Books & Java

Arranged

by Catherine McKenzie

Synopsis:

Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can't seem to get it right.

After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she's engaged, Anne can't help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn't a dating service; it's an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it -- and the company's success rate -- the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn't it work for her?

A few months later, Anne is traveling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out -- until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all.

My Review:

Are you a cynic when it comes to love and the ideal mate? Or, are you a romantic who believes in serendipity? Regardless, this is a book both your cynical and romantic sides will enjoy thoroughly.  

What if you were ready to get married but hadn't found the right person to marry, only all the wrong people? For Anne, she is always with all of the wrong men for her. She decides to contact an agency that promises to find her a perfect match. She toys with the idea of pursuing the $10000 investment of an arranged marriage and then decides to make it into somewhat of a project for her to disprove that matching up (arranging) couples for marriage according to a formula just doesn't work. She doesn't tell anyone and agrees to meet and marry her match. That part of the book is so much fun. They are in Cancun getting to know each other in an ideal setting and they are actually hitting it off. But it's just never that simple... The end is great!!