Contract for Marriage Book Summary and Study Guide

However, Christy has already begun to realize that she must take matters into her own hands if she wishes to be any use at all in helping to make amends for what she sees as her "mistake". She decides that what she needs is a sperm donor to help her conceive a child who will take Travis' place and fill Sarah's life with joy again, and for this sperm donor candidate Christy immediately clicks with dashing businessman Mark, who attends one of Christy's aunts parties one night. Christy is instantly attracted to Mark and he is intrigued by her as well. Christy decides that he must have good genes and might as well be the man, but she is not sure she has the nerve. Matters are decided for her, it seems, when her aunt threatens to cut her off from her inheritance unless she gets married and has children to make up for the lack of grandchildren in the family. Two days later, Christy asks Mark in his office, point blank, if he will give her a child. Shocked, Mark thinks he misheard. As the conversation progresses, Mark learns the reason behind Christy's decision, and seems equal parts baffled, amused and sympathetic. He agrees out of curiosity after she promises he would only have a minimal, if any, role in the child's life. However to Christy's surprise, Mark insists that they date a while first, presumably to guard her reputation.

Mark and Christy begin going out, and to all the world it looks like they are dating, but their dates are filled with business-like conversation about the future from Christy and flirtatious, teasing banter from Mark. Matters are complicated by Sarah herself coming to San Francisco. She seems to begin falling for Mark herself, just as Christy begins to realize how much she likes Mark herself. Christy wars with jealousy and possessiveness when she sees Sarah flirting with Mark, and even tries to attract her attention with a solemn young man who is heir to a tidy sum of money, but whom Christy had never been very seriously interested in due to his quiet nature and lack of confidence. It does not distract Sarah from Mark's presence. Eventually when Christy begins to think that Mark likes Sarah bath, she realizes that this might be the only way she can truly give Sarah any kind of recompense - the kind where Christy gives Sarah something that she really values, to make up for her loss. Sad but resigned to her choice to leave, Christy begins discreetly packing up her things, only to be told at the last minute by her childhood friend George that Mark is throwing a ball, and George wants to take Christy. Christy ends up going to avoid being rude, and at the ball when Mark tries to seclude and seduce her, Christy tells him the arrangement is off. When he demands to know why and she explains, Mark is amused and tells her that she is wrong, he has no interest in her sister and her sister was also just being nice, and that there is no chemistry between her and Mark. But he does see it and want it with Christy. Thrilled, Christy kisses him - later Sarah comes over and tells her that since coming to San Francisco, she has fallen for George and him for her. She also insists that she has never blamed Christy for what happened, and never will. The movie ends on a cute, family note, and Mark and Christy become engaged.

Best part of story, including ending: I didn't like the premise, it was weak and badly executed.

Best scene in story: When Sarah, Christy and their aunt sit around talking about how to handle grief and loss. Very profound, and glad it involved 3 women.

Opinion about the main character: I thought Christy was impulsive and stupid.