Review: The Arrangement

 

Synopsis: 

Los Angeles, 1934. Mary Frances is young, restlessly married, and returning from her first sojourn in France. She is hungry, and not just for food: she wants Tim, her husband Al’s charming friend, who encourages her writing and seems to understand her better than anyone. After a night’s transgression, it’s only a matter of time before Mary Frances claims what she truly desires, plunging all three of them into a tangled triangle of affection that will have far-reaching effects on their families, their careers, and their lives.

Set in California, France, and the Swiss Alps, The Arrangement is a sparkling, sensual novel that explores the complexities of a marriage and the many different ways in which we love. Writing at the top of her game, Ashley Warlick gives us a completely mesmerizing story about a woman well ahead of her time, who would go on to become the legendary food writer M. F. K. Fisher.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Arrangement by Ashley Warlick is a historical fiction piece that gives readers an inside view of one woman’s life. Love, passion, intrigue…all brilliantly written for readers to enjoy. A woman who has a passion for writing and is married to one man but falls in love with his best friend. The novel is exciting because it happens around the early 1930’s. A fascinating historical moment in time. Ashley Warlick brings readers a female character who is strong, independent, and hard working. It’s hard not to love the main character. The character’s personality is a bit bold and sassy for a woman during this time period but fits in perfectly with the fictional plot that Ashley Warlick has masterfully woven for readers enjoyment. What happens on this one woman’s journey as her heart goes back and forth between two loves and her career…is one that readers must read to figure out on their own. I was deeply enchanted by this sexy tale.

The Arrangement takes readers deep on a journey of self-discovery, love, and a promising future. The novel is steady paced yet fast-paced in certain scenes and highly suspenseful. Mary Frances has choices to make. After all, she’s a married woman to one man yet her heart goes out to another. Readers will enjoy following Mary Francis and her affairs as well as her developing writing career. Just as in real life, there are bumpy roads and Mary Francis will experience many before she arrives at the height of her career and love. Ashley Warlick has brought a sensually exciting read for her audience. Once readers open up this title, they will be instantly dragged into the life of M.F.K. Fisher (Mary Francis). What readers will love most about this character is that she isn’t sure what she wants exactly until later in the novel. This vulnerable part of her exposes her in a way that makes it easy to connect with her. Overall, this is definitely a must read for readers worldwide. A woman’s novel that everyone can enjoy and be sucked into from the first page onward.