The Arrangement by Robyn Harding: Review

I picked up a new suspense thriller for review the other day and I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into it. The plot sounded so interesting and different. I knew it was going to be a great story.

Coming out next month, here are my thoughts on this new suspense thriller.

The Arrangement by Robyn Harding
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press (July 30, 2019)
ISBN-13: 978-1982110499

ABOUT:
Natalie, a young art student in New York City, is struggling to pay her bills when a friend makes a suggestion: Why not go online and find a sugar daddy—a wealthy, older man who will pay her for dates, and even give her a monthly allowance? Lots of girls do it, Nat learns. All that’s required is to look pretty and hang on his every word. Sexual favors are optional.

Though more than thirty years her senior, Gabe, a handsome corporate finance attorney, seems like the perfect candidate, and within a month, they are madly in love. At least, Nat is…Gabe already has a family, whom he has no intention of leaving.

So when he abruptly ends things, Nat can’t let go. She begins drinking heavily and stalking him: watching him at work, spying on his wife, even befriending his daughter, who is not much younger than she is. But Gabe’s not about to let his sugar baby destroy his perfect life. What was supposed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement devolves into a nightmare of deception, obsession, and, when a body is found near Gabe’s posh Upper East Side apartment, murder.

Emotionally powerful and packed with page-turning suspense, The Arrangement delves into the sordid, all-too-real world of shadowy relationships between wealthy, powerful men and the young women who are caught in their web.

The Arrangement by Robyn Harding Review

You hear a lot about these type of dating sites. Some may say they are not safe. Some use them and have no issues. Harding took a look at these dating apps and developed a story that may freak you out a bit.

It started out with a solid development and slow build into the main plot. Gabe was a decent guy. Treated his girls right. Stand up family man with issues he had to deal with at home. Nat is an immature girl learning to live in the big city. Lost. Impressionable. Broke.

What I liked about the story was the fact it is not a far-fetched idea. The author subtly built the plot, dripping hints and issues here and there. The dating and how sweet Gabe treated Nat. Then we get the feeling of little bit of mental instability here and there. You know something big is going to happen.

And then it starts going downhill.

I have to say I was very disappointed in the last quarter and the ending. While there were several surprises and turn of events, it just felt very flat and matter-of-fact for me.

There was no excitement. Very little suspense at the end for me. I really was expecting more of a bombshell. It almost seems like someone else wrote it. Maybe it’s me, but she lost me.

Overall, the story is unique and well told, with some good twists in it. If it wasn’t for the ending being as drab as it came off, I definitely would’ve rated it higher. I really wanted to love the heck out of this one!

3 STARS

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.