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Maple Gardens Matchmakers #2
The Christmas Match
He needs a girlfriend. She needs a job. Pity they can't stand each other!
Olivia loves working at Maple Gardens Assisted Living and adores the residents and their families. Apart from the annoying son of one her charges who spills his drink on her and doesn't even apologise. Her small act of revenge is satisfying... until she discovers who she just made an enemy of.
Isaac wants nothing more than to expand Maple Gardens into other states and the invitation of a potential backer to visit for an important Christmas party is perfect. Except, Isaac lied about having a girlfriend... and is expected to bring her.
Flying across the country together in a private jet is one thing. Pretending to be in love is quite another. But New York at Christmas time is about to work its magic.
Part billionaire romance, part fake boyfriend, and a whole lot of enemies to lovers... all wrapped up in a clean and sweet contemporary romance with a swoony happy ever after.
About the series: Maple Gardens has the best of care for its residents. Staff who go the extra mile. And a small group of elderly friends who want nothing more than to see their loved ones find romance. Even if it takes a bit of a nudge sometimes. And a whole lot of meddling.
Olivia loves working at Maple Gardens Assisted Living and adores the residents and their families. Apart from the annoying son of one her charges who spills his drink on her and doesn't even apologise. Her small act of revenge is satisfying... until she discovers who she just made an enemy of.
Isaac wants nothing more than to expand Maple Gardens into other states and the invitation of a potential backer to visit for an important Christmas party is perfect. Except, Isaac lied about having a girlfriend... and is expected to bring her.
Flying across the country together in a private jet is one thing. Pretending to be in love is quite another. But New York at Christmas time is about to work its magic.
Part billionaire romance, part fake boyfriend, and a whole lot of enemies to lovers... all wrapped up in a clean and sweet contemporary romance with a swoony happy ever after.
About the series: Maple Gardens has the best of care for its residents. Staff who go the extra mile. And a small group of elderly friends who want nothing more than to see their loved ones find romance. Even if it takes a bit of a nudge sometimes. And a whole lot of meddling.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2022
65 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Phillipa Nefri Clark
94 books363 followersPhillipa lives just outside a beautiful town in country Victoria, Australia. She also lives in the many worlds of her imagination and stockpiles stories beside her laptop.
She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.
With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.
She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.
With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 13, 2024
Maple Gardens Assisted Living was a home to Olivia, in that she worked for the residents, making friends with many of them. She was a good people person, and loved caring for the elderly. The only person who grated on Olivia's nerves didn't in fact, live in the facility. He was the son of one of the residents, and a more arrogant man she'd yet to meet. When she discovered who Isaac actually was, she was mortified. And when he offered her a job, ostensibly lying to a person he needed on his side, the money was the only thing which saw her agree. Would a snowy Christmas in New York work its magic?
The Christmas Match is 2nd in the Maple Gardens Matchmakers series by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark and it was light and entertaining. Olivia is a great character, strong, independent and caring, while Isaac - well... Recommended.
The Christmas Match is 2nd in the Maple Gardens Matchmakers series by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark and it was light and entertaining. Olivia is a great character, strong, independent and caring, while Isaac - well... Recommended.
December 15, 2022
This is a lovely romance set at the most wonderful time of the year Christmas, Olivia and Isaac are not looking for love or a HEA Isaac is way too busy with his business and Olivia has been hurt by people leaving her, but there are a few ladies living at Maple Gardens Assisted Living who feel that they would make the perfect couple.
Olivia is very happy working at Maple Gardens she loves the residents and does everything to make them happy, she herself is full of beans and laughter, there is only one person that she is not too keen on and that is one of the resident’s sons after a coffee incident that sees her get revenge and somehow this throws them together.
Isaac is CEO of a big company and working hard is what he does there is no time for a girlfriend that wouldn’t be fair on them but when he is looking for investors he is invited to a week in New York but he needs a girlfriend, his mother Millie comes up with a candidate for him, none other than Olivia and he is sure that this will never work.
If you love a beautiful romance that takes in fake girlfriend and two people who clash from the start but that is probably because of the sparks that are flying between them and of course a Christmas story then this is one to pick up MS Clark has written a beautiful romance that had me turning the pages and smiling throughout the ending is just gorgeous so romantic and Christmassy, I loved Olivia she is so very independent and Isaac he really is caring and loving and they make the best couple. I do highly recommend this one and look forward to more in this wonderful series.
Olivia is very happy working at Maple Gardens she loves the residents and does everything to make them happy, she herself is full of beans and laughter, there is only one person that she is not too keen on and that is one of the resident’s sons after a coffee incident that sees her get revenge and somehow this throws them together.
Isaac is CEO of a big company and working hard is what he does there is no time for a girlfriend that wouldn’t be fair on them but when he is looking for investors he is invited to a week in New York but he needs a girlfriend, his mother Millie comes up with a candidate for him, none other than Olivia and he is sure that this will never work.
If you love a beautiful romance that takes in fake girlfriend and two people who clash from the start but that is probably because of the sparks that are flying between them and of course a Christmas story then this is one to pick up MS Clark has written a beautiful romance that had me turning the pages and smiling throughout the ending is just gorgeous so romantic and Christmassy, I loved Olivia she is so very independent and Isaac he really is caring and loving and they make the best couple. I do highly recommend this one and look forward to more in this wonderful series.
February 23, 2023
Thank you Phillipa for gifting us a copy to read and review.
Love arises from the most unusual places and from awkward situations.
Work place environments are the common places, even between people that may not get along at first.
An unlikely pairing under deceptive circumstances ensues in this wonderful Christmas tale.
It was a joy to return to Maple Gardens, a place for those who require assisted living. This luxury place of care wants to expand so other states can benefit from exceptional care quality.
Olivia loves her job at the centre but is only just making ends meet.
A proposition from an arrogant boss has her thinking what the extra money would do for her life and causes.
Isaac has a business partner lined up and to seal the deal needs to take his girlfriend out to their place in New York for a Christmas gathering.
A problem when you’re single.
Together they go on a mission of deception, frustration and heart ache.
Will they get the deal signed off or will integrity rule supreme?
What a delightful story that shows love is possible even when the moral compass is slightly off kilter.
Sometimes an emotional detour is in order.
I enjoyed the obstacles and the dilemmas.
Those red fluffy slippers made a humorous debut.
This is the second in this series but can be read as a standalone but I would urge you to read the first, The Heart Match.
Love arises from the most unusual places and from awkward situations.
Work place environments are the common places, even between people that may not get along at first.
An unlikely pairing under deceptive circumstances ensues in this wonderful Christmas tale.
It was a joy to return to Maple Gardens, a place for those who require assisted living. This luxury place of care wants to expand so other states can benefit from exceptional care quality.
Olivia loves her job at the centre but is only just making ends meet.
A proposition from an arrogant boss has her thinking what the extra money would do for her life and causes.
Isaac has a business partner lined up and to seal the deal needs to take his girlfriend out to their place in New York for a Christmas gathering.
A problem when you’re single.
Together they go on a mission of deception, frustration and heart ache.
Will they get the deal signed off or will integrity rule supreme?
What a delightful story that shows love is possible even when the moral compass is slightly off kilter.
Sometimes an emotional detour is in order.
I enjoyed the obstacles and the dilemmas.
Those red fluffy slippers made a humorous debut.
This is the second in this series but can be read as a standalone but I would urge you to read the first, The Heart Match.
Currently reading
December 13, 2022And we are live!
Not long now until the release of The Christmas Match and I'm so excited! Here's a small excerpt which still makes me sigh.
Olivia laughed again and Isaac smiled in response, loving the sound of it. She carefully retrieved the sad-looking sweet and handed him a bowl of sprinkles. “Maybe you should just do the finishing touches.”
He scoffed. “I can frost. Look, I did that one.” He pointed to a tree, then immediately regretted it. The frosting was uneven; thin in some places and falling off the side in others. He reached for the cookie, intent on fixing it, but she was too fast.
Olivia’s hand snatched it and she grinned. “This one?”
He waited for her to laugh at him and point out all the mistakes he’d made. But instead, she examined it, turning it from side to side. He reached for it again. “Let me fix it—”
She held it just out of reach. “Why? It’s perfect just the way it is.” She put it down next to one of her perfectly painted ones and sprinkled a few green crystals on top. “Didn’t you know? There’s beauty in everything. Even lopsided cookies.”
He was stunned. Who said stuff like that?
Angels, that’s who.
Not long now until the release of The Christmas Match and I'm so excited! Here's a small excerpt which still makes me sigh.
Olivia laughed again and Isaac smiled in response, loving the sound of it. She carefully retrieved the sad-looking sweet and handed him a bowl of sprinkles. “Maybe you should just do the finishing touches.”
He scoffed. “I can frost. Look, I did that one.” He pointed to a tree, then immediately regretted it. The frosting was uneven; thin in some places and falling off the side in others. He reached for the cookie, intent on fixing it, but she was too fast.
Olivia’s hand snatched it and she grinned. “This one?”
He waited for her to laugh at him and point out all the mistakes he’d made. But instead, she examined it, turning it from side to side. He reached for it again. “Let me fix it—”
She held it just out of reach. “Why? It’s perfect just the way it is.” She put it down next to one of her perfectly painted ones and sprinkled a few green crystals on top. “Didn’t you know? There’s beauty in everything. Even lopsided cookies.”
He was stunned. Who said stuff like that?
Angels, that’s who.
January 6, 2026
A billionaire, fake dating, enemies to lovers, holiday romance. So many great tropes in one book.
Workaholic Isaac has no time for a girlfriend but in order to secure Mr Fredrickson’s investment to expand his assistant living facility he must find a fake girlfriend.
Isaac and Olivia had palpable tension from the start. Olivia thinks Issac is rich, pompous and rude and Isaac thinks Olivia is a wildcard. I enjoyed watching their enemies to lovers relationship develop.
Olivia was a great FMC. She was feisty, caring and honest. I liked that she stuck to her morals and what she thought was right.
Isaac’s mam Millie was so much fun. I loved her matchmaking skills and wish we had more of her.
