The Merry Matchmaker is a surprisingly serious holiday read. I went in thinking it would be more of a rom-com based on the title and cover, but there were a lot of heavy themes such as death of one's spouse, divorce, and starting over. I loved that the female MC was more mature at 50 and not some silly ninny. Overall, this was a satisfying holiday ready even though it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

The Merry Matchmaker is a Christmas small town themes retelling of Emma but with more mature characters (mature as in age not necessarily always in behavior). I enjoyed it but found it difficult to read due to the way the chapters were structured. i would have liked to see more chapters broken up by each character and their thoughts instead of more jumbled together. The characters at times made me very annoyed but I was fully invested in the ending. It definitely had the same vibe as Emma and I ended up with the same annoyances as I have with Emma.

What a sweet and different Christmas read. Most Christmas hallmarkish books are set in their mid twenty early thirties and I loved how this took a middle aged woman and told her happily second ever after. If you love the Golden Bachelorette. This is for you!!

From matchmaking to finding yourself later in life. This book had it all. I loved the dual perspectives from all the characters - but I do wish it was broken out a bit better. Sometimes I got confused and just switched the story line. Over all. I thought this was a sweet read and I look forward to more from this author!

Man I wanted to love this one so much but I didn’t get any real Emma vibes from this. I thought Frankie was just kind of the worst, I really wanted more from this one

A wonderful Christmas story, with just the right amount of humor! A small "Winter Wonderland" town with great characters. Second chances at love for a handful of people (friends) for a few different characters. Love that the Matchmaker in this story is a warm, credible woman, who tries her best, but honestly can't see what is right in front of her.

A delightful holiday romance that brings warmth and cheer to the season. The story centers on Meredith, a small-town woman with a knack for matchmaking who’s determined to help others find love, even as she navigates her own complicated romantic prospects. Set against the backdrop of a charming winter wonderland, the book brims with holiday spirit, community connections, and just the right touch of humor.

Roberts has a gift for creating relatable characters and cozy settings that make you feel right at home. Meredith’s matchmaking escapades lead to unexpected twists and heartfelt moments, keeping the story engaging and fun. The themes of love, friendship, and second chances are explored in a way that feels genuine and uplifting.

This book is perfect for curling up by the fire with a warm drink. It’s a feel-good read that captures the magic of the holidays while reminding us that sometimes, love is found in the most unexpected places.

The Merry Matchmaker was a fine read! Was it the best holiday romance I read. No. But fun was definitely had. I loved that the main character was 'older'. Loved the relationship between Frankie and Mitch. I do wish the other relationships were more fleshed out. however, I approach holiday romance like holiday movies; here for a good time.

DNF. Cannot get into this. Does not help that for some reason it's not formatted properly and the book reads as one long chapter with no indentation for paragraphs or dialogue.

--Likes:
Christmassy: This book is so festive, light-hearted, cozy, and sweet. It truly captures the magic of the season, and it’s made me a Sheila Roberts fan, for sure!

Humor: Frankie’s antics made me simultaneously roll my eyes and laugh, because who hasn’t known a similar person in their lives? She’s a lovable busybody who gets herself into trouble more than once.

Age of Heroine: Can I call Frankie a heroine? Because she is. Frankie is our main character, and she’s 50 and a grandmother (although a pretty young one!). Having an “older” character as the MC in a romance novel is not something I’m aware of as being common so it was refreshing, and brought about a different perspective than the 20-somethings that seem to typically grace this genre. Her story is sweet, it’s representative, and it’s lovely.

--Eh
Perspectives: Frankie’s story is fun and light-hearted, with some serious notes throughout. Her sister Stef’s story, however, was a bit rushed. I actually wasn’t expecting the perspective change, and while I can appreciate what it lent to the storyline overall, I greatly preferred Frankie’s story (there’s a lot more of Frankie’s story, as well, so the perspectives aren’t balanced). It doesn’t take away from the book, really. Just not told as in depth as Frankie’s.

--Recommendation & Rating
Do I recommend this book? Yes. It’s a fantastic book for the season. It’s easy to read, clean (no sex scenes, only mild innuendos; also, if there was any profanity, I don’t remember it), and incredibly festive. Pick it up if you get the chance!

Book source: I requested and received this book from NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA. Thank you to both for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this early copy of "The Merry Matchmaker"!

This was a unique holiday romance compared to others I've read. I loved Frankie as a main character as it was clear how deeply she loves and cares for the people in her life that she loves. This was a family-forward book which I loved, and it definitely gave you the warm and fuzzies! While I felt the pacing was a little rushed at times, overall this was a fun holiday book to read to get you into the Christmas spirit.

