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The Matchmaker Project #1
The Matchmaker
Fans of Richard Paul Evans, Nicole Williams and John Green will love this novel!
Ollie just wants one thing. The girl. Things haven’t been going so well with Anne lately, though; their relationship has become a perpetual study date, and Ollie’s roommates are starting to worry about him. How to fix things? Why, with a marriage proposal, of course. Unfortunately for Ollie, his relationship with Anne has run out of gas. Life feels like it’s counting down to one. And that one is the only person in Ollie’s life he really cares about: Ollie. Perhaps, then, he should get over himself.
But first Ollie has to deal with Aaron Sparks, the irritating little Yankees fan who invades his life in order to “help” him. And while Keith, his best friend, is doing all he can to help, Ollie’s other friend Richie never fails to show up and threatens to ruin everything just by being himself. Never mind all the drama Aaron brings to the party by forcing Ollie to take a job actually helping people in need. Will Ollie meet the girl? Will it be in history class? On a road trip to Colorado? Can he get over Anne, or should he try to mend the relationship? Should he pursue the new girl Aaron is trying to set him up with? As the strings of the puppeteer tangle with the strings of the heart, only one person can sort out the mess Ollie has made. It seems that the harder he tries, the more Ollie messes things up. Is Aaron a cruel manipulator, or is he really going to help Ollie find his match?
Ollie just wants one thing. The girl. Things haven’t been going so well with Anne lately, though; their relationship has become a perpetual study date, and Ollie’s roommates are starting to worry about him. How to fix things? Why, with a marriage proposal, of course. Unfortunately for Ollie, his relationship with Anne has run out of gas. Life feels like it’s counting down to one. And that one is the only person in Ollie’s life he really cares about: Ollie. Perhaps, then, he should get over himself.
But first Ollie has to deal with Aaron Sparks, the irritating little Yankees fan who invades his life in order to “help” him. And while Keith, his best friend, is doing all he can to help, Ollie’s other friend Richie never fails to show up and threatens to ruin everything just by being himself. Never mind all the drama Aaron brings to the party by forcing Ollie to take a job actually helping people in need. Will Ollie meet the girl? Will it be in history class? On a road trip to Colorado? Can he get over Anne, or should he try to mend the relationship? Should he pursue the new girl Aaron is trying to set him up with? As the strings of the puppeteer tangle with the strings of the heart, only one person can sort out the mess Ollie has made. It seems that the harder he tries, the more Ollie messes things up. Is Aaron a cruel manipulator, or is he really going to help Ollie find his match?
- GenresRomance
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2014
367 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
N.G. Simsion
11 books12 followersRomance writer and young adult dystopian writer N.G. Simsion a.k.a. James Roth lives in Meridian, Idaho with his wife and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 30, 2018
Loved it
The book was amazing, just beautiful. Ollie suffers from relationship issues after his girlfriend rejects his proposal and then good old Sparks comes into his life to help him through the wall blocking his way to happy ever after.
So far there are three girls Ollie kept thinking about over and over Anne; his ex. Joy; his current significant other with a secret that keeps them from truly being together and then lastly there is Lynn; Ollie's coworker and friend who I liked alot compared to the other girls and that is not because of how the book ended but because she was the one helping people who couldn't help themselves.
It's sad learning that Greg and Marie were actually real people. I liked Marie's spirit and her joy towards food. Before reading the end I was hoping Greg would somehow get his happy ever after by some odd miracle. It seems that isn't so 🙁
Still this book was beautiful and truly amazing that I would recommend it to any who like love seeking, life venturing clean book. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The book was amazing, just beautiful. Ollie suffers from relationship issues after his girlfriend rejects his proposal and then good old Sparks comes into his life to help him through the wall blocking his way to happy ever after.
So far there are three girls Ollie kept thinking about over and over Anne; his ex. Joy; his current significant other with a secret that keeps them from truly being together and then lastly there is Lynn; Ollie's coworker and friend who I liked alot compared to the other girls and that is not because of how the book ended but because she was the one helping people who couldn't help themselves.
It's sad learning that Greg and Marie were actually real people. I liked Marie's spirit and her joy towards food. Before reading the end I was hoping Greg would somehow get his happy ever after by some odd miracle. It seems that isn't so 🙁
Still this book was beautiful and truly amazing that I would recommend it to any who like love seeking, life venturing clean book. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
January 4, 2018
The best thing - incredible story line. There was nothing common with rest of the contemporary romances I've read, incredible writting.
The not so good part - the characters were not so stable and the portray was not so efficient. It felt that the main character was never focused and he shifted from one girl to another AS If he got all the world tossed at him and he can choose just cz a sort-of-physhic was with him. Sometimes I couldn't grasp the emotion flowing in a scene, it was difficult.
A one time good read.
The not so good part - the characters were not so stable and the portray was not so efficient. It felt that the main character was never focused and he shifted from one girl to another AS If he got all the world tossed at him and he can choose just cz a sort-of-physhic was with him. Sometimes I couldn't grasp the emotion flowing in a scene, it was difficult.
A one time good read.
September 3, 2018
The Matchmaker is about college students and their struggle to balance studying, work, and new-found love. Enter one scrawny, limping little guy who can predict what will happen and who only wants to help get these guys get on the right track. Join Ollie, Keith, Richie, D, Gregg, Anne, Joy, Lynn, Marie and Sparks and they painfully weave their lives into new patterns, searching for happiness.
I enjoyed this book. It was funny, unpredictable, and thoroughly enjoyable.
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I enjoyed this book. It was funny, unpredictable, and thoroughly enjoyable.
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
November 30, 2017
Great Story
I actually started reading this reluctantly, even though I chose the book, I liked the storyline; but other than "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks, I had my doubts. I was pleasantly surprised, there was a lot of feelings and emotion in this story and I really liked the lead character's name, so different not a name you would expect for a romantic lead. I was also surprised to read that Greg and Marie (Lisa) were based on real people. Good Job, N.G.! 😀👍👍👍
I actually started reading this reluctantly, even though I chose the book, I liked the storyline; but other than "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks, I had my doubts. I was pleasantly surprised, there was a lot of feelings and emotion in this story and I really liked the lead character's name, so different not a name you would expect for a romantic lead. I was also surprised to read that Greg and Marie (Lisa) were based on real people. Good Job, N.G.! 😀👍👍👍
July 12, 2018
Sweet Romance
Poor Ollie! He proposes to a girl that isn't interested and then he meets Sparks. He starts finding happiness to realize he doesn't like being told what to do and that's when the great stuff happens! I love Lynn and their relationship, but there was way too much going on, so I was a little bored. It was a cute story though!
Poor Ollie! He proposes to a girl that isn't interested and then he meets Sparks. He starts finding happiness to realize he doesn't like being told what to do and that's when the great stuff happens! I love Lynn and their relationship, but there was way too much going on, so I was a little bored. It was a cute story though!
July 24, 2019
A different type of love story ... I think you will enjoy!
At first I was not sure if I liked the book of not, but I was curious about where the storyline was going. I am glad that I decided to continue on. It is a well written and entertaining way to delve into the mind of a young man trying to find love!
At first I was not sure if I liked the book of not, but I was curious about where the storyline was going. I am glad that I decided to continue on. It is a well written and entertaining way to delve into the mind of a young man trying to find love!
April 18, 2022
Fun, clean read
The character Sparks brought mystery and intrigue to this story about otherwise typical college-aged kids who are still the center of their own world but are learning to put others' needs before their I own. It was refreshing to read a clean novel. I will enjoy the next book.
The character Sparks brought mystery and intrigue to this story about otherwise typical college-aged kids who are still the center of their own world but are learning to put others' needs before their I own. It was refreshing to read a clean novel. I will enjoy the next book.
January 22, 2018
Pretty good if slightly uneven
What if you knew what you needed to do but not why? Sparks is a little annoying guy who can see what's coming, and Ollie is his hapless charge. Good premise, but tributes to real life inspirations made the book drag. Still worth a read.
What if you knew what you needed to do but not why? Sparks is a little annoying guy who can see what's coming, and Ollie is his hapless charge. Good premise, but tributes to real life inspirations made the book drag. Still worth a read.
