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Perfect Match
An injured ex-athlete discovers that giving up on the game of life is not an option... As far as former NFL star Jake Masters is concerned, dreams are risky propositions. Years ago he came achingly close to achieving his ambition of playing in the Super Bowl--before a spinal injury ended his career. Confined to a wheelchair, unwilling to take a chance on another risky surgery that could restore his mobility, Jake now stays cocooned behind the imposing gates of his lavish home. But his twin sister, Beth, has no intention of letting him languish there forever. After years of flitting from one failed business idea to another, all fueled by Jake's generosity, she now owns a highly lucrative matchmaking service. And she's gifting the business to Jake--whether he likes it or not--while she follows her dreams of making it as a singer in Nashville. Though Jake had plenty of women falling all over him at the peak of his success, he knows nothing about matchmaking. He's willing to try for his sister's sake, and it's soon clear that he needs an assistant. Enter Gracie Sweet, whose slender frame belies a take-no-charge toughness that would put any linebacker to shame. Grace begins by revamping the business and soon she's overhauling Jake's entire life--and to his huge surprise, Jake's enjoying it. But when their clients become victims of theft, Gracie and Jake must reconcile their very different outlooks if they're to have any chance of saving the business...and if Jake is to make another play for the life he thought he lost...
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
2162 people are currently reading
2248 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
424 books6,513 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
October 16, 2015
Rating 2.25, narration 3
This story had a lot of potential but it was as though there were two different books that were stitched together. This was the number 1 issue with it, it just didn't give you a strong feeling for either couple, just as your settling in and really enjoying couple 1 they practically disappear. Then it shifts to couple 2 and you're like "What just happened?".
Very unfinished, but with that said. I liked each couple but both were underdeveloped and leaving a major plot line just hanging will never make sense. As I say it was as though two plots were stitched together. Would have been better had they brought couple 1 along as couple 2 took center stage. Also a lot more needed to be added to couple 2 I almost thought they were roomies and not long time lovers.
This story had a lot of potential but it was as though there were two different books that were stitched together. This was the number 1 issue with it, it just didn't give you a strong feeling for either couple, just as your settling in and really enjoying couple 1 they practically disappear. Then it shifts to couple 2 and you're like "What just happened?".
Very unfinished, but with that said. I liked each couple but both were underdeveloped and leaving a major plot line just hanging will never make sense. As I say it was as though two plots were stitched together. Would have been better had they brought couple 1 along as couple 2 took center stage. Also a lot more needed to be added to couple 2 I almost thought they were roomies and not long time lovers.
March 24, 2017
This is a contemporary romance that takes place in South Carolina and Tennessee. It is an interesting mesh of a multitude of sociological themes and personal relationships. The main characters; Beth and Jake Masters (brother and sister), Grace Sweet (Beth’s best friend and business partner), John Rossmon and Gizmo; are all well developed and likable. The story starts out to be mostly about Jake Masters being injured and stuck in a wheelchair, unable to walk, cutting himself off from the rest of the world, including his sister, his only living relative. Then , along with that, it runs to Beth and a stalker, a music career and a temporary move to Nashville with her long-time boyfriend, and a local soup kitchen/club and it’s dwarf owner/operator. Throw in Gizmo, an incredible German Shepherd war veteran, more human than animal, and you’ve got a wonderful story.
I enjoyed this story very much.
I enjoyed this story very much.
May 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It had some wonderful characters. What really got to me was how all the of the characters as they were each introduced would become part of the family of Beth and Jake, who were brother and sister. The story revolved around Beth and Grace and their Matchmaking business and when their is a stalker after Beth, it becomes entwined in the story and the lives of each of the characters helping to find the stalker. The sacrifices made in the name of happiness and love are at the heart of this story. And Giz the wonderful service dog, who was given the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the line of duty gives this book so much heart. For a really good feel good story this is a book to read.
