Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Mira Publishing for the digital copy of this novel!
This novel is a perfect read, especially if you want a small-town holiday romance.

The novel itself is marketed as being inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma but (and don’t judge me for this) I have never read Emma before. So, if I talk about anything, that is an Emma reference, it will most definitely go over my head.

Now did I enjoy this novel? Yes and no.
I really enjoy the side storyline of Stef and her love interest, to the point where I wish that the whole novel’s plotline was about Stef and the man that she falls in love with. I honestly wished I could feel the same way about Frankie’s love interest. But the issue I had was that Frankie and her love interest had no chemistry! I understood that Frankie was still grieving her late husband, but I wish there were more romantic scenes between them.

At times I wasn’t the biggest fan of Frankie mostly because I found her as someone, I couldn’t relate to nor understand her meddling ways. I wish that this novel was just a single POV, instead of three different POV’s. I felt like the novel was all over the place with all the different characters, and I would have enjoyed it more if we just focused on Frankie.
As for the matchmaking, I was expecting something more. I wanted to see Frankie setting people up even if it did blow up in her face. Yes, I do understand that the characters did match up, but I guess I wanted something more than what was given.
Regardless, I still liked this novel even though I couldn’t relate to it. I think that there is someone out there who will love this book and relate to it. It just wasn’t for me. Even though I did enjoy Stef’s storyline the best.
Side note: Why name that poor child Corky?

This novel is going to be a part of my TikTok series called 25 Holiday Books in December!

A magical Christmas read! Frankie, who is widow and the merry matchmaker, always trying to fix everyone up but herself. She feels she had her HEA, and it can never be replaced. Even though her HEA may be a a guy that has been her friend forever. Loved all the Christmas preparations, nothing better to get you in the mood for the holidays. I will say Corky stole my heart, all he was asking Santa for was a new mom. Could Frankie help this little guy?

I think women will really appreciate the depth of this story-- characters well developed, plot moves at an appropriate pace, strong sense of place, etc. Feels like the Hallmark movies we look forward to passively watching on TV in the background all year.

This book is such an adorable retelling of Jane Austen Emma. The special twist on this is that it takes place at Christmas time. There are people who have sworn off love people who are divorced, widows, and people who are unlovable, but our main character does everything she can to find the perfect match for everyone… Maybe even herself.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review. like with previous titles, i do not enjoy the jane austen remakes or ones that borrow themes from them. the winter setting was nice. the story was well written.

The book includes delightful moments and even holiday recipes, adding to the festive spirit. Readers appreciate how Roberts combines humor with heartfelt moments, making The Merry Matchmaker a great choice for those looking for a light-hearted read during the holiday season

Shiela Roberts continues to amaze me with her continual amazing books! This is jsut the perfect, cute contemporary holiday read full of coziness and fun! I absolutely love Emma by Jane Austen so this was a very clear insta-read for me. The modern take on the classic is going to be the perfect book for gift giving this year!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I thought this was a delightful holiday novel. Sheila Roberts has once again written a wonderfully cozy holiday romance. I enjoyed all the characters. This book would make a charming Hallmark Channel Original Movie.

Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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First I would like to thank Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of the novel.

This was a cute holiday read that is based on Jane Austin’s Emma. I thought this book had some sweet elements and the love and friendship in this novel was done well. I did find the main character a little over the top for my liking.

The Christmas elements were great. I love a good cosy Christmas novel.

I rated it 3.25/5 stars rounded to 3 stars for this review.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for feedback.
Frankie lives in a small town and owns a holiday shop. As merry as her shop is, Frankie is sad and lonely after the death of her husband, Ike. To compensate for her own unhappiness, she tries to make sure everyone else is happy - her mother, Adele, after death of her father, her sister, Steph, after a divorce, and her employee, Elinor, after moving into town.
Will everyone find their happiness before the year is out? A great holiday read rich with friendship, family ties, and love!

This book was enjoyable. It was sweet and pleasant. The characters were a little too straightfoward for my taste. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy them, but I felt like the conflicts and characters were thrown at me quickly and I understood it quickly.

I didn't love this and I didn't hate it. I don't know how often I would recommend it to somebody else though.

2.5 "meh" stars, rounded up cuz it's a holiday book. Never read this author before, but the marketing described this as "Austen's Emma at during Christmas" or something, which was just total 💩 This story did not feature a sweet, but "clueless" young women who lives with her doting Dad & has a hunky guy under her nose, NOPE, this was about a widow in her 50's who's got a mom, daughter & sis she'd like to fix up with various townsfolk, so "Matchmaking" was the whole similarity???🤷🏻‍♀️ And it was SO predictable & boring AF!!! I guess it would play to Hallmark holiday rom-com set, so that's who iy should have been pitched to. Big fail for me

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was the such a cozy and perfect holiday read. This is a Christmas story based on Jane Austin's Emma.

I have to be honest, this novel was not for me. I understand it was inspired by Jane Austen's Emma, with a somewhat clueless woman playing matchmaker to her friends and family, all the while missing the clear signs of romance for herself. However, I found the main character, Frankie, to the be outright pushy and judgemental on all fronts and basically exemplify the parodied qualities of the "baby boomer generation". I'm not sure if this was Roberts intention, but I found the story hard to enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mira Books for the chance to read this novel.

The Merry Matchmaker was a very cute and lovely holiday story. I really liked our leading lady Frankie because she is like the meddling mother you didn't know you needed with how much she tried hooking up people in her life with others. Although, I did find it a bit hard to follow along with who's point of view I was reading from. It felt like it was focused on one person's point of view, Frankie's, with occasional dialogue from people she was talking to such as her mother, Adele, sister, Stef, best friend and I think potential love interest, Mitch, and more. It would be nice to know who's point of view I am reading from for an easy flow in what is going on throughout the story.

The latest Christmas book by Sheila Roberts is a masterpiece. After all, who wouldn't want to find Mr. Right at the holidays?

Frankie, a widowed store owner, has mastered (or so she thinks) the art of finding love, The only problem is it's for everyone else but her. Her mother, Adele, who works part time at her daughters' shop Holiday Happiness tries to stay out of Frankie's way, but secretly has already found her happiness. Steph, Frankie's sister, who is divorced and has lost her hope of finding that special someone and has dated every eligible man in town. Elinor, Frankie's helper is a wallflower that doesn't know how to come out of her shell. Mitch, the hardware store owner down the street who has been Frankie's rock during her darkest times, and who is her best friend. Frankie's match making has touched every one of them and ends in epic fails. She is determined to "help " them even if they didn't ask for the help themselves. The real question is "Will Frankie find the happiness she doesn't know she craves as her schemes begin to come undone or will she be alone as she has been because of a fear of losing those she loves?"

Anyone who reads a holiday romance knows there is formula to writing this type of story. There are a select few authors with the skill of making that story so fun you can't seem to put it down. This is one of those authors. One of the things I love about Sheila Roberts is she writes with older readers at heart. We are all looking for the happy ending, and Sheila does this with grace. Great characters that you come to enjoy, a plot that you can sink your heart into, and an ending that just feels right makes for a wonderful holiday story. I highly recommend this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc of this book.

This follows Frankie who can’t help herself, she is always meddling and trying to match up her friends and family, despite her own love life needing a boost. I really liked her, yes she butted into her friend’s lives which I’m sure would be annoying, but she seemed so kind and genuine and just like she truly cared. There is a large cast of characters with rich and cute storylines and plenty of holiday charm

This author never disappoints in creating a whole scenic view of a friendly close knit village… I picture a Hallmark movie in the making….Will be a great book to read during the holiday.. grab a blanket and a cup off Hot Choclaye or your favorite tea and enjoy this cozy, mixed with a splash of romance …

This Christmasy version of Emma right off the bat reminded me of a Hallmark Movie story, taking place in a sweet small town! Frankie reminded me of the all in the family member/friend. She is always there for people and maybe a little TOO involved! The many stories involved in the bigger one have a lot of different perspectives. I feel someone can relate with one of these characters. All the stories were sweet in their own ways. Each person had something to overcome which we can relate to.

What a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. This is the best holiday books I've read in a while. You will not want to put it down. I may need to read this book every year. It's definitely a keeper.