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Matchmaking for Beginners
Marnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life—a husband, kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Then Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s irascible matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes—just as Blix told her it would.
When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s Brooklyn brownstone along with all of Blix’s unfinished “projects�: the heartbroken, oddball friends and neighbors running from happiness. Marnie doesn’t believe she’s anything special, but Blix somehow knew she was the perfect person to follow in her matchmaker footsteps.
And Blix was also right about some things Marnie must learn the hard way: love is hard to recognize, and the ones who push love away often are the ones who need it most.
When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s Brooklyn brownstone along with all of Blix’s unfinished “projects�: the heartbroken, oddball friends and neighbors running from happiness. Marnie doesn’t believe she’s anything special, but Blix somehow knew she was the perfect person to follow in her matchmaker footsteps.
And Blix was also right about some things Marnie must learn the hard way: love is hard to recognize, and the ones who push love away often are the ones who need it most.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2018
14.5k people are currently reading
46.9k people want to read
About the author
Maddie Dawson
12books1,505followersI'm the author of eleven novels about love, crazy families, secrets, parenthood, and--yes, they have happy endings and some laughs as well as tears. (Just like life.) My newest, SNAP OUT OF IT, comes out on Jan. 3, 2023.
Also by me: The Magic of Found Objects, A Happy Catastrophe, Matchmaking for Beginners, The Survivor's Guide to Family Happiness, The Opposite of Maybe, The Stuff That Never Happened, Kissing Games of the World and A Piece of Normal.
My first novel, What Comes After Crazy, was written under the name Sandi Kahn Shelton.
Also by me: The Magic of Found Objects, A Happy Catastrophe, Matchmaking for Beginners, The Survivor's Guide to Family Happiness, The Opposite of Maybe, The Stuff That Never Happened, Kissing Games of the World and A Piece of Normal.
My first novel, What Comes After Crazy, was written under the name Sandi Kahn Shelton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,727 reviews
December 3, 2018
4.5 stars.
What a terrific, sweet charmer of a book this was!!
Every family has at least one oddball, one eccentric. Free-spirited Blix Holliday is her family's black sheep, and that doesn't bother her one bit, because she doesn't like them much anyway.
She believes there's a perfect match for everyone, she believes in thought energy, watching people's auras, and her ability to wish things into existence—and she has a book of spells to prove it. Now in her 80s and terminally ill, she wants to live whatever time she has left on her own terms, surrounded by joy and those she loves.
"This is a family that is rotten at its core, no matter what the decor tells you. I see things as they are, right through the fakery and pretense. I can still remember when this place really was authentically grand, before Wendy Spinnaker decided to throw thousands of dollars into some kind of fake restoration of its façade. But that sums up this family's philosophy of life perfectly: plaster over the real stuff, and slap a veneer on the top. Nobody will know. But I know."
When she meets Marnie MacGraw, her great-nephew's fiancée, she immediately feels the two are kindred spirits. Both share some of the same abilities, like the ability to see when two people are destined for one another. But Marnie just wants a normal life—husband, kids, a house in the suburbs—so she doesn't believe Blix when she tells her that there's a great big life out there waiting for, an exciting one far beyond the comforts she craves.
"The subversive truth about love is that it really is the big deal everyone makes it out to be, and it's not some form of security or an insurance policy against loneliness. It's everything, love is. It runs the whole universe!"
Marnie's marriage ends shortly after it began (and it never quite began), but she still can't believe that Blix was right, and that she's capable of exciting things. Little by little, she pulls her life back together and starts to trust her heart again, only to be thrown for another loop, when she learns that Blix has died and bequeathed her brownstone in Brooklyn. (Of course, the bequest isn't as straightforward as she expected.) But it's not just the house—Blix has "left" Marnie all of her pet projects; namely, her friends who are all desperate for love but they just don't see themselves as ready, or even worthy.
So now Marnie finds herself in Brooklyn, uprooting her life and those closest to her once again. She's looking for a quick resolution to the whole brownstone issue, so she can get back to Florida and the plans she's made for her future. She doesn't understand how Blix thought her capable of greatness, because she just wants ordinary comforts. Yet as she settles into her life in Brooklyn and deals with some unexpected surprises and challenges, she starts to realize that perhaps Blix's work needs to be carried on—and maybe she's the one who needs to do it. The only challenge is, she needs a little of this work herself.
"Everybody wants love, and the ones who appear to want it the least actually need it the most."
This was one of those books that feels like a great big hug. It hooked me from the very first page and didn't let go, and I found myself utterly immersed in these characters. Is it predictable? Sure. Did it matter? Not in the slightest. This book was the perfect antidote to the heavy books I've read most recently, and it not only made me smile, but it made me tear up through the smiles, too.
I thought Maddie Dawson did such a terrific job creating quirky and complex characters. Not everyone is likable (just like real life), and not everyone is 100 percent good or selfless (again, just like real life), but even though the book made me believe that just a little touch of magic and mysticism can exist in our world, it also was tremendously believable, because quite often the people who can be difficult to love are the ones who need that love most.
Three cheers for Matchmaking for Beginners . When you need something to charm you, pick this one up.
See all of my reviews at .
What a terrific, sweet charmer of a book this was!!
Every family has at least one oddball, one eccentric. Free-spirited Blix Holliday is her family's black sheep, and that doesn't bother her one bit, because she doesn't like them much anyway.
She believes there's a perfect match for everyone, she believes in thought energy, watching people's auras, and her ability to wish things into existence—and she has a book of spells to prove it. Now in her 80s and terminally ill, she wants to live whatever time she has left on her own terms, surrounded by joy and those she loves.
