A touching new novel from bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand in which a woman sets out to find love for those closest to her – before it’s too late. 48-year-old Nantucketer Dabney Kimball Beech has always had a gift for matchmaking. Some call her ability mystical, while others – like her husband, celebrated economist John Boxmiller Beech, and her daughter, Agnes, who is clearly engaged to the … clearly engaged to the wrong man – call it meddlesome, but there’s no arguing with her results: With 42 happy couples to her credit and all of them still together, Dabney has never been wrong about romance.
Never, that is, except in the case of herself and Clendenin Hughes, the green-eyed boy who took her heart with him long ago when he left the island to pursue his dream of becoming a journalist. Now, after spending 27 years on the other side of the world, Clen is back on Nantucket, and Dabney has never felt so confused, or so alive.
But when tragedy threatens her own second chance, Dabney must face the choices she’s made and share painful secrets with her family. Determined to make use of her gift before it’s too late, she sets out to find perfect matches for those she loves most. The Matchmaker is a heartbreaking story about losing and finding love, even as you’re running out of time.
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“A caring heart, optimistic outlook, and mystical ability to find the perfect partner for everyone but herself, make Dabney Kimball Beech a winning and highly intriguing heroine. That, coupled with the charming small town atmosphere and quaint traditions of a Nantucket summer are enough to make The Matchmaker a first class beach read. But, for me, the unusual structure of the book, in which brief essays penned by happy couples Dabney has bought together meld into a surprising and poignant plot twist, thrust The Matchmaker into a class by itself.
Before bringing The Matchmaker beachside, fill the cooler with plenty of beverages and apply an extra coat of sunscreen. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down”
This is the first book I read by Elin Hilderbrand. Excellent read and really hooked me on her work.
Elin Hildebrand never disappoints! She always makes her characters seem so real.
This books was good and worth reading, the ending had me in tears as well. It did not hold my attention all the way through but I kept at it and I am glad.
Told by many different voices, but it was always clear who was speaking. Nicely wrapped up in a bow at the end — but it did drag getting there from the point of her diagnosis.
Great book
This is one of those stories that leave you with a wide array of feelings. A second chance romance with a love triangle and tragedy. It’s riddled with varying degrees of conflicting emotions.
That being said, I loved so many of the characters. Dabney and Box, Clendennen, Agnes, Nina, Riley and Celery. The relationships are simple and complex and very real. The connections to the community are wonderfully supportive and yet, judgmental.
No one is perfect, no matter the background, money, attire, marriage. We are all human, with human frailty and good and bad decision-making. We all love and hurt those we love whether we set out to or not. No love is perfect, but Dabney has a knack for finding the perfect match.
This is one that stays with you and makes you think. Reading in audio format bought the characters to life.
Unforgettable characters.
While the book starts slowly, I got caught up in the characters’ lives and wanted events to work out for them. There were tears at the end…
I really enjoyed this audio book! The narrator did a very good job of keeping me interested in the story. I had a hard time getting in to the book, but once I did, the author drew me in and didn’t let go. This book really took hold of my heart and held it throughout the entire book then squeezed it so tightly towards the end before gently letting it go.
This was such a good read. Don’t hesitate to pick it up, and if it starts out slow, give it a bit of time because it is worth it.
I love all of Elin’s work but this was the very first book I read and it’s still one of my favorites!
I love all of Hilderbrand’s books. She is an extraordinary story teller. It is hard to put down once I started reading. Her stories are never predictable and always interesting.
“A caring heart, optimistic outlook, and mystical ability to find the perfect partner for everyone but herself, make Dabney Kimball Beech a winning and highly intriguing heroine. That, coupled with the charming small town atmosphere and quaint traditions of a Nantucket summer are enough to make The Matchmaker a first class beach read. But, for me, the unusual structure of the book, in which brief essays penned by happy couples Dabney has bought together meld into a surprising and poignant plot twist, thrust The Matchmaker into a class by itself.
Before bringing The Matchmaker beachside, fill the cooler with plenty of beverages and apply an extra coat of sunscreen. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down”
This is the first book I read by Elin Hilderbrand. Excellent read and really hooked me on her work.
Elin Hildebrand never disappoints! She always makes her characters seem so real.
This books was good and worth reading, the ending had me in tears as well. It did not hold my attention all the way through but I kept at it and I am glad.
Told by many different voices, but it was always clear who was speaking. Nicely wrapped up in a bow at the end — but it did drag getting there from the point of her diagnosis.
Great book
This is one of those stories that leave you with a wide array of feelings. A second chance romance with a love triangle and tragedy. It’s riddled with varying degrees of conflicting emotions.
That being said, I loved so many of the characters. Dabney and Box, Clendennen, Agnes, Nina, Riley and Celery. The relationships are simple and complex and very real. The connections to the community are wonderfully supportive and yet, judgmental.
No one is perfect, no matter the background, money, attire, marriage. We are all human, with human frailty and good and bad decision-making. We all love and hurt those we love whether we set out to or not. No love is perfect, but Dabney has a knack for finding the perfect match.
This is one that stays with you and makes you think. Reading in audio format bought the characters to life.
Unforgettable characters.