Arranged in Q&A with Catherine McKenzie

Jul 16, 2010 Colleen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If I could give it a higher star rating, I would. And if it was published now everyone I know would be getting a copy for Christmas. Thank you, Catherine, for helping me realize that when written well, I love books with romance in them.

Here's my full review, originally posted at http://lavenderlines.wordpress.com

So yesterday Catherine McKenzie's first book, Spin, made it on my list of favorite reads for 2010. I know we're only three days into 2011 but I can tell you that Arranged will make it o If I could give it a higher star rating, I would. And if it was published now everyone I know would be getting a copy for Christmas. Thank you, Catherine, for helping me realize that when written well, I love books with romance in them.

Here's my full review, originally posted at http://lavenderlines.wordpress.com

So yesterday Catherine McKenzie's first book, Spin, made it on my list of favorite reads for 2010. I know we're only three days into 2011 but I can tell you that Arranged will make it on my best of 2011 list. I loved it that much. I stayed up until 3 am to finished it and immediately wanted to reread it again. Arranged may seem on the surface like a light "chick lit" read, but underneath it's about more serious issues like loneliness, stability and trust. And it's a book that I know will stick with me for a long time.

Anne Blythe isn't always the most likable character in the world. She has a certain "type" of guy she's into and she's, well, kinda shallow when it comes to looks. For the first part of the book I spent a lot of time wanting to smack her upside the head. I mean, quit complaining that you can't find a decent guy when you only go for men who have movie star looks. Honestly. But as the book went on, and McKenzie let me slowly see deeper into Anne's psyche I felt a connection to the character that I rarely feel when reading. I think a lot of women are going to see aspects of themselves in Anne. I know I did.

Okay, here's a bit of background on moi. You need to know it so that you can understand how fully and completely connected I felt with Anne by the time I got about half way through the book, and why I became so entrenched in her story and her happiness. The hubs and I met in a bit of an unconventional way: I answered his personal online ad . I was sick and tired of the dating game and wanted to meet someone I knew I'd be compatible with. I also wanted to avoid that awkward does-he-like-me-like-me stage when you first meet someone of the opposite sex. Since I was answering a personal ad, all I had to do was meet the guy, see if we clicked, and if we didn't, so be it. Sure it's not as serious of a commitment as an arranged marriage, but I could still identify with everything Anne was feeling pre and post wedding. For me the connection was at times painful, and some of the things Anne goes through broke my heart so bad that I had to set the book down for a bit and gather myself.

As an Island girl, I got a kick out of all the Anne of Green Gables reference. I mean, there's no one on PEI who doesn't have some kind of a connection to Anne. Most of us have the seen the musical. And, if like me, you've ever worked as an usher at The Confederation Center of the Arts, then you've seen the musical enough times to know it off by heart 15 years later.

The author's writing was once again great. McKenzie has a straight-forward writing style that lends itself perfectly to the story. She has the amazing ability to handle some tough issues in a light way without being condescending, rude or awkward about it. In her books it seems effortless but I know that it must be hard to maintain that balance.

Arranged was way more romancy than Spin and -gasp- there may even be a bit of a sex scene it in, something that would normally turn the extremely prudish me off from finishing the book. But I felt such a strong connection to Anne and was so tied up in the plot and the writing was so great that I didn't give a hoot. I loved the book despite the fact that it had elements in it that I normally don't love. And that, my friends, is the sign of excellent writing, an amazing plot and stand out characters. All of which Arranged has.
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Jul 19, 2010 Sue Smith rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2011

I have to admit that I went into this book with some hesitation - romance books are not my usual read. Not that I don't enjoy romance - what girl doesn't enjoy feeling special or doesn't want to be swept up in the Happily Ever After scenerios from time to time? It's just that it's not my usual go-to book. What I'm trying to say ( and am doing a really poor job at it!!) is that the books I tend to absolutely devour have the romance factor as one of the secondary plot lines - or sometimes it doesn I have to admit that I went into this book with some hesitation - romance books are not my usual read. Not that I don't enjoy romance - what girl doesn't enjoy feeling special or doesn't want to be swept up in the Happily Ever After scenerios from time to time? It's just that it's not my usual go-to book. What I'm trying to say ( and am doing a really poor job at it!!) is that the books I tend to absolutely devour have the romance factor as one of the secondary plot lines - or sometimes it doesn't come into play at all - or in really odd ways... well, you know what I mean.....but it's always a part that I want -and (confession here) need to have in them. There isn't a book out there that doesn't have love as some part of it's inner workings - whether it's the impetus for terrible deeds or great ones. So to have a book where it's right out in the open and is the primary reason of the book itself is usually reason enough for me to walk by and head to the science fiction and fantasy book shelves.

And that, my friends, is the great things about Goodreads!! It makes you stretch out from your usual self induced reading boundaries and puts you onto some really great books.

Suffice it to say, this book is about the search for love - and partnership. It's a dance as old as the heavens and it never changes - other than how it's attained. Thus we're introduced to Anne, who is in the process of ending another relationship that was supposed to have been the ONE. Distraught and disappointed, coupled with the endless announcements of joy from friends around her that have seemed to catch the elusive happiness carrot on the string, she stumbles happenstance upon a card in the street for a dating service and decides to give it a whirl. Especially since she wasn't having any luck on her own and the potential partners her friends and family were fobbing at her were hopeless. That's when she discovers that the company doesn't offer dating services. It arranges marriage partners.

So she decides to give it a whirl.... and thus the story begins.

It's really funny and touching and it shows how important love is in our lives. And how important friendship is as well - especially in our partners. ...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Angelica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really liked Catherine McKenzie's second novel, it was an effortless read and she told a great story. The characters were memorable and relatable, and the story was original and entertaining. I recommend this book and would probably read it again! ...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Jennifer Rayment rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Good Stuff

Chicklit + - It has all the usual marks of chick lit, quirky characters, goofy twists and turns, but it also has intelligence, warmth and dry humour
I love her writing style and will now purchase anything she writes
She's Canadian and doesn't depress the crap out of me (yes I know get over it - you go to school in this country and you will know what I mean - feckin Margaret Laurence)
Her characters are quirky but believeable
Love Anne's family and how her and her brother were named (du ...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Lydia Laceby rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: canadian-chick-lit, 5-star-must-read, contemporary-women-s-fiction, chick-lit, canadian

Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes

I loved Catherine McKenzie's debut novel, Spin - which made it to my top 5 reads of 2010, and couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of Arranged and I was not disappointed. McKenzie's latest novel explores the premise of a western woman seeking an arranged marriage, one based on friendship rather than love, and I thought the comparisons and insights throughout the novel were interesting and they definitely had me stopping to think at times. Arranged was fast Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes

I loved Catherine McKenzie's debut novel, Spin - which made it to my top 5 reads of 2010, and couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of Arranged and I was not disappointed. McKenzie's latest novel explores the premise of a western woman seeking an arranged marriage, one based on friendship rather than love, and I thought the comparisons and insights throughout the novel were interesting and they definitely had me stopping to think at times. Arranged was fast paced, had an intriguing premise and I was drawn immediately into Anne’s world. Catherine McKenzie definitely has another winner on her hands!

I loved the Anne of Green Gables thread throughout. Having been a huge fan of the books and movies since I was a child, I giggled frequently and loved how Anne kept tying her romantic nature back to the story as well as the fun she poked at herself for being named after such an infamous character.

Anne’s character grabbed me right from the beginning of the novel. Even though she’s down on her luck in love, she realizes it and tries to pick herself up and move forward. She never seems to sit and bemoan her situation for long and realizes when she’s in a rut. She’s thoughtful, insightful and able to analyze her situation to try and figure a possible way out, even though her solution might seem a crazy idea to some, even to herself.

Although I wasn’t 100% sure of Jack, due to the nature of the arranged part of the marriage I think (not for me apparently), I liked him well enough, but part of me still wanted to be cautious. And for Anne to be cautious – that’s how much I cared about her character. I didn’t want to see her get hurt again. All the other characters were well drawn and likeable and I loved Anne’s relationships with them all. Their reactions at her sudden marriage seemed realistic and provided quite a few giggles as well as had me wondering what my friends and family would do in such a situation and what I would do if a friend of mine got hitched so suddenly.

Even though the premise might seem a little far fetched - or at least it did to me – McKenzie makes it seem plausible and not once did I think any part of the story was outrageous.

Can’t wait to see what else Catherine McKenzie has in store for us next! ...more

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Jul 17, 2010 Christina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favourite-authors, canadian-author

In Arranged, we get a witty and fast-paced tale of arranged marriage from a Western point of view. Most of us look at arranged marriages as something that "other cultures" do, but all those Eharmony commercials are essentially selling the same practice. And do those couples featured on the Eharmony commercials live "happily ever after"? Are they even real couples?

I love the fact that Catherine McKenzie writes about real characters. She hits exactly the right note with her main character Anne Bl ...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Jean Brazil rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit

Wow! It has been a long time since I read a whole book in a day because I couldn't put it down. Great light romance for summer. However, the characters were believable, story just enough out of the ordinary to be interesting. One of my new favorite authors! ...more

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Jan 11, 2011 phyllis frosst rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Couldn't put it down. Read it in three big bites! ...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Kathleen Crowell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book! It had a totally different kind of feel to it--really makes you question why you get married or want to get married. I loved the idea of the high-end marriage broker. Even when you try to tie things up in a neat bow, life still happens and there is always something to muddle through. Can't wait for Forgotten to come out in the fall!!! ...more

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