This was an entertaining book!

This was a fun story with a twisty ending that will surprise you! Even though Ursula and Rafael's relationship is slow built, the book really portrays that dynamics of a relationship. It's interesting to see how math and chemistry decides love for them, but it end up being them who ultimately gets to determine if this relationship can be something more than just numbers and statistics.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for the earc in return for a honest review.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating: 3.5/5

This book wasn't for me, but I do know a lot of people who would probably really love it. I just found it a little odd, but very unique compared to other dating app stories I've read. This isn't a lighthearted romcom like I usually go for, and I think it fits more into women's fiction. I really enjoyed the twist at the end. I would have given this a four if this was one of the couples I consider soulmates. although they are really cute.

I loved loved loved this story. Ursula is unsuccessful at love but the ARC changes that. I thought that this story was well written and had the perfect blend of emotions.

I found this book to be very odd. The premise seemed ok, but really, would two smart professional people pay an agency almost one hundred thousand dollars to match them for life? There are no guarantees.
I didn’t really like either of the main characters: one was too self doubting and the other was too suspicious.
I finished this novel but didn’t really care for it.

3.5 matchmaking stars

Ursula Byrne is a weird character that grew on me a bit by the end of the book. It might be because I live in about the opposite world – she’s in New York, working with companies on branding and trying to find the next thing to recommend to her billionaire investment friend. She frequents a very weird place called The Stake with her girlfriend; I don’t even know how to describe the odd treatments they deliver. She’s also struggled with love, so she turns to The Arc.

For the low price of $40,500 she signs a contract with The Arc so that they can find her perfect partner. She undergoes some weird (I know, that word again!) time at Arc headquarters so that they know her completely. She’s paired with Rafael, a lawyer, who at first doesn’t seem her type at all.

It’s interesting to me to think about the concept of matchmaking. There are arranged marriages, blind dates, and now apps all devoted to finding your “perfect” partner. Is there such a thing? Can science do a better job than human instincts and attraction?

Ursula and Rafael hit it off at first but then have their first argument. Did The Arc get it wrong? Can you be compatible but still need to work through some issues?

After a slow start, this one made me curious enough to keep reading. It’s certainly not for everyone, but I ended up enjoyed reading about Ursula and Rafael and thinking more about matchmaking!

How much would you pay to guarantee being matched with your soulmate? For Rafeal and Ursula it’s $50,000 or $40,500 Ursula to account for the gender wage gap. They both turn to the titular Arc when dating on their own proves to be too much.

I found all the characters in this novel likable and interesting and appreciated the more satirical aspects of it (I both rolled my eyes and was genuinely intrigued by the women’s only club, The Stake, featured in the story). I found the plot incredibly predictable, but the story still makes some interesting points about what goes into creating a successful relationship and some of the epiphanies the characters experienced hit so close to home I think I can skip therapy for the next few weeks.

This is quite the standout debut! I loved the unique story line where there is an elite service that promises to match participants with their perfect partner. I loved that the two leads, Ursula and Rafael, were older and a little dismissive about whether the service would work but still optimistic enough to try.

I didn't love how long the story dragged on. It could have been edited much more for my tastes but I kept reading because I had to find out what would happen to the MCs, would they get their happily ever after or was the story going to take a more sinister turn?? This isn't a light rom-com, but much more of a women's fiction/literary story. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend if you're looking for something different from the norm. Much thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advance review copy.

The Arc is a modern dating solution that claims to be a relationship architect. The matchmaking service guarantees its users will be matched with their lifelong mate. The story follows Ursula as she signs up for The Arc and is matched with her supposed match.

I don’t want to give too much of this book away in my review because I think the unknown of it is where the magic is in this story. The idea of a high-end (albeit extremely expensive) dating service that uses science to guarantee a match is a very interesting concept for a book. This book makes sharp observations about love and relationships. The downside to me was that this book felt too long. I was ready for the story to wrap up before it did. I did enjoy the author’s writing and am interested in checking out her books in the future.

My Thoughts


The story of Ursula Byrne and Rafael Banks does not follow any kind of familiar formula but instead employs a more unique concept.

Ursula herself is of course portrayed as a very unique individual, which in my mind comes across as rather eccentric at certain times.

Rafael himself it turns out has exactly the understanding of her that she needs, but like usual in any type of romance the burning question for both remains the same as to whether their connection will stand the test of time.

As days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months said connection strengthens with each other as well as with each others closest friends.

