A Match Made on Madison

Matchmaker Chronicles #1

by Dee Davis

Manhattan glitterati with a desire to find the perfect mate have a new champion in matchmaker Vanessa Carlson. With her fledgling business giving her biggest rival--friend and mentor Althea Sevalas--a run for her money, Vanessa's services are definitely a hot commodity. To prove once and for all who's the best matchmaker in town, Vanessa and Althea enter into a competition to see who can score downtown playboy Mark Grayson as their client and send him walking down the aisle. Once a winner is crowned in this very public endeavor, there will be no question as to who rules Manhattan's matrimonial mergers. But emotions often have a will of their own, and Vanessa learns that her rules don't always apply.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Rom Com, New York, Contemporary Romance

307 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Award winning author Dee Davis worked in association management before turning her had to writing. Her highly acclaimed first novel, Everything In Its Time, was published in July 2000. Since then, among others, she’s won the Booksellers Best, Golden Leaf, Texas Gold and Prism awards, and been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Holt and two RT Reviewers Choice Awards. To date, she is the author of over thirty novels and novellas, including her current A-Tac series and Cottage in the Mist. When not sitting at the computer, Dee spends time exploring Connecticut with her husband, daughter, and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

Reviews

[Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow and not too exciting, but sorta a cute story. Took me awhile to read.

[Shelley Burbank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Match Made on Madison is a perfect example of early 2000s chick lit. First person, Manhattan setting, shopping, martinis, and lots of name-dropping. It was nice to step back to the era of flip phones and cosmos at happy hour. Totally enjoyed it!

[averi leeann · Rating 4 out of 5]

i saw a few reviews on this book that made me nervous. a lot of people said the ending was rushed but i totally disagree. i believe it could set it up for the second book. i haven’t read it yet but i’ll have to see. in the end they do end up together but it’s like she’s getting matched too so it’s a cute ending and i love how she sees her best friends boyfriend in a new light. loved the book 4/5 ✰

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since this was a typical chick-lit book with a predictable ending, it was perfect for the last week of summer (when I try to read something mindless). Although there was slightly too much name-dropping for me, it did help to set the socialite scene, and I liked the characters and voice.

[Alyssa Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was great for a "chick flick"-type book! The only thing I didn't like was that the ending seemed rushed. Like, everything came together so nicely in 20 pages. I was hoping she work a little harder to snag her man! It just all kind of fell in her lap. I also didn't appreciate how air-headed she was about not recognizing a guy who was interested! Gah!

But, I thought it was tastefully written (a lot of Rom-Com books these days have too much sex or whatever), but this left plenty out (we all know what happens in the bedroom, okay), and I was able to enjoy the book as a pretty-clean, true good romance. It was a fun read! The first 50 pages or so I wasn't quite invested, but the more shenanigans started happening, the more I couldn't put it down!

[Linda Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute shorty about a matchmaker

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. Different style than most romances I read. Story would have been a 4 or 5 if there would have been more with the happy couple.

[Aida · Rating 4 out of 5]

My one criticism... too short. Would’ve liked to see more of Vanessa and Mark’s relationship.

[Renee Barrette]

I absolutely LOOOOOOVED this book! Davis' writing style is easy, it flows well and is very witty. The addition of the New York hotspot description at the beginning of every chapter is something I've never seen before. It's a fantastic way to further introduce a fabulous city to those who love it but are not able to actually be IN it.

Although the fact that Vanessa and Mark would end up together was completely predictable, I would have been upset had the book ended any other way. I smiled from ear to ear at the very last sentence of the book. It was the perfect closing statement to a perfect story.

I love that Vanessa and her mother had somewhat of a love/hate, agree to disagree relationship. You think that they're just going to rip each other's heads off, but when Vanessa really needs her, her mother is right there by her side.

Mark's character was perfect. He was tough and masculine, but so attentive and caring towards Vanessa. I could truly feel the connection between them.

When I finished this book, I couldn't help but wish there was a sequel. Perhaps sometime in the future...

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another pure chick-lit book. It started out a little slow but in no time at all was I completely stuck to it. I honestly really enjoyed it. I found it very funny (I am not joking I think I laughed out loud a few times) and light hearted some scenes but then it got deep and sweet in others. I really enjoyed the setting of New York City and that's actually what originally drew me to this book. I wanted a book with a storyline taking place in NYC and this was the perfect choice. I also loved observing Vanessa's relationship with her mother. I loved her friends Richard, Anderson, and Cybil. I even liked her competitor, Althea, and I really liked the character Mark Grayson. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I read it in two days so its an easy and light read. If you are looking for a light- easy going- chick lit type of book, this is a good choice.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't expect much from chick-lit books, just entertainment and a chance to zone out, but this one was just bad (I've liked many bad books in my day, but not this one). The author seems to have gleaned all her NYC info from Sex and the City, despite her bio indicating she lives in Manhattan. It all just seemed like it was written from the perspective of a New York window-shopper. I also found the way Davis uses first person to be a little odd- several qualifying statements from the narrator that were awkwardly inserted. It would have been more effective to develop the "heroine" through other means, rather than plastering her character sketch right in the text.

Pass on this one.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute fun chick lit book although I didn't like how the author used such big words. It's chick lit it's supposed to be simple and trashy! I was very surprised at the ending that Mark left Vanessa after Stephen got them arrested at the restaurant. I mean I guess that's to be expected but I was so disappointed. Until of course he showed up at the end and requested Althea to match him up with Vanessa, so cute!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Occasionally one needs to read a light romantic comedy. I enjoyed this novel because it was lighter on the main character's romantic life and heavier with her disastrous life. It was all written in a sense of fun and I loved it. Main character, Vanessa, is a matchmaker who is challenged to get a notorious bachelor to join her agency. What can go wrong, does go wrong. It was a light read and good fun.

[Kourtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute, quick, beach read! I will admit it was hard to get into at first, but once I did I was glad I stuck with it. For me, I would not be able to handle reading this book when I was single - I went through a bitter stage and would have HATED this book. Now I'm in a much better place, picked this up and was able to enjoy it for what it was! I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to go back a read this so I could understand "Set up in Soho" as this has repeat characters. I get the feeling that these people may have been in an another previous book as well, which I wouldn't mid reading. This is a cute and light story of a Manhattan matchmaker who is breaking out on her own from her mentor and find love for herself along the way.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an 'Emma' esq book about a matchmaker and her upscale new york clients she is trying to land NY's most eligible bachelor and is in competition with her ex boss as a rival matchmaking entity, quick paced book, read through it in like 2 days, fun, light, read

[Spazfungus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute light romantic comedy. Its a very quick read and perfect if you need something to do while standing in line. Reminds me of Jane Austen's Emma. Also, one of cutest book covers (think monopoly but with matchmaking instead of real estate)

[Carie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pure Chick lit.

Started slow for me but then the story got going and I enjoyed it. Clean (with a little language) and very light. I myself could do without all the designer clothing descriptions and the cat subplot, but over all a 3 star read.

[crystal edgington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

it was a pretty good read. I didn't put it down all night! I can't wait to read the second in the series. I would must definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good romance. :)

[Danell · Rating 2 out of 5]

At best this is a beach read, which I can fully appreciate. But don't look for anything too deep or inspirational. I read it in a few hours - a good book to just lay down with.

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as feel-good as most chick lit out there, but still a fun read.

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chick lit, but fun

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

it gets better as you read on. a cross between sex and the city and everyone worth knowing.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, quick read. I really enjoyed it.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book - not entirely chick lit and a quick read. A little love story without going overboard.

[Ann (Noumena12) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of "society" books. But NYC is one of my favorite places and I really enjoyed all the references to NYC locations and info...not that I'd ever be seen in any of them.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fairly good, a bit silly - similar to "Lipstick Jungle" in a way. However, I was completely disappointed with the ending!

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, it was pretty stinking cute.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute beach read. Definitely inspired by Jane Austen's "Emma"