"This is a family that is rotten at its core, no matter what the decor tells you. I see things as they are, right through the fakery and pretense. I can still remember when this place really was authentically grand, before Wendy Spinnaker decided to throw thousands of dollars into some kind of fake restoration of its façade. But that sums up this family's philosophy of life perfectly: plaster over the real stuff, and slap a veneer on the top. Nobody will know. But I know."
When she meets Marnie MacGraw, her great-nephew's fiancée, she immediately feels the two are kindred spirits. Both share some of the same abilities, like the ability to see when two people are destined for one another. But Marnie just wants a normal life—husband, kids, a house in the suburbs—so she doesn't believe Blix when she tells her that there's a great big life out there waiting for, an exciting one far beyond the comforts she craves.
"The subversive truth about love is that it really is the big deal everyone makes it out to be, and it's not some form of security or an insurance policy against loneliness. It's everything, love is. It runs the whole universe!"
Marnie's marriage ends shortly after it began (and it never quite began), but she still can't believe that Blix was right, and that she's capable of exciting things. Little by little, she pulls her life back together and starts to trust her heart again, only to be thrown for another loop, when she learns that Blix has died and bequeathed her brownstone in Brooklyn. (Of course, the bequest isn't as straightforward as she expected.) But it's not just the house—Blix has "left" Marnie all of her pet projects; namely, her friends who are all desperate for love but they just don't see themselves as ready, or even worthy.
So now Marnie finds herself in Brooklyn, uprooting her life and those closest to her once again. She's looking for a quick resolution to the whole brownstone issue, so she can get back to Florida and the plans she's made for her future. She doesn't understand how Blix thought her capable of greatness, because she just wants ordinary comforts. Yet as she settles into her life in Brooklyn and deals with some unexpected surprises and challenges, she starts to realize that perhaps Blix's work needs to be carried on—and maybe she's the one who needs to do it. The only challenge is, she needs a little of this work herself.
"Everybody wants love, and the ones who appear to want it the least actually need it the most."
This was one of those books that feels like a great big hug. It hooked me from the very first page and didn't let go, and I found myself utterly immersed in these characters. Is it predictable? Sure. Did it matter? Not in the slightest. This book was the perfect antidote to the heavy books I've read most recently, and it not only made me smile, but it made me tear up through the smiles, too.
I thought Maddie Dawson did such a terrific job creating quirky and complex characters. Not everyone is likable (just like real life), and not everyone is 100 percent good or selfless (again, just like real life), but even though the book made me believe that just a little touch of magic and mysticism can exist in our world, it also was tremendously believable, because quite often the people who can be difficult to love are the ones who need that love most.
Three cheers for Matchmaking for Beginners . When you need something to charm you, pick this one up.
See all of my reviews at .
June 13, 2019
I saw the word “matchmaking� in this title and thought hell yeah, and then I saw the cover and thought hell yeah, and then I started reading and discovered the weird inclusion of strange spiritual lowkey magical realism and thought oh...no...oh hell no�
And then the rest of the reading experience was mostly the latter reaction.
This just felt like it focused on all the things I did not want. The main character’s descent into sadness. The main character’s weird, also sad, unbelievably mundane life in Florida. (Nothing makes for a fun read like mundanity and monotony. And Florida.) The main character’s...realization that she’s magic? Except don’t think about it too much because it will never never be explained or make even a lick of sense. The long-term illness and suffering of a non-main but still very important character.
What I wanted from this book: Matchmaking. What I got from this book: Simply everything but that.
Bottom line: Did someone tell this author this book should feel like homework? If not, WHY WAS NONE OF IT FUN.
1.5 stars
---------
tbr review
you had me at "matchmaking"! (because i'm interested in literally every book that mentions matchmaking) (please, if you ever see one...send it my way) (please i need it)
And then the rest of the reading experience was mostly the latter reaction.
This just felt like it focused on all the things I did not want. The main character’s descent into sadness. The main character’s weird, also sad, unbelievably mundane life in Florida. (Nothing makes for a fun read like mundanity and monotony. And Florida.) The main character’s...realization that she’s magic? Except don’t think about it too much because it will never never be explained or make even a lick of sense. The long-term illness and suffering of a non-main but still very important character.
What I wanted from this book: Matchmaking. What I got from this book: Simply everything but that.
Bottom line: Did someone tell this author this book should feel like homework? If not, WHY WAS NONE OF IT FUN.
1.5 stars
---------
tbr review
you had me at "matchmaking"! (because i'm interested in literally every book that mentions matchmaking) (please, if you ever see one...send it my way) (please i need it)
May 3, 2018
I liked this book. It was a cute, quick read. I liked Blix although I would have liked to hear more about her. Marnie got on my nerves at times, especially when Noah continually came into the house to take things. After the first time, what idiot doesn't change the locks? The man came in the house, uninvited, to take things, four times!
January 3, 2020
What a mess of a story!! It was all over the place, characters didn't help either, and the author added some magical touch to it which made it weird and boring. :|
June 2, 2018
I really wanted to love this book, and there were aspects that were good, but there was too much happening in what could have been a much more streamlined/focused story. And Marnie was SO very unlikable to me?? I didn’t feel any sympathy for her, and honestly, I think she and Noah deserved each other. She def didn’t deserve Patrick. And wow, I hate how shabbily she treated poor Jeremy, the real underdog of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2018
Matchmaking for Beginners is a nonsensical, overly sappy romance novel that features a incoherent story coupled with insufferable characters.
May 1, 2018
MATCHMAKING FOR BEGINNERS walked straight into my heart, trailing a shower of golden sparkles. Dawson has created a magical world inhabited by characters so engaging and real it seems plausible they might drop by for a cup of coffee. By turns funny, wise, and poignant, this is a story about falling in love—with the painful, messy, joyful business of living.