However, as in real life romance when things get too comfy too fast, there is trouble in paradise for the pair that results in drama they cannot seem to get past.

Finding out what that drama is and how the 35-year-old Ursula along with 42-year-old Rafael handle it is worth reading to this couples strange finish to their story.

A finish that is well thought out but at the same time leaves questions in their minds as it does the reader as well.

Interesting concept for a dating service that I personally would not try if single, even if I had the money and believed in the Arc’s promises.

Not your everyday dating experience for sure.
Finding love the old fashioned way worked quite well for me but unlike the characters my life gave me time for the effort it took.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

This was a great book! Very interesting, very creative, drew you in and kept you involved in the story. I did predict the twist at the end pretty early on, but it didn't ruin the book - if anything it kept me reading to figure out how it would all wind up. The characters were flawed but very realistic - easily people you would be friends with. I am looking forward to seeing what Henwood Hoen does next!

I really really wanted to like this one, but I put it down at about 25%. Much like a couple other books I've DNF'd in the last year, it was much more satirical than I thought it would be. As much as I wish I was someone who enjoyed those types of books, I lose interest very quickly and find myself rolling my eyes. I'm sure there are plenty of people who WILL like this book, it's just a case of right book, wrong person. I could see folks who liked Cave Dwellers or The Atmospherians liking this one.

Contemporary sardonic take on modern feminism, relationships and the ever-daunting struggle to the top of the social and corporate ladder. “The Stake”, the upscale hangout of the female MC, sounds hilariously believable as a wealthy mockery of white feminism and cultural appropriation. Where the concept of “The Arc” echos social experiment projects with the basis of shows like Big Brother and the Bachelor, with a no-so-healthy dose of corporate manipulation and fake sense of scientific breakthroughs thrown in.



The MC’s, Ursula and Rafael, have a great first date because they are being told that this relationship will last forever. It’s been scientifically and categorically determined. It’s all an experiment in control and manipulation. Called The Arc because they are the “architects” of the arc of their story, manipulating every tiny detail. It’s so in your face it’s painful.



There’s so many interesting concepts but they don’t all hold together. The sardonic take on modern culture just didn’t seem to mesh and seems to lose importance as the romance of the novel rolls further along. It was all over the place and I’m not sure how I feel about this one. If it was just a relationship story it would’ve been fun but the over descriptive nature of it and the cynical nature of the writing on contemporary corporate manipulation was just too a little on the nose. I feel like the author was trying to do something more but it just did not resonate fully.

The Arc is Tory Henwood Hoen’s debut novel and it is a solid entrance into the writing world! The Arc claims to be able to be light years ahead of dating apps - they promise to match you with your ultimate lifelong partner through a complex series of calculations, but it is pretty pricey! Ursula Byrnes is a 35 year-old successful marketing executive who has had no luck in love. She decides to try it! She is matched with 42 year-old Rafael Banks who is a successful lawyer but has also had a bad run with love. Is it really a match made in Heaven (or in a computer to be exact)? Do they make it as a couple or ask for a refund? While the characters are a little odd and I didn’t really relate to them, I was entertained going through this journey with them as there is clever banter and thought- provoking situations!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my advanced copy to read in exchange for an honest review! This book will be published on February 8th!

4.5 stars rounded up

If technology could match you with your guaranteed soul mate, would you do it?

Ursula is 35, successful and single, not impressed by the prospects that dating apps have yielded.

One day, a stranger slips her a business card for The Arc. Intrigued, Ursula looks into it and finds it's a super secret matchmaking service. The price is high, but it promises surefire results.

This was such a fun story. It was hilarious as well as complex, and a fantastic view of how much pressure we put on relationships. Is it predetermined, scientific? Or is it all by chance?
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

DNF-no rating

Weird

Ursula, our main character knows she is weird, and not in a cute Rom-Com way. She admits to that she uses a vibrator has a face massager and has purchased a see through bubble backpack for her cat so she can take the feline out with her.

Weird

Ursula and her friend Issa belong to a a feminist wellness club called “The Stake” where you can spend time in the Smash Center, breaking porcelain dishes or partake in gentler therapies such as Hush brushing where someone will brush your hair and murder soothing phrases to you, or in a Swaddle station, a sobbing pod or even float in a placenta infused saltwater tank called the womb room.

And, this is all before Ursula bares her soul in an attempt to allow a new exclusive dating service called The Arc match her up with her “soulmate”.

