About the Book
Book: Matchmaker’s Best Friend
Author: Kari Trumbo
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release date: March 30, 2021
Links in this post may be affiliate links. Purchases made using these links will not cost you more but may pay me an affiliate fee. Check out my links at the end of this posts of things that I think may interest you. Thanks for using my links.
“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 Review
Trumbo, Kari. Matchmaker’s Best Friend. NP: Celebrate Lit Publishing, 2021.
Matchmaker’s Best Friend is the third book in the Elnora Island series of Celebrate Lit Publishing. It is part of the larger Independence Island series. I love how a group of authors have taken a setting and a base group of characters and each created their own unique story about the place and people. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
Kari Trumbo focuses on Pen Reese, the wedding planner we have met in previous books in the series. Thanks to a suggestion of sorts from her cousin, Pen comes up with the idea to have a fake wedding to promote her party planning business. Is it really a good idea? She convinces a girl friend (who has never dated) and a guy friend (who she once dated) to be the couple for this wedding. Is hiding your true feelings ever a good idea? Trumbo shares some good relationship advice throughout the twists and turns of this plot. Matchmaker’s Best Friend is a clean contemporary romance.
High school girls would probably enjoy Matchmaker’s Best Friend and the other books in the Elnora Island and Independence Island series. It would be a good addition to a K-12 Christian school library or a church library.
I received a complimentary copy of Matchmaker’s Best Friend. This is my honest review.
About the Author
Where western meets happily ever after.
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’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove 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 suit. 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 things 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 like she touched me.
I hope you enjoy Pen’s tale of matchmaking gone wrong.
Blog Stops
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
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
You can purchase books at: (affiliate links)
I55 Fundraising – If you are looking to purchase books for your library (or for personal use) or a company to use for Book Fairs – I recommend I55 Fundraising.
Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans
My Teachers Pay Teachers shop
If you are an avid reader, you need to check out Totally Booked: A Book Lover’s Companion
Other items you may be interested in: (affiliate links)
Blick Art Materials – Enjoy Free Shipping on Orders of $45 or More! Promo Code CFDC. Exclusions apply.p>
Michaels – 20% off All Regular Price Purchasesp>
Reading Eggs – 30 Day Free Trial For Educators!
Library Lady's Kid Lit 
I’ve been waiting for this release! So excited!
LikeLike
This sounds like a book that I am really going to enjoy!
LikeLike
Wonderful review, Jane! Sounds like a fun series. Thank you for hosting.
LikeLike
This review gives some details about the setup for the story that were missing for me and makes the premise even more interesting now.
LikeLike
This sounds like a great read and I love the book cover, Thank you for the chance.
LikeLike