Calling on the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 1)
By: Jody Hedlund
Publication: December 1, 2023
352 pages
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)
( Goodreads | Amazon )
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Goodreads description--Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved that she's not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her days caring for immigrants in the slums. Unwilling to consider marriage, Finola has perfected the ability to sabotage the relationships her parents arrange for her. At wit's end, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. After her usual tricks fail, Finola quickly realizes she can't outsmart or outwit the dashing, determined, and daring man.
A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union with the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning--and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger testing all they know about love and sacrifice.
Escape to 1849 St. Louis for a daring and romantic tale from the talented pen of bestselling author Jody Hedlund.
One thing I like about Jody Hedlund's writing is that she can write Christian fiction without foregoing the chemistry between her characters. Some Christian writers completely skip any physical attraction between their main characters. Jody Hedlund writes some of the most realistic tension I've read in this genre.
The description tells more about Finola than I would have. But since it's already stated, Finola is traumatized by the death of her baby sister, which happened many years ago. She's spent her life in service to God by working closely with a convent in the area that serves the poor immigrants of the city. Finola's father has brought suitor after suitor in attempts to find someone who might marry her, but Finola has secretly managed to run them all off. She has begged to be allowed to join the convent, and her father finally agrees on the condition that she try one last suitor brought in by the local matchmaker.
Riley was married once before and is now a widower. He has no intentions of marrying again, but his campaign for mayor has his staff pressing him on the idea. He would be more appealing as a married man. He has two interactions with Finola that stir the desire to marry again. Only, he's pretty focused on her being his future bride. He quickly realizes Finola is trying to chase him away, and he decides to play her own game against her.
The tension between these two was so enjoyable. Their backstories led to a depth of character that pops off the page. Jody Hedlund is good at writing characters such as these. She also usually sets up the next book or at least one of the main characters for the next book thus leaving future books as some of my most anticipated reads for the year.
Favorite quotes:
-"Mind you, smart and sensible make for a better husband than handsome and dashing."
-He could get used to spending his life chasing after her and winning her anew each day.
Calling on the Matchmaker was a wonderful introduction to a new series. Jody Hedlund's characters are multifaceted, and their connects are fully of sizzle even while keeping things clean. I love that Jody Hedlund has realistic characters and situations. Even though this is Christian fiction, her characters are human, make bad choices, and still struggle with fleshly desires. I can't wait to read the next book about Finola's sister. Calling on the Matchmaker gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Calling on the Matchmaker? What did you think? Let me know!
