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The Perfect Passion Company #2
A Laborer in the Vineyard of Love
For fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s many beloved series and romantic standalone novels, The Perfect Passion Company e-original series shows him at his most perceptive, playful, and generous.
Katie Donald is learning the ropes at the Perfect Passion Company, which provides help to the lovelorn citizens of Edinburgh. Katie is assisted in her matchmaking endeavors by William Kidd, a talented knitwear designer in the office next door with a sympathetic ear, a playful interest in the business of matchmaking and a long-distance fiancée in his native Melbourne.
George Fane, a thirtysomething hotelier tied to his family business and an overbearing mother, arrives one day asking for Katie’s assistance in finding a romantic partner—and a little distance from his mother to boot. As Katie searches for the right match for George, she discovers there is more than one way of looking at the Fane family’s story and that the work of the Perfect Passion Company may have to be a little broader in its scope than she had previously thought.
Meanwhile, the Perfect Passion Company’s original owner, Katie’s cousin Ness, is away in Canada surrounded by pristine forest in a small lakeside town full of intriguing neighbours. As Ness did before her, Katie must learn the principles of romantic chemistry with the very simpatico William at her side. This is the job after all—bringing great happiness to people. And as she labors, she just might discover something about her own compatibility and future happiness.
Alexander McCall Smith’s second volume in the Perfect Passion Company series, A Labourer in the Vineyard of Love , casts new light on the psychology of family relationships, the desire for friendship and romance, and the thrill of possibility when two people meet at just the right time in life.
Katie Donald is learning the ropes at the Perfect Passion Company, which provides help to the lovelorn citizens of Edinburgh. Katie is assisted in her matchmaking endeavors by William Kidd, a talented knitwear designer in the office next door with a sympathetic ear, a playful interest in the business of matchmaking and a long-distance fiancée in his native Melbourne.
George Fane, a thirtysomething hotelier tied to his family business and an overbearing mother, arrives one day asking for Katie’s assistance in finding a romantic partner—and a little distance from his mother to boot. As Katie searches for the right match for George, she discovers there is more than one way of looking at the Fane family’s story and that the work of the Perfect Passion Company may have to be a little broader in its scope than she had previously thought.
Meanwhile, the Perfect Passion Company’s original owner, Katie’s cousin Ness, is away in Canada surrounded by pristine forest in a small lakeside town full of intriguing neighbours. As Ness did before her, Katie must learn the principles of romantic chemistry with the very simpatico William at her side. This is the job after all—bringing great happiness to people. And as she labors, she just might discover something about her own compatibility and future happiness.
Alexander McCall Smith’s second volume in the Perfect Passion Company series, A Labourer in the Vineyard of Love , casts new light on the psychology of family relationships, the desire for friendship and romance, and the thrill of possibility when two people meet at just the right time in life.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2023
133 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
669 books12.7k followersAlexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 21, 2024
The second instalment in the Perfect Passion Company series and Katie is beginning to find her feet in the matchmaking business.
The latest client, George, needs help finding a partner who will be able to take a stand against his over controlling mother. That is his story anyway, but it all gets more complicated when his mother arrives in Katie's office, also looking for a new partner and with a very different tale to tell.
A lovely but rather short book which also sees Katie's fondness for William beginning to be uncomfortable for her, while he is looking forward to a visit from his Australian fiancée. McCall Smith often seems to pop an Aussie reference into his books which is rather fun for those of us who live here!
A pleasant, easy read, beautifully written with philosophical moments, some comedic ones, and two delightful main characters who definitely belong together. Let's hope the overseas fiancée finds herself someone else and leaves William a free man. Five stars.
The latest client, George, needs help finding a partner who will be able to take a stand against his over controlling mother. That is his story anyway, but it all gets more complicated when his mother arrives in Katie's office, also looking for a new partner and with a very different tale to tell.
A lovely but rather short book which also sees Katie's fondness for William beginning to be uncomfortable for her, while he is looking forward to a visit from his Australian fiancée. McCall Smith often seems to pop an Aussie reference into his books which is rather fun for those of us who live here!
