Unfortunately, this was a DNF very early on - this writing style is not for me at all. It's clunky, weirdly repetitive, specific and on-the-nose with huge chunks of internal monologues and unnecessary backstory that made my eyes glaze over and wonder what point the author was trying to make.

The content itself is like an acid trip - it's like an alternate universe where female empowerment lounge clubs with Prince themed sauna-shower hybrid rooms, wait staff offering CBD and Xanax infused hors d'oeuvres to patrons, and job titles like VP of Strategic Audacity are totally normal. My attention would wander at the sight of yet another winding inner monologue and when I'd focus back, I'd be puzzled over what exactly I'm reading and made me wonder if I was having a fever dream.

Some will enjoy this, it's just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of a high-end, ultra personal matchmaking service sounded interesting but the execution didn't hook me like I hoped. Ursula was hard to root for even before Rafael came into the scene. I can usually get past unlikable characters but there was little plot and the character development felt like it was lacking. I wish the book would have spent more time detailing the week-long matchmaking process.

Okay, I’m just glad I finished this book. It took me many days to finish this since I really disliked this book. The main character was awful, the science experiment was awful, the love interest was meh. I cannot recommend this book. If you like awful characters maybe this will work for you.


I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

VP of Strategic Audacity - that’s Ursula’s job title - really?
The Stake - the sobbing room
The Prince Room where they play only Prince’s music and the room where they give you a massage that practically removes a layer of skin. I could go on…. Could such a club for women possibly exist.
After this the Arc didn’t sound so far out, except for the price.
I really didn’t click with the characters. The premise of the book was good - the dating app thing has been done before but this has a different twist. I think it would make an enjoyable TV movie.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

The Arc by Tory Henwood Hoen took me by surprise and I ended up enjoying it a lot. I thought the premise was great, the characters were wonderful, and it was a lot of fun.

This book was definitely not what I thought it would be. It definitely took me by surprise but I’m not sure if it’s a pleasant or unpleasant way. Doesn’t matter though because I enjoyed it a lot. The characters are relatable and likable but I did feel like there could have been more connection to them. Other than that, love through technology is something that will always be interesting and this book took that and spun just a little. It was new but also had everything I love about these kinds of books, which are rare by the way. I read it a few days ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about it!

I enjoyed the premise of this book, and it was similar to other books I've read recently about perfect matches. I thought the book overall was good, but there were definitely slow parts and some parts felt too detailed. I would recommend if you're looking for a quick read!

3.5 rounded up

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing an early copy to review!

I have mixed thoughts on this book.

First, the good. This was an interesting premise, and i have read a few books with this idea - there is a perfect person out there for you. If you knew that a service could fix you up with your perfect partner, but it was really expensive, would you do it? Ursula and Raphael decide to do this and are matched. The way that their relationship unfolded was really cute, and had a real ring of authenticity to it. I could picture each of them. I could picture their world and the places they visited.

Now for the not-so-good. I didn't like Ursula. I wanted to, but never liked her. This made it harder to get sucked into the story and to root for them. I didn't feel like she was sympathetic enough - even when she was being pathetic. I also felt like this story was being told at a distance - I didn't get a true FEEL for the characters, and I didn't close the book going "wow"

This is 3.5 stars. I am rounding it down because I really really didn't like Ursula.

I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

I really enjoyed this!! What a fun premise! I enjoyed the characters, the plot in engaging, and overall, this was a fun romance book to read without excessive angst!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this one! The premise leaves a lot to the imagination, but the story unfolded very naturally and easily, and it was so pleasant and effortless to slip into Rafael and Ursula's love story. They were both such complex characters, and I especially enjoyed (if that can be said!) their fights, which was handled in a way where it felt like neither was completely at fault. It was a treat seeing Ursula navigate her professional relationships in particular, and I LOVED every scene at The Stake, which was described with such sly, understated humor. I would definitely pay good money for Hush Brushing and those massages. I also found the twist very well done. I'd recommend this book if you're more interested in the slow development of a relationship; the pacing is not particularly fast or urgent but was enjoyable all the same.

