Arrange Us (The Arranged Duo, #2) by Katy Regnery

I've written a review and decided to change it up completely.. So if you've been here and it suddenly looks different, yep there's a reason for it. I'm known as being totally and absolutely blunt yet I HATE being unnecessarily mean so I hope you'll take my review as my PERSONAL opinion and nothing else. This book rubbed me the wrong way as it deals with a subject I feel STRONGLY about and though I've love SO MANY of Katy's books (I've read them ALL) this one in my personal opinion is HORRIBLE in the way it glorifies deception when it's for the "right" reasons (that's all I'm willing to say while staying spoiler free..).

While I had my issues with the previous installment, it was mostly "personal taste" and though I wasn't pleased I accepted Courtney's decisions as her own, even if I HIGHLY disagreed with most of them if not ALL of them. A lot of people found the story to be quite unique and REALLY enjoyed it. I guess I'm too "modern" in my thinking to romanticize arranged marriages (the problems Courtney and Josh dealt with in this one were EXACTLY why I thought it was a bad idea from the start... just saying..).

For me this one was absolutely NOT A ROMANCE NOVEL. To say I disliked this book would be an understatement. I was RAVING MAD most of the book. I highlighted like crazy all those HORRIBLE thoughts and discussions between Courtney and Josh that showed how this is NOT WORKING and for good reasons. I was truly WAITING for them to break up because I think it would have been the best solution as they are CLEARLY not looking for the same things in life (though the sex is great..).

I actually haven't even finished reading the whole thing.. I've read 95% - leaving out the Epilogue - as I just didn't want to read them "finding HEA" as it would have been a total unbelievable lie the way I see it. I don't think these two CAN have a happy life together with a shattered foundation filled with selfishness, lies and deception. There is no trust, no respect. So how could there be ANY future?

I know I haven't really written anything about the plot and I'm not going to.. instead I'll add a pretty line and after it I'm going to ramble with EXACTLY what made me so mad. It's going to be long, it's going to contain HUGE spoilers so be advised..

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Arrange Me (The Arranged Duo, #1) By Katy Regnery

Reading the synopsis I already knew I'm going to have SOME problems with this book. I don't believe in arrange marriages, and while it DOES work in other places in the world or it DID work in the past I don't think it CAN work in our times. Also what Courtney is looking for isn't an "arranged marriage" is a promise NO ONE can give her for a "Happily Ever After" and more specifically getting an immediate "Ever After" which, again, isn't something realistic. Though I DID enjoy the story and the progression of the book I was beyond annoyed by her behavior and general way of thinking.

Courtney Jane Salinger is 29 years old and she is SICK of dating. She wants to find the love of her life, but the "dating scene" has broken her. Well, it has broken us all.. I TOTALLY know the feeling. It's a game, and it you're not playing by the rules or if you don't know the rules you're in for a disappointment. Courtney is in a good place. She came from a wealthy family but she also has a great job with a steady income, has her own place and the only thing missing is the guy she wants to share her life with. Coming across a commercial of arranged marriages website she decides to sign up and be arranged. In 6 weeks from applying she is going to meet her man on the alter (with only 2 e-mails between them to actually ARRANGE the wedding).