On my eighteenth birthday my father, the senator, gives me the gift he thinks every little girl dreams of. The man of my dreams, and the wedding to match. Stefan Zoric is heir to an elite worldwide modeling agency. Practically a prince. My arrangement is simple, as far as sham marriages go. I give him my virginity, behave as the perfect wife and he’ll pay for the college degree my father found … wife and he’ll pay for the college degree my father found irrelevant.
But I don’t want to be the perfect wife.
I want him to want me the way I want him.
I want him to confide in me.
But Stefan has secrets that he holds close, dangerous secrets.
And soon I’m wondering what kind of devil have I made a deal with?
Book One in the Arranged Series.
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Wasn’t aware that this is only a partial story and there is no resolution.
I was very excited for this book because I am a huge fan of Elena Wolfe and Sebastian York’s dual narration. They were definitely the high point of this book. 90% of the book was narrated by Elena Wolfe, and I definitely could have done for some more SebYo, but what are you gunna do?
The story was a challenge for me to get into. The acceptance of women’s positions as less than men, submissive not only in the bedroom, but in life, was extremely frustrating to me. The way that all the female characters acted like their only purpose was to support their men and independently they had no value was infuriating. At least Tori had the drive to pursue academia, but when her step mother gave her advice and that advice was degrading and devaluing I lost it. I found myself yelling the car radio when listening because the heroine acted like she didn’t have any control over her choices for most of the book, and then when she realized she could make her own decisions, she acted like a petulant child. I also found the story slow, and not as in a slow burn, but it just dragged on. I figured out some of the key plot twists hours before Tori (the heroine) figured it out in the book. The ending was a predictable plot twist, and I will probably still listen to the next book in the series, because I have a tough time leaving things unfinished.
Reading Stella Gray for the first time was not a wrong way to start a night. The Deal is an arrange marriage type story that starts with two people that have never even met. On Tori’s eighteenth birthday, she is introduced to her future husband, Stefan. They marry a couple of months later with no more communication.
This first book is Stefen and Tori finding themselves. Tori is in college, and Stefen trying to take control of his family’s business. Tori is still very young but knows she wants to get to know her husband, but when he keeps pushing her away, she doesn’t know what to do. Stefen knows what she is doing, but he refuses to get close to his young wife because there are things in his family that he doesn’t want her to know about. It is safer for her to stay away from him.
Yes, Stefen can be a real di*k in this first book, but there is a reason for it. And even with Tori being young and naive, she is secure and can take whatever Stefen dishes. The Deal is an excellent start to a trilogy.
I was intrigued by the story line as I like sometimes gritty and dark books. I felt for the characters but I also felt frustrated as some of their interactions didn’t add up from when they first interacted. I still enjoyed it and hope the second installment delves more into their issues.
When Tori’s father springs that she is now engaged, at a party, in front of people, she has no clue what to think. She is stunned, she knew her father was pushing for something like this, but she had hoped that her birthday present was that he was paying for her college tuition. After the shock wears down, the moments that she spends with Stefan, her fiancée, helps calm her nerves and she realizes that they can do this, he pays for her college and she gives him the wife he needs.. win win for all involved. Until after the wedding when things don’t go the way that Tori thought they would. She thought they would have at least some kind of friendship, she wants more than what Stefan is showing her… she just needs to figure out how to get him to pay attention to her. Just when she thinks they have some kind of progress, it’s proven that she still married a stranger and has no clue who he really is.
This is the first of the trilogy, and this had me turning the pages, eager to get to the end and see how this is all going to play out. I hate, HATE Stefan. Right now at this moment, I have the next two books and I truly hope that he redeems himself for being such a d-bag. I feel so sorry for Tori and how her life has played out, and now with Stefan… I’m going into book two right away, fingers crossed for Stefan’s sake. I do give this 4 stars.
This is my first book by this author and I loved the mystery that surrounded Stefan. I won’t give anything about it away but it kept me hooked. He could be very sweet to Tori and I craved those times, but then the times he was cold and standoffish were great too. I wish Tori had more of a back bone at the start but I still loved her as a lead. I have a feeling I’m going to be glued to my kindle every chance I get to see what happens with these two.
The marriage of convinces plot drew me in, but I would have loved to see wedding (hopefully that isn’t a spoiler). The author skipped over it and I wanted to see how Tori reacted to it all given her age. Even with that I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to continue on the journey these two are on. I feel amazing, jaw dropping things to come. 4 stars #2OCCJD
One time entertaining – Deal
This is my first time reading this author and I thought the plot was intriguing.
Tori is the daughter of a senator. She’s just graduated from high school and wants to go to this elite college program, but her father won’t pay for it. She is too rich to earn full scholarship. Stefen is ready to pay, however he wants to marry her, to control his family business. The marriage is all to help his father’s business and Tori’s father’s next run for senate. Initially it looks like win- win for both of them.
Stefan was an interesting character. I felt like he barely spoke. Tori is a young, kind of naive girl. Now they both will have a deal to get what they want from the marriage. Once they are married, Tori gets to know that Stefen has his own secrets. With Stefen being the in one of the highest position in Modelling industry(His father runs, international modelling agency) and always surrounded by beautiful models, Tori is not sure to trust about Stefen’s fidelity. Will their marriage survive? Will they overcome all the problems surrounding them?
The style was easy to read and follow and I liked the luxury descriptions and how little they did for Tori. The relationship building between the both is good as author has not focused on one day and one dialogue in detail. No intriguing secondary characters in this book.
As this is only book one in this series, try to be prepared for the cliffhanger. Over all, this book has an intriguing plot, secrets, emotions, drama, and chemistry which makes it a good one time read.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
TWISTED EDGY read!
I was excited sad feeling the hurt as the spell of the fantastic words pulled me deep into the story getting into my mind and fueling a fire in my anxious fingers to turn the pages a whole lot faster. From one page to the next I never new what to expect put I new I felt every impacting word as this amazing read kept me invested throughout a wild explosive roller coaster ride. It’s twisted with heat filled angst and dark brooding chemistry that kept me wanting a heck of alot more.
This book is an emotional roller coaster of a ride. A marriage of convenience that turns into a real marriage, but the road to get there is bumpy and full of verbal abuse to cover his growing attraction and she starts the marriage as a child wanting to go to college. You hate the characters and grow to like them, but like with some people, you don’t think you will ever like some of these characters. This is not an easy read, but not all books are. a good emotional read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An arranged marriage!
by sewsummore
While Tori was at her eighteenth birthday party she was introduced to the man who was to be her husband. Until that moment he was a stranger, then a fiance. She had thought arranged marriages were a thing of the past, she soon found out that it wasn’t. Three months later they were married in a big society wedding. Stefan was a man used to getting his own way, his marriage would ensure that he got what he wanted, total control of the family company. Tori got a husband who was a stranger and the chance to go to college. Despite their beginning the marriage seenmed to be working out and their nights together were full of passionate lovemaking until the truth behind the marriage was revealed. I enjoyed this book and was happy for Tori to find happiness until the truth behind it was revealed.Not only was her husband and his family involved in illegal and shocking behavior, her father was as well.This book ends at this point, the second book must be read to find out what happens next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first time reading this author and I thought the plot was intriguing. It does end on a cliffhanger as it’s book 1 in a series so be aware of that before starting to read this book. I like the author’s writing style and found the characters to be well rounded, they are not all very likable though!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great read with an awesome storyline that has well developed and engaging characters that have lots of chemistry. The smooth flow of the storyline makes for a good reading time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is excellent and there is nothing to complaint! You can’t get tired reading anything written by this author!!!
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Wow it was so worth reading, this story of Tori and Stefan and the convenience marriage, the chemistry between them is intense.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
WOW…..What a phenomenal book! The Deal is the first installment in Stella Gray’s Arranged series which focuses on Stefan, who must marry to take control of his family’s business, and Tori, the young daughter of a senator wanting to attend an elite college program which her father refuses to pay for her. Stefan and Tori agree to a bargain for a marriage of convenience so each individual will get what they want, however, Tori does not know Stefan plans to separate from her as soon as he takes control of his business, however, Stefan is having difficulty in fighting their mutual attraction. This book has an intriguing plot, interesting characters, big secrets, intense emotions, drama, and sizzling chemistry. I highly recommend this book, however it does have a cliffhanger which prepares the reader for the second novel of this series entitled The Secret.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is Part I of the story of Stefan and Tori.
Their marriage was arranged. Stefan cannot take over his father’s business unless he is married . He is attracted to her but doesn’t want to be.
Tori is attracted to Stefan even before she knows who he is. This is an intense story and is hard to have opinion on whole storyline as we really don’t know to much. What we know that this family dynamics is not really normal
I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An intriguing, captivating, you won’t want to put it down story. Well written and you’ll find yourself turning the pages to see what happens. A bit of mystery added in. No spoilers here, just the strong advice to grab your copy and start reading. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tori is a naive young woman who enters into an arranged marriage with Stefan the heir to KZM modeling agency. All seems well until she stumbles upon information the truth.
I am waiting with baited breath for the next installment. I love the characters. The story line is dark and intriguing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Stella Gray has written a 5-star book that is a little slow to start. It is about Victoria and she has to deal with an arranged marriage, self-doubt and other people’s expectations of her. Victoria has just turned 18 and her father is having a party for her, but she doesn’t know anyone there. Stefan and his father are at the party but Victoria doesn’t know who they are. She finds out that the surprise her father said he had for her was the arranged marriage to Stefan. At first, things do not go good for them because of the way Stefan treats her. She is attracted to him and him to her but he is keeping secrets. After a few weeks, things start to go better for them She went to see Stefan’s sister at their office and while looking for his sister she got lost and heard something about the business that she got upset over. She runs to her father since he is a Senator he would know what to do. After speaking to her father she realizes he knew about the whole thing.
Can Victoria put what she heard behind her and stay with Stefan or will she leave him?
What will Stefan do about Victoria knowing about the business?
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Victoria was a pawn at the hands of her important Senator father and the man he arranged to marry her. The fact that Stephan was everything she ever wanted in a man and husband clouded Victoria usually sharp but innocent mind.
Stephan was always in control, and when Victoria broke that control, he continued his own brand of torture by withholding his affection and care. As their relationship slowly deepened, Victoria found out some evil truths behind her father and her marriage deal with Stephan.
This first book ended in a huge cliffy with Victoria on the cusp of a huge discovery and a life changing decision.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.