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Courtland Chronicles #3
Complications
Eric Courtland dreams of a powerful career in politics, but when he begins taking his lover, Nick Thompson, for granted, Nick decides that he's had enough of life in the background. Devastated and alone, Eric throws himself into the distractions of liquor—and his college friend, Ally Taylor.
What starts as a passionate rebound affair sparks something deeper in each of them, and as Eric finds healing in Ally's arms, he makes an unexpected proposal: he will offer his wealth and connections to forward her career; all Ally has to do is agree to marry him. But is a promise of fidelity and an intense physical connection enough make a marriage?
Soon, Ally finds herself falling in love with her new husband, but their lives are thrown into chaos with Nick's untimely re-appearance. Secrets, lies, and betrayal threaten to undermine the growing bond between the newlyweds, and Eric is forced to make a painful decision between the man he’s loved for over a decade, and the new wife he can’t bear to hurt.
What starts as a passionate rebound affair sparks something deeper in each of them, and as Eric finds healing in Ally's arms, he makes an unexpected proposal: he will offer his wealth and connections to forward her career; all Ally has to do is agree to marry him. But is a promise of fidelity and an intense physical connection enough make a marriage?
Soon, Ally finds herself falling in love with her new husband, but their lives are thrown into chaos with Nick's untimely re-appearance. Secrets, lies, and betrayal threaten to undermine the growing bond between the newlyweds, and Eric is forced to make a painful decision between the man he’s loved for over a decade, and the new wife he can’t bear to hurt.
First published May 4, 2009
5 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Cat Grant
50 books463 followersIf you're looking for epic sci-fi, fantasy, or historicals, that's not me. Contemporary all the way, baby!
However, if you're looking for down to earth, complicated characters dealing with real-world problems (and the occasional comfort read!), I might just fit the bill. :)
My Books:
Courtland Chronicles (m/m & m/m/f)
By Chance
Strictly Business
Complications
The Arrangement
Triad
Allegro Vivace (m/m)
Sonata Appassionata (m/m)
Icon Men (all m/m)
The First Real Thing (2012 EPIC Award Winner - Erotica)
Appearing Nightly
A Fool for You
Habanera (Originally titled Entangled Trio - 2012 EPIC Award Finalist - Erotica) (m/m/f)
Once a Marine (m/m)
Power Play (with Rachel Haimowitz) (m/m BDSM)
Power Play: Resistance
Power Play: Awakening
Irresistible Attraction (all m/m)
Priceless
Doubtless
Fearless
Flawless (2014 EPIC Award Finalist - Short Fiction)
Forthcoming:
The Only One Who Knows (with LA Witt) - January 2014
The Only One Who Matters (with LA Witt) - March 2014
Black Dog (Bannon's Gym #1) - April 2014
Takedown (Bannon's Gym #2) - July 2014
Guarded (with LA Witt) (work in progress)
However, if you're looking for down to earth, complicated characters dealing with real-world problems (and the occasional comfort read!), I might just fit the bill. :)
My Books:
Courtland Chronicles (m/m & m/m/f)
By Chance
Strictly Business
Complications
The Arrangement
Triad
Allegro Vivace (m/m)
Sonata Appassionata (m/m)
Icon Men (all m/m)
The First Real Thing (2012 EPIC Award Winner - Erotica)
Appearing Nightly
A Fool for You
Habanera (Originally titled Entangled Trio - 2012 EPIC Award Finalist - Erotica) (m/m/f)
Once a Marine (m/m)
Power Play (with Rachel Haimowitz) (m/m BDSM)
Power Play: Resistance
Power Play: Awakening
Irresistible Attraction (all m/m)
Priceless
Doubtless
Fearless
Flawless (2014 EPIC Award Finalist - Short Fiction)
Forthcoming:
The Only One Who Knows (with LA Witt) - January 2014
The Only One Who Matters (with LA Witt) - March 2014
Black Dog (Bannon's Gym #1) - April 2014
Takedown (Bannon's Gym #2) - July 2014
Guarded (with LA Witt) (work in progress)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 9, 2009
COMPLICATION is the third prequel to the main book THE ARRANGEMENT and once again this is a snap shot of a crucial point of Eric's and Ally’s life – basically how the got together.
There was nothing easy about how this books starts. Nick it seems has finally decided to get on with his life – and so it begins - a road of complications. Eric is pursing his political dream to the exceptional of all else even his long time lover Nick. With a past and a life of marriage and divorce behind him, Eric is not prepared for Nick’s news – but be that as it may, he has to accept it, because it’s Nicks choice and secondly he really has had his time and his chance.
