this was such a fun and surprising read. I honestly started the book with the same expectations as to all the other romcoms I have read this year but came out surprised! there is just something about enemies to lovers that does it for me every single time...

Catherine Walsh is always a go-to author for me. I have a blast reading anything she puts out and The Matchmaker did not disappoint. A quick read with her typical witty characters and fun storyline.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I would say this was a combination of Romance and Women's Fiction. For me this means that while there is definitely a romance, a lot of the story is about Katie's personal journey. Her own growth is just as critical to the story as the romance. Personally I love when main characters have their own story arc in addition to the romance arc, so this was a good fit for me.

Katie lives in a small Irish town with her gram. Sh works at the local pub and is content. Well, she's content until a bog resort is being built and is going to disrupt everything she knows, including her sleep. Sleep deprived, she stumbles to the construction site to make a complaint. This is where she meets Callum, the construction manager. This sets us up for a bit of an enemies to lovers trope as Katie fights for her town and what she believes in. She promises to bring back a matchmaking festival in an effort to slow down the construction. As she and Callum keep crossing paths, Katie works with her community to make a difference. This was a lovely story to read and left me satisfied.

Thanks to the author for a copy. All opinions are my own.

I truly adore everything Catherine Walsh writes! She’s such a spectacular story teller and I always have the most fun reading her work!

This was a sweet, albeit very predictable, story of community with the classic misunderstood grumpy male and hopeful female. The story is a nice diversion that could use an accelerated pace.

Katie Collins has lived in her small town, in rural Ireland and doesn’t plan to leave it behind, thank you very much. No matter how easier or trendier life could be somewhere else, the tight-knit community, her cunning grandma and the bar where she works is enough to make her happy.
Sadly, the corporate giant with luxury hotels in its portfolio thinks the town need a bit of sprucing up, which leaves the quiet promptly behind. Not only Katie wakes up to trucks carousing up and down her street, they want to uproot Kelly’s, the bar which is the heart of the community, and her livelihood. No matter how attractive the project – and those who work for it – is, how lucrative it could be, the principle of protecting what makes the town special, its people and values should be in focus. The story of Ennisbawn and its people is a charming tale about special people making wonders in order to secure happiness and fulfilment in their communities. An enjoyable read.

(I am so sorry this feedback is so late! I swore I filled this out months ago!)

Holiday Romance was the first book I read by Catherine Walsh and I absolutely adored that book! The Matchmaker was another charming story from Catherine Walsh! It had quite a hallmark movie feel to it, but I also love hallmark movies. I enjoyed the story taking place in Ireland, and as in her last book I read, I love Catherine’s writing style, sense of humor and the way she details and writes her love stories.

This was so sweet - I read this on holiday, and it really did feel like the perfect holiday book. Low stakes, quick read, and I loved the characters in the pub.
Honestly loses marks because of how insta-love K & C were.

Overall lovely, cute story, but I'd likely not pick this up again.

✔ small town
✔ Irish countryside
✔ opposites attract
✔ he falls first and hard
✔ HEA

This book was a delightful and lighthearted romance. Perfect for when you want to read something lovely, simple but fun, romantic, with great chemistry and lovable characters.

Katie, our FMC, was such a fun character. She had the funniest inner dialogue and, at times, quite relatable. Katie is so happy and content with her simple but lovely life in a small town and doesn't have huge ambitions to take over the world. I loved that so much because it is not something usual in books. It's absolutely wonderful if you like your life as it is.

Callum, our MMC, is such an easy, nice, and lovable man. He knows what he wants and shows it. I LOVE THAT! He makes it clear and doesn't beat around the bushes. He is definitely a keeper.

The plot about Katie fighting against a big construction company, because they'll destroy her small town was fun to read. The whole matchmaker festival was also so cute and entertaining.

If you're in the mood for a cute, lighthearted, and fun romcom, this is the one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A cute irish rom-com! It was an easy and charming read. It is a perfect feel good story about Katie and Callum, a bartender who is forced to fight for what she loves when a contractor for a hotel comes in to town. I’ll give it a 3.5 ⭐️

I've read some of Catherine Walsh's previous books and enjoyed them, but I could not get into this one. Not sure why. I will still purchase her books for my library because they are popular.

"The Matchmaker" by Catherine Walsh is a heartwarming and delightful small-town romcom that immerses readers in the charming Irish village of Ennisbawn, where tradition meets modernity, and love blooms in the most unexpected places. With its picturesque setting, endearing characters, and a touch of humor, this book is a perfect escape into a world of community, romance, and rediscovery.

The story revolves around Katie Collins, a woman deeply connected to her tiny Irish village and its traditions. When Callum Dempsey arrives with plans to build a hotel that threatens the village's character, including the demolition of the beloved local pub, Katie is spurred into action. Her determination to save the pub, and by extension, her community, leads her to revive the village's once-famous matchmaking festival.

Katie is a relatable and strong-willed protagonist who embodies the spirit of her village. Her determination to preserve her hometown and its traditions is inspiring, and her fiery personality makes her a character readers can't help but root for. The book explores her journey of self-discovery and her efforts to bring love and happiness back to Ennisbawn.

The chemistry between Katie and Callum is palpable, and their dynamic evolves from initial animosity to a charming and genuine connection. The author skillfully develops their relationship, infusing it with humor and tender moments that keep readers engaged and invested in their love story.

