Member Reviews
A big round of applause for Jen Turano! What can I say? I LOVED this book! I just had to finish and ended up with only 4 hours of sleep. I definitely think this is one of her funniest books yet, and they’re all funny! I recall snorting several times.
I just adored both main characters. So much chemistry! I’m so glad Camilla realized how perfect Owen was for her. The supporting cast was everything- from Memaw to the animal menagerie, everyone added humor and something important to this delightful historical romcom. A bit of mystery and a dash of danger too, which I just loved.
Do yourself a favor and grab this book. A perfect light-hearted read with great characters, romance, and history.
I received a complementary copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.
From the first page, Meeting Her Match is a fun and unique historical (Gilded Age) romance with witty banter and colorful characters.
A well-known matchmaker and one of New York’s Four Hundred, Camilla Pierpont is nearly abducted and is rescued by Owen Chesterfield. This awkward “meet-cute” results in Mr. Chesterfield asking Miss Pierpont to take his wayward sister under her wing and sponsor her. Knowing her life is in danger at home (in the Hudson Valley) Camilla accepts the offer to travel with Owen to West Virginia for her protection and to rehabilitate his sister. Camilla has suffered romantic heartbreak and has vowed never to marry, but she is charmed by Owen. However, danger follows Camilla and complicates everything.
Meeting Her Match is a fun and unique historical romance. A hilarious “meet-cute,” a strangers-to-lovers trope, and a daring rescue, are highlights of this engaging and adventure-filled story. Because this is a romance, we expect an HEA (happily ever after) but reaching that point is enjoyable and entertaining!
The sometimes quirky, unique, and memorable characters are the highlight of the story in my opinion! From the family members to the villain to Owen and Camilla, there is a colorful cast of characters and lively banter to enjoy.
If you enjoy a touch of humor in your reading, you will enjoy Jen Turano’s writing! This story is entertaining from the first page!
Fans of sweet romance, stories with humor and adventure, and colorful characters will enjoy Meeting Her Match. Although this is part of a series (which I didn’t know when I received the ARC), it can be read as a stand-alone. I never felt like I was missing something….and a few reviews remark that this one is the best of the series. So, don’t be afraid of jumping in here! I think you will enjoy this author and her humor!
Thanks @bethany_house @AustenProse for a complimentary e ARC of #MeetingHerMatch upon my request. All opinions are my own.
Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano is third in The Matchmakers series. Miss Camilla Pierpont is a renowned matchmaker and very influential member if the New York Four Hundred. She has vowed to never marry, but enjoys helping others find their happily ever after. Mr. Owen Chesterfield has heard of Miss Pierpont’s success and hopes to engage her to help his sister make her way in s West Virginia society. Owen is not known for his finesse, but wen Camilla is in trouble and has to leave New York she decides she would enjoy some time in West Virginia.
This is probably one of my favorite Jen Turano books, and my daughters agree! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to West Virginia in the Gilded Age. As one who has traveled through the area I enjoyed the engaging local characters, the beautiful setting, and the local colloquialisms. Camilla was a delightful heroine who surprised me with her flexibility, sweet nature, and ability to see the best in everyone. Owen was a gentleman with the biggest heart who I adored. The cast of side characters including family, friends, animals, and those who worked with the family were delightful and added so much to the story.
I appreciated the mystery, dialogue, banter and sweet romance which made this such a fun story! The author has a way of making me laugh and her books are so appealing to all ages. I highly recommend and hope you enjoy your visit in this wonderful story.
I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
“YOU read romance novels?”
“I read everything, dear, which has opened up my world and lent me invaluable insight into this troublesome condition we call being human.”
A never ending thrill ride of witty banter and hilarious hijinks, Meeting Her Match will have you laughing out loud! Lovers of sparkling and amusing dialogue will enjoy the abundance of it in this book! Jen Turano excels at dialogue, but she also added some danger and heroic rescues in this one! Best of all, this funny romcom set in the gilded age also points directly to Jesus and his loving plans for His children, which makes this story inspiring and not just entertaining. I really enjoyed it!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I really did love it!
Oh my goodness, I think this is Jen’s funniest book yet! I giggled through the whole story. The mix of eccentric and hilarious characters and the story itself made this an absolute joy to read. I can’t wait for the audiobook to release because it will be hysterical to listen to. I will be buying audiobook as soon as it becomes available and it will be an immediate listen. A fantabulous read!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
This rollicking, Gilded Age romance whisks readers from New York City to Wheeling, West Virginia, at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Jen Turano, known for her quirky, historical romances fills Meeting Her Match with hilarious verbal skirmishes between Camilla, a spinster and matchmaker of New York society and Owen Chesterfield, a wealthy Wheeling businessman, creating tension and turmoil. Camilla agrees to sponsor Owen’s unconventional sister Luella, who loves to fish, has a philanthropical bent, abhors frocks with bows, and has been shunned by the local society.
