A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.“A delightful, light-as-air romance that successfully straddles the line between sweet and smart without ever being silly…The novel is simply captivating from beginning to end.” —Associated PressMarnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life—a husband, kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the … her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Then Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s irascible matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes—just as Blix told her it would.
When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s Brooklyn brownstone along with all of Blix’s unfinished “projects”: the heartbroken, oddball friends and neighbors running from happiness. Marnie doesn’t believe she’s anything special, but Blix somehow knew she was the perfect person to follow in her matchmaker footsteps.
And Blix was also right about some things Marnie must learn the hard way: love is hard to recognize, and the ones who push love away often are the ones who need it most.
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Matchmaking for Beginners is a flat-out delight! Maddie Dawson is a master at creating compulsively readable stories, full of heart and wit, and the kind of characters we wish were real. (Everyone should be blessed with a great-aunt Blix!) I loved every moment of this quirky, charming, feel-good novel!
Every few years I come upon a book that has me staying up late and getting up early, (and ignoring all the Things that Need to Be Done because the book moves in, takes up residence and Will Not Be Denied until it’s story is told). This is one of those books. I will likely need to purchase several hard copies to have on hand lest I, or a friend, or a sad-looking stranger passing by are in need of the extended joy that is this book. Not quite realism, not quite fantasy, but that magical place in between where maybe we all ought to be living.
This unique story about falling in love stole my heart. It was warm, funny and came with a motley bunch of unforgettable characters. The perfect pick-me-up read.
I loved every bit of this whimsical, quirky, romantic tale.
This is a charming book with great writing throughout, warmhearted wit, occasional slapstick comedy, great characters, and a lovely message. When I (unintentionally) woke up at 4:30am last Sunday I was so happy to get up so I could go back to reading it. That’s when you know you’re really enjoying a novel! Highly recommended. It has some magical elements, something I often have little patience for, but they really work here.
A little bit of magic, a lot of fun, and a quirky cast of characters that you will fall in love with.
This book is charming and ethereal. It felt like a fresh wind moving through my winter-cobwebby brain, blowing away the darkness and cold to leave a fresh, sunny mood behind. It isn’t at all silly and honestly, you will love the characters. For fans of Sarah Addison Allen and anyone who wants an uplifting, enjoyable read about finding your place in the world . If I could, I’d give it ten stars.
A magical confection about two women at opposite ends of life’s funny, messy, joyful dance. You’ll cheer for the eccentric Blix and root for Marnie, her young, unexpecting protégé. Highly recommended—with sprinkles on top.
This book is MAGICAL! Seriously. If you need a sweet, romantic, feel good escape with a bunch of quirky, flawed, lovable characters, and a story you can lose yourself in for a few hours, this is it. I read it in one sitting. Fell in love with the characters on the first page and loved spending time with them. There’s a lovely, older woman who has the ability to ‘see’ who will match well together and even though she’s in her eighties and sick, she is still full of joy and lives every moment to the fullest. She leaves her Brooklyn house to Marnie, who she meets at her engagement party and senses that they are kindred spirits with the same gift….and that she’s about to marry the wrong guy….her nephew. But she knows who she should be with. Absolutely loved it and it’s one I know I will reread. Enjoy. 🙂
One of those books I could keep reading forever.
If you’re looking for something just a little bit different that still hits all the right notes – well-rounded characters, a satisfying story arc, and just enough romance to keep you hoping – I recommend Matchmaking for Beginners.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Dawson tells a light-hearted yet meaningful tale with likeable (and flawed) characters with some really inspiring messages. Pure magic!
Cute story with some tears and laughter. I loved the characters and how eclectic they were. They seemed as real as any people. The stories of each were well developed and touched the heart.
I was surprised to find that I adored this book. I picked it up on a whim, and while it was eccentric and slightly meandering, it was also warm and bursting with heart. It’s exactly the kind of read I wanted after a few heavier books in a row, and it’s the perfect kind of rom com. I just loved Blix and her little Brooklyn family!
I really enjoyed reading my first Maddie Dawson book. The start was quirky and fun, and slowly drew me into its magical world filled with unique and sympathetic characters. A very satisfying romantic women’s fiction read from a talented author. I’ll definitely be reading more from her.
Loved the quirky characters and whimsical tale!
MATCHMAKING FOR BEGINNERS: A NOVEL by Maddie Dawson is at once funny (Aunt Blix), mixed up (Marnie) wistful (Patrick), and maddening (Noah). With a pinch of magic here, a dollop of Thanksgiving-gone-wrong there, and a runaway dog, I found myself racing through the pages to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this charming book.
I absolutely loved this book! I loved all the characters, the plot, and everything about it. Maddie Dawson made magic of her own in this novel. She writes about friendship, loss, heartache, and new romantic beginnings. Two quotes spoke to me and had profound impact: “But as someone wiser than me said, it’s in the broken places where the light gets in”; and “Whatever happens, love that.” I also cried at the end, so this novel was well written and touched me. Thank you for such a wonderful story, which I highly recommend.
So glad I read this one, recommended by a friend! A simply lovely, feel good book that had me smiling, laughing, and tearing up at some profound sentences. This is just one of those books you love from beginning to end, then feel sad when it’s finished. My favorite kind of read!
The narrations where great! I really enjoy Amy and Joyce’s voices making the book more enjoyable and even deeper when the characters were having a sad or hard moment.. great work!!
This is the story of Marnie MacGraw a young lady who knew what she wanted and where her life was heading not until she met Blix everything change, her dreams, her expectations everything she once knew was about to change..
she wanted kids, a family, and a husband but life had other plans for her and her husband didn’t have the same goals and dreams.. sooner or later Marnie will face all these challenges and will have to come to a decision. even if that decision doesn’t seem anything like what she really wanted..
love will find her in the strangest way, and also in the strangest circumstances.. now is up to her to finally get rid of her past and embrace all the new things that are happening now.. and making her feel alive again..
good story and characters so glad I picked up this amazing book..
I loved this book! It was so original. It’s about a quirky matchmaker who recognizes that the heroine, who’s dating her deadbeat nephew, also has matchmaking powers, so she leaves her her quirky brownstone in Brooklyn and its assortment of ragtag neighbors. It’s a novel about discovering who you are and who you love and about reaching for your Biggest Life. Fun!