The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts

 The Merry Matchmaker

Book Summary

Inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, this joyful Christmas romp tells the story of a woman who can’t stop trying to help everyone around her find their happily-ever-after—even when her help leads to disaster.

Frankie Lane knows what’s best for just about everyone but herself. Her divorced sister, Stef, who is too young to give up on love; her shy employee, Elinor; and her daughter, Natalie, who works in Frankie’s shop, Holiday Happiness, and really needs to start her own business selling the delectable chocolates she makes at home; even her best friend, Viola, who is trying to renovate her old Victorian. Frankie knows she could help all of them, if they’d just let her—and if all of her help didn’t end in utter disaster. 

Then there’s Mitch Howard, the owner of the local hardware store. They’ve been friends ever since Frankie opened her store, nine years earlier. He got her through the nightmare when she lost her husband in a freak accident, and he’s her favorite shoulder to cry on. He’s been divorced for years, and it’s such a waste of man! Mitch is the fittest, finest man Frankie knows. He’s easygoing, wise and kindhearted. Mitch needs someone. And she’s determined to help him find that someone—whether he likes it or not.

My Thoughts

I have been reading Sheila Roberts Christmas stories for many years, and I look forward reading a new holiday tale each fall.  The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts is a modern twist on Jane Austen’s Emma.  Frankie Lane, the protagonist, believes she knows what is best for everyone (if you look up the definition of meddler in the dictionary, you will find Frankie’s name listed).  Frankie and her antics got on my nerves after a while.  Frankie believes that she knows what is best for everyone despite their protests (I would not want to be related to her).  It was especially annoying when she would complain about something that was her fault (this is what happens when you meddle). 

I liked that the story had middle aged characters instead of twenty-somethings.  I was not a fan of some of the characters as well as some of the choices they made.  There was minimal character growth.  The point-of-view switches between the various characters.  It gets confusing with so many characters in a dialogue heavy story especially when the POV switches with no warning (you must figure out which character is speaking now). The multiple points-of-view leads to repetitive details.  The Merry Matchmaker is a slow starter with the story seeming to go around in circles in the middle and a rushed ending.  I liked the Christmas atmosphere and the festival. The story does wrap up nicely at the end. Unfortunately, The Merry Matchmaker did not make me merry.  

The Merry Matchmaker is available from Amazon*.  While The Merry Matchmaker did not appeal to me, I do suggest you download a sample to check it out for yourself.  My favorite Sheila Roberts holiday tales are On Strike for Christmas, The Nine Lives of Christmas, and The Snow Globe.  You can find Sheila Roberts other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Tuesday, October 8 with A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay.  It is the fifteenth A Library Lover's Mystery (how time flies).  I am happy to say that I have gotten the camera on my new computer to work and I stopped the virtual keyboard from popping up (hooray).  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  I am hoping to finish up my Halloween display.  It is so hot and humid that I can only do a little at a time.  It is starting to take shape.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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