The Matchmaker

Description

In this moving story about losing and finding love again, a woman sets out to find the perfect matches for those closest to her.

Forty-eight-year-old Nantucketer Dabney Kimball Beech has always had a gift for matchmaking. Some call her ability mystical, while others, her husband, celebrated economist John Boxmiller Beech, and her daughter, Agnes, who is clearly engaged to the wrong man, call it meddlesome. But there's no arguing with her results: With 42 happy couples to her credit and all of them still together, Dabney has never been wrong about romance.

Never, that is, except in the case of herself and Clendenin Hughes, the green-eyed boy who took her heart with him long ago when he left the island to pursue his dream of becoming a journalist. Now, after spending twenty-seven years on the other side of the world, Clen is back on Nantucket, and Dabney has never felt so confused, or so alive.

But when tragedy threatens her own second chance, Dabney must face the choices she's made and share painful secrets with her family. Determined to make use of her gift before it's too late, she sets out to find perfect matches for those she loves most.Elin Hilderbrand has lived on Nantucket for twenty years. She runs every morning, delivers her children to their sporting events, and frequents the front row at the Chicken Box. The Matchmaker is her thirteenth novel.”A loving portrait of an island….It’s like renting a cottage on Nantucket for the weekend – breezy and sad when you come to the end.”—The Boston Globe“A new Elin Hilderbrand novel has come to signify the start of summer to readers. With the idyllic island setting and her eye for details, her books make you want to plan a trip to Nantucket even before you’ve turned the last page. Her stories are always chockfull of relatable characters and situations, sprinkled with a little bit of escapist fantasy for good measure. Like a good summer barbeque, there’s something for everyone here….So get a nice comfy chair in a shady place and dive in!”—The Book Reporter“The queen regent of the easy-breezy summer read.”— The New York Post“Charming, poignant…Hilderbrand’s narrative is thoroughly readable, with likable heroes and believably despicable antagonists…an engaging read.”— Publishers WeeklyThis is my favorite read of the summer so far.”— Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free PressPraise for BEAUTIFUL DAY:

“A perfect summer read.”—Ladies Home Journal“A wedding readers won’t be able to resist crashing.”—Kirkus Reviews“Hilderbrand’s latest is the perfect beach read….[her] straightforward style pulls the reader into the minds of her characters, and all the secrets and sorrows that create the universal messiness of major family events.”—Publishers WeeklyPRAISE FOR SUMMERLAND:

“Summerland is as readable as any beach book, but with a much bigger heart.”—Boston Globe“The Queen of the Summer Novel…Hilderbrand blends real-life issues – depression, teen alcoholism, bullying – with her signature soapy twists and illicit romances.”—Joanna Powell, People“Hilderbrand has once again written an engaging story wonderfully illustrating the often complex lives of young people struggling toward adulthood.”—Booklist“A sensitive glimpse into the lives of damaged people groping their way toward healing.”—Kirkus Reviews

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