June 6, 2020
Wow! I have never read a book by Fern Michaels and I never will again. As previously stated, this is basically two books in one. The story started out as a business/romance book and ended up as a stalker book-total 180 turnaround. The dog is as smart as a human, one of the owners is worth $30 million, another character can rent his own gulf-stream & don’t forget about the woman who “tricks” her war hero boyfriend into finding country western fame, everything going for these people. And the fist pumps? Every character seems to fist pump sometime in the novel, don’t think I have ever “fist pumped” in my life. The thing that really irked me was the way she wrote about a little person. Ok, I understand describing him when we first meet him and what this condition meant in his life, but every time thereafter does the author really have to say “little man?” Or “the little man with tiny hands?” Seriously, she always said “little man.” At one point the author had him picked up by another man! Actually picked up like a child! Horrible book!
May 5, 2015
It was hard to finish this book. Just didn't enjoy it.
February 20, 2017
2.5-3 STARS
This was my first Fern Michaels book and it was just OK. The first half of the book centers around the couple mentioned in the synopsis, but then shifts gears and the second half of the book focuses solely on a second couple. The two couples are related, but it just seems that this could have been two separate stories in a series. I picked up Perfect Match based on the book blurb that speaks of an injured/disabled ex-NFL football player (Jake) and the woman who helps him re-enter life. There is very little reference to Jake's sister and her story in the book blurb, but then the story detours in the middle and the book becomes mostly about her, her long-time love, and a devious stalker. I felt like these could have been two great stories on their own with some added development with plot and backstory, but lumped together they took away from each other. I wanted to read more about Jake and Gracie, but their story felt incomplete. Both couples came together at the end with a quick wrap-up, but there was too much lacking within Jake's story and how he got there. I can gather from her back list that she is an accomplished writer, but for a first-time Fern Michael's reader this book doesn't compel me to read her other works.
This was my first Fern Michaels book and it was just OK. The first half of the book centers around the couple mentioned in the synopsis, but then shifts gears and the second half of the book focuses solely on a second couple. The two couples are related, but it just seems that this could have been two separate stories in a series. I picked up Perfect Match based on the book blurb that speaks of an injured/disabled ex-NFL football player (Jake) and the woman who helps him re-enter life. There is very little reference to Jake's sister and her story in the book blurb, but then the story detours in the middle and the book becomes mostly about her, her long-time love, and a devious stalker. I felt like these could have been two great stories on their own with some added development with plot and backstory, but lumped together they took away from each other. I wanted to read more about Jake and Gracie, but their story felt incomplete. Both couples came together at the end with a quick wrap-up, but there was too much lacking within Jake's story and how he got there. I can gather from her back list that she is an accomplished writer, but for a first-time Fern Michael's reader this book doesn't compel me to read her other works.
May 19, 2015
I generally like books by this author and it definitely sounded like it would be a great story. It had potential. I just found that it was really slow and skipped over the more interesting story and went with the predictable one instead. There were a lot of characters but they all seemed pretty one dimensional and thrown in to add I don't even know what. They didn't add enough to the story.
However, there were some funny bits. And like I said, definite potential.
However, there were some funny bits. And like I said, definite potential.
November 11, 2017
Perfect Match is by Fern Michaels. Once again, Fern Michaels hits a home run with her book. It is full of excitement and romance and surprises. The reader is never sure what will happen on the next page. She explores the technique of “tough love” in this novel as well as going after your dreams, whatever they are.
Beth Masters was leaving the house her older brother had bought for her upon her graduation from Clemson. However, more importantly, she was leaving her beloved older brother who no longer needed her and the business she had created with her friend and business partner, Gracie Sweet. The match making business they started five years ago had made them millionaires and was still going strong. However, her brother thought it was like all the other things she had tried and failed at. Beth was now leaving for Nashville where she planned to start a singing career despite the fact that she couldn’t sing. She was going with her boyfriend John and she knew they would be a success. Now she just had to say goodbye to her brother if he would see her.
Jake Masters had been a NFL superstar until he had ended up in a wheelchair. He had gone from a loving, friendly man to a recluse. Moose, his longtime trainer, now took care of him. Moose had been his mentor from the beginning. Jake refused to talk to anyone or see anyone. He just holed up in his mansion and argued even with Moose and Calvin, his physical therapist. When Beth came to his house to say goodbye, he was very nasty to her. So, she said her piece and left him with a stack of material to read about her company which she was turning over to him to take care of. Of course, she had put Gracie in charge too. But he didn’t know it at this time. Beth left and refused all his phone calls and texts.
