The Irish Matchmaker is historical romance with the emphasis on romance more than historical. I enjoyed learning there is a real matchmaking festival that still exists in Ireland today. The first half of the book I enjoyed reading about the widower Donal and his young daughter Sara but I really couldn't stand Catriona. The second half of the book Catriona changes her ways and I enjoyed it much more. If you like books set in a historical period with a heavier romance emphasis and don't mind reading about a main character making poor choices then this could be a good book for you.

I received a free ebook copy through netgalley. I was not required to post a positive review.

The Irish Matchmaker was a heartwarming romance. I was a little worried when I first saw how short the book was, but Jennifer Deibel did not disappoint!

If you love historical Irish romance, found family, and single dad tropes, this is the perfect book for you.

Jennifer Deibel’s is an excellent author, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted to read anything as intense as her books can be in this particular season. Christmas break is a time when I would typically reach for a lighter story-line. So I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that this book was a little more lighthearted than her previous novels.

While I would generally say Deibel writes compelling stories, this time I would say that I found The Irish Matchmaker an enjoyable read. The author didn’t shy away from the difficult circumstances of the characters or the overall injustices of the time and place, but those things seemed to stay a bit more on the periphery of the narrative arc.

I’d recommend the book as a beautiful integration of character development and personal discovery among the intriguing setting of an Irish matchmaking festival. (Who knew there even was such a thing?)

I absolutely adored this book! I can’t remember the last time I read a book based in Ireland, but now I’m wondering why I haven’t read more that do take place in that incredible country. You are swept away to the rolling hills, windy roads, and an idyllic little town. If nothing else the imagery captures your heart and attention in this sweet love story.
The romance in this story is the kind that brings a smile to your face, makes you giggle like a school girl, and sigh dreamily. Donal and Catriona’s story is full of ups and downs, but it all comes together so beautifully in the end. I love how they found each other without even looking, to me those are some of the best love stories. The romantic tension was *chefs kiss* perfection and their chemistry was so swoony. Add in Donal’s adorable daughter Sara and Caty’s dad Jimmy and best friend Meave and you have a full cast of lovable characters. I really don’t see how anyone wouldn’t enjoy this book. Plus the matchmaking festival was so fun to read about as well.
To top it all off one of my favorite aspects of this book is the reference to the Sermon on the Mount and the real meaning of faith and true love. The moments where the characters are required to test their faith were incredible and created a beautiful depth to this story.
I cannot recommend this book enough!

The Irish Matchmaker is a well written romance. I throughly enjoyed the book. Good plot and character development. I recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

This past year we visited England, Scotland and Ireland. It was a trip of a lifetime. My mother is from England. So I have some British blood running through my veins. I can't get enough of anything related to those countries. So just the title of this book made me want to read it. And I'm so glad I did.

There is a festival in Ireland called Lisdoonvarna. It sounds amazing. It's a matchmaking festival. It has been going on for over 160 years. There is a lot of dancing and music going on as well as a chance of finding true love. This is the location and basis for this book.

Catriona is following in her father's footsteps as a matchmaker. She has plans to snare her own match. But things are not always what they seem. Will she get the man of her dreams?

Donal Bunratty is raising his daughter on his own since his wife passed. He would do anything for her. What will he do when she asks for a "new" mother?

I have read all 4 of Jennifer Deibel's books. I loved everyone. She takes me on a vacation with every page she writes. She has become one of my favorite authors. I look forward to every book she publishes.

Not my cup of tea, but my mum read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not my cup of tea, but my mum read it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

An absolutely delightful read. Life is hard for Donal, but his daughter is the light in his life. She only wants one thing a mother. This wish causes Donald to go yo town and find a matchmaker. Bikinis ensue but love will out.

"She lived in the famed home of romance, where people found love waiting around every corner— often orchestrated by Catríona herself. For everyone else, this village represented all their hopes and dreams of finding their one true love. For Catríona Daly, it was a reminder of all she failed to be."

Catriona is one of my new favorite fictional characters. Who doesn't love a character who's kind despite their tough lot in life, and has a good sense of humor? I also appreciated that she was a "curvy girl" with Irish grit, and how she cared for her father and helped him with their matchmaking business.

Donal was an interesting and loveable character, as well as his darling girl Sara who plays a unique role in this story.

In short, The Irish Matchmaker was a cracking novel full of Irish culture, trials and love.

Thank you to Revell Publishing for the complimentary paperback I recieved to review through the author's launch team. Thanks also to Revell for the complimentary e-book I recieved to review through Netgalley. A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above and listed below are my own.

Content Review

There's not a huge lot here in the way of negative content. Mainly, it's bit of ocassional drinking mainly from the side characters, and a couple terms I don't use or care for.
Side note: I'm kinda curious if the people drank out of necessity due to impure water in Ireland, or if it was just because they enjoyed it.

Language-
A back-sliden Christian refers once to God in his thoughts as "The Auld Man upstairs" and thinks of the "blasted" sermon on the mount (his words) when he has a hard time understanding how God provides in a broken world.
"hellacious" is used once, and also "biddy".

Overall, not it was an issue okay novel. Most likely I won’t be rereading. It wasn’t my cup of tea.

This book plagued me with a lot of different emotions. Sadness, anger, joy, and hope. The characters motivations were clear and consistent making them feel like actual people that I would know in real life.

For me, however, how some of the characters behaved and the pacing of the book towards the end made me rate this book lower. But if you want a sweet, historical romance that will transport you to Ireland I would highly recommend this book.

3.75

Note: Received an arc

My first book by this author and I loved how well she paced the book and built the world. The art of matchmaking was so interesting to read about. Cat and Donal's slow budding relationship was a joy to watch grow and flourish. The ending was perfect.
I received an arc from Netgalley, the opinion expressed is entirely my own.

This book has a slow start and I almost have up reading it,  but persevered and it was worth it. There are many life lessons included,  but it reminded me of the importance of community.

Get ready to be transported into the enchanting world of Jennifer Deibel's The Irish Matchmaker, a Christian historical romance that unfolds like a timeless melody against the backdrop of early 1900s Ireland. Brace yourself for a captivating tale that intricately blends love, faith, and the whimsical appeal of matchmaking. As the scent of turf fires mingles with the lively rhythm of a jig, this novel reveals itself as a delightful five-star Irish charmer! It is a wonderfully immersive reading experience.

The story unfolds in a quaint Irish town, where the matchmaking talents of Catriona Daly and her father, Jimmy, becomes the heartbeat of the community. Catriona's charm, coupled with her desire to escape village life, sets the stage for an appealing narrative. The clan of characters weavers a rich pattern, each contributing to the lively mosaic of this close-knit Irish community.

The true heart of the tale lies in the blossoming romance between the widower, Donal Bantratty, and the ever-dreaming matchmaker, Catriona. Their dance through the annual matchmaking festival is tender with a symphony of emotions, beautifully orchestrated by Deibel's masterful storytelling. The characters come alive with their quirks, dreams, and the undeniable pull of love.

Deibel's writing style in The Irish Matchmaker is a melody of old words and Irish dialect, transporting readers to the misty landscapes and charming traditions of Ireland. This novel is a celebration of faith, subtly interwoven into the narrative, providing a spiritual message that warms the heart. A profound influence emerges, promising that your encounter with the Sermon on the Mount will be forever changed.

The twists and turns in the plot keep readers on their toes, wondering how the intricate web of relationships will untangle. While some aspects may be predictable, the beauty lies in the journey, much like a scenic drive through the rolling Irish countryside.

Sara, Donal's young daughter, is a scene-stealer, her innocence and heartfelt wish injecting a poignant sweetness into the tale. The festival's backdrop, explained charmingly in the author's notes, adds cultural depth to the narrative, making it a delightful exploration of Irish traditions.

The Irish Matchmaker is a sweet, clean, and heartwarming historical romance. The love triangle, matchmaking endeavors, and the scenic beauty of Ireland make this novel a top recommendation for anyone seeking a charming escape into the past. Add this gem to your TBR pile; it's a journey you won't want to miss. Sláinte to Jennifer Deibel for a splendid storytelling experience!

I received an eARC for The Irish Matchmaker from Revell through NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on this story’s dathúil content, ensuring transparency and reliability!

The Irish Matchmaker
by Jennifer Deibel
FEb.13, 2024
Revell
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and blurb.
This definitely became one of my favorites of 2023 and I highly recommend it.

As daughter of a well-known matchmaker, Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love--and sees it as her ticket away from the sleepy village that only comes alive during the annual matchmaking festival. Enter Lord Osborne's son, Andrew, who has returned to the festival after being disappointed by a rival matchmaker's failed setup. Catríona seizes the opportunity to make a better match for the handsome man--and for herself!
5 stars

Well, this little gem caught my eye by the beauty of the cover, and captured my interest from the very first page. Classy and intensely romantic, this book will warm your heart as Catriona finds her true love while acting as a matchmaker herself! This quickly became one of my favorite reads of this year, and this will definitely not be the last I read by Ms. Deibel! Her lovely prose and wanting to know the outcome kept me turning the pages late into the night. I loved it!

This is a delightful tale of love and friendship. I love that the story is based on an actual matchmaker in Ireland. The characters are lovable, except for one who left me cringing (as he should.) I've enjoyed all of Deibel's stories. She has a way of drawing me in and making me feel like I'm in Ireland along with the characters. My favorite character is the farmer's daughter, she's a delight. I caught myself smiling as the read this charming tale. I received a free copy, and reviews are my own.

The Irish Matchmaker is a Christian historical romance novel by the talented, award winning author Jennifer Deibel. I absolutely loved this intriguing story. It captivated my attention within the first few pages and kept it all throughout the book.

Set in a small town in Ireland in early 1900s, this is the story of Catriona Daly. She and her father, Jimmy, have a matchmaking business. It is also the story of widower, Donal Bantratty. He lives on a farm in the county and has a young daughter, Sara, that completely stole my heart. The annual matchmaking festival has just begun and young Sara’s birthday wish is for her father to seek a match, thus getting her a new mother.

The author has a lovely style of writing. It quickly drew me in. I was invested in the story and lives of the characters. The characters were diverse and realistic. I loved the old words and Irish dialect. With the deft descriptions I felt as if I was right there watching everything happen.

The spiritual message was beautiful and lightly woven throughout the novel. I found myself smiling as I read and actually teared up a time or two. There are a variety of twists and turns that kept me guessing what might happen. I loved the author’s notes at the end explaining about the festival and matchmakers.

I highly recommend this wonderful novel to everyone. It would be a treat for a reading group or make a great gift. It earns a solid five star rating from me. A copy was provided by NetGalley and the Publisher, but these are my honest words.

A sweet, small town romance, showcasing the importance of finding your right match, not the one who is right on paper.

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

The Irish Matchmaker was a lovely story to take you into the lives of citizens of a small town in Ireland. the Irish matchmaker is a lovely story about an matchmaker who despairs of being unmatched herself--yet she knows she will never be matched to anyone unless they can take her out of this small town life and into culture and refinement. When her father (the TOP matchmaker) tells her that a young man she admires is back in town to gain a match, she knows this is her chance. She will become whomever she needs to be to get his attention and prove she's the woman for him.

Donal is a single father struggling to keep afloat in the midst of country-hand to mouth life. He adores his daughter Sara and wants to provide a better life for her, but years of struggling has him questioning if he will be able to sustain her on the farm much longer. On her birthday, she wishes for him to go to the matchmaking festival to find her a mother.

As you can imagine, the story is a lovely dance between Catríona and Donal as he asks her to help him find a match who can share his life and help him provide for Sara...and she desperate to leave the life that Sara is growing up in. willing to pretend to make it happen. Trying to deny the comradery she shares with this poor farmer who symbolizes everything she wants to avoid.

it's a sweet story that teaches a lesson in relying on God and accepting the blessings of community.--

Yes it is actually pretty predictable, but it is still a sweet story all the same.

4 stars.

*This was given to me as an ARC by the publisher and NetGalley. I wasn't required to write a positive review and all the opinions are my own.