Title: The Arrangement by Cat Grant
Courtland Chronicles Book Four
Publisher: Cat Grant Books
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, Ménage, M/F, M/M, Light BDSM
Length: 68,000 words
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author
Summary:
Most people are lucky to find one love – Eric Courtland has two. But when Allison, his new wife, discovers his secret affair with Nick, his on-again, off-again lover of over a decade, Eric can’t bring himself to choose between them. Instead, he stuns them with a bold proposition neither can refuse.
Jealousy mars the early days of their relationship, but trust and growing intimacy lead to a deeper and more satisfying arrangement—as long as they keep their non-traditional partnership under wraps for the sake of Eric’s budding political career.
Blackmailing political rivals, the pressures of living in the public eye, and a serious illness all threaten their relationship—and force Eric to decide what he’s willing to sacrifice to keep the only two people he’s ever loved.
Note: This title has been previously published. This edition has been revised and re-edited.
The Review:
Ah, my love/hate relationship with Eric Courtland continues in The Arrangement. This fourth installment in Cat Grant’s Courtland Chronicles series begins with Eric’s wife, Ally, discovering his affair with his on again/off again lover Nick Thompson. Eric’s solution for the three of them is a committed ménage relationship. Nick and Ally agree, but their relationship is soon challenged by jealousy, Eric’s political career, blackmail and a health crisis.
Here is a quick recap of the history between Eric, Ally and Nick. Nick briefly dated Ally in college and they remained friends after their relationship fizzled out. Nick and Eric are college roommates turned lovers. Eric’s political aspirations led him to end his relationship with Nick. Ally and Eric married in book three, Complications, and Eric resumed his relationship with Nick. Throughout all of the books in the series, Eric is the one in control of the relationships and his ambitions pretty much dictate the path that everyone follows.
I continue to be conflicted about Eric and his feelings for Ally and Nick. His needs and goals trump everyone elses’ desires and he remains incredibly self-absorbed. Their relationship is strained by the limitations placed on it by Eric’s career and Nick and Ally are on the periphery of Eric’s life for much of The Arrangement. Eric and Ally’s involvement with Nick must be kept secret and I hated how often Nick was shunted aside. With Eric mainly focused on his career, Nick and Ally become quite close and while I often wondered if Eric truly loved either of them, I never questioned the love Nick and Ally have for one another and Eric.
The Arrangement spans a few years and their relationship is an emotional rollercoaster that is full of ups and downs. The dynamics between Ally, Nick and Eric are quite fascinating and the fleeting glimpses of Eric’s feelings for Nick and Ally are compelling. The many unexpected twists and turns keep the reader fully engaged in the story. I am eagerly awaiting the release of Triad the final installment of Cat Grant’s extraordinary Courtland Chronicles series.
Please click HERE for my reviews of the other novels in this series.