A month later, Gracie turned up on his doorstep to initiate the second step in Beth’s plan. Gracie bulldozed her way into the house, redecorated the study to fit her tastes and set it up as the home of the business. With her dog, Gizmo, she bullied Jake into taking part in the business.
How long could Gracie keep up the façade of being a brash, pushy broad who cared only for the business? How long could Jake keep ignoring everyone and the possibility of one more surgery possibly making it possible for him to walk? Would Moose back Beth or Jake or would he leave? Will Beth make her wish come true in Nashville? What other surprises does Fern Michaels have in store for these young people?
Beth Masters was leaving the house her older brother had bought for her upon her graduation from Clemson. However, more importantly, she was leaving her beloved older brother who no longer needed her and the business she had created with her friend and business partner, Gracie Sweet. The match making business they started five years ago had made them millionaires and was still going strong. However, her brother thought it was like all the other things she had tried and failed at. Beth was now leaving for Nashville where she planned to start a singing career despite the fact that she couldn’t sing. She was going with her boyfriend John and she knew they would be a success. Now she just had to say goodbye to her brother if he would see her.
Jake Masters had been a NFL superstar until he had ended up in a wheelchair. He had gone from a loving, friendly man to a recluse. Moose, his longtime trainer, now took care of him. Moose had been his mentor from the beginning. Jake refused to talk to anyone or see anyone. He just holed up in his mansion and argued even with Moose and Calvin, his physical therapist. When Beth came to his house to say goodbye, he was very nasty to her. So, she said her piece and left him with a stack of material to read about her company which she was turning over to him to take care of. Of course, she had put Gracie in charge too. But he didn’t know it at this time. Beth left and refused all his phone calls and texts.
A month later, Gracie turned up on his doorstep to initiate the second step in Beth’s plan. Gracie bulldozed her way into the house, redecorated the study to fit her tastes and set it up as the home of the business. With her dog, Gizmo, she bullied Jake into taking part in the business.
How long could Gracie keep up the façade of being a brash, pushy broad who cared only for the business? How long could Jake keep ignoring everyone and the possibility of one more surgery possibly making it possible for him to walk? Would Moose back Beth or Jake or would he leave? Will Beth make her wish come true in Nashville? What other surprises does Fern Michaels have in store for these young people?
August 21, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book
January 26, 2019
Predictable
An easy read. The plot is predictable and not particularly imaginative. Perfect for the beach or anytime you want an undemanding story.
An easy read. The plot is predictable and not particularly imaginative. Perfect for the beach or anytime you want an undemanding story.
June 14, 2024
A perfectly pleasant read with a somewhat predictable ending. Gizmo is awesome!
April 30, 2020
2.5 stars. This book was okay but it felt like 2 separate books with no real cohesion. Yes, the characters are related, but the first half is completely couple #1 and the second half is completely couple #2 without ever really resolving much from the first half. Both stories were okay, but both were underdeveloped because they weren't given the time to be a full story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend starting here with Fern Michaels if you haven't read her, and for those who have I'd still probably steer clear. I won't be surprised if I completely forget it in a week.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
The first half is about the couple mentioned on the back. Beth gives her brother, Jake, her matchmaking business so she could go to Nashville and work on her music career. She has no talent and she's actually just trying to get her musician boyfriend there because he's hesitant to do so on his own, but I won't even get into how stupid that is. Jake had been injured in the NFL and now is in a wheel chair and has sort of given up on life. So Beth gives him the business and has her partner, Gracie, go help him. However, she asks Gracie to be a real pain in the rear just to get Jake passionate about something. Of course, she is successful and he actually gets into learning about the business and together they make it work both professionally and in a relationship.
The 2nd half of the book is about Beth and her fiance in Nashville. She has a guy who used to stalk her and then he starts stalking her again. There's a lot of back and forth and attempt at suspense but in the end, the guy is caught, her fiance is injured, but everything ends up okay. He's given his chance to be a star and everyone is safe and happy.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
The first half is about the couple mentioned on the back. Beth gives her brother, Jake, her matchmaking business so she could go to Nashville and work on her music career. She has no talent and she's actually just trying to get her musician boyfriend there because he's hesitant to do so on his own, but I won't even get into how stupid that is. Jake had been injured in the NFL and now is in a wheel chair and has sort of given up on life. So Beth gives him the business and has her partner, Gracie, go help him. However, she asks Gracie to be a real pain in the rear just to get Jake passionate about something. Of course, she is successful and he actually gets into learning about the business and together they make it work both professionally and in a relationship.
The 2nd half of the book is about Beth and her fiance in Nashville. She has a guy who used to stalk her and then he starts stalking her again. There's a lot of back and forth and attempt at suspense but in the end, the guy is caught, her fiance is injured, but everything ends up okay. He's given his chance to be a star and everyone is safe and happy.
February 27, 2024
Not a page turner
January 16, 2016
Beth and Gracie have started a dating service, and it is really doing well, the problem is their first client, Luke Olsen who seems to be obsessed with Beth.
Jake is Beth's brother who used to be a really good football player who is now in a wheel chair due to an injury, there's surgery that can possibly allow him to be able to walk again but he's so hellbent on feeling sorry for himself, he won't have it. That is until his surrogate father Moose walks out on him and Beth and her boyfriend John leave to go to Texas to become a country singer.
While Beth and John are in Texas, John asks Beth to marry him again, but she has always told him, not until her brother can walk her down the aisle.
Once Beth leaves she leaves the business to Jake and her best sister/girlfriend Gracie. Gracie comes with her service dog Giz who is so good at what he does, he received the Medal of Honor from the President of the United States.
While in Texas, John and Beth meet Arnold, a midget whose parents wanted nothing to do with him when they first saw him. He has done very well for himself and takes a liking to Beth and John. John performs at Arnold's music establishment called Rootie Tootie's, and does really well.
Meanwhile Luke O.sen continues to stalk Beth South Carolina to Texas. Things really take a turn when Luke stabs John thinking it's because of John that Beth doesn't want to be with him.
Will Jake have the surgery that can turn his life around and allow him to walk his sister down the aisle? Will Jake let Beth's business run into the grind because he has no interest in it or will Gracie whip Jake into shape and make him man up?
Before it's all over, they become one big family full of love. Sometimes you don't have to be blood related to be family. I really enjoyed this book. Read: January 2016
Jake is Beth's brother who used to be a really good football player who is now in a wheel chair due to an injury, there's surgery that can possibly allow him to be able to walk again but he's so hellbent on feeling sorry for himself, he won't have it. That is until his surrogate father Moose walks out on him and Beth and her boyfriend John leave to go to Texas to become a country singer.
While Beth and John are in Texas, John asks Beth to marry him again, but she has always told him, not until her brother can walk her down the aisle.
Once Beth leaves she leaves the business to Jake and her best sister/girlfriend Gracie. Gracie comes with her service dog Giz who is so good at what he does, he received the Medal of Honor from the President of the United States.
While in Texas, John and Beth meet Arnold, a midget whose parents wanted nothing to do with him when they first saw him. He has done very well for himself and takes a liking to Beth and John. John performs at Arnold's music establishment called Rootie Tootie's, and does really well.
Meanwhile Luke O.sen continues to stalk Beth South Carolina to Texas. Things really take a turn when Luke stabs John thinking it's because of John that Beth doesn't want to be with him.
Will Jake have the surgery that can turn his life around and allow him to walk his sister down the aisle? Will Jake let Beth's business run into the grind because he has no interest in it or will Gracie whip Jake into shape and make him man up?
Before it's all over, they become one big family full of love. Sometimes you don't have to be blood related to be family. I really enjoyed this book. Read: January 2016
October 13, 2019
This was, I think, my first Fern Michaels. Pretty sure it will be my last. This book was such a mish-mash - it's like the author forgot that she started it as a fun, feisty romance between Gracie and Jake and just changed her mind about 40-50% into the book and decided to write a different (and considerably more boring) book.
It was full of loooooooooooooong passages of irrelevant and boring info. I won't describe how many times the same info was repeated in different ways and it was still boring. I ended up listening to most of the audiobook on x2 speed just because I wanted to know how things worked out Jake (who didn't appear much at all after the first 30% of the book)
There were loose ends left hanging all over the show it honestly felt as though the author had completely forgotten that after giving us all endless amounts of statistics about online dating she just decided she was bored with that ... and we must be too. Well .... maybe ... but I was NOT bored with Jake and Gracie and I feel cheated.
Very disappointing and I don't recommend it. The audiobook was average - but I can't blame the narrator, it was just poorly written.
It was full of loooooooooooooong passages of irrelevant and boring info. I won't describe how many times the same info was repeated in different ways and it was still boring. I ended up listening to most of the audiobook on x2 speed just because I wanted to know how things worked out Jake (who didn't appear much at all after the first 30% of the book)
There were loose ends left hanging all over the show it honestly felt as though the author had completely forgotten that after giving us all endless amounts of statistics about online dating she just decided she was bored with that ... and we must be too. Well .... maybe ... but I was NOT bored with Jake and Gracie and I feel cheated.
Very disappointing and I don't recommend it. The audiobook was average - but I can't blame the narrator, it was just poorly written.
Read
June 10, 2015Loved this book , love all this author's books.
The story of a sister and brother initially-he helps her financially with her various endeavors and she pays him back when one of her business ventures is successful- a dating service. She hands over the business venture to him to be run by him and her partner/good friend. It is also a book about motivation and dreams and helping others both by giving back and by helping them to find their "mate".
Some great adventures await the characters in the book and there is a certain amount of drama and some tense moments as well.
As this author always has a dog in her books, the case in this story is about a war hero service dog who is quite the character on his own and does his own share of motivating people. He provides some humorous moments as well.
The story of a sister and brother initially-he helps her financially with her various endeavors and she pays him back when one of her business ventures is successful- a dating service. She hands over the business venture to him to be run by him and her partner/good friend. It is also a book about motivation and dreams and helping others both by giving back and by helping them to find their "mate".
Some great adventures await the characters in the book and there is a certain amount of drama and some tense moments as well.
As this author always has a dog in her books, the case in this story is about a war hero service dog who is quite the character on his own and does his own share of motivating people. He provides some humorous moments as well.
May 14, 2015
Perfect Match is the name of matchmaking dating service owned by Beth Masters and Gracie Sweet. Beth leaves for Nashville to help further the career of her boyfriend John. She arranges for her friend and partner Gracie to take care of her brother Jake, former NFL star before his paralyzing injury left him in a wheelchair. One of the most amazing characters is Gizmo, a decorated canine war hero. I thought this book was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed it. In my opinion, Fern Michaels doesn't always hit a home run, but his time she did.
August 29, 2019
Perfect Match had some of the clunkiest story-telling I've ever read. Half-way through the book, the story switches, quite unexpectedly, the main characters, and the characters that the reader has spent the first half of the story investing in, pretty much disappear from the storyline. Very, very unsatisfying. I've been trying out new-to-me authors and genres this summer, and I don't need to try another Fern Michael's story.
August 9, 2020
DNF. The audiobook was part of a free package. Thank goodness. What a nightmare. Can't stand hateful shrews, liars and people doing what they think is best for everyone else. Ridiculous characters and absurd story. The level of condescension was ridiculous. Seriously, worst writing and story I've listened to in a seriously long time. Nothing even remotely related to real humans or business. No, just no.
January 21, 2016
Too many characters, too many plots to follow. The description made it out to be about Jake and Gracie but they were the least discussed people in the whole book. But if they said who it was truly about I wouldn't have read it. Mediocre at best.
January 23, 2016
She has done it again, another great stand alone novel. I loved the people so much that I hope that we get to see them again in the future. There were many secrets, but they were being used to motive everyone along.
January 21, 2023
no harm done
I use these books to relax before bed. The writing style is not very sophisticated. It’s sort of “see spot run”. I do continue to read the books though. Also - in this case- it’s too sweet!
I use these books to relax before bed. The writing style is not very sophisticated. It’s sort of “see spot run”. I do continue to read the books though. Also - in this case- it’s too sweet!
June 15, 2015
Typical Fern Michaels--predictable ending. Loved Gizmo, the dog character in the book, who was a war veteran. A good, easy read, but nothing spectacular--5 out of 10.
February 14, 2023
This book contained three story lines and each was executed in an overly simplistic way. The author tends to repeat herself verbatim.
May 31, 2015
Not exactly how the book jacket describes it but still a good book.
October 10, 2019
Fern Michaels is an excellent writer and can definitely spin a tale. Having read some of her other books, including one in the Sisterhood series, I can see she likes strong female main characters. Not many meek and feminine manners for her gals. In this story Beth, or "Beezer," gives her brother Jake Masters a tongue-lashing and seems to dump her business, Perfect Match, in his lap, ordering him to make it work. she's heading to Nashville to become a star.
Beth has roped her good friend and business partner, Grace Sweet, in this project to get Jake on his feet again. Between the two of them they insult, boss and bully Jake in an attempt to get him mobile again after a football injury has put him in a wheelchair. Beth cuts of all communication, then Gracie arrives at Jake's door pretending to be Beth's employee. She tears into Jake for his lack of action re: the business and also his general selfishness. She brings along her "decorated war veteran" trained service dog, Gizmo, to help keep Jake in line. Gizmo and Jake come to love each other.
Beth, meanwhile, is loving it in Nashville together with her significant other. John gets a job in a band and becomes a hit. Beth can't sing worth a hoot. Plus she's the target of a stalker, a former client who's convinced she'd be happy with him.
Overall I enjoyed this story, but I do wish the writer would have cut back on the vulgar language. Also, this is an "end justifies the means" approach, but I don't really care for the kind of snarl-and-sass these gals displayed. If you enjoy that kind of heroine, you will find this a very entertaining and interesting read.
Beth has roped her good friend and business partner, Grace Sweet, in this project to get Jake on his feet again. Between the two of them they insult, boss and bully Jake in an attempt to get him mobile again after a football injury has put him in a wheelchair. Beth cuts of all communication, then Gracie arrives at Jake's door pretending to be Beth's employee. She tears into Jake for his lack of action re: the business and also his general selfishness. She brings along her "decorated war veteran" trained service dog, Gizmo, to help keep Jake in line. Gizmo and Jake come to love each other.
Beth, meanwhile, is loving it in Nashville together with her significant other. John gets a job in a band and becomes a hit. Beth can't sing worth a hoot. Plus she's the target of a stalker, a former client who's convinced she'd be happy with him.
Overall I enjoyed this story, but I do wish the writer would have cut back on the vulgar language. Also, this is an "end justifies the means" approach, but I don't really care for the kind of snarl-and-sass these gals displayed. If you enjoy that kind of heroine, you will find this a very entertaining and interesting read.
February 19, 2022
Jake Masters, former NFL star, is feeling sorry for himself as he is confined to a wheelchair after a spinal injury. The doctors tell him there is a 50/50 chance he could walk again with surgery but he is looking at the 50% chance of failure. His sister Beth is fed up with him and decides a little tough love is required. She sends her business partner and best friend Gracie to advise him he is now a partner in their matchmaking business and he has to make a go of it or else. Gracie brings Gizmo, a K-9 formerly assigned to her love Alex Samson until he was killed overseas. Now Gizmo gets to Jake and he realizes what an idiot he has been. Jake finally agrees to the surgery.
Beth is being stalked by a former member of the matchmaking business, Luke Olsen who uses an alias of Phil Parsons. She has a bodyguard who is aware of stalkers and is afraid he might go after Beth's boyfriend John Rossman, an up and coming country singer. He works days as a waiter and nights at a bar where he is part of the band. He thinks Beth is working with a voice coach to become a singer but she told him that was her dream to get him to come with her. She has planned for him to cut a demo but is afraid Luke might do something to him. When Luke finally gets to John, he is ultimately taken down and John not badly injured.
Everything turns out okay for all concerned. I don't know which character is more obnoxious--Beth or Gracie. If I had been Jake and someone talked to me in my house the way Gracie did to him, she would be shown the door. Ridiculous!
Beth is being stalked by a former member of the matchmaking business, Luke Olsen who uses an alias of Phil Parsons. She has a bodyguard who is aware of stalkers and is afraid he might go after Beth's boyfriend John Rossman, an up and coming country singer. He works days as a waiter and nights at a bar where he is part of the band. He thinks Beth is working with a voice coach to become a singer but she told him that was her dream to get him to come with her. She has planned for him to cut a demo but is afraid Luke might do something to him. When Luke finally gets to John, he is ultimately taken down and John not badly injured.
Everything turns out okay for all concerned. I don't know which character is more obnoxious--Beth or Gracie. If I had been Jake and someone talked to me in my house the way Gracie did to him, she would be shown the door. Ridiculous!
October 25, 2017
Jake Masters was a professional football star but an injury left him confined to a wheelchair. His sister, Beth, has had several unsuccessful business adventures funded by her brother. However, she is now head of a very successful, multi-state match making firm. She long ago put away the funds to repay Jake for his previous funding, but they have been estranged, and she could not get him to recognize or even care about the changes in her life. The two had been raised in Summerville, SC, but Beth is not moving to Nashville to (supposedly) pursue a singing career (Beth cannot sing). Beth and her friend,Gracie, and Gracie's huge shepherd, Sargent Giz are conspiring to help Jake and Beth's fiance.
This is a ...fun to read. The day to day changes in the character's lives are really the crux of the plot. The changes are brought through the caring of the characters for each other's life and safety. Sargent Gizmo and Jake's friend Moose are my favorites.
I live in Summerville, SC. I enjoyed the mention of Handyman Mike. He and his roommate, Craig, have helped me out at times.
This is a ...fun to read. The day to day changes in the character's lives are really the crux of the plot. The changes are brought through the caring of the characters for each other's life and safety. Sargent Gizmo and Jake's friend Moose are my favorites.
I live in Summerville, SC. I enjoyed the mention of Handyman Mike. He and his roommate, Craig, have helped me out at times.
January 31, 2021
This is the first FIVE STAR review I've ever given and I've read a thousand books. It won't win a Pulitzer but it will brighten your day, make you laugh and love the characters; one in particular, Giz, I promise ever reader will love. I will admit that after reading the first chapter I almost dumped the book but I kept reading and the foolishness at the beginning was all explained as the story evolved. I've never been one to wish for just a few more pages to read but this book did that to me. Interesting, exciting, fun. A few grammatical errors but for this book I'll forgive. Given that I'm a grammar nut that is a huge concession. I didn't even realize until the end that there was no sexual content or out of character cussing. This book didn't need that crap (lol). I just may have to read this one again to see the inner workings of the plot evolution. Dang! That book was fun! NOT silly, FUN!!
February 27, 2024
Perfect Match
Beth and her best friend Gracie own and operate a match making service called Perfect Match and are raking in the money. Beth's brother Jake was a professional football player until he was put in a wheelchair on the field. His trainer Moose moved in with him to care for him but he's been having a three year long pity party. Everyone has been banned and have drifted away except for Moose and Beth who are fed up.
Beth decides she's going to Nashville to become the next big star. She tells her brother off and dumps her business in his lap but Gracie and her war veteran K9 Gizmo show up to bully him into making an important decision (he doesn't know Gracie is a partner, just an employee Beth has put in charge. Beth has a stalker, John is a hit in Nashville, Jake has his surgery and is walking and their new friend Arnold has finally got the family he deserves and maybe a lady friend. Gizmo is still great and smarter than all of them.
Beth and her best friend Gracie own and operate a match making service called Perfect Match and are raking in the money. Beth's brother Jake was a professional football player until he was put in a wheelchair on the field. His trainer Moose moved in with him to care for him but he's been having a three year long pity party. Everyone has been banned and have drifted away except for Moose and Beth who are fed up.
Beth decides she's going to Nashville to become the next big star. She tells her brother off and dumps her business in his lap but Gracie and her war veteran K9 Gizmo show up to bully him into making an important decision (he doesn't know Gracie is a partner, just an employee Beth has put in charge. Beth has a stalker, John is a hit in Nashville, Jake has his surgery and is walking and their new friend Arnold has finally got the family he deserves and maybe a lady friend. Gizmo is still great and smarter than all of them.
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