Let’s face it-humor is subjective and many readers may find this to be fresh and feminist and fun to read!
If that sounds like it might be you-check this out on February 8, 2022.

As for me, I am not connecting with the writing or story and I have vowed this year to allow myself to DNF any book which isn’t a fit for me, so I am moving on!

Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy.

Ursula has a lot going for her life - a career she's thriving in, great friendships, and a cat named Mallory that she adores. But what she doesn't have is lasting love. Enter: The Arc. A business focused on relationship architecting - one who learns so much about you, through a 7 day stay in their facility, that they're able to match you with the exact right person for you. It comes at a massive cost, but is it worth it? When Ursula is paired with Rafael, they immediately fall in love, but will it last, or was The Arc wrong?

This book truly surprised me. It was a romance, followed the typical romance formula, but there was so much more substance to this one. The premise, if you can orchestrate the perfect relationship is a great one and really made me think about it, if it could work. But the other thing I really loved was the through line of commentary on women in the workplace and the inequality that is all around us. There were a few things throughout that bugged me, namely when it was pressed that Ursula was the one to blame for problems in the relationship, that kept me from giving this 5 stars, but I’d definitely recommend giving it a read.

This book will be reviewed on Episode 25 of Reading Through Life Podcast, available February 9, 2022.

The concept of this book really rocks. I also loved the descriptions of New York and felt like I was there.

The Arc as a service is believable and the manipulation of such a service was super believable as well. I also really loved Ursula and Issa, and Rafael even if I didn’t really like his friends.

The only thing I really didn’t like was how during the big argument, it seemed like the characters went as cruel as they could go and it was borderline abusive. I would like to think people in their late thirties and early forties that have been through extensive amounts of therapy as a result of the dating service would be a little less cruel, but that was my only major gripe.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this book!

I want to start off by saying that this story had potential. I love books that explore online dating/non-traditional ways of dating as they have changed the way we date forever. I actually met my boyfriend from a dating app so I feel like I can somewhat accurately judge this book from experience.

I’m so proud of myself for finishing this book because I really didn’t want to. This was one of the corniest, cringe-worthy, uncomfortable books I’ve ever read. I found Ursula, to be a cheugy, pick-me character. I had a really hard time not physically cringing when she shared her job title, “VP of Strategic Audacity”. It was giving girl boss 2012 vibes. I’m a feminist and I love when women find their voices and assert themselves but this was done in such a cheesy way. A woman can be empowering without sounding like a middle-aged woman’s Pinterest quote board. I really couldn’t stomach her chapters. She was in her mid-thirties yet I found her to be super shallow and immature.

I thought it was a big red flag that Rafael was in his forties and had never been married, especially living in a city like New York. I thought his character was very moody and cold at times. I also felt my soul leave my body whenever he called Ursula a made-up name like “cheese knife” or “water moccasin”. His constant jealousy really turned me off too.

These two characters deserved each other but I didn’t deserve to have my time wasted like this 😭

This book was just awesome, even the characters were awesome, Ursula? OMG she had me laughing so hard, she is just amazing, even her best friend Issa, even Rafael, he's a dream. Anyway Ursula wants love, she is successful at her job as a creative but not so much in the love department, all of her relationships have failed, she finds out about the Arc and the rest is history. This company is supposed to pair her off with her ideal match using god knows what, I still don't understand it, but it doesn't matter because this book is just awesome, how Rafael and Ursula come together, their chemistry is uncanny, it was such a joy to read, I couldn't put the book down. I also loved how through this journey Ursula gets to know herself for who she really is, which at times for me was rather annoying to see, maybe because I see a lot of myself in her, she is such a relatable character. The book was also so funny, humor was coming out of those page I couldn't stop laughing. Did I mention that I love Rafael and Ursula?? if I did I will say it again, OMG I LOVE RAFAEL AND URSULA!!!!!!! LOL.

THANKS Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I read a lot of romance novels and this one is different in many good ways. It reads more like literary fiction than a typical romance novel. In fact, I wasn't always sure what type of book this was going too end up being. Ultimately, it's a love story but it's also Ursula's journey to being happy with herself as a person.

I loved Ursula and Rafael as individual characters and together. It was interesting to learn about what kinds of people pay $50,000 for an elaborate matchmaking service when they are guaranteed to meet their one true love.

This book has a lot of heart, it's also funny, and thought provoking. I recommend it for readers of romance and literary fiction.