A Match for Merle

The Matchmaker - Agatha Returns, Book 20

By: Janice Cole Hopkins

Narrated by: Douglas Birk, E.J. Lavery

Merle Warner is a real estate investor who has never had a permanent home of his own. When he decides to settle down, he contacts a matchmaker he finds in an old ad, telling her that he plans to travel to the location of his intended.

Vanessa Acker isn't well-liked in Pinyon Falls because she's too aggressive for most people. She contacts the matchmaker several others in town rave about, hoping to relocate and start over. However, the news comes that her intended plans to come to Pinyon Falls. Will this be her chance for a happy future, or will she just be courting another failure?

©2024 Janice Cole Hopkins (P)2024 Janice Cole Hopkins

Christian Romance

I really enjoyed this story and following the changes in Vanessa. Merle also learned to lean on God like never before.
The story brings out a number of things that the Bible teaches and is clearly inspirational.
I enjoyed the narrator and all the different voices they did.

Differences

Listening to A Match for Merle was delightful. Merle wants to settle down and find a wife. He is matched with Vanessa in Pinyan Falls. Vanessa is a difficult woman and not like by many people. She wants to get out of Pinyan Falls, not stay. It takes all of Merle‘s patience, but he will get what he wants. When a Lord from England shows up in town, things change. Vanessa thinks he is her ticket to freedom, but will he be the right choice.
I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest review.

Good story

I really enjoyed this story. Vanessa had her guard up all the time, to me, it was clear to see that it was a defense mechanism for ber. She finally realized by treating people how she would like to be treated, and to not pre-judge them really makes a difference in how people perceive you. It was nice to see the transformation of Vanessa from beginning to the end and to understand just how the Lord can make a difference in our lives.

I received a free code from the author to listen to this book. I have voluntarily left this review.

WIll Merle find his match?

Janice Cole Hopkins does it again, delivering a story with a message that is as relevant in the time period she is writing as it is today! Agatha is always making the most perfect of matches, and setting up Merle with Vanessa seemed like one of that would be added to her success. Merle is ready to settle down, and meeting Vanessa, he was ready to break down her walls and do it. Vanessa has big dreams though, and she wants out of the small town she is in, and marry for status. The question is, will Merle give that to her. When other options come to light, what will she do?. He keeps his heart with his faith, and just can hope things work out. But does it? Maybe Agatha will have her first failure! give this a listen and find out what happens.

Narrated in duet by Douglas Birk and EJ Lavery, the story is told with all the feelings. Birk is fantastic as he is Merle. He keeps Merle true to his faith and pours his love and pain out in his performance. EJ Lavery comes in as a haughty Vanessa, keeps her in that tone until she breaks and creates a very real character. I loved this collaboration, they truly made the story come to life.

Christian Historical Romance

I expected a bit more about Merle's business to come into the story. The book was nothing like I expected. It was soo much better! The focus isn't on his business, but on their relationship, their hearts! I enjoyed the dual narrators! I believe I've heard these two and enjoyed them in the past. I know the male voice I've heard before, I'm not as certain of the female, but they did great together!