Ennisbawn itself becomes a character in the story, with its picturesque landscapes, tight-knit community, and the rich history of the matchmaking festival. Catherine Walsh's descriptive prose brings the village to life, making it a place readers will wish they could visit in person. The setting adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it feel like a character-driven tour of Irish culture and tradition.

The book's humor is a standout element, with witty banter and comedic moments that provide a perfect balance to the emotional depth of the story. The author's ability to infuse humor into both the character interactions and the village's quirky traditions adds to the overall charm of the book.

"The Matchmaker" is a heartwarming reminder of the power of community, love, and embracing change while preserving the past. It's a story that celebrates the beauty of small towns and the resilience of individuals who are willing to fight for what they believe in.

In conclusion, Catherine Walsh's "The Matchmaker" is a delightful and escapist romance that transports readers to the enchanting world of Ennisbawn. With its lovable characters, picturesque setting, and a dash of humor, this book is a perfect read for fans of small-town romcoms. It's a story that captures the essence of love, tradition, and the magic of unexpected connections.

The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh was exactly what I needed to drag me out of my reading slump.

Katie is a bartender at a small pub and she has never left her small Irish village of Ennisbawn. Callum Dampsey is a developer who is trying to build a big luxury hotel in her village. This leaves Katie sleep deprived. And to add to that, he wants to demolish the pub she is working in! But why does he have to be so hot?!

Katie loves her village and she has a plan for saving it! Ennisbawn's residents are coming to her aid. But will this be enough? Will they manage to save their village from this big construction company? And what about Callum? Is he really the bad guy? What happens when Katie needs to choose between her home and her heart?

A cozy rom-com, full of laughter and big surprises! Small town romance, enemies to lovers. What else should I say? Grab it now!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to write an honest review about this book.

Ahhh I loved this book! I loved the small Irish town as well as the tension between Katie and Callum when he shows up into town with the intention of building a hotel that will uproot locals and make Katie lose her family pub. I absolutely loved her showing up in pajamas and loved the slow burn between Katie and Callum. The banter also was so good and did an excellent job at keeping you laughing the entire book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The book delves into the world of matchmaking, and Walsh's storytelling had me hooked from the start. The characters felt real and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their journeys.

While the story was engaging, I did find some parts of the plot to be a bit predictable. However, this didn't detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the book.

The Matchmaker is a light-hearted and entertaining read, perfect for anyone who appreciates a good romance and the intricacies of bringing people together.

Stories of a small town girl living in a small town are always endearing. It was hard not to like the characters in this book. They were all so genuine. Definitely a group that you would want to be friends with. Then when the villians are introduced, you wanted to fight along with them. Then fall in love with them too. Definitely a cute, quick story about believing in yourself.

I LOVED at this book so much!! One of my favourites that I’ve read over the summer. The authors Christmas book was my favourite from last year too so I’d kinda put off reading this one as I was scared it wouldn’t live up to my own expectations but it absolutely did!!

Set in a beautiful cute and cozy small village in Ireland, with a really special crew of found family, a nod to enemies to lovers and then friends to lovers, it is so fun and heartwarming!

I actually think it’s perfect to read at this time of year too as it gave me all the rainy, curled up cozy vibes you want from a book right now!!

Can not recommend this enough and the author has more books than these 2 so I’m gonna read them all, I’m so excited!! I just love her voice and writing style and the stunning setting of Ireland too!

From the Blurb -

Katie has barely ever left her tiny Irish village of Ennisbawn. Why would she? With its tightknit community, friendly local pub, and gorgeous countryside, it has everything that Katie needs. That is, until hot-shot Callum turns up.

Though she’d rather not admit it, hot is the perfect way to describe Callum. With his deep green eyes, strong jaw and (tattooed) arm-full of plans for a new hotel just outside the village, his arrival causes uproar in the village.

But when Katie discovers that the pub will need to be demolished as part of the plans, any feelings of attraction vanish in an instant. The pub is the last connection to her parents who met at Ennisbawn’s once-famous matchmaking festival.

So, after being laughed off the building site in her best flannel pyjamas for demanding the developers leave, Katie decides enough is enough and hatches a plan. She’s going to revive the matchmaking festival, save the pub, and single-handedly bring the town back to life again.

But as the plans for the festival escalate to brilliant, if terrifying, heights, Katie sees another side to Callum, and she’s forced to question where her feelings really lie. Callum is promising not just a new start for the village but potentially for Katie too.

*ARC from NetGalley
Also this is on KU too ✨

This is the cutest small town romance, although towards the end it felt like the romance had diminished. The banter was great and chemistry was okay.

I delayed reading this book for a while as I wasn't sure how I would feel about it, but I loved it! The humour was bang on, the side stories were engaging and the main characters were not only likeable but felt familiar!

Really enjoyed reading this and will certainly be on the look out for any new books from Walsh!

I love Catherine Walsh writting with my whole heart and to prove that, I figured the best way to travel to Dublin is through England, Wales and a ferry, so to say I was excited for that read is an understatement.

As much it was an enjoyable, cute, and very well-written story it will not become my favourite by the author. I had a hard time relating to the FC motivations and in a consequence to understanding the MC. I wish I could just get a glimpse into his brain to understand his world.

But if you like small-town romance it’s still a very strong recommendation.