The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel Review

 

The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel is a wonderful historical romance. As the reader we are transported to Ireland in the early 1900s during the time of a matchmaking festival. I had heard of matchmakers before, but I never knew there were such things as matchmaking festivals, so that was really cool to get to experience one through the eyes of both a matchmaker and a festival goer.

The story is told from three points of view. That of Catriona Daly, a matchmaker and daughter of a renowned matchmaker. That of Donal Bunratty who is a widower who is trying to take care of his farm while also taking care of his young daughter. And we occasionally see the story through his daughter Sara’s eyes.

Catriona is wonderful at making matches, following in the shoes of her father; however, she herself has been unable to find love for herself. But during this year’s festival, she is determined to change her status, and hopefully get out of this small, rural community. Why not try to catch the eye of one of her well-to-do clients, Andrew Osborne. Though is he really the type of person she wants to spend the rest of her life with?

Donal is trying his best to take care of his farm and his young daughter Sara. But they have come upon hard times. He wants to be able give her more and she wants to see him happily married, plus, she really wants a mother. So, reluctantly he agrees to take part in the matchmaking festival, for her. But um, was he supposed to start having feelings for his matchmaker? And would she ever be interested in him? After all, she wants out of this community, she wants a better life. Not to be shackled to a life of hardship.

I loved watching the feelings between them grow, which others can see and they seem to be denying. The story is full of faith and learning about God’s provision, quite inspirational. And, I have to add, I’ll never be able to think of the Sermon on the Mount in the same way again. I also loved the relationship between Sara and her dad and Sara and Catriona. Caty’s best friend Maeve and her father were wonderful side characters. The author really brought this story and Ireland to life for me. And yes, there was even a villain and near tragedy, and we see the importance of community and not being prideful.

This was my first book by this author, but it sure won’t be my last. I loved this book, and highly recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.