Lynda Cohen Lodgman has created a wonderful story about the role of the Jewish matchmaker, a shadtanch, in two different time periods in New York. Sara and her family has recently arrived by boat from Europe. Her grandparents, parents, a sister and three brothers, share a one bedroom apartment in a tenement area of New York. One of my favorite parts of the book is the author’s descriptions of everyday life in her neighborhood. Sara has her first matchmaking experience happens as a ten-year-old, and the male matchmakers DO NOT like it. The second time period takes place in the 1990’s as Sara’s granddaughter Abby is a young lawyer who is practicing in a firm that specializes in divorces. She is also mourning the recent death of Sara. I appreciate the amount of research that Loigman did and the list of books and newspaper articles that she shared in the author notes. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

The matchmakers gift
📚𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀📚
5/5 🌟

This novel have my undivided attention from page one - it brings together two themes I am endlessly curious about: the Jewish immigrant experience and matchmaking (anyone else obsessed with 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓???)

A dual timeline follows gifted matchmaker Sara from her immigration to New York City at age 10 and throughout her life, and her granddaughter, Abby, a family law attorney in1994. The two had a close and loving relationship, but Abby only learns about Sara’s particular “gift” - and the troubles and triumphs it brought - after Sara’s death.

Likeable, well-developed characters inhabit this novel of two women who find their purpose in helping others find their 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒕, using their gift of being able to see “soulmate connections.”
I was quickly immersed in the finely-weaved storyline without any plot holes, the all-around sweet nature of the story, and the peek into New York City in the early 20th century.

There aren’t a lot of books out there that are purely happy, but this one manages it, complete with a couple of nice twists and truly interesting historical events folded in. The charming cover is sprinkled with symbols that adorably make sense after reading - it was fun to go back and recognize what all of them represent!

I hope you’ll add this wonderful book to your list.

I adored @lyndacohenloigman ‘s 2016 novel 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒘𝒐-𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆, so was thrilled and grateful to obtain an advance reader’s copy from @netgalley and @stmartinspress.

#biblliophile #bookreviews #bookstagrammer #thematchmakersgift#lyndacohenloigman
#netgalley#stmartinspress#whatshouldireadnext #greatread#historicalfiction#jewishimmigration

Abby’s grandmother, Sara would regale her with stories of her matchmaking days of her youth. Abby was quite the skeptic and didn’t quite believe her grandmother’s tales. After Sara dies and Abby inherits her journals, including details off her matches and wedding announcements cut from local papers, she starts to believe and sets out to make some ghost matches of her own.

The Matchmaker’s Gift is a magical, uplifting and inspiring historical fiction novel told in dual timelines, starting in the 1910’s and 1994. It wasn’t completely what I expected from the title, but it hooked me after just a few chapters. I highly recommend this heartwarming, happy book. It’s a must-read in my opinion!

The Matchmaker's Gift
by: Lynda Cohen Loigman
St. Martin's Press
release date: 9/20/22

Love is abundant in New York in The Matchmaker's Gift, in both the past and present. If the process of meeting and matching with one's soulmate was helped along by Sara in the early 1900's and then her granddaughter Abby in the nineties, I think that's magically romantic. The power of family ties and Abby's inheritance of her grandmother's journals blended in Loigman's lovely story of two generations of matchmaking.

Layered with aspects of Jewish culture, thoughts about what really matters in our life calling, and the beauty of finding true love, this book is so gratifying. For anyone who believes in the power of love and family tradition, I recommend letting this gorgeous book warmly sweep you away.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#TheMatchmakersGift #NetGalley #StMartinsPress #LyndaChoenLoigman

First off- mama said not to judge a book by its cover- but I definitely did and this cover is absolutely beautiful! The story definitely followed that theme! We have a dual POV/timeline book where we follow two women who have the gift of matchmaking which is a Jewish tradition. This was a part of this religion that I had never heard about before, and it was incredibly interesting to read about. This definitely a cute feel good book and would be a great fit for anyone who wants to learn more about Jewish culture, and just loves LOVE.

