The Matchmaker's Secret

Make Me a Match #3

by Kay Lyons

alternate cover edition of ASIN B08XWHTF7L

Naming her childhood friend as her perfect match might be professional matchmaker Marsali Jones’ career-ending move. Oliver Beck is now a Hollywood A-list actor, and Marsali is at a loss as to how to repair the damage revealing her secret crush has caused without ruining her career. But that’s the least of her worries when Oliver appears at her door….

Oliver Beck has wanted Marsali from the moment he met her via her brother, but she’s always been off-limits because of his friendship and respect for her family. Being named her “perfect match” puts a whole other spin on things, however. She needs him, and he’s willing to play along—for a price.

Marsali is blown away by Oliver’s suggestion that they actually date and she can’t refuse him. But as her blunder brings them closer, his super hot movie star lifestyle clashes with her “good girl dating” brand and they find themselves at odds with the world watching.

Could it be that her perfect match isn’t so perfect after all?

From anthology Cupid to the Rescue

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

176 pages, ebook

First published January 5, 2021

About the author

Pseudonym: Ivy James (slightly sexier stories) and Kay Stockham

Kay Lyons always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when she copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because she didn’t like the plot.

Through the years her stories have changed but one characteristic stayed true— they were all romances. Each and every one of her manuscripts included a love story. Published in 2005 with Harlequin Enterprises, Kay’s first release was a #7 bestseller. Kay has also been a HOLT Medallion, Book Buyers Best and RITA Award nominee.

Kay's books are known for their heartfelt and emotional storytelling, focusing on themes of love, redemption, and personal growth. Her novels feature well-developed characters who navigate through life's challenges, finding love and new beginnings along the way. Set in charming small-town environments from mountains to beaches, her stories are filled with warmth, friendships, family dynamics, and a strong sense of community. Kay's writing is appreciated for its depth, relatable characters, and the emotional journeys her protagonists undergo. Her books are a blend of sweet and swoony romance that resonate with readers.

If you like slightly sexier books, check out Kay's alter-ego Ivy James. Kay currently focuses on sweet, small town contemporary romance while Ivy James' titles contain love scenes and mild language. Several of Kay's series have alternative versions by Ivy James, and you can find the list below. Just remember Kay Lyons' books are sweet/clean and wholesome, and Ivy James' are sexy.
Stone Gap Mountain Series (Ivy James) = Stone River Series (Kay Lyons)
Tennessee Tulanes Series (Ivy James) = Taming The Tulanes Series (Kay Lyons)
Montana Skies Series (Ivy James) = Montana Secrets Series (Kay Lyons)
Redeeming Love Series (Ivy James) = Small Town Scandals Series (Kay Lyons)
The Crash Before Christmas (Ivy James) = Secret Santa 1 (Kay Lyons)

Reviews

[Simplypheyie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concept of fake dating plus brother’s best friend is cute, but it was not well executed. It was too repetitive, and some parts just were not logical enough. I rolled my eyes several times. It should have been a fun read, but it ended up being very predictable, with a lot of fillers just to move the plot along.

The brother’s anger was misplaced and didn’t make sense. The only thing Mac was used for in the book was anger and disapproval with no reasoning behind it. The whole book read like a rushed draft that needed more development.

There was also a very abrupt shift from her casually name dropping to suddenly being fully immersed in his celebrity lifestyle. I was like, “how did we get here??”. Their relationship itself was messy. Marsali was unreasonable, and Oliver was inconsistent and had the personality of a stick. The ending just made me laugh at how ridiculous it was.

The entire book just felt messy with no clear direction. There were also a lot of typos, which made me question if the book was properly edited. I am honestly not sure why I finished it.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matchmaking expert Marsali drops her childhood friend/brother's best mate's name in a tv interview where she's feeling pressured. When he's the current hottest Hollywood star, everything goes nuts. But he rides in to her rescue with a mad idea to keep up the pretence that they're dating. It doesn't go down well with family, but they were always meant to be together, weren't they?

A sweet tale of childhood crush to unexpected adulthood relationship, and how that is happening in public and backdrop of their careers.

Apart from the name Marsali really annoying me, I quite enjoyed this sweet relationship that had been building for so long.

[Rita Kunselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book and Marsali and Oliver! They had everything going against them!
Brothers friend, total opposites! But Oliver decides to love her and gets her to be his women! The dates, the thoughtful things he does for making him a catch! Plus he tends to remember how she takes her coffee, what she likes to do and reads !
Plus he reads the book that she reads! A real catch!

Marsali is cute & a big flirt! I would definitely recommend reading this book or at least put into tbr pile! It is very good and I received this free but it didn’t affect my review!

[Conna N Condon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a story so similar to this one that I went searching to verify that this was not already read by me. This version of the matchmaker and famous friend (actor this time) ending up matched by her being outed as having a crush on him is excellent. The famous male, again, has had a secret crush. The 2 hidden crushers end up going from fake to reality with an enjoyable HOA. Relatively (very)clean and delightful romance by an author I really like.

[Mary Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it really pretend?

This was a good contemporary love story of a couple who had both hid their interest for years. It was time for the real thing, but it had to be pretend for now. A good clean read!

[Shirlgig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 7 books in 2 days while the power was flickering on and off; then it was on but the wifi was out so I could do nothing but read. I marked this book as excellent so I must have enjoyed it but now I remember very little about it because it's all mixed up with 6 others. :)

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging story and characters. A quick read so some development was sacrificed, I think for that. There was an aspect to the story that I didn't quite connect with but that was my own personal thing and others would not have the same challenge that I did. Overall, a lovely read.

[GuiltyPleasures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the premise is a bit farfetched, I enjoyed this book. I thought Ollie and Marsali were believable and stayed true to character. There weren’t any real “clutch my pearls” scenes, despite conflicts and unpleasantness from time to time. A fun read.

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairytale

This read like a fairytale. Sweet, characters from different life paths. It was closed door, and ended with an HEA. Unresolved brother, best friend issue with the relationship...but you can guess.

[Caity Clewes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. 3.5 stars

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story. A little too clean for me. It was a nice story but she was a bit of a prude.

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook

[Linda Morey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the hero’s love and patience with someone he had a longtime crush on . Eyesight into being with a Hollywood star .

[Emily Prior · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 /5 stars
This is a great romance story that will ask to what is next and will get your heart beat

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rather silly read. A clean read with good intentions, somehow not interesting.