Do you like stories that feature a matchmaker? Do you wish that matchmakers were more of a
thing in modern day society?
Zaira is the middle child in the Shanahan family, and
she dreams of becoming a published author.
She keeps this dream from her family, but when she involves herself in a
scandal by asking local matchmaker Bellamy McKenna to kiss her so she will know
how to write about it, her life is about to change. Zaira and Bellamy are forced into an
engagement to cover up the scandal. Will
these two fall in love? Will they be
able to help those in need in their community?
My thoughts on this novel:
· I enjoyed this novel’s setting in St. Louis, Missouri in 1849.
· There is a spark and great chemistry between the two leads, Zaira and Bellamy.
· This historical romance has the fake relationship and friends to lovers’ tropes. There was great tension with the fake romance, but with each kiss, real feelings would form.
· The story was told through Zaira and Bellamy’s point of views in alternating chapters. I loved how these two characters could be themselves with each other.
· This novel is the conclusion to the “A Shanahan Match” series. I wish this series could continue.
· I loved the look into the Irish community in St. Lous and Irish matchmaking. My Great-Great Grandparents came from Ireland. At this point in time, the Irish are immigrating to S. Louis because the potato famine and are living in terrible conditions. Zaira and Bellamy help a pair of orphans.
· The McKennnas as a matchmaking family are good at making matches for others, but not for themselves which has made Bellamy hesitant to match with Zaira.
· Cholera is spreading through St. Louis, which is scary at the time, especially as they didn’t know what caused it. They thought it might be in the malt used to make beer or in the air as a miasma. Unfortunately, they didn’t realize it was contaminated drinking water.
· There was some action and tension towards the end of the book where the two main characters find themselves inadvertently mixed up in a bank robbery.
· This book was a clean and inspiring read. It focused on a theme of telling the truth.
Favorite Quote:
“Was it because she cared more about what people
thought of her and pleasing them than doing what was right and pleasing to God?” - This was an interesting and very thoughtful
quote.
Overall, Marrying the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund was a
quick read and a very romantic historical romance. I enjoyed this book, and it was a great read
for the Valentine’s season.
Book Source: Thank-you
to @jodyhedlund @bethanyhousefiction @greatreadsbookpromo for the review copy
of this novel as part of the Great Reads Book Promotion Tour.