Camilla and her entourage arrive in Wheeling: Bernadette, her lady’s maid, Lottie, her paid companion, and Mr. Timkin, the butler. Fans of Downton Abbey’s Mr. Carson will appreciate the “butler brotherhood rule of proper behavior,” that Mr. Timkin often invokes. Camilla’s matchmaking days are revived as she becomes enamored with Owen’s family and their busy-body ways. West Virginia traditions and suspicions, not to be dismissed, play a real, but comical role in Owen’s Grandma Beulah’s plans. Hoping to prove worthy, Camilla’s competitive spirit shines as Beulah assigns daily challenges; chores like whitewashing fences and chicken coop shenanigans, all to sneak an apple pie recipe into Camilla’s possession. It’s apparently quite a powerful recipe! Local fare, river trout, potato pancakes and rhubarb pie are woven into the locals’ jargon as they relate sentiments and entertaining stories. Terms like “prickly, beyond the pale, and fit as a fiddle” lace this charming tale of Camilla, the spinster. While in the heavenly countryside of West Virginia refining Luella, learning parlor games such as Key of the King’s Garden and teaching the Star Quadrille, Camila’s “ennui” is kept at bay. Discover the charms of Owen, Camilla, and West Virginia in Jen Turano’s Meeting Her Match; brimming with themes of family, kinship, and camaraderie.
You know how you hate seeing a good book end? This is that book. I smiled and laughed throughout, and ended with a smile and contented sigh.
Jen's books are just fun, and WHERE does she come up with these names??? MURCHENDORFER??? Confusion and chaos and hilarity reign in this book, which I think is the best in the series. And I LOVED the other books in the series.
There's really nothing else to be said. If you want a really good laugh, get yourself this book. You could even read it as a standalone.
~I received a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
What a charming story!
When Owen Chesterfield travels all the way from West Virginia to ask Camilla her to help his wayward and outspoken sister, Camilla decides this is the perfect excuse to leave town as some threats from her past have found her once more.
Camilla has helped match lots of other couples, but certainly never expected to find one for herself, least of all in West Virginia and with a man who annoys her as much as he intrigues her.
What you'll love:
Gilded Age
dual POV
slow burn
fish out of water
all the matchmaking
witty banter
quadrille practice
Meemaw and Esmeralda
the apple pie recipe
daring rescues/protective hero
happily ever after
Oh, these characters! So many fun personalities and when all put together, it was one laugh after the other! Loved the witty dialogue and banter as only Jen Turano can do it! Poor Owen who is pretty clueless when it comes to woman but that only made him more endearing. I love the back and forth between him and Camilla!
Loved all the crazy shenanigans going on and this was a light, fun hearted read, even with the daring rescues and the kidnapping attempts, and was such a great ending to a fun series!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
Last year I picked the previous book in this series, To Spark a Match and when I saw this one, I couldn’t help be get giddy with excitement. I simply adored the previous book! And this one did not disappoint.
Meeting Her Match follows Camilla Pierpont, who we’ve already met in the series, however, while I am familiar with her from the previous book, I can easily say each of these books in this series can be read as a standalone. While the characters from the earlier books are mentioned, our sole focus is the characters and the romance with a side of mystery in this book.
One of my favorite things about To Spark a Match was the banter between our main characters, which led to such an enjoyable read that left me smiling and giggling almost nonstop throughout the entire book. And Meeting Her Match follows that same vibe! Camilla Pierpont is considered to be one of the most influential members of New York Four Hundred and one of the most proper ladies, she can’t help but have her feathers ruffled by Owen Chesterfield who asks for her help with some social rehabilitation. I thought Owen was very sweet, especially with his lacking ability to talk to women. It was very entertaining to see him attempt to compliment Camilla and it came out like an insult. Their constant bantering was so entertaining to follow.
And even when these two weren’t bantering the events that occurred really were just amusing, to say the least. From the very beginning, I was captivated and curious about how things would play out. Right away we’re thrust into a curious situation with Camilla almost being abducted. And from then on, each event afterward was not one I could have seen coming. This was definitely not one that I found to be predictable.
If you enjoy historical romance books with lots of drama, humor, and a side of mystery, then definitely consider picking this one up!
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
I loved the sweet-swoony-slow burning romance between Camilla and Owen. Not only was there romance for the main characters, but befitting a story about a matchmaker, romance was in the air for multiple couples. There were also numerous animals attempting to upstage the humans in so many funny situations. As I’ve come to love with this author, there were many laugh out loud moments with a bunch of wonderfully quirky characters. In addition to witty banter and lots of romance, I was caught up in the mystery and villainy of the people intent on harming Camilla.
