stanbridge who is trying to prove he is not a homosexual. At the time Lord Stanbridge doesn’t realize that the young woman he is having sex with is a well-brought up young lady not a prostitute. When he discovers her the next day and realizes the implications of his actions, he tries to rescue Eleanor by offering marriage to his brother, who we find out is Nicholas Delaney.

Nicholas accepts Eleanor as a wife and marries her but is then immediately embroiled in uncovering a plot to liberate Napoleon - a job that has him pretending to be the lover of a vindictive French brothel owner. Nicholas and Eleanor approach their arranged marriage with a practical dignity; each having their own reasons for wanting this marriage, but both start having feelings for the other. Eleanor sees the trouble and pain beneath Nicholas’ smooth facade and Nicholas stirs Eleanor’s senses despite her attempts to keep her heart protected.

As Nicholas has more and more difficulty performing his job serving his country (which requires him to play the role of lover to the evil brothel owner) as he grows more and more attached to his wife. He calls on members of the Company of Rogues to help him both with his job as a spy and to help maintain his fragile marriage. As the tension increases the Rogues are tested but in true Regency romance fashion, love conquers in the end.

Although on first read, I didn’t really like this book. I was used to the light and easy reads of other authors. A Jo Beverley book is NOT an light and easy read! There is substance; there are difficult topics discussed. These books often are uncomfortable to read but always a rewarding read if you finish it!

I admit it....I’m a sucker for a series of romance books - especially a series of Regency Romances with the connecting theme being a group of rich and powerful men. Jo Beverley attacks some of the most unpleasant topics of the time. Many of her books explore the lack of rights of women of this time and many deal with the class differences. Most of her books have very strong heroines.

Many of Jo Beverley’s book have won one or more awards. An Arranged Marriage was a RITA Finalist, won a Reader’s Choice Award, won Romantic Times Best Regency Novel and was voted a Bookrak Bestseller. ( )
1 vote Sugarbeat | Nov 23, 2010 |
Eleanor Chivenham's good-for-nothing brother is in desperate need of cash, but even Eleanor was unprepared for his latest dastardly scheme to improve his finances. He masterminds a plot to have Eleanor drugged and raped by the (also drugged) Earl of Stainbridge. With her reputation in tatters, Eleanor is forced to agree to a hasty marriage - but Nicholas Delaney, her rapist's scapegrace brother, proves to be a kind, patient, and irresistibly charming man.

Nicholas once again finds himself bailing his brother out of one of his scrapes, despite the fact that it lands him in even more trouble. For now, Nicholas has a spirited wife to reckon with. Even as he tries to keep her in the background in order to keep his vital political mission secret, he finds himself more and more drawn to her - and repulsed by the sacrifices he must make for his country.

This book was only about average for me. Nicholas' secret mission means that the main characters spend most of the book either emotionally or physically apart and resisting being drawn together. Given the rape, I felt that Eleanor bounced back and essentially forgot the entire thing far too soon. This simply didn't ring true for me. After such a devastating experience, even a strong character like Eleanor would need someone to lean on, and I felt that her reaction to his sudden distance was unrealistic. We won't even go into the 'sex as a cure for rape' concept.

One thing is for certain - Beverley invariably takes on difficult, often uncomfortable, plotlines. Here, however, there was simply too much going on, so that it felt that both of the major characters got jilted. As usual, however, I was very intrigued by the secondary characters. Arabella Hurstman was a treat, and both Francis and Lucien de Vaux have me looking forward to their books in the Company of Rogues series. ( )
  Caramellunacy | Mar 17, 2008 |
Synopsis: An Arranged Marriage is the first novel in Jo Beverley's "Company of Rogues" regency romance series. This story takes place in England during the period between Napoleon's abdication and the Hundred Days. The plot has some kind of convoluted beginnings but then becomes pretty straightforward about halfway through. In brief: The heroine, Eleanor, is drugged and raped by the earl of Stainbridge, one Christopher Delaney (who was also drugged at the time) - all as a part of a plot by Eleanor's good for nothing brother to win the favor of this really mean old lord named Deveril, who inexplicably wants Eleanor for himself. Meanwhile, Christopher's roguish twin brother, Nicholas Delaney, has been asked to serve his country by wooing his former mistress, Madame Bellaire, who is under suspicion of plotting to bring Napoleon back to power. A guilty Christopher, who really isn't the rapist sort, pretty much forces his brother into marrying poor Eleanor in order to do right by the girl. Now poor Nicholas, who really is quite a nice guy, has to try to juggle his new, skittish bride and his evil, traitorous mistress - all somehow without looking like a total jerk. (Don't try to work it out; I've tried and it's all way too complicated).

I didn't like this book all that much. I think part of the problem is the confusing style. There were several times when I had to re-read passages over and over to figure out what the heck was going on. It's one of Beverley's earlier works and I think part of it can be chalked up to a new writer testing her wings.

I didn't feel that there was quite enough interaction between the hero and the heroine for my taste. Due to the clandestine nature of his "mission," Nicholas is forced to maintain a cool distance between himself and his wife. This aspect of the story reminded me a LOT of The Scarlet Pimpernel. The details are different, but the basics seem similar: He loves his wife, but has to pretend indifference/stay away from her because of his secret life of espionage. That alone is probably what kept me reading. But whereas in Pimpernel, this served to really make you feel deeply for the plight of the hero and heroine, in An Arranged Marriage it becomes tiresome and frustrating for the reader. I kept wanting to yell at the characters, "Just talk to each other, for pete's sake!"

In spite of it all, I found myself liking the secondary characters in the novel immensely, particularly Francis and Lucien. So much so, in fact, that I still want to read the next book in the series. I'm hoping I'll find that in subsequent books the author will have found her stride. You can tell she's got lots of talent, and I'm not one to give up on an author just based on one less-than-stellar experience. ( )
1 vote katybear | May 16, 2007 |
Showing 11 of 11

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