DNF at 20% and skipped to ending.

I really tried to like this one, especially after LOVING Matchmaking for Beginners and looking forward to picking up where Marnie & Patrick left off. I felt it didn't have the same ease and flow as the first book and I just couldn't get into it.

I am grateful for the opportunity to read an advanced copy and wish the book much success.

This was an excellent read surprising me with its somber tone. In all honesty, after seeing the whimsical cover and reading the blurb, I was expecting a much lighter fare. Throughout the story, Marnie and Patrick were struggling with a whole host of demons and dynamics. With Fritzie added to the mix, they had one tough road to travel to get to their HEA. However, once my expectations were realigned, I fully appreciated this significant, heart-wrenching read. Well worth a tear or two.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Maddie Dawson for an ARC of 'A Happy Catastrophe' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

There’s a lot to like about this book, and in fact for the first three quarters or so, it was more of a four-star read for me. The characters are really well-developed and complex and messy and real, and the relationships are very carefully and meaningfully developed and fleshed out, with the exception of Tessa (more on that in a moment). As a result, it all felt very relatable. The book was heavier than I was expecting, but not in a bad way - it tackled people’s problems and inner demons in a real way.

The final quarter of the book was what knocked it down to three stars for me. It was just too convenient and out of whack with how deeply built the characters are. I saw the outcome of the Janelle plot line coming from a mile away, for one thing. For another, I was very frustrated at how the major trauma/PTSD was treated toward the end. There wasn’t even a therapist involved. And I just could not understand Tessa. It never made sense to me now she could just have a total about-face about her own child and then basically never look back. It just didn’t fit, and I found myself getting annoyed and frustrated with how nearly everything tied up at the end. It felt incongruous with the depth and messy complexity of the characters and relationships to that point, and reduced my enjoyment of the book.

I was a big fan of Matchmaking for Beginners and was really excited to receive this ARC. A Happy Catastrophe allows readers to see what happens “after they get together.” Patrick and Marnie were really relatable and fun characters to read about. While there was less magic in this story than MfB, there was still a touch added to remind you to believe. This book had so many laugh out loud funny moments and also moments where I had to grab my tissue box. Fritzie was hilarious and lovable. I absolutely loved her relationship with Marnie. Patrick is struggling with very real mental health issues that I thought were depicted very honestly. Everything in this book felt thoroughly real. Marnie and Fritzie were both such a light for Patrick with unwavering optimism. I was so happy Patrick and Marnie were able to work through their issues and I absolutely loved the ending. Now we just need another installment!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I didn’t think too much about there being another novel after Matchmaking for Beginners, but I was excited when I saw this book pop up on Net Galley. I really enjoyed this second novel that allows the reader to get more invested with our main characters Marnie and Patrick.

I feel like this second book relied a little less on the ideas of magic than the first book, which might make it more appealing to some. I really appreciate the writing style, I love cute romance novels but I can’t stand cliche dialogue and tropes. This storyline is so not cliche. I appreciated that it dealt with real life issues like ptsd and fertility.

This book was a delight to read and I hope others enjoy it as much as I did once it’s published. Thanks for the advanced copy!

I absolutely adored Matchmaking For Beginners and was so excited to see Patrick and Marnie get an entire book. A Happy Catastrophe is absolutely everything, hilarious and devastating at the same time. Both Patrick and Marnie were so relatable in how life can drag you down sometimes without even realizing it's happened, my heart thoroughly ached for both of them. I love Marnie's whimsy seeing sparkles and talking to Blix through the old toaster, her kindness, patience, and love for others, she's everything I want to be. I so badly wanted to help Patrick, at times he was so frustrating, but his actions and words accurately captured the very real struggle with mental health issues. The descriptions in this story made me feel as though I was right there with these characters, right down to the way Fritzie smells. This is an absolutely fantastic book, it had me laughing and crying, it was a definite roller coaster, I can not recommend it enough.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a new and refreshing take on a romance with a little magic around the edges. In such stressful times it was wonderful to read a book with such a bright outlook that didn’t shy away from all the little catastrophes that make life....life. I highly recommend this!

This book is pure sparkles and joy and I had the biggest smile at the end. There is magic in this world and Marnie helps us to believe in that even if people can't see past the darkness (ie Patrick with his sculptures of Annaliese) or what is occurring in a day to day basis. Fritzie is true light and it is she that embodied the true love and purity that brought them back together.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my copy.

I absolutely loved this book! I was so excited to see there was a sequel on Netgalley. I loved Matchmaking for Beginners. It was a book I found with Amazon First Reads. I loved it so much I bought an actual copy of it when it was released. I’ll be doing the same with this one as well.

This book continues Marnie and Patrick’s story. Marnie is ready to get married and have babies while Patrick is still living in his dark past.

Their problems begin to get worse when a woman shows up with Patrick’s daughter who is a product of a one night stand. Patrick did not know he had a daughter which brings more intense insecurities. He becomes afraid he isn’t enough for Marnie while Marnie believes in him with her whole heart.

This book is so realistic. I felt for both Marnie and Patrick as they try to work through so many issues. The ending was just perfect. It was so wonderful being back in their world. I may need another book of their story. ☺️

I loved Dawson's Happiness for Beginner's, so I was eager to read her next book and was even more delighted to find out this is a sequel to Marnie and Patrick's story. Four years later, Marnie and Patrick are co-habitating in New York City. Marnie is eager to begin a family, Patrick is more reluctant. When young Fritzie and her mother arrive on their doorstep, life as they know it is forever changed. As a darkness settles in their lives, Marnie's belief in magic wanes. While their home is often full of friends and family, something is missing.
This book was not as light and whimsical as the previous story, yet the ending was beautiful and satisfying, so I definitely recommend A Happy Catastrophe.

I adored the first book from this series and was totally intrigued to see where their story would take us. It was fabulous to catch up with Marnie, a character you just can’t help loving for all her optimism and positivity ❤️ and she was certainly on top form as we rejoined her and Patrick , happily settled together. However the universe springs some surprises on the pair and we watch as they try to adapt to their new family and situations.
Just as I was in the first book, I was totally captivated by the story, the new characters were so wonderful and I enjoyed seeing them join the family.
I found the book utterly spellbinding and full of magical moments. I do hope there will be another opportunity to spend time with these gorgeous characters in a follow up book one day. 🤞🏻

As the sequel to Matchmaking for Beginners, A Happy Catastrophe picks up with Marnie and Patrick madly in love several years later. Their lives are soon consumed by chaos that challenges everyone - even Marnie's unwavering optimism and belief in the magic of the universe. It is an emotional book that will have you feeling both giddy and deeply moved, a testament to Maddie Dawson's skill as a writer.

I found the title, A Happy Catastrophe, slighly misleading; I spent so much time empathizing with Patrick's deep despair and PTSD - so much so, that at one point I nearly gave up on this book. But, as a note to readers, push through that feeling because Maddie Dawson will reward you at the end with a beautiful story of forgiveness and unconditional love... and a little sparkle.

I highly recommend this book!

Galley copy given for free courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Marnie and Patrick live in a brownstone in Brooklyn. Marnie is a matchmaker and owner of a flower shop. She has a bright, bubbly personality and attracts many followers, mostly teenage girls who like to hangout in her shop. Patrick is an artist, introverted and shy, he barely survived a gas explosion that killed his previous girlfriend and now has disfiguring scars all over his body. Being 33, Marnie wants a baby, Patrick does not. Cracks start to appear in their crazy, happy existence. Further cracks appear when Patrick comes face to face with 8 year old Fritzie, a product of a 2 night stand with a friend of his sister’s. Tessa, Fritzie’s mother wants to spend a year in Italy with her lover, and has decided it is time for Patrick to parent. Add to the mix, Marnie’s mother decides she tired of her 40 year marriage and bored with her husband so she moves in with Marnie, Patrick, and Fritzie. Then of course, one of the teenage followers, Ariana decides to move in as well. With the icing on the cake, Patrick is preparing a “comeback” art exhibition, leaving him a bundle of nerves and doubt.


I really enjoyed the author’s first book that introduced Marnie and Patrick, but I had a hard time with this continuation of their story. Patrick’s self flagellation throughout the book was tedious and depressing. Had I not been doing a review, I would not have continued past 20% of the book, but I persevered and found a happy ending. The author has talent, but much of the time Marnie , her mother , and Tessa were acting more like teenagers and Fritzie an obnoxious brat.
I wish to thank author/publisher/netgalley for an advance copy.
3.5 stars

Another love story by Maddie Dawson with a dash of chaos. Sweet and lovable moments throughout the book with a heart warming happy ending. You cannot go wrong with this book. Its a bit long, but its worth the read.
Thank you NetGalley, Maddie Dawson and Lake Union Publishing for reader’s copy of this novel. The review is based on my opinion and was not influenced.

In "A Happy Catastrophe" Maddie Dawson has authored another life-giving book! We follow along with Marnie and Patrick once again as their relationship goes through a series of difficulties: grief, unexpected parenthood, etc. Dawson takes us on a wonderful journey which leads to a happy conclusion. I really enjoyed the foster care/adoption themes as that is very timely for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute story with a little bit of magic and a lot of love. The story features an eclectic cast of characters. At times it feels a bit over the top and chaotic but overall the story is sweet. I found the book to be a bit long for my taste. A lot of introspective narration that could be cut down but I would still recommend it for a read.

ARC received from netgalley for honest review.

Oh this sweet Rom-Com hit me in ALL THE FEELS!!
I absolutely love the character of Marnie - her personality, her outlook on the world, the way she loves completely and with her whole heart. She truly inspires me! I want to be more like her, I want to meet more people like her and I want to read more about her!
Marnie is a flower shop owner and matchmaker who literally sees "sparkles" around people who are meant to be together. And she makes it her mission to make that happen no matter the situation. The flower shop is just a side gig for all the love she is trying to spread. Her live-in boyfriend Patrick is a similar amazing human, but with a much darker past that is constantly threatening his happiness and his life with Marnie. Add in the arrival of Patrick's previously unknown 8-year-old daughter, Marnie's mother and a smattering of other unique folks and you have a delightful story of redeeming love on many facets!

A Happy Catastrophe, a whimsical adventure. We follow Marnie, Patrick, Blix (now in the form of a toaster) along their journey of raising an 8 year old that just showed up on their doorstep.

Marnie is a matchmaker. As her mother says, she’s got the “magic”. She gets sparkles when she sees people that should be together. She lives with Patrick, her boyfriend. A burn victim that saw life again once he met Blix, and then met Marnie.

This was a fun read. I enjoyed Marnie’s optimism and passion for life. About halfway through the book, I was annoyed with Patrick and his antics. Everyone deals with grief differently, but I just couldn’t grasp the total 180 he made. Tessa was absolutely horrendous. She was narcissistic and callous. I’m glad Marnie was able to be in Fritzie’s life.

Fritzie was the absolute star in this show. Her comments, (kids really do say the darndest things!) her questioning, and of course her defiance made her such a great character. I hope to see her more if the author chooses to make another book after this.

Overall, I give this 3.5 stars. It was short, sweet, happy ending wrapped in a bow. It did get a bit murky in the middle where I found myself lacking attention. I was able to be roped back in by her mother or by Fritzie.

I would like to add there may be some TW/CW: for grief, loss of a loved one, or burn victims. Thank you NetGalley & Lake Union for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review! A Happy Catastrophe comes out May 26th!

This is the sequel to Matchmaking for beginners and I was so excited to get a chance to read it! Some of the same great characters with a few new ones sprinkled in. It was a mostly feel good story with a little bit of drama. I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoyed Matchmaking for Beginners!

This book was so good! The characters were so well rounded, you felt like you actually knew them! The plot was so good you didn't want the book to end!