I loved the assisted care home setting, I thought that was a nice alternative setting for a young romance developing. I absolutely adored Christmas in New York too. I wish I could be there.
Overall, I found it a little predictable at times but it was a fun read and I rate it 3.5⭐️ (rounded up to 4 for Amazon & Goodreads.)
Workaholic Isaac has no time for a girlfriend but in order to secure Mr Fredrickson’s investment to expand his assistant living facility he must find a fake girlfriend.
Isaac and Olivia had palpable tension from the start. Olivia thinks Issac is rich, pompous and rude and Isaac thinks Olivia is a wildcard. I enjoyed watching their enemies to lovers relationship develop.
Olivia was a great FMC. She was feisty, caring and honest. I liked that she stuck to her morals and what she thought was right.
Isaac’s mam Millie was so much fun. I loved her matchmaking skills and wish we had more of her.
I loved the assisted care home setting, I thought that was a nice alternative setting for a young romance developing. I absolutely adored Christmas in New York too. I wish I could be there.
Overall, I found it a little predictable at times but it was a fun read and I rate it 3.5⭐️ (rounded up to 4 for Amazon & Goodreads.)
December 25, 2024
This was such a cute little novel and a perfect Christmas read. It reminded me a bit of the movie Pretty Woman. Olivia enters into a contract for a week to pretend to be the girlfriend of Isaac who is trying to lock down a business deal but one of the conditions is he has to be in a relationship. Olivia really needs the money he is offering so agrees to go along with it. It’s an enemies to lovers story and I read this fairly quickly and enjoyed it!
November 14, 2024
lovely feel-good story
Every one of us can look back at their life and see either Issac or Olivia in it. Old hurts, mistakes, dumb stunts. Somehow we made it through and survived. Stories with good endings keep us hoping for a good ending to our personal story. Ms Clark does it very well.
Every one of us can look back at their life and see either Issac or Olivia in it. Old hurts, mistakes, dumb stunts. Somehow we made it through and survived. Stories with good endings keep us hoping for a good ending to our personal story. Ms Clark does it very well.
January 1, 2025
A short read that's very entertaining.
There are some lovable characters in this short but entertaining story. I enjoyed the wit and sarcasm between Oivia and Issiac as they expressed their dislike for each other. Then they make a deal with each other and the problems start. A fun read!
There are some lovable characters in this short but entertaining story. I enjoyed the wit and sarcasm between Oivia and Issiac as they expressed their dislike for each other. Then they make a deal with each other and the problems start. A fun read!
February 1, 2025
Hired to lie but doesn't like lying?!
The FMC is hired for a fake dating job, knowing the whole purpose is to lie about the dating so that the MMC can finish the deal.....then gets mad that the MMC is lying to seal the deal. Seriously?? As if third act breakups aren't annoying enough already, this one just made me go WTF.
The FMC is hired for a fake dating job, knowing the whole purpose is to lie about the dating so that the MMC can finish the deal.....then gets mad that the MMC is lying to seal the deal. Seriously?? As if third act breakups aren't annoying enough already, this one just made me go WTF.
March 23, 2024
Loved it!
When you meet the right person, you know. Olivia is a lovely soul and complements Isaac so well. She brings him to life and makes him realize what he’s been missing without trying much. The energy and sparks were quick to fly. So fun to read!
When you meet the right person, you know. Olivia is a lovely soul and complements Isaac so well. She brings him to life and makes him realize what he’s been missing without trying much. The energy and sparks were quick to fly. So fun to read!
January 8, 2025
Little Lies or Untruths
Beautifully written, hard to put down as wanted to know how it all worked out. Also a good life lesson on being careful with what you wish for and possibly put in danger by lying, even with a simple twist to the truth
Beautifully written, hard to put down as wanted to know how it all worked out. Also a good life lesson on being careful with what you wish for and possibly put in danger by lying, even with a simple twist to the truth
January 22, 2025
Immediate love, they have feelings for each other after hating each other after 48hrs, max. Christmas setting but other than that idk. Also the setting being in Georgia doesn’t really match or align with anything else in the story?
dnf
May 5, 2025DNF @ 66%
I'm not a fan of the insta love trope. Issac and Olivia really got to know each other for the last 2 days and suddenly he's in love?? He didn't even remember her two weeks ago. Not for me.
I'm not a fan of the insta love trope. Issac and Olivia really got to know each other for the last 2 days and suddenly he's in love?? He didn't even remember her two weeks ago. Not for me.
January 9, 2023
fantastic!
This holiday romance sucked me in from the first page. Olivia and Isaac both carry scars that have shaped them. This book is exquisite!
This holiday romance sucked me in from the first page. Olivia and Isaac both carry scars that have shaped them. This book is exquisite!
December 3, 2025
Very cute, very wholesome and just a really great read all together 🙂 loved it! This book is so well written and really gets you in the Christmas spirit.
April 1, 2025
Loved this book. I would consider it a cosy read. I read it in March, but definitely would suit a curl up in a chair with a blanket on a cold winters day. Look forward to reading more from this series. Phillipa is a great writer, I’ve enjoyed all of her books I’ve read so far.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews