Tuesday, April 11, 2023

About the Book

Book: A Match in the Making

Author: Jen Turano

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: February 21, 2023

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America’s most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn’t expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention–and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at jenturano.com.

More from Jen

A Chat with Jen Turano

You’re known for writing historical romantic comedies set in the Gilded Age. What made you decide to write in that particular era?

Funny thing, when I first tried my hand at writing historical, I wrote Regency—think Jane Austen, lots of drama, dukes, and probably a few countesses in serious need of attitude adjustments. One of those books, I believe I titled it A Marriage of Inconvenience, is the book that landed me my first agent. But, as she was shopping that book around, I read this fascinating book about Alva Vanderbilt. There was so much drama involved with the New York Four Hundred during the latter part of the nineteenth century that I threw myself into researching everything I could find about high society. I’ve been writing about that fascinating moment in time ever since.

Your new series revolves around matchmaking. How did you come up with that idea, and what can we expect?

I’ve been wanting to do a matchmaker series forever, and that idea reinforced when I watched Season 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and there was a prevalent matchmaking thread. However, I didn’t want to do a normal matchmaker story, which is why I decided it would be hilarious to have a heroine accept a paid companion position and then, due to unforeseen circumstances, find herself turned into an assistant matchmaker even though she has absolutely no experience with matchmaking in general and is actually old enough to be considered a confirmed spinster.

How do you come up with such unusual ideas?

I think I just view life a little differently. I’ve always been rather weird, so when I think of matchmaking agencies, or lady detectives, or hat makers, I begin thinking up all these outlandish situations and then, just when my heroine or hero thinks that nothing else could go wrong, I throw something else at them. It’s a highly amusing job at times, although I’m certain my characters don’t appreciate my odd sense of humor.

Do you have a favorite character or book?

I adore Gertrude Cadwalader from Out of the Ordinary, although that’s not my favorite book. My favorite book is Diamond in the Rough because Poppy Garrison gets herself in some fabulous messes.

Your characters do seem to find themselves in some interesting mishaps and messes. Do you write these from personal experience?

You know, I have to admit that a lot of the outlandish situations I write are based on either observations I’ve made over the years or . . . yep, they’ve happened to me or my friends. I’ve definitely led an interesting life, although I do embellish the situations in some instances—creative license and all that.

How do you come up with such unusual names?

Contrary to what some may believe, I don’t make up any of my names. I scour old obituaries or shake down my friends who are into researching their ancestors for cool names. That’s how I got Mercy Miner, Temperance Flowerdew, and Lucetta Plum.

What’s coming up next?

I just finished up developmental edits for the second book in the Matchmakers series, so now I’ll go back to writing the third and final book in that series. After that? Well, I’m not positive yet. I have two ideas roaming around in my head for the next series I’ll delve into, but I simply don’t know which one I want to write quite yet.

Thanks so much for having me! Always fun being here with your readers.

All the best,

Jen

MY REVIEW

I love the author’s humor when she writes and this book is full of laugh out loud moments. The first book in this new series is a delightful look at matchmaking with a side of antics that heighten the story with chaos. Gwendolyn is such a fun character to follow with her no nonsense ethics and need to prove herself to her employer. I laughed when she soon discovered that she not only was going to be a companion to Mrs. Parker but also her matchmaking assistant. Poor thing has no idea what she is getting herself into as she begins her summer. I liked how Gwendolyn was not afraid to speak her mind when encountering people who try to, well let’s just say try to push themselves forward in a race to marry a certain gentleman. The women were not shy about tripping each other or spilling a drink on one of their competitors.

Walter is easy to figure out as he knows that he really needs a wife to help him with his three children. During the time period the story is written, the women were to be in charge of all the children’s needs and the husband was out making money. It is evident that Walter knows very little about his children when they continue to cause havoc wherever they go. I loved his children and knew they needed someone to step in and show them love while disciplining them to understand right from wrong. Walter has an encounter with Gwendolyn that doesn’t go well but she does learn what he is looking for in a wife. Their banter is fun and entertaining as Gwendolyn is now assigned to find him the perfect match. What Gwendolyn does question is why he is not looking for a marriage of love but rather a person to take care of his children.

I love the way Gwendolyn is able to make a connection with Walter’s children. They respond to her well after a few less than perfect shenanigans they try. The author shows us how important it is to give children a chance to explore their world yet be able to take direction when needed. I loved their time at the beach where Gwendolyn fishes with them and allows them to just be kids. This was such a sweet moment in the story and I could see how secure the children felt around her. There may have been a little incident as they were fishing but I will not mention it here.

The story is not only a look at matchmaking but a look at the Gilded Age where society is one that people think they are better than others. The author illustrates how we should not judge people because of their place in society. We should love each other equally and unconditionally . I loved the ending and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.