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Chatam House #7
His Ideal Match
Taming The Wanderer's Heart
Carissa Hopper's always been strong and self-sufficient. So when the single mom of three finds herself in need, accepting help from the rugged and adventurous Phillip Chatam isn't easy. She knows he's the kind of man she should stay far away from. Still, when his aunts offer her lodging at Chatam House, where Phillip also resides, Carissa can't refuse. Always on the move, Phillip has no interest in settling down. But as he gets to know Carissa's adorable children—and falls for their mother—he realizes that his biggest adventure will be convincing Carissa to let him be a part of her future.
Chatam House: Where three matchmaking aunts bring faith and love to life.
Carissa Hopper's always been strong and self-sufficient. So when the single mom of three finds herself in need, accepting help from the rugged and adventurous Phillip Chatam isn't easy. She knows he's the kind of man she should stay far away from. Still, when his aunts offer her lodging at Chatam House, where Phillip also resides, Carissa can't refuse. Always on the move, Phillip has no interest in settling down. But as he gets to know Carissa's adorable children—and falls for their mother—he realizes that his biggest adventure will be convincing Carissa to let him be a part of her future.
Chatam House: Where three matchmaking aunts bring faith and love to life.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
11 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Arlene James
214 books87 followersArlene James has written romance for four decades, and has published 100+ novels. A mother of sons and now a happy grandmother to the brightest, most talented, and lovely of all granddaughters, she is finding her sixth decade to be great fun.
She and her very supportive husband of 45 years (whom she agreed to marry on their first date!) enjoy a busy social life and have visited much of the world. After calling Texas home for three decades, they now live in beautiful NW Arkansas.
Arlene grew up on a ranch in south central Oklahoma and still maintains strong ties in that area. She firmly believes that writing has afforded her the best of all possible means of earning a living, and credits a junior high school English teacher with proving to her that her dream of being an author was entirely achievable.
After 4 decades of deadlines and multiple-book contracts (for which she is deeply grateful), she is enjoying the ability to write exactly what she feels led to write on her own schedule.
She and her very supportive husband of 45 years (whom she agreed to marry on their first date!) enjoy a busy social life and have visited much of the world. After calling Texas home for three decades, they now live in beautiful NW Arkansas.
Arlene grew up on a ranch in south central Oklahoma and still maintains strong ties in that area. She firmly believes that writing has afforded her the best of all possible means of earning a living, and credits a junior high school English teacher with proving to her that her dream of being an author was entirely achievable.
After 4 decades of deadlines and multiple-book contracts (for which she is deeply grateful), she is enjoying the ability to write exactly what she feels led to write on her own schedule.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 29, 2015
I haven't read any of the other books in the Chatum house series, but it doesn't appear to be necessary to the story. It sounded like the elderly, triplet sisters played a part in all the books in the series, as matchmakers which sounds cute. While at times their humor was over-the-top, in my opinion, they were fun and their antics did bring a smile to my face several times. The main characters were sweet and realistic. I loved Carissa's kids, they were all so sweet in their own way. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the other books in this series.
March 8, 2019
I believe this is the first Chatam House book I've read, though when I saw the cover, I felt as if I'd seen the same cover on another book--or at least the picnic portion of it.
There were many characters to try to keep straight, and I wondered if that might have been easier if I'd read previous books in the series. I did like the 3 sisters (triplets) and their generosity/helping spirits.
Philip starts out as an adrenaline junkie-but he either gets frightened out of his search for excitement when a friend dies while leading a climb or he's reached the excitement pinnacle and finds that nothing out there excites him anymore. He holds 3 degrees but hasn't used any of them because the thought of a 9-5 office job isn't exciting.
Carissa is a widowed mom of 3 who's living with her father after her business folds--at least until her father dies. She's struggling to keep her family together and to keep her tech telemarketing job. She knows how to code but since she doesn't have a degree, she finds it hard to get a job in that field. Carissa has dated since her husband's death but finds few men want to take on 3 children that aren't their own.
The name of the business Philip and Carissa start together was a cute amalgamation of their last names.
I liked that the oldest boy didn't just fall into liking Philip but had to take the time to get to know him before feeling he could trust him. That seemed realistic to me.
There were many characters to try to keep straight, and I wondered if that might have been easier if I'd read previous books in the series. I did like the 3 sisters (triplets) and their generosity/helping spirits.
