Category Archives: Catherine McKenzie

Review: Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie

Title: Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Emma Tupper is a dedicated lawyer with a bright future. But when she takes a month-long leave of absence to go on an African vacation, she ends up facing unexpected consequences. After she falls ill and spends six months trapped in a remote village thanks to a devastating earthquake, Emma returns home to discover that her friends, boyfriend, and colleagues thought she was dead—and that her life has moved on without her.

As she struggles to re-create her old life, throwing herself into solving a big case for a client and trying to
reclaim her beloved apartment from the handsome photographer who assumed her lease, everyone around her thinks she should take the opportunity to change. But is she willing to sacrifice her job, her relationships, and everything else she worked so hard to build?

In Forgotten, Catherine McKenzie tweaks a classic tale of discovering who we really are when everything that brings meaning to our lives is lost.

The Review:

Catherine McKenzie’s latest release, Forgotten, is an engaging and fast-paced novel that is quite compelling. Emma Tupper’s month long holiday in Africa turns into six months when she first falls ill, then becomes trapped in an African village following a catastrophic earthquake. Emma’s return to England is not quite as easy as she expects when she learns everyone thinks she died in the earthquake. As she tries to pick up the pieces of her life, Emma discovers that the life she once lived may not be the life she now wants.

Emma Tupper is a career driven woman who is on the fast track to achieving her goal of partner in a prestigious law firm. But she puts her career on hold following her mother’s death when she receives her mother’s final legacy: a plane ticket to Africa, the one place her mother always dreamed of visiting. Hoping to connect with her mother and perhaps ease her grief, Emma takes a leave of absence from work, leaves her boyfriend behind and sets out on her journey to a place she never had any desire to visit.

When she returns home, Emma is ready to step back into her old life. But, as she quickly discovers, life has gone on without her. Her old job has been given to her nemesis, Sophie, her boyfriend, Craig, has a new girlfriend, and her apartment has been rented to Dominic, a photographer who is nursing a broken heart of his own.

Emma’s transition back into her life is not easy. Her employer will re-hire her, but Emma will have to climb her way back to the top. Is she ready to throw herself back into eighty hour workweeks to achieve her goal? Although her relationship with Craig was on shaky ground when she left for Africa, she is still stunned and heartbroken when she finds out he has a new girlfriend. Equally troubling are her conflicted emotions about her reluctant roommate, Dominic.

About the only thing reassuringly unchanged is Emma’s close friendship with her longtime friend, Stephanie. Stephanie is very supportive of Emma but she does not allow Emma to wallow in self-pity. She is quite perceptive, and her questions to Emma are insightful and thought-provoking.

Emma’s time in Africa is slowly revealed in bits and pieces throughout Forgotten. At first glance, it does not seem like her time away has changed Emma. At first frustrated by everyone’s insistence that she re-evaluate her life, Emma slowly begins to examine her life both before and after her trip and slowly comes to realize that her experiences have irrevocably changed her.

Forgotten is a fascinating novel that is well written with a unique storyline. Catherine McKenzie is an incredibly talented author with a true gift for creating three dimensional and appealing characters that readers can easily relate to. A realistic plot, witty dialogue and an understated romance make Forgotten a thoroughly enjoyable story that I highly recommend.

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Filed under Catherine McKenzie, Contemporary, Fiction, Forgotten, HarperCollins, Rated B+, Review, William Morrow Paperbacks

Arranged by Catherine McKenzie

Title: Arranged by Catherine McKenzie
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right.

After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she’s engaged, Anne can’t help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn’t a dating service; it’s an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it-and the company’s success rate-the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn’t it work for her?

A few months later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out-until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all.

The Review:

Arranged by Catherine McKenzie is a provocative and thought-provoking novel about taking love out of the equation when searching for the person to spend your life with. What is most important in a marriage? Is it friendship? Or is it love? Or both?

Anne Blythe has yet another failed relationship behind her. No longer trusting her instincts and with no viable prospects on the horizon, she turns to an arranged marriage service to find Mr. Right. She struggles with her decision to marry a man she has never seen or met but she is pleasantly surprised by the man the agency has been chosen for her to marry. Anne hits it off immediately with the adventurous and playful Jack, and after some much needed soul searching, they decide to tie the knot.

Anne and Jack present a united front as they settle into married life. Anne and Jack respect one another and they enjoy spending together. There is give and take on both sides and they easily find compromises to the issues that arise between them.

Arranged is a rather light-hearted yet intriguing romance. The characters are well-developed and likable with realistic flaws and imperfections. The plot is fresh and engrossing and Catherine McKenzie skillfully takes the story in an unanticipated direction.

Another outstanding novel from a fresh voice in women’s contemporary fiction that leaves readers eagerly anticipating Ms. McKenzie’s next novel.

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Filed under Arranged, Catherine McKenzie, Contemporary, HarperCollins, Rated B+, Romance, William Morrow Paperbacks

Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Title: Spin by Catherine McKenzie
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Kate Sandford has just gotten an interview at her favorite music magazine, The Line. It’s the chance of a lifetime. So what does she do? Goes out to celebrate-and shows up still drunk at the interview at 9am. No surprise, she doesn’t get the job, but the folks at the media company think she might be perfect for another assignment for their gossip rag. Kate is to follow a young female celebrity into rehab and get the inside story. If she can get the rehab scoop (and complete the 30-day program without getting kicked out), they’ll reconsider her for the job at The Line.

Kate takes the job. But things get complicated when real friendships develop, a cute celebrity handler named Henry gets involved, and Kate begins to realize she may be in rehab for a reason.

The Review:

Catherine McKenzie’s debut novel Spin is an engaging read that is humorous and at times, heartbreakingly poignant. Kate Sandford’s dream job is finally within reach, yet she blows her chance by showing up at her job interview hung over and drunk from her overzealous celebration the night before. When celebrity Amber Sheppard enters rehab, Kate is given a second shot at her coveted job. All Kate has to do is check into rehab and then dish the good, the bad and ugly of Amber’s recovery. Sounds easy enough, but Kate’s not an alcoholic. Or is she?

Katie Sandford is a fabulously flawed, lovable protagonist. She is a fun loving and slightly irresponsible party girl who knows how to have a good time. Katie is working hard at achieving her career goals but she does not always make the best decisions regarding her future. She is not always truthful with her friends and she has a distant relationship with her family.

Katie’s complete lack of self-awareness is reflected by her certainty that she does not have an alcohol problem. While in rehab, she goes through the motions of therapy and working the twelve steps of AA. But when Katie leaves, she begins to suspect that she might have a problem, but full realization does not come until later.

While in rehab, Katie makes a few new friends and surprisingly enough she forms a close and real friendship with Amber. Now sober, Katie is faced with a moral dilemma. Does she write the article that will launch her career but betray Amber?

Spin is an absolutely captivating novel with charming characters and a refreshingly unique plot. Never angsty or preachy, Catherine McKenzie provides valuable insight into substance abuse and recovery in a thought-provoking and sensitive manner. Delightful friendships and a surprising yet sweet romance fully round out this enjoyable story. It is an engrossing and substantive novel you don’t want to miss.

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Filed under Catherine McKenzie, Contemporary, Fiction, HarperCollins, Rated A, Spin, William Morrow Paperbacks