A pleasant, easy read, beautifully written with philosophical moments, some comedic ones, and two delightful main characters who definitely belong together. Let's hope the overseas fiancée finds herself someone else and leaves William a free man. Five stars.
September 27, 2023
A Laborer In The Vineyard Of Love is the second Vintage short in The Perfect Passion Company series by British author, Alexander McCall Smith. Katie’s latest challenge, at Scotland’s only non-virtual introduction agency, apart from settling for no more than friendship with her talented and attractive-but-engaged business neighbour, William, is to find the right woman for George Fane.
It’s a challenge because George describes his mother as over-possessive, having already seen off one prospective partner, and three of his twin sister’s boyfriends. They both work in the family’s boutique hotel, and Margaret Fane is reputedly manipulative, expert at guilt-tripping her offspring about their responsibilities to the hotel. But when Katie peruses her cousin Ness’s meticulous client records, she finds a woman who might just fit the bill.
Then George’s sister Angela makes a request of the Perfect Passion Company that is tangential to George’s, but may present another solution. More of a surprise is when Margaret Fane comes into the agency with a request of her own.
Meanwhile, Katie’s cousin Ness is settling into her new life in the small Toronto town of Murdoch, getting involved with the local community. “This was a world that was quite different from the one which she had inhabited in Edinburgh. These people lived in a small town, deep in the country, a long distance from the city; Cities were populated by strangers, whereas a small town was full of people whom you recognised, whose personal history you would know or would soon have explained to you, whose faults and failings and dreams and triumphs would be only too familiar to others.” They find out she’s a matchmaker, and flock to her for advice.
This instalment has an estranged father, a nude in a kitchen, a Burns dinner, fishing in small boats, the purchase of an old car, lots of knitting, and several people whose honesty is in question. Katie is satisfied with the unexpected outcome as long as she has contributed to the overall happiness of humanity. Full of gentle philosophy and humour, McCall Smith knows how to entertain.
It’s a challenge because George describes his mother as over-possessive, having already seen off one prospective partner, and three of his twin sister’s boyfriends. They both work in the family’s boutique hotel, and Margaret Fane is reputedly manipulative, expert at guilt-tripping her offspring about their responsibilities to the hotel. But when Katie peruses her cousin Ness’s meticulous client records, she finds a woman who might just fit the bill.
Then George’s sister Angela makes a request of the Perfect Passion Company that is tangential to George’s, but may present another solution. More of a surprise is when Margaret Fane comes into the agency with a request of her own.
Meanwhile, Katie’s cousin Ness is settling into her new life in the small Toronto town of Murdoch, getting involved with the local community. “This was a world that was quite different from the one which she had inhabited in Edinburgh. These people lived in a small town, deep in the country, a long distance from the city; Cities were populated by strangers, whereas a small town was full of people whom you recognised, whose personal history you would know or would soon have explained to you, whose faults and failings and dreams and triumphs would be only too familiar to others.” They find out she’s a matchmaker, and flock to her for advice.
This instalment has an estranged father, a nude in a kitchen, a Burns dinner, fishing in small boats, the purchase of an old car, lots of knitting, and several people whose honesty is in question. Katie is satisfied with the unexpected outcome as long as she has contributed to the overall happiness of humanity. Full of gentle philosophy and humour, McCall Smith knows how to entertain.
April 12, 2024
Let me begin by saying, I very much enjoy Alexander McCall Smith's writing. However I was very disappointed this time, in that the cover says it is the second book in the series of The Perfect Passion Company (which I bought & read and liked) and it was the EXACT same story that was told in the first book...A big waste of my time & money! I kept reading it thinking something new was going to happen but it just rehashed parts of the first book. I have read the #1 Detective Agency series, most of the 44 Scotland Street series, Isabele Delhousie series, My Italian Bull Dozer and Forever Girl. A lot of these books I have purchased but I will no longer do that, I will just wait for my library to carry them and save my money for a new story/author.
October 7, 2023
such a fun book
This is one of those books that is light reading and you smile all the way through.
I don’t know how Alexander McCall Smith does it, but I fell in love with his characters as I have with the characters in all of his other books. These characters have such integrity and we’re sure short on that in real life these days.
This is one of those books that is light reading and you smile all the way through.
I don’t know how Alexander McCall Smith does it, but I fell in love with his characters as I have with the characters in all of his other books. These characters have such integrity and we’re sure short on that in real life these days.
November 2, 2024
Well maybe 3 star if you're looking for something amusing but insubstantial. This one has a bit of a Hallmark movie kind of plot. Actually I think it would be more enjoyable on film.
April 14, 2024
3.5 stars. I confirm that I love all of Alexander McCall Smith's writings. They contain wit, wisdom, humour, and a gentle philosophy of life. His insights into the hearts and minds of his characters are brilliant.
Let me explain why this excellent book received a lower rating than my past 4 or 5-star rating, which reflects less than my usual entertainment value. I thought a shorter book would have been more effective, as this one covered too many issues and storylines.
Katie is still functioning as the temporary head of the Perfect Passion Company. This is the only introduction company that matches couples after personal interviews. A newspaper article has implied it is for people who don't know how to use computers to meet partners on internet sites. The Perfect Passion Company is doing well under Katie with the advice of William. William works as a knitter of much in-demand sweaters and designs textiles. He enjoys contact with Katie's lonely clients and being of assistance.
Willaim has a fiancé in Melbourne, far from his present work in Edinburgh. He feels it is his moral obligation to fulfill his promise of marriage, and he has indisputable proof that she is unfaithful. There are lengthy conversations with Katie about the matchmaking business and the nature of human relationships. Katie finds she is falling deeply in love with William but refuses to declare her feelings. She resists interfering with his engagement.
George becomes a client, uneasy that it will become known to his mother. He wants to find a woman who won't be deterred by his possessive, interfering mother, who ended his last romance. He mentions that she caused his twin sister, Angela, to lose three former boyfriends. They work in the family hotel, where their mother, Margaret, constantly reminds them about their responsibilities and prevents them from enjoying a social life or romantic pursuits. Their mother had a past affair with a married man that resulted in the birth of the twins that she brought up on her own. After interviewing Angela, their mother, Margaret, and all concerned, Katie and William felt that family members lied to them. They are actually telling different truths from various perspectives. The case is resolved happily. Katie is sad that her love for William is futile and can only console herself by saying that she has helped her clients find loving relationships.
Meanwhile, Ness, the owner of the Perfect Passion Company, is enjoying life in small-town Ontario, a beautiful forest and lake region. She is now boating and fishing with new friends and is kept busy with matchmaking requests. She is in no hurry to return to Edinburgh.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Let me explain why this excellent book received a lower rating than my past 4 or 5-star rating, which reflects less than my usual entertainment value. I thought a shorter book would have been more effective, as this one covered too many issues and storylines.
Katie is still functioning as the temporary head of the Perfect Passion Company. This is the only introduction company that matches couples after personal interviews. A newspaper article has implied it is for people who don't know how to use computers to meet partners on internet sites. The Perfect Passion Company is doing well under Katie with the advice of William. William works as a knitter of much in-demand sweaters and designs textiles. He enjoys contact with Katie's lonely clients and being of assistance.
Willaim has a fiancé in Melbourne, far from his present work in Edinburgh. He feels it is his moral obligation to fulfill his promise of marriage, and he has indisputable proof that she is unfaithful. There are lengthy conversations with Katie about the matchmaking business and the nature of human relationships. Katie finds she is falling deeply in love with William but refuses to declare her feelings. She resists interfering with his engagement.
George becomes a client, uneasy that it will become known to his mother. He wants to find a woman who won't be deterred by his possessive, interfering mother, who ended his last romance. He mentions that she caused his twin sister, Angela, to lose three former boyfriends. They work in the family hotel, where their mother, Margaret, constantly reminds them about their responsibilities and prevents them from enjoying a social life or romantic pursuits. Their mother had a past affair with a married man that resulted in the birth of the twins that she brought up on her own. After interviewing Angela, their mother, Margaret, and all concerned, Katie and William felt that family members lied to them. They are actually telling different truths from various perspectives. The case is resolved happily. Katie is sad that her love for William is futile and can only console herself by saying that she has helped her clients find loving relationships.