Philip starts out as an adrenaline junkie-but he either gets frightened out of his search for excitement when a friend dies while leading a climb or he's reached the excitement pinnacle and finds that nothing out there excites him anymore. He holds 3 degrees but hasn't used any of them because the thought of a 9-5 office job isn't exciting.
Carissa is a widowed mom of 3 who's living with her father after her business folds--at least until her father dies. She's struggling to keep her family together and to keep her tech telemarketing job. She knows how to code but since she doesn't have a degree, she finds it hard to get a job in that field. Carissa has dated since her husband's death but finds few men want to take on 3 children that aren't their own.
The name of the business Philip and Carissa start together was a cute amalgamation of their last names.
I liked that the oldest boy didn't just fall into liking Philip but had to take the time to get to know him before feeling he could trust him. That seemed realistic to me.
March 17, 2025
if i can rate it a 3.5, i would 😭 but i dont think thats possible here so im giving it a 3
their slow burn in the beginning was so scrumptious, oh i love a good slow burn arc. idk if its just my attention span or boggled brain but i can’t seen to understand the chatam’s family tree and how carissa relates to the chatams 😭
fine by me tho! loved the plot of “i shouldn’t love her and we shouldn’t be together but we will be in the end” love me some good miscommunication 💯💯💯
overall, pretty average. would probably finish this in a week or so if only i didn’t have so much things to do. would reco!
their slow burn in the beginning was so scrumptious, oh i love a good slow burn arc. idk if its just my attention span or boggled brain but i can’t seen to understand the chatam’s family tree and how carissa relates to the chatams 😭
fine by me tho! loved the plot of “i shouldn’t love her and we shouldn’t be together but we will be in the end” love me some good miscommunication 💯💯💯
overall, pretty average. would probably finish this in a week or so if only i didn’t have so much things to do. would reco!
February 28, 2019
contemporary story: Phillip and Carissa, Chatam House and extended family. When circumstances turn your life around and how you cope to survive. (some of us don't have good connections as this fiction family have)
January 27, 2019
My first book of the series. I will be reading the rest.
December 18, 2013
4 Stars
This is the first of the Chatam House series of books that I have read. I would love to some day go back and read the ones I have missed. I enjoyed reading this story. It had a bunch of fun characters, good plot, sweet kids and one not as sweet. Loving family, people that reach out and help because they care and can. Also had positive message, romance and was a clean read.
Carissa Hopper has had a rough few years. She is doing the best she can for her three kids after there father died. She has moved into her father's apartment after she lost her home and business. Her father is dying.
Carissa's Aunt and Uncle are willing to help her out. They work and live at Chatam House. Three triplet sisters live their and want to help Carissa and her kids too. In fact they offer to let them move into the house in a three bedroom suite.
Phillip Chatam is living with his three Aunts right now. He is in between jobs. He feels like he can't work at his old job climbing mountain guiding tourists after he lost two friends doing the same job. He has not yet found a job he wants to do next.
Carissa would think life is perfect except for her attraction for Phillip. She does not feel that anyone would ever marry her and be a father to her three children.
Phillip is attracted to Carissa but he never wanted to be a father but he wants to help her and realizes that he has taken life easy.
Both Carissa and Phillip go to grief counseling support group and it helps them. They also start going back to church and reading scriptures.
I like reading Arlene James and will read more of her books in the future.
I was given this ebook to read for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions are all my own
publication: December 17th 2013 by Harlequin Love Inspired 224 pages ISBN 9780373878611
This is the first of the Chatam House series of books that I have read. I would love to some day go back and read the ones I have missed. I enjoyed reading this story. It had a bunch of fun characters, good plot, sweet kids and one not as sweet. Loving family, people that reach out and help because they care and can. Also had positive message, romance and was a clean read.
Carissa Hopper has had a rough few years. She is doing the best she can for her three kids after there father died. She has moved into her father's apartment after she lost her home and business. Her father is dying.
Carissa's Aunt and Uncle are willing to help her out. They work and live at Chatam House. Three triplet sisters live their and want to help Carissa and her kids too. In fact they offer to let them move into the house in a three bedroom suite.
Phillip Chatam is living with his three Aunts right now. He is in between jobs. He feels like he can't work at his old job climbing mountain guiding tourists after he lost two friends doing the same job. He has not yet found a job he wants to do next.
Carissa would think life is perfect except for her attraction for Phillip. She does not feel that anyone would ever marry her and be a father to her three children.
Phillip is attracted to Carissa but he never wanted to be a father but he wants to help her and realizes that he has taken life easy.
Both Carissa and Phillip go to grief counseling support group and it helps them. They also start going back to church and reading scriptures.
I like reading Arlene James and will read more of her books in the future.
I was given this ebook to read for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions are all my own
publication: December 17th 2013 by Harlequin Love Inspired 224 pages ISBN 9780373878611
December 19, 2013
The seventh book in James’s Chatam House series is a sweet, slight, easy-to-read romance. Although these are characters whose faith is important to them and who believe in a personal God who hears and answers prayer, the tone is not excessively preachy. The characters are likeable, and it’s easy to root for their HEA.
This was the first book I have read in the series, and I was bothered by the reminders that all the other young Chatams who appear with their spouses had stories that I didn’t know. I also got the feeling that the family relationships which I found too thinly developed for my taste might seem more substantial seen in the context of the full series. I had only a vague sense of the town and never got a sense of how it is different from a dozen other small Texas towns. So, overall, this is a pleasant novel but one that will probably be more appreciated by readers familiar with the series.
See full review at:
http://justjanga.blogspot.com/2013/12...
This was the first book I have read in the series, and I was bothered by the reminders that all the other young Chatams who appear with their spouses had stories that I didn’t know. I also got the feeling that the family relationships which I found too thinly developed for my taste might seem more substantial seen in the context of the full series. I had only a vague sense of the town and never got a sense of how it is different from a dozen other small Texas towns. So, overall, this is a pleasant novel but one that will probably be more appreciated by readers familiar with the series.
See full review at:
http://justjanga.blogspot.com/2013/12...
February 25, 2014
His Ideal Match by Arlene James was a very good book. Phillip Chatam who's family has a lot of money. Phillip goes from adventure job to another adventure job. Only thinking about fun. He is between jobs and living with two unmarried sister and the third sister just got married recently, in the Chatam mansion. To some you would think he's a loser but he's not. Carissa Hopper has three children. Her uncle and his wife work at the mansion. They take care of her three kids one day while she works selling things over the phone. Phillip is there and helps with the kids. The little girl goes into a sisters closet and hides with the sisters clothes on. One son just takes off without saying where he is going. The older boy is mad at everyone. A lot goes on before Phillip and Carissa start there own business and fall in love. A very good book.
July 4, 2015
Another Chatam House story... These are actually really good, can't decide if it's the author or the fact that we have a more in depth knowledge for the characters die to the many stories.
Carissa Hopper has 3 children and her husband died 3 years ago and her father just died leaving her without a place to stay. The aunties at Chatam house offer to let her stay with them as she is Chester's niece. Philip Chatam has always had adventurous job like mountain climbing, but is back in the family fold after a climbing accident killed some friends.
Carissa Hopper has 3 children and her husband died 3 years ago and her father just died leaving her without a place to stay. The aunties at Chatam house offer to let her stay with them as she is Chester's niece. Philip Chatam has always had adventurous job like mountain climbing, but is back in the family fold after a climbing accident killed some friends.
June 13, 2014
"His Ideal Match" was simply extraordinary and I absolutely loved it! The storyline and characters were top knotch and very entertaining - they held my interest with ease. I can't rave enough about how wonderful and addictive the Chatam House series is. Arlene James is so incredibly talented and I'm truly excited to read more from her!
August 26, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I actually loved the kids and the aunties more than Phillip and Carissa. They're what made the book. Even though it's part of a series, I found you could read this one without having read the others.
March 10, 2014
Chatam House is always a pleasure to visit. And in this story we get a glimpse of so many previous visitors to the House. Arlene James does such an awesome job on these stories. The dear aunties are so loving and lovable!
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January 12, 2016Miniseries: Chatam House
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January 12, 2016Miniseries: Chatam House
April 25, 2014
This one was a little better to read than some of the others. A little more to the plot than I shouldn't love her I shouldn't love him but we do.
July 27, 2014
It's the first book that I have read by this author. It is part of the Chatham series and I will continue reading the series.
December 15, 2013
I always love to visit Chatam House. I also enjoy Arlene James' other books.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews