Jen Turano penned a droll, chimerical Gilded Age historical fiction in A Match in the Making. Her characters are always charming and unconventional, making for an entertaining read that is both lighthearted and engaging. Turano's attention to detail in recreating the time period adds depth and authenticity to her stories, providing a delightful escape into a bygone era.

Gwendolyn Brinley, a strong-willed, determined woman, who is ahead of her time, becomes enmired in the life of single father Walter Townsend and his three children. Oscar, Samuel and Priscilla most emphatically do not want a governess or another mother and do their best to send Gwendolyn packing. You can't help falling in love with the three mischievous little munchkins, while at the same time cheering Gwendolyn on for her inventiveness, fortitude and empathy.

Walter seems to be a lost cause, especially as it pertains to being a father to his children. His inability to connect with his impish offspring creates a disorderly yet winsome dynamic sure to captivate readers.

When you mix together the two adults with three precocious, cheeky children, you have the perfect formula for a brilliant, epigrammatic tale.

I received this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I could just see the expressions on the society women's faces.
Walter really did love his children, it just took Gwendolyn to show him.
I will be recommending this to our patrons.
Such a "pleasant" read!

Jen Turano’s A Match in the Making is the story of Miss Gwendolyn Brinley, an outcast in the social scene. Gwendolyn accepts a position for what she thought was a companion for the Newport summer season but in actuality turns into a matchmaker position. Miss Brinley sets out to find Walter Townsend, a wealthy widower, a wife to take care of his three children, however surprisingly the book takes an unexpected turn. I voluntarily read this complimentary copy of this well-written novel about society’s expectations and love. I look forward to reading more books by Jen Turano.

I've read a few books by Jen Turano and I love that she puts humor into her stories. This book was good overall but there was a lot going on, so at times it was hard to follow. I like how the main character was not afraid to stand her ground and through out the whole book she was herself. I think that is what ultimately made her a good match for the male character in this book. Overall a sweet read and I would like to read the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wonderful! Well-written story of a succesful match made. I've read other books by this author and was pleased to read another of her books.

This book was an absolute delight to read. It is chock full of witty banter and clever rejoinders. I could not help but love Gwendolyn and her quick thinking. This book is a delicious recipe made up of one cup women’s fiction, half a cup found-family, 8 Tbsp wit and humor, and frosted with a sweet romance. The romance is definitely more subtle, but it is the perfect compliment to the rest of this story.
Poor Walter was not prepared for the force that was Miss Gwendolyn Brinley. Their interactions had be chuckling from the very beginning. Gwendolyn is so quick on her feet, she is always two steps ahead of Walter. Just when he thinks he’ll have her bested, she quips with something remarkably witty, and leaves him with the dust swirling as he struggles to figure out how he lost the upper hand. I laughed out loud more than once. And then seeing Gwendolyn interact with Walter’s children just made me smile. As the oldest of a bunch of siblings, I could relate to the desire to jump into a fractious situation concerning sibling rivalry and calm it. I’m pretty sure Gwendolyn is better at it than I am, though. Also, Gwendolyn’s set-down of her grandmother was applause-worthy. Bravo!
I loved how naturally, and slowly, Walter and Gwendolyn’s relationship evolved. They both had a lot of preconceived ideas and stubbornly held beliefs they had to reconsider, and the way they did so was lovely. And it’s so different having a romance with children of one of the MCs playing such a big role in the story. I liked it a lot.
4.5 stars

I really ended up enjoying this book! Fun, likeable main characters, Maria Von Trapp meets Jane Austen, and a sweet ending. I look forward to the next book in the series!

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano is the first book in The Matchmakers series. Turano brings her usual witty dialogue, but the intricacies of the plot were not her best. Set in Newport during the height of the social season, heiress Gwendolyn Brinley takes a job as an assistant matchmaker and finds that she is falling for the catch of the season. The most eligible bachelor, Walter Townsend, wants to find a wife to serve as a mother to his children, but Miss Brinley's matchmaking efforts led to one diaster after another. Will Gwendolyn and Walter realize the match to be made is between the two of them?

Loved this one! It was light-hearted and fun with well-written characters. I enjoyed being in this world and look forward to checking out more from this author!

A Match in the Making is a delightfully sweet rom-com with a strong female lead, . Gwendolyn is a high-society lady who finds herself in the most unlikely of situations, serving as an assistant to a matchmaker. Although she wants no part in the position, she finds herself to be quite good at meddling and matchmaking.

The banter between Gwendolyn and Walter had me smiling and swooning, and it was fun to see their relationship unfold. I also enjoyed reading about the other couples in pursuit of love.

This was my first Jen Turano book and it certainly will not be my last!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bethany House and Jen Turano for an advance copy of this book.

A Match in the Making
by Jen Turano
Pub Date 21 Feb 2023
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance


I am reviewing a copy of A Match in
the Making through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:



Gwendolyn Brinley has accepted a temporary paid companion position for the summer season in Newport, believing it will be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. Her summer turns anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take on the role of assistant matchmaker. After being faced with the challenging task of finding advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn finds herself employed by Walter Townsend, the catch of the season, but a gentleman who Gwendolyn finds utterly obnoxious.





For the sake of his unruly motherless children, Walter Townsend reluctantly seeks a wife. He did not expect Miss Brinley, a matchmaker who turned his search for a new wife into a complete and utter disaster. Increasingly surrounded by society ladies seeking his affection, Walter must overcome their inundating attention and his unexpected attraction to GwendolynIt becomes more difficult for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife the more they spend together during the Newport Season.


I give A Match in the Making five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I always enjoy a book where the main characters start out snippy with each other and this book doesn’t disappoint. The tension between the two carries on not only with them, but provides a story line for the rest of the characters involved. Set back in the time where society is set by the New York Four Hundred, Gwendolyn, in a new role as a matchmaker is given the task to find Walter, the prize bachelor of the season, a wife. Only there is a slight exception to this bachelor. He is a widower with three, spoiled, unruly children, who wants a mother for his children, more than he wants a wife. So Gwendolyn’s task becomes more about weeding through the many ladies, who want him as their prize, but are not mothering material, especially for these children. This book is filled with lots of banter, children antics, and plenty of humor.
I received an advanced copy of this book from #NetGalley and #BethanyHousePublishers, but writing a review is of my own volition.

Gwendolyn is a temporary paid companion for the summer season. She soon finds herself an assistant matchmaker.
I found this book somewhat difficult to get into but once the storyline got rolling I loved it and now I'm waiting for book 2 in the Matchmaker series.

There are so many laugh out loud moments in this book! The author, Jen Turano has a way with words! I liked the banter between the characters so much! The characters were loveable, the story entertaining and the conversations delightful. Can you tell I really liked this book? I read a lot, and not very often do I say this but... this is one book I plan on reading again. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.

I have drowned myself in the Historical Romance troupe for a few months now, and after awhile they all start to blur in their similarities, but every once in awhile you get a diamond in the rough, and A Match in the Making is that diamond.

This is a very character driven novel with so much heart and humor, and man does Jen Turano knows how to write a heroine that I can get behind!  Gwendolyn is definitely the star of the show!  I found her unconventional way’s, and how she handles herself and the unruly children, quite refreshing.  Seeing such a strong and self-assured female protagonist is always a treat, and seeing her challenge the societal norm, and stand strong in her convictions, is powerful.

Mrs. Price’s matchmaking schemes are charming and the sparring between Walter and Gwendolyn was fun to read, especially with their toe-to-toe style, neither one backing down from the other.  There were times I picked up Sound of Music vibes, especially with the whole single father falling in love with the governess troupe, but I am here for it!

If I had one complaint I would say that there was quite a bit of repetition, and some of it didn’t have much to do with the plot.  This could be a tad distracting at times, but I was so charmed by the overall tale that it eventually became inconsequential.  It’s hard to see the flaws when you’re in love.♡

This was truly such a fun read that I cannot gush about enough, and I cannot wait to read more in The Matchmakers series.

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano is the first book in her Matchmakers series. Needing a quiet rest away from her demanding cousin, Gwendolyn Brinley accepts a summer position as a paid companion in Newport. When her employer breaks her leg she expects Gwendolyn to become her assistant matchmaker! What a delightful, entertaining story this was. Gwendolyn was such an original character; and Walter was a perfectly oblivious gentleman! The cherry on top was the three precocious children! I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for more!


I received this book from Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.

When I am in the mood for a light hearted story that makes a smile appear on my face when reading, I like to pick up Jen Turano. I always look forward to her books although I usually read them way too quickly. A Match in the Making wasn’t any different than her other books. I enjoyed her creativity in a new storyline and series. I am also excited to read the next book within the series.

I loved Gwendolyn’s personality. She was a strong character, who had a big heart. It showed within the whole storyline. I loved the interactions she had with the other ladies as she was undeterred by their antics.

I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

Once again, Jen Turano has me cracking up. This is one of my favorites by Jen, and I blame that on three little darlings. Namely, Oscar, Samuel, and Priscilla. From about the first page I was laughing out loud, and didn't stop until the very last page. This book had hilarious twists and turns, with ridiculous situations, lots of snooty characters, and unlikely friendships and confrontations behind every page. Now, have you ever watched The Lord of the Beans (VeggieTales' spoof on Lord of the Rings)? Because if you have, you might agree with me that Gwendolyn's employer bears a striking resemblance to the tree elder from that movie. (IYKYK) I absolutely recommend this story for anyone who loves a good laugh or who enjoys stories with precocious children or who enjoys a good almost-enemies-to-lovers trope.

Enemies to…
A Match in the Making was witty and fun as Walter and Gwendolyn maneuver Newport Society. I mean, you know you are in for a good time when you have a nosy widow, Mrs. Parker; rambunctious children, Walters three; naughty young ladies vying for the attention of the bachelors; and two people who are a perfect match but loath one another.
So many times I found myself chuckling at the back-and-forth banter while also cheering on Gwendolyn as she stepped in to handle the misbehaving offspring of Walter’s. Now Walter and Gwendolyn bickered so much, I thought often that “they protest too much”. I won’t tell you if I was right 😉 And that Mrs. Parker is a stinker. Often times I envisioned my own grandmother, even though it did not indicate that Mrs. Parker was that old.
A Match in the Making is a delightful read that is sure to put a smile on your face and warm your heart. So grab your favorite reading beverage and settle in your favorite reading chair. You’re in for a treat.

*** The publisher gave me a copy of this book through NetGalley and CelebrateLit Publicities. A positive review was not required.

This was a great book with a strong, funny female lead. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Gwendolyn and Walter develop.