Carrying on, he meets up with Ally - a friend who knows the best and worst of Eric and although reluctant she agrees to go to dinner with him. It’s a refreshing change for them both. For Eric it’s a chance to be himself, as after all Ally has seen him at his down and dirties and for Ally she needs to eat and as she was down on her luck at the moment – and in a sympathetic mood towards Eric, she begins a game that only gets more involved with a proposal from Eric.
Things are not as cut and dry as Eric makes it out to be, as some feeling are not that easy to get rid of and some major players in Eric’s life has a way of not laying low.
Firstly let me say right off the bat, I didn’t like Ally when she was introduced in BY CHANCE and I still don’t like her. As much as COMPLICATION is the shortest of the three books so far – it packs a hell of a punch.
Starting off with Nick’s surprising news and in some respect Eric’s reaction to the news - as really, I didn’t think he had it in him to give Eric an ultimatum. Meeting up with Ally or Ally running to comfort Eric so to speak can be looked at as a good and a bad thing – for me, any thing Ally is involved in, it’s a bad thing (Hate much – you can tell).
I can see growth in Eric, in his language, in his mannerism and in his style, and that lessens the arrogance we are used to, it coats over some of the issues I had with him and as much as I don’t like his attitude towards Nick, Nick has made his choice and life move on as they say.
Hence comes Ally, and there begins an enlightenment. We see a side to both Ally and Eric that I am very pleased the author exposed me to. Along with Eric’s down to earth attitude towards his relationship with Nick and Ally’s inspection of her life up to that point, things doesn’t go smoothly and when Eric has a chance meeting there starts the secrets and the lies begins.
COMPLICATION took care of so much for me, fair enough it threw up a lot of questions as well, but I thought this was an intense read, highlighting another side to these characters that I have come to love and hate while leaving me scope to see that they have a lot left to them.
A not to be missed third book that has really now made THE ARRANGEMENT the book to really read.
There was nothing easy about how this books starts. Nick it seems has finally decided to get on with his life – and so it begins - a road of complications. Eric is pursing his political dream to the exceptional of all else even his long time lover Nick. With a past and a life of marriage and divorce behind him, Eric is not prepared for Nick’s news – but be that as it may, he has to accept it, because it’s Nicks choice and secondly he really has had his time and his chance.
Carrying on, he meets up with Ally - a friend who knows the best and worst of Eric and although reluctant she agrees to go to dinner with him. It’s a refreshing change for them both. For Eric it’s a chance to be himself, as after all Ally has seen him at his down and dirties and for Ally she needs to eat and as she was down on her luck at the moment – and in a sympathetic mood towards Eric, she begins a game that only gets more involved with a proposal from Eric.
Things are not as cut and dry as Eric makes it out to be, as some feeling are not that easy to get rid of and some major players in Eric’s life has a way of not laying low.
Firstly let me say right off the bat, I didn’t like Ally when she was introduced in BY CHANCE and I still don’t like her. As much as COMPLICATION is the shortest of the three books so far – it packs a hell of a punch.
Starting off with Nick’s surprising news and in some respect Eric’s reaction to the news - as really, I didn’t think he had it in him to give Eric an ultimatum. Meeting up with Ally or Ally running to comfort Eric so to speak can be looked at as a good and a bad thing – for me, any thing Ally is involved in, it’s a bad thing (Hate much – you can tell).
I can see growth in Eric, in his language, in his mannerism and in his style, and that lessens the arrogance we are used to, it coats over some of the issues I had with him and as much as I don’t like his attitude towards Nick, Nick has made his choice and life move on as they say.
Hence comes Ally, and there begins an enlightenment. We see a side to both Ally and Eric that I am very pleased the author exposed me to. Along with Eric’s down to earth attitude towards his relationship with Nick and Ally’s inspection of her life up to that point, things doesn’t go smoothly and when Eric has a chance meeting there starts the secrets and the lies begins.
COMPLICATION took care of so much for me, fair enough it threw up a lot of questions as well, but I thought this was an intense read, highlighting another side to these characters that I have come to love and hate while leaving me scope to see that they have a lot left to them.
A not to be missed third book that has really now made THE ARRANGEMENT the book to really read.
February 2, 2013
The path to a HEA for Eric and Nick continues to be rocky as political aspirations have led Eric to make choices that are devastating to Nick and the love they have for one another. Nick in turn, and out of anger and spite, does something equally as hurtful and they're once again left living separate lives.
