What do you think?
Rate this book
Arranged #3
The Choice
On the day my husband and I committed to each other, I didn't wear a white dress.
We didn't exchange rings.
There was no audience or minister to witness our union.
Only the two of us.
We swore to put each other first, to take on the evils our families had perpetuated together. Side by side.
But that was before the past returned to haunt us.
Now everything has changed.
Stefan can't have both his past and my future.
I can't ask him to choose.
And neither of us can do what has to be done without the other. It's an impossible choice, but we've run out of time.
We didn't exchange rings.
There was no audience or minister to witness our union.
Only the two of us.
We swore to put each other first, to take on the evils our families had perpetuated together. Side by side.
But that was before the past returned to haunt us.
Now everything has changed.
Stefan can't have both his past and my future.
I can't ask him to choose.
And neither of us can do what has to be done without the other. It's an impossible choice, but we've run out of time.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2019
1886 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
Stella Gray
64 books744 followersStella Gray has always had her head in the clouds and has been writing since she was in high school. A contemporary romance author, she loves dark romances with morally gray men. When she’s not writing, she’s either in the kitchen testing out a new baking recipe or spending time in the great outdoors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
October 17, 2021
Wow! I am loving this. The Choice is a perfrct ending to Stefan and Tori journey to find their HEA. Again, I am in awe with Miss Gray writing style. She build up her story without OTT drama/ twisted plot.
Don't get me worong, the drama and the plot is still there. Enough to keep the story going. With that being said, I wish the ending would be longer and more meaningful. More tender moment between Tori and Stefan.
Overall this is still a wonderful book.
4 stars
Don't get me worong, the drama and the plot is still there. Enough to keep the story going. With that being said, I wish the ending would be longer and more meaningful. More tender moment between Tori and Stefan.
Overall this is still a wonderful book.
4 stars
November 28, 2019
You must read book 1 and 2 in order before reading this book.
The story follows on from book to book.
A mixed bag for me.
I enjoyed the main story, arranged marriage, controlling father.
But the virgin heroine who is throwing herself at the Hero who is turned down all the time was too much.
It has a lot of sex and dirty talk when they eventually get together and it gets very repetitive throughout the series, to me anyway.
Other woman drama.
The Hero is quite from he is only interested in the heroine.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
The secret baby story is different to a regular second chance, the mother of the child is not the heroine of the story.
Spoiler...
It didn't seem brain surgery to ask for a DNA test considering the ex was a prostitute and his father was so scheming.
HEA. They are all happy even for the ex.
Epilogue.
Breadcrumbs dropped for brothers story.
The story follows on from book to book.
A mixed bag for me.
I enjoyed the main story, arranged marriage, controlling father.
But the virgin heroine who is throwing herself at the Hero who is turned down all the time was too much.
It has a lot of sex and dirty talk when they eventually get together and it gets very repetitive throughout the series, to me anyway.
Other woman drama.
The Hero is quite from he is only interested in the heroine.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
The secret baby story is different to a regular second chance, the mother of the child is not the heroine of the story.
Spoiler...
It didn't seem brain surgery to ask for a DNA test considering the ex was a prostitute and his father was so scheming.
HEA. They are all happy even for the ex.
Epilogue.
Breadcrumbs dropped for brothers story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2020
This series was a great read, Stefan & Tori finally get it together. A marriage of convenience and arranged by Tori father the senator and Stefan father CEO of their family model agency. Wanting to merge the families to make what is dirty under the surface clean when looking at it. However Stefan is working hard to earn his father trust and before the new prince to the kingdom his father has built. Stefans believes him and Tori have everything together that is until Konstantin pulled his last rabbit out of his hat letting Stefan & Tori know he got what it takes to still rule over his empire. Konstantin believes Tori is a liability and wants her gone and will do anything to make that happen, even at the cost of his son's happiness.
Tori does something immature (she is only 18) she leaves her husband thinking that it was for the best, nevertheless Stefan fights for his marriage by claiming his wife and his family and bring Konstantin his father by making him pay for every wrong deal, debasing things he ever done and letting him know he is a better man than he ever was. Lots of twist, turns and curves, right when you think Konstantin has won Stefan steps up and be the mane has grown to be (not like his father)
Tori does something immature (she is only 18) she leaves her husband thinking that it was for the best, nevertheless Stefan fights for his marriage by claiming his wife and his family and bring Konstantin his father by making him pay for every wrong deal, debasing things he ever done and letting him know he is a better man than he ever was. Lots of twist, turns and curves, right when you think Konstantin has won Stefan steps up and be the mane has grown to be (not like his father)
November 18, 2024
If you're still reading at this point - then I assume you're hate reading like me. This trilogy is awful. I'm leaving this review just because I want everyone else to know how much I didn't like it. OH - I will say - the sex is hot.
Stefan and Tori are shocked that he now has a son and that his ex is not only alive, but she wants him back. Of course, Tori thinks that now Stefan will want to run back and rekindle his romance with the ex, so she leaves Stefan without even talking to him about it. Stefan is all excited about having a kid and decides that if Tori left him, then she never really loved him and then he assumes she must have ran off with the guy from her college class. Ugh these two can't get any stupider. Eventually - they decide to take down the evil father, Stefan might not be a daddy after all, yada yada - HEA.
It all sucked. Stefan is a wussy boy who doesn't know how to be an adult, which is a complete 180 from the cock he was in book 1.
Anyway - don't read this.
Stefan and Tori are shocked that he now has a son and that his ex is not only alive, but she wants him back. Of course, Tori thinks that now Stefan will want to run back and rekindle his romance with the ex, so she leaves Stefan without even talking to him about it. Stefan is all excited about having a kid and decides that if Tori left him, then she never really loved him and then he assumes she must have ran off with the guy from her college class. Ugh these two can't get any stupider. Eventually - they decide to take down the evil father, Stefan might not be a daddy after all, yada yada - HEA.
It all sucked. Stefan is a wussy boy who doesn't know how to be an adult, which is a complete 180 from the cock he was in book 1.
Anyway - don't read this.
May 18, 2021
3.2 this one was a little better than the other two books in this series but the entire series just felt repetitive same thing over and over 😐 meh
March 19, 2020
I waited to finish the series to do a review on all three books, while the premise and back story were promising the execution and character personalities killed it for me. The books should have been called: The Temper Tantrums, The Delusions and The Assumptions. At the beginning of the series I was wondering why Tori had to be 18 and now I realize that she needed to be that young so the dumb ass thought process and choices would make sense. She was a constant irritant like by the third book you think she would... I don't know maybe talk to her husband??? Everything that went wrong or any "heartache" she experienced was directly linked to her inability to communicate, use logic and reason, or stop and think before reacting. I won't even get into the June Cleaver advice her step mom was doling out, or the copious amounts of "band-aid sex" (using sex instead of actually solving a problem), or the uber successful modeling agency that deals exclusively in eastern European models being a front for... *gasp* sex trafficking. Stephan was the definition of hurt bae he was so caught up on his past he was a douche and he acted like he was 18 as well unless he was giving her mind numbing orgasms *eye-roll* this series was a fail for me from start to finish but I did finish so there's that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
OMG What a Wild Ride the Arranged Series has taken me on!! The audible edition is narrated perfectly by Elena Wolfe and Sebastian York!!
The final book in Stephan and Tori's story The Choice. Its a perfect happy every after. With many surprises along the way. Little Max, Sen. Mitch Lindsey!! the story has many twist and turns. Its very erotic. Its so hot it will scorch you!! I loved that at only 18 and a virgin before her marriage Tori stood by her man and she fought the good fight to keep him and hold there marriage together. She only gave into her fears once and left Stephan. I loved Stephan he loves Tori and No One and No circumstance or situations is going to break them up. They are the Perfect Book Couple!! Readers will love them!
I just wished that when Stephan and The DOD took down Stephan's Father and his Sex trade operations that he knew it was his son Stephan who had taken the bastard down!! He was a sick cruel and sadistic old man. I wanted him to know it was Stephan is oldest son who took him down and landed him in Prison!!
This is a Great Series!! I loved every bit of it!
The final book in Stephan and Tori's story The Choice. Its a perfect happy every after. With many surprises along the way. Little Max, Sen. Mitch Lindsey!! the story has many twist and turns. Its very erotic. Its so hot it will scorch you!! I loved that at only 18 and a virgin before her marriage Tori stood by her man and she fought the good fight to keep him and hold there marriage together. She only gave into her fears once and left Stephan. I loved Stephan he loves Tori and No One and No circumstance or situations is going to break them up. They are the Perfect Book Couple!! Readers will love them!
I just wished that when Stephan and The DOD took down Stephan's Father and his Sex trade operations that he knew it was his son Stephan who had taken the bastard down!! He was a sick cruel and sadistic old man. I wanted him to know it was Stephan is oldest son who took him down and landed him in Prison!!
This is a Great Series!! I loved every bit of it!
January 15, 2020
The Choice is book three in the Arranged series. We have gone through a lot in the past two books, and we are getting to the end. Stefan and Tori are getting their relationship on the right track, but they still have outside issues trying to get in the way.
While reading this story, I had to keep reminding myself that Tori is young. All this is happening while she is eighteen. I have to admit I am not sure that I would handle it any differently then Tori did. With everything coming at her at once and not having the history of trusting men, I could see her not trusting the love she is just now forming with Stefan.
Stefan proves in this book that he is growing. He is not the frightened young boy, and that needs to hide from his father. Stefan is ready to step out from behind his fathers' shadow and fight what he knows is right. With the love of his wife and support of his friends, he finally does what is right.
The Choice is an excellent end to this series. I will continue to read Stella and am excited to read Luka's story next.
September 9, 2020
*** 3,5 stars ***
March 25, 2020
Damn u quarantine 😂
January 5, 2020
4.5 stars. The conclusion to The Arrangement series is everything I was hoping for! The twists and turns continue but they strengthen Stefan and Tori"s relationship. Stefan's commitment to Tori is so sweet and super sexy. I love their journey and their HEA.
June 10, 2020
When we were left at the end of book 2, Stefan’s past was paraded in front of his face at a time that could not have been more destructive, with implications that challenged everything that he knew. His father was behind it all, the past and the present and i think that it’s clear to us that there’s no length that he will go to that’s too far.
Anja – the woman that Stefan loved all those years ago is the woman that’s in front of him now. Not only has she come out of hiding, but she’s come with a seven or eight year old son – the perfect age for when she left Stefan. Meaning…Stefan has a child that he didn’t know about. And to add insult to injury, when Stefan was sure that she was running to protect herself, it turns out that she was likely under his nose – because his father had paid her to stay away, and had paid to keep her cared for all these years – waiting for the right moment to bring her and the boy out.
So we spend much of this third installment watching how this has implications on everyone in the plot. What choices can Stefan make that will care for everyone involved. He’s clear to himself that his intentions towards Tori are the same, that she’s the person he loves and the person that he needs, yet Tori being the young girl that she is, she feels that she has to step away. She puts on a brave face for a while of course, but she knows that she has to back away since there’s a family involved now, and she can’t be the one to break it up.
Anja is the pawn in all this – brought back under false pretenses, of course all at the manipulations of Konstantine. Thinking that she has a chance to be with Stefan again, thinking that they will have a happy ending, but that’s not necessarily the case- until a fantastic day at the zoo makes it a possibility.
Throughout this finale to their story, we’re on a roller coaster of emotions. Trying to determine when you’ve fought enough to say that you’ve done all you can and walk away from emotions. Don’t forget the plot to take down the dark side of KZM which is still in play, yet much more challenging now that there are all these other distractions.
Someone in this story dies – hearts are broken and families are torn apart. What we get in addition though is a lead into the next series that i’ve picked up, giving us a glimpse into what could be a new reality for some of our characters and what we hope will be a happy ending. All while enjoying some of the steamiest scenes of this series yet. There’s chemistry that keeps bringing characters together, and at the same time, pulling them apart.
Anja – the woman that Stefan loved all those years ago is the woman that’s in front of him now. Not only has she come out of hiding, but she’s come with a seven or eight year old son – the perfect age for when she left Stefan. Meaning…Stefan has a child that he didn’t know about. And to add insult to injury, when Stefan was sure that she was running to protect herself, it turns out that she was likely under his nose – because his father had paid her to stay away, and had paid to keep her cared for all these years – waiting for the right moment to bring her and the boy out.
So we spend much of this third installment watching how this has implications on everyone in the plot. What choices can Stefan make that will care for everyone involved. He’s clear to himself that his intentions towards Tori are the same, that she’s the person he loves and the person that he needs, yet Tori being the young girl that she is, she feels that she has to step away. She puts on a brave face for a while of course, but she knows that she has to back away since there’s a family involved now, and she can’t be the one to break it up.
Anja is the pawn in all this – brought back under false pretenses, of course all at the manipulations of Konstantine. Thinking that she has a chance to be with Stefan again, thinking that they will have a happy ending, but that’s not necessarily the case- until a fantastic day at the zoo makes it a possibility.
Throughout this finale to their story, we’re on a roller coaster of emotions. Trying to determine when you’ve fought enough to say that you’ve done all you can and walk away from emotions. Don’t forget the plot to take down the dark side of KZM which is still in play, yet much more challenging now that there are all these other distractions.
Someone in this story dies – hearts are broken and families are torn apart. What we get in addition though is a lead into the next series that i’ve picked up, giving us a glimpse into what could be a new reality for some of our characters and what we hope will be a happy ending. All while enjoying some of the steamiest scenes of this series yet. There’s chemistry that keeps bringing characters together, and at the same time, pulling them apart.
December 12, 2019
Mixed bag really.
I really enjoyed the bones of this series but in all honesty it's not very well written.
There is a lot of repetitive filler and the sex scenes become quite routine as we near the end of the books.
I was often confused by Tori, sometimes she was your typical naive 18 year old, annoying me with her irrational thinking and childish attitude then other times I found it hard to believe she was anything younger than 30!
I don't really know what else to say without throwing the whole story in your face! There's a lot going on and a few little twists that initially have you excited but quickly fizzle out to make way for the next thing.
There's a cute little HEA and an intriguing if not overly familiar snippet into the next series.
I really enjoyed the bones of this series but in all honesty it's not very well written.
There is a lot of repetitive filler and the sex scenes become quite routine as we near the end of the books.
