Title: Arranged
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine McKenzie
Publisher: William Morrow, May 2012
Available for pre-order
Source: Free for review from Amazon Vine Program
Rating: 5
Sexy Rating: 3-4
Description from amazon.com: Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, close friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share her life with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right. When her latest relationship implodes, and her best friend announces she’s engaged, Anne impulsively calls what she thinks is a dating service—only to discover that it’s actually an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. Anne initially rejects the idea, but the more she learns about the service, the more she thinks: Why not? After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world; maybe it could work for her.
A few months later, Anne is traveling to a Mexican resort, where, over the course of a weekend, she meets and then marries Jack.
**
Can two people find happiness in an arranged marriage? That is the premise, an interesting and provocative premise.
Not every book I read keeps me up all night, this one did. I loved this book! The story is so well told and the characters so well developed that we become invested in each of their lives, in their happiness. The only thing that would make this book better is some steamy love scenes. You will root for Anne; you will laugh with her and cry with her. You will love Jack and hate Jack. Margaret will have you scratching your head. Sarah and Mike will have you believing in true love. You will end by feeling that you know these people personally. Told in the first person Ms McKenzie becomes your good friend telling you her story. That is the way this wonderful book reads and feels.
