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Nights at the Mahal #1
Marriage by Arrangement
When a business proposal turns
very personal…
Rule #1: Don’t fall for the client.
Because he’ll rock your world…
Architect Rani Gupta will never let a man compromise her career or freedom again. Which is a problem now that her newest client is irresistible hotelier Arjun Singh—aka the sexiest bachelor in India. A little fling with this gorgeous man would be scandal enough. But a fake engagement might just be more trouble than they bargained for—especially if Arjun has a prior arrangement!
very personal…
Rule #1: Don’t fall for the client.
Because he’ll rock your world…
Architect Rani Gupta will never let a man compromise her career or freedom again. Which is a problem now that her newest client is irresistible hotelier Arjun Singh—aka the sexiest bachelor in India. A little fling with this gorgeous man would be scandal enough. But a fake engagement might just be more trouble than they bargained for—especially if Arjun has a prior arrangement!
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2020
27 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Singh Sasson
69 books134 followers| Romance that sizzles | Stories that thrill | Characters you can't leave behind |
Sophia puts her childhood habit of daydreaming to good use by writing stories she wishes will give you hope, make you laugh, cry, and possibly snort tea from your nose. She was born in Mumbai India, has lived in the Canary Islands, Spain, Toronto, Canada, and currently resides in Washington DC. She loves to read, travel, bake, scuba dive, watch foreign movies, and hear from readers. Contact her at http://SophiaSasson.com or Readers@SophiaSasson.com
Sophia puts her childhood habit of daydreaming to good use by writing stories she wishes will give you hope, make you laugh, cry, and possibly snort tea from your nose. She was born in Mumbai India, has lived in the Canary Islands, Spain, Toronto, Canada, and currently resides in Washington DC. She loves to read, travel, bake, scuba dive, watch foreign movies, and hear from readers. Contact her at http://SophiaSasson.com or Readers@SophiaSasson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
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August 24, 2020Romance between an Indian millionaire and an American desi architect struggling with being overlooked at her job and looked down on in the community for her divorce. These are very likeable characters with real problems solidly based in family and culture despite the glamorous window dressing. Their dilemma felt genuine and insuperable to the point that the eventual resolution is a bit deux ex machina, but still very welcome.
A thoroughly enjoyable story and well written; I've preordered the next in this series. I did find it slightly jarring how much explaining there was--what lamb saag is, what desi means, what NRI stands for, and this often in the dialogue between the leads. I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark this was imposed by the publisher as a sop to white US readers, which is regrettable.
A thoroughly enjoyable story and well written; I've preordered the next in this series. I did find it slightly jarring how much explaining there was--what lamb saag is, what desi means, what NRI stands for, and this often in the dialogue between the leads. I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark this was imposed by the publisher as a sop to white US readers, which is regrettable.
May 4, 2022
2.5 stars: this had potential but it was riddled with so much ridiculous commentary about being desi 🥴
- First of all, what the actual f is this line: "She’d liked the idea of joining a family where she was the lighter-skinned one, rather than the one who was constantly being handed skin bleaching creams." SO GROSS.
- Why is Rani explaining to Arjun what an NRI is?? Literally every person in India that has Arjun's social standing would know what an NRI is.
- Their banter about Rani being an ABCD was so ??? I have never heard any Indian American use that term in the last 15 years.
- Why is Rani gossiping with her ex about other employees on her office desk landline in her cubicle?? Is she trying to get fired?
- Arjun is such a d!ck tbh. His comments about how he appreciates that Rani doesn't wear a lot of makeup compared to other women was so shitty.
- Rani and Arjun agree and repeatedly preach how much they hate arranged marriages, but considering one of them is Indian and the other is Indian American, I feel like their families (and they themselves tbh) should have had more nuanced discussions about what it means to have an arranged marriage in the US vs in India.
- There was no resolution towards the abuse that Rani faced from her parents nor where there any moments in which we saw South Asian parents be loving and supportive of their kids except the very last chapter, which didn't sit right with me.
- Arjun and Rani also had like 0 compatibility before they hastily decided to get married and I found their whole relationship to be so absurd.
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- First of all, what the actual f is this line: "She’d liked the idea of joining a family where she was the lighter-skinned one, rather than the one who was constantly being handed skin bleaching creams." SO GROSS.
- Why is Rani explaining to Arjun what an NRI is?? Literally every person in India that has Arjun's social standing would know what an NRI is.
- Their banter about Rani being an ABCD was so ??? I have never heard any Indian American use that term in the last 15 years.
- Why is Rani gossiping with her ex about other employees on her office desk landline in her cubicle?? Is she trying to get fired?
- Arjun is such a d!ck tbh. His comments about how he appreciates that Rani doesn't wear a lot of makeup compared to other women was so shitty.
- Rani and Arjun agree and repeatedly preach how much they hate arranged marriages, but considering one of them is Indian and the other is Indian American, I feel like their families (and they themselves tbh) should have had more nuanced discussions about what it means to have an arranged marriage in the US vs in India.
- There was no resolution towards the abuse that Rani faced from her parents nor where there any moments in which we saw South Asian parents be loving and supportive of their kids except the very last chapter, which didn't sit right with me.
- Arjun and Rani also had like 0 compatibility before they hastily decided to get married and I found their whole relationship to be so absurd.
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations.
December 15, 2020
I was in the mood for something deliciously romantic, and Marriage by Arrangement certainly delivered. I initially picked this book up because of its gorgeous cover, but the story within was equally enchanting. The author deftly explores workplace romance, cross-class issues and cultural pressures to deliver a very satisfying read.
Rani Gupta is an ambitious junior architect in Las Vegas, and landing a key role on Arjun Singh’s first US hotel could launch her career, putting her closer to her dream of owning her own design firm. Based primarily in India, Arjun is a wealthy businessman from a very traditional family, who is considered by the press to be India’s hottest bachelor. While he immediately catches Rani’s attention, she suspects a decidedly middle-class divorcée with baggage isn’t quite what he would be looking for.
It’s clear from the early moments of the relationship that Arjun likes Rani for who she is, and that he isn’t interested in changing her. It’s equally obvious that Rani feels insecure about being short, slightly overweight and darker skinned, but Arjun makes it clear that he finds her very attractive as she is. Rani’s moments of insecurity are painful, but I liked seeing her grow in confidence without the novel containing a major makeover scene.
Another aspect of the story that makes this book really work comes from the characters’ world. Throughout the novel, the author places scenes that remind us Arjun and Rani have a very real project to work on. We see Rani creating designs and showing them off to the client, and we see some of the difficult workplace politics she has to navigate. We also see Rani and Arjun trying to build a relationship, while also dealing with family expectations that place incredible pressure on any bond they may create. Rani’s divorce has caused estrangement from some of her family while Arjun, on the other hand, comes from a traditional family that has planned a dynastic marriage for him.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
Rani Gupta is an ambitious junior architect in Las Vegas, and landing a key role on Arjun Singh’s first US hotel could launch her career, putting her closer to her dream of owning her own design firm. Based primarily in India, Arjun is a wealthy businessman from a very traditional family, who is considered by the press to be India’s hottest bachelor. While he immediately catches Rani’s attention, she suspects a decidedly middle-class divorcée with baggage isn’t quite what he would be looking for.
It’s clear from the early moments of the relationship that Arjun likes Rani for who she is, and that he isn’t interested in changing her. It’s equally obvious that Rani feels insecure about being short, slightly overweight and darker skinned, but Arjun makes it clear that he finds her very attractive as she is. Rani’s moments of insecurity are painful, but I liked seeing her grow in confidence without the novel containing a major makeover scene.
Another aspect of the story that makes this book really work comes from the characters’ world. Throughout the novel, the author places scenes that remind us Arjun and Rani have a very real project to work on. We see Rani creating designs and showing them off to the client, and we see some of the difficult workplace politics she has to navigate. We also see Rani and Arjun trying to build a relationship, while also dealing with family expectations that place incredible pressure on any bond they may create. Rani’s divorce has caused estrangement from some of her family while Arjun, on the other hand, comes from a traditional family that has planned a dynastic marriage for him.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
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June 6, 2020I had high hopes for this one as it has one of my favorite tropes, fake relationship, but it was a let down.
- The fake engagement (if you could call it that) doesn't show up until the 60% mark
- The chemistry between Rani and Arjun was not there for me
- I thought Arjun wasn't as well-developed as a character
- Arjun also keeps a major piece of information from Rani while in a physical relationship with her
- There were some jealous catty women who served no real purpose to the plot
I did think the book did a good job at portraying what it's like having to live under family pressure in Indian families and I did like Rani's character a lot.
June 14, 2020
2.5 stars, rounded up because of the familial and cultural dynamics.
I requested this book because the cover was absolutely diVINE. The cover models are on-point and their poses and everything are just seductive and eye-catching. While the story was a quick read, the writing was a bit old-school? In that a lot of events and feelings happen quite quickly without a build-up, and the characters have pretty repetitive thinking/introspection. By old-school, I mean that it utilizes cliches that I haven't seen in a while and actually inserts it into characters' thinking. For example, Rani, the heroine, will think of Arjun as India's "hottest hottie" (oh my goodness haha I can't) and constantly wonder how someone common like her can attract someone as wealthy and attractive as him. My main problem is that she never really lets go of this thinking and realizes her worth... a lot of her happiness near the end of the book is tied around being in a relationship with Arjun and having him support her, instead of intrinsically uplifting her own self-image.
