Welcome! I'm sharing my review of this delightful story today. Read on below...
A Match in the Making
(The Matchmakers #1)
By Jen Turano
Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 362 Pages
February 21, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers
Summary
Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.
Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention--and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.
The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.
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My Review
A MATCH IN THE MAKING is a story about a strong, unconventional woman and a traditional society man who doesn't realize that she is the one he and his children need in their lives. She becomes his matchmaker unwillingly and thus ensues a story full of humor, banter, delightful familial moments, and some rather romantic and inspiring ones as well. A definite recommendation for fans of the author and genre!
This is one of those stories that had me smiling and laughing out loud almost from the first page. Turano is in her element with a witty, confident, no-nonsense heroine and a wealthy, dashing hero who form a business agreement. Like most such romance stories, close proximity and glorious banter turns into a deeper understanding as love begins to slip in regardless that they aren’t looking for it. There are a slue of memorable characters, including some spoiled but adorable children who desperately need a mother in their life. I loved the characters and the plot overall.
My only misgivings with this story was that the middle and the end seemed to drag. There was too much dialogue in places (overly wordy conversations) as well as parts where the characters almost became one-dimensional versus their more fully-fleshed selves from the beginning of the story. The only other thing were a few places that felt rather unrealistic and over the top. I loved the beginning of this story, but that flagged a bit half-way through to the end.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed reading this! Recommended to inspirational romance readers who want a story that will pull on all their emotions, but especially make them smile and leave them with that satisfying happily-ever-after ending! I wish that the second half of the book was as delightful as the first half, but still a book I'd recommend.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Have you read this book or any of this author's other books? Do you have any thoughts on this one?
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