Successful Boston matchmaker and television personality Meredith Galanes’s reputation is on the line. During a guest appearance on a morning talk show, she’s broadsided by questions about her own romantic attachments, just as she’s trying to secure a syndication deal. Afraid to admit her love life is a total disaster, Meredith blurts out that she’s seriously involved with a very special man—a boatbuilder in Maine. She never expects that small slip to get spun into a story about her supposed engagement.
Or that the paparazzi will track the guy down…
Derrick Albright is laid-back about many things. Being hounded by the press about some imaginary engagement to a woman he’s only met once—and couldn’t stand—isn’t one of them. Then Meredith actually shows up at his cabin in Blue Hill, Maine, with an apology, a pot roast, and a proposal—play along until she secures her TV deal, and she’ll help him win back his ex.
It’s a simple plan, but if they have any chance of pulling it off, they’ll have to survive each other first...
Each book in the Blue Hill Brides series is STANDALONE:
* The Duplicate Bride
* The Matchmaker Bride
Learn more on Amazon
ASIN: B08JKB381B
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Print Length: 271 pages
My Review:
Meredith Galanes has a problem. As a renowned matchmaker and tv personality she has successfully paired up many couples. Her successful tv show showcases her matches, proving she has the magic touch when it comes to setting couples up. This isn't Meredith's problem, though. Her problem stems from her inability to successfully match herself. Her love life has been nothing but one disastrous date after another. While trying to secure a syndication deal for her tv show, Meredith appears on a talk show and their main question involves her love life. She can't go in front of the entire viewing audience and admit that, while she can pair other couples up, her attempts at romance are epic failures. What's a little white lie in front of the camera?! Meredith has no idea that her little white lie would be escalated to the point that her new, fake boyfriend would be hunted down by the press.
Derrick Albright is a boatbuilder in Maine. He lives a quiet, laidback life. That all changes when reporters come knocking on his door wanting him to comment on his relationship and engagement to Meredith Galanes, matchmaker extraordinaire. There has to some mistake. Derrick has only met Meredith once and spent a lot of time trying to avoid her. Now, she's on his doorstep trying to explain away the reporters all while trying to butter him up with a homecooked meal, a proposal, and a guarantee she can find Derrick's ex and get them back together. First, they have to learn to get along or the entire plan will go up in smoke right along with Meredith's successful matchmaking empire.
Meredith and Derrick are an amazing couple of characters in The Matchmaker Bride. They were constantly bickering, in total denial of any feelings and chemistry, yet tried to convince the world they are perfect for one another. Their dance was one filled with missed opportunities, longing glances, cute moments, and miscommunications. All things that helped make this enemies-to-lovers/fake engagement romance novel hard to put down.
I was engaged in their story from the very beginning and devoured the book. I enjoyed this contemporary romance. The author's writing style is smooth and conversational. The characters have depth and development. The setting was written well, and I was able to visualize the story as I read along. While this series is listed as each story being a standalone, I highly recommend you read the books in order so you understand what happened in book one between Meredith and Derrick. The author does a great job bringing in all the details from The Duplicate Bride into The Matchmaker Bride, I found myself searching for Meredith and Derrick's interactions in The Duplicate Bride as a refresher.
I was provided a copy of this book to read.
My Rating:
