Category: Tour-HarperCollins CAN-2011

TITLE: Arranged
AUTHOR: Catherine Mckenzie
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins Canada
PUB DATE: January 8th, 2011
PAGES: 304

This is the cover of the finished book.

SOURCE: Received this from the publisher

Synopsis: (From publishers website)
Anne Blythe is lucky. She’s got a brand new book contract, a great newspaper job and a steadfast best friend, and she can land just about any man she sets her sights on — and the ones that appeal are typically tall, dark and handsome.

Problem is, the men she chooses never last. Shortly after yet another relationship goes down in flames, Anne comes across a card for what she believes is a dating service, and pockets it just in case. If she’s so unlucky in love, maybe she could use a little assistance. Then her best friend announces she’s engaged, and envy gets the better of Anne. Now’s the time, she decides, to give the service a try — and she is shocked to discover that what the company specializes in are exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriages. After learning of the company’s success rate, however, she overcomes her reluctance and signs on. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, and she’s not done so well selecting a mate on her own. So why not use a professional service that claims it can produce the perfect match?

Some time later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack, the man they have chosen for her. And against all odds, it seems to be working out, until Anne learns that Jack and the company who arranged their marriage are not what they seem at all.

MY THOUGHTS:
I have to say that I actually love the cover of the finished book much more then the ARC cover and that is only because I think the finished copy represents what the book is about.
(This is the cover of the ARC I received.)

I have to say that I loved ARRANGED much more then I did Spin. I had a hard time putting the book down and when I did it was for the shortest time.

This is the exact opposite of Spin where the main character was a train wreck waiting to happen. This time Catherine made her main character realistic and one that I am sure many single 30 year old could relate to. Honestly I actually had some of the same feeling as the main character did about worrying about getting married when it seemed like all my friends were getting married and being alone for the rest of my life.

The book is divided into three sections. Each section covers the journey that the main character is taking in her life.

I loved the main character. Her name is Anne Shirley Blythe. Does that sound familiar to you? Well if you happen to be a fan of Anne of Green Gables you will recognize that name. As soon as I read her name was when I think I feel in love with the book. I am a huge Anne of Green Gables fan. (Just like the author is)

The book opens up with Anne questioning her boyfriend, Stuart about his cheating. Stuart being the complete idiot doesn’t really deny it because Anne has all the prove she needs (emails) and walks of their apartment heart broken and upset. You could see that Stuart doesn’t’ really care about Anne because he doesn’t even stop her.

In her new apartment Anne decides to go and have drinks with her best friend, Sarah. Its on the way to the bar that she spots a business card just lying on the street. She picks it up to read and gets a little excited seeing the name Blythe & Company. What are the odds of that happening? She holds onto the card.

It takes running into her exs (all of them married) and Sarah getting married that makes her decide to finally call Blythe & Company. Thinking that they are a dating service, she figures she has nothing to loose but quickly realizes that its not a dating service but a service that arranges marriages. She figures its worth a shot but has second thoughts because it cost $10,000. She decides to give it a try what does she have to loose but $500 for the testing they need to do.

A week later she gets a calling saying that she is okay and is approved for the next round and wants to know if she will proceed with the process. She does and quickly figures out how she will get the next installment of money (thankfully her book that she has been working on sells so she has nothing to worry about) and as part of the arrangement she begins therapy. That will a part of her until she gets married.

In part two of the book Anne founds out that they found a perfect match for her. She is on her way to Mexico to meet her future husband, Jack. She has no idea what he looks like but knows that they are compatible. Proving that its whats inside that counts and not what the person looks like. I think Anne is surprised at first when she meets him because he isn’t someone Anne would go for, he is the exact opposite. They spend most of the week getting to know each other, along with the mandatory couple’s therapy. Will reality finally hit Anne and make her change her mind about getting married?

Its in the third part that I was blown away. I couldn’t believe what Jack had did to Anne and Anne probably wouldn’t have found out had she not sat on his journal. Will Anne be able to forgive him or is what they had a lie? What will she do when she realizes that Blythe & Company isn’t who they really are? Will she expose them for what they really are?

Hmm doesn’t this sound good?

Check back tomorrow when I have an interview with Catherine.

If you want a sneak peak at the book here is your chance:

You can also check out The Savvy Reader’s blog where Harper Collins Canada has a ton of great info about books, authors and so much more.

OTHER BOOKS:
-Spin