The Sheikh's Arranged Marriage

by Clare Connelly

Marriage to a sexy stranger was not on Rebecca Beaumont's mind, but a series of events leads to her, a twenty four year old virgin, marrying a handsome Arabian prince.
Tariq had always known his marriage would be arranged, but he expected his wife to be hand-selected from amongst Assanian nobility. When he learns his father has betrothed him to a foreigner with no knowledge of royal life, he is incensed. He is honour bound to go through with the marriage, but he does not expect to be so attracted to his bride. Their marriage should have been simple, like a business deal, but the overwhelming sexual tension threatens to tear the newlyweds apart. Tariq doesn't like his wife, and he sure as hell doesn't trust her, but he desires her to the point of a dark and dangerous obsession.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Harlequin, Royalty, Marriage Of Convenience

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2014

About the author

For all things Clare Connelly, please see www.clareconnelly.co.uk, the official home of Clare Connelly on the web.

Clare Connelly grew up in a small country town in Australia. Surrounded by rainforests, and rickety old timber houses, magic was thick in the air, and stories and storytelling were a huge part of her childhood.

From early on in life, Clare realised her favourite books were romance stories, and read voraciously. Anything from Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, to Mills & Boon and (more recently) 50 Shades, Clare is a romance devotee. She first turned her hand to penning a novel at fifteen (if memory serves, it was something about a glamorous fashion model who fell foul of a high-end designer. Sparks flew, clothes flew faster, and love was born.)

Clare has a small family and a bungalow near the sea. When she isn't chasing after energetic little toddlers, or wiping fingerprints off furniture, she's writing, thinking about writing, or wishing she were writing.

Reviews

[Vintage · Rating 1 out of 5]

The H thinks the h has married him for his money. IT'S AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.What's your excuse asshole?

Give me a break on the sad sack life that led the heroine to marry this asshole, but what it leads up to is ...not a lot of good.

The H inner monologues CONSTANTLY that the h married him for money (she was actually trying to escape her vile foster parents that we never get to see in the book). He conveniently ignores the fact that as the sheikh he is the other part of the parentally arranged MOC equation.

If the lack of chemistry wasn't enough ,it totally lost the plot when she finds out that her number one assistant is his ex-mistress. He had just given the mistress her walking papers right before the wedding, but, hey, it's no problem.

It's a problem.

[✮ rach ✮ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t realise I’ve read a few others from this author until I did a search. After quickly skimming through those again, I’ve finally figured out my problem and will make a private note to make sure I don’t read any more books from her.

This author writes like she hates her heroines! Every single one of them! And then at the end, to make it worse, she turns them into idiots to forget everything their “hero” did to humiliate and hurt them all for the sake of a ridiculously unbelievable HEA.

But this was by far the worst of the bunch!

[Paula Legate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The heroine grew up with a Aunt, and uncle that didn't want her. Rebecca was told that she was no good,, too tale, to pale, too slow, and untalented. When your told those things as a child, you believe them. Rebecca had no confidence. she was told she could marry Tariq, a stranger and move to his palace in a far away country, she thought it was her only chance to get away from the people that didn't love her.
Tariq said some hurtful things to Rebecca on their wedding night. He had to marry her, but she had the option to say no. He didn't understand why anyone would go through with a arranged marriage. He thought Rebecca was a gold digger. In truth she was a school teacher that loved kids.

The two did manage to work things out. I thought I was going to scream if I had to read one more time how Rebecca felt about herself. She was a beautiful lady. But Rebecca thought she was plain Jane, and would never measure up. I like to read things once. If I read it twice it's for impact. If it's repeated throughout the story it's annoying. At one point I wanted to throw my kindle across the room.... It was like the heroine was having a pity party throughout the book.

I too grew up being told how ugly I was by my parents, and by classmates. I went into foster care. I learned those people were just mean. So I understand the hurt Rebecca felt. I understand what she went through. There is just other ways to bring out the emotions, than repeating the same thing over and over again.

[Jobelle Aqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my mad search to find a book that will give me a happy ending (after the damage A Torch Against te Night did to my heart), I found this.

A book that made me cringe far too many times due to it's cliche- ness, and shallowness. What the eff did I read?

I've read my fair share of new adults but, this book was just...*cringing...again*

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even going into this not expecting much, somehow I was still disappointed. This is just awful. I can't even be snarky in my review, and I LOVE being snarky about terrible romance novels. I just want to forget this tripe exists. *Kevin Sorbo disappointed gif* 🙄

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story Rebecca finds out that her father had signed away her rights in marriage when she was just an infant. Now at twenty four years she is to marry Tariq. He had always known that his would be an arranged marriage, but to an Assanian nobility. Now he finds out she is just another gold-digger. And he wants nothing to do with her. Since her parents death she has had a ruff upbringing by her adopted parents. She jumped at the chance to get out from under their thumb. Can the two who must marry be able to overcome thier differences to move on? I enjoyed this story by Clare Connelly and look forward to more of her works.

[Shannon, ☺☻CFM☺☻ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The H marries the h because of a contract her grandfather and his father signed. They send each other missed signals about their feelings. The H lets her go but before she leaves they find out she is pregnant.

[I ❤️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very, good!

The angst almost drove me mad. Have you ever wanted to just shake some sense into a book character?! Ugh.

I enjoyed this novel. It was written very well. I loved the stories and the culture clash of the two main characters.

[Neen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, I must say :-)

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, terrible cover. Not a bad story. I wish the heroine's stepparents were more featured as villains in the plot of the story instead of just being the reasons why she did anything. I also wish the hero's family was involved and helping the heroine adjust to such a radical life change. I liked the heroine being kind to everyone below her station and wanting to contribute to her adopted country. But the hero was sort of stuck in a rut, he kept keeping the heroine at a distance for the same reasons and simply having sex with her. He needed more depth as a character. Quick read that the reader can add more to the story with their own imaginations.

[Diedre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was one of the better ones by this author, a little more in depth of the characters. But still, I wish there was more intrigue and heart palpitating fervor that ignites that burning desire to see the main characters fight for each other. But it seems these older books like to cinch things up rather quickly. With the heroine's low self esteem and causes of it, she never really showed the hero the extent of the damage to her heart. It was brusquely explained and that kind of left the ending sliced off. I would have liked to have her "parents" get their comeuppance! So yes, the ending was short. But definitely sweet.

[T. Shree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this but Tariq was too too cruel on Rebecca. Although story was good I somehow couldn’t love Tariq’s character. He had no reason as such to treat Rebecca with a condescending manner. It appeared she was at his beck & call & he tried to take control over the situation which looked forced. I expected him to woo her at least & make her feel good. Even when he confessed his love, it looked very surreal.
Story was good but the character development needs some attention here.

[Andrea Berner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot put these down

Absolutely addicted to Clare Connelly and her writing. I am loving her characters, the settings and I end one only to crave much more. I just dont want to stop. Beware these books will stop you from sleeping or doing anything and a weekend isn't long enough. But I guarantee you will be utterly taken in by them.

[Charles Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sheikh's Arranged Marriage - totally excellent narration, storyline.,and ending,

Yez, yes, yes - I will recommend this book to any and every body who'll listen. It's about women who fight for the love they want.

[Misnoawl · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was total rubbish. Why people acted a certain way/said certain things made absolutely no sense. There was a story for the sake of it.
H is horrible & h loves her pity parties.
No more Clare Connelly books for me!

[Agathajross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish this book, I felt like CC was just writing it for the sake of writing a book. The motivations of both H & h just didn't work for me, and I do realise that this is Romanceland not real life. I didn't finish this book. But I do like this author.

[SuzyHD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like It

I liked the storyline but did not love it. Just another Sheikh's arranged marriage to a woman he expects to be a gold digger after his money. In the end he has it all wrong and they love each other after all.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book 📙

I choose this rating because I enjoy reading the
Book. Couldn't put it down. What I like about
the book was the plot and characters.
Everything makes sense.

[Mae Manongas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot is boring. And i couldn't stand the heroine wallowing in self pity.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story

I enjoyed reading this story. I love the attraction they felt for each other immediately and scored their sensual relationship.

[Carilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebecca and Tariq


Well written and character study of this couple. The couple meet on their wedding day after both agreed that the contract between their fathers be decided.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

08 November 2020

[Rebecca Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read.

[Bakhitta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting...

I thought it ended rather abruptly...I did enjoy it though.
I'm looking forward to reading your other novels...keep up the good work

[Kyle Hakim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rebecca was emotionally abused by her adoptive parents. They resented her for barging into their life. She was grateful being married. Little that she knows Tariq also resented the MOC. On their wedding night, he sucked her nipples and fingerfucked her but spitted harsh words to her such as her as gold-digger and whores. OMG. Despite that, she still craved him. She worked on the children from the streets, lending them books from the library. He was attracted to her and a cancelled dinner with his friend gave him the opportunity to take her virginity. 10 days later only they had another sex when she was treated like a baby producing object. He noticed her dimissive demenaors and demanded her to told her why. She told him about her family and her low self-esteem. He suggested them to end their marriage of two months. The next day she heard from the drivers what a convenience of her and Monique her aid to be close together. She felt like a fool knowing Tariq has placed his mistress as her aid. Tariq stopped her flight from leaving and beg her forgiveness in his assholish way. She being the fool and lack of love person readily accepted him.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Διαβάζοντας προηγούμενα βιβλία της Clare Connelly διαπίστωσα πως ενώ οι ιστορίες της έχουν τη στόφα των αγαπημένων άρλεκιν, κάπου στην πορεία το χάνει. Σίγουρα δεν θα βρεις σε αυτές συγκλονιστικές ερωτικές σκηνές, ωστόσο αυτό που πραγματικά λείπει είναι οι δυνατοί διάλογοι και η ικανότητα να προσφέρει στον αναγνώστη παθιασμένα συναισθήματα και χημεία στους ήρωές της. Καταλήγω πως γράφει κάπως άνευρα.

Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο της διαφέρει καθώς, αν και πάλι υστερεί στις ερωτικές σκηνές, οι ήρωες έχουν τρομερή χημεία και πάνω απ΄ όλα η ιστορία έχει αρχή, μέση και τέλος και τα ψυχογραφήματα μένουν σταθερά και πιστά σε σχέση με τις κινήσεις και τις αντιδράσεις των ηρώων.

Αν θέλετε μία ρομαντική ιστορία με όμορφο τέλος και ρομαντικές ερωτικές σκηνές αυτό είναι το κατάλληλο βιβλίο της Connelly για να διαβάσετε. Θα διαβάσω και άλλα της για να καταλήξω, μπορώ όμως να πω με σιγουριά πως λατρεύει να γράφει για σεϊχηδες.

[Asterope · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd compare this to Harlequin Presents books. It had the same tropes and style. The writing wasn't bad, though the heroine's insecurities did start to get on my nerves. I understand that given her upbringing, those ideas about herself wouldn't just go away that quickly, though.

What did bother me was the ending! It was abrupt and left me feeling like it was incomplete. Since this seems to be modeled after the HQN format, I was disappointed that there wasn't at least an epilogue with the baby and showing the H and h really, truly HEA.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not one of CC’s best stories. In fact it’s as one of her worst as any romance is almost non-existent.

What an earth would make anyone think that the hero having a mistress for “several years“ is in anyway shape or form - acceptable or romantic? Even worse that mistress ends up being an assistant to the heroine. Wtf?

She is supposed to just accept it? By the time the hero has decided that the heroine had not married him for money and he actually loved her. I had totally lost interest.

Admittedly the story was written 10 years ago, so I’ll make allowances, but only this once!

[Nicola Sheridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this one, and I liked the hero Tariq in particular. The heroine is a girl who'd had a sad upbringing, and has low self-esteem. She was likeable enough. I did really like the details of Arabian Palace however, this did make it feel more 'real'.

I think this is a book for someone who just wants a cruisy read, who isn't going to question the motives of the characters all that much. All up a pleasant afternoon's read!

[Amy Plank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice happily-ever-after.

This was a good story with a happy ending. Rebecca finds out she is betrothed to Tariq. She goes along with it to get out from under her aunt and uncle. Tariq and Rebecca misunderstand each other throughout the entire book. I wish there would have been a little more loving interactions between them. Beyond that, I liked the dual point of views, I think it helps to connect with the characters when you can hear from both of them.