Review: Marrying the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

 

About the Book

As the middle child of the Shanahan family, Zaira does her best to keep the peace. She doesn't share her dream of becoming a published author with her family to spare herself their disapproval. When she's caught in a scandal involving the local matchmaker, Bellamy McKenna, she must put her storytelling ability to good use and feign a match with him to avoid wagging tongues and her parents' anger.

Feeling the growing pressure to marry as a well-known, yet single matchmaker to St. Louis's Irish community, Bellamy reluctantly agrees to a temporary match with Zaira. But even though the matchmakers in his family might be able to find love for others, they have a history of disastrous relationships for themselves. When secrets and danger force Zaira and Bellamy to work together, is it finally the matchmaker's turn to be lucky in love?

My Review

I loved the first three books in the Shanahan Match series, so I had high expectations for Bellamy's story as the matchmaker himself gets matched. While I was glad to read the book and see how the series ended, it didn't meet the standard set by the previous books. I'll share what I liked first, then the things that prevented me from being fully immersed in the story. The historical details about the cholera outbreak and the impact it had on the community following the recovery was the highlight for me. I love learning about history through fiction since it makes it come to life in my mind. I appreciated the story line of the two rescued children that Zaira and Bellamy care for. It brought a feeling of hope and had a heartwarming resolution.

 

With Bellamy being a major supporting character in the previous books, there wasn't much character introduction or development in this one. I didn't feel connected to Zaira, even as the story progressed. Both Bellamy and Zaira were likeable and they had chemistry, but there was too much deception to establish a friendship, let alone a relationship with a foundation. Their thoughts about their physical attraction to each other was so over the top. I like it when the couple is attracted to each other, but it overshadowed more important development that could have brought more depth to their relationship. The parents and siblings felt two-dimensional and their interactions with Bellamy and Zaira were kept surface level. I was disappointed that this final story concluded a wonderful series with a fizzle.

 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Shanahan Match series