In The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh, love takes centre stage in this delightful romantic comedy. The story follows the endearing and quirky matchmaker, Emma, as she navigates the tumultuous world of love and relationships. Walsh's writing is a breath of fresh air, blending humour and heart in a way that keeps you smiling throughout. Her ability to write witty banter is second to none! With its lovable characters and charming plot twists, The Matchmaker is a feel-good read that will warm your heart and leave you believing in the magic of love. Perfect for anyone in need of a pick-me-up or a charming escape into the world of romance.

I found this novel a delight to read, despite being slow to begin. Yet, once the plot sped up I was hooked and was rooting for the main characters! I would highly recommend to those who adore rom-coms ♡
Thank you to Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've never met a catherine walsh book i didnt like!!! I seriously eat these types of books up. WHO DOESNT LOVE A ROMCOM that has you kicking and screaming and full belly laughing. ugh I loved it.

Anytime I feel the need to take a vacation, in a book, I look to Catherine Walsh. This time, we get swept away to a mountainous town in Ireland where we meet Katie Collins a local townie who is hell bent on fighting off the developers who are taking over Ennisbawn. Enter gorgeous Project Manager Callum, and his ruthless brother Jack and you’ve got the making of another perfect rom-com by Catherine Walsh. The Matchmaker is also filled with a wonderful ensemble cast that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for the town of Ennisbawn!

Catherine Walsh is an auto-buy author for me, and The Matchmaker is another perfect story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this book!

Callum is a construction worker who is working on the new hotel project in Ennisbawn, a small town in Ireland which Katie loves, adores and has lived with her Granny since she was younger. Katie’s world turns upside down when she thinks her town and the pub she works at are being destroyed. Katie refuses to let her town disappear and puts everything into creating the best festival for the town. But will it be enough?

This was such a cute story!! I devoured this in a couple of days. It was heartwarming and real and such an easy read! Yes it was predictable but I sometimes love that about a romance book, knowing there will be a happy ending! I loved Callum and Katie’s characters and adored how deep Callum fell. I really loved every second of it and I’m sad that it’s over!

I'm a sucker for Rom Com. I love a story either set in Ireland, or featuring Irish characters. This story hit both of those and I knew it was one I needed to read. It was a fun, quick read, that I read in one sitting.

"The Matchmaker" is a lovely story set in a small Irish village. Katie Collins, the main character, wants to save her village from big changes. She's determined to bring back the village's old traditions, like the matchmaking festival.

Katie's adventure is full of surprises and funny moments. She meets new friends and faces challenges along the way. The story shows how important it is to stick together and never give up, even when things seem tough.

With its sweet story and charming characters, "Ennisbawn's Matchmaker" is a heartwarming read that reminds us of the power of love and friendship. It's perfect for anyone who enjoys a good, feel-good story about community and following your heart.

Katie Collins has barely ever left her tiny Irish village of Ennisbawn. She loves where she lives, it’s a thing of beauty and would protect it for as long as it takes.
When a hot-shot developer named Callum with zero eye for beauty or charm turns up threatening to knock down the pub for a hotel and golf course, it’s the final blow to the village and the last straw for Katie, who refuses to see her home disappear. Not to mention that the pub is the last connection to her parents, who had met at Ennisbawn’s once-famous matchmaking festival, both throwing coins into the wishing well that sits in the pub garden.
In an instant, Katie knows what to do. She’s going to uncover the now disused wishing well, she’s going to revive the matchmaking festival, and she’s going to single-handedly bring the town back to life again.
But what Ireland’s newest matchmaker doesn’t know is that even when someone’s really not your type on paper, love might be a little bit more than just a formula…

This story is the first one I’ve read from Catherine Walsh but already I’m a fan. This story is funny and honest and shows the ups and downs of family and friends and protecting the place you love. She just wants others to see the value in her hometown and the value of its residents opinions and I think that is such an important trait and the way the character is written is really great.

The chemistry between the two main characters from the very beginning is fun and hot and the way you see Callum slowly falling for Katie is really endearing and special and I really fell in love with both characters. I wouldn’t change them for the world because they’re just so relatable and likeable. Katie is brash and says whatever comes to mind without thinking and it’s pretty refreshing to see a character written that way. She is unapologetically her. The other characters stories are mingled in amongst Katie and Callum’s and while its background, they are important too and are handled with care and shows just much thought was put into everyone’s story behind the scenes.
The story is so heartwarming and while it took me some time to initially get into it, the second half of it only took me one evening to consume and if I had started it that day then I would have easily finished it in one sitting. I fully recommend this one to anyone who loves a cute lil irish romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Catherine Walsh for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was a cute book. I really liked that Katie was determined to save the bar she was working for. Callum’s employer is trying to build a golf course.

Read if you like:

💓 Enemies to lovers
💓 Small town in Ireland
💓 He falls first
💓 Great banter
💓 Single POV

Please check Trigger warnings: Death of parents and anxiety ⚠️

I could and would read every single one of Catherine Walsh’s books. I always find them highly enjoyable. I love the writing style and the humor throughout.

This one wasn’t my fav of hers though. It was going so well but I just felt like it was too long. It took me a really long time to finish this book and I definitely began to lose interest as it went on. But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it because again, it’s Catherine Walsh. But I would’ve enjoyed it more had it been shorter and the pace was quicker.

Pretty cheesy and I didn’t love our main character, but I read it on my Kindle as I woke up each morning and it was light enough for my brain to read while waking up

I just could not finish this book. The story did not manage to suck me in. I kept waiting to like it 50% of the way and then just gave up. I really struggled with it. So it's safe to say this book was not meant for me. But am really sure many people will love this book, because it has potential.

This book is for those introverts who hate going out and would rather stick in and read (wink), it's to give you hope that the right person will find you regardless (ha ha! just kidding) but that was my first thought when i started it

Anyways.. i rate the book 3.89 stars because it's a good one and i loved the story, the characters, the community and the interactions
Here are my thoughts

Synopsis
The story is about a small old village that's recently been invaded by "developers" claiming to revive it with brand new hotels and make it a tourist destination, locals hate it but when their favorite pub is invaded no one can stand down
The story centres around the love story of Katie Collins (born & bred in the village, pub employee who dreams of finding love in the village at the matchmaker festival like her late parents, believer of wishing wells) and Callum (the hot guy from town who's the head supervisor and constructor at the new project)

what i loved:
1. Katie's personality - she was a fighter, strong and determined, outgoing, a lover of small things and a real embroider of fake it till you make it saying.
2. I loved that all the side characters were given a voice, a face, a life and active emotions that don't fall flat , each had their stories but my faves of course Adam and Gemma stole the show (need a whole book on that)
3. The presentation of the whole community, the unity, support and the whole my problem is the village's problem mentality (loved it)

what i didn't like:
1. Insta love - turns out i don't very much like love at first sight
Although it was the best way to approach this, it felt too soon for someone to drop their whole lives for you as soon as you fall in love

That's the only thing i didn't like
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this good book, i look forward for more

3.35⭐️

•••

I wished there was more romance in this book, which might be ridiculous to say since this is a romcom but I just wanted more of Katie and Callum. This book is very plot driven which was refreshing and because this book wasn’t too heavy on the romance, the romance felt effortless. Katie and Callum were the main characters but Adam and Gemma stole the spotlight. Every time Adam and Gemma had a scene together Katie and Callum became irrelevant to me sorry.

The Matchmaker had it all from relatable characters, to a heartthrob butterflies-in-my-stomach romances (the side couple was just as endearing), to strong friendships, to a sense of belonging. Plus it’s set in Ireland. Stories set in Ireland own my heart.

THE MATCHMAKER ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Katie was born and bred in her small town in Ireland. At 29, she’s a permanent figure in the small town and works at Kelly’s the bar where everyone knows your name. When a construction company buys up the majority of the land to build a resort, Katie will stop at nothing to stop construction on the place she calls home. She starts on reviving The Matchmaking Festival the town was known for many years ago. With signature Catherine Walsh charm, the characters are quirky and adorable. Unfortunately, compared to her other holiday rom-coms I’ve loved, this fell flat. For me, the rhythm of the book just felt off? A cute, easy read, but one I’ll forget.

While I did enjoy the story overall, it began to drag for me towards the half way point and I struggled to connect to the romance. That said, I still think this was a cute read and would recommend it to those who love small town romance. Catherine Walsh is an auto-buy author for me, so I am very much looking forward to her next one.

So hilariously funny and emotional. I laughed so much I had tears streaming down my face. Full of love and energy.

No one is quite as effortlessly funny as Cat Walsh in my opinion. She gives Emily Henry with Irish charm.

I love a good Irish romcom. There’s something about the Irish humour and being transported to the lush landscape of Ireland.

In The Matchmaker, we meet Katie, who lives in a small town with her grandmother and works in the town pub. Much to her dismay, a large corporation has purchased land and is building a large hotel, and has plans to take over the pub and knock it down. Katie has a strong family connection to the pub, and won’t let it go without a fight - and plans to raise funds to keep it going by reinvigorating the matchmaking festival that used to be held there.

I really enjoyed this book - a feel good book that was exactly what I needed. I love how feisty Katie is and her strong friendships. I also love the enemies to lovers trope!

Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for the review copy.