To Spark a Match is the second book in Jen Turano's Matchmakers series, and it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Adelaide Duveen is destined to be a spinster as she fills her life with books and cats and has no desire to partake in the social season. When she takes it upon herself to create a distraction for her friend, Gideon Abbott, to be able to sneak out of a social engagement, society frowns on her antics and labels her a disgrace. Determined to salvage Adelaide's reputation, Gideon pretends to be an enamored suitor to make Adelaide the most desirous match of the societal season. The time spent together in this ruse draws the two closer together, yet neither wants to admit romantic feelings for one another. Turano delights with witty dialogue with a touch of comedy in this historical romance novel.

Delightful! This read had me laughing out loud, and quickly became an enjoyable page turner!

Now this is the second book in this series, and both books are equally great, but can be read alone!

This is Miss Adelaide Duveen's story, an enjoyable young woman who really doesn't fit into the 400's societies mold, and as we begin she has just shown to all present her unmentionables, and then in an attempt to help others, well, I don't want to spoil this but you can't help but feel sorry for her, but you'll have to hold back the giggles.

Adelaide has a big heart, especially for cats, and books, and what a journey we have with both.

Now Giddeon Abbott owes her big time, and we are there to see how this leads him into a world he never expected!

Be prepared for gangsters, spys, cats, dogs, and a bit of sweet romance!

Now we are left wondering whom will be next!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Ah! I enjoyed this novel so much. It's a fun blend of witty dialogue, mystery, slow-building romance, and a wonderful cast of characters. The book starts heavy on dialogue but soon settles into the fun action and back and forth that I love. There were laugh out loud moments and such fun, and the mystery was wonderful. I adored the Adelaide as she was an unconventional heiress who tried to honor her mother while acknowledging how she didn't fit society's mold. At the same time, she's fiesty and smart. Gideon is a great hero who has to learn to let Adelaide be herself rather than set her on a shelf and protect her. Such a fun combination and the perfect amount of sparking. I loved this book.

HUDSON RIVER VALLEY 1888

Jen always pens an excellent read.

Miss Adelaide Duveen's & Mr. Gideon Abbott's story is the one I was waiting for since the last novel. It did not cease to entertain. As per standard protocol with one of Jen's novels, I absolutely had to read it in it's entirety in one sitting.

Quotable:
"I’m twenty-three years old and have been out in society for five Seasons, both winter and summer. It would be next to impossible to convince anyone I’m anything other than peculiar."

I recommend everything Jen writes!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐=Excellent as always!

I was sent this eBook by NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Release Date: 11/14/23
Read Date: 9/16/23

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 76 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

Reviews will be posted to GoodReads, Amzn, BAM, B&N, Kobo, my blog, Pinterest & IG

I’d not heard of this author before, but took a chance based on the blurb.

When Adelaide accidentally catches Gideon in a clandestine act while at a party, she is thrilled to be living in the spy novels she so loves to read. As much as Gideon is thankful for her help with his current case, he's worried for her safety.

As Adelaide and Gideon get into awkward situations and spend more time together, they get to know and care about each other.

An enjoyable, clean romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

To Spark a Match
Jen Turano
Nov. 14
Bethany House
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Christian Fiction
#2 in the Matchmakers
I loved this romantic comedy set in 1888 New York. It can be read as a stand alone.
This is my favorite series by this author, I loved the interactions with her and her mother. Also woven in is her love of spy novels. The characters get into funny situations which I loved reading about. No sex or bad language either so I will be recommending this to readers who like a clean book.
4 stars

To Spark a Match by Jen Turano carries a mystery wrapped in a matchmaking bow. The heroine, Adelaide, is a riot. She is always in a sticky situation especially when the hero, Gideon, is around. How so many odd situations happen to one person is beyond me. But Turano does a wonderful job at crafting a character with heart who honestly does not care what the Four Hundred think of her. Even when she is “accepted”, Adelaide does things like taking two wallflowers to sit at her table at a ball, that they usually frown upon. I love the idea of the bookstore and the trouble that it brings to the plot. Gideon, on the other hand, sparks with charm as he does not admit to himself that he actually finds Adelaide’s mishaps adorable. The setting is nicely handled. I would love to visit some of the remaining Four Hundred homes just to tour them and see them wrapped in nicely tuned history. Overall, Jen Turano crafted another novel in her romantic comedy style that features a funny heroine who always ends up in hilarious situations, but always the love of the two people always wins in the end. If readers are not familiar with Turano’s writing, then I highly suggest picking up any of her books.

I received a complimentary copy of To Spark by Match by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

"To Spark a Match" is a romantic comedy set in 1888 in New York. It's the second book in the series, but it works as a standalone. This is my favorite series by this author. Adelaide isn't that interested in fashion and society, so she's allowed her well-meaning mother to dress her in unflattering dresses. Gideon feels he owes her for a mishap that nearly causes her social ruin, so he gets his fashionable female friend to correctly dress her and both use their influence to return her to society's favor. Woven into this is Adelaide's love of spy novel merging with Gideon actually being an independent spy/undercover detective. She's thrilled to be living a spy novel as she helps Gideon with his current case, but he's worried for her safety.

The characters got into funny situations, adding light-hearted comedy to the events. Some of it was Adelaide's tendency to get into awkward situations, but mostly it was her unconventional way of dealing with unexpected situations. The main characters were nice, interesting people with a good sense of humor. Gideon and Adelaide got to know and care about each other as they spent time together. Their attraction was based on admiration of each other's character, looks, and how they enjoyed the same types of things. The characters acted reasonably accurately for the time period, and some details about the time period and setting were woven into the story. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this humorous novel.

What a fun addition to the matchmaker series!!!

Adelaide is a social pariah so when acquaintance Gideon needs a diversion during a ball, she volunteers knowing her reputation cannot sink any lower.

Working in intelligence, Gideon refuses to draw Adelaide into his dangerous world but owes her for her help at the dance, so he convinces a mutual friend to help Adelaide regain her place in high society.

As Gideon and Adelaide spend time together to elevate her status as well as try to solve the mystery surrounding a bookstore, feelings quickly develop but Gideon’s world is too dangerous to let anyone be a permanent part of his life.

What to expect:
Gilded age New York
Intelligent, bookish heroine
Dual POV
Fake courting
Mystery and suspense
Protective hero
Gideon’s secret chamber
Harvey the cat!
Sweet romance
Adelaide’s choice of weapon
Charles and Camilla
Wit and humor

Such an enjoyable read with a unique setting and fantastic characters! Between the witty banter and the suspenseful mystery, I was hooked! There were a few parts of the story that slowed down a bit but the pace always picked back up.

Adelaide is the kind of character that you wish lived next door so you could be friends in real life and oh Gideon, he is wrapped around her little finger and doesn’t even know it. Loved the fake relationship aspect of the story!!

I am a huge fan of this author now and cannot wait for the next story in the series (Charles and Camilla maybe? I hope?)

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

The book starts off in an interesting place and just keeps going from there! I love Jen Turano books - they always have strong characters, quirky situations and I can't stop reading them!

While part of a series (The matchmakers) can be standalone, I would read them in order. It adds to the story when you have already met some of the main characters. In fact read all of her books, including the contemporary one (hopefully more in that series will be published some day)!

I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

An intriguing novel with a wonderful storyline that keeps the reader engaged. The characters are very real and true to life. The setting of this historical novel encourages the reader to keep turning pages.

LONG-WINDED.

I enjoyed book one and was excited to read book two. It ended up only being alright though.

I liked both main characters, Adelaide and Gideon. There was a lot of charming banter and a big time slow burn. I loved the Adelaide owned who she was and learned what place in society she was fine with holding. There’s even a ball scene where Gideon is oh so swoony and I fully support having a ball scene in every book.

For the writing style, I struggled. I felt like everything seemed long winded. The dialogue, descriptions, about every paragraph was thick. With all of the cozy mystery vibes I wish things had been a little more paired down.

The mystery aspects were fun. A charming book store and hidden journals. A bit of blackmail and whodunnit moments. I loved that Adelaide kept showing up and helping in unconventional ways. It's a sweet book with a dash of a puzzle to solve.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Mystery / Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: brief gun violence

Adelaide keeps having wardrobe malfunctions and mishaps because of her giant spring loaded bustle. She figures out that Gideon - who keeps rescuing her is a spy. She likes spy novels so she helps him and then he helps her. Great dialogue, great book!