I received this book complimentary as a member of the author’s launch team. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.
Thank you to the author, Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is book three in a series but it can be read as a standalone, although I think reading the other books will enrich the experience as there are frequent character crossovers.
Witty and lighthearted, set in Gilded Age New York and West Virginia. This book has everything: romance, comedy, family drama, history lessons, and even a little bit of action. I laughed out loud at the antics of the Chesterfield family, and swooned for Camilla and Owen ☺️
Found a new author to watch out for in Jen Turano. Didn't know historical romances can be this fun!
Made me crave for apple pie!
I am a longtime Jen Turano fan. I recommend her books quite frequently, especially to those who are looking for a fun, lighthearted read or a book to get them over a reading slump. I will be a bit more cautious about recommending this one. Meeting Her Match goes beyond fun and lighthearted into corny and silly. The interesting mystery of identifying would-be-kidnappers quickly fell to the wayside until the last quarter of the book. I would especially caution residents of Appalachia and those who hold the region in special affection. I do look forward to Turano's next book. She has too many wonderful books under her belt for me not to anticipate another wonderful one.
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Meeting Her Match from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Meeting Her Match is book three in The Matchmaker's series that is written by Jen Turano. This might be my favorite book of the series. First, look at the cover. The cover design team always do such an amazing job with her covers. This story can be read as a stand alone. This author is a master at her craft. She transports readers back in history. Her careful research and fun historical details make her stories so fascinating to read.
In this story we meet Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. Owen Chesterfield seeks out Camilla to try and get his sister sponsored. His sister, Luella. is a “ragamuffin”, ( I have not heard this phrase since I was a child ha ha). Luella has been a social outcast. While in New York, he sees Camilla and her paid companion getting chased by bandits. He offers to have her accompany him back to West Virginia, and she agrees knowing that her she was in danger.
Owen has a habit of putting his foot into his mouth. and Camilla helps to teach him manners. I also loved his family, they were quite hysterical. My husband looked at me several times during my bursts of laughter.
The author has done it again. Just when I think that her stories cannot get any better, boom a new release comes out. I have really loved this Matchmaker series, and cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. The book is well written, she has done her research to bring what life was like to life.
Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
3.5 ⭐️
A sweet romance with witty banter between Camilla and Owen, and a cast of fun side characters and a few additional mini-romances !
Although not my favourite of the series so far and I wish we saw a bit more romance between the leads , I did get a few good chuckles
What is blooming in your neighborhood? My hydrangeas and lilies look lovely in my yard. My purple clematis is growing on my house right now too. We’ve had such a rainy summer that some plants are not doing as well as others. These three flowers are doing fine with the rain.
Camilla Pierpoint and her paid companion Lottie are nearly kidnapped by highwaymen and mistake a man who tried to save them as one of the highwaymen. When the dust settles Camilla discovers that Mr. Owen Chesterfield has traveled to seek her help as a matchmaker for his beloved sister, Luella. Luella is a “ragamuffin” who has found herself a social outcast and shunned by the man she loves. Camilla is a member of the elite New York City “400,” and Owen hopes that she will help Luella to rehabilitate her social standing. Camilla decides to help as she loves a challenge and wants a change of scenery to thwart would be kidnappers. Will Luella be rehabilitated? Will Camilla discover who is trying to kidnap her?
My thoughts on this novel:
• I love the cover of this novel. I really like when covers show an entire person including their face. Her purple gown is striking and beautiful. It really made me want to pick this book up!
• This is Book 3 in The Matchmakers series. I’ve read Book 2, but not Book 1. They work well as standalone novels, although I do still want to read the first book. There is a good excerpt of Book 1 at the end of this novel. Characters such as Camilla appear in the other books.
• I love the Gilded Age setting of this novel. It helped to fill my void waiting for another season of the show, The Gilded Age.
• The West Virginia setting for part of the novel was unique and fun.
• Speaking of fun, this novel was a lot of fun. It had me laughing out loud at several points. The story drew me in immediately with the action-packed kidnapping in the first chapter. The action soon turned into humor as Camilla and Owen have their misunderstanding. The madcap comedy reminded me of some of my favorite screwball comedies from the 1930s or favorite romcoms from the last thirty years. The banter between the characters was great.
• The characters were three dimensional and interesting including both the leads and the secondary characters. I enjoyed all of them, especially the leads Camilla and Owen, but also Meemaw and Luella as well.
• Even the animals were great characters and hilarious. Esmeralda the pig has a grand entrance to the story, and I also enjoyed El Cid the cat squaring off against the pig.
• This novel is a clean read with romantic kissing only.
• Owen went to school for engineering! I always love finding engineers in fiction.
