The Arc was fascinating read! As someone who is currently dating, I could relate to the characters (minus being able to afford the fee for the matchmaking services) and would certainly be curious if someone could guarantee my match. I loved that this book was a romance with thriller elements. It was addicting and I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended. What a perfect book for the beach or pool this summer!

Thank you to Tory Henwood Hoen, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting take in the recent influx of STEM- related matchmaking books to hit the market in recent years. While I’m not positive it was the author’s intent, the story had a tongue-in-cheek quality about it. From Ursula’s job as “VP of Strategic Audacity” to her super feminist fitness club, it seemed to me like a satire of what life is like for a sector of the country. Ursula (the female lead) is quirky and pretty weird, which lends itself well to the caricature-type nature of the story. This is definitely not your standard rom-com!

This was a clever concept that kept me in constant suspense as I waited for the other shoe to drop. However, the unnecessary amount of detail took me out of the main plot. It could have been edited down.

The ARC was a DNF for me. I wasn't able to connect with the characters or the story. I may come back to it at a different time.

“The Arc” reminds you of what modern dating is today and its difficulties. I enjoyed the frank discussions and concerns of a 30 something year old woman and found myself rather interested. However, there were a couple of weird parts of the book (random chanting, etc) that downgraded it a bit for me. 3.5 stars down to 3 stars. Solid, but slightly off kilter book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The idea of a slightly dystopian dating service was an interesting premise, but at heart this is a novel of relationships and expectations. Truly well written and thought provoking. I look forward to reading more from this author!

BOOK REVIEW: The Arc by Tory Henwood Hoen
Publication Date: February 8

⭐️⭐️⭐️️

CONNECT WITH THIS BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
Love costs... ✨😎✨

T.I.M.E. Book Review: Fascinating concept of exploring a "guaranteed" experience to find your ultimate true love match though at a price... $40k - $50k, yikes! What price would you pay to "jump the dating line" right to your perfect match? Oh, well... It looks like love just may be too expensive for me!... ✨😎✨

Pages: 344
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Online Dating Romance
Time Period: Present Day
Location: New York City

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee
Movie: Love, Guaranteed (Netflix)

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I was overwhelmed that someone would pay the amount mentioned in this story to find love. The idea of this app and the science behind the match seemed far fetched until you are swept up in the romance between Ursula and Rafael. Ursula and her friend Issa will keep you laughing when they are at The Stake. Watch out for ending twist.

I liked this one! It’s a… satirical romance? Lots of side-eyeing at corporate/marketing/investing culture, and a good central conflict with a predictable, but still good, ending. The characters were a bit grating (it felt like the author was trying too hard with the jokes & making them quirky) but I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next from this author.

This wasn’t for me unfortunately! I wanted to love it but things fell a bit flat. I was intrigued by the premise but couldn’t quite connect.

This is Match.com for wealthy entitled people who are over dating and want to meet their forever partners, because who doesn’t have the cost of a luxury car laying around to do so? The real question is, no matter how many professionals are involved and assessments are made, even if the compatibility is right on paper, can they predict true love and chemistry? I didn’t love the main female characters. It felt they were more concerned with status and meeting someone of “their ilk, up to their standards” than actual real love. The concept was really fun and thought provoking and the writing was held me, but it wasn’t an easy book for me to finish.

A clever, immensely enjoyable, unconventional romance, The Arc is at once a sharp satire of New York city in the late 2010s and an open-hearted exploration of how to find love amongst the tangle of technology we find ourselves in. It's razor-sharp satire, but with a very human, vulnerable heart. I immensely enjoyed this book—when i finished I was almost mad this was Hoen's debut because i couldn't just pick up her next one.

Ursula has had it with modern dating in NYC when she's slipped a card for The Arc: a service that (for an exorbitant price tag) will provide the opportunity to meet the person with whom you'll have the greatest chance at lifelong happiness.

This book was fascinating to me. As someone who met her spouse before online dating was mainstream, and before smart phone were invented, I could not look away from this glimpse into modern dating and matchmaking. I enjoyed how the personalities of Ursula and Rafael were fleshed out - both the positive and the deeply unflattering. I had the opportunity to listen to and ALC and the excellent narration heightened the experience.

This book had a very interesting premise that I enjoyed. There were some parts that drug a little, but overall it was a really good book.

Very interesting and unique idea about the future of dating/dating apps. The Arc reminded me of a Black Mirror episode and there were some instances where the story almost shifted a little sci fi.

All in all I mostly enjoyed this story and it was interesting to see Ursula and Rafael’s relationship unfold. However it was a bit slow going and at times I did almost did give up.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin’s for a review copy.

A modern day romance that doesn't take itself too seriously and will have you laughing and cheering from the first chapter. There are a few twists and turns, but I most enjoyed the characters of the story and the will they/won't they dynamic. Definitely one to read!

Want to find guaranteed true love without the hassle of multiple bad dates? Horrible men who pretend they are your prince in shining armor? Then look no further than The Arc... a company that promises to find you a match that will last or your money back! The money part.... a huge sum but isn't it worth it to find love?

Ursula is a mid thirties New Yorker who has it all.... but the title of Mrs. A tryer of the professional dating apps... everything has turned out to be a HEAVY FAIL. Thus, when a friend recommends The Arc, she tries it with some caution. Matched with Rafael Banks, she feels this must be it! Her match! But is everything perfect on paper? Or is a loves "arc" really all that it's meant to be?

As a reader and lover of romantic pursuits, the plot and ideal for The Arc quickly held my attention. Yet, I was left scratching my head and baffled at the concept once I hit the first third of the story. I ended up not finishing this read because I could not get around Ursula's questioning habits towards the company and the dryness of wriitng style.

Ok this story was a little weird but interesting. I’m glad I stayed with it. The author has a dry sense of humor and I really enjoyed her writing. The plot was thought provoking for me and maybe futuristic….
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

DNF.

This book was not for me. I had a hard time getting into it, and I wasn't able to finish it. Our main character was hard to relate to, and kind of insufferable. The book itself was weird, which is normally a strength, but I just didn't connect with it or care enough to keep reading. It might make for an interesting movie, but unfortunately it wasn't really for me!

This book was surprisingly really good. I listen to the audio and it was the right way to go. Thank you for letting me read and review this book.