This is such a sweet book about a generous and caring person who was passionate about her town and what it represents. To some who would drive by, it was a small town that had vacant storefronts and a lack of activity. But to Katie, it was home and a home that she was proud of. What I enjoyed about this book that it didn't state that living a simple life means that she didn't know how to enjoy life. Family and friends and surrounding.yourself should be more than enough. I think that what Nush said is correct when she describes Kelly's. It may be four walls and a roof but it is the people inside of it that matter the most. That is why Katie fought so hard to preserve her town and save Kel!y's. To start a Matchmaker Gathering focused on a wishing well and how true love can be found. Her and Callum's love on!y added to the book. I really enjoyed it.

Would you rather live in a small town or a big city?!

For Katie, her small town is the o my life she’s ever known and couldn’t imagine it any other way. But, she’s about to learn that nothing stays the same forever. Swipe for synopsis! 👉🏼

❤️What I loved about it:
•The small town setting and all the quirky members of the community.
•Catherine Walsh is hilarious and her witty banter is my favourite!
•Callum 😍
•Why did I get all misty over a love scene that wasn’t even between the two main characters at one point! 😆

🖤What I didn’t love:
•My only complaint was that it took a long time for the MC’s to get together and then it was a bit 0-60.

I really enjoyed this book! I laughed, I felt the feels and was grinning at the banter! It maybe wasn’t as romantic as Holiday Romance by the same author, but the story was still entertaining and I would definitely recommend!!

Thank you @netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC.

The Match Maker comes out April 18th, 2023!

I want to start off by thanking Catherine Walsh for this ARC. As always, I feel forever grateful every time I receive one. Now, onto the real review. Right off the bat, I have to say that when I read the summary for this story, I never expected it to be anything more than a fluff read. The plot wasn't particularly unique, and yet, Catherine Walsh somehow had me crying at one part of the book. Her story had so much heart and soul, and I could feel it in her characters.
The story follows Katie, a bartender from a small town in Ireland. She has barely ever left town, and she's perfectly content with that. She has everything she could ever want and need in Ennisbawn. It was perfectly peaceful until Callum turned up. Callum is part of the developmental team that's making a huge hotel in their town. The disgruntled town members have accepted the fact that the hotel was going to be made in their town, until they find out that the hotel plans to knock town the bar that Katie works in, Kelly's. Not only is it the bar that Katie works in, but it's the last remaining bar in town! She quickly comes up with a scheme to try and save the bar. Irish folk are really into saving their history, so she decides to revive the famous Matchmaker's event the town used to hold every year. With the help of her friends, and the rest of the town, will they be able to save Kelly's?
Right off the bat, I liked how well developed the characters were. They all had so much personality, and not just characters on a page. I sometimes feel like secondary characters fall flat, because authors don't care enough to bring them to life. They focus so much on their main characters, that they forget about the rest. But Catherine did a great job allowing you to genuinely get to know the side characters, without taking away from the plot or the main characters. Another thing I really loved is the fact that Katie was content with her life. I feel like a lot of the time characters like Katie either leave and come back, or don't leave and feel remorse. I liked how sure of herself she was. Overall, it was a super fun read, and would love to get a story following Jack! 4 Stars.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
This was my very first Catherine Walsh book and I dove into it without any expectations.
I was hooked from page one. This book is about small town Katie who's teaming up with her friends and family against the big corp developers that are taking over and ruining her idyllic little Irish town. This book had everything i like in a romantic novel. I'm a sucker for the enemies to lovers trope so this book was right up my alley. The characters are all very well written and I loved every single one of them, even the ones you weren't supposed to like. This book through and through is really well written, funny, lovely and just really heartwarming. I both laughed out loud and cried whilst reading it. I feel like the ending could have been a little bit more well developed but that's only because I wanted much more of the story and of Katie and Callum.

this was such an enjoyable, well-paced romcom that was the perfect mix between realistic and unrealistic!! LOVED katie, she was such a strong main character. also loved all the side characters (even though i struggled to keep up with them at first), the sense of community in this book was so good. gemma, adam and noah particularly have my heart, i would definitely read a book focused on them! katie and callum had great chemistry and a perfect love story <3

This was my first ARC book that Ive read and reviewed, and it exceeded expectations. The first page had me hooked and I binged the entire book with every chance I had.

The storyline of a small-town pub being bulldozed by a developer and the MC’s Katie saving the day with the festival was delightful, entertaining, and emotional. The backstory of MC’s parents and her closeness to the village and pub added plenty of depth to the plot.

Callum was my favourite character he is charming, helpful and so thoughtful, Catherine brings all her characters to life and she didn’t disappoint on the hero. The chemistry and the spice between the two main characters was what had me hooked the most.

A sign of a future bestselling book – I was left wanting more when I got to the end. This book has the potential of a Netflix film for sure. I absolutely recommend The Matchmaker to fellow romance book lovers. I give this book 5 stars without hesitation and I can’t wait to read more novels by Catherine Walsh.

Loved:
Relationships between friends
MC’s bold grandma
Callum

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review.

What a fun book! I really enjoyed reading this, all the characters were great even the one you were supposed to dislike wasn’t that unpleasant! The main character Katie was exactly the right mix of fun, a bit sassy, vulnerable and deserved all the good things that came her way. I would definitely look out for this author again, it was a great read xx

Small town girl is trying to save her town from the big bad developers.
This is my first time reading anything my Catherine Walsh and she is hilarious. I found myself binging the first half of this book. The MC’s grandma was everything. Unfortunately, for me, somewhere after that first half it just fell kind of flat.
I definitely will be checking out her other books though!
3.5 stars rounded up
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review!!

A great read! Was hooked by the romance but I didn’t expect to like ALL the characters and also find myself laughing out loud. Catherine Walsh really knows how to set up a relationship, the scenery, and the growth our MC goes through. Would definitely recommend this one to any fellow romance lovers.

This book is a delight. I loved it so much!
The humor, realistic dialog, banter, and characters you want to be friends with - it’s all so good.
I wouldn’t have complained about a bit more between the main characters, but this one leans more towards Women's Fiction than Romance. And what we do get is excellent. Also, I loved the character development.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

This is the first ARC (advanced readers copy) of a book I’ve received for review and my expectations were weary. Well, I’m sorry to all future reviews for how high the bar now is but really you should blame Catherine Walsh for writing the freaking cutest, most loveliest, book that feels like the equivalent of a warm hug from the-friend-that-isn’t-a-hugger-but-when-they-give-you-one-you-know-it’s-real-and-then-they-make-a-joke-to-break-the-moment… just me? Point is, this story in all its banter, small-town vibes, sweet romance, and realistic conflict was exactly what I’ve been needing. I was actually truly loling… like actually out loud; that’s not easy to accomplish and she did it.

The hardest part about reading this book was not being able to force my friends to buy it right now since it wasn’t out yet. And you can bet I’ll be buying the audiobook on the 18th so I can experience it all again but this time in an actual Irish accent and not the terrible one in my head.

Go read this story.

Highlights
- The banter - the banter!
- Grumpy MMC on the outside, absolute simp on the inside
- Incredibly relatable and likable FMC
- Sassy Irish grandma
- Amazing supporting characters
- Realistic conflict!

You should read it if
- You love an ensemble of characters with depth
- Your eyes hurt from rolling them so hard every time a character has a dramatic stupid argument over something that could have been solved incredibly easily
- You like the idea of Rowan in Heir of Fire turning into Cassian in Silver Flame once he finds love
- You are alive

You shouldn’t read it if
- You want every book to make you feel awful. It will make you so happy and sounds like that would make you sad… which might make you happy again? Actually, you should probably read it just to be safe.
- You own a hotel conglomerate and love bulldozing tiny towns to fill your pockets with dirty, dirty money
- You have given up on love and would firmly like it to stay that way

Read this book if you’re in the mood for
- A low-stakes, high-reward cozy romantic comedy that will actually have you laughing out loud and falling in love with everyone.

If you like _ you’ll like this
- Book Lovers
- Derry Girls (maybe just cause Gemma reminds me of Erin’s mom)
- The small town from Part of Your World
- When Harry Met Sally (did I mention the banter yet? Cause, the banter)

Where to Buy
- Pre-Order now for the digital copy and post pub-date, physical and audiobook will be available
- Also Kindle Unlimited!

More from this author
- Holiday Romance
- The Rebound
- One Night Only - this one was supposed to show up today but is delayed, come on Amazon!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

I absolutely loved the idea behind this book! So cute, frustrating, endearing, nerve wracking, and just so many emotions.

First of all, I love Callum! He is so kind and caring and he tries hard! Plus, he's good with his hands 😏

I wish his brother had a bit more in depth development at the end. I love that he did develop a bit and helped with driving Granny to the hospital and all that, but I feel like there could have been more.

The small town vibes and characters were spot on and I love the fierce portrayal of these individuals! Mixed with their own real life struggles! Loved it!

World building was detailed and descriptive.

Engaging and entertaining!

There were a few grammar issues where words were wrong or missing - for example chapter 23 it says "you should the blue dress" it should probably say you should wear the blue dress. And a few pages later in the same chapter it says "the village teeming with guess" when I think it meant to say Guests. There were a few of those throughout the book. But it was still a really enjoyable story!

