Arranged.

I'm going to tell you right now that I am in full on girl crush with Catherine McKenzie because is like me. But she actually gets paid to write whereas I'm a famous author in my head. I read Catherine's other book Spin and absolutely loved it. As soon as this book came out I bought it, and then I got an email asking if I want to review it and I got myself all over it. Then I mailed one of the copies of the book I had to my friend Amy because I knew she would appreciate it as she goes through the perils of dating. So if you are single, dating a string of losers, or can't keep a relationship to save your life but maybe don't know why, check this book out. Or, if you are married and thinking about divorcing so you can date, you might want to read this.

Arranged- Catherine McKenzie

Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, close friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share her life with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right. When her latest relationship implodes, and her best friend announces she’s engaged, Anne impulsively calls what she thinks is a dating service—only to discover that it’s actually an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. Anne initially rejects the idea, but the more she learns about the service, the more she thinks: Why not?After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world; maybe it could work for her.

A few months later, Anne is traveling to a Mexican resort, where, over the course of a weekend, she meets and then marries Jack. And initially, everything seems to be working out. . . .

OK, so what makes this book so funny is that Catherine is practical and funny. The characters in this book are realistic and you can immediately relate. You know exactly how you would feel if you were just dumped and your best friend gets engaged. Take a minute and picture it. Then read it because Catherine portrays it perfectly. 

But what makes this an interesting story is that it asks you the question- would you consider an arranged marriage? If you knew that professionals were matching you up with someone who is apparently your perfect match. One line from the book pretty much hit home for me, "..if things change, you remember how they used to be and you're disappointed. If you don't have any expectations going in, you can't be let down." 

And isn't that the truth, though? For all of you who are married you can think back to when you were dating your future spouse and you know what it used to be. Fast forward a few years, kids, stress, all of the regular life stuff that gets in the way and you think, "Jesus. Is this as good as it gets? Damn." But what if you were matched up with someone and you just knew you weren't meant to be with them because hello- you're compatible because someone has said with certainty that you are. It would give you a sense of, that really is as good as it gets and stop being greedy, bitch. Right? 

Back to the book though, hilarious. I really liked Anne even though she really fails at life in a lot of way. And so does Jack. Jacks fails at life hard core and you get angry at him towards the end. But then... the story turns and you don't know where you'll end up but you know where you hope it ends because the match making company just can't be wrong. 

So if you need a really fun summer read, a good book to discuss at a book club, or need to add to your chick lit favorites, definitely check this book out. Check out Catherine's Facebook, Twitter and website. Seriously, you'll love her like I do. 

Spin

I have had a pretty eventful couple of weeks and so much to tell you. A ton, really. But tonight while I get some stuff in order at home and some crap off my desk, I am going to review a book that I absolutely loved. Loved so much it's getting it's well earned spot in my top ten book list.

Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Kate’s To-Do List:
1. Go to rehab
2. Befriend/spy on “It Girl”
3. Write killer expose
4. Land dream job

Piece of cake!

When Kate Sandford lands an interview at her favorite music magazine, The Line, it’s the chance of a lifetime. So Kate goes out to celebrate—and shows up still drunk to the interview the next morning. It’s no surprise that she doesn’t get the job, but her performance has convinced the editors that she’d be perfect for an undercover assignment for their gossip rag. All Kate has to do is follow “It Girl” Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop—and complete the thirty-day program—they’ll reconsider her for the position at The Line. Kate takes the assignment, but when real friendships start to develop, she has to decide if what she has to gain is worth the price she’ll have to pay.

I want so much to tell you everything awesome about this book... but I can't. I can't because I feel like it would ruin it for you. But the quick and dirty is that Kate is a 20something aspiring writer who really wants to write for a music magazine but doesn't quite have her life together. She goes out drinking to celebrate her pre-birthday and from there she ends up going to her dream job interview completely drunk and has a not so proud moment puking in the bathroom. From there she goes to rehab because of her alternative assignment and she has to go through the motions as an alcoholic. When in reality, she is an alcoholic but just doesn't see it.

This book was funny, hands down. I found myself laughing and completely relating to Kate even though I don't drink at all. But I really appreciated her almost anti establishment attitude about rehab because I imagine if I were in her shoes I'd be the same way. The kicker is that she starts to befriend her "target" so to speak and learns some very real lessons in life. The book is sad in a way because you see a bit of a glimpse of celebrity and what it's probably like for them. It's hard to get better when everyone prefers to see you down for their own selfish reasons. The other thing I really liked about this book is that I think a lot of people have a drinking problem but think they don't. I can name at least two or three people I know who have issues but won't acknowledge it. It's harder to do the work to get better than it is to just drink it away and lose it all.

I so highly recommend this book to you. You will laugh, you'll get a few introspective moments, and you will have an incredibly hard time putting it down. Excellent book. I wish I wasn't so tired at this very moment to be overly expressive about the awesomeness of this book because it so deserves it.

You know I always recommend that you check out what other people are saying and you can do that HERE. Catherine has a website, Facebook and Twitter too.