August 15, 2018
I gave this book a five star, love how the book was clean, no unnecessary uncleaned words and still got the point across, a romantic novel with love and
Still kept it clean , I would let m!y thirteen year old granddaughter read this book
Still kept it clean , I would let m!y thirteen year old granddaughter read this book
June 6, 2020
Matchmaker was a good read
I’m just getting to know the characters in this story and enjoyed it very much. Sparks is a very interesting person. and is very fusstratering as a matchmaker. If will be interesting to see how he works with the other friends.
I’m just getting to know the characters in this story and enjoyed it very much. Sparks is a very interesting person. and is very fusstratering as a matchmaker. If will be interesting to see how he works with the other friends.
October 15, 2020
The Matchmaker kept my interest because I never knew where the story was going next. It had a lot of twists and turns. I enjoyed reading it, and I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
January 29, 2018
☺☺☺☺
An interesting story about finding your way and understanding what you want, and what you need. Good characters and a fun plot.
An interesting story about finding your way and understanding what you want, and what you need. Good characters and a fun plot.
May 1, 2018
Wonderful
What a wonderful and different type story! I truly enjoyed reading this story and loved all the characters and their place in this story. Beautiful!
What a wonderful and different type story! I truly enjoyed reading this story and loved all the characters and their place in this story. Beautiful!
January 11, 2019
A good, fun read
Great characters with lots of quirks, plot twists and a really good story are why I'm now looking for book 2 in this series
Great characters with lots of quirks, plot twists and a really good story are why I'm now looking for book 2 in this series
August 31, 2019
Good clean adult novel. Thank you.
Great to have a good clean novel with no trashy scenes. Well written and keeps you reading for the next event.
Great to have a good clean novel with no trashy scenes. Well written and keeps you reading for the next event.
August 8, 2021
Okay
This book was okay. I’m going to continue to read the next two in the series. Didn’t really understand the ,atchmaket’s character.
This book was okay. I’m going to continue to read the next two in the series. Didn’t really understand the ,atchmaket’s character.
May 24, 2023
Quirky little guy
This quirky fellow shows up and nothing is predictable.
I especially liked the stories of the clients who are "differently abled". The author has made them real.
This quirky fellow shows up and nothing is predictable.
I especially liked the stories of the clients who are "differently abled". The author has made them real.
September 18, 2019
Very different from what I expected, but what a gorgeous tale. Well worth the read - different perspective from what one would expect from a book with this title. Very enjoyable
June 17, 2015
The Matchmaker by N.G. Simsion is a clean contemporary romance. I originally purchased it (for free) because I thought it was a Christian romance. I stumbled upon it while searching for Christian romances. This isn't a Christian romance, and the only (brief) mention of God or church was a negative one.
Note: If you read some reviews on Amazon, some people may refer to Nicholas G. Simsion, or Russell Elkins as the author.
Ollie (Oliver) is a college student who is about to propose to his girlfriend of one and a half years. Mistakenly, it turns out. In comes Sparks, an odd man with abilities to pretty accurately predict people's actions. Sparks wants to play matchmaker and advise Ollie what to do in order to find a new love interest.
What I liked:
*I liked not knowing what wise Sparks was going tell Ollie next, and I liked not knowing why. I enjoyed seeing Ollie squirm. And grow as a person.
What I didn't like:
*The book is a journey for Ollie, which was, admittedly an interesting journey! But I felt that the story was more of a coming-of-age story for a college student who needed to mature a bit, rather than a true romance. Which isn't what I was really looking for.
Rating this one was tough. I think it comes out to about a four. Ironically, I feel like what I liked and didn't like about the book were mutually exclusive attributes of the book! If the author "fixed" what I didn't like, it would have broken what I liked, I think. Hmm!
I liked Ollie's roommate well enough, and considered reading the other two for that reason. But ultimately, I've decided not to read the other two because I'm expecting more perplexing journeys instead of the sweet romances I want to read.
I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy clean contemporary romances - who wouldn't mind it being light on the romance - and who enjoy quirky characters with strange abilities, as well as a journey of character development.
Note: If you read some reviews on Amazon, some people may refer to Nicholas G. Simsion, or Russell Elkins as the author.
Ollie (Oliver) is a college student who is about to propose to his girlfriend of one and a half years. Mistakenly, it turns out. In comes Sparks, an odd man with abilities to pretty accurately predict people's actions. Sparks wants to play matchmaker and advise Ollie what to do in order to find a new love interest.