I was often confused by Tori, sometimes she was your typical naive 18 year old, annoying me with her irrational thinking and childish attitude then other times I found it hard to believe she was anything younger than 30!
I don't really know what else to say without throwing the whole story in your face! There's a lot going on and a few little twists that initially have you excited but quickly fizzle out to make way for the next thing.
There's a cute little HEA and an intriguing if not overly familiar snippet into the next series.
January 12, 2020
I listened to the whole series on audible. They were quick, easy listens. As always the narrators nailed it and made the story for me. They just seem to bring all their characters to life. I thought the twist was too over the top and was used just to add more to the story.
For a new debut series I thought the author did well. I was interested in the brothers story coming in the summer of 2020, but not sure how weird that would be if he ends up with who I think he will. Just no....ugh. Maybe by then I’ll forget about it and will be willing to give it a chance.
The whole series receives a 4 stars from me.
For a new debut series I thought the author did well. I was interested in the brothers story coming in the summer of 2020, but not sure how weird that would be if he ends up with who I think he will. Just no....ugh. Maybe by then I’ll forget about it and will be willing to give it a chance.
The whole series receives a 4 stars from me.
January 4, 2020
4.5 Stars
The Choice by Stella Gray is book Three in the Arranged Book trilogy. This continues the story of Victoria 'Tori' and Stefan so you really should read the two previous books: The Deal and The Secret first before starting this one. In this book Stefan's past comes back to his present making Tori leave not giving him really a choice. This book works out their feelings and his past. This has been a page turning trilogy for me.
The Choice by Stella Gray is book Three in the Arranged Book trilogy. This continues the story of Victoria 'Tori' and Stefan so you really should read the two previous books: The Deal and The Secret first before starting this one. In this book Stefan's past comes back to his present making Tori leave not giving him really a choice. This book works out their feelings and his past. This has been a page turning trilogy for me.
Read
May 12, 2020I clearly need help. Read the entire goddamn trilogy and nothing changed. It's still all over the place.
October 3, 2021
i’m so glad i completed this series because it got better and better with each book
November 22, 2024
This ended so good. Even though I didn't want it to end.
January 1, 2020
Stella Gray has outdone herself with this series. This is the conclusion to Victoria and Stefan's story. In this book, Stefan's father brings back his first love Anja, but she has not come alone. Anja has brought her son and she tells Stefan that he is the boy's father. Stefan needs to make a choice in what he wants, Does he want to be with Anja and their son Max or with Tori? Tori knows all about how Stefan has looked for Anja and feels like he needs to be with her and his son. She doesn't give Stefan time to make up his mind, she leaves him and returns to her father's home. Stefan finds out this was just a thing his father did to break him and Tori up. Stefan's father thinks that Tori knows too much about the type of business he is running and wants her gone, but Stefan is not having it. Stefan finds out where Tori is and why she left through his sister and he goes after her. He lets her know that he just wanted closure from Anja and what he felt for her was gone. Whit the things that Stefan's father has done to him and other people, Stefan wants him brought down and is working with the FBI to get it done.
This book can be read as a stand-alone because the Author has explained enough about the story in this book, but to get the full story on how things came to be up to this book, you need to read Book 1 The Deal and then Book 2 The Secret.
With all the twists, turns and betrayals this book will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens next.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book can be read as a stand-alone because the Author has explained enough about the story in this book, but to get the full story on how things came to be up to this book, you need to read Book 1 The Deal and then Book 2 The Secret.
With all the twists, turns and betrayals this book will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens next.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 8, 2023
The deal, The secret, The choice (Arranged Series) – Stella Gray
I’m a feminist, so I’m actually morally against female written characters that make me feel like slapping the hell out of them. So, this trilogy made me a little angry. The female MC is weak, unsure, and deeply submissive, so submissive that she is CONSTANTLY making excuses and justifications for them, accepting when they tell her what, when, or how to do things.
Her so-called “rebellions” are childish and immature and without substance, reason, or consequence, and even when her reasons are right, and she is rightfully angry, she doesn’t act on it, or react in an appropriate manner
I tried, I swear, I tried to remember the MC was 18 years old, that she was basically a teenager, and she was indeed spoiled and sheltered, but I just couldn’t swallow it.
I finished this by exercising the compulsion that doesn’t allow me to leave a story unfinished, but it was not good, it was only semi-hot in the s*x scenes, and it was unrealistic in SO many ways. I read A LOT of fantasy, so for me to say it was unrealistic and unbelievable, well, it takes a lot. So I guess I just keep the trend of not-so-good books this year.
In its defense I can say the 3 books are short and quick to read, the guy MC has his moments and the cliches are expected in this gender and it is on kindle unlimited so…
In my defense, I was looking for the Elle Kennedy book, the Deal, so I could re-read it because I like it so much and I like the comfort of it, but instead, this was the audiobook on the website.
I read half on kindle and heard half of it and the audio narrators are good, even if the girl feels a little abrupt when announcing the beginning of chapters
#romance #book #english #trilogy
I’m a feminist, so I’m actually morally against female written characters that make me feel like slapping the hell out of them. So, this trilogy made me a little angry. The female MC is weak, unsure, and deeply submissive, so submissive that she is CONSTANTLY making excuses and justifications for them, accepting when they tell her what, when, or how to do things.
Her so-called “rebellions” are childish and immature and without substance, reason, or consequence, and even when her reasons are right, and she is rightfully angry, she doesn’t act on it, or react in an appropriate manner
I tried, I swear, I tried to remember the MC was 18 years old, that she was basically a teenager, and she was indeed spoiled and sheltered, but I just couldn’t swallow it.
I finished this by exercising the compulsion that doesn’t allow me to leave a story unfinished, but it was not good, it was only semi-hot in the s*x scenes, and it was unrealistic in SO many ways. I read A LOT of fantasy, so for me to say it was unrealistic and unbelievable, well, it takes a lot. So I guess I just keep the trend of not-so-good books this year.
In its defense I can say the 3 books are short and quick to read, the guy MC has his moments and the cliches are expected in this gender and it is on kindle unlimited so…
In my defense, I was looking for the Elle Kennedy book, the Deal, so I could re-read it because I like it so much and I like the comfort of it, but instead, this was the audiobook on the website.
I read half on kindle and heard half of it and the audio narrators are good, even if the girl feels a little abrupt when announcing the beginning of chapters
#romance #book #english #trilogy
June 11, 2022
When it comes to young brides in arranged marriages, dipshit heroines kinda come with the territory. So there’s always that kind of leeway when you enter a series like this, that you know the FMC is probably gonna be kind of annoying. But god in heaven, this was an arduous and drawn out chronicle of the heroine constantly adding two and two and getting five.
Honestly, by halfway through book 3, I feel like the H deserved better than the h and the OW. Both these women keep fucking around with him and I felt so bad for this dude constantly having to deal with being ghosted by the women he commits himself to.
It’s cool that the h had interests outside of fucking her husband - she’s a linguistic nerd or something. But otherwise she has like zero cool girl qualities. Zero stars, would not befriend. She has like one friend who’s not really around, and she cuts off her friends at uni bc they didn’t show enough concern about her leaving the club early. Seriously, this chick is a galaxy brained barbie with zero likeable qualities.
Also the sex - so. Much. Fucking.
I ended up skimming over the sex scenes bc there were so many and so regularly and so repetitive. I kinda found it hilarious that whenever the h would confront the H or need to talk to him about very serious things, all he has to do is unzip his pants and everything goes out the window. At first, that wasn’t a big deal. By book 2, I was kinda over it.
Overall, this was three books that prob could’ve been a duet. Very little actually happens in between the fucking and there’s a shit load of filler. Got dull very quickly.
Honestly, by halfway through book 3, I feel like the H deserved better than the h and the OW. Both these women keep fucking around with him and I felt so bad for this dude constantly having to deal with being ghosted by the women he commits himself to.
It’s cool that the h had interests outside of fucking her husband - she’s a linguistic nerd or something. But otherwise she has like zero cool girl qualities. Zero stars, would not befriend. She has like one friend who’s not really around, and she cuts off her friends at uni bc they didn’t show enough concern about her leaving the club early. Seriously, this chick is a galaxy brained barbie with zero likeable qualities.
Also the sex - so. Much. Fucking.
I ended up skimming over the sex scenes bc there were so many and so regularly and so repetitive. I kinda found it hilarious that whenever the h would confront the H or need to talk to him about very serious things, all he has to do is unzip his pants and everything goes out the window. At first, that wasn’t a big deal. By book 2, I was kinda over it.
Overall, this was three books that prob could’ve been a duet. Very little actually happens in between the fucking and there’s a shit load of filler. Got dull very quickly.
January 16, 2020
The Choice is the conclusion to Stefan & Tori's story, so you HAVE TO READ The Deal (Book 1), and The Secret (Book 2) FIRST AND IN ORDER! Honestly, I'm still not sold on Stefan, but FINALLY! Tori got a backbone (no matter what the reasoning was), and I was ready to jump up & give her a standing ovation as it was long overdue. That is why The Choice gets a 5 star from me, as Stella Gray absolutely gave me a reason. I know that I can be hard about my heroes, and Stefan barely became anything close to a hero in my eyes, but that's because of the women being portrayed as weak when it comes to these douchebags. I get the whole arranged marriage thing, I went in knowing it wouldn't be an easy scenario, but I at least want my heroines to stand up for themselves because I would have made his life a living hell, and he would be kissing my ring on his knees after all the crap he put her through. The twists also gave me some joy, because it got old calling Stefan colorful metaphors, so dropping f-bombs from being shocked about the next level betrayals was so much more fun. I do believe that I will keep going with Stefan's brother just because Ms. Gray kept me interested despite all the rage, as her plot was intriguing, and now I need to know about Luka. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
July 1, 2020
Did I like this trilogy that really should have been one book? Maybe. Was the story fairly unique? Sure. Did it have major potential? ABSOLUTELY. Now, here is where things derailed:
* just turned 18, beautiful, a virgin, getting married? Yeah.
* this douche was at least a purposeful douche...but dude, you were a douche since you started having sex at 13...and you lasted a week with this naive virgin you had to marry?
* this southern lady marries your widowed douche-dad when you are 2, raises you with love, and you call her Michelle? No.
* the redundant, over-the-top sex scenes that just got gross. Wait, they started that way. As a matter of fact, they took up 60% of the second book, and 80% of the third book. Did I say redundant? I quit reading them altogether, trying to get to the actual story.
* this couple really needed to use their phones...or their mouths (to talk) instead of assuming. Dumb-asses.
* needed more DOD-FBI story to replace stupid sex.
Here are the reasons I read all 3 books:
* the story’s potential!!!!!
* the author’s ability to make me guess, for a long time. It was well-written in that regard, kept me curious...and I hate mysteries.
* because I skipped so much of books 2 and 3 bc of the REDUNDANT, stupid sex scenes, I read them in record time.
* there were only 3-4 truly glaring typos.
* some seriously evil characters...like real life evil.
* just turned 18, beautiful, a virgin, getting married? Yeah.
* this douche was at least a purposeful douche...but dude, you were a douche since you started having sex at 13...and you lasted a week with this naive virgin you had to marry?
* this southern lady marries your widowed douche-dad when you are 2, raises you with love, and you call her Michelle? No.
* the redundant, over-the-top sex scenes that just got gross. Wait, they started that way. As a matter of fact, they took up 60% of the second book, and 80% of the third book. Did I say redundant? I quit reading them altogether, trying to get to the actual story.
* this couple really needed to use their phones...or their mouths (to talk) instead of assuming. Dumb-asses.
* needed more DOD-FBI story to replace stupid sex.
Here are the reasons I read all 3 books:
* the story’s potential!!!!!
* the author’s ability to make me guess, for a long time. It was well-written in that regard, kept me curious...and I hate mysteries.
* because I skipped so much of books 2 and 3 bc of the REDUNDANT, stupid sex scenes, I read them in record time.
* there were only 3-4 truly glaring typos.
* some seriously evil characters...like real life evil.
March 22, 2020
Well. After reading the hall searies I really wanna say that I loved it all. It was so exciting I almost Finnishd it in 2 days. I loved the cupple and what happend to them and how they were dealing with all thies circumstances. I liked the honesty and the sincere love bitween them. Really really well done
December 3, 2019
Stunning
Absolutely Stunning trilogy!!!! Stefan and Victoria have an arranged marriage and one other benefits their fathers. However, along the way things change but huge obstacles remain. Stella Gray did an amazing job with their story.
Absolutely Stunning trilogy!!!! Stefan and Victoria have an arranged marriage and one other benefits their fathers. However, along the way things change but huge obstacles remain. Stella Gray did an amazing job with their story.
March 2, 2020
Skipped
So I have now read this series and unfortunately I have had to skip most of it because it was 70% descriptive. Couldn't relate to the characters. I think the 3 series books could have been written just as a standalone. It's disappointing
So I have now read this series and unfortunately I have had to skip most of it because it was 70% descriptive. Couldn't relate to the characters. I think the 3 series books could have been written just as a standalone. It's disappointing
October 25, 2020
Actual Rating: 3.5
The story picks up right where it left off from the previous book, The Secret. Tori and Stefan were caught off guard by Stefan’s father, Konstantin, when he presented Stefan’s former flame and long lost love, Anja Borjan, to them. But wait, there’s more. Anja was not alone because she also had her 7-year-old son, Max, with her, who she claimed was Stefan’s son. This news left both Stefan and Tori completely shocked, especially since they’ve only just started to build a loving relationship and now this whole situation is once again threatening to break them apart.
The first half of this book was like riding a rollercoaster of emotions. The angst and drama were high early on in the story and I couldn’t stop reading because I was so interested to know what will Tori and Stefan do next and how will they handle this situation. Tori, unfortunately, let her naivety take over and just immediately made assumptions with regard to what Stefan’s decision would be about Anja and Max, and then, later on, made some stupid decisions that caused a lot of misunderstanding between her and Stefan. Fortunately, Stefan was so persistent with his love for Tori and he was able to help her understand that she’s the only woman he loves and that nothing will ever change that. On a side note, Stefan had more chapters written in his POV in this book, and that greatly helped in understanding his character more and it also made me realize that he wasn't actually that cruel after all.
As for the second half of the book, a lot of things also happened in this part as more stuff was revealed and finally, Stefan’s long-awaited goal was finally achieved with the downfall of his father and KZM. The emotions in this part were still high, but for me, it kind of started to get mushy and sickly sweet as everything gets resolved and all of the characters got what they deserved.
Overall, this book was a good conclusion to the Arranged series. It's a very well-written series with great storytelling and good character development, but I’ve come to realize, after reading all three books, that I’m not a huge fan of the repetitive dom/sub sex scenes. Sure, they were hot, but when I read too much of them, they just became mind-numbing for me and I found myself skim reading the rest of them. Anyway, one of the things that I liked the most in this book and in the series as a whole was how supportive and kind the female characters were of each other. They weren’t perfect but none of them were portrayed as “mean bitches” and I thought that was really good. All in all, I enjoyed reading this series a lot and I’m looking forward to reading more books from Stella Gray.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
Good ending to the Trilogy
This final book took some twists and turns I wasn't expecting, although it didn't take much to figure them out before our main female character, Tori did. Throughout the trilogy, I kept thinking some of the Tori's actions made to be rather immature, but I had to keep reminding myself this trilogy covers her from approximately age 17 to 20, so I guess she's entitled to make some immature choices. And, she was forced to make decisions and handle situations well beyond her young age, so I will give her credit for facing what most people would never have to face in a lifetime.
The relationship between Tori and Stefan is definitely a passionate one...so much so that I found myself skimming through some of the pages of their sexual activity. It got repetitive, and I didn't feel they had to have sex every four or five pages to make it a good read. Also, as I said in my other reviews of this trilogy, as well as other books of this genre, I don't understand why all the males are always are so possessive, not just of the woman, but of her individual body parts, always claiming "this is mine...that is mine...these are mine...no one else will ever see or touch this", and so on and so on. Plus, the women tend to be so submissive, although in the beginning, innocence factors into much of that, and most of them do gradually learn that a healthy sexual relationship is give and take on both parts, rather than always just obey on her part. Tori and Stefan both had ravenous sexual appetites, and I was glad to see them both learn what they wanted, needed, and had to have from each other. When you reach that point in a sexual relationship, there is no limit to where you can go with it. I do draw the line at having other sexual partners involved. Being faithful is a must for me, and I'm glad none of the books that I've read so far in this genre have made this an issue.
I enjoyed this trilogy, even though I had to pay $6.99 each for books 2 and 3. But, after reading book 1, there's no way you can stop there.
This final book took some twists and turns I wasn't expecting, although it didn't take much to figure them out before our main female character, Tori did. Throughout the trilogy, I kept thinking some of the Tori's actions made to be rather immature, but I had to keep reminding myself this trilogy covers her from approximately age 17 to 20, so I guess she's entitled to make some immature choices. And, she was forced to make decisions and handle situations well beyond her young age, so I will give her credit for facing what most people would never have to face in a lifetime.
The relationship between Tori and Stefan is definitely a passionate one...so much so that I found myself skimming through some of the pages of their sexual activity. It got repetitive, and I didn't feel they had to have sex every four or five pages to make it a good read. Also, as I said in my other reviews of this trilogy, as well as other books of this genre, I don't understand why all the males are always are so possessive, not just of the woman, but of her individual body parts, always claiming "this is mine...that is mine...these are mine...no one else will ever see or touch this", and so on and so on. Plus, the women tend to be so submissive, although in the beginning, innocence factors into much of that, and most of them do gradually learn that a healthy sexual relationship is give and take on both parts, rather than always just obey on her part. Tori and Stefan both had ravenous sexual appetites, and I was glad to see them both learn what they wanted, needed, and had to have from each other. When you reach that point in a sexual relationship, there is no limit to where you can go with it. I do draw the line at having other sexual partners involved. Being faithful is a must for me, and I'm glad none of the books that I've read so far in this genre have made this an issue.
I enjoyed this trilogy, even though I had to pay $6.99 each for books 2 and 3. But, after reading book 1, there's no way you can stop there.
January 9, 2020
3.75 starts -- Nice Journey and conclusion to Tori and Stefen's Story
After a stunning cliff-hanger in book 2, Stefen and Tori’s story continue after the revelation that Stefen’s first love has been returned and they have a child. I was expecting more of an action in this, however, I was little disappointed. I felt that author has rushed to complete the series in the end. I felt that, Author could have curbed some drama initially and have actually moved to interesting part of how Stefen takes over company and bring justice to people who wrong. More than 50% of the book is about strengthening Tori’s and Stefen’s relationship. It becomes stronger, but it’s expected when you reach a third book in the series.
Anja has brought her son and she tells Stefan that he is the boy's father. Stefan needs to make a choice in what he wants, does he want to be with Anja and their son Max or with Tori? Even at mid-point Author has given some nice twist about max and his existence. Stefan finds out this was just a thing his father did to break him and Tori up. Stefan's father thinks that Tori knows too much about the type of business he is running and wants her gone, but Stefan is not having it.