Ursula is tired of online dating and apps. She signs up for the ARC which is this secret, state of the art matching system (and it's expensive!). She's matched with Rafael. Will her investment be worth it?</p>



Okay, I am proud of myself for finishing this book. I was intrigued since I met my husband on a dating website. However, Ursula is not likable. I knew quite early on I would not like her when she judged someone for wearing shoes with a certain toe shape. Rafael was nice enough, and there is a twist at the end so the book isn't exactly ordinary. What I found interesting was that Ursula dated the same type of guys and then spent $40k to get a guy not like her typical type. She could have done that on her own had she opened her mind up to other types of men.

Thanks NetGalley an St Martin's Press!

This was... Okay. I liked the premise of this book and was interested in the characters and their arcs (lol), but something about this book really didn't work for me. I think it relied too much on telling its audience straight up what was happening, rather than showing us so we could come to our own conclusions and opinions. It felt like the book was dragging me behind it, making sure I only cared about what it wanted me to care about, rather than allowing me to have a chance to find out what I cared about.

This was a fascinating look at dating in the future! Instead of an app, The Arc charges you $5,000 but guarantees you will be happy with your match! Such an interesting premise! Corporate businesswoman Ursula is fed up with dating and signs up even though she's a little skeptical (who wouldn't be?) but after the intense process she is matched with attorney Rafael and they do hit it off immediately! Sure that they are a success story, they continue their relationship until they begin having minor disagreements and wonder if they are really right for each other. And let's face it, relationships have their ups and downs regardless of how well suited two people are for each other. Is it really an equation that will match you with the perfect mate, or is it your resilience and ability to work things out with the one you love? Hoen's book offers a look at dating in the future and begs the question, is it math or chemistry/hard work that will determine happiness?

The Arc was a quirky, feel-good read full of romance, friendship, and honestly a good dose of relatable conversations. Ursula finds herself exhausted with the dating pool and resolute to stick within the confines of her ultra feminist women’s club until The Arc comes along. Without giving too much away, I found the banter between characters reminiscent of conversations I’ve had with my friends. Whether it was the frustrations of dating, the roles society expects us to play as women of a certain age, or the importance of having a few good people in your corner, The Arc touched on these topics in a light hearted but honest way. This blended so many elements of story-telling that I love. A subtle mystery (ie- who’s behind The Arc), a strong female voice, and enough humor to make the cringe moments funny. I’m excited for this to be out on the shelves so the rest of my friends can experience this read for themselves!

While the premise intrigued me, I had to force myself throughout the story and finish the book. It had probably something to do with one of the main characters, Ursula, whom I didn’t like much. I found her too childish for her age, and too self-explanatory, which felt to me like a letdown to the “show, don’t tell” approach. I was also expecting this novel to be “hilarious”, but I’m afraid to say I didn’t find it remotely funny—neither in the text nor in the situation.

I really enjoyed this one! I thought Ursula was a fun, fresh voice! I was hooked right away! (Maybe for the fact she threw up on her date!) Definitely would recommend!

I enjoyed this book so much. There was so much emotions that I experienced throughout this book! This book was a realistic view of what relationships are and the overarching affects it throughout life! I enjoyed both Ursula and Rafael and I would definitely recommend this book! This book was great!

I loved this book so much. I laughed and cried. this book was interesting in its approach to find love and what you do when you have it. How your past relationships influence the current one and how let that baggage control you. I love Ursula and her quirkiness and i loved Rafael for his. Their relationship felt very real and i shared in their heartbreak. I would definitely recommend this book.

I can't thank the people at St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and Author enough for the opportunity to read The Arc by Tory!

The Arc was a phenomenal story! I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't stop once I started!
Tory has a new reader here! I couldn't turn my head from my Kindle not one bit!
These characters are everything I want to be and then some!
Ursula and Rafael are hilarious and smart! They make this book what it is!
The writing for this book was refreshing and there were plenty of times that I had a smile on my face because of how lovey the characters were. Amazing story!

Again much thanks for this ebook!
I will post to my platforms closer to pub date!

While I could see the ending coming, it was still an enjoyable adventure. Kudos to writing realistic, contemporary characters and a unique premise. Based on this manuscript, I would read other books by Ms. Hoen.

I received this book to read via NetGalley.