May 5, 2018
So here's the thing....sometimes you want a book that is sweet and lighthearted and with a happy ever after. It has been a long time since I read purely for fun.
And this book was sweet. Less lighthearted than I expected. It had a lost inheritance and lots of love and a "bad guy" and more than one good guy and you can't forget about the magic.
But, the reason I gave it 5 stars, is because I didn't expect to love two of the characters - Blix, and her lover, Houndry. Blix could have felt silly but she had such warmth and love written into her. And Houndry just exuded contentment.
I really like the motto of the book: Whatever happens, love that.
The world could use a little of that these days.
And this book was sweet. Less lighthearted than I expected. It had a lost inheritance and lots of love and a "bad guy" and more than one good guy and you can't forget about the magic.
But, the reason I gave it 5 stars, is because I didn't expect to love two of the characters - Blix, and her lover, Houndry. Blix could have felt silly but she had such warmth and love written into her. And Houndry just exuded contentment.
I really like the motto of the book: Whatever happens, love that.
The world could use a little of that these days.
June 14, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
Pay no attention to Wendy� She missed the class on manners because she was attending two extra courses on personal intimidation.
The life force is running out of this room! I’ve been at funerals that had better vibrations than this.
We never got married because I’ve finally learned that if you have to bring the law into your personal relationships, then you’re doing it wrong.
One time he said to me, “You know, I had a great six-pack when I was young,� and I said to him, “Bragging about beer is so unbecoming for an old man.�
It’s like he’s a person who has his emotions in a safety deposit box somewhere, and he forgot where he put it.
My Review:
Matchmaking for Beginners was the second superbly written book of Maddie Dawson’s that I have had the pleasure of reading. It produced a near-constant smirk and frequent subvocal chuckling. I have a strong compulsion to stop everything and simply indulge in all the various publications of this woman’s clever and creative work as I reveled in her word skills. I adored her highly amusing, clever, and keenly crafted storylines from start to finish. Her quirky characters were each uniquely, inexplicably, and magnetically intriguing, even the villains.
The main character of Marnie was an oddly unobservant bubblehead who was all too easily tilted off the rails and careening towards ruin. While I may have wanted to give her a few smacks to the head with my Kindle, I also found her extraordinarily endearing and held my breath for her on numerous occasions. Ms. Dawson’s humor was well-honed, shiny, and crisp. I particularly enjoyed the witty exchanges between Marnie and Patrick, the “luminous� misanthropic hermit living in the dank basement. Sigh, more, please!
Pay no attention to Wendy� She missed the class on manners because she was attending two extra courses on personal intimidation.
The life force is running out of this room! I’ve been at funerals that had better vibrations than this.
We never got married because I’ve finally learned that if you have to bring the law into your personal relationships, then you’re doing it wrong.
One time he said to me, “You know, I had a great six-pack when I was young,� and I said to him, “Bragging about beer is so unbecoming for an old man.�
It’s like he’s a person who has his emotions in a safety deposit box somewhere, and he forgot where he put it.
My Review:
Matchmaking for Beginners was the second superbly written book of Maddie Dawson’s that I have had the pleasure of reading. It produced a near-constant smirk and frequent subvocal chuckling. I have a strong compulsion to stop everything and simply indulge in all the various publications of this woman’s clever and creative work as I reveled in her word skills. I adored her highly amusing, clever, and keenly crafted storylines from start to finish. Her quirky characters were each uniquely, inexplicably, and magnetically intriguing, even the villains.
The main character of Marnie was an oddly unobservant bubblehead who was all too easily tilted off the rails and careening towards ruin. While I may have wanted to give her a few smacks to the head with my Kindle, I also found her extraordinarily endearing and held my breath for her on numerous occasions. Ms. Dawson’s humor was well-honed, shiny, and crisp. I particularly enjoyed the witty exchanges between Marnie and Patrick, the “luminous� misanthropic hermit living in the dank basement. Sigh, more, please!
November 17, 2018
*2.5 stars*
My very first audible romance and the narrators, Amy McFadden and Joyce Bean, were pure joy to listen to; elevating the story from mundane to something quite remarkable.
Blurb
Marnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life—a husband, kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Then Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s irascible matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes—just as Blix told her it would.
When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s Brooklyn brownstone along with all of Blix’s unfinished “projects�: the heartbroken, oddball friends and neighbors running from happiness. Marnie doesn’t believe she’s anything special, but Blix somehow knew she was the perfect person to follow in her matchmaker footsteps.
And Blix was also right about some things Marnie must learn the hard way: love is hard to recognize, and the ones who push love away often are the ones who need it most.
June 22, 2018
ok. I wanted to love this. I really liked the idea of the plot. And ultimately that is what kept me reading. I wanted to know how it ended.
But I struggled with the writing. A lot. And I wouldn't say that I'm overly particular about that usually. But. It just felt amateur. The dialogue, especially, rubbed me the wrong way. It often felt completely implausible or stilted or a million other off-putting things.
Also. Marnie just annoyed me. Her name annoyed me. Her relationship with Noah? And Jeremy? Oi vey. She is just not a terribly likable character. And how the heck is she supposed to have a 'big life' when she is such a passive character!? She waits around for everything to just happen to her.
I will end my tirade there. I really wanted to like this. But I just couldn't.
But I struggled with the writing. A lot. And I wouldn't say that I'm overly particular about that usually. But. It just felt amateur. The dialogue, especially, rubbed me the wrong way. It often felt completely implausible or stilted or a million other off-putting things.
Also. Marnie just annoyed me. Her name annoyed me. Her relationship with Noah? And Jeremy? Oi vey. She is just not a terribly likable character. And how the heck is she supposed to have a 'big life' when she is such a passive character!? She waits around for everything to just happen to her.
I will end my tirade there. I really wanted to like this. But I just couldn't.
June 25, 2020
Well, this was unexpectedly perfect and lovely.
This is ultimately a feel good story about an endearing woman named Marnie who has to struggle a bit to figure out who she is and where she wants to be. This self-discovery is strongly aided by a push from our other protagonist/POV, a charming elderly lady named Blix who sees herself in Marnie. There is also an inheritance of not just property in Brooklyn but really a second, quirky family of sorts. This is a book centered around love, but it’s love of all kinds. There are some complications and false starts. And while there is a bit of magic in the ability to read energy of people who are in love/meant to be in love, this is NOT a book about a career as a matchmaker. The book title kind of makes it sound that way, but it’s more about the central characters finding their way to happiness. I also like that some of the paths were messy. Some characters are dealing with obstacles like grief, infidelity, etc.
I was so excited to see there is a second book, I can’t wait to dive back into this world and experience more with these characters. Especially Patrick, I love him.
This is ultimately a feel good story about an endearing woman named Marnie who has to struggle a bit to figure out who she is and where she wants to be. This self-discovery is strongly aided by a push from our other protagonist/POV, a charming elderly lady named Blix who sees herself in Marnie. There is also an inheritance of not just property in Brooklyn but really a second, quirky family of sorts. This is a book centered around love, but it’s love of all kinds. There are some complications and false starts. And while there is a bit of magic in the ability to read energy of people who are in love/meant to be in love, this is NOT a book about a career as a matchmaker. The book title kind of makes it sound that way, but it’s more about the central characters finding their way to happiness. I also like that some of the paths were messy. Some characters are dealing with obstacles like grief, infidelity, etc.
I was so excited to see there is a second book, I can’t wait to dive back into this world and experience more with these characters. Especially Patrick, I love him.
June 27, 2024
Для всіх, хто полюбляє затишні романтичні історії з ноткою магічного реалізму. Рекомендую не читати анотацію, бо вона переповідає майже всю книжку.
June 24, 2018
This book started promising but unfortunately it went downhill from there, the protagonist is an immature, self-absorbed and a cheater on top of it all, she hurts this actual sweet guy twice and the hurt she causes in his life is dismissed as “he was too boring and now he can find his true love� but the thing is that there’s nothing more boring than her, she’s the least exciting person in the book, every other character is more interesting and complex than her. My feelings about this book can be described with the good and old “disappointed but not surprised�!!
September 3, 2018
An enchanting read with some magic forces at work, whether you believe them or not! The magic is not over the top; it consists of Blix Holliday, an elderly great aunt of Marnie’s fiancée, Noah. Noah once was a caring and loving nephew to his great Aunt Blix when he was very young; now he is an arrogant, immature, haughty, rude and absolutely spoiled young man.
When Blix first sees Marnie at the engagement party, there is an immediate connection between the two women and Blix calls Marnie over to introduce herself. The conversations and deep-connection between these two will continue whether they write to each other, see each other, or “messages/feelings� are conveyed to each other. Blix has told Marnie that she’s amazing and is powerful and is in line for a big, big life (whatever that is - read the book to find out!). That there are lots of surprises in store for her and that the universe is going to take her to great heights. Without giving away the story, there are for sure, lots of surprises in store, beginning immediately on leaving the engagement party. Blix “sees� this relationship is not going to go well but she’s rooting for Marnie and sending her positive messages through something like telepathy?
There was also discussion between them of being matchmakers, being able to see auras and seeing “sparkles� when two people are truly matched together. Blix had the ability to “coerce� their compatibility and Marnie kind of has it too. In time, Marnie recognizes and strengthens this ability. However (and unfortunately) it does not work on yourself so we experience her desperation, her bad love choices, her angst, her betrayal of her family, reuniting with her first love, her mistakes, her losses, her gains, her new friends, a new job, her new life, and in the end, a true love and feeling of belonging that she never could have imagined, without the magical help and insight of Blix and an understanding of herself.
I was somewhat irritated with some of Marnie’s bad decisions through the story. They were so obviously bad choices! I know it was meant to be - “part of the plan of the universe� - according to Blixx, for Marnie to go through it all and then “get it� and get to where she finally was meant to be in her life.
A good book and a nice light hearted read. I loved Blix; a free spirit and lover of all things, and a wise old woman who wanted some of her ways and means passed down to Marnie, to live on and be carried out into the future.
When Blix first sees Marnie at the engagement party, there is an immediate connection between the two women and Blix calls Marnie over to introduce herself. The conversations and deep-connection between these two will continue whether they write to each other, see each other, or “messages/feelings� are conveyed to each other. Blix has told Marnie that she’s amazing and is powerful and is in line for a big, big life (whatever that is - read the book to find out!). That there are lots of surprises in store for her and that the universe is going to take her to great heights. Without giving away the story, there are for sure, lots of surprises in store, beginning immediately on leaving the engagement party. Blix “sees� this relationship is not going to go well but she’s rooting for Marnie and sending her positive messages through something like telepathy?
There was also discussion between them of being matchmakers, being able to see auras and seeing “sparkles� when two people are truly matched together. Blix had the ability to “coerce� their compatibility and Marnie kind of has it too. In time, Marnie recognizes and strengthens this ability. However (and unfortunately) it does not work on yourself so we experience her desperation, her bad love choices, her angst, her betrayal of her family, reuniting with her first love, her mistakes, her losses, her gains, her new friends, a new job, her new life, and in the end, a true love and feeling of belonging that she never could have imagined, without the magical help and insight of Blix and an understanding of herself.
I was somewhat irritated with some of Marnie’s bad decisions through the story. They were so obviously bad choices! I know it was meant to be - “part of the plan of the universe� - according to Blixx, for Marnie to go through it all and then “get it� and get to where she finally was meant to be in her life.
A good book and a nice light hearted read. I loved Blix; a free spirit and lover of all things, and a wise old woman who wanted some of her ways and means passed down to Marnie, to live on and be carried out into the future.
June 12, 2018
Fantastic fun, fabulously well-written
I loved this delightful, honey of a novel and recommend it to all. Maddie Dawson, thank you for the entertainment, the escape as well as your knowing commentary on life and love.
I loved this delightful, honey of a novel and recommend it to all. Maddie Dawson, thank you for the entertainment, the escape as well as your knowing commentary on life and love.
December 24, 2018
Marnie is the MOST unlikable character that's ever existed.
I think the author meant for readers to like Marnie, but she's the worst. Let me count the ways:
1) No agency. Life happens to Marnie, she doesn't make many decisions and all the action comes from stuff just showing up in her path.
2) She's basic. Marnie spends half the book talking about how all she wants is a "normal life." She has no interests or hobbies or things she loves. I couldn't even tell you if she has a favorite food, or if she likes food. This is the most blah person that's ever existed.
3) She is the perfect example of what's wrong with teaching girls to be accommodating. She doesn't speak up for herself. There's a situation where a bad man is living in her house and she doesn't feel like she can tell him to leave. She's spineless and allows herself to be taken advantage of for no reason. I wanted to yell at her.
4) Everyone loves her for no apparent reason. It's be like if everyone loved a potato siting a table and you're asking yourself, why? She reminds me of Bella from Twilight, where everyone in school loves her and wants to be her friend.
The story itself was slow and not what I was expecting. As an example, here's the book blurb:
That "call to adventure", where Marnie inherits a house, doesn't happen until 50% into the book. Those two sentences take HALF THE BOOK. In storytelling, it's supposed to happen in the first 20%. I was sooooo bored. I kept waiting for the aunt to die. Every chapter, I think, "This is it! She's finally going to die!" but she doesn't.
Then there's the incorrect details:
1) You don't use nets and fish for lobsters.
2) If there are disputes about a will, use a lawyer. Don't try to solve this on your own or speculate. Talk to a fucking lawyer. You're an adult, Marnie. You can do this.
3) Property taxes can change every year, so it's not possible to pay 5 years in advance. That's not how taxes work.
The one pro: I liked the beauty and the beast love story, but I don't like how she has to save him. He also lacked agency in his own life. These two are horrible and I hope they die in a car crash.
You know that friend that tells you a story and has to give you all the supporting details along the way, even if they have nothing to do with the story? That's this book. Your friend wrote this book.
Oh, and there was very little matchmaking. The title is a lie.
Story: 1 star
Character Development: 1 star
Writing/Prose: 2 stars
I think the author meant for readers to like Marnie, but she's the worst. Let me count the ways:
1) No agency. Life happens to Marnie, she doesn't make many decisions and all the action comes from stuff just showing up in her path.
2) She's basic. Marnie spends half the book talking about how all she wants is a "normal life." She has no interests or hobbies or things she loves. I couldn't even tell you if she has a favorite food, or if she likes food. This is the most blah person that's ever existed.
3) She is the perfect example of what's wrong with teaching girls to be accommodating. She doesn't speak up for herself. There's a situation where a bad man is living in her house and she doesn't feel like she can tell him to leave. She's spineless and allows herself to be taken advantage of for no reason. I wanted to yell at her.
4) Everyone loves her for no apparent reason. It's be like if everyone loved a potato siting a table and you're asking yourself, why? She reminds me of Bella from Twilight, where everyone in school loves her and wants to be her friend.
The story itself was slow and not what I was expecting. As an example, here's the book blurb:
"When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s Brooklyn brownstone along with all of Blix’s unfinished “projects�."
That "call to adventure", where Marnie inherits a house, doesn't happen until 50% into the book. Those two sentences take HALF THE BOOK. In storytelling, it's supposed to happen in the first 20%. I was sooooo bored. I kept waiting for the aunt to die. Every chapter, I think, "This is it! She's finally going to die!" but she doesn't.
Then there's the incorrect details:
1) You don't use nets and fish for lobsters.
2) If there are disputes about a will, use a lawyer. Don't try to solve this on your own or speculate. Talk to a fucking lawyer. You're an adult, Marnie. You can do this.
3) Property taxes can change every year, so it's not possible to pay 5 years in advance. That's not how taxes work.
The one pro: I liked the beauty and the beast love story, but I don't like how she has to save him. He also lacked agency in his own life. These two are horrible and I hope they die in a car crash.
You know that friend that tells you a story and has to give you all the supporting details along the way, even if they have nothing to do with the story? That's this book. Your friend wrote this book.
Oh, and there was very little matchmaking. The title is a lie.
Story: 1 star
Character Development: 1 star
Writing/Prose: 2 stars
August 1, 2018
Definitely made me think of Hallmark or Lifetime movies.
Matchmaking for Beginners was a meh kind of book. Not boring but not really exciting either. Out of all the characters, only one was really my favorite: Blix. She is into all of this magic stuff, whether its getting people to fall in love or some tumor healing on herself. She was just full of spark and spunk and I love every second of her in this book.
Besides her, you will also meet Marnie. She's meh in all sorts of ways. She annoyed me constantly because she marries this guy, who doesn't want to be married, and then gets upset when she's handed divorced papers. THEN she ends up in another boring relationship and engaged quite quickly. Of course, her love life definitely had it's downs because she was terrible in those said relationships. However, I can't blame her for everything.