Enter good friend to both men, Ally, who's down on her luck and reconnects with Eric in a BIG way. Reeling from loneliness, Eric latches on to the only remaining person in his life that he feels he can count on. They're relationship starts out super steamy and they seem very compatible. They both benefit from being together in that he can help her in her career and she is the perfect arm candy for a future politician. She expects his fidelity which he truly believes himself capable of but the specter of Nick constantly hangs over their relationship. As a reader, I felt that Ally was merely a pit stop for Eric. He hates to be alone and he caught her in a moment of need and weakness. Their marriage feels like a business with really great benefits as the sexual encounters between them are numerous and super steamy. Their connection is apparent but feels one-sided and superficial as time went on.
Those who hate cliffhangers will find themselves screaming at the end of this as an unexpected encounter very late in the story leads to a game changing view of the future. This trio is full of damaged people who continually hurt one another which makes them unlikable from time to time. When you just KNOW two people are meant to be together it becomes frustrating the longer their stupidity keeps them apart. At the end of this story I again wanted to smack Eric and Nick alongside their heads.
Cat Grant's series continues to keep me engaged as I've become fully invested in Nick and Eric's outcome. I might not always like their actions but I still want them to achieve their HEA as fate has been unkind to them long enough. After all the pain they've put each other through they've earned peace and happiness and I'm anticipating what the next book brings!
Enter good friend to both men, Ally, who's down on her luck and reconnects with Eric in a BIG way. Reeling from loneliness, Eric latches on to the only remaining person in his life that he feels he can count on. They're relationship starts out super steamy and they seem very compatible. They both benefit from being together in that he can help her in her career and she is the perfect arm candy for a future politician. She expects his fidelity which he truly believes himself capable of but the specter of Nick constantly hangs over their relationship. As a reader, I felt that Ally was merely a pit stop for Eric. He hates to be alone and he caught her in a moment of need and weakness. Their marriage feels like a business with really great benefits as the sexual encounters between them are numerous and super steamy. Their connection is apparent but feels one-sided and superficial as time went on.
Those who hate cliffhangers will find themselves screaming at the end of this as an unexpected encounter very late in the story leads to a game changing view of the future. This trio is full of damaged people who continually hurt one another which makes them unlikable from time to time. When you just KNOW two people are meant to be together it becomes frustrating the longer their stupidity keeps them apart. At the end of this story I again wanted to smack Eric and Nick alongside their heads.
Cat Grant's series continues to keep me engaged as I've become fully invested in Nick and Eric's outcome. I might not always like their actions but I still want them to achieve their HEA as fate has been unkind to them long enough. After all the pain they've put each other through they've earned peace and happiness and I'm anticipating what the next book brings!
May 13, 2015
This is book 3 in the " Courtland Chronicles Series" What do I say about Eric Courtland? Nick Thompson has been in a relationship with Eric for over ten years. When Eric starts taking Nick for granted Nick leaves him here is a man that has been in the back ground while Eric got married although they continued to be together. Eric doesn't take the news that Nick is getting married well he starts drinking also there friend Ally whose has been in love with Nick since college also doesn't take the news well. Eric and Ally begin to see each other Eric still has his sights set on running for office and he needs a wife and being Eric what does he do? Eric makes a deal with Ally he will help her with her career and she will marry him what more could a girl want right a rich hot man and great sex. All she ask for is that he be faithful to her and he agrees thinking that Nick is married and no longer wants him. This was a short quick read that was well written like the rest of the books in this series. Eric wants his cake and is eating it too. I have always liked Ally and I really liked her in this book she went to Barbara Eric's first wife to ask why she divorced him turns out it had nothing to do with Eric he was up front about Nick and his feelings for him. What I didn't like was that Eric cheated on Ally as soon as they got back from there honeymoon with Nick I knew they couldn't stay away from each other. This is a really good series and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
February 6, 2013
In Complications we find Eric and Nick separated once more. Nick can't stand being second choice in Eric's life anymore and decides to move on. Although feeling hurt and rejected by Nick's decision, Eric appears to be comfortable in the place his life is at the moment. All that seems to be missing is having someone to share it with - someone to support him and care for him. With Nick gone and Ally back in his life, he finds in her a perfect candidate for a life partner. Smart and beautiful with a sense of humor that lightens Eric's mood, Ally is reluctant to take the role of Eric's wife. She wants the marriage to Eric be real with caring from both parties and with no unfaithfulness. Eric agrees to her terms and their life as a couple begins only to have Nick put it in jeopardy.