Abby's grandmother, Sara arrived in New York as a teenager in the 1920s and discovered her gift for matchmaking. Years later, her grandaughter, Abby, as a divorce lawyer, seems to be in the opposite occupation, but she soon finds out she has more in common with her grandmother than she thought. This is a really beautiful story about love and family. The relationship between Abby and her grandmother is really touching. In fact, there are many touching relationships in this book. If you like a good romance, you will really love this book which is full of sweet romances. If you haven't found your special someone yet, reading this book will give you hope that there is indeed a true soulmate for everyone.

I’m new to the author and this is a treat. Told in duel timelines, Sara Glikman comes as an immigrant in 1910. At a young age of 13 she makes her first match for her sister. She has the gift to see soul mates. I was surprised to learn that matchmaking was a mans business (unlike in the movies). And her matches are not welcome nor is her competition. Abby is Sara’s granddaughter. Her story is set in the 1990s. She is a successful divorce attorney at a firm specializing in wealthy clients. After the passing of her grandmother she gets journals which includes matches. The journals help her see sparks of potential matches. Her gift causes her to meddle in cases for her current clients.

This is a heartwarming novel. Sara is fighting for a place in a new community. And Abby is learning to trust a new gift with an extra connection to her beloved grandmother. The stories eventually overlap in a delightful way. I was drawn a little more to Abby’s story only because I like lawyer books. Alternating between time periods the pacing is good as are the characters. I love the bits of Jewish wisdom too. This is also a clean book which makes it easy to recommend to my bookclub and others. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

In 1910, Sara Glikman is on an ocean liner headed to the US when she realizes that she has the ability to see if people are soulmates.

Several decades later, her granddaughter is trying to emotionally recover from Sara’s death, and realizing that there was more to her grandmother than she realized.

I really enjoyed this! It had great historical details and interesting characters. Definitely add this one to your list.

My very favorite stories are those with multiple genres beautifully blended together, and presented with a pretty little bow. That’s exactly what you get with the author’s latest, The Matchmaker’s Gift. (Seriously, though. Check out that stunning cover!) It’s not very often that I’d describe a historical fiction novel as heartwarming, but that’s the first word that comes to mind when I think back on this story. Add a touch of magical realism with some romance to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a well-written tale about two women with a special gift for matchmaking!

A few things I loved:
- Dual timelines/perspectives
- Grandmother/granddaughter bond
- New York City setting
- Great representation of Jewish culture and traditions
- Themes of family, true love, and human connection

There’s honestly something for every reader in The Matchmaker’s Gift! Grab a copy of this unique and compelling story today!

Abby is a divorce attorney and she is very close with her grandmother, Sara. When her grandmother passes away, she leaves Abby her journals about her life as a matchmaker. Abby soon realizes she has not reached her full potential and maybe being an attorney is not what she is supposed to be.

This is a story told in two different timelines. It follows Sara in the early 1900s and her granddaughter, Abby, in present day. This has happened to me on the past couple of dual timelines books I have read, I love the present day more. This is unusual and I may have to explore why later. But, I digress.

This story has a bit of everything, Jewish history, romance and a bit of drama! I enjoyed every minute. I loved the characters! Sara is calm cool and collected and very intelligent. Abby is smart and has more empathy than a divorce attorney should have!

Need a fabulous story which will take you away and keep you there…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I was very lucky to receive an early, gifted copy of this wonderful book. Told in dual POVs between Sara's timeline and Abby's, I found The Matchmaker's Gift to be a heartwarming and thought provoking book about love and family. It has a touch of magic to it and any book where there is a Pickle King is awesome. I am really enjoying the increase in Jewish rep in books these days. This one had some really interesting information on the business of matchmaking! I found Abby to be realistic and had no problems with the back and forth in time. I loved the parallel storytelling and overall I found this book to be quite special. I always wish my grandmother was still alive but I wish I could have talked to her about this Jewish representation in this one and gotten her perspective on things. She grew up in a Jewish community in the Bronx and I think she would have enjoyed this book just as much as me.

The Matchmaker's Gift is out today! If you like historical fiction, a dual timeline, strong female characters and a tad bit of magic, then definitely check this one out.

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

"I see what I see, and I know what I know."

I loved this book and was so drawn into the story of matchmaking. Jewish matchmaking. I was very close with both my grandmothers, so the grandmother/granddaughter connection really hooked me. A historical fiction written in dual time lines with a little magical realism.
Two generations of matchmaking.
A totally captivating, heartwarming story that I just could not put down.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me a copy of Lynda Cohen Loigman newest novel, The Matchmaker’s Gift. In exchange I offer my unbiased review.

This is my third book by writer Cohen Loigman and easily my favorite!! It’s wonderful to see the evolution of her storytelling skills. This book was perfection and the audio narration was outstanding.
A reader’s delight!
Told in dual timelines meet Sara & Abby; grandmother & granddaughter. Sara has #TheMatchmakersGift the ability to recognize people’s soulmate. And Abby, scarred from her parent’s divorce doesn’t believe in true love, in fact she’s a divorce lawyer. But when Sara bestows Abby her beloved notebooks will Abby realize there might be something to #TheMatchmakersGift ?!!!
Everything I love was found in this historical fiction. Strong characters, evocative setting, charming romance, page turning plot and a believable storyline. I was truly smitten.

I highly recommend this book in both print and audio format. Available today - September 20, 2022. Pick up your copy, my reader’s intuition lets me know you won’t be disappointed.

I absolutely adored this book by Lynda Cohen Loigman. This is my first book by this author and I can’t wait to go back and read her first two books.

1910…Sara and her family arrive in NY and Sara makes her first match while they are still in the ship. She will continue to make matches for many years but she must do this in secret as she is female and unmarried.

1994…Abby is a divorce attorney but she is really searching for her place. After the passing of her grandmother, Sara, Abby is left with her grandmothers journals and she must decipher what it all means to her. Will she find magic in the journals? Will she find happiness in the journals??

This book is so beautifully written and so captivating!! I was immersed quickly into it with the lyrical prose and beautiful story!! A favorite read of 2022!!

I received an early digital copy.

The Matchmaker's Gift is an exceptional story. Lynda Cohen Loigman's gift is the ability to write heart warming novels about fascinating families. The Matchmaker's Gift is told by Loigman's two main characters in alternating points of view. Sara Glikman was a child in 1910 when she first realized she had a special ability for matchmaking. Her family was living in NYC on the Lower East Side and struggling to make ends meet. Sara couldn't accept money for the matches she made because the male matchmakers she was competing with wouldn't allow it. As the years passed Sara continued to make matches and finally she convinced the men to allow her formal entry in to the profession. She made hundreds of successful matches during her lifetime.
In 1994 Sara passes away and leaves her journals to her beloved granddaughter Abby. Abby is single and working as a divorce attorney, but as she reads the journals she wonders if she is in the right profession. Abby begins to feel that she has a special insight into some of her clients. Perhaps they shouldn't get divorced? Maybe the couple writing the per-nuptial agreement aren't right for each other? Does Abby share Sara's gift. Loigman has given her readers a present by writing The Matchmaker's Gift. This is a definite must read.

Sara Glickman, a young Jewish girl growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the early nineteen hundreds, discovers she has a gift - an ability to make matches and help people find their soulmates. Only there are Jewish men in the neighborhood who do this for a living, and they are none to pleased when they find out Sara has been getting in the way of their business. Decades later, Sara’s granddaughter, Abby, is a divorce attorney who’s firm represents clients that are among the rich and famous. When Abby’s Grandma Sara dies, Abby realizes she too may possess the same gift as Sara, and is left conflicted between her job in facilitating divorces and her ability to fight for love.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely LOVED this book - everything about it. I loved Sara’s strength and determination to help others find love. I loved the special relationship between Abby and her Grandma Sara, and how it guides her even after her grandma’s gone. I loved the premise of this book and how it taught me something new, specifically that matchmaking was relied upon back in the day, and that it was a predominantly man’s job.

Perhaps what I loved most about this book was that it’s uplifting, hopeful, and centered around two super strong female characters whose sole purposes in life is to facilitate love matches.

(OK - I also loved that the Grandma’s name was Sara because I too had a great Grandma Sara)

Have I told you enough things I loved about this book? This one, as the title suggests, is a gift. Read it - you will love it as much as I did!

Set in New York City, The Matchmaker’s Gift shares the imagined story of a Jewish grandmother and granddaughter who share gifts of matchmaking.

Thanks #NetGalley @StMartinsPress for a complimentary e ARC of #TheMatchmakersGift upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In 1910, young Sara demonstrates a skill in matchmaking. This troubles the older, devout men in the Jewish community because she is a threat to their traditions and livelihood. Sara fights for recognition and her right to make matches. In 1994, Sara’s granddaughter (Abby) inherits Sara’s journals that document every match she made, and Abby questions her own purpose and gifts.

Overall, this is an uplit story about a woman’s perseverance to use her gifts and how it conflicts with the Jewish culture and tradition of matchmaking. Abby adores her grandmother and wonders if she has some of her grandmother’s abilities in matchmaking.

In this dual timeline story, I learned about the matchmaking tradition in the Jewish culture. I didn’t know much about the profession of matchmaking before reading this story, but I think if someone had asked me about it, I would assume that women handled the matchmaking. However, it was informative to read that it was traditionally a man’s profession. Evidently, it was a lucrative business and the men were significantly threatened by Sara and her success.

I loved Sara in the 1910 timeline. For a while she conducts matchmaking under the radar. Eventually. she becomes bolder and embraces matchmaking as her gift and her right. Sara is persistent and pursues her gift despite threats from the men. It’s women like Sara who have set an example of chasing your dreams even if the dream happens to be in a male dominated field.

Thoughtful themes include grandmother/granddaughter relationship, power of family, self-discovery, inherited gifts, determination, risk-taking, women in male-dominated fields,

With a side of magic and romance (more magical realism than I usually prefer), I’m recommending this heartwarming story for readers who enjoy the mentioned themes, for readers who love reading about strong women breaking new ground, for those wanting to read more about the Jewish matchmaking tradition, and for book clubs.

The Matchmaker’s Gift weaves together the story of Sarah, a matchmaker with a magical gift of seeing soulmates and her granddaughter, a divorce lawyer. I loved learning about many of the Jewish foods and customs, particularly during Sarah’s younger days. I also loved all of the mini love stories for each of the matches Sarah puts together. However, I didn’t leave the book super touched, and it was very slow moving. It was a warm hug from a friend on a lazy day kind of book.

A bit of love, a bit of magic, two wonderfully relatable characters and there you have it: a novel that will make you all warm and fuzzy from beginning to end. Plus, I do love a good dual timeline and alternating points of view, especially when one of these is narrated through old journal entries. Elements related to Jewish culture are also cleverly weaved through the story, making it even more enchanting.

The Matchmaker's Gift is a cute story about Sara, who comes to the US when she is 10 years old. On the ship to America she makes her first match. Sara has a "gift" where she sees things and knows things between two people. In 1910, all matchmakers were men and they are not happy that Sara is making matches. Sara passes in 1994 and Sara's granddaughter, Abby, is struggling with Sara's death and some other things going on in her life. As Abby reads her grandmother's notebooks, she realizes she may have the same gift her grandmother had. If you have never read any of Lynda Cohen Loigman's book, this is a good one to start with and you just may find yourself wanting to read the other books.