The first guy, Noah or whatever, was a douche in so many ways. I didn't care one bit about him. Then the second guy, I don't even remember his name, was lower than meh. HE was creepy as fudge too. Way too needy and such a god damn turn off. I just wanted to kick him in the nuts so he could man the heck up.
Besides those two noobs, there was Patrick - who I actually liked (a little bit) but his insecurities were very annoying to deal with. Heck, this book was annoying to deal with that I'm so freaking happy I listened to the audio while working today.
Overall, it was meh. Would I reread this? No. Would I watch this if it ever became a movie? NO - well, unless it was just about Blix and had no one else in the movie.
Matchmaking for Beginners was a meh kind of book. Not boring but not really exciting either. Out of all the characters, only one was really my favorite: Blix. She is into all of this magic stuff, whether its getting people to fall in love or some tumor healing on herself. She was just full of spark and spunk and I love every second of her in this book.
Besides her, you will also meet Marnie. She's meh in all sorts of ways. She annoyed me constantly because she marries this guy, who doesn't want to be married, and then gets upset when she's handed divorced papers. THEN she ends up in another boring relationship and engaged quite quickly. Of course, her love life definitely had it's downs because she was terrible in those said relationships. However, I can't blame her for everything.
The first guy, Noah or whatever, was a douche in so many ways. I didn't care one bit about him. Then the second guy, I don't even remember his name, was lower than meh. HE was creepy as fudge too. Way too needy and such a god damn turn off. I just wanted to kick him in the nuts so he could man the heck up.
Besides those two noobs, there was Patrick - who I actually liked (a little bit) but his insecurities were very annoying to deal with. Heck, this book was annoying to deal with that I'm so freaking happy I listened to the audio while working today.
Overall, it was meh. Would I reread this? No. Would I watch this if it ever became a movie? NO - well, unless it was just about Blix and had no one else in the movie.
October 31, 2018
Magical realism meets chick-lit. In other words, simply charming.
And now I want to move to Brooklyn too!!
And now I want to move to Brooklyn too!!
June 20, 2023
I had been wanting to read this for the longest time, but I had never been able to get hold of it in book format, until it was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. So, now here it is, and now I am able to bring my review to ŷ.
If there is matchmaking there must be romance. Right?
Recently, I was watching a Netflix show called Indian Matchmaking. It was so fascinating to watch how this matchmaker would work with these families to find matches for couples. This truly is a very trusted way of doing it.
And now, Netflix has the Jewish Matchmaking show. And this matchmaker works the same way. Interestingly, in this particular show, not one couple matched through the whole season. Why was that? Hmmm�.
On to the review�
So, let us say that matchmaking leads to romance. But romance can also create obstacles. And, if there is a beginning matchmaker, there must also be a seasoned matchmaker to instruct the novice.
And this is where we begin. With Marnie. She is an inexperienced matchmaker. She thinks she knows what she wants. Marriage to Noah. She thinks she knows herself. She doesn’t.
Now, Blix is a veteran matchmaker who also happens to be Noah’s great-aunt. She knows Marnie, too. She knows what Marnie needs.
Even though Blix and Marnie are of different generations, they are distinctively connected and share a narrative voice with each chapter heading sharing who is telling the story.
This reader, is rooting for both these women.
I won’t go into all that happens for these women, because a lot does � and we know that Blix is wise, and Marnie should listen, and she doesn’t � and yet Blix finds a way to still wisely support Marnie. And eventually�(well, no spoilers from me�)
The question is�
So, in the end who matchmade who well?
Cute. Sweet. Compassion. Enchanting. Suspend disbelief.
This is the kind of book that makes a reader sad when it is over because the characters have become such dear and treasured friends.
And then there is this mantra from the book that just feels perfect to carry wherever we go�
Whatever Happens, Love That.
If there is matchmaking there must be romance. Right?
Recently, I was watching a Netflix show called Indian Matchmaking. It was so fascinating to watch how this matchmaker would work with these families to find matches for couples. This truly is a very trusted way of doing it.
And now, Netflix has the Jewish Matchmaking show. And this matchmaker works the same way. Interestingly, in this particular show, not one couple matched through the whole season. Why was that? Hmmm�.
On to the review�
So, let us say that matchmaking leads to romance. But romance can also create obstacles. And, if there is a beginning matchmaker, there must also be a seasoned matchmaker to instruct the novice.
And this is where we begin. With Marnie. She is an inexperienced matchmaker. She thinks she knows what she wants. Marriage to Noah. She thinks she knows herself. She doesn’t.
Now, Blix is a veteran matchmaker who also happens to be Noah’s great-aunt. She knows Marnie, too. She knows what Marnie needs.
Even though Blix and Marnie are of different generations, they are distinctively connected and share a narrative voice with each chapter heading sharing who is telling the story.
This reader, is rooting for both these women.
I won’t go into all that happens for these women, because a lot does � and we know that Blix is wise, and Marnie should listen, and she doesn’t � and yet Blix finds a way to still wisely support Marnie. And eventually�(well, no spoilers from me�)
The question is�
So, in the end who matchmade who well?
Cute. Sweet. Compassion. Enchanting. Suspend disbelief.
This is the kind of book that makes a reader sad when it is over because the characters have become such dear and treasured friends.
And then there is this mantra from the book that just feels perfect to carry wherever we go�
Whatever Happens, Love That.
