“A man who gave her books was a man who knew the way into her heart.”

I need to blurt this out: Readers will love Kiernan Shanahan! Of all the leading men in the Matchmaker series to date, Kiernan Shanahan, Riley Rafferty and Sullivan O’Brien, Kiernan is my favourite. Is it because he leaves books on Alannah’s pillow? Maybe!

Should you read this just to figure out why Kiernan is so beloved? Sure, but you’ll also see the four reasons why I love a Jody Hedlund book.

Firstly, Hedlund inspires readers with her faith thread. In this case, it’s lessons about prayer and righteousness. With so much happening that could derail them, Alannah Darragh and Kiernan Shanahan stand up against wrongdoing. Taking the harder route means danger and hardship for them and all they love, but readers see the value and reward in doing the right thing. Hedlund spotlights the chasm between how we think prayers should be answered and how God answers, reminding us that He knows best.

Secondly, Hedlund educates us about the historical events in her setting. I learned about the rebuilding after the Great St. Louis Fire, the resulting need for brickworks and glassworks factories, and the cholera outbreak. By painting a full picture of her setting, and paying attention to details that make it authentic, readers aren’t dragged out of the world she’s created.

Thirdly, Hedlund always pays special attention to the social conventions and presents an authentic setting. She knows the controversy that would arise if Kiernan and Alannah were to become too friendly or seen together unsupervised. Hedlund’s attention to authentic dialogue also adds to the grounding of her story.

Lastly, Hedlund’s characters are always internally consistent and yet she crafts them to be capable of surprising readers. She’s mastered the art of crafting fully realized characters and imbuing them with the perfect measure of chemistry. I’ve loved following Bellamy McKenna and his influence on the Shanahan family! I hope Hedlund isn’t finished with this series.

You’ll get more than you bargained for in this series. You must put it on your radar.

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House through NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

3rd and last book in this series. I'm sad to see it end as I've enjoyed it so much!
This Alannah's and Kiernan's story. And my most favorite of all!
I simply couldn't put this wonderful story down! I finished at 2am it was so good!
I've loved getting to know each character and felt like they were my friends when this story ended.
Hedlund has done a wonderful job with this series. I loved every minute of it.
This book will keep you turning the pages until the end once you start it.
There's some humor in it along with a bit of mystery to make it interesting
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.