Kiersten Modglin has done it again with an equally shocking, devious and delicious sequel to The Arrangement! I am so impressed with this sequel which more than lives up to the hype and twisty drama of its predecessor — in fact, if you ask me, this installment is even better and MORE shocking!
First of all, if you haven’t read the Arrangement, don’t read this one first because it will spoil the most evil and fun twist at the end of first book. And BTW if you haven’t read The Arrangement, and you’re a thriller fan, you’re missing out in an extremely well-executed, twisty, twisted thrill ride — so go get it ASAP.
How can I discuss this book without giving away the shocking ending of the first one. Hmmm. Well, Ainsley and Peter are a married couple who have the usual married couple problems. In the last book, they tried to return some passion and excitement to their marriage by agreeing to see other people. This “Arrangement” restored their fire, but also came with complications, including but not limited to murder.
In this book, Ainsley and Peter attempt to address their continuing marital problems with the help of a couple’s therapist. Ainsley is still worried about Peter’s lies and the residual trust issues. Peter seems to be developing some extramarital issues again. And as all this is going on, a brand new plot reveals itself, with a twist just as shocking as the first book.
Sorry I can’t say more… you will have to read for yourself, but the twists and the ending are fantastic and totally in line with, and true to, the first book. It’s rare that an author with a book this hyped and twisty is able to follow up with a second success that is just as fun and shocking and true to the first, but Modglin has done it. In fact, I like this second book and its twist better than the first. This is a testament to the fun, likable and unlikeable characters Modglin has created as well as her well-executed plotting and hairpin twists.
The same narrators return for the second audiobook and both do a great interpretation of Peter and Ainsley. I truly enjoyed this book and would absolutely love to hear a third installment.
The Arrangement got a solid four-plus star rating from me, primarily because there was an extra twist I didn’t like as well, but this one gets five! Perfect amount of twists and devious fun. Can’t wait for the next book in what I truly hope is a series!
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and the author for the great advance listen.