May 15, 2018
This is one of my favorite kind of books, you know the ones I am talking about, the ones that leave you with a tear in your eye and a smile on your face. The kind of book you don't want to end..... This is not my normal genre but I am so glad I gave this book a chance. This book is full of wonderfully colorful characters and the ups and downs of life and once you pick it up it will be hard to put down. Welcome to Blix Holliday's world.
June 9, 2018
stayed up finishing this.
I LOOOOOOOOVED it!
first off, it had one of the most arresting voices i have read in a long time. it balanced humour and tragedy deftly and it was an utter delight
whimsical and with splashes of magic realism, it has the notes of Sarah Addison Allen but with the joy and sly asides of Rainbow Rowell, not to mention the textured characters of Billie Letts.
Marnie is a completely relatable and snort-your-coffee-out hilarious commentator on what is happening around when she inherits a Brooklyn brownstone rightly (?) hers.....
A treatise on the impressions we make and the community that melds into family, this is a GLORIOUS summer read
to add, the love story was just my catnip---the hero flawed and funny ( oh so funny--- )and smart and the soft way in which they intersect at destiny winsome and loveable.
LOVED IT!
super thanks to EVERYONE who recommended it to me.
now playing pass it on
keeper shelf.
June 22, 2018
A magical confection about two women at opposite ends of life’s funny, messy, joyful dance. You’ll cheer for the eccentric Blix and root for Marnie, her young, unexpecting protégé. Highly recommended—with sprinkles on top.
June 29, 2018
ספר מקסים ומחמם את הלב. בתחילה חשבתי שהוא בז'אנר הרומאן הרומנטי אבל הוא לא בדיוק נופל לקטגוריה הזו והוא כל כך נעים לקריאה וגם משעשע שמפליא אותי אחרי כל כך הרבה ספרים בקטגוריה הזו
שהסופרת הצליחה לכתוב ספר כל כך מרענן.
מארני נישאת לנואה, אהובה מזה שנתיים. הוא עשיר בן למשפחה די פלצנית ובמסיבת ההיכרות עם משפחתו היא פוגשת בבליקס, הדודה האקסצנטרית שעוסקת בשידוכים, קסמים ואהבה אנושית פשוטה מלב אל לב.
אחרי שבועיים נואה מתגרש ממארני והיא פשוט יורדת מהפסים. כשהיא חוזרת לבית משפחתה באיווה, היא מקבלת מכתב מהעורך דין של בליקס שמבקש ממנה להגיע בדחיפות לברוקלין.
הספר מתאר את קורותיה של מארני שהיא טיפוס די מיוחד ומקסים, ממש שובה את הלב. בברוקלין מארני פוגשת את חבריה של בליקס וגם את נואה שחוזר לחייה. אבל לבליקס ישנן תוכניות אחרות עבורה וגם אם מארני מתמרדת וסקפטית היא נכנעת לבסוף למציאות. בדרך היא עושה כמה טעויות ומגלה את עצמה.
Big like לספר, לדמות של מארני ולסופרת שמצליחה לכתוב ספר מרענן ומקסים שכזה.
שהסופרת הצליחה לכתוב ספר כל כך מרענן.
מארני נישאת לנואה, אהובה מזה שנתיים. הוא עשיר בן למשפחה די פלצנית ובמסיבת ההיכרות עם משפחתו היא פוגשת בבליקס, הדודה האקסצנטרית שעוסקת בשידוכים, קסמים ואהבה אנושית פשוטה מלב אל לב.
אחרי שבועיים נואה מתגרש ממארני והיא פשוט יורדת מהפסים. כשהיא חוזרת לבית משפחתה באיווה, היא מקבלת מכתב מהעורך דין של בליקס שמבקש ממנה להגיע בדחיפות לברוקלין.
הספר מתאר את קורותיה של מארני שהיא טיפוס די מיוחד ומקסים, ממש שובה את הלב. בברוקלין מארני פוגשת את חבריה של בליקס וגם את נואה שחוזר לחייה. אבל לבליקס ישנן תוכניות אחרות עבורה וגם אם מארני מתמרדת וסקפטית היא נכנעת לבסוף למציאות. בדרך היא עושה כמה טעויות ומגלה את עצמה.
Big like לספר, לדמות של מארני ולסופרת שמצליחה לכתוב ספר מרענן ומקסים שכזה.
June 18, 2018
Maddie Dawson's Matchmaking for Beginners was unexpectedly delightful. Just when I think that I've been disappointed by too many books lately, along comes this little gem, and yes I live for these delicious surprises. What most compelled me was Dawson's writing style; it's engaging, witty and it hits the right tone. I enjoyed how so much wisdom about love, life and death was dispersed with humor and lightheartedness, coming through even clearer because of it.
There's so much heart in these characters; a little bit quirky, but actually quite normal and loving; especially dear old Blix; who only saw the good in people, or tried to, at least. Blix has the ability to see which people fit together and when she meets Marnie, she knows she has found her successor for her matchmaking projects. Blix leaves her house in Brooklyn to Marnie; and from there the story only gets more entertaining.
I will not get into more detail; so as not to give away spoilers. I would just recommend everyone to read it - good vibes can only come from it. Sparks even.
There's so much heart in these characters; a little bit quirky, but actually quite normal and loving; especially dear old Blix; who only saw the good in people, or tried to, at least. Blix has the ability to see which people fit together and when she meets Marnie, she knows she has found her successor for her matchmaking projects. Blix leaves her house in Brooklyn to Marnie; and from there the story only gets more entertaining.
I will not get into more detail; so as not to give away spoilers. I would just recommend everyone to read it - good vibes can only come from it. Sparks even.
