Susan Fox writes romances set in Texas ranch country, with rich rancher and a woman with some Cinderella characteristics. Her novels are empathetic and make us feel like we’re right with the characters, that they are real people with real emotion. I enjoy almost all her novels and An Arranged Marriage is quite good. It simply is not one of her best.

Allison is the orphaned daughter of a well-off, upper crust banker and lives with her smarmy uncle and kind aunt. Allison is almost too good to be true, kind and generous with her time, volunteering at church and hospital, plus lovely to look at and a gentle, sweet person. At least that’s her exterior. Inside she’s a rod of steel although that’s been mostly hidden before our story opens.

Blue pulled himself up from nothing by hard work and is now rich. Years ago Allison’s uncle tried to cheat him out of his ranch; fortunately Blue had help from his former boss and was able to keep his ranch, in time for a massive oil find. Now Blue wants a respectable, beautiful wife and kids. He wants Allison.

Allison’s uncle wants her to marry Blue to keep the family bank solvent and Allison is somewhat attracted to Blue by himself but reluctant to marry for such reasons, finally convinced to do so for her aunt’s sake. But she is quite determined not to have sexual relations with Blue until there is some emotional commitment on both sides.

The story proceeds with Allison doing her best to learn to love Blue and to get him to love her. She is determined for a happy marriage cemented with love, then kids while Blue is terrified to acknowledge – either to her or to himself – that he loves her back and his goal is to have kids – and her – now. Blue has to confront his belief in his own inadequacy which he does by shoving his past in Allison’s face, pushing her into sexual intimacy and demanding she get pregnant.

Blue and Allison’s romance happens as counterpoint while her aunt and uncle’s marriage disintegrates. Blue and Allison’s story happens in their hearts and minds. All the action occurs with other people.

An Arranged Marriage is a gentle, soft book, but not an exciting one nor is it one of Susan Fox’s best. I got my copy from Thriftbooks and Amazon has paperback in stock too here. Harlequin offers their eBook, which you can read online or via the Glose app, here.

3 Stars

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