Necessary Arrangements: A Novel

by Tanya Michna

Asia has always been the serious, got-it-all-under-control Swenson, who protected her sibling from childhood scrapes. Lucy, six years younger, made up for her mishaps with her infectious smile and enthusiasm. Now, giddily in love and about to be married, Lucy has never been happier-until she learns that Asia's breast cancer is back. How can she get excited about planning her future when her sister is fighting for her own?

Friends and family mean more than they ever have to Asia, and lately, her charming co-worker Brandon Peters has been popping up wherever she goes. Talk about could Asia be falling in love for the first time in her life? With Lucy's help, she's going to seize each day-losing herself in giggles and adventures, opening herself up to new relationships and deeper connections. And nothing, absolutely nothing, will stop her from walking down the aisle as her sister's maid of honor.

Genres: Chick Lit

314 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was about 2 sisters, one who was fighting cancer, it was such a good book to read. I loved how the characters all came together and how things worked out.

[Mareike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Die negativen Kommentare zu Lucys Figur (die unnötigerwiese gefühlt alle 20 Seiten gemacht werden) haben die Lesefreude leider deutlich geschwächt.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mother picked out this novel for me because she has (1) met the author and (2) one of the main characters has cancer of female origins, something I can relate to. A year later, I actually start to read it. And it took a lot of courage for me to keep reading to the halfway point. I finally just gave up - something I never do. Because absolutely NOTHING IS HAPPENING. Yes, one sister has cancer and yes, one sister is getting married, but that's it. I mean, they go dress shopping or have family dinners but most of the book is about engaged sister feeling bad that she's getting married and happy while sister is sick while sick sister feels sick and guilty for not being able to help engaged sister more. All telling, little showing, and ultimately boring. I guess it comes down to conflict. There is no conflict here. Just conflicted feelings. But that ain't enough to sustain 300 pages of my attention.

I wanted to like this book. And the first chapter really caught my attention. But I found myself not paying attention for pages at a time and then realizing I hadn't missed anything anyways...

[Kolleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After almost giving up on my love of reading with a string of bad books, this one made everything all better.Necessary Arrangements is a story about two sisters: Lucy, who is about to be married and Asia, who has just found out her cancer has returned. The book goes back and forth between Asia's and Lucy's life, but how they are so woven together as well.

I love books about sisterhood, and although I've never read anything by this author before, it was like a mixture of Jennifer Wiener and Jill Mansell- the perfect mix of fun with a little bit of depth to it. At times the book is light and funny, and other times heartbreaking and sad. Although the ending was perfectly clear, it didn't get too far into it that you had to sit down with a box of tissues and calm your sobbing. Instead, you were left with a smile on your face and an appreciation for life. I went from being a hater of chick lit to loving it! This was just an all around good book.

[JennyGirlReads · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILER!! The only reason I didn't like this book is because I read it at the wrong time in my life. This book is about someone facing cancer and I read it while my mother was dying from cancer. Not a smart move. I am sure it is a fabulous book but I haven't gotten the nerve up to re-read it and I really have no interest to. This opinion has nothing to do with the actual book or author, just my own emotions while I was reading it.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typically I do not like to read fiction about serious illness, but I have to say that Tanya Michna brings a perfect mix of serious moments tempered by lighter moments. The highest praise I can give this book is to acknowledge that should I ever suffer the same fate as Asia, I believe I could deal better with it for having read this book.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tough book to read because it deals with real life issues and how we view members of our family and how life situations can suddenly change relationships. It was also a joyful book because there was hope and the celebration of a sister relationship.

[Cailen · Rating 2 out of 5]

not well written and pretty sad

[Just - The romance reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome read! The characters were fabulous. Asia was such an amazing character. Emotional and a rea tear-jerker of a novel.

[Lianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book was hard to get through because the story hit so close to home. Found myself tearing up on more than one occasion.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book but very sad. It's a story of two sisters, one who is going through treatments for cancer. I guess I never truly realized what one goes through in chemo.

[Melissa42 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. It was entertaining and a great story. It almost made me cry.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the relationship between the sisters and I like that Brandon loved her even tho she hAd cancer

[Elsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

the characters are so real and the story has a very realistic ending. Not all of life in books needs to be fairy tales.

[Dawn Ferree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that integrates reality, romance, and the downs of life together in a well written story, that you CANNOT put down!

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters, thought provoking dynamics. Very poignant.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching, truly interesting. I really enjoyed this story.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried my eyes out! It is a gift when an author can evoke such emotions.