i am not a bookworm!: The Matchmaking Game (Timeless Romance Single #4) by Donna Hatch

The Matchmaking Game

Timeless Romance Single #4

by: Donna Hatch

Publication date: April 18th 2017

Publisher: Mirror Press
Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean & Wholesome Romance, comes the Timeless Romance Singles line.

THE MATCHMAKING GAME: A brand new historical romance novella from bestselling author Donna Hatch.

Rowena’s childhood friend, Evan, has returned home from war a handsome, but mysterious stranger. In an effort to bring happiness to her father, not to mention uncover the Evan she remembers from their youth, Rowena seeks to unite their parents. Who better to match a lonely widow and widower together than their adoring children? Her matchmaking game could help their parents find happiness and draw out her childhood friend buried beneath Evan’s new reserve … or it could break more than one heart.

More Timeless Romance Singles:
FROM CAIRO, WITH LOVE by Nancy Campbell Allen
SOPHIA'S LEAP-YEAR COURTSHIP by Kristin Holt
STARTING OVER IN STEEPLE RIDGE by Liz Isaacson

This is an absolutely swoon-worthy story. I just love the characters. Stories like these are why I have have slowly become a fan of regency novels. I have read quite a few which are very adorable that had changed my mind about them. They maybe stories set in an era that has bygone but the on-going theme of love, family and honor never gets old. And yes, not all of them are boring and antiquated as it may seem. Some are really engaging. They are like classic songs that never grow old, oldies but goodies.

I have read a few Timeless Romance novels and I have been surprisingly enamored by the amazing and amusing stories. This story is the same. The stolen glances between Rowena and Evan were just amusing. They made me giggle like I was part of their secret. A secret not one of them yet knows but only those that witness their silent communication. Oh, did I mention I love stories of best friends that eventually fall in love with each other? Those stories just make everything right in the world.

I felt Rowena's feelings. The hurt, disappointment and the unrequited love. It felt like I was Rowena. It was like I too lived through her experiences and the frustrations, that if I can't marry him, then why marry at all. I lost myself in the pages and I was just Rowena as the story goes on. And what a relief it was that the antagonist of this story was not at all that bad. I love that Cynthia was smart enough to not marry someone who didn't love her back. I praised her for that very mature decision she made. I wish all antagonists in all love stories are like her.

And Evan, he is the ultimate example of a gentleman. And I agree with Rowena, the qualities that she admired in Evan like respect, honor and dedication to family were the same things that would keep him from her. Ugh! My heart just stopped beating for a few seconds after that line. I wanted so much to hug Rowena to comfort her and tell her that she is not alone. Some women have been in her situation too.

I give the book 4.5/5 red apples. I love the ending. Again, all is right with the world. All's well that ends well. I too wish I will have the same thing like Rowena had. What a cute and amusing story! Rowena thought she was matchmaking her dad with Evan's mom, it turned out the two were also thinking the same for her and Evan. Just lovely! One more thing, I melted when Evan proposed to Rowena. Everything he said was just perfect. I imagined I was Rowena and all the words he said were meant for me. *Now I am a pile of love struck and shrieking goo.*

Here is Evan's proposal. I am sure, all you ladies will go weak in the knees or faint.

Rowena Elizabeth Emerson. (Feel free to substitute your name here).

I love you more than a body has a right to, but I fully expect to love you even more tomorrow, and the day after that. I don't have quite as big of an estate as I used to, and I'm still a bit battered. I've forgotten most of the waltz steps. But will you have me? (Yes!) Will you marry me? (Absolutely!)

- Donna Hatch, The Matchmaking Game -