I have to say that I am not a fan of Ally. Never was, never will. But in this installment I had the chance to see a different side to her that made her feel real to me which in the end helped me connect to her a bit more than before. She is assertive and knows what she wants, which I have always liked in a main character. She stood up to Eric but at the same time showed her caring side each step of the way.
In this installment we see a different side of Eric too. No longer haunted by his past to the extent of causing harm to himself, Eric has grown from the troubled young man we met in book one into a caring, thoughtful man who is looking into the future with a new perspective in life - to be happy. His thoughts are positive and his perception of himself has improved, but underneath it all he still loves Nick and finds it hard to let go of what they shared. He is determined to make this marriage work but even though he opens up to Ally he never does it in the way he did with Nick.
The writing was everything I have come to expect from Cat Grant. With great insight into the characters, fun and engaging dialog and sexual chemistry abound, she brought to the page the growth each character has made and how their life's experiences have shaped them after their college years. I appreciated the doubts and motives that came forward in regards to the marriage between Eric and Ally. I think it put into perspective how much Eric believed he was ready to move on and Ally's ambition.
This is a cast of characters I love to hate. One moment I'm cheering and supporting them then I'm cursing the hell out of them. This novella brought to a lot of those feelings in me again. I didn't want them to get together, then I saw how good they were for each other so I accepted it only to have to question my feelings again when Nick returned. Well played Cat Grant, well played. I am truly hooked and invested in these characters. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to see how this all works out for these characters.
I received this novella from Cat Grant and I would like to thank her for the opportunity to read and review it in exchange of my honest opinion.
I have to say that I am not a fan of Ally. Never was, never will. But in this installment I had the chance to see a different side to her that made her feel real to me which in the end helped me connect to her a bit more than before. She is assertive and knows what she wants, which I have always liked in a main character. She stood up to Eric but at the same time showed her caring side each step of the way.
In this installment we see a different side of Eric too. No longer haunted by his past to the extent of causing harm to himself, Eric has grown from the troubled young man we met in book one into a caring, thoughtful man who is looking into the future with a new perspective in life - to be happy. His thoughts are positive and his perception of himself has improved, but underneath it all he still loves Nick and finds it hard to let go of what they shared. He is determined to make this marriage work but even though he opens up to Ally he never does it in the way he did with Nick.
The writing was everything I have come to expect from Cat Grant. With great insight into the characters, fun and engaging dialog and sexual chemistry abound, she brought to the page the growth each character has made and how their life's experiences have shaped them after their college years. I appreciated the doubts and motives that came forward in regards to the marriage between Eric and Ally. I think it put into perspective how much Eric believed he was ready to move on and Ally's ambition.
This is a cast of characters I love to hate. One moment I'm cheering and supporting them then I'm cursing the hell out of them. This novella brought to a lot of those feelings in me again. I didn't want them to get together, then I saw how good they were for each other so I accepted it only to have to question my feelings again when Nick returned. Well played Cat Grant, well played. I am truly hooked and invested in these characters. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to see how this all works out for these characters.
I received this novella from Cat Grant and I would like to thank her for the opportunity to read and review it in exchange of my honest opinion.
March 1, 2010
In this book and in the four other books that make up the Courtland Chronicles, Cat Grant has written an exciting and gripping story. For a period of some 20 years we follow the lives of two men and a woman who share a relationship.
The story involves a homosexual relationship between Nick and Eric, heterosexual relationships between each of the two men and Allison and finally a menage between the three.
Cat has contrived to portray in one touching story the interaction of all three characters and their dreams, disappointments, achievements, and, above all else, their love for each other and one another.
A concept that is paramount in the Triad (the last book of the series) is that of legalised marriage between multiple partners. Many 'menage' stories include a marriage between two partners and the third partner being part of the relationship without the security, if it can be called that, of legality; the "legality" being an indication of social acceptance.
It would be interesting to see if other menage authors pick up on this concept and maybe even give it a push in their stories.
All told, Cat has written a well thoughtout story, a very good read with thought provoking ideas and well developed characters. The sex scenes of which there are many, fit well in the story and do not feel like add-ons just to add spice to the story.
I would like to comment on the reading order and strongly recommend that the books be read in the chronological order of the story rather than in the order they were written. This would be: By Chance, Strictly Business, Complication, The Arrangement and Triad.