Meanwhile, Ness, the owner of the Perfect Passion Company, is enjoying life in small-town Ontario, a beautiful forest and lake region. She is now boating and fishing with new friends and is kept busy with matchmaking requests. She is in no hurry to return to Edinburgh.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 23, 2024
Want more...to the next installment...my word, this is rough...not kniwing!
An unedited version, again, of this serial story..some silly mistakes not caught by anybody but me? No, just another unedited advanced reader's copy from kindle, it seems...love the price and hate that it is nor the last version , the final version...annoying, truly.
Love the storyline, the unknown future for the main characters conceived by A. m. Smith.
Love his novels, his children's stories his stand alone novels...love the idea of A book about accommodating and looking for love all at the same time.
Love the name of this agency...Perfect Passion Company...that describes perfectly what they are trying to deliver!
b can't wait for the next installment!
An unedited version, again, of this serial story..some silly mistakes not caught by anybody but me? No, just another unedited advanced reader's copy from kindle, it seems...love the price and hate that it is nor the last version , the final version...annoying, truly.
Love the storyline, the unknown future for the main characters conceived by A. m. Smith.
Love his novels, his children's stories his stand alone novels...love the idea of A book about accommodating and looking for love all at the same time.
Love the name of this agency...Perfect Passion Company...that describes perfectly what they are trying to deliver!
b can't wait for the next installment!
February 21, 2025
The second book in this series. They are OK and quite short. Katie is now a professional match-maker, after taking on her aunt's business. William, her neighbour is the unattainable love interest with a fiance in Australia.
In this story, she tries to find love for a man who is hen-pecked by his mother, but there is a lot more going on in the family. The book is unsatisfying because we never find out who in the family is lying.
One nice thing is we learn a little about what Ness, the aunt ,is getting up to in the wilds of Canada.
In this story, she tries to find love for a man who is hen-pecked by his mother, but there is a lot more going on in the family. The book is unsatisfying because we never find out who in the family is lying.
One nice thing is we learn a little about what Ness, the aunt ,is getting up to in the wilds of Canada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2023
Left Wanting More
AMS is my favorite author. I love his characters and I especially love their conversations. I am always left wanting more. In this short story it was not just that I wished to keep feeling involved in their lives but that how George’s “case” was resolved was unclear. Maybe there will be a #3 in the series and they’ll mention George and Emma and the other George and Margaret but probably not.
AMS is my favorite author. I love his characters and I especially love their conversations. I am always left wanting more. In this short story it was not just that I wished to keep feeling involved in their lives but that how George’s “case” was resolved was unclear. Maybe there will be a #3 in the series and they’ll mention George and Emma and the other George and Margaret but probably not.
February 11, 2024
A vintage Alexander McCall Smith
Reading any of Alexander McCall Smith's novels is a walk through the best that the human heart has to offer. This book is no exception and is literally about the art of love itself. Please give yourself an opportunity to take this stroll and add to it the first in the series as well. If you do look back, it will only be to clasp another's hand in yours and take the stroll together.
Reading any of Alexander McCall Smith's novels is a walk through the best that the human heart has to offer. This book is no exception and is literally about the art of love itself. Please give yourself an opportunity to take this stroll and add to it the first in the series as well. If you do look back, it will only be to clasp another's hand in yours and take the stroll together.
November 1, 2023
A Gentle Story
Alexander McCall Smith has a way of writing that makes one care about the characters. There is a kindness and a gentleness that is never trite, but rather thought provoking. This is a love story, but not a typical love story and the passion is not sexual, but rather a passion for life and truth. A lovely series in which this is book 2.
Alexander McCall Smith has a way of writing that makes one care about the characters. There is a kindness and a gentleness that is never trite, but rather thought provoking. This is a love story, but not a typical love story and the passion is not sexual, but rather a passion for life and truth. A lovely series in which this is book 2.