At the end of the day, I just think Rani deserved more, and she deserved better.
Full review to come on the blog!
July 24, 2020
Growing up in a dual culture home I was thrilled with Rani! Identity struggles, making a mark, having to choose a side... she’s a different culture from my own, but her issues were understandable and very relatable. I was also pleasantly surprised with her job as an architect/designer, something I haven’t really come across before. I loved Rani’s tenacity and determination to forge a path and rediscover the person she really wanted to be and ended up appreciating why she made her final decision.
Arjun had a similar dilemma with his Indian parents, but he really waffled. His heart said one thing while his upbringing said another leaving him stuck. Between this couples’ two families, I was hard pressed to say who I felt more sympathy for. I finally decided both were caught between a rock and a hard place, but was loudly rooting for concessions and compromise from ALL parties involved!
Marriage By Arrangement is the first time reading Sasson but won’t be the last! I liked her writing and characterization. The descriptions of Indian culture, families, protocol, and yes, the food! added an enriched layer to the story I truly enjoyed.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/Harlequin and this is my honest review.
Arjun had a similar dilemma with his Indian parents, but he really waffled. His heart said one thing while his upbringing said another leaving him stuck. Between this couples’ two families, I was hard pressed to say who I felt more sympathy for. I finally decided both were caught between a rock and a hard place, but was loudly rooting for concessions and compromise from ALL parties involved!
Marriage By Arrangement is the first time reading Sasson but won’t be the last! I liked her writing and characterization. The descriptions of Indian culture, families, protocol, and yes, the food! added an enriched layer to the story I truly enjoyed.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/Harlequin and this is my honest review.
August 26, 2020
Got a ARC for this and forgot to write a review in time so here it is long overdue. This book does a lot of interesting things in terms of plot and character that I really liked.
Firstly I loved having two Indian leads (one Indian, one Indian-American). An Indian woman lead who is a divorcee?? Amazing. This book really nailed exactly how divorced women get treated. I've never seen this in a romance novel before. Sophia Singh Sasson is also brutally honest about how abusive Indian men can be, and how they are supported and enabled by traditional family structures. The way financial independence is held over the heads of women, here to Arjun's sister Divya, as a means of control is very real and a nightmare many of us never escape. I was cheering every time Rani calls Arjun out for defending this bullshit.
Rani is a sweet character but falls prey far too often to Not Like The Other Girls-ing. I cannot root for anyone who needs to reduce other women to feel better about herself. Rani had some serious issues with lack of self esteem, understandably so after her toxic marriage and abandonment by family after her divorce, but I wish that was addressed more instead of magically cured by Arjun's attention. She needed therapy not a hot billionaire. While the book rightfully calls out and rejects many regressive aspects of Indian culture, it reaffirms and plays into some others, like colourism. For instance Rani's reasons for marrying Naveen:
"She’d liked the idea of joining a family where she was the lighter-skinned one, rather than the one who was constantly being handed skin bleaching creams."
NO. You can't fight colourism by making sure you're the fairest one in the room. That's clown behaviour, gtfoh.
Arjun, the apparently hottest man in India, was irritatingly lacking in self awareness in the beginning. I have no sympathy for him whining that the women in his life are so disenfranchised that they are all dependent on him. YEAH ARJUN YOU'RE THE REAL VICTIM HERE. Ugh -.-
I was totally unsurprised by his lying about his engagement to Hema - Indian men, being trash fellows, are famous for this kind of thing.
"Hema was a not a problem to solve. She was an obligation he had to come to terms with."
He does however grow and admit to many of his mistakes, thanks to Rani challenging him.
In a book that was so daring about confronting the toxic power dynamics in Indian families, I'm so so disappointed that Sophia Singh Sasson failed to do that finally with Rani's family.
This is abuse and coercion and I can't explain how hurtful it was to read it being handwaved away as love and concern. Absolutely fucking not. I cannot explain how angry it made me to read that. I anticipate this being very triggering for other Indian women in similar situations, which are all too common.
I honestly wasn't expecting much caste discourse because diaspora stay wilfully ignorant of it, even though it is the very basis of arranged marriage. To write an arranged marriage trope in a traditional Indian family, all savarnas of course, and not even mention it is a big negative for me.
Lastly, the writing was a little clumsy. It's very old school mills and boons style, which was fun as a throwback, but I can't read too many of these. It almost sounds like a travel guide sometimes explaining 'Indian culture' for tourists, which may be a requirement of publishing for an american audience. The cover was what attracted my attention first, and it's beautiful with TWO Indian leads. Two! Just lovely.
Okay last LAST thing: Russell Peters???? No seriously Russell Peters?! My gods why? He's a talentless hack who plays into racist parodies of Indians for laughs from white people. Gross. Really, I promise you no one other than pre teenage boys circa 2003 like him or his 'humour'.
Firstly I loved having two Indian leads (one Indian, one Indian-American). An Indian woman lead who is a divorcee?? Amazing. This book really nailed exactly how divorced women get treated. I've never seen this in a romance novel before. Sophia Singh Sasson is also brutally honest about how abusive Indian men can be, and how they are supported and enabled by traditional family structures. The way financial independence is held over the heads of women, here to Arjun's sister Divya, as a means of control is very real and a nightmare many of us never escape. I was cheering every time Rani calls Arjun out for defending this bullshit.
Rani is a sweet character but falls prey far too often to Not Like The Other Girls-ing. I cannot root for anyone who needs to reduce other women to feel better about herself. Rani had some serious issues with lack of self esteem, understandably so after her toxic marriage and abandonment by family after her divorce, but I wish that was addressed more instead of magically cured by Arjun's attention. She needed therapy not a hot billionaire. While the book rightfully calls out and rejects many regressive aspects of Indian culture, it reaffirms and plays into some others, like colourism. For instance Rani's reasons for marrying Naveen:
"She’d liked the idea of joining a family where she was the lighter-skinned one, rather than the one who was constantly being handed skin bleaching creams."
NO. You can't fight colourism by making sure you're the fairest one in the room. That's clown behaviour, gtfoh.
Arjun, the apparently hottest man in India, was irritatingly lacking in self awareness in the beginning. I have no sympathy for him whining that the women in his life are so disenfranchised that they are all dependent on him. YEAH ARJUN YOU'RE THE REAL VICTIM HERE. Ugh -.-
I was totally unsurprised by his lying about his engagement to Hema - Indian men, being trash fellows, are famous for this kind of thing.
"Hema was a not a problem to solve. She was an obligation he had to come to terms with."
He does however grow and admit to many of his mistakes, thanks to Rani challenging him.
In a book that was so daring about confronting the toxic power dynamics in Indian families, I'm so so disappointed that Sophia Singh Sasson failed to do that finally with Rani's family.
This is abuse and coercion and I can't explain how hurtful it was to read it being handwaved away as love and concern. Absolutely fucking not. I cannot explain how angry it made me to read that. I anticipate this being very triggering for other Indian women in similar situations, which are all too common.
I honestly wasn't expecting much caste discourse because diaspora stay wilfully ignorant of it, even though it is the very basis of arranged marriage. To write an arranged marriage trope in a traditional Indian family, all savarnas of course, and not even mention it is a big negative for me.
Lastly, the writing was a little clumsy. It's very old school mills and boons style, which was fun as a throwback, but I can't read too many of these. It almost sounds like a travel guide sometimes explaining 'Indian culture' for tourists, which may be a requirement of publishing for an american audience. The cover was what attracted my attention first, and it's beautiful with TWO Indian leads. Two! Just lovely.
Okay last LAST thing: Russell Peters???? No seriously Russell Peters?! My gods why? He's a talentless hack who plays into racist parodies of Indians for laughs from white people. Gross. Really, I promise you no one other than pre teenage boys circa 2003 like him or his 'humour'.
July 21, 2020
When an interior designer architect scores the commission for her company that can launch her to where she wants to be, she is determined not to mix business with the pleasure of a certain debonair Indian hotel owner who could use this sort of distraction from the cares of life. A delicious work place romance is layered with the spices of family, tradition, and past pain.
Marriage by Arrangement, the first of the Nights at the Mahal series, opens when Rani Gupta, a junior at her firm and passed over for promotion more than once scores the winning design proposal to refurbish India's hottest businessman bachelor, Arjun Singh. She made the mistake of letting herself get tangled in a traditional Indian marriage and then a colossal workplace dating disaster. Her career is all she has left and she intends to prove her ability and her professionalism by making a smash hit of Arjun Singh's new jewel of a hotel. The hotelier is charismatic, but getting to know the man himself is her downfall into a temporary arrangement which starts to feel all too real and the complications pile up fast.
Arjun is as taken with the designer as the designs for his new hotel. Rani gets exactly what he wants. Traditional and high class quality India motif in Vegas. He can respect her need to keep things all business. He himself refuses to do relationships and must eventually go back home to fulfill an arranged marriage agreement, but a few months with Rani couldn't hurt and would be a great escape from the demands of his family with parents touting tradition and his younger siblings wanting a bit of modern independence. Rani gets all that and the struggle to balance the two. She gets it all too well and he struggles not to fall for this vibrant, intelligent, and talented woman.
At first, Marriage by Arrangement has the tug and pull of a secret romance set in the business world, whether they can keep it short term and cut ties, and whether they can be discreet and not get Rani in trouble with her bosses. There is no stinting on the flavor of India whether it is Rani's Indian-American background or Arjun's Indian background. Just as I expected from the blurb.
But, then the author takes things deeper letting the reader get to know the struggles they face because of their backgrounds and their histories. I went from moderately interested to totally vested in this pair, their stories, their families, and their relationship. Arjun kept his engagement to Hema a secret from Rani and I just knew it was a ticking time bomb. Just like the confrontations between Rani's fierce need for independence and the restrictive traditions of Arjun's family back home was looming over things.
I love when a book takes me by surprise like this and goes well and beyond expectation. I can't wait to read more of the series and the author's books. Those who enjoy spicy romance with well-developed characters, a bit of business, and a lavish cultural backdrop should give this one a go.
My thanks to Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marriage by Arrangement, the first of the Nights at the Mahal series, opens when Rani Gupta, a junior at her firm and passed over for promotion more than once scores the winning design proposal to refurbish India's hottest businessman bachelor, Arjun Singh. She made the mistake of letting herself get tangled in a traditional Indian marriage and then a colossal workplace dating disaster. Her career is all she has left and she intends to prove her ability and her professionalism by making a smash hit of Arjun Singh's new jewel of a hotel. The hotelier is charismatic, but getting to know the man himself is her downfall into a temporary arrangement which starts to feel all too real and the complications pile up fast.
Arjun is as taken with the designer as the designs for his new hotel. Rani gets exactly what he wants. Traditional and high class quality India motif in Vegas. He can respect her need to keep things all business. He himself refuses to do relationships and must eventually go back home to fulfill an arranged marriage agreement, but a few months with Rani couldn't hurt and would be a great escape from the demands of his family with parents touting tradition and his younger siblings wanting a bit of modern independence. Rani gets all that and the struggle to balance the two. She gets it all too well and he struggles not to fall for this vibrant, intelligent, and talented woman.
At first, Marriage by Arrangement has the tug and pull of a secret romance set in the business world, whether they can keep it short term and cut ties, and whether they can be discreet and not get Rani in trouble with her bosses. There is no stinting on the flavor of India whether it is Rani's Indian-American background or Arjun's Indian background. Just as I expected from the blurb.
But, then the author takes things deeper letting the reader get to know the struggles they face because of their backgrounds and their histories. I went from moderately interested to totally vested in this pair, their stories, their families, and their relationship. Arjun kept his engagement to Hema a secret from Rani and I just knew it was a ticking time bomb. Just like the confrontations between Rani's fierce need for independence and the restrictive traditions of Arjun's family back home was looming over things.
I love when a book takes me by surprise like this and goes well and beyond expectation. I can't wait to read more of the series and the author's books. Those who enjoy spicy romance with well-developed characters, a bit of business, and a lavish cultural backdrop should give this one a go.
My thanks to Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2020
Marriage by Arrangement by Sophia Singh Sasson is the first sexy romance in her Nights at the Mahal series, a fake engagement story that leads to a real HEA.
Architect Rani Gupta is excited to work on the designs for billionaire hotelier Arjun Singh’s new Vegas resort. Her designs for the firm she works with are the ones that Arjun likes the best when they meet with him and she gets put in charge of the project because of his influence. Sparks fly between them on a private level too, leading to a sexy affair. But family and cultural obligations complicate their relationship, especially because Arjun’s parents expect him to marry someone that they have already chosen for him. Will Arjun decisions lead to heartbreak or a happy ending?
Marriage by Arrangement is an apt title for this story as it describes the situation Arjun is in and the cultural expectations of many Indian families for arranged marriages. Arjun and his fiancee-to-be haven’t officially announced their engagement and keep finding ways to put it off as neither of them is keen on the marriage but know their parents have high expectations for them. And as head of his siblings Arjun feels responsible for the rest of his family and upholding their honor. It’s under these realities that he meets and falls for Rani. He doesn’t tell Rani at the beginning about his expected engagement and their own fake engagement doesn’t come into play until later in the story – when he visits Rani’s family and tells them they are getting married, whereupon they have to deal with the complications that ensue.
Rani had a previous marriage that ended in divorce and has vowed never to marry into another traditional Indian family after a poor relationship with her in-laws and the devastation of her estrangement from her own parents who disavow her after her divorce. Fortunately she still has siblings she is close to but her parents only unbend upon her ‘engagement’ to Arjun. But she has real concerns about Arjun’s parents and what they will expect of her if they go through with the marriage, especially because she has no desire to live in India again, her home and career being in Las Vegas. There are lots of compromises that have to be made on both sides to get their happy ending.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Rani’s career, the architectural and interior design talents she has and how she is able to turn her understanding of Arjun’s background into a hotel that he can be proud of and feel at home in. They share some passionate love scenes but also emotional conversations as Rani exerts her independence and Arjun has to figure out whether defying his parents will be worth the risk.
I would have liked to see Rani gain more of her feelings of self worth on her own and not just as a result of Arjun’s feelings for her. She constantly thinks that he’s gorgeous and she’s not worthy of being with him and doesn’t really get over those feelings of inadequacy.
The traditional food and clothing add an authentic feel to the story and the conflicted emotions of a Desi-American woman will be familiar to women from many cultures where elders have a lot of sway. It’s a pleasure to read a romance from a non-Western/American viewpoint and I’m looking forward to some of Arjun and Rani’s siblings getting stories of their own.
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-ma...
Architect Rani Gupta is excited to work on the designs for billionaire hotelier Arjun Singh’s new Vegas resort. Her designs for the firm she works with are the ones that Arjun likes the best when they meet with him and she gets put in charge of the project because of his influence. Sparks fly between them on a private level too, leading to a sexy affair. But family and cultural obligations complicate their relationship, especially because Arjun’s parents expect him to marry someone that they have already chosen for him. Will Arjun decisions lead to heartbreak or a happy ending?
Marriage by Arrangement is an apt title for this story as it describes the situation Arjun is in and the cultural expectations of many Indian families for arranged marriages. Arjun and his fiancee-to-be haven’t officially announced their engagement and keep finding ways to put it off as neither of them is keen on the marriage but know their parents have high expectations for them. And as head of his siblings Arjun feels responsible for the rest of his family and upholding their honor. It’s under these realities that he meets and falls for Rani. He doesn’t tell Rani at the beginning about his expected engagement and their own fake engagement doesn’t come into play until later in the story – when he visits Rani’s family and tells them they are getting married, whereupon they have to deal with the complications that ensue.
Rani had a previous marriage that ended in divorce and has vowed never to marry into another traditional Indian family after a poor relationship with her in-laws and the devastation of her estrangement from her own parents who disavow her after her divorce. Fortunately she still has siblings she is close to but her parents only unbend upon her ‘engagement’ to Arjun. But she has real concerns about Arjun’s parents and what they will expect of her if they go through with the marriage, especially because she has no desire to live in India again, her home and career being in Las Vegas. There are lots of compromises that have to be made on both sides to get their happy ending.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Rani’s career, the architectural and interior design talents she has and how she is able to turn her understanding of Arjun’s background into a hotel that he can be proud of and feel at home in. They share some passionate love scenes but also emotional conversations as Rani exerts her independence and Arjun has to figure out whether defying his parents will be worth the risk.
I would have liked to see Rani gain more of her feelings of self worth on her own and not just as a result of Arjun’s feelings for her. She constantly thinks that he’s gorgeous and she’s not worthy of being with him and doesn’t really get over those feelings of inadequacy.
The traditional food and clothing add an authentic feel to the story and the conflicted emotions of a Desi-American woman will be familiar to women from many cultures where elders have a lot of sway. It’s a pleasure to read a romance from a non-Western/American viewpoint and I’m looking forward to some of Arjun and Rani’s siblings getting stories of their own.
This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-ma...
August 12, 2020
This is the first book from Nights at the Mahal series and I love it!
RULE#1: DON’T FALL FOR THE CLIENT
Rani has been married before, and her very cultured family took the divorce as a form of disregard to the culture. It is very understandable, especially in some old traditions where husband and wife must remain married regardless of how miserable you are. Rani, on the other hand, made herself a promise not to make the same mistakes and allow any man to control her. She’s bright, sensible, and talented. Arjun was known as the sexiest and most prominent bachelor/hotelier in India who wants to build a hotel in Las Vegas but found it challenging to find someone who understands the designs he wanted and can make his vision come true. Until he met Rani, a junior architect who amazingly envisions the kind of design and set up Arjun’s wants for the hotel. He is clever, straightforward, and detail-oriented. These two will find themselves drawn to each other as they started to work closely on this project. However, many things are surrounding their own lives that will complicate and spice up their love story.
If you’re into stories with an exciting plot, well-developed characters, and multi-cultural background and aspects, this book is for you!
RULE#1: DON’T FALL FOR THE CLIENT
Rani has been married before, and her very cultured family took the divorce as a form of disregard to the culture. It is very understandable, especially in some old traditions where husband and wife must remain married regardless of how miserable you are. Rani, on the other hand, made herself a promise not to make the same mistakes and allow any man to control her. She’s bright, sensible, and talented. Arjun was known as the sexiest and most prominent bachelor/hotelier in India who wants to build a hotel in Las Vegas but found it challenging to find someone who understands the designs he wanted and can make his vision come true. Until he met Rani, a junior architect who amazingly envisions the kind of design and set up Arjun’s wants for the hotel. He is clever, straightforward, and detail-oriented. These two will find themselves drawn to each other as they started to work closely on this project. However, many things are surrounding their own lives that will complicate and spice up their love story.
If you’re into stories with an exciting plot, well-developed characters, and multi-cultural background and aspects, this book is for you!
November 28, 2020
GLAMOR, FAMILY DRAMA...AND MISOGYNY
After reading Marriage by Arrangement, I can only say that I’m conflicted about the book. On one hand, I really enjoyed Sophia Singh Sasson’s writing, and I thought the chemistry and connection between the protagonists, Arjun and Rani, was top-notch. I also deeply appreciated how every aspect of this love story is fully immersed in Indian and Indian-American culture. But on the other hand, Marriage by Arrangement functions essentially as two books in one, and the tone-shift around the halfway mark is jarring. I spent much of the last chapters wondering where the sensual, glamorous romance I’d been reading up to that point went, and that obviously did sour my enjoyment overall.
The first half of this novel is about the main characters’ sexy, secret affair as they collaborate on designing Arjun’s new hotel on the Las Vegas strip. Rani is an ambitious interior architect, chafing over the many promotions that have passed her by. Arjun is the mega-billionaire son of an old family from Rajasthan, with all of the expectations and privilege that go along with it. Primarily, I liked this part of Marriage by Arrangement! I liked how Singh Sasson wrote the interplay and chemistry between her characters.
My main complaints during the first half were small—i.e., Rani is promoted to senior architect and remarks that she finally has enough funds to open her own firm, but in a different chapter, she’s eating ramen for a week in order to afford a new outfit from the bargain clearance rack. Which is it? The money needed to buy a new dress is much smaller than the money needed to start your own business. I was also a bit iffy on Arjun’s high-handed, dictatorial attitude at times, but his intentions were always good, so I let them pass by.
Then we get to the 50% mark, and I feel that Singh Sasson began to lose her grip on the plot.
Rani’s father suffers a medical emergency, so she has to fly to her parents’ home. Arjun brings her in his private jet—as one does. At the hospital, Rani’s parents are pretty dickish to her, because as a divorcée, she’s brought a lot of shame on the family. Then Arjun unilaterally decides that a fake engagement is just the thing for Rani to reconcile with her conservative parents. Boom. But then by the end of the chapter, they just decide to get married for real. That’s the extent of the “Fake Relationship” trope in this book. (It looks more like Arjun manipulating Rani into becoming his wife than anything, to be honest.)
So after all this, literally the entire final chunk of Marriage by Arrangement is all about issues with Arjun’s parents. It turns out Arjun never told Rani that he was actually engaged to another woman back in Jaipur at any point! (Bastard). His ultra-conservative, richy-rich parents are Not Pleased by any of this. They come to Nevada and raise a big stink about how they need an obedient, submissive bahu (daughter-in-law) who respects their house’s parampara. No unapproved friends! No working outside the home! No unnecessary spending! Deference at all times to elders, even when they abuse you! Etc.
Rani, obviously, isn’t here for this. But Arjun? He pretty much just lets his parents rampage around and say absolutely awful things to “the love of his life” because he respects his parents. Arjun just expects that Rani will “compromise” on all of her goals and dreams in order to make it work. (Note: “compromise” to Arjun basically means “give up” to any other human being.)
I just…ugh. Look, I’m am not here to drag an entire culture that I am not familiar with, but fact that the main conflict of Marriage by Arrangement turns out to be a contest of wills between Rani and her future mother-in-law is exhausting. (Like all useless men, Arjun refuses to pick a side until the final few pages.) Also, I think that it’s okay for me to say that manipulation and abuse of women is NOT a shining aspect of Desi culture. I didn’t get much of a sense that this marriage would ever work, because honestly, the only way to deal with an overbearing mother-in-law is for that mother’s son to stand up to her and come to his wife’s defense. Singh Sasson doesn’t really show that in this book.
Throughout Marriage by Arrangement, I felt so bad for Rani. Her first husband and his parents treated her terribly. She gave up a stunning career for her ex and has had to work all the way back up from the bottom—again. Rani’s own parents have refused to speak to her since her divorce (one time they left her standing on the porch, knocking and crying for hours). Arjun is sexy and hot, but seems like a spineless asshole when Rani needs him most. And Arjun’s parents are just…a lot. It’s all a big mess.
All in all, I would have adored this book if Singh Sasson had been able to maintain the glamor and sexual tension of the first chapters. While I 100% believe that the family drama was a necessary part of the plot, the motifs of obedience and tradition unfortunately overpowered the actual love story. Slowly, Arjun and Rani’s romance was pushed from center-stage. I did like Marriage by Arrangement, not least because of how unapologetically Indian this entire story is—but I wonder if there was too much of a focus on aspects of Indian culture that are actively harmful to women.
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After reading Marriage by Arrangement, I can only say that I’m conflicted about the book. On one hand, I really enjoyed Sophia Singh Sasson’s writing, and I thought the chemistry and connection between the protagonists, Arjun and Rani, was top-notch. I also deeply appreciated how every aspect of this love story is fully immersed in Indian and Indian-American culture. But on the other hand, Marriage by Arrangement functions essentially as two books in one, and the tone-shift around the halfway mark is jarring. I spent much of the last chapters wondering where the sensual, glamorous romance I’d been reading up to that point went, and that obviously did sour my enjoyment overall.
The first half of this novel is about the main characters’ sexy, secret affair as they collaborate on designing Arjun’s new hotel on the Las Vegas strip. Rani is an ambitious interior architect, chafing over the many promotions that have passed her by. Arjun is the mega-billionaire son of an old family from Rajasthan, with all of the expectations and privilege that go along with it. Primarily, I liked this part of Marriage by Arrangement! I liked how Singh Sasson wrote the interplay and chemistry between her characters.
My main complaints during the first half were small—i.e., Rani is promoted to senior architect and remarks that she finally has enough funds to open her own firm, but in a different chapter, she’s eating ramen for a week in order to afford a new outfit from the bargain clearance rack. Which is it? The money needed to buy a new dress is much smaller than the money needed to start your own business. I was also a bit iffy on Arjun’s high-handed, dictatorial attitude at times, but his intentions were always good, so I let them pass by.
Then we get to the 50% mark, and I feel that Singh Sasson began to lose her grip on the plot.
Rani’s father suffers a medical emergency, so she has to fly to her parents’ home. Arjun brings her in his private jet—as one does. At the hospital, Rani’s parents are pretty dickish to her, because as a divorcée, she’s brought a lot of shame on the family. Then Arjun unilaterally decides that a fake engagement is just the thing for Rani to reconcile with her conservative parents. Boom. But then by the end of the chapter, they just decide to get married for real. That’s the extent of the “Fake Relationship” trope in this book. (It looks more like Arjun manipulating Rani into becoming his wife than anything, to be honest.)
So after all this, literally the entire final chunk of Marriage by Arrangement is all about issues with Arjun’s parents. It turns out Arjun never told Rani that he was actually engaged to another woman back in Jaipur at any point! (Bastard). His ultra-conservative, richy-rich parents are Not Pleased by any of this. They come to Nevada and raise a big stink about how they need an obedient, submissive bahu (daughter-in-law) who respects their house’s parampara. No unapproved friends! No working outside the home! No unnecessary spending! Deference at all times to elders, even when they abuse you! Etc.
Rani, obviously, isn’t here for this. But Arjun? He pretty much just lets his parents rampage around and say absolutely awful things to “the love of his life” because he respects his parents. Arjun just expects that Rani will “compromise” on all of her goals and dreams in order to make it work. (Note: “compromise” to Arjun basically means “give up” to any other human being.)
I just…ugh. Look, I’m am not here to drag an entire culture that I am not familiar with, but fact that the main conflict of Marriage by Arrangement turns out to be a contest of wills between Rani and her future mother-in-law is exhausting. (Like all useless men, Arjun refuses to pick a side until the final few pages.) Also, I think that it’s okay for me to say that manipulation and abuse of women is NOT a shining aspect of Desi culture. I didn’t get much of a sense that this marriage would ever work, because honestly, the only way to deal with an overbearing mother-in-law is for that mother’s son to stand up to her and come to his wife’s defense. Singh Sasson doesn’t really show that in this book.
Throughout Marriage by Arrangement, I felt so bad for Rani. Her first husband and his parents treated her terribly. She gave up a stunning career for her ex and has had to work all the way back up from the bottom—again. Rani’s own parents have refused to speak to her since her divorce (one time they left her standing on the porch, knocking and crying for hours). Arjun is sexy and hot, but seems like a spineless asshole when Rani needs him most. And Arjun’s parents are just…a lot. It’s all a big mess.
All in all, I would have adored this book if Singh Sasson had been able to maintain the glamor and sexual tension of the first chapters. While I 100% believe that the family drama was a necessary part of the plot, the motifs of obedience and tradition unfortunately overpowered the actual love story. Slowly, Arjun and Rani’s romance was pushed from center-stage. I did like Marriage by Arrangement, not least because of how unapologetically Indian this entire story is—but I wonder if there was too much of a focus on aspects of Indian culture that are actively harmful to women.
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July 30, 2020
3.5 stars. Light and easy romance that explores the expectations of gender roles in Indian families. If you enjoy the show Indian Matchmaking on Netflix, I highly recommend picking this up!
September 2, 2020
A fast read. The summary made the book seem like silly fun (who doesn’t love a fake engagement), but it was the cultural (desi) aspect that won me over.
Although it was a quick and easy read, I would’ve loved deeper characterization, a slower pacing, and more complications to build tension and raise the stakes. There was potential for this to be really fun, but some parts fell flat. There was little tension throughout and that really showed in the romance and sexy bits.
They’re instantly into each other, they quickly start flirting, the kiss happens fast, after a few fucks they’re months further and have feeling for each other, etc. Her conflicts and tensions at work also disappeared in the second half of the book when Arjun’s parents were a bigger conflict. So that feels rather unsatisfying. Oh, and the trope of the fake engagement is barely employed.
What I did love was the focus on Rani and Arjun’s culture, and how it has informed them (their focus on food, the internal eye rolls at outsiders who stereotype, the puja, the pressure and manipulation by the parents, the parampara, the focus on appearance, etc.) and brings forth conflict for them. Their conversations about family and their previous loves were great. No hiding the ugliness. I really loved those parts, and that’s why this book gets a 3/5.
I think that if the book had lingered more, had slowed down the pace and given me more time to get to know the characters and their complicated circumstances better, it would’ve been even nicer for me.
On a side note, I don’t think this book needed the over explanations of words written in Hindi. Made it feel like it was (also) targeted at the white gaze and... ehhh, readers can put in some effort. They’re smart enough. They’ll figure it out if they really want to.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading about Rani and Arjun, and I’ll keep a look out for what Sophia Singh Sasson has to offer next :)
Although it was a quick and easy read, I would’ve loved deeper characterization, a slower pacing, and more complications to build tension and raise the stakes. There was potential for this to be really fun, but some parts fell flat. There was little tension throughout and that really showed in the romance and sexy bits.
They’re instantly into each other, they quickly start flirting, the kiss happens fast, after a few fucks they’re months further and have feeling for each other, etc. Her conflicts and tensions at work also disappeared in the second half of the book when Arjun’s parents were a bigger conflict. So that feels rather unsatisfying. Oh, and the trope of the fake engagement is barely employed.
What I did love was the focus on Rani and Arjun’s culture, and how it has informed them (their focus on food, the internal eye rolls at outsiders who stereotype, the puja, the pressure and manipulation by the parents, the parampara, the focus on appearance, etc.) and brings forth conflict for them. Their conversations about family and their previous loves were great. No hiding the ugliness. I really loved those parts, and that’s why this book gets a 3/5.
I think that if the book had lingered more, had slowed down the pace and given me more time to get to know the characters and their complicated circumstances better, it would’ve been even nicer for me.
On a side note, I don’t think this book needed the over explanations of words written in Hindi. Made it feel like it was (also) targeted at the white gaze and... ehhh, readers can put in some effort. They’re smart enough. They’ll figure it out if they really want to.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading about Rani and Arjun, and I’ll keep a look out for what Sophia Singh Sasson has to offer next :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2020
Wealth, family duty and honor might be what keeps hotelier Arjun Singh from fulfilling his heart's desire - being with a woman that brings his heart joy. Arjun is in Las Vegas while his luxury hotel is being built. Working along with architect and designer Rani Gupta definitely has its challenges. They are drawn to one another, but as far as Arjun is concerned, he is engaged in an arranged marriage. Duty must win out over his heart.
Meanwhile, Rani has her own issues that are also part of her culture. She is a divorced woman, something that, as a woman raised by traditional Indian parents, is frowned upon, even here in America. It is so taboo that Rani has become estranged from them. So, her career is everything to her. It doesn't take long for Arjun and Rani to find each other irresistible. However, they both are more than aware that their cultures and responsibilities might forever keep them apart.
Admittedly while reading this book I struggled to see why it got the title Marriage by Arrangement. I imagined that it was due to the fact that Arjun was to have a pre-arranged marriage that the title sort of fit. Other than that one thing that kept me scratching my head, I did find the story to be enjoyable. As a reader, it is always good to read about different cultures, even in a fictionalized romance story.
This delightful story is the first I have read by Sophia Singh Sasson, but it certainly won't be my last. I was fully engaged as it was interesting to see how Arjun and Rani would overcome the obstacles facing them. I look forward to more books in this series.
Many thanks to Harlequin Desire and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Meanwhile, Rani has her own issues that are also part of her culture. She is a divorced woman, something that, as a woman raised by traditional Indian parents, is frowned upon, even here in America. It is so taboo that Rani has become estranged from them. So, her career is everything to her. It doesn't take long for Arjun and Rani to find each other irresistible. However, they both are more than aware that their cultures and responsibilities might forever keep them apart.
Admittedly while reading this book I struggled to see why it got the title Marriage by Arrangement. I imagined that it was due to the fact that Arjun was to have a pre-arranged marriage that the title sort of fit. Other than that one thing that kept me scratching my head, I did find the story to be enjoyable. As a reader, it is always good to read about different cultures, even in a fictionalized romance story.
This delightful story is the first I have read by Sophia Singh Sasson, but it certainly won't be my last. I was fully engaged as it was interesting to see how Arjun and Rani would overcome the obstacles facing them. I look forward to more books in this series.
Many thanks to Harlequin Desire and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 15, 2020
This is my first book by Sophia Singh Sasson.
Rani Gupta is a Las Vegas architect scarred by divorce who is trying to move her life forward. She is reluctant to when she meets Arjun Singh, a hotel owner known as India's hottest hottie.
He is wealthy, kind accomodating and loves to eat out at the most exclusive restaurants. She lives in a small 5th floor apartment.
I was curious to find out what would happen .
Can she open her heart again or will she get more than she bargained for?
Seems too good to be true. Will things go as planned or end in disaster for them both?
The writing was quick and the hotel interior design was particularly spectacular and luxurious, as was his apartment. However, I felt that the chemistry between then came late.
I liked Rani and Arjun, but Rani was the one I was rooting for more.
Sophia Singh Sasson brings her native India to life in this through both characters' family struggles and the food and colours were so vivid. I was hoping for more romance earlier on though.
An enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
Thanks to Sophia Singh Sasson and Harlequin for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntery review.
4 stars.
Rani Gupta is a Las Vegas architect scarred by divorce who is trying to move her life forward. She is reluctant to when she meets Arjun Singh, a hotel owner known as India's hottest hottie.
He is wealthy, kind accomodating and loves to eat out at the most exclusive restaurants. She lives in a small 5th floor apartment.
I was curious to find out what would happen .
Can she open her heart again or will she get more than she bargained for?
Seems too good to be true. Will things go as planned or end in disaster for them both?
The writing was quick and the hotel interior design was particularly spectacular and luxurious, as was his apartment. However, I felt that the chemistry between then came late.
I liked Rani and Arjun, but Rani was the one I was rooting for more.
Sophia Singh Sasson brings her native India to life in this through both characters' family struggles and the food and colours were so vivid. I was hoping for more romance earlier on though.
An enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
Thanks to Sophia Singh Sasson and Harlequin for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntery review.
4 stars.
June 8, 2020
"Marriage by Arrangement" is the first book in the Nights at the Mahal series. Set in Las Vegas, we are introduced to Rani Gupta, an architect who has vowed to never put love over her career or freedom again. Meeting hotelier Arjun Singh, India's sexiest bachelor, is going to throw a wrench in those plans.
I thought this novel was a fun, easy way to spend a weekend. I enjoyed spending time with both characters as well as learning more about traditions and customs in Indian culture. Even though Rani is presently living in the United States, the writer depicted just how tightly she was still bound to the traditions and customs of India. After her first marriage ended in divorce, her parents refused to talk to her since divorce is still frowned upon in the country. There were some secondary characters that ended up not going anywhere and while I would have liked to spend more time with Arjun's sisters, I think I'll get that in the second book. The title is also misleading. We didn't get to the arranged marriage until we were well into the novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Desire for this advanced reading copy, scheduled for release on August 4th, 2020.
I thought this novel was a fun, easy way to spend a weekend. I enjoyed spending time with both characters as well as learning more about traditions and customs in Indian culture. Even though Rani is presently living in the United States, the writer depicted just how tightly she was still bound to the traditions and customs of India. After her first marriage ended in divorce, her parents refused to talk to her since divorce is still frowned upon in the country. There were some secondary characters that ended up not going anywhere and while I would have liked to spend more time with Arjun's sisters, I think I'll get that in the second book. The title is also misleading. We didn't get to the arranged marriage until we were well into the novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Desire for this advanced reading copy, scheduled for release on August 4th, 2020.
June 13, 2020
Rani doesn't want to let a man control her ever again. Especially not an Indian man. She was married once before and the pressure of being a daughter in law in an Indian household ruined her life. Now Arjun Singh walks into her life and she's tempted, but Arjun is already arranged marriaged to someone else. Lots of cultural aspects to the story. An easy read with a satisfying ending.
* I received an advance reader copy of this book*
* I received an advance reader copy of this book*
June 27, 2022
Marriage by Arrangement was a fantastic read featuring a workplace romance between a Desi architect and a wealthy businessman.
After her last marriage ended disastrously, architect Rani Gupta swore she would never let a man interfere in her life or career again. But then Rani meets her newest client Arjun Singh, India's sexiest bachelor, and she finds it difficult to resist him. As they work together on Arjun's latest hotel project, Rani finds it difficult to ignore her growing feelings. And when Arjun convinces her to enter into a fake engagement, Rani's simple life becomes more complicated than she ever could have imagined.
Rani and Arjun's relationship starts off as mutual attraction but neither of them wants to act on it due to their business relationship. The sexual tension is apparent in every scene they share and I loved all of their interactions. It doesn't take long for them to give in to their attraction and the chemistry between Rani and Arjun was amazing. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes so I enjoyed when the romance went in that direction although I will say that didn't come about until much later in the story than I was expecting. I can't speak to how accurate or inaccurate the Indian cultural aspects of the story are but I will say I enjoyed reading about them.
This book is the first book in the Nights at the Mahal series which follows each of the Singh siblings on their journey to find love. I enjoyed the Singh family's dynamic in this book so I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in the rest of the series. In particular I'm looking forward to Divya's romance which is the next book in the series.
Overall Marriage by Arrangement was a great read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, Running Away with the Bride, soon.
After her last marriage ended disastrously, architect Rani Gupta swore she would never let a man interfere in her life or career again. But then Rani meets her newest client Arjun Singh, India's sexiest bachelor, and she finds it difficult to resist him. As they work together on Arjun's latest hotel project, Rani finds it difficult to ignore her growing feelings. And when Arjun convinces her to enter into a fake engagement, Rani's simple life becomes more complicated than she ever could have imagined.
Rani and Arjun's relationship starts off as mutual attraction but neither of them wants to act on it due to their business relationship. The sexual tension is apparent in every scene they share and I loved all of their interactions. It doesn't take long for them to give in to their attraction and the chemistry between Rani and Arjun was amazing. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes so I enjoyed when the romance went in that direction although I will say that didn't come about until much later in the story than I was expecting. I can't speak to how accurate or inaccurate the Indian cultural aspects of the story are but I will say I enjoyed reading about them.
This book is the first book in the Nights at the Mahal series which follows each of the Singh siblings on their journey to find love. I enjoyed the Singh family's dynamic in this book so I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in the rest of the series. In particular I'm looking forward to Divya's romance which is the next book in the series.
Overall Marriage by Arrangement was a great read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, Running Away with the Bride, soon.
April 2, 2021
Harlequin Presents’ track record on presenting India in their genre lines has been ... not so good. Think Bollywood names in place of any plot instead of actual stories. So I was excited to actually read one by an author with an Indian background.
Thankfully, this was much a sweet quick read which was exactly what I needed - worth checking out as it is probably one of the more successful Harlequin stories featuring Indian characters.
The characters were Indian but modern at the same time. The book is set in the US and the central conflict is between tradition and modernity - there is a little bit of miscommunication but that is not the main issue between the couple. No blackmail, no ass-hat alpha hero - which was a nice change.
The heroine also has a job which matters to the story (). Shocker!!
Yes, there was the traditional Indian flavour here - in terms of clothes and food - but the culture is here too. The extended family, the traditions etc. I liked that. Just a little bit of info-dump in paragraphs but I think that was for the North American audiences (??). Otherwise I enjoyed the writing.
I will say that this is more on the sweet than spicy side from a heat level. I will look out more from this author - 4 stars!
Thankfully, this was much a sweet quick read which was exactly what I needed - worth checking out as it is probably one of the more successful Harlequin stories featuring Indian characters.
The characters were Indian but modern at the same time. The book is set in the US and the central conflict is between tradition and modernity - there is a little bit of miscommunication but that is not the main issue between the couple. No blackmail, no ass-hat alpha hero - which was a nice change.
The heroine also has a job which matters to the story (). Shocker!!
Yes, there was the traditional Indian flavour here - in terms of clothes and food - but the culture is here too. The extended family, the traditions etc. I liked that. Just a little bit of info-dump in paragraphs but I think that was for the North American audiences (??). Otherwise I enjoyed the writing.
I will say that this is more on the sweet than spicy side from a heat level. I will look out more from this author - 4 stars!
September 1, 2020
Sophia Singh Sasson blends red-hot passion, steamy sensuality and blistering emotion in her immensely enjoyable debut for Harlequin Desire, Marriage by Arrangement.
After her marriage had come to an acrimonious end, architect Rani Gupta had vowed to give relationships as wide a berth as possible. Her career had been nearly destroyed because of her marriage and she is adamant that it will not happen again. Nothing and nobody is going to stand between her and her career and she vows to prove all her doubters wrong and show her detractors just how talented she is. Impressing hotelier Arjun Singh is of paramount importance and she has worked as hard as she possibly can to ensure that she wins her firm the prestigious contract. The stakes have never been higher and when Arjun hires her for the job, Rani is delighted – even if she had been ill-prepared for the intense chemistry that sizzled between the two of them.
Arjun had been drawn to Rani from the very first moment he clapped eyes on her. The two had connected on a visceral level that had surprised him and even though Rani seems keen to keep their relationship strictly platonic, Arjun still finds himself attracted to her. When giving into temptation proves inevitable, Arjun and Rani succumb to the attraction that has flared between the two of them. As one of the world’s most eligible bachelors who has women throwing themselves at him on a regular basis, Arjun has never been the settling down type, but could Rani make him change his mind?
Rani has worked her to show everyone how capable she is and she is not about to let this inconvenient attraction she feels towards Arjun ruin things. Yet, keeping him at arm’s length becomes harder with each passing day as Rani has fallen head over heels in love with him. But dare she trust him with her heart? Or will she continue to be held hostage by past mistakes and persistent fears that prevent her from taking a chance on love?
Marriage by Arrangement is a passionate, emotional and captivating read I devoured in a single sitting. Sophia Singh Sasson has written a compelling contemporary romance about a strong, determined and dedicated woman who falls in love with a seductive, powerful and devastatingly handsome hero it is impossible to resist.
Marriage by Arrangement is a fun tale that sizzles with intensity, drama and pathos and it’s one which will have contemporary romance fans adding Sophia Singh Sasson’s name to their auto-buy list.
After her marriage had come to an acrimonious end, architect Rani Gupta had vowed to give relationships as wide a berth as possible. Her career had been nearly destroyed because of her marriage and she is adamant that it will not happen again. Nothing and nobody is going to stand between her and her career and she vows to prove all her doubters wrong and show her detractors just how talented she is. Impressing hotelier Arjun Singh is of paramount importance and she has worked as hard as she possibly can to ensure that she wins her firm the prestigious contract. The stakes have never been higher and when Arjun hires her for the job, Rani is delighted – even if she had been ill-prepared for the intense chemistry that sizzled between the two of them.
Arjun had been drawn to Rani from the very first moment he clapped eyes on her. The two had connected on a visceral level that had surprised him and even though Rani seems keen to keep their relationship strictly platonic, Arjun still finds himself attracted to her. When giving into temptation proves inevitable, Arjun and Rani succumb to the attraction that has flared between the two of them. As one of the world’s most eligible bachelors who has women throwing themselves at him on a regular basis, Arjun has never been the settling down type, but could Rani make him change his mind?
Rani has worked her to show everyone how capable she is and she is not about to let this inconvenient attraction she feels towards Arjun ruin things. Yet, keeping him at arm’s length becomes harder with each passing day as Rani has fallen head over heels in love with him. But dare she trust him with her heart? Or will she continue to be held hostage by past mistakes and persistent fears that prevent her from taking a chance on love?
Marriage by Arrangement is a passionate, emotional and captivating read I devoured in a single sitting. Sophia Singh Sasson has written a compelling contemporary romance about a strong, determined and dedicated woman who falls in love with a seductive, powerful and devastatingly handsome hero it is impossible to resist.
Marriage by Arrangement is a fun tale that sizzles with intensity, drama and pathos and it’s one which will have contemporary romance fans adding Sophia Singh Sasson’s name to their auto-buy list.
October 2, 2021
Dramatic as any Bollywood movie, but in the best way:
I love that the stereotypical rom-com job of an architect is Rani's career in this book, not Arjun's. I also really enjoyed how both characters were career-driven, and that Rani's insecurities weren't fake in a "I know I'm beautiful but pretending I don't and have some minor frivolous flaw" kind of Hollywood way. She had a lot of trauma through her family, past marriage, and the stigma of divorce and attitudes about sexual liberation in women, and the book takes its time unpacking and working through all of it. I especially loved Rani and Em's supportive friendship, and even her best friend has more character depth than some side characters! She's a doctor which was awesome. This story is especially masterful considering that Sophia Singh Sasson was able to successfully achieve all this narrative depth in under 300 pages, and give each issue the care it deserves.
SSS deftly navigates writing about generational differences, cultural differences - especially those between people who were raised in India vs America, gender differences in norms and expectations, divorce as it is perceived in Indian culture, career pressures, nepotism, workplace relationships, and ethics, implicit racism that Indians face in America, and that's not to mention all the religious, cultural, and food references she gets right with authentic language and description. For me, it's only in recent years that I've been able to see representation done right, and this is the first "arranged marriage" trope book focused on Indian characters where the conflict doesn't feel cheesy or stereotypical, but real. I'm always wary of how arranged marriages are handled in books centered on Indian characters because I think it ends up confirming a lot of the negative stereotypes out there, and is written with an eye towards readers who aren't part of Indian culture. Here, I think Sophia gets the Bollywood-level media focus correct with all the eye-roll inducing PR headlines too, so while I've seen some people complain about phrases like "India's Hottest Hottie," this just added another level of authenticity because, come on, that's exactly how creative tabloids really are.
Already started Divya's story and looking forward to the rest of this series, I hope we get a book for each of Arjun's siblings!
I love that the stereotypical rom-com job of an architect is Rani's career in this book, not Arjun's. I also really enjoyed how both characters were career-driven, and that Rani's insecurities weren't fake in a "I know I'm beautiful but pretending I don't and have some minor frivolous flaw" kind of Hollywood way. She had a lot of trauma through her family, past marriage, and the stigma of divorce and attitudes about sexual liberation in women, and the book takes its time unpacking and working through all of it. I especially loved Rani and Em's supportive friendship, and even her best friend has more character depth than some side characters! She's a doctor which was awesome. This story is especially masterful considering that Sophia Singh Sasson was able to successfully achieve all this narrative depth in under 300 pages, and give each issue the care it deserves.
SSS deftly navigates writing about generational differences, cultural differences - especially those between people who were raised in India vs America, gender differences in norms and expectations, divorce as it is perceived in Indian culture, career pressures, nepotism, workplace relationships, and ethics, implicit racism that Indians face in America, and that's not to mention all the religious, cultural, and food references she gets right with authentic language and description. For me, it's only in recent years that I've been able to see representation done right, and this is the first "arranged marriage" trope book focused on Indian characters where the conflict doesn't feel cheesy or stereotypical, but real. I'm always wary of how arranged marriages are handled in books centered on Indian characters because I think it ends up confirming a lot of the negative stereotypes out there, and is written with an eye towards readers who aren't part of Indian culture. Here, I think Sophia gets the Bollywood-level media focus correct with all the eye-roll inducing PR headlines too, so while I've seen some people complain about phrases like "India's Hottest Hottie," this just added another level of authenticity because, come on, that's exactly how creative tabloids really are.
Already started Divya's story and looking forward to the rest of this series, I hope we get a book for each of Arjun's siblings!
July 8, 2020
"Marriage by Arrangement" by Sophie Singh Sasson follows the relationship between Rani, an Indian American who is an interior architect, and Arjun, and Indian who is a billionaire hotelier. We are introduced to Rani as she is working her way back up the corporate ladder in her architect company. She previously was a senior architect before she was married, but was forced to quit by her in-laws, so she could run the household. Rani's previous marriage plays a huge part in how Rani sees herself and feels towards Indian marriages by a whole. In fact, she swears off getting involved with another Indian man when she meets Arjun.
Arjun is a billionaire hotelier from India who is working on opening his first US hotel in Las Vegas. Arjun is stuck between trying to modernize his family while also trying to keep their traditions alive. The two characters cross paths when Arjun hires Rani to lead the interior architect design for his hotel. The chemistry between Rani and Arjun is palpable from the second that they meet in the board room. I loved that they both seemed to feel the attraction the second they met, but waited a while to act on them. This was much more realistic than most other romance novels. Unable to resist their attraction anymore, Rani and Arjun agree to enter into an affair that will last until the hotel is complete.Their relationship is tested as they both start to have feelings toward each other and Arjun's secret arranged marriage is revealed.
I loved the glimpses that we got into what living in a traditional Indian household is like, even in modern times. You could feel that both characters deeply loved their families and wanted to please them, while also trying to stand up for what they believed in.
I do wish that Rani discovered her self worth more before then end of the book. She was told and shown by Arjun that she was beautiful inside and out and that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. But even towards the end of the book, she still seemed to doubt herself.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I didn't like how abrupt the ending was. It would have been nice to have an epilogue following the last chapter to wrap things up a bit more. But, maybe that will come with the next novel that will focus on Divya's story.
Arjun is a billionaire hotelier from India who is working on opening his first US hotel in Las Vegas. Arjun is stuck between trying to modernize his family while also trying to keep their traditions alive. The two characters cross paths when Arjun hires Rani to lead the interior architect design for his hotel. The chemistry between Rani and Arjun is palpable from the second that they meet in the board room. I loved that they both seemed to feel the attraction the second they met, but waited a while to act on them. This was much more realistic than most other romance novels. Unable to resist their attraction anymore, Rani and Arjun agree to enter into an affair that will last until the hotel is complete.Their relationship is tested as they both start to have feelings toward each other and Arjun's secret arranged marriage is revealed.
I loved the glimpses that we got into what living in a traditional Indian household is like, even in modern times. You could feel that both characters deeply loved their families and wanted to please them, while also trying to stand up for what they believed in.
I do wish that Rani discovered her self worth more before then end of the book. She was told and shown by Arjun that she was beautiful inside and out and that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. But even towards the end of the book, she still seemed to doubt herself.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I didn't like how abrupt the ending was. It would have been nice to have an epilogue following the last chapter to wrap things up a bit more. But, maybe that will come with the next novel that will focus on Divya's story.
August 9, 2020
First of all, thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have really struggled in how to rate or even discuss this book for many reasons. For one, I really liked a lot of the aspects of this book, but I also really didn't like the hero or the way that the relationship progressed once it, um, took a turn. I enjoyed other aspects like, the food descriptions, Rani (usually), and the writing was engaging and kept me turning the pages. But the further away I get from this book, the more aggravated I am about the actual plot points. I just really did not feel like Arjun displayed hero behavior. I can't fully describe what I mean without spoilers, so I'm going to go ahead and put in a spoiler tag here and also discuss why the HEA felt especially unbelievable.
December 23, 2020
I needed a reset after a few abominable reads, so I turned to Marriage by Arrangement, one of my stockpile of Harlequin Desires from recent months I had acquired simply because the cover was hot and unapologetically featured models of color. And it’s definitely one of the better books from the line I’ve read, managing to tackle multiple cultural and workplace issues with depth and sensitivity.
I really liked Rani, and how she was in a unique position as a divorced Indian-American woman, with all the negative stigmas that drew from people within her culture. I admired the way she embraced her freedom and could hold her own, both in personal and professional contexts, while also being vulnerable and relatable. Arjun was also great, and I rooted for him as he tried to negotiate the pressure from his traditional family with his attraction to Rani. They work very well together, and I appreciated that he liked her for her, without trying to make her into something she wasn’t.
There is some deception that had me feeling a bit mixed, but I felt it was worked out fairly well. And given the limited word count/page time Sasson had to work with, I feel she managed to bring everything to a satisfactory conclusion.
This is a fun, culturally rich story that really shows the potential of a Harlequin series romance in the hands of the right author and with the right ideas. If you love diverse contemporaries with feisty, independent heroines and heroes who are more than a match for them, I think you’ll like this one.
I really liked Rani, and how she was in a unique position as a divorced Indian-American woman, with all the negative stigmas that drew from people within her culture. I admired the way she embraced her freedom and could hold her own, both in personal and professional contexts, while also being vulnerable and relatable. Arjun was also great, and I rooted for him as he tried to negotiate the pressure from his traditional family with his attraction to Rani. They work very well together, and I appreciated that he liked her for her, without trying to make her into something she wasn’t.
There is some deception that had me feeling a bit mixed, but I felt it was worked out fairly well. And given the limited word count/page time Sasson had to work with, I feel she managed to bring everything to a satisfactory conclusion.
This is a fun, culturally rich story that really shows the potential of a Harlequin series romance in the hands of the right author and with the right ideas. If you love diverse contemporaries with feisty, independent heroines and heroes who are more than a match for them, I think you’ll like this one.
August 1, 2020
Business and Romance Collide
Rani Gupta, a talented architect, needs to succeed in her career. She was married in a traditional Indian marriage that ended in divorce followed with a romance with a co-worker that almost got her fired. It resulted in her having been passed over for promotion several times.
Now she has a chance to show what she can do. When her designs for a hotel owned by an Indian businessman, Arjun Singh, spark his interest and win her company the contract, she vows to keep their relationship strictly business. The unfortunate fact is that neither can deny their attraction and soon things move into dangerous waters.
The multi-cultural background for this novel is very interesting. Traditional Indian marriage arrangements are contrasted with the more informal arrangements in the United States. I admired the characters and their desire to chart their own path, particularly when family pressures were severe. It’s a good insight into the problems faced by people from one culture trying to adapt to another.
I liked Rani. She was likable and wanted desperately to succeed in her chosen field. I wasn’t as taken with Arjun. He is very sure of his appeal and keeps secrets the end up making problems for the couple.
If you’re interested in the problems of a multi-cultural romance, this is a good choice.
I received this book from Harlequin for this review.
Rani Gupta, a talented architect, needs to succeed in her career. She was married in a traditional Indian marriage that ended in divorce followed with a romance with a co-worker that almost got her fired. It resulted in her having been passed over for promotion several times.
Now she has a chance to show what she can do. When her designs for a hotel owned by an Indian businessman, Arjun Singh, spark his interest and win her company the contract, she vows to keep their relationship strictly business. The unfortunate fact is that neither can deny their attraction and soon things move into dangerous waters.
The multi-cultural background for this novel is very interesting. Traditional Indian marriage arrangements are contrasted with the more informal arrangements in the United States. I admired the characters and their desire to chart their own path, particularly when family pressures were severe. It’s a good insight into the problems faced by people from one culture trying to adapt to another.
I liked Rani. She was likable and wanted desperately to succeed in her chosen field. I wasn’t as taken with Arjun. He is very sure of his appeal and keeps secrets the end up making problems for the couple.
If you’re interested in the problems of a multi-cultural romance, this is a good choice.
I received this book from Harlequin for this review.
June 9, 2022
I could really tell that the author was writing from a personal place and I enjoyed how the story was about cultural implications of Rani and Arjun’s relationship. However, I never really felt their connection or depth of their relationship. I don’t feel like we saw their conversations and interactions that made them get closer and fall in love in a way that all of the stress was worth it. I feel like we were told not shown those things.
When he said he loved her for who she is, I asked myself, and who is that? I don’t feel like we learned much about them specifically. Just stuff about them. Like Rani is a divorcée interior architect who isn’t traditional. Arjun is a rich traditional guy. That’s pretty much it. What about them as individuals?
I liked the premise, but I assumed by the title it would be more about the marriage by arrangement or fake engagement but their engagement isn’t even fake? It also failed at the tension and build-up of a workplace romance. The power dynamic there and stress wasn’t there for that. I just feel like it didn’t really deliver all the way. Hated how it resolved in a chapter. The characters don’t talk. They also don’t think. They literally say they didn’t think through their relationship right before jumping in and being stressed the hell out. If we’d gotten to see a deeper special emotional connection then maybe I could understand ignoring the inevitable but that didn’t happen.
When he said he loved her for who she is, I asked myself, and who is that? I don’t feel like we learned much about them specifically. Just stuff about them. Like Rani is a divorcée interior architect who isn’t traditional. Arjun is a rich traditional guy. That’s pretty much it. What about them as individuals?
I liked the premise, but I assumed by the title it would be more about the marriage by arrangement or fake engagement but their engagement isn’t even fake? It also failed at the tension and build-up of a workplace romance. The power dynamic there and stress wasn’t there for that. I just feel like it didn’t really deliver all the way. Hated how it resolved in a chapter. The characters don’t talk. They also don’t think. They literally say they didn’t think through their relationship right before jumping in and being stressed the hell out. If we’d gotten to see a deeper special emotional connection then maybe I could understand ignoring the inevitable but that didn’t happen.
August 10, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book via NetGalley.
Marriage by Arrangement is a stand-out romance. Rani and Arjun are a great couple to fall in love with, and their relationship was, for me, both familiar and very new. Marriage by Arrangement is an especially enjoyable trip into the lives of two Indian characters and the challenges the come with romances that root deeply in the Indian world.
The romance itself is as timeless as the best romances ever are – a man and woman who belong together meet and fall and love. Sometimes, admittedly, it seemed that there was so much culture that the relationship between the hero and heroine got a bit lost, but I think that was part of the story itself, that romance can (does?) get lost when one’s culture makes such demands on one’s heart and head. I found the details about not only Indian marriages and family structure and expectation intriguing and new, but the way that Sasson wove them into the story left no doubt that these are intrinsic elements that are part and parcel of who the characters are and the choices that they make.
In many ways, Marriage by Arrangement definitely isn’t your usual Harlequin read, but at the same time it is very Harlequin. For those looking for warm and fuzzy comfort reads this story may not quite hit the spot, but it is one that I’d recommend wholeheartedly.
Marriage by Arrangement is a stand-out romance. Rani and Arjun are a great couple to fall in love with, and their relationship was, for me, both familiar and very new. Marriage by Arrangement is an especially enjoyable trip into the lives of two Indian characters and the challenges the come with romances that root deeply in the Indian world.
The romance itself is as timeless as the best romances ever are – a man and woman who belong together meet and fall and love. Sometimes, admittedly, it seemed that there was so much culture that the relationship between the hero and heroine got a bit lost, but I think that was part of the story itself, that romance can (does?) get lost when one’s culture makes such demands on one’s heart and head. I found the details about not only Indian marriages and family structure and expectation intriguing and new, but the way that Sasson wove them into the story left no doubt that these are intrinsic elements that are part and parcel of who the characters are and the choices that they make.
In many ways, Marriage by Arrangement definitely isn’t your usual Harlequin read, but at the same time it is very Harlequin. For those looking for warm and fuzzy comfort reads this story may not quite hit the spot, but it is one that I’d recommend wholeheartedly.
July 1, 2020
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved Singh Sasson’s First Comes Marriage, so I was thrilled to see she was back from her hiatus.
Our hero Arjun? Swoon-worthy. From the bat, I loved how supportive he is of Rani’s work. And I also appreciated that he has to grow too. I adore romances where all parties (including the men!) are changed for the better.
Which leads us to Rani! What a heroine to root for. After a divorce leaves her rebuilding her life professionally and personally, her relationship with Arjun is about the romance, sure. But it’s also about her ability to seize her sexual pleasure, her joy, her right to demand more in all parts of her life and accept nothing less. And who wouldn’t relate to that?
While this is a romance, the most compelling and wrenching parts of this to me were Rani and Arjun’s relationships with their parents. How to be yourself and be happy, while still making your parents proud of you? How to decide what to keep from your family traditions, and what to revise? I think this’ll hit home with a lot of folks with immigrant family.
Combined with Rani’s character growth, I might call this a coming of age (?), even though she is a full-grown woman. I do think the romance itself could’ve benefited from having more space to breathe, but I think that’s more the limits of working within the Harlequin format.
I will definitely be looking forward to more work from Singh Sasson, and will be getting the second book in this series about Arjun’s younger sister Divya!
I really loved Singh Sasson’s First Comes Marriage, so I was thrilled to see she was back from her hiatus.
Our hero Arjun? Swoon-worthy. From the bat, I loved how supportive he is of Rani’s work. And I also appreciated that he has to grow too. I adore romances where all parties (including the men!) are changed for the better.
Which leads us to Rani! What a heroine to root for. After a divorce leaves her rebuilding her life professionally and personally, her relationship with Arjun is about the romance, sure. But it’s also about her ability to seize her sexual pleasure, her joy, her right to demand more in all parts of her life and accept nothing less. And who wouldn’t relate to that?
While this is a romance, the most compelling and wrenching parts of this to me were Rani and Arjun’s relationships with their parents. How to be yourself and be happy, while still making your parents proud of you? How to decide what to keep from your family traditions, and what to revise? I think this’ll hit home with a lot of folks with immigrant family.
Combined with Rani’s character growth, I might call this a coming of age (?), even though she is a full-grown woman. I do think the romance itself could’ve benefited from having more space to breathe, but I think that’s more the limits of working within the Harlequin format.
I will definitely be looking forward to more work from Singh Sasson, and will be getting the second book in this series about Arjun’s younger sister Divya!
August 6, 2020
Interior architect Rani Gupta is excited when her plans for a new hotel capture the attention of Arjun Singh, a hotelier with a big budget. Rani wants to own her own firm, and this job will be just what she needs to make her dream a reality. What Rani doesn’t need is to get involved with India’s hottest hottie!
Arjun Singh is in Las Vegas from India planning the family’s newest hotel. He wants the best of the best and when he meets Rani Gupta, he not only likes her plans for the hotel, but he thinks that maybe she can be a fling while he is in Vegas. When he goes home to India, he will be entering into an arranged marriage that he has been trying to postpone. Can he keep his promise to his family?
This was a fun, fast paced romance and one I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters were well written, and I loved getting to learn about the traditional Indian culture and how it affects the younger generation, not only in India, but in other parts of the world as well. This story has all the right ingredients for the perfect summer read. Thank you so much to the author Sophia Singh Sasson, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
Arjun Singh is in Las Vegas from India planning the family’s newest hotel. He wants the best of the best and when he meets Rani Gupta, he not only likes her plans for the hotel, but he thinks that maybe she can be a fling while he is in Vegas. When he goes home to India, he will be entering into an arranged marriage that he has been trying to postpone. Can he keep his promise to his family?
This was a fun, fast paced romance and one I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters were well written, and I loved getting to learn about the traditional Indian culture and how it affects the younger generation, not only in India, but in other parts of the world as well. This story has all the right ingredients for the perfect summer read. Thank you so much to the author Sophia Singh Sasson, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 30, 2020
Marriage by Arrangement is a wonderfully written love story that shows the dynamics and roadblocks that a tradition culture can create to interfere with the blossoming romance. As a non-member of the Indian culture, I enjoyed the insight and inclusion. I also liked that terms were defined so that I could easily follow along with the story without having to stop and look up terms used. Rani is a junior architect trying to earn the respect and promotion she deserves but has always been treated less than and is now learning to assert herself. She is also a divorcee which has created additional issues in terms of her low self-esteem. Arjun is a wealthy, traditional eldest son from India who is currently working to open a new hotel in Las Vegas and has hired Rani's firm because of the visions and details that Rani has created. Their attraction is instantaneous but both work hard to avoid giving in to their desires but surrender to the draw with an agreement that it is only a fling. As their relationship grows, they both will have to decide if the love they share can over come the obstacles that stand in their way. This is a well-written, engaging story.
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