2.5 🌟

As a huge Hallmark Christmas Movie fan, I was excited to read this book. It left me disappointed, though. The main character, Frankie, is a 50 year old widow who owns a cute small town holiday store. She doesn't feel the need to date ever again because she has her mom, sister, daughter, and male best friend. Frankie is super focused on meddling in everyones' lives, with no care to anyone elses wants/needs. A lot of times her "caring" seems incredibly superficial, like she doesn't actually listen to what others are going through and just steamrolls their ideas in favor of her own (at two different times her friends were really sick and she just ignored that and meddled some more). She became pretty insufferable with how involved she was in messing with people's lives. The basis of the story was cute, but the execution of the character development was lacking. The characters were not lovable at all.

Thank you, Netgalley and Harlequin Trade company for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very cozy Christmas read. It had everything in it a Christmas book should have. It really got me in the Christmas mood. It reminded me a lot of a holiday movie. Very enjoyable.

She's a meddler...

Frankie Lane is a class A meddler. She is Clueless in her matchmaking attempts that end, well, not well. She's so focused on fixing everyone else's life, especially Mitch, that she fails at introspection. This is a take on Emma. I really liked Mitch, the long suffering Mitch, who has waited patiently for Frankie to get past her trauma and see his as more than just a friend.
Recommend.

Frankie is a widower in her 50s that feels like she has all she needs: family, friends, and her work. She keeps her friend, Mitch, at arms length and tries to set him up with other women. In fact, Frankie always tries to set single people up with each other. However, she is constantly questioning any romance that comes her way.

I did not enjoy the superficial relationships and how quickly some interactions got (I felt like Steph would date any single man in town without needing a connection).

The setting is Christmasy and cozy and some moments were sweet. It was quick read that felt like a Hallmark movie with a foolproof happy ending if that’s what you’re looking for.

The Merry Matchmaker is a fun read and especially appealing for the reader who wants a little more maturity in her female rom-com heroine. I was delighted by the determination of Frankie Lane to help everyone else find their perfect romantic partner while ignoring the "guy next door" for herself. This is a fabulous holiday read for anyone who has moved on from reading about 20 or 30 something females who get swept off their feet by Mr. Right. Please keep writing real women into your stories, Sheila Roberts.

Not my preferred age group of characters. I did try to get into it but really struggled. Did enjoy the relationships and friendships though !

Cute holiday-themed read! I think I liked some subplots more than the others, the meddling was a little too meddle-y sometimes for such old adults 😭

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

My first Christmas novel of 2024! And it was an absolute delight. You really cannot go wrong with @sheilarobertswriter Christmas books. Thank you @uplitreads and @_mira_books for my gifted copy.

In the town of Carol, Frankie owns a little shop that is Christmas year round called Holiday Happiness. She lost her husband not that long ago and she’s focused on finding love for her friends and family even if they don’t want it. She’s committed to finding someone for everyone… except herself. She’s a little hard headed in the idea that once she made a match, it wouldn’t just work out if everyone listened to her. She was also so stuck on people being the “right ages” for each other.

Carol has all the typical things of a great Christmas novel; a holiday tradition of the Santa Walk, where the town all has festivities and fun. Frankie is so genuine in her desire to find love for others, you can’t help but want her to find her own love again. This was such a sweet story and perfect to get you in the warm, fuzzy feelings.

Unrelated to Christmas, I loved that Frankie and Mitch has a whole night each week dedicated to watching cop shows.

The Merry Matchmaker is exactly what you expect from a holiday book. Holiday cheer, with matchmaking galore. This book surprised me that it was not necessarily about our FMC's love, but rather everyone she matched around her. Definitely a cheerful read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

Frankie Lane knows just about what’s best for everyone accept herself. Her divorced sister Stef, who’s too young to stop trying to find love; her shy employee, Elinor; her daughter Natalie, which works in Frankie’s shop called Holiday Happiness, and needs to start her own business selling her delicious homemade chocolates; even her best friend, Viola, who’s renovating her old Victorian. If they just let Frankie help them out and things didn’t end in disasters.

Then there’s the owner of the local hardware store, Mitch Howard. Ever since Frankie opened her store nine years ago they have been great friends. He was always the favorite shoulder to cry on when Frankie’s husband lost his life in a freak accident. Such a waste of a man that’s been divorced for years. Frankie thinks that Mitch is the finest and fittest man she’s known. He’s a catch of a man with qualities such as easygoing, kindhearted and wise. Frankie thinks Mitch needs someone too. Whether Mitch likes it or not Frankie is bound and determined to find someone for him too!

Sheila Roberts makes you feel like you are just one of the people in this small town read. Sipping lattes in the local coffee shop. She has such intriguing characters throughout the whole story. You have to laugh at some of Frankie’s antics. Frankie never learns to stop interfering in everyone’s life to avoid the mishaps that are created by her. It’s a great holiday read! It has you walking the town’s Main Street perusing the businesses as the snowflakes fall. Through and through there are happy endings! You won’t want to miss this holiday read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me read this book and allowing me to leave an honest review.