The Burdens of a Bachelor

Arrangements, Book 5

By: Rebecca Connolly

Narrated by: Jessica Elisa Boyd

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

What the eye cannot see...

Colin Gerrard has everything. He is a handsome, charming, and unattached gentleman in possession of a fortune. What nobody knows, and would never suspect, is that he is not nearly as carefree as he seems, nor is his heart free for anyone’s taking. It was already taken long ago, and when his lost love unexpectedly reappears, in London of all places, he’s very much afraid she still has it.

...the heart already knows.

Lady Susannah Hawkins-Dean had no intention of ever seeing Colin again after their terrible departure 16 years ago. She never wanted to see anyone who knew her in the past. There were too many secrets, too much shame, and he, of all people, could not know them. But when Colin refuses to leave her in the past, Susannah finds she is just as in love with him as she ever was, and it could ruin them both.

©2017 Rebecca Connolly (P)2018 Rebecca Connolly

Lovable protagonists and good narration!

I liked the whole package of this -- a very sweet romance, with characters that figure in other Rebecca Connolly novels.

Plot twist

Thought I knew the plot at beginning but it took a different direction. Very enjoyable and humorous.

Great narration

I do love all of Rebecca Connolly’s writing I and, in particular, this series. However the story of Colin and Susanna didn’t draw me in quite as much. There were great parts of the story and I loved the ending, but sometimes the atmosphere was a bit maudlin and overly emotional. However it was worth reading, if only for catching up with all of the characters from the rest of the series, and the audible narration was great.

Overall satisfying, but not my favorite

I love Colin so much and have been looking forward to his particular story with anticipation. Overall, this book delivered in the overall arch of the story. But what was a little disappointing was that the predominant tone of Colin felt like a totally different person sometimes. It makes sense for the story, but I really missed the funny, witty jokester that we had come to know. I would have liked more of that side of him.

Another good one!!

Love this series! The author does not disappoint! Love the friends, their wives, the backstory, everyone's unique backstory and coming together and this love story!

Overall an entertaining read

I enjoyed how the two main characters didn't jump in the sack all the time and that the ways in which he helped her weren't how I predicted. Though it took me a couple chapters to feel the hook, I was glad I stayed with it. All the supporting characters were unique and interesting. The writing and narration were both good. My one disappointment was that, in many parts, I had to play it at 1.5 speed (or more!) and sometimes fast forward it to get through some of the interminable internal dialogue and mental ponderings. I prefer more real dialogue and action than listening to characters overdo the mental angst. In this case, a bit repetitive and overused.

Great book

I really liked this one but hated the ending. I thought it was ludicrous. Otherwise I would have given it five stars.

Good points, bad points

First of all, I loved the children. They’re delightful and charming. Rosie has a snappy wit, just at the line of being bratty without actually crossing it. My dry sense of humor enjoyed her very much. However, by this 5th book the main characters are becoming unoriginal. Or at least their “I can’t live without them but can’t actually make an effort to be with them” mentality is certainly unoriginal. All. Five. Books. (Sigh) Maybe this is the danger of reading them back-to-back: the similarities are too apparent.

Overall, the book was good but far behind the others (especially the first 2) and Collin’s increasing aggression throughout the story is borderline abusive. I have no triggers and it made even me uncomfortable.

Good Story!

I liked this story. Colin has always been the fun, less serious one of the group of friends. This story tells his true side. It includes a lost love. A woman he has loved since he was a teenager has now returned to London. She has a son and many secrets. She doesn't want anyone to know of her past but with the help of "the Gent" Colin finds out and secretly helps her.
One thing that bothered me was how long the misunderstanding and refusals went on. It bogged the story down just a bit. The drama picked back up to a very satisfying conclusion.

Loved it with reservation

Rebecca Connolly is a great author. I love the Gerrard family and I love the friends that Colin has and I've read all the other books in the series up to book 5. My reservation is the predictability of the heroin. Love stories always follow the same formula with the heroine thinking that her problems are so great that the leading man either can't or wouldn't want to deal with them. I would love a refreshing switch from this approach. I would love to see people reacting honestly with each other and let the natural fall out be the consequences.