What I liked:
*I liked not knowing what wise Sparks was going tell Ollie next, and I liked not knowing why. I enjoyed seeing Ollie squirm. And grow as a person.
What I didn't like:
*The book is a journey for Ollie, which was, admittedly an interesting journey! But I felt that the story was more of a coming-of-age story for a college student who needed to mature a bit, rather than a true romance. Which isn't what I was really looking for.
Rating this one was tough. I think it comes out to about a four. Ironically, I feel like what I liked and didn't like about the book were mutually exclusive attributes of the book! If the author "fixed" what I didn't like, it would have broken what I liked, I think. Hmm!
I liked Ollie's roommate well enough, and considered reading the other two for that reason. But ultimately, I've decided not to read the other two because I'm expecting more perplexing journeys instead of the sweet romances I want to read.
I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy clean contemporary romances - who wouldn't mind it being light on the romance - and who enjoy quirky characters with strange abilities, as well as a journey of character development.
April 24, 2016
Can't get past the first 5 chapters
I'm sorry but this book starts off slow and just gets slower. In one word, it's lame. No idea how others have rated it. It is billed as an adult romance but not really. It starts out with a break and then devolved into rather lame fantasy. Lame is the only word I can think of.
I'm sorry but this book starts off slow and just gets slower. In one word, it's lame. No idea how others have rated it. It is billed as an adult romance but not really. It starts out with a break and then devolved into rather lame fantasy. Lame is the only word I can think of.
February 29, 2016
Fun story and great read
I like the dude behind this book and this story was fun to read. The main character did need a few hits in the face, lol. I liked the characters and that some were based on real people. I'd love a backstory on Sparks.
I like the dude behind this book and this story was fun to read. The main character did need a few hits in the face, lol. I liked the characters and that some were based on real people. I'd love a backstory on Sparks.
April 7, 2016
3.5 Stars ~
The author did a good job of keeping me guessing! I thought I had it figured out and then no and then YEA! It wasn't overly predictable and I enjoyed that.
This is a good book for those of you looking for a clean read!
The author did a good job of keeping me guessing! I thought I had it figured out and then no and then YEA! It wasn't overly predictable and I enjoyed that.
This is a good book for those of you looking for a clean read!
July 17, 2016
Not quite what I expected. Firstly, written from a guy's perspective and guys talking about things other than sport was a surprise.
I think the concept of relying on someone who can predict the future of your love life was a bit out there for me.
I think the concept of relying on someone who can predict the future of your love life was a bit out there for me.
Want to read
April 27, 2021Fun
Story kept me interested. Presented in a fun way, yet still covered emotions most people face, mistakes often made, feelings of self disappointment when you realise you could have responded better. This story could stand alone, but make the sequels desirable reading.
Story kept me interested. Presented in a fun way, yet still covered emotions most people face, mistakes often made, feelings of self disappointment when you realise you could have responded better. This story could stand alone, but make the sequels desirable reading.
January 15, 2015
Not your typical love story
I liked that the story line evolved slowly for the ending couple. I would love to read the book about what Sparks has in store for Keith.
I liked that the story line evolved slowly for the ending couple. I would love to read the book about what Sparks has in store for Keith.
February 9, 2015
Good read.
I enjoyed this book even though I put together what was going to happen. Definitely would recommend reading this book.
I enjoyed this book even though I put together what was going to happen. Definitely would recommend reading this book.
December 22, 2015
Great reading
It is wonderful to find an interesting fun book to read .this is good clean reading I enjoyed this one.
It is wonderful to find an interesting fun book to read .this is good clean reading I enjoyed this one.
January 6, 2016
I didn't like this book, but there wasn't anything wrong with it. The characters all just irritated me.
December 22, 2016
Hum. Not sure what to rate this. I liked having it from the boys pov. It was only ok for me. Maybe 3.5
April 5, 2017
I'm saying it was "okay" because I could have made myself keep reading, it wasn't terrible but there are so many books that captivate me that it's hard to read an "okay" one now. I did not finish the book. I tried but it was so drama laden and the main character really didn't jive well with me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews