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Book Review of Private Arrangements

Private Arrangements
Private Arrangements
Author: Sherry Thomas
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Catherine1 avatar reviewed on + 60 more book reviews


It took a lot for me to finally suck it up and read this book. I bought it because I had seen rave reviews for it on various review sights. Once I got it I couldn't seem to force myself to read. Even though everyone said it was good, I couldn't get over the fact that these people were bitter and angry and cheated on each other. I like to read romance for the warm, uplifting feelings it inspires as I watch two people fall in love. I like to believe that they'll stay together despite the odds. I don't have a problem watching them have huge problems and break ups before they make a real commitment, but for some reason once they're married I have a whole different set of standards for them. Weird, huh?

Even though I'm not the biggest fan of Gigi and Cam, I still think that the book is well written. I liked the supporting characters, especially Gigi's mom and the duke, and thought that the story flowed well. At first I liked the flashback chapters, but after a while I was tired of it. I was ready to have more time focused on the main protagonists. I really feel that not enough time was spent developing their current relationship. Added to the flashbacks was a secondary romance. Now I liked Gigi's mom and the duke, but there was a lot of page time devoted to them considering they weren't the main characters. I feel like this book was split up into thirds. One third was devoted to Gigi and Cam in the past, another third was devoted to Gigi's mother and her reclusive duke, and the last third was left for Gigi and Cam to repair their relationship and become a functioning couple again. That short amount of time was really not enough to devote to two people who are supposed to be the main characters.

I didn't really understand why Gigi's actions necessitated 10 years of separation. I know Cam was upset, but that was a bit over the top. I think their encounters with each other throughout those 10 years were supposed to be touching and heart wrenching but they came off as silly. Go after each other if you really want to make it work! I don't blame Gigi for that because she had already tried multiple times in the beginning to apologize and he became petty and cruel to drive her off. I wouldn't try again either.

The person I had the most sympathy for in the story was Gigi's suitor. While Cam and Gigi indulged in their love/hate relationship he was left to wander in the wings looking trusting and dim. Poor guy. Not only did Gigi cheat on him, she also didn't trust him enough to tell him what was really going on. What kind of love was that supposed to be?

I ended this book with a lot of doubt as to the strength of Gigi and Cam's commitment. I'll definitely read more of this author's work though. I liked her writing, but I really hope she lays off on the flashbacks.