• I just love stories with matchmakers in them. I am not sure why, but I think it’s fun when a matchmaker is trying to bring a couple together, and inadvertently finds love for herself. Maybe it all goes back to my love of Emma by Jane Austen.
• This book had a lot of fun tropes including a fake engagement, forced proximity, and enemies to lovers.
• Great first line, “Being chased by highwaymen was certainly cause for concern, as was the idea she was in imminent danger of losing her seat because riding sidesaddle, and while dressed in the most fashionable of riding habits, was not exactly conducive to escaping from a most dire situation.
• Life is still super busy and stressful for me lately and reading this novel was a great escape. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed spending time with these characters.
Overall, Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano was a fun historical romantic comedy that I greatly enjoyed reading. It has wonderful characters, banter, and a fun story line. I highly recommend this novel.
Book Source: Review copy from Bethany House and NetGalley as part of the AustenprosePR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This has to be Jen Turano's funniest book to date, and I've read all of her books. I've decided that some of the crazy things she adds in her books are based on something that has happened to her.
The meet-cute with enemies to more, add in a fake engagement with Jen Turano at the helm, you are guaranteed witty banter, a group of eccentric characters, one pig and a story that will keep you laughing from beginning to end. I loved Owen's family but that poor guy couldn't help from putting his foot in his mouth.
If you enjoy laughter in your books, kisses that are almost but become kisses, and matchmaking mayhem then you will want to snag this book!!!!!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
After reading the previous books in the series, I was looking forward to Camilla’s story. It did not disappoint!
The story starts with an attempted kidnapping that leaves our perfect lady heroine soaked in a muddy river. Camilla and the hero are instantly at odds, but they end up being thrown together.
I am a fan of the haters-to-lovers’ trope, so I enjoyed reading the banter and the growing relationship of Camilla and Owen.
The book includes Jen’s signature humor. The supporting characters are quirky and fun. Crazy pets, including a marauding pig, add to the story.
And then, there is the infamous apple pie recipe…
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys rom-coms, historical romance in a unique setting, and fun characters.
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Another hysterical historical romance by Jen Turano! The 3rd installment in the matchmaker series, this book follows Camilla Pierpont, self-proclaimed spinster and matchmaker amongst the New York 400. When she is called upon by Owen Chesterfield to take his sister in hand to make her fashionable amongst the elite in Wheeling, WV, she finds a great escape from a potential threat to herself in New York. While this is the 3rd book in the series, it could easily stand alone. The main characters from the other books are referenced in this one, but you will not be lost if you have not read books 1 and 2 prior to reading this one.
I really enjoyed the different setting of this book and the fact that the romance was a slow burn. The humor had less to do with outrageous scenarios such that happen in Turano's other works (though because there is a pet pig in this one, there are still a few of those), and more to do with the difference in culture between New York and West Virginia. As well as some meddlesome relatives of Owen's. There was a bit of suspense/intrigue in this one as Camilla's life is threatened more than once, and good character development throughout as well. I enjoyed the underlying feuds included in the story and how those were resolved, as well as the side romances that also had a place in the story. There was a subtle but present faith thread and forgiveness was a theme throughout as well. All in all, this was a wonderful, well-rounded humorous historical romance and one I can heartily recommend. Special thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
Jen Turano’s books never fail to delight me. Her wry and hilarious sense of humor, casts of quirky and endearing characters, and rib-tickling plots combine to make for hours of reading fun. Meeting Her Match is set in the Gilded Age, partly in the Hudson River Valley of New York, but mostly in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Renowned matchmaker, Camilla Pierpont, is recruited by Owen Chesterfield to help his sister become more acceptable in society. A dangerous situation prompts Camilla to accept his offer, since she feels she would be safer in West Virginia. She, of course, has to bring along her entourage of unconventional servants which, combined with the many eccentric characters in Owen’s family and vicinity, make for a lively and entertaining group. Adding to the fun are Esmerelda the pig, El Cid the cat, and Gladys the dog, along with a Chesterfield family apple pie recipe superstition.
Like many of her stories, Turano’s tale gives subtle (and some not so subtle) pokes at “High Society” and “the New York Four Hundred.” I liked the juxtaposition of high society New York and down-to-earth West Virginia, and the slow-burn relationship change between Camilla and Owen. They are some of my favorite Turano characters. I recommend this book and series to those who enjoy amusing, light-hearted historical romance. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.
This book was hilarious! I love the author’s sense of humor. As with other books by this author, I found myself laughing throughout the entire book. But not only is it funny, the story of Camilla and Owen is romantic and a little adventurous because there is a villain after Camilla in the story as well. Owen’s family, especially his Meemaw, is such fun! I love how Meemaw was convinced that Owen and Camilla would be an Enemies to lovers couple like in the books she reads. There are so many fun things happening in this story. Overall, it’s a wonderful story and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the netgalley and the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.