This dual timeline story starts in the 1910s with Sara, who is trying to be a matchmaker in a time when this wasn't an acceptable thing for women to do. Despite the challenges she faces, she knows she has a gift and isn't going to let the cultural expectations stop her from helping people find their true loves. The later timeline, in the 1990s, focuses on Sara's granddaughter, Abby, whose career has taken her down a different road - she is a divorce attorney. Abby doesn't believe in any of the magical gifts her grandmother was known for, but after Sara's death Abby begins to explore Sara's life story and learn more about the gift of matchmaking.

This was such a wonderful, heartwarming book! I thought the dual timeline and the hint of magical realism enhanced the story. This author is now an auto-read for me and I look forward to her next book.

This is a dual POV/timeline Historical Fiction about a young woman who comes to the US in the early 1900s and plays matchmaker for her older sister, only to then become a real matchmaker for several years. Her granddaughter is the other POV, she does not want to get married, but after losing her grandmother she is curious about her family's past. It is a well-written historical fiction and one that I enjoyed. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

This is a beautiful story of a 10year old Jewish girl, Sara Glikman, who discovers she has a special gift. She is able to see streams of light that connect soulmates to each other. However this gift doesn’t come without its costs. At the turn of the century in New York’s Jewish communities, matchmaking is reserved for men and is a profitable business. The story follows Sara through the years as she first tries to hide her gift, then learns to embrace it and finally decides to fight the establishment for the right to practice it. Told through dual timelines, we also follow Sara’s granddaughter, Abby as she tries to make a name for herself interestingly enough as a divorce attorney. As she learns more about her grandmother’s gift through inherited journals she finds she may have inherited more than just the journals.

Great dual timeline story of Sara, who was a matchmaker, and Abby, a modern day divorce attorney. Story takes place on the Lower East side. Lots of magic and heartwarming moments.

I got accepted for this arc at a time where I was moving from reading a lot of historical, literary, and women’s fiction to romance books and this is so far *the only one* I wish I hadn’t skipped! While it is not a romance, it centers women and romance in an empowering way, and I loved it so much.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my copy of The Matchmaker’s Gift!

4.5 brilliant stars for this uplifting novel! I had read both of Lynda Cohen Loigman’s previous two books, The Wartime Sisters and The Two Family House, and enjoyed both of them very much. When I saw that she had written a new book, The Matchmaker’s Gift, I was so excited to read it. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by both Eva Kaminsky and Gabba Zackman. The Matchmaker’s Gift alternated between telling Sara Glickman’s story which started back in 1910 when she and her family traveled from Kalarush to Libava and boarded a ship headed for New York and her granddaughter’s Abby’s story that took place in 1994. Sara was just ten years old when her family sailed for New York but her gift as a matchmaker was established on that voyage. She and her family resided on the Lower East Side where she was scorned and harassed by the pious and religious matchmaker men for the matches she made. Although, Sara never accepted payment for any of the matches she made, she was forced to defend her actions in a court headed by Rabbinical judges. At the conclusion of her trial. Sara won. She was indeed a “Shadchangeh”or a female matchmaker. Abby, Sara’s oldest granddaughter, was a driven and successful divorce attorney who was unaware of the gift she possessed until her beloved grandmother passed away at the age of 94 and left Abby some of her journals. These two extraordinary women possessed the unique talents of recognizing the obvious signs, at least by them, of soulmates. Both had to fight to be recognized and accepted. Both women, grandmother and granddaughter, found it easier to find soulmates for strangers and acquaintances than finding their own soulmates. Could Abby have actually inherited her grandmother’s unique talent? How would she put this gift to use? Would this discovery ease the pain of losing her beloved grandmother?

I truly enjoyed reading/listening to The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman. Her talent as an extraordinary storyteller shone throughout this book. I was captivated from the very beginning until the satisfying ending. It was hard to put this one down. I loved the characters and how strong and determined both Sara and Abby were. The descriptions of the Lower East Side of New York brought back special memories for me when I went there with my own family as a young girl. The Matchmaker’s Gift was a heartwarming and endearing novel. I loved how the past and present were woven together flawlessly. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC of the audiobook The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for September 20, 2022.

4 star novel

This was a sweet magical realism book where a woman passes down her gift of matchmaking to her granddaughter. I had a hard time connecting with Abby. I enjoyed the story and the characters; I just wish Abby was written more complex.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Wow! What a fabulous book. This is a dual timeline historical fiction novel. The book is fantastical. Imagine a matchmakers gift, a true gift that has Sarah matching people to their Soulmates. It is a gift she fives to granddaughter Abby. Highly recommend!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Jewish matchmaker who passes along her special ability to her granddaughter, a divorce lawyer in New York. That's an intriguing premise, with dual timelines that give the perspective of these two generations of women and enrich the historical context.

This is my third book to review by Loigman and once again, she does not disappoint. An amazing storyteller, Loigman gives us characters to care about and stories to lose ourselves in.

Filled with magical realism (which I am a sucker for), dual timelines, and great characters, The Matchmaker's Gift is the perfect read.

The Matchmaker's Gift is deeply delightful and heartwarming! I loved the dual timelines and learning about the captivating stories between a grandmother and granddaughter. Having just recently lost my grandmother, this story was especially touching and timely; a comfort read through my grief. I was intrigued by the matchmaking storyline, and learned quite a lot about what it means to have a ‘gift’ (or a curse?) in the profession. It is a beautifully written story with much heart, mysticism, delicacy, and, of course, love is interwoven throughout it all.

“‘If you can’t decide what you want to fight for, love is as good a cause as any.’” -The Matchmaker’s Gift

Lynda Cohen Louiman's "The Matchmaker's Gift" pleasantly surprised me with its enchanting narrative spanning two generations. The story unfolds seamlessly, introducing us to Sara Glikman, a scrappy Jewish teenager in 1920s New York, who courageously follows her calling as a matchmaker despite societal challenges.

One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of empowering women, with Sara serving as a resilient protagonist breaking free from the constraints of her time. The story continues with Sara's granddaughter, Abby, a successful Manhattan divorce attorney, inheriting Sara's journals documenting the details of her matches. This generational shift adds depth and complexity to the plot, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery.

What particularly stood out was the grandmother's "I know what I know" attitude, infusing the narrative with a charming and assertive energy. This distinctive character trait not only adds depth to Sara's persona but also serves as a guiding force for Abby as she unravels the mysteries within her grandmother's handwritten journals.

In essence, "The Matchmaker's Gift" blends humor and emotion seamlessly, creating a four-star read that not only entertains but also resonates with the empowering spirit of its female characters. It's a book that leaves a lasting impression, encouraging readers to ponder the complexities of love and the choices we make in its pursuit.

I was drawn into this story of a pair of matchmakers (shanchanteh), a grandmother and granddaughter who had a special gift for finding true love matches. Abby is grieving over the loss of her beloved grandmother and the advice she gave. We learn about the grandmother and how at 12, she made her first love match between her sister and her future husband.

For anyone who is missing their grandmother and her infinite wisdom, this book is for you. I loved the notebooks and learning about the traditions of matchmakers. Abby and Sara’s stories are told in dual timelines and you’ll flip page after page to race to what can only be described as the most beautiful ending.

4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was darling! I read this with my friend and we absolutely loved it. This book features dual timelines between Sara and her granddaughter Abby who both have the family gift of seeing when two souls are meant to be. Sara was in an unmarried female matchmaker immediately following World War I and forging ahead with her gifts despite the adversity that plagued her and tried to stifle her gift. Abby is a divorce attorney in the 90s who is struggling to thrive in a job she isn't sue about after her grandmother's passing. Both might find a little love of their own along the way . . .

Read if you love: dual timelines, grandmother/granddaughter stories, historical fiction, Jewish matchmaking, New York, and divorce lawyers who secretly (or not so secretly) just want people to find their happily ever afters.

"The heart is big enough to hold both grief and love."

In The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman, I have to suspend disbelief on the ability of an individual to see matches. Perhaps it is more engaging to believe in the idea of soulmates and the idea that soulmates can be clearly identified. Both timelines are interesting, but Sara's story with its history, its picture of a time and place, and the determination of a young woman to claim her talent is the one I will remember.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/11/the-matchmakers-gift.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

"When you weep, the one you are meant for tastes the salt of your tears." - Sara Glikman, The Matchmaker's Gift
This is a beautifully written and enthralling story of love, loss, friendship, and finding your soulmate. Sara Glikman is a matchmaker, but not just any matchmaker. She makes her first match at 10 years old in 1910. As she grows up and her gift develops, she finds that her calling to make love matches leads her down the challenging road as an unwed female matchmaker, something wholly unheard of during the time and in her Jewish culture. Told in alternating timelines, we also get to know Abby, Sara's granddaughter working as a divorce lawyer. Struggling with the loss of her grandmother in 1994, Abby questions whether she has inherited Sara's gift. I absolutely loved everything about this story, and the close relationship between Abby and her grandmother brings such depth to both characters. This story is engaging and heartfelt, and you simply cannot read it without walking away with a smile. One of those stories that will stay with you long after you finish reading. Thank you so much to Lynda Cohen Loigman, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this arc.

I really enjoyed this book overall, I’m usually a fan of multiple timelines OR dual POV so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about BOTH. But it flowed nicely and I found each (all of the above) to be equally interesting and attention-keeping.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Lost Apothecary because, although the subject matter was different, the overall tone and format reminded me of that book!

Loved this. The author’s focus on women’s agency (versus just a romantic storyline) was an unexpected and pleasant surprise given the title. And the grandmother reminded me of my own!