My name is Courtney Jane Salinger…and I just got married.I was sick of Netflix and chilling, hanging out, catfishing, ghosting, break-ups, make-ups, and games. So, what did I do?I signed up with a married-at-first-sight matchmaking service, and I married the man who was waiting for me at the altar.We did it.We’re married.He’s mine.I’m his.Man and wife.Missus and Mister.Except… married.
He’s mine.
I’m his.
Man and wife.
Missus and Mister.
Except…
We barely know each other.
We’ve never lived together.
Turns out I’m an early bird, and he’s a night owl.
He works nights and I work all day.
His parents keep asking when we’re having kids, while mine keep emailing me the names of divorce lawyers.
Women everywhere want to get in his pants, including his omnipresent ex …and my newly-single boss can’t seem to get the hint that I am off the market.
No one thinks we can make it.
And now I’m starting to wonder too.
Being arranged was just the beginning.
Is happily-ever-after even possible?
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This was a great ending to the duet. It was so heart wrenching yet realistic because we have Courtney and Josh back in the real world fresh of their honeymoon having to face the life and consequences to their quick marriage. There are ups and downs, those who doubt their marriage is real or will last and others who are super supportive. The prologue had my heart racing and hurting because you just don’t know which direction this is heading. Josh was sweet, loving, and caring but he had times where he could be a huge jerk. Courtney was also sweet, kind, and loving but had her moments of being a spoiled brat that made me mad. Together though they try to work out their issues and navigate their new marriage, it’s all a learning situation and I found they handled it well or as best as they could. I found this book to have my emotions all over the place from being angry to sad to swooning, it’s a perfect ending to their story.
Audio Review from August 2019
This is the continuation of an unconventional love story that started in a bar and ended (well the book not their love) on a stage.
I audibly went “awwww” out loud a few times in this story. It’s as unconventional as the characters love story
I loved seeing a love story that began before vows and continued after them
So much love for these two.
And as stated in the review for the first half the female narrator just isn’t my cup of tea but is quite talented. She brought Courtney to life and handled the emotions of this story quite well.
Narrated by: J.F. Harding, Brooke Hayden
Second half of the story- Courtney and Josh are married and on their honeymoon trying to learn about each other. Everyone is against their marriage, can they make it work if they stick together. Fun read
I couldn’t wait to hear what happened next with this arranged marriage between Courtney and Josh…turns out they have alot to learn about each other and for me, this made this book fun to read. Most of the time, couples have forever to learn about each other…and you would think that a marriage arranged as this one was, some of the basic fundamentals would have been dealt with. But not so with these two and learning what they can and can’t live with makes for a super interesting read. I wasn’t really sure which way this story would go and that anticipation kept me on the edge of my seat. All I have to say is that Josh’s mom stole the show for me. #TeamDalton
In order to appreciate this one, read Arrange Me first. Otherwise, neither Josh’s nor Courtney’s decisions will make much sense.
Well edited.
So, Courtney went through with the whole arranged marriage scenario. When she got to the end of the aisle in the little church in Scotland, she was shocked to find Josh standing there. How in the world did bartender/possible (discarded) boyfriend Josh end up here? Seems a determined man can work wonders. So, Courtney marries Josh. They head off for an idyllic honeymoon, ignoring the rest of the world. Bump in the road #1 arrives in the expectation of children. Courtney assumes children are in the future without ever finding out how Josh felt about them. When he expresses hesitancy, she becomes very upset. How can he not want children? They agree to wait a few years before A child enters the picture. A few short, (mostly) blissful days later, reality really rears its ugly head.
Married life turns out to be bumpier than expected. Courtney’s parents are ballistic and Josh’s ex has suddenly decided she wants him back. When they arrive home, real life takes over. Jobs, friends, living arrangements, bills, and responsibility loom. How to work it all out when it’s never been discussed? Courtney’s expectations are so often unrealistic and thoughtless. Josh go back to work at the bar? Well why should he when 1) she makes enough to support them and 2) women will flirt with him? Never mind that it makes him feel like a freeloader at best and a gold-digger at worst. Or that she should trust the man she married. After all, he dropped everything to marry her. And this is just the beginning – blending the lives of two people from vastly different backgrounds is not easy. Accepting hateful, hurtful words from her father has always been the path of least resistance. But when Josh won’t accept them, will Courtney choose her parents or her new husband? Courtney’s parents cut her off from her trust fund. Frugal living? What’s that and why should she? Hanging out with her friends – why shouldn’t things be exactly as they were before she had a husband? Navigating life together is tough, but they slowly start to work things out. And then the unplanned happens. Courtney is pregnant. When she finally tells Josh, he is so upset he says things best left unsaid. Courtney heads to her parents, leaving Josh alone. Will they ever be able to work things out? Is this arranged marriage thing just one big fiasco?
Honestly, I had so little sympathy for Courtney. She is nearly 30, older than Josh, and this is the path she chose. It is patently obvious that she really didn’t think practically or realistically. Once she’s in the marriage, there is plenty of realization that if she’d dated traditionally, she would have established a foundation of trust and friendship. She would have known how Josh felt about working, his dreams for the future, and how he felt about kids. Every crossroad finds her wanting things her way immediately. When things don’t meet her expectations, she whines and complains. Josh is so often the real grownup. He has to teach her about compromise, financial responsibility, and teamwork. I am glad that the story ended well, but I still wonder if Courtney learned how to be more thoughtful and considerate.
As always, I do enjoy Ms. Regnery’s writing. This was a fun read, and an interesting take on a quick marriage. Enjoy.
I knew this book would be amazing and give me all the feels, as I don’t think I’ve read one single book by Katy Regnery that hasn’t had me addicted or an emotional wreck. ‘Arrange Us’ is the second book in this series after ‘Arrange Me’, a series based on the premise of the famous tv show ‘Married At First Sight’.
I love how incredibly human all Regnery’s characters are, and I adored Josh and Courtney. Courtney is the strong woman who just wants to find her happy ever after, when Josh wants to make his way in the world as a playwright. They are two people who enter into an agreement not knowing if it will work, but the foundation was always love.
This book was a complete page-turner and I made sure I finished it in one sitting. I could not get enough! It had me crying, it had me wincing when things weren’t going right, but it also had some sweet moments that made me smile like a lovesick fool! It was the perfect continuation to an already amazing book.
I love how the chapters were all separated into things marriages can encounter and struggle with, the accompanied advice adding an extra touch to the story. It felt well planned, perfectly written and like I have literally read and watched a friend’s life.
This book is a must have! It’s the perfect soppy love story that any romance lover can sink their teeth into. Just perfect! I can’t wait to see what Regnery writes next!
ARRANGE US is a sequel to ARRANGE ME. Also Book 2 in the ARRANGED DUO. You should read ARRANGED ME: Book 1, first. This book starts off where Book 1 left off. Courtney Salinger was now married to Josh Dalton in an arranged marriage. The new Mrs. Dalton and the no-longer-single Josh Dalton, are slowly adjusting to married life. They barely know each other, but now are living together. Their hot chemistry together is not a problem at all, but for the rest? They went from friends to spouses to lovers in the space of a month.
The deed is done. They said their “I do’s.” Spent their honeymoon in Scotland, and the multiple orgasms speak to the fact that their union was consummated. They are very married, whether people liked it or not. Unfortunately there were many who didn’t, and that included Courtney’s parents. There were so many trails and tribulations, plus marriage is about many compromises. It was too bad they couldn’t just live in bed. It is said that love is the only recipe needed for marriage, but sometime love just isn’t enough. They had an unconventional love story, but if they both hold on tight and believe in happy endings. Besides, you can’t have a happily- ever- after unless you’re still together.
I felt so much emotion in the second half of Josh and Courtney’s story. They kind of jumped off a cliff with their unusual marriage and now they have to figure out how to be a married couple. Coming from such different backgrounds they have challenges about money, family, jobs, and life in general. I enjoyed how this was handled and added to the plot. I loved the characters and how they grew in the marriage even if it was at different rates. Great Book.
Arrange Us is the second book in the Arranged Duo Set. Josh and Courtney are married and have to come home to face their parents and learn how to live together as a married couple. They realize how little they actually know about each other. They have completely different life styles and friends. Josh’s ex has decided she loves him and wants him back. Courtney’s parents are making things very difficult for them. Can good sex and friendship be enough for a good marriage?
I loved the interaction between Court and Josh. We knew they were in love before they did! They were so cute together and then at times were so stupid I wanted to slap them! What were they thinking? This was a wonderful conclusion to Arrange Me and I was left with warm tingles all over when I finished the perfect epilogue. This was a perfectly magical read! 5 Perfect Stars!