Matchmaker’s Best Friend
About the Book Matchmaker’s Best Friend
Book: Matchmaker’s Best Friend
Author: Kari Trumbo
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release date: March 30, 2021
“You’re just like a brother to me. I don’t like you in that way.”
When they dated ten years ago as teens, it almost destroyed their friendship. So Pen Reese did the only logical thing. She lied about how she felt—and still feels—about him.
She’s still paying for that lie.
A brilliant plan to set Mike and a friend up and get over him has one problem.
It’s breaking her heart.
When Pen pushed him away, Mike Gaines assumed she just didn’t understand his faith. People like her persnickety aunt even claim he’s part of a cult—ridiculous, but it’s true. Still, if she wants him to play the part of a big brother, fine. At least he can stay close this way.
At first, Pen’s attempt to set him up with one of her close friends hurts. But what if it’s the perfect opportunity to show her what she’s missing if she sees him with someone else?
In this friends-to-more-meets-second-chance romance, The Matchmaker’s Best Friend continues the Elnora Island romances of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.
The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts on Matchmaker’s Best Friend
I love this book series! They each have captured me from the first word and not let me go until the tale is over. But also I want to start the next book in the series because they’re all amazing and each does build on a character from one of the others so it’s like getting back to a good set of friends.
This book focuses on Pen but we also see old friends like Mallory pop up and get involved. We have also met Pen before so that’s fun too.
I loved watching Pen come to terms with her life and what she wants and how she feels. She’s stuffed things for so long that it’s almost an awakening for her.
I actually didn’t like the friend that Pen convinces to fake a marriage to Mike. Yes they tell her it’s fake but Pen acts like she hopes they’ll have a romance so they pretend to. But it’s just mean because this poor friend has some issues and though Mike knows about them, they have kept the friend from having a romance of her own. And now she gets a fake one and it’s hard for her not to feel it’s somewhat real and she gets hurt. I’m not a fan of that.
Overall I loved this story though I did have that disapointed moment I mentioned above. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
About the Author of Matchmaker’s Best Friend
Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.
Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.
Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one is listening and curling up near the woodstove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.
More from Kari
Pen is Mightier than the Sword
Especially in sparkly, stacked espadrilles and pink power suits. Don’t let Pen Reese’s pink façade fool you, she’s a businesswoman to the core, with a heart of gold. She has built a party planning business from the ground up, and she’s about to create another.
Pen is one of those characters that I could just see CLEARLY as I was writing. She is about ninety percent, Elle Woods, from Legally Blonde and ten percent a close personal friend. I heard her voice in my head. I could hear her talking as I wrote the book. Her personality was perfect for the energetic party planner.
I’m sure if I put a character description up without context or clarity many people wouldn’t want to read the book, they would write Pen off as shallow. But she’s not. She’s heartbroken.
Do you still remember your first love? Maybe you still care for them? Pen fell hard for her first love and no matter how professional she is or how many lavish weddings she plans, she can’t forget the one wedding she’ll never get to create. Her own.
Pen thinks that if Mike falls for someone else, goes off, and gets married, she’ll finally be able to move on. So, she sets a plan in motion. That’s when her world completely falls apart and you see the tender parts of Pen that she doesn’t show to just anybody.
She is a very complex character and I hope she touches you as she touched me.
I hope you enjoy Pen’s tale of matchmaking gone wrong.
Blog Stops for Matchmaker’s Best Friend
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 14
Books and Everyday Life, April 14
Labor Not in Vain, April 14
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 15
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 15
lakesidelivingsite, April 16
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 16
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 17
Rebekah Reads, April 17
Artistic Nobody, April 17 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 18
A Novel Pursuit, April 18
She Lives To Read, April 19
deb’s Book Review, April 19
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 20
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, April 20
Splashes of Joy, April 20
Aryn the Libraryan, April 21
For Him and My Family, April 21
Texas Book-aholic, April 22
Blogging With Carol, April 22
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 23
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 23
CarpeDiem, April 23
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 24
Connect in Fiction, April 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 25
Simple Harvest Reads, April 25 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Inklings and notions, April 26
Godly Book Reviews, April 26
Batya’s Bits , April 26
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 27
Blossoms and Blessings, April 27
Giveaway for Matchmaker’s Best Friend
To celebrate her tour, Kari is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!
Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10acd/matchmaker-s-best-friend-celebration-tour-giveaway
Kari Trumbo
Thank you for reading and reviewing. I’m so glad Jazzy touched your heart. If it makes you feel any better, Mike is the catalyst for Jazzy’s story (my next book in the series). I hope you enjoy that one even more.
Erin S.
I had hoped that that would be the next couple in the series coming soon. I can’t wait to hear their story.
Caryl Kane
Erin, Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts.
Erin S.
Thanks for stopping by!