This was really cute. I missed CW's books and characters, her descriptions of small Irish towns and her grumpy but lovely characters. The romance was good, I loved how there's little smut and it's not based just on it. My favorite character has to be Granny Maeve. Somehow, CW's side characters are really interesting and wonderful!

The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh is a delightful, heartwarming read that will have you laughing, cheering, and swooning from the very first page. Set in the charming Irish village of Ennisbawn, it's the perfect escape from reality.

The story revolves around Katie Collins, a feisty young woman who's determined to save her village from the clutches of a hot-shot developer, Callum Dempsey. He's got plans to build a hideous hotel and knock down Ennisbawn's only remaining pub, which happens to be the last connection to Katie's parents, who met at the village's famous matchmaking festival.

In an effort to save the pub and her village, Katie decides to revive the matchmaking festival and become Ireland's newest matchmaker. Along the way, she discovers that love might be more than just a formula, and that even when someone's not your type on paper, they might just be the perfect match for you.

The chemistry between Katie and Callum is electric, and I couldn't get enough of their banter and witty comebacks. But Granny Maeve stole the show for me with her spunk and sarcasm. She had me laughing out loud and rooting for her from the very beginning.

I also loved that Walsh left us wanting more with the other two couples in the book. I would love to read a spin-off about them and see how their relationships develop.

Overall, I give The Matchmaker 4 stars. It's a fun, heartwarming read that will leave you feeling good and wanting more. So grab a cup of tea, curl up in your favorite chair, and get ready to fall in love with Ennisbawn and its charming residents.

At this point Catherine Walsh’s books are must reads, and I recommend them to anyone I talk to. The Matchmaker is no exception! You will fall in love with each and every character and root for not only the main love story but for the side love stories as well. 10/10 would recommend!

Cute, witty and entertaining! I liked the authors use of story telling and symbolism. The book was formatted great and I could not put it down!
This book was gifted to me by NetGallery, all opinions are my own.

What a fantastic read, I absolutely loved the style of writing from Walsh, and found myself laughing out loud at certain parts, while still maintaining a strong storyline and plot.

Dialogue between the characters was witty and fun, with depth that meant I fell in love with all the characters.

I can’t wait to read more from Catherine Walsh!

Highly recommend for a light, easy and thoroughly enjoyable read.

It's been two days since I finished this book, and I'm still thinking about it. It was so much fun! Granted, I finished reading it after finally doing my taxes but the prospect of it got me to deal with them in record time!

It's a delightful romantic comedy that will get you laughing, swooning, and wishing for more. It's my first book by the author, but it will certainly not be my last because what a gem! So happy I got to discover Catherine Walsh through The Matchmaker. The romance was pretty sweet, and I was pleasantly surprised by the last bit of the book! There are relatable side characters that add life and fullness to the story, and the small Irish village where it takes place is charming and cozy, which creates the perfect atmosphere to want to stay there forever.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!</i>

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Overall, a super cute and fun read! I have a soft spot for Ireland so was very excited for a romantic read based in a tiny Irish village and I’ve even visited the real village Ennisbrawn is based on. This story would make the perfect romantic comedy movie and is great for a pick me up read!

Katie lives in Ennisbrawn – a very small village where not much new happens. She lives with her grandmother since the loss of her parents in a car accident and works at Kelly’s, a bar run by her friend Adam. Kelly’s used to be famous for its Matchmaker Festival, made extra special as her parents met there. Enter Glenmill. They plan to knock down large portions of the village, including Kelly’s, to build a luxury resort. Callum works as part of this team as security. When backed into a corner, Katie and her friends make a last minute plan to revive the festival to save Kelly’s. As a result, hilarious and sweet antics occur!

The initial meet-cute of Katie and Callum was hilarious. One of the best I’ve read in a while. Their growing relationship felt real and had me swooning so many times. Callum is serious and gruff, but his loves for Katie is evident in his actions and grand gestures. It’s obvious he would do anything for her! “Anywhere you want to go. If you want me to, I’ll follow.” My heart!

While the love story stood out strong to me, many other pieces of the story worked well. The author included some delightful Irish lore mixed in such as the wishing well and fairy circles. These elements added to the charm of Ennisbrawn. Granny (Maeve) was an absolute gem of a character. I aspire to be as spunky when I’m her age. Katie’s friend group were a joy as well. The really defined the found family trope. I enjoyed reading about their relationships and cheered for two in particular (don’t want to spoil)!

Such a cute rom com. At the beginning, Katie reminded me so much of myself. NO ONE WAKES A GIRL FROM HER PRECIOUS SLEEP and gets away with it!! I loved the growth we saw inKatie, Adam, Callum and Gemma. You also can't help but fall in love with Callum. Each character brought a distinct personality that made this a page turner for me. Definitely a cute, small town romance.