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kiralove's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
emmacarambola's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
browsemyshelves's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I have SUCH mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I really enjoyed the concept of The Arc. Like a dating app, but in real life. It felt oddly dystopian. The narrator for the audiobook was also excellent, she had different voices for each character and was SUPER good at accents. The author was extremely good at painting a visual story, as well, making the book quite enjoyable. I loved the plot.
But the main characters were insufferable.
The male MC was a huge dick. Upper-east side, rich dude that couldn’t give his support for shit (he kept telling the female MC to quit her job when she didn’t want to). He was funny, and caring, sometimes, but would literally argue with Ursula over the dumbest things.
The female MC was suuuper annoying, would also argue over the dumbest shit, and even gave the male MC shit over him wanting to buy a dog from a breeder (does the author know that “adopt don’t shop” is…not actually a good phrase to use?). She went to this weird club/spa with her bestie all the time and it was just…odd. She was also funny, though, and sometimes caring, and definitely smart, which I suppose is how they got matched.
The lack of communication between these two people was so annoying and just frustrated me most of the time. I would still recommend reading though if you enjoy plot-driven books!
On the one hand, I really enjoyed the concept of The Arc. Like a dating app, but in real life. It felt oddly dystopian. The narrator for the audiobook was also excellent, she had different voices for each character and was SUPER good at accents. The author was extremely good at painting a visual story, as well, making the book quite enjoyable. I loved the plot.
But the main characters were insufferable.
The male MC was a huge dick. Upper-east side, rich dude that couldn’t give his support for shit (he kept telling the female MC to quit her job when she didn’t want to). He was funny, and caring, sometimes, but would literally argue with Ursula over the dumbest things.
The female MC was suuuper annoying, would also argue over the dumbest shit, and even gave the male MC shit over him wanting to buy a dog from a breeder (does the author know that “adopt don’t shop” is…not actually a good phrase to use?). She went to this weird club/spa with her bestie all the time and it was just…odd. She was also funny, though, and sometimes caring, and definitely smart, which I suppose is how they got matched.
The lack of communication between these two people was so annoying and just frustrated me most of the time. I would still recommend reading though if you enjoy plot-driven books!
logancoxx's review against another edition
5.0
Ursula wants to find love.
She signs up for The Arc: a modern, science-backed, secretive matching making service with a 100% success rate. She’s paired with Rafael and immediately, it’s everything they could have possibly hoped for. Love explodes and it seems perfect; absolutely blissful. But when the going gets tough, is The Arc’s certainty in success enough to keep the relationship alive? And what happens when that certainty disappears?
———— ————
I absolutely loved this. More than I thought I would. It absolutely WOWed me - it was a breathtakingly beautiful love story.
I felt everything so deeply. I felt such a deep sense of warmth watching Ursula and Rafael fall in love. It was such a magical - yet still realistic? - expression of finding “the one”.
But completely separately I felt a deep echoing with Ursula and her life-reckoning. It felt so raw to discuss the pressures of career success.
This book made me feel so deeply and expressively - it was amazing.
*thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts*
She signs up for The Arc: a modern, science-backed, secretive matching making service with a 100% success rate. She’s paired with Rafael and immediately, it’s everything they could have possibly hoped for. Love explodes and it seems perfect; absolutely blissful. But when the going gets tough, is The Arc’s certainty in success enough to keep the relationship alive? And what happens when that certainty disappears?
———— ————
I absolutely loved this. More than I thought I would. It absolutely WOWed me - it was a breathtakingly beautiful love story.
I felt everything so deeply. I felt such a deep sense of warmth watching Ursula and Rafael fall in love. It was such a magical - yet still realistic? - expression of finding “the one”.
But completely separately I felt a deep echoing with Ursula and her life-reckoning. It felt so raw to discuss the pressures of career success.
This book made me feel so deeply and expressively - it was amazing.
*thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts*
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
The Arc by Tory Henwood Hoen is a unique romance that is quite enjoyable.
Thirty-five-year-old Ursula Byrne is an independent career woman who is burned out by dating apps. She is ready to give up on love when she is provided with an introduction to The Arc, a company that approaches matchmaking in a decidedly different manner. Ursula is intrigued but the price tag for the opportunity is steep. Luckily for her, she gets a side job that takes the money concern off the table. After spending seven days undergoing somewhat unusual testing, she is matched up with forty-two-year-old lawyer, Gabriel Banks.
Ursula and Gabriel immediately hit it off and their romance unfolds quickly. They truly enjoy each other’s company and their time together is fairly free from stress. Ursula wants a relationship where she does not feel like she gives up important parts of herself. Gabriel has insecurities from previous failed romances but he has not quite given up on love. While their first few months together are blissfully happy, Ursula and Gabriel’s first disagreement is the beginning of trouble in paradise. Will they give up at the first sign of trouble?
The Arc is an interesting novel that blends romance with satire. Ursula is a likable character with a few idiosyncrasies. Gabriel’s family life is colorful and he is completely charmed by Ursula. Their romance is funny and a little silly at first. It is not until their relationship is tested that Ursula really begins to find her way. Gabriel is always a little more grounded but he also has room for to grow. Tory Henwood Hoen brings this clever romance to a heartwarming conclusion.
Thirty-five-year-old Ursula Byrne is an independent career woman who is burned out by dating apps. She is ready to give up on love when she is provided with an introduction to The Arc, a company that approaches matchmaking in a decidedly different manner. Ursula is intrigued but the price tag for the opportunity is steep. Luckily for her, she gets a side job that takes the money concern off the table. After spending seven days undergoing somewhat unusual testing, she is matched up with forty-two-year-old lawyer, Gabriel Banks.
Ursula and Gabriel immediately hit it off and their romance unfolds quickly. They truly enjoy each other’s company and their time together is fairly free from stress. Ursula wants a relationship where she does not feel like she gives up important parts of herself. Gabriel has insecurities from previous failed romances but he has not quite given up on love. While their first few months together are blissfully happy, Ursula and Gabriel’s first disagreement is the beginning of trouble in paradise. Will they give up at the first sign of trouble?
The Arc is an interesting novel that blends romance with satire. Ursula is a likable character with a few idiosyncrasies. Gabriel’s family life is colorful and he is completely charmed by Ursula. Their romance is funny and a little silly at first. It is not until their relationship is tested that Ursula really begins to find her way. Gabriel is always a little more grounded but he also has room for to grow. Tory Henwood Hoen brings this clever romance to a heartwarming conclusion.
sineadsh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was expecting a romance and The Arc gave me something else! The Arc blends some of the more eye roll-y parts of tech — “VP of strategic Audacity,” Tech bro founders being obnoxious as hell, the whole idea of The Arc a center that finds you your absolute perfect match without fail for the low price of $50,000 ($40,500 for women because of the gender pay gap) screams tech pseudo-cult!! But I kinda love satirical call out of some of the more cringe aspects of tech “girl-boss” energy the books atmosphere provides.
What really shines about the story is how despite all the frills, Ursula & Rafael’s relationship rings surprisingly true for me. I felt the cringy ways they were obsessed with each other…well cringy but not untrue. The ways they were both uniquely bad at communication tugged at my heart strings a bit, especially when these miscommunications or inability to expose the more vulnerable parts of themselves cause conflict for them.
.
I can’t decide if I love or hate the ending, leaning towards hate but it’s was deliciously devious!
Thank you to Net Galley for the e-copy of this book.
What really shines about the story is how despite all the frills, Ursula & Rafael’s relationship rings surprisingly true for me. I felt the cringy ways they were obsessed with each other…well cringy but not untrue. The ways they were both uniquely bad at communication tugged at my heart strings a bit, especially when these miscommunications or inability to expose the more vulnerable parts of themselves cause conflict for them.
.
I can’t decide if I love or hate the ending, leaning towards hate but it’s was deliciously devious!
Thank you to Net Galley for the e-copy of this book.
phoebe17's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alyssanm12's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75