August 5, 2024
no ending
This is an involved story and a continuation. I can only hope there is MORE because i was left hanging, and desolate. I wanted a happy ending, and in some ways it was, but the pieces were incomplete. Missing details that might be in the. Next chapter or chapters. These are wonderful characters, full of life, especially Edinburgh, scottish life. A great read if short.
This is an involved story and a continuation. I can only hope there is MORE because i was left hanging, and desolate. I wanted a happy ending, and in some ways it was, but the pieces were incomplete. Missing details that might be in the. Next chapter or chapters. These are wonderful characters, full of life, especially Edinburgh, scottish life. A great read if short.
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October 14, 2024I slways love reading whatever this author writes. However, this book is advertised as the second book of the Perfect Passion Company, yet what I downloaded from Kindle was part of the first book. Word for word! Not even the complete book! Nothing new! Unfair!!
Zero stars, because it is not, in fact, a new book at all, just a slice of the previous book.
Zero stars, because it is not, in fact, a new book at all, just a slice of the previous book.
June 6, 2025
Number 2 in the Perfect Passion Company series. The reference to 24 Mouse Lane is an interesting detail that pops up. the characters are great. the plot is very subtle. its not a fast read, but is very satisfying. Katie does well. William progresses. Ness finds a home in Murdoch. very nice. well worth the read.
September 25, 2023
Katie gains a new client--a man who wants to find that special someone, but feels that his mother is too overbearing and controlling. Meanwhile, Katie is realizing that she is falling in love with William, but knows that he is involved with someone else.
February 28, 2024
A pleasant new series by Alexander McCall Smith about the owners (and friends) of a matchmaking business in Edinburgh, Scotland! Charm written into the story; memorable characters around every corner. 😊
March 24, 2024
Another series that I love
I like the characters and the romance of this series. Its refreshing to read more old fashioned romance without the graphic sexual details. This book leaves lots of unanswered questions and an open door to the next book! I can't wait!
I like the characters and the romance of this series. Its refreshing to read more old fashioned romance without the graphic sexual details. This book leaves lots of unanswered questions and an open door to the next book! I can't wait!
April 6, 2025
Dup!icated stories from Perfect Passion Company
Same material as in Perfect Passion Company. I would not have purchased this book had i known. Why would the author present duplicated material with a different title to his readers? I will not read this author again.
Same material as in Perfect Passion Company. I would not have purchased this book had i known. Why would the author present duplicated material with a different title to his readers? I will not read this author again.
September 30, 2023
Lovely little read
This was a lovely little read. Heartwarming and gentle. I love all this authors works. Great stories and thoughtfulness combined.
This was a lovely little read. Heartwarming and gentle. I love all this authors works. Great stories and thoughtfulness combined.
October 8, 2023
A lovely novella written well.
November 27, 2023
A charming interlude for those who love AMcCS
This novelette is not intended for any deep
thinking, but will charm your socks off in typical AMcS fashion. Read it and smile.
This novelette is not intended for any deep
thinking, but will charm your socks off in typical AMcS fashion. Read it and smile.
November 28, 2023
An entertaining story by my favorite author, Alexander McCall Smith. The ending of this story is very satisfying but it also left me eager for the next book in this newer series by the author.
January 1, 2024
Another pleasant visit to an Alexander McCall Smith novel. An easy read, affable characters. Lightens the weary weight of the "real world".
January 18, 2024
Delightful, as always -- this latest Sir Alexander McCall Smith series promises lots of smiles and reflections on friendship and romance.
January 19, 2024
This is one of my favorite authors and I loved this book. I’m happy he started a new series but I love all the previous series too, he is quite a prolific writer.
February 9, 2024
Quiet, pleasant way to spend an evening, with thoughtful and caring people who help others solve their problems.
March 7, 2024
As usual sweet book. Looking forward to the next one
March 29, 2024
OK story, but I much prefer 44 Scotland Street and the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Kristi & Abby Tabby
June 19, 2024
Disappointed to find out that it was lifted from the book The Perfect Passion Company. Please don't be deceived that it's the second of the series.
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September 13, 2024It’s the same book. It’s not a second installment. Did Kendall download the wrong thing? This is exactly the same.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews