Review: Jealousy, betrayal and a lot more.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 9, 2013
Here we are again - Eric screwing up, Nick feeling left out and Allison still getting on my nerves.When I started reading this series I fell in love with Eric immediately. By the second book I was having my doubts about him, but was supportive because in life people lose their way and deserve a second chance. By the third book I was on the verge of giving up on him, but held on to the hope that he would see the light. So when I started reading The Arrangement I was expectant to see how it would all play out and how Eric would redeem himself in my eyes.I am sorry to say that he didn't. In any case my heart went out to Nick more and more. Eric broke my heart, but unlike Nick, I don't forgive that easily. I truly wanted Eric to make a decision about his relationship with Nick, but I just don't think he made the right one.Okay, enough about my disappointment with Eric. Let's move on with the content of the story.In this fourth installment of the Courtland series we find that Eric and Nick have gotten back together and started having an affair after Eric and Allison returned from their honeymoon. Nick is as sweet as he's ever been, Eric is as selfish as ever and Allison is a disturbing presence through it all. (Sorry, I really don't like her and that did not change after reading this title.)After deciding to pursue a relationship between the three of them, Eric, Nick and Allison find themselves with feelings of jealousy, neglect and frustration. Eric has this naive outlook that everything will work out for the best if they just wait a while and keep they relationship under wraps while he takes his position in the Senate regardless of how it makes the other parties involved feel - mainly Nick. Yeah, he was THAT deluded and selfish!Anyway, having said all that, I have to admit that Cat Grant did a great job of telling this story by bringing to the page a whole range of emotions that gave me a clear picture of what each character was feeling and where they were coming from. As with the other books, I enjoyed the times that Nick and Eric got together. Their chemistry was as explosive as the first time they got together and their connection real. In regards to Allison, I just could not connect to her on a deeper level so I just ignored her all together. (Once again, sorry).Cat Grant's writing was engaging and entertaining, with an interesting set of events and enough insightful dialogue that kept me reading on to see how everything would work out for these characters despite my feelings towards Eric and Allison. Although I don't agree with Eric's decision and how he behaved towards his wife and lover, I have to say that Grant did a wonderful job with him as a character. She managed to make me analyze his intentions and his feelings even while I wanted to smack some sense into him.While I was reading, I tried to get over this whole relationship mess they had gotten into, but I could not let go that easily. I really believed that Nick and Eric's love was true and that they were meant to be together, but while reading how it was all playing out and how Eric was behaving I kept thinking that I would rather see them part and move on. Even Allison, who I loath. You'd be surprised to know that I came to accept their decision to make their relationship work after everything they went through. I don't like it and Allison could disappear for all I care (did I say I don't like her?) but it is what it is and I'll go along with that since I am already emotionally invested in Nick and Eric's relationship. I am looking forward to see how their journey continues in the next book.I received this title from Cat Grant in exchange of my honest opinion.