Calling on the Matchmaker

Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved that she's not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her days caring for immigrants in the slums. Unwilling to consider marriage, Finola has perfected the ability to sabotage the relationships her parents arrange for her. At wit's end, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. After her usual tricks fail, Finola quickly realizes she can't outsmart or outwit the dashing, determined, and daring man.

A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union with the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning--and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger testing all they know about love and sacrifice.

Escape to 1849 St. Louis for a daring and romantic tale from the talented pen of bestselling author Jody Hedlund.

My Review: 5/10

First I should say that this book toed the line of "clean" romance; it's very physical. Riley sees Finola nearly naked (undergarments) at the beginning and fixates on it throughout the rest of the book. That might be realistic, but then I'd rather not be in his head at those times. Better yet, not at all. I'm advocating, as always, for ONE POV. And it's not limited to that one instance; both characters obsess on each others' looks and sex appeal for the whole. entire. book.

Then they play the same back and forth games: I shall push him away! I will win her over! rinse, repeat.

It got old quickly and there just was not much substance here, despite throwing in Cholera, racism/discrimination, bonding over loss/trauma, volunteer work, etc.

And I was not at all a fan of the way the Matchmaker chose to bring them together - particularly trying to force their hands with a set up and public exposure/humiliation. Ugh.

However I have loved Ms. Hedlund's books in the past, so I would give the second one a shot before deciding whether to continue on with this series or not. Especially since the premise sounds interesting - has a Beauty and the Beast tone to it.