The story involves a homosexual relationship between Nick and Eric, heterosexual relationships between each of the two men and Allison and finally a menage between the three.
Cat has contrived to portray in one touching story the interaction of all three characters and their dreams, disappointments, achievements, and, above all else, their love for each other and one another.
A concept that is paramount in the Triad (the last book of the series) is that of legalised marriage between multiple partners. Many 'menage' stories include a marriage between two partners and the third partner being part of the relationship without the security, if it can be called that, of legality; the "legality" being an indication of social acceptance.
It would be interesting to see if other menage authors pick up on this concept and maybe even give it a push in their stories.
All told, Cat has written a well thoughtout story, a very good read with thought provoking ideas and well developed characters. The sex scenes of which there are many, fit well in the story and do not feel like add-ons just to add spice to the story.
I would like to comment on the reading order and strongly recommend that the books be read in the chronological order of the story rather than in the order they were written. This would be: By Chance, Strictly Business, Complication, The Arrangement and Triad.
May 23, 2013
AAAACCCCKKKK!!!!! If I didn't already own the next book in this series I would be pulling my hair out and screaming right now!! This book ends perfectly! Leaving you clawing and wanting more! This story was wonderful in how it shows how two lonely friends meet back up after years of being apart. They honestly feel more for each other than they're willing to admit to themselves. They marry and things are going better for Eric and Allison then either thought they could. They are in love with each other but are afraid to name it that only willing to call it caring respect. Then when you least expect it Eric gets a call from Nick!! Onto the next great installment! So far they all have been really terrific and worth it!! Have I said how much I love this series??
March 15, 2014
Hi Cat, thank you for this story. I have to say, I didn't know if I would like reading about two guys. But something kept drawing me to read the first one "By Chance". Now I'm am so hooked I can't put them down I'm almost through with book 4 and can't wait for more. Your words are so true for a lot of people. Thank you for telling their story.
no-thanks
June 30, 2012No thanks because this series turns into a cheating thing with one of them getting married and still sleeping with the boyfriend. I made the mistake of reading The Arrangement first. Of course, that put me off the whole series. Don't like cheating.
February 1, 2013
4.5 stars. Of the three installments in the Courtland Chronicles, Complications is the least angsty and the overall story flows much more smoothly. Please click HERE to my review in its entirety.
October 16, 2013
A GREAT BOOK, AND SERIES. CAN'T WAIT TO READ BOOK FOUR. A MUST READ.
September 18, 2014
1.5*Ally fucking sucks!*stars
I HATE Ally!
Eric & Ally have zero chemistry together, their sex scenes sucked too!
Ally is the worst friend ever, I LOATHE her! I would like this story more if the end result wasn't going to be a HEA menage. I know the author wants us to root for the threesome together but frankly I cannot root for Nick to be in a relationship with those two assholes! I will read the next book because I do want to see what happens with Eric & Nick.
March 7, 2013
Read the entire 5 story series over a weekend while home sick. I really enjoyed it, but one of them (maybe book 3? can't remember now) had a couple of pieces of the backstory on Eric completely different than the rest of them. Other than that I was able to lose myself in the story.
April 17, 2010
Since I already read chapter 1 of the next book, I think this book leads in perfectly!!
Yet another chapter in this saga that lets us into Eric Courtland's head just a bit more.
Yet another chapter in this saga that lets us into Eric Courtland's head just a bit more.
September 10, 2016
3.5 stars
March 28, 2017
After the previous novella ended with Eric finally getting his shit kinda sorta back together and getting back together with Nick, this one, set several years later, begins with Nick finally having had it with Eric's crap (for good reason) and breaking up with him, leading to Eric promptly falling into a rebound affair with Ally. For the benefit of his political career (and, y'know, sex), he suggests a marriage of convenience between them, and Ally, being nowhere near as clever as we're evidently supposed to think she is, agrees to this plan despite the fact that she's well aware Eric's a manipulative control freak of an asshole. It would seem the intervening years have led to absolutely zero improvement in Eric's multitude of character flaws - in fact, he's getting more unlikable with every damn chapter IMO. Following this fucked up "relationship" mess is becoming more and more like watching a train wreck. Wasn't this supposed to be a romance? Those usually require actual feelings in my books. Feelings other than disgust at Eric's behavious, that is. Oh well, I've gotten this far, might as well see if the author actually manages to turn this whole clusterfuck into something that at least resembles a healthy, loving relationship between the three protagonists at some point.
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