Status Updates From The Arrangement (Soulmates,...

Omg. Not only is he at least 45 minutes away, but he’s spending the night too??? I’m supposed to believe he’s fighting for live or whatever sweet nonsense yet why is it that every time he’s reminiscing about Reed, it’s sexual? Seriously wth?!

So Jacks is having a sleepover for the first time, and Carter decided it’s a good idea to go to Manhattan. And it’s not like he isn’t worried or is oblivious. smh

I'll expand on this in my review, but it's more than halfway and most of that was spent on their weekends together. So why are we just now finding out about the gifts Carter gave Reed or about Reed comforting Carter when he cries out in his sleep? This stuff should've been mentioned as it happened, not as a retrospective.

They're in Manhattan, near Broadway. I don't live there and even I know there have to be more bars within spitting distance than just the one that Reed works at. And of course Reed will be working there at the same time.

ch10: "If your own mother didn’t want you, why would anyone else?"

Ugh, this just reads like manufactured drama. Way too woe-is-me is happening. Not to mention how contradictory everything is. Like how can he think that and expect Jacks to trust in his love and care for him? And the problem is that to me it doesn't sound like a legitimate fear or worry, but rather drama for drama's sake.

The dialogue in this book, especially between Carter and Helen, sounds so formal and stilted and unnatural. Kinda like they're both constantly lecturing each other.

start of ch3: “Carter knew Reed wanted him; that wasn’t the issue. Taking care of Jackson had attuned Carter to people’s emotional states in a way they weren’t aware, and he not only used it in business to close a deal, but to gauge the interest of the men he picked to hook up with.”

Nope. That’s not how it works. No matter how sure you are of their want, and even if they really do want, NO MEANS NO.

fin ch2. I mean… Reed keeps saying no. And Carter keeps forcing himself. Yes we have Reed’s POV and know he wants this too. But think about it from Carter’s or a third POV. All that’s happening is Carter insisting, Reed refusing, Carter insisting again, Carter forcing himself, and Reed going with it. Maybe he does that because he feels he has no choice. This is too SA-adjacent and kinda uncomfortable to read.

This book is so boring

Carter is an asshole 🥱

“I love you, every part of you—broken pieces and all.”

-

An if I cry?

“You know, I thought you were the smart one. You have it all; money, your own business, and that enviable confidence I always wished I had.” He hefted the knapsack to his shoulder and put his hand on the doorknob. “But now I see how wrong I was. You’re no better than me and probably worse.”

-

Ouch!!!

Chapter 9: the most horrific therapy depiction ever. Also, such magic-cock energies. 15 years of therapy hasn’t made a dent, but I’m sure Carter will. Facepalm