The Irish Matchmaker

by Jennifer Deibel

Paperback, 2024

Status

Available

Call number

F DEI

Collection

Call number

F DEI

Genres

Publication

Revell (2024), 320 pages

Description

Fiction. Romance. Christian Fiction. Historical Fiction. Catriona Daly is no stranger to the business of love�even though personally she has yet to find it. Eager for a match of her own and a fresh start away from her sleepy village, she makes grand plans for the annual Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. She never expects a shy, widowed sheep farmer to distract her from her goal.

User reviews

LibraryThing member alekee
I loved this read, from beginning to end I was drawn in, and really couldn't put it down. I think the little girl drew me in, she is so young, and had so many hardships, and her request for her birthday is for her father to make a match and get her a new mother! I loved how this father was willing,
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with reluctance to go to the matchmaker and the festival to help find a wife and mother!

Then we have the matchmaker's daughter who has set her heart of a Lord, but is she really seeing him?

I loved the twists and turns here, and was really guessing how everything would turn out!

Be sure to read the epilogue!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
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LibraryThing member lamb521
Title: The Irish Matchmaker
Author: Jennifer Deibel
Pages: 320
Year: 2024
Publisher: Revell
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If you have never read one of Jennifer Deibel’s books, you have missed some wonderful stories set in Ireland! Her newest novel, The Irish Matchmaker, once again is a home run!
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Jennifer weaves Irish history, folklore, and settings into a tale that draws readers in and leaves them wanting more.
The matchmaker for the village is Catriona Daly, and she gets one reluctant client named Donal Bunratty. Donal is a widower whose young daughter, Sara, ropes him into the matchmaking festivities. Sara’s birthday has arrived and due to lack of funds Donal doesn’t have a present. Sara then asks him to participate in the matchmaking festivities as a gift to her, but this young girl has her eye on a particular woman for her dad. Catriona believes that one certain rich, young man will take her away from the village and give her a life of luxury. Underneath his veneer, however, Andrew is anything but a good match!
While it is true that I had a feeling of how the story was going to unfold, the way it came about was captivating! The novel has a good mixture of suspense, humor, romance, and faith. I laughed many times as I read the story and hoped the ending would be exhilarating. It exceeded my expectations. I hope readers will grab a copy of her newest book but also be willing to read her other novels that I also enjoyed. Whether you have Irish ancestry or not the tale is worth the time to read. Jennifer Deibel’s other works are: A Dance in Donegal, The Lady of Galway Manor, and The Maid of Ballymacool. Pick any of the books as they are all stand alone novels.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
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LibraryThing member chrirob
Donal Bunratty wants nothing more than to keep his family farm and to make his young daughter Sara happy. After the death of his wife, he has raised Sara alone and kept to himself and his farm. He thought all was going well, until he heard his daughter's one birthday wish: "I'd really like a
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mother." While Donal is not ready to find another wife, he does agree to attend the local Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival to make Sara happy - at least he can try, for her sake. Upon arriving in town, Donal seeks out the assistance of the legendary, local matchmaker Jimmy Daly. He agrees to help Donal find a love match & seeks out the assistance of his daughter Catriona who is also a matchmaker. While Donal may not be interested in finding a match, he is finding himself intrigued by Catriona - especially when she comes to the rescue of his young daughter Sara. But Catriona has her matchmaker eyes on another prize - Andrew Osbourne, son of Lord & Lady Osbourne. But can she deny the sparks of interest flying when she and Donal Buratty meet?

This was a really sweet book with a fun storyline. I really liked all the characters and the lovely descriptions of Ireland & its' people. Always a pleasure to read one of Ms. Deibel's books! Thank you LibraryThing Early Reviewer's for the opportunity!
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LibraryThing member Becky_L
Let Jennifer Deibel sweep you away to the beautiful land of Ireland at the turn of the last century. As the time for the annual matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna nears, professional matchmaker Catríona Daly rues the irony of being an unmatched matchmaker. Her dearest wish is to for some rich
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festival-goer to woo her away from this small, backward town to a bustling city.

Meanwhile, Donal Bunratty and his nine-year-old daughter are struggling to make a go of their small farm a few miles away. Donal will do anything for his daughter, so he reluctantly agrees to attend the matchmaker’s festival.

Andrew Osbourne’s match from last year was a flop. He is back with his determined parents, set on finding a match that will see him well politically.

When Catríona becomes the matchmaker for both men, scheming on more than one front nearly brings disaster. Will true personalities show through the posturing of such times? Will wisdom or personal gain drive decisions?

Of course, my fave character is 9-year-old Sara, so precocious in some ways and forced by circumstances to assume adult roles never meant for children. No wonder her father will go to great lengths to please her, or that she attracts goodwill and help from Caty.

A glossary at the front of the book helps with Irish words and phrases and gives an air of authenticity to the novel. It was fun learning some of the details of what went on behind the scenes of a match, like the “plucking of the gander.”

Bullying, social status, love of the land, and pure selfishness, plus romance and trust in God all make this a believable and enjoyable novel to be visited more than once.

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via Netgalley. I also bought my own paperback for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member lifeofliterature
Delightful! I love that this author lived for a time in Ireland and writes from a first-hand experience with the culture because, as someone who also lived on the Emerald Isle, her accurate language and poise transport me back to the lilting language of the Irish and the green rolling hills of the
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countryside. I love the descriptive scenes and the spunky characters. This novel had great romance that, due to the love triangle, was not altogether predictable. I had a hard time putting the story down and greatly enjoyed reading about the developing relationships. The near tragedies and character development both add complexity to the plot and make the story believable. And the spiritual truths of faith and trusting God’s provision were well written and not preachy. I really loved this novel and highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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LibraryThing member Virginia51
I loved this fantastic historical romance. I could not get enough of Sarah and her father, Donal. I really liked Catriona and was so happy when she finally learns what love really is. I loved the romance and the near tragedies that bring these people together. I could not put this book down. I
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received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
I am a sucker for inspirational historical romance - especially when it is set in Ireland. Having read Jennifer Deibel's other books, I knew I was in for a treat. While I didn't love this as much as some of her other titles, it was still a nice quick read. Catriona Daly is a matchmaker just like
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her father - she is too busy helping other people find their forever love that she never gets to find a man for herself. When she starts to work with Andrew Osbourne - a man of means and property she is determined to match him with herself so that she can get away from their small Irish town and be financially well off. Donal Banratty, is a single father with a barely functioning farm. He never seems to come out ahead no matter how hard he tries. When his daughter Sara begs him to go to the matchmaking festival so she can have a mother - he reluctantly agrees. If nothing else he could use an extra set of hands around the farm. He isn't looking for love - he's looking for a partner. Little do Catriona and Donal know that what they are looking for could be right in front of them.
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Language

Physical description

320 p.; 8.5 inches

Pages

320

ISBN

0800744853 / 9780800744854

Barcode

60267
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