Review of Calling on the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #1) by Janelle McCurdy
Oh boy, where do I even start? When I first came across Calling on the Matchmaker, I was curiously drawn in by its charming premise and the promise of a quirky romance. I mean, who doesn’t love a good matchmaking story, right? Unfortunately, what I thought would be a delightful journey through love turned out to be more of a complex maze where I kept hitting dead ends.
Let’s talk about the main characters, Finola and Riley. Finola has a backstory drenched in a hefty dose of tragedy, feeling unworthy of love after a heartbreaking accident involving her baby sister. Then we have Riley, the local hero known as “Saint Riley” (yes, you read that right), who has his own tragic past involving a close family disaster. While I appreciate character depth, the gravity of their backstories felt forced—more like a pity party than an engaging foundation for their romance. The depth was overshadowed by over-the-top melodrama, making it difficult to connect with them authentically.
The plot, which should have been the lifeblood of the story, seemed to falter early on. I was intrigued by the initial premise of Finola trying to scare Riley off with a fake list of dislikes, but within two chapters, it became a smorgasbord of uncomfortable moments and rushed romantic developments. Instead of building tension, we got premature makeouts and a rushed revelation of mutual feelings that left me scratching my head. I had hoped for a sweet, comedic exploration of misunderstandings, but instead, I was met with cringe moments that veered dangerously close to disbelief.
And can we just address the elephant in the room? Riley’s encounter with cholera—and the absurdity that followed—left me dumbfounded. Finola, unbeknownst to Riley’s condition, climbs into bed with him to keep warm (yes, that happened), all the while sharing a kiss with a man battling a life-threatening disease. I found myself shaking my head in utter disbelief.
As for the writing style, while McCurdy has a way with words that occasionally shines, the pacing felt rushed, abruptly bouncing from one scene to the next without giving the moments the breath they needed. The narrative became disjointed at times, leading to a reading experience that was more exhausting than enjoyable.
Despite the immense potential I saw in the initial idea, the execution left much to be desired. The book was marketed as Christian fiction, but with the level of longing and sensual tension on display, it barely felt true to that genre. The moments that could have been tender were instead laden with awkwardness, leaving me feeling uncomfortable rather than charmed.
In conclusion, Calling on the Matchmaker may resonate with readers who embrace over-the-top drama or find humor in the ridiculousness of romantic tropes. However, for those looking for a well-developed romance with nuanced characters and a believable storyline, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. This reading experience was a lesson in navigating expectations, and while I wished for a heartwarming tale, I was ultimately left feeling somewhat deflated. Maybe the next matchmaking endeavor will hit the mark? Here’s hoping!
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