**I received a copy of The Matchmaker and The Marine from MC Two Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions were not solicited in any way**

The Matchmaker and The Marine by Lucinda Race is a second chance romance for both Adam and Melinda. The romance is a slow build up between them and I wish that there was a bit more to the ending and a bit of heat in the romance with that being said I give the book a 4.6 star rating.

Melinda Phillips moved to Chester, CT to start over with her matchmaking business. She meets Adam Bell when they attend the wedding of their friends. As a former Marine, Adam carries the scars and secrets of his last deployment so when he puts in a bid on her pergola he decides to see if he can find "The One". But when they start to share their past can he share his painful one?

Adam Bell wanted to be a career Marine but a IED on his last deployment changed his plans and life he decides to start over in Chester where his best buddy Will lives. He goes to visit Melinda to see if she can find a match for him. He'll soon have a little kitten Skye and a job making her a gazebo/pergola they will both realize that the only match they both want is each other. He'll have to tell her about his accident in Afghanistan before they can truly become a couple.

Sorry, this was. DNF FOR ME. thank you to netgalley for the arc. The writing was poor and the plot was too drawn out.

The story of Melinda and Adam.
She is a matchmaker, helping others find the happiness she had before she was widowed.
Adam wants her help, he is starting to date after being hurt by his ex.
Neither of them expects to fall for each other, but will their baggage keep them apart?

So, I got through this book in just under two days and only because the premise of the story was promising, and I was hoping it would get better the more I read.A badly injured and emotionally scarred marine returns to civilian life feeling less than worthy of love and closes himself off to it,even while going through the motions of looking for love.A matchmaking psychologist is the person he turns to for help and things developed from there.The standard tug of war between doing the right thing or giving in to your emotions ensue and we have a story.While this trope is not new, I've always enjoyed reading about the struggles and misunderstandings that dot the path to happy ever after. My one complaint with this book was that some of the dialogue was inane and appeared to be written by a high schooler, so much so that it kind of dragged , allowing my brain to wander off from the story.If you are looking for sparkling conversations and an evocative read , this is not it, but if a slow, relaxing read is your cup of tea, pick this one up.

He seems to know enough people at this wedding.

Ooh, who's Anita?

I guess a matchmaker needs a bit of psychology as well.

Quiet, isn't he.

He has manners, I like that.

She's easily pleased yet very impatient.

How else do you make iced tea?

Susan is crazy.

They are basically dating at this point. Pet rescue and food sharing seals it.

Whoa, really? That's so cool!

Holy mixed messages, woman.

Poor Diana.

My grandma put ketchup on spaghetti.

I'm so happy she didn't get all angsty on him.

Anita is a twat.

That guy was a butthead. Sorry, Mary.