Along with the drama of his kid, Anja and Tori, Stefen still has bigger issues to take over his father. Gavin’s part in this came as a surprise to me. Anja was sweet. However, even Luka and Emzee were interesting in the last part. Story went in study pace initially and picked and got concluded in hurry in the last part.
With lot of surprising twists and turns along with equal amount of angst, drama, and a slight action in the end, this series is an overall one-time good read. Go ahead read and enjoy without inhibition.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
After a stunning cliff-hanger in book 2, Stefen and Tori’s story continue after the revelation that Stefen’s first love has been returned and they have a child. I was expecting more of an action in this, however, I was little disappointed. I felt that author has rushed to complete the series in the end. I felt that, Author could have curbed some drama initially and have actually moved to interesting part of how Stefen takes over company and bring justice to people who wrong. More than 50% of the book is about strengthening Tori’s and Stefen’s relationship. It becomes stronger, but it’s expected when you reach a third book in the series.
Anja has brought her son and she tells Stefan that he is the boy's father. Stefan needs to make a choice in what he wants, does he want to be with Anja and their son Max or with Tori? Even at mid-point Author has given some nice twist about max and his existence. Stefan finds out this was just a thing his father did to break him and Tori up. Stefan's father thinks that Tori knows too much about the type of business he is running and wants her gone, but Stefan is not having it.
Along with the drama of his kid, Anja and Tori, Stefen still has bigger issues to take over his father. Gavin’s part in this came as a surprise to me. Anja was sweet. However, even Luka and Emzee were interesting in the last part. Story went in study pace initially and picked and got concluded in hurry in the last part.
With lot of surprising twists and turns along with equal amount of angst, drama, and a slight action in the end, this series is an overall one-time good read. Go ahead read and enjoy without inhibition.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
July 13, 2020
It all comes down to a few choices for Stefan, or at least that's what Tori believes. Tori (love her simple mind) believes that Stefan will choose Anja and Max over her for his HEA. Tori has not listed to a word Stefan's said because if she had, she would know otherwise. So, Tori being Tori, goes off the deep end, again, and moves back to daddy's house, even knowing what she knows about him. Stefan is bewildered by Tori's abrupt leaving, mainly since they have traded "I love yous" and promised to work as a team(*sigh*). Stefan heads to Springfield to settle things between him and Tori once and for all.
After Stefan and Tori are back at the homestead, Stefan and Tori host a family dinner to pronounce their union to everyone, including Anja. This news is not what Konstantin wants to hear (the silly man who arranged this marriage with Senator Lindsey in the first place!). Emzee is thrilled; Anja is resigned to the news, and Luka is in a drunken stupor and could care less. Shockingly it is Luka who suggests a paternity test for Max and Stefan. The results are unexpected, but not a surprise.
KZM is finally exposed, and the Feds move in. Konstantin has an escape plan for him and his boys, but little does he know that Stefan is the reason for the takedown. Stefan is all too happy to let Konstatin see that he is the reason--as they are all being arrested and handcuffed in the parking lot while trying to escape.
While the dust from KZM is settling, Stefan and Tori vow to stick by Anja and Max after the DNA results. Tori has to deal with the fallout over the results and her relationship with her father. Anja and Max come out on top now that everything is out in the open. Konstantin and Senator Lindsey are no longer threats to anyone, and everyone can move on to their HEA.
The Arranged series is an interesting enough read but not as suspenseful as I had hoped and did not keep me up reading into the night. I would recommend the series to those who don't mind predictability, a spoiled "woman-child" (Tori stayed on my last nerve!), a drawn-out plot sprinkled with hints for the next book and the dreaded cliffhanger.
After Stefan and Tori are back at the homestead, Stefan and Tori host a family dinner to pronounce their union to everyone, including Anja. This news is not what Konstantin wants to hear (the silly man who arranged this marriage with Senator Lindsey in the first place!). Emzee is thrilled; Anja is resigned to the news, and Luka is in a drunken stupor and could care less. Shockingly it is Luka who suggests a paternity test for Max and Stefan. The results are unexpected, but not a surprise.
KZM is finally exposed, and the Feds move in. Konstantin has an escape plan for him and his boys, but little does he know that Stefan is the reason for the takedown. Stefan is all too happy to let Konstatin see that he is the reason--as they are all being arrested and handcuffed in the parking lot while trying to escape.
While the dust from KZM is settling, Stefan and Tori vow to stick by Anja and Max after the DNA results. Tori has to deal with the fallout over the results and her relationship with her father. Anja and Max come out on top now that everything is out in the open. Konstantin and Senator Lindsey are no longer threats to anyone, and everyone can move on to their HEA.
The Arranged series is an interesting enough read but not as suspenseful as I had hoped and did not keep me up reading into the night. I would recommend the series to those who don't mind predictability, a spoiled "woman-child" (Tori stayed on my last nerve!), a drawn-out plot sprinkled with hints for the next book and the dreaded cliffhanger.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews