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Reviews

The Arc by Tory Henwood Hoen

trisha_thomas's review against another edition

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3.0

Wow, this one was not what I expected. It had an interesting premise - this perfect dating app with 100% success rate of picking your perfect partner. If you've been bouncing around on dating apps, then this sounds really good! But I found the characters funny but odd. I never seemed to figure out what they were going to do next - the MC, the friends, anyone. The banter was witty and I liked the twists to keep the plot moving. I thought there were a few eye-rolling moments but for the most part, this one was highly entertaining!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

beachburgmom's review against another edition

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4.0

A new look at finding romance ....when 35 year old successful Ursula has had no luck in finding a life long husband after trying many different ways to meet eligible men she is given a business card for The ARC. After much consideration she decides to check it out ....an intense look at everything in your life including how you sleep, how you handle stress , what tuns you on for a mere 45,500 dollars. Rafael is a lawyer who is also seeking The perfect one to fit in his life. The two are presented with an envelope after screening stating they are a perfect match....they meet and everything seems over the top amazing ......until they are called in and to,d The Arc made a mistake.

This story is about ones journey to find yourself and look at your habits and lifestyle and figuring out if you are the one sabotaging your future by not dealing with your past, your outlooks on life and your ideal vision. It’s quirky and funny at times . I found about two thirds in it got a bit long but kept reading and enjoyed the journey of these two and their friends , the characters are very likeable

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I would recommend this book to friends and family and to my book clubs

kt_apple's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5⭐️

jesshawa's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-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? No

4.0

jessicasilfenroy's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5/5. This book was very intriguing an reminded me of books like The One and Soulmate Equation where science/ modern technology is being used to find someone's lifelong partner.

Premise: Ursula and Rafael are both tired of being single and the modern dating apps. Their friends are all in serious relationships and whenever they are set up on date, they wonder why this late 30 year old is still single like them. Thus, they both join a secretive match-making service called the Arc. While the Arc is expensive, the company promises to find someones 100% ideal partner. Both Ursula and Rafael are a bit skeptical about the program at first. However, after their initial meeting, the chemistry between the two is undeniable and they jump right into a relationship. It seems as though everything between the two is going perfectly, until the Arc calls them in to share that they made a mistake...

Thoughts: I was most interested in the chapters that detailed how the Arc matchmaking process works and the questions that both Ursula and Rafael had to answer as part of the legroom; they are so different than those found on any dating app. There was a point in the middle where I got a little bit bored of the story but do think the end was wrapped up very nicely. I enjoyed Ursula's internal monologue and her thoughts and fears about modern dating/ work/ life. Definitely super different than other contemporary romances you will pick up!!

yapxinyi's review against another edition

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3.0

I haven't read chick-lits in some time, but when my notification came that the ebook was on hold for borrowing, I borrowed it not really knowing what to expect (I even forgot that I requested to borrow it lol). Anyway, this has slightly elevated language (atavistic? polyphonic?) from your usual chick-lits, plus very long sentences – which I'm usually okay with, but this had the effect of fact-laden sentences that gave us backstory after backstory and to be honest, my eyes glazed over and I started skimming some parts.

I was slightly interested in the backstory, since Ursula works in the advertising sector as a branding strategist and copywriter etc (which aligns with my interests, haha) so it was fun reading about it, but I don't think this would apply to many others who read this! Some campaigns were cheeky but – hmm, not sure if it would work irl. I also can relate to Ursula on some level about questioning the purpose of selling brands, because at some level you start to question whether you really care about selling toilet papers, ha. Liked her meltdown at the Brandys.

The premise of The Arc (sorry, Architecting Relationships and Chemistry) about a third-party brand that helps you engineer your relationship with a suitable match was somewhat interesting, and requires a suspension of disbelief because the fees are a whopping $40,500 for women and $50,000 for men (to account for the gender wage gap), plus she and Rafael hit off immediately. Lots of feminist ideas and woke-ness, I suppose. It makes me wanna believe in chemistry in love but I'm not sure how believable it is.

I liked the somewhat open ending, hmm. A bit of a plot twist towards the end, I guess, that they
Spoilerengineer relationship obstacles too
.

wrenl's review against another edition

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5.0

There are so many things I can say about this book, but the first thing I need you to know is that its a commentary on modern dating and work culture. It’s serious but not so serious. In a way, it’s the book form of The Good Place or Upload. But that being said, I adored this book. It’s funny and witty in all the best ways. It snarkily reflects the awkwardness of falling in love coupled with the stresses of working in corporate America. As someone in a relationship and a full time job, I felt everything Ursula said. I was engrossed, and I stayed up late to finish the book. I’d love to see this adapted into a tv show. It has the perfect sense of humor and the perfect perspective on life. 5/5!!

atsundarsingh's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The re-read really sold it. Loved this more the second time. 

julielb's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a reread for me and I liked it just as much the second time around as the first.

Told in third person but from two different p.o.v.'s, Ursula (primary p.o.v.) and Rafael, it's about an organization that promises to match you with your soul mate, your best love, the best match for you if you go through their rigorous assessment/matching process.

Ultimately Ursula and Rafael are matched and when they meet, sparks fly and electricity ignites between them. They share common sense of humor, desire to have fun, both in careers that utilize their unique talents and these all come together in a strong pairing as a couple. But they also bring with them their fears and concerns from previous relationships that they each wrestle with inside their own thoughts.

I won't describe more for fear of spoiling. Just know that this is well written and the two characters have such depth that you feel you know them, could bump into them on a NYC street and want to ask them out for a drink to be their friend. I sort of guessed at the ending the first time and was right but it didn't diminish the fun I had reading this book. Definitely good author and great book!

meet_me_inthe_library's review against another edition

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3.0

3.75⭐️