Miss Moseley the Matchmaker

by Caylen McQueen

She might be a spinster, but no one knows love better than Molly Moseley. Her unrivaled eye for romance has led many couples toward their happy endings. Molly prides herself on being a remarkable matchmaker… until Lord Rocksavage asks for an impossible favor.

Molly and Lord Rocksavage have been friends since childhood, but there is something he doesn’t know: she is secretly in love with him. When he asks Molly to play matchmaker for him, her world is turned upside down. How is she supposed to find a wife for the man she’s loved her entire life?

Her life is further complicated by the arrival of Julian Crawford, a reserved older gentleman who makes her question what she really wants…

Genres: Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Novella

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2012

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Regency romance novella that's a fun, quick clean read. Nothing earth-shattering but also not quite in the usual run of Regency romances; it's a little bit more thought-provoking. If you like this sort of thing it's worth spending an hour or so of your time on.

[Sometime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly enjoyable novella. I was in the mood for something quick and this fit the bill. I loved reading about Molly the spinster and her surprising suitors. I was a little worried I was in for an angst-fest but this turned out to be sweetly romantic with a nice twist ending.

[Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most heart warming romance novellas. There is an unexpected turn to the story that at first I was not sure I liked, but after Julian's letter I was so touched. This is what true love does and is all about. I loved that the Hero turned out to be rough at the edges in the beginning. Very often love stares us right in the face but we don't see it because the package is not what we think it should look like. I did not want this story to end. I would love to see this as a movie. Even though it is a short novella, there is enough material for a BBC production. Starring Richard Armitage :-) I will be purchasing more kindle books by this author.

[Wealhtheow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vaguely set in the past, with very modern manners and dialog. Molly Moseley is a thirty year old spinster who enjoys matchmaking her friends. Then the man she's loved all her life asks her to find him a wife. Molly tries, but her heart isn't in it. Even as she's being tormented by feelings for Lord Rocksavage (!), she catches the eye of a dour, villainous looking man. Molly has to choose between her lifelong crush or her new friend.

Short, with no real plot or much characterization.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book by mistake but I'm glad I did. I am beginning to appreciate books set in this era. A very quick, easy to read, fun, wholesome story. Not a lot of substance but I found it entertaining.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Late night read. All promise and no substance. Nonexistent plot, two dimensional characters and a very unsatisfactory ending . There was little, if any believable romance.

[Lee Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique plot

This was an unexpected surprise. A fresh take on friends to lovers, with the unlikely hero and great heroine. Charming and witty. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, cute, predictable. Had a very abrupt ending.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unexpectedly cute book. I found it for free on Amazon and was instantly charmed. Molly Moseley is a sweet character who honestly loves the people in her life. The conflict that developed from confused feelings was believable and quickly resolved. There is a bit of angst, but, like it is in any good romance, the angst is quickly resolved. I'm glad I stumbled into this book and I look forward to checking out more from this author.

[Eclectic Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pulled a delightful historical romance off my TBR pile that totally captivated me. This book is all about discovering love when we least expect it.

Miss Molly Moseley is the legendary thirty-year-old matchmaker who can easily imagine love blossoming in everyone else's lives, yet struggles to envision it for herself. She is so relatable because she is so focused on helping others find love, while her own romantic feelings seem tangled in unrequited love. But there is a twist. The man she's had feelings for since childhood, Daniel Shelton, Lord Rocksavage, expects Molly to help him find the perfect bride.

Daniel is self-absorbed and oblivious to Molly. He barely kept in touch during his absence and expects her support on his return. When Molly finds him a suitable match, Iris Crawford, he only notices Molly when Iris's uncle Julian Crawford shows interest in her. A bit too little, too late in my opinion.

Julian Crawford is the rugged bachelor introduced as another suitor for Molly, creating a clear love triangle with Daniel. Unlike Daniel, Julian is determined, sweet, and genuinely devoted to making Molly happy. Their rapport adds a rich layer to the narrative, and I found myself rooting for the rugged guy, who was ready to give Molly the grand romance her heart craved.

What made this read truly special were the heartfelt letters Molly writes to her deceased sister and confidant, Madeleine, and Julian's truly endearing letter of his own, which made him the true winner in my eyes. 

This novella is a charming, thought-provoking journey through love, self-discovery, and the unexpected twists that fate can throw our way. The pleasant, interesting storyline left me smiling; however, the abrupt ending left me wanting more. 

For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first chapter I felt deflated, but, felt it wasn't right to judge a book just on one chapter, so I persevered. The book then set an interesting comical and tragic plot. So I keep reading... I then felt confused about Madeline and was frustrated that we didn't get letters back from her. I was also frustrated by not knowing what Daniel was thinking. His actions made him seem like an unworthy friend, so self centred and full of himself. Why the heroine loved him, I think was just down to her own low self esteem, The book then took an interesting turn, when we find out that Madeline is dead, this part of the book was worth more stars... as is the ending.... I can only say I was frustrated when Daniel proposed, after realising what a good friend he would loose if Julian continued to woo her. He was clearly just thinking of himself. Thankfully, her Grandmother sets her straight... and the final proposal in the rain is as romantic as Romeo and Juliette. I was only sorry that the book omitted the chapter when she breaks off her engagement with Daniel... overall a good plot and was brilliantly written in places... Needs a better opening though...

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely historical romantic novel put me in mind of other such works like Pride and Prejudice, and though this is not my favourite genre to read, I fell in love with the characters in this book and as usual Ms. McQueen's writing wins me over. Molly Moseley is a spinster, who regards herself as somewhat of an expert in matchmaking, however when her best friend, Lord Rocksavage asks her to put her skills to the test to find him the perfect wife, she is taken aback, as she has been secretly in love with him like forever. However not wanting to fail in what she took pride in, she tries to find his perfect match for him, and in doing so comes across an older gentleman, a certain Mr. Crawford who though he had been a self declared bachelor, expresses his love for her. This of course puts poor Ms. Moseley in a real fix, especially as things with Lord Rocksavage take an unexpected turn. I love the way this novel plays with our hearts, taking twists we were not expecting till the very end. I am so glad I took a chance at reading this novel because as usual with Ms. McQueen's writing, I was not disappointed.

[Kristy Halseth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had higher expectations for this. It was a let down. I can see a lot of potential but it falls flat. It comes across as less than believable. There seemed to be no character development. And what little there was was unflattering to the characters. I gave it three stars and then dropped it down to two stars. Still, that may be too much. I thought that with the potential for better story, it deserved two, but maybe that is the very reason it deserves only one. It had potential that the writer just ignored. Or failed to see, even. I talked myself into lowering it. Maybe it should be one.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is quite quaintly endearing Molly's practice of writing to her beloved dead sister Madeline as sort of a therapy. Other than that, I would not like to comment on Faith and Beliefs because such devotions and commitments are very personal and vary from each person. Back to the book ~ it touches on relationships that have become habitual and expected, in other words even the feelings that Molly have for Daniel fall under "habit and routine" and also on the Familiarity~breeds~Contempt cliche. Julian came along at just the right time to save Molly from a painful and rude awakening.

[Janet Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky recency romance

Perceptions this story is about changing perceptions. Convinced she is never going to have the love of her life the heroine settled to be single however find a herself engaged in conversation then feelings for another develop...... Original guy suddenly decides heroine is the love of his life, jealously ensure but the unsung hero wins out. Not convinced I would read another from this author as story prodded a bit had some great moments but not really an engaging tale

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted novel (not deep) read when traveling that was a good length for the story line. A lady who has a real gift at matchmaking is asked to match up her dearest friend and the love of her life. A man will never look at his dearest friend who is also considered on the shelf for his partner so poor Molly must find someone else to be his bride. It is quite comical how she tries to do so and the interactions she has with the other characters. The path to matchmaking teaches Molly about her own heart.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if two or three stars, if I had paid money I might feel harsher. Cute but very very short. I don’t normally like romance stories where you don’t know who exactly is endgame but this was enjoyable. It is short enough that you don’t spend enough time with either of the men to really form an opinion as a reader, so you go off the narration of how Molly feels. All side characters are pretty much caricatures, which wouldn’t be a real problem given the length, but it came off trying a bit too hard sometimes.

[Tonya Breck · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was a quick and cute read, it didn't feel like the characters really belonged in a historical setting. Also, not much development was giving to the Molly and Julian relationship. While we were told about her feelings for both men and how they evolved, it didn't feel like we actually saw it play out in the story. Perhaps it would have done better with a bit of fleshing out, and either a change in the setting or in the personalities/attitudes of the characters.

[Paul Sabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly entertaining and touching Romance!!!

This is a really great read for the Historical Romance in the Regency period. It's very well written and sprinkled with humor! It's very touching and captivating. It's so nice to read a clean Romance!!! This story focuses on the way feelings of love can creep up on someone from an unexpected person. It gives hope to those who don't find love in a timely manner!!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

While the premise was certainly interesting, I have to say I was a bit confused about how the storyline did a complete twist and then ended rather abruptly. I also wasn't particularly enamored with how so much of the integral explanations of the plot occurred in letters to a person who wasn't actually a character in the story. It was a sweet story and if you're willing to overlook the letter writing and abrupt ending, you may enjoy the story.

[Emma Mcdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

The beginning seemed promising, but there was far more telling about the characters feelings than showing. The story rushed into the unrequited feelings, pouring out the entire back story in a few pages and then rushed into the new love. Quite frankly I felt hit over the head with this story rather than drawn into it.

[Melody Oakerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprise and delight as a match is made

Such a sweet tale of the "always a matchmaker, never a match" is dumped on it's head when a precious spinster finally finds love for herself. Her hero returns after months apart and fans the embers into a flame of love but who will she choose?

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cute story about love.

I admit I wanted to read it because my maiden name is Moseley. But i really enjoyed this delightful story
and now want to read other books by this author.

[PLP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my heart!

Now this is a romantic book! Wow! I just wish it had been longer. I would have liked to have gotten to know Julian better. I think the courtship could have lasted longer but Molly deserved the best and I think she got it.

[Sister Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

IA good clean Read.

I liked that the book was clean and clear, no bad parts but a great plot. I felt sorry for both men at some point. I would read more like this. I hope more happen very soon

[Sara Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really hoping for something more interesting as the MC was 30. Instead, she was as fanciful and silly as an 18 year old. Thinking Romeo and Juliet or Lancelot and Guinevere were romantic? At 30 and firmly on the shelf? Unlikely.

[Holly Bargo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and satisfying

Unrequited love gets a sweet twist in this gentle tale of proper romance. It ends rather abruptly and without the confrontation that I expected, but the HEA works well and hints at a sequel.

[Adelheid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying too hard

For a historical romance, this one strains credulity. The ambiance is okay, but pretty flat characters for the most part and predictable. Fortunately, true love wins in the end, but there are other stories I would rather read.

[Carol Greenwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story barely began and it was over.

There was no development of the plot and the book ended. What a disappointing read. I cannot believe there is a sequel to an unfinished story.

[Catalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable little free novella from Amazon.