Saved by the Matchmaker (a Shanahan Match Book #2)

Rocio OrdonezOctober 2026

★★★★☆

Saved by the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund ⭐️ 3.5/5 Stars I really wanted to love this book because the premise sounded right up my alley! A marriage of convenience between two people who have been hurt in the past and are struggling to believe they’re worthy of love? Yes, please! First, I do want to mention that although this book is apparently considered a standalone, I personally wouldn’t recommend reading it that way. I didn’t read the previous books, and there were quite a few characters and references that made me feel like I was missing some important background information. Even the ending seemed to set things up for the next book. So, if you’re interested in this series, I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning! Now, onto the romance! Our FMC has been deeply hurt by her previous marriage. After being abandoned by her husband, she’s left with emotional scars that make it difficult for her to trust men or believe that anyone could genuinely love her. She’s a strong-willed woman, but underneath that strength is someone who has been made to feel unworthy of love. Then we have Sullivan O’Brien, a quiet, battle-scarred man who has his own insecurities. After being rejected because of his physical scars, he’s convinced himself that finding someone who will genuinely love him isn’t realistic. He’s simply looking for a quiet, agreeable wife to satisfy his father’s wishes. Of course, the two end up in a marriage of convenience, and this is where I thought the story had SO much potential! Unfortunately, I found myself getting frustrated with both characters. They had built up so many emotional walls, and while I understood why, so many of their problems could have been resolved if they had simply sat down and communicated with each other! 😭 I love a good slow-burn romance, especially when both characters have to learn how to trust and love again. But for me, something was missing. I wanted more emotional development, more meaningful conversations, and a deeper connection between them. Overall, I think the story had a really promising premise, but the execution fell a little flat for me. I finished it because I wanted to see how everything played out, but unfortunately, it wasn’t a book that left a lasting impression. Would I recommend it? Personally, probably not. It wasn’t a terrible read, but I don’t think it’s one I’d be rushing to recommend to my friends. Final rating: 3.5/5 stars! ⭐️

2 likesComment