July 25, 2019
“You need a mantra to help you. You can borrow mine, if you want: ‘Whatever happens, love that.’�
Oh my. I hardly ever give lighter books like this a full 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. Actually, rarely give 5 stars at all! But here’s the thing, from page 1 all the way until I closed the book, I had a great goofy smile lighting up my face. Oh, this was fun and quirky, emotional and overall just a great time. Excellent job Maddie Dawson, looks like I‘m off to discover your backlist!!
Oh my. I hardly ever give lighter books like this a full 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. Actually, rarely give 5 stars at all! But here’s the thing, from page 1 all the way until I closed the book, I had a great goofy smile lighting up my face. Oh, this was fun and quirky, emotional and overall just a great time. Excellent job Maddie Dawson, looks like I‘m off to discover your backlist!!
September 9, 2018
Why in the EFF is she talking her fiance into marrying her on their wedding day?!!
A wedding day that he shows up an hour late to and TELLS HER he doesn't want to marry her. So what does she do? she tells him they should get married anyway and they could get divorced later. He refuses (good on him) but she talks him into it
Why???!!!
her words: "I explain then how much more terrible it would be if one of us has to walk into that church and break the hearts of my parents and all the people sitting there by announcing there will not be a wedding"
A wedding day that he shows up an hour late to and TELLS HER he doesn't want to marry her. So what does she do? she tells him they should get married anyway and they could get divorced later. He refuses (good on him) but she talks him into it
Why???!!!
her words: "I explain then how much more terrible it would be if one of us has to walk into that church and break the hearts of my parents and all the people sitting there by announcing there will not be a wedding"
January 6, 2019
Well, that was adorable!
Marnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life—a husband, kids, and a home in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Then Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes—just as Blix told her it would. Marnie’s life abruptly changes and she’s left to pick up to the pieces and try to find the “big life� she wants. review: I thought this was such a cute, charming read! If you’re looking for a book that will pull you in from the beginning, then grab this one! I was so immersed with the characters and found myself SO tuned into the story. The characters are relatable and likable for the most part! This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down! rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️
Marnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life—a husband, kids, and a home in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Then Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes—just as Blix told her it would. Marnie’s life abruptly changes and she’s left to pick up to the pieces and try to find the “big life� she wants. review: I thought this was such a cute, charming read! If you’re looking for a book that will pull you in from the beginning, then grab this one! I was so immersed with the characters and found myself SO tuned into the story. The characters are relatable and likable for the most part! This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down! rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️
February 26, 2022
I probably should give this 2 stars because it IS compulsively readable but...
I wanted to shoot Marnie into the sun. For real. Like, if I went to Brooklyn tomorrow and saw her walking down the street I'd punch her in the face and keep punching her in the face until the cops came to haul me off of her.
The whole Noah thing was bad enough. I mean, it's bad. But Jeremy?! JEREMY?!?!?!?!?!!? I hope she falls into a vat of honey and then stumbles out only to then fall on to a hill of fire ants.
Marnie is, quite literally, the worst.
And yet...AND YET?!?!?!?!
There's a sequel to this book. Honestly, a sequel! It's like the author woke up one morning and decided that what this world needs is more Marnie in it.
No, no we don't.
I wanted to shoot Marnie into the sun. For real. Like, if I went to Brooklyn tomorrow and saw her walking down the street I'd punch her in the face and keep punching her in the face until the cops came to haul me off of her.
The whole Noah thing was bad enough. I mean, it's bad. But Jeremy?! JEREMY?!?!?!?!?!!? I hope she falls into a vat of honey and then stumbles out only to then fall on to a hill of fire ants.
Marnie is, quite literally, the worst.
And yet...AND YET?!?!?!?!
There's a sequel to this book. Honestly, a sequel! It's like the author woke up one morning and decided that what this world needs is more Marnie in it.
No, no we don't.
February 21, 2020
How much did I love this book? Well� I read it in one day!
Maybe because Matchmaking for Beginners by is a complete valentine to what the experience can be like to move to NYC� A previous personal experience that I found to be true and still hold very dear.
Over and over again, the main character will be faced with choosing anger or choosing love after enduring bitter disappointment. She is challenged by the mental fog of familial and societal pressures� All while not having yet gained her own footing in knowing who she is.
Her greatest asset (although unrealized by her) is that she moves forward choosing love. Not without mistakes, for certain. But without malice.
It is a wonderful adventure filled with characters that bring magic, generosity, adventure, humor, humanity� and the occasional “I really want to slap you right now� moments!
Don’t let the title fool you. It is not a traditional matchmaking story for finding romance� But a matchmaking story for finding your true self.
Choose love� And choose Matchmaking for Beginners by .
� Voted a Five-Star Fave with my Book Club!
_________________________
My reviews can also be seen at ... Including my free resources for book club support, reading and DIY home ideas inspired by Matchmaking for Beginners. ✨😎✨
Maybe because Matchmaking for Beginners by is a complete valentine to what the experience can be like to move to NYC� A previous personal experience that I found to be true and still hold very dear.
Over and over again, the main character will be faced with choosing anger or choosing love after enduring bitter disappointment. She is challenged by the mental fog of familial and societal pressures� All while not having yet gained her own footing in knowing who she is.
Her greatest asset (although unrealized by her) is that she moves forward choosing love. Not without mistakes, for certain. But without malice.
It is a wonderful adventure filled with characters that bring magic, generosity, adventure, humor, humanity� and the occasional “I really want to slap you right now� moments!
Don’t let the title fool you. It is not a traditional matchmaking story for finding romance� But a matchmaking story for finding your true self.
Choose love� And choose Matchmaking for Beginners by .
� Voted a Five-Star Fave with my Book Club!
_________________________
My reviews can also be seen at ... Including my free resources for book club support, reading and DIY home ideas inspired by Matchmaking for Beginners. ✨😎✨
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