Review: The Arrangement Series by Kiersten Modglin

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had never heard of Kiersten Modglin, let alone her Arrangement trilogy. Then, suddenly, it felt like everyone was buzzing about these books. Being someone who loves to dive into whatever’s trending, I decided to give them a try.

The premise of the first book caught my attention immediately: a couple decides to open up their marriage, but, as you might expect, things don’t exactly go smoothly. That alone was intriguing, but here’s what really hooked me—many of you know I’m a huge true crime fan, so the promise of an online dating thriller? Sign me up!

That said, the online dating aspect turned out to be a relatively small part of the story. Initially, I was a little disappointed, but the twists and turns of the trilogy kept me so invested that, by the end, I didn’t mind that the plot wasn’t what I expected.

Let me be clear: these books have a lot going for them. They’re short, fast-paced, and incredibly easy to get through—perfect for when you’re in the mood for a quick, suspenseful read. The cliffhangers will keep you turning the pages, and Modglin knows how to weave in just enough tension to keep you hooked.

However, they’re not without their flaws. Some of the “twists” felt over the top—almost as if they were thrown in for shock value rather than carefully woven into the story. I found myself suspending disbelief more often than I’d like, which can take you out of it. Additionally, none of the characters really stood out to me as relatable or particularly well-developed. The shorter length of each book might contribute to this, as there’s less room for deep character exploration. While I didn’t dislike the characters, I didn’t feel connected to them either.

Now, let’s talk about the ending—because I’ve seen plenty of mixed reactions to it. For me, it was the main reason I couldn’t give the series four stars. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a bad ending. It was relatively satisfying and tied up loose ends, but it lacked the dramatic punch I was hoping for. It felt a little underwhelming, especially after all the twists that preceded it.

Despite these critiques, I don’t regret picking up The Arrangement series. It’s fun, it’s suspenseful, and it’s an entertaining ride—just don’t expect a perfectly polished masterpiece. If you’re in the mood for a quick binge with plenty of twists (some more believable than others), it’s worth checking out.