The Matchmakers

by Janette Oke

A young woman decides to meddle in her widowed father's affairs and fix him up with an older widow in the neighborhood, but when she enlists the woman's son to help them get together, the outcome is completely unexpected

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Novella

137 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant inspiring read by a writer with a gift for giving spiritual insights in a novella. Cynthia and her friend conspire to find a wife for a father who gives his daughter way too much time. Loved it!

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynthia Wright and her friend, Judith, discuss how awkward things are now that her husband is gone and her dad has moved in. Cynthia is a widow with two young boys. Judith suggest that they play matchmaker. Find someone for Cynthia's father and maybe he will move on and she won't feel so awkward.

I really hesitate to call this a romance. I knew that since this is a Christian writer we wouldn't get much in the physical area and I was fine with that. But other than a few words between the couple, you don't get anything. It was cute but I wanted more.

[SweetAileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy but fun read

[Dana Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist At the end, a surprise. Good story telling, always enjoy her books.

[Norma Suckstorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprise ending!

For me, it was hard to get in to but once I got on to it, it was an enjoyable read. I was pleasantly surprised at the ending. Easy read..no bad language!

[Jacqueline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little novella. The main character, Cynthia, was not very likable. The twist at the end came out of nowhere. I like other Oke stories, but this is a pass.

[Kirstin Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet little story about second love!

[Jackie Herrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought many Memories

1956 our Mother passed, I was just 15, about a year +, my older sister & husband. Introduced my Dad to Roger widowed Mother. Our Dad had been depressed and doing nothing? ? H e went from down to a Christmas Kid with a new toy.. Well my brother, 18, and I, teased him, WITH NO MERCY ! ! They were married in 1958. I will be eternally grateful to our new Stepmother (Velma) forever and a day!! She made his remaining day just grand.... See what wonderful memories these books being ! ! !
Thomas Herrington

[Shannon Maddox · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute story. However, unlike Oke's other books I've enjoyed, the characters in this volume lack spiritual depth. Also, I felt there was a total lack of romance and pure attraction between the couple who ultimately got together. Sure, the twist at the end was clever, but the overall story fell flat.

[Nicholas Lech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, clean, quick read!

I’ve been a fan of Janette Oke’s books for a long time. When I saw this one free on prime reading, I had to read it. Such a good book—I couldn’t put it down! My only complaint is that I wish it was longer!

[Barbara J Bambach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Matchmaking Twist

I have been enjoying Janette One books since I was a teenager. This was a humorous story about matchmaking. Even though it was somewhat predictable, there is a fun twist at the end I didn't quite expect. This clean, short story will amuse any Janette One fan.

[Sherrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Story of Starting Over

Cynthia is still grieving the loss of her husband and father of her two young boys. Her widowed father has been a great help, but she needs more space. When she mentions her concerns to her best friend, Judith, a plot is hatched to find her father a nice woman to spend time with. All goes according to plan for the two matchmaker.

[Andrianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up from a little free library to pass to my mom, but I ended up reading it first. It's a super quick novella - it took under an hour to read. It was not good. Stilted dialogue, flat characters, absolutely nothing interesting happens at all. Read this if you're like...on the toilet without your phone and somehow have this book nearby. But otherwise don't waste your time.

[Suzannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun, easy read. But I was annoyed by Cynthia not being more assertive with her dad. Why couldn't she just talk to her own dad about what she was feeling? I get it, but I felt like she went this round about way of trying to get her family back when all she could have done was speak with her dad. oh well.

[Christine Dreton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a sweet little bit of fluff. I only rated it two stars because I was expecting a bit more story and kept wondering if I had picked up a young adult book by mistake. That being said, it's a nice story for a rainy afternoon.

[Carol Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, short, and warm book written in Janette Oke style :)

The book is centered on relationships and I Love the twist in the last chapter... Wonderful reminder that God is Sovereign & HE has a Master Plan for each of us!

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

**Spoiler**
It was an OK book. I wasn't fond of the main character and her.. not sure what to call it, dullness. Seems everyone else had more back bone or gumption or anything. I suspected that was going to be the ending we would get but I also expected it to be a double wedding.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, short story about two friends trying to match make a widowed father...but who is actually doing the matchmaking?

[Mary Keroson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel good story for a quick read.

[Marissa Comeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book with a couple of surprising turns! This book made you feel like you were involved in the story as if you were in it yourself! Awesome read!

[McKinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet little story. It was a light, easygoing, feel-good read. A story full of love and positivity without high-stakes drama was exactly what I needed at this moment in time.

[Suzanne Cefola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy story/ surprise sending though I did predict it from the start:) Heartwarming & clean.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet little book with a surprise at the end. I have always enjoyed Janette Oke’s writing and this book did not disappoint.

[Corinne Fowler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn't like it. I found it quite boring. But I'm sure someone else will like it.

[Judy Foyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and enjoyable resd

It was a feel good story. Very similar to what she always writes. The characters seemed real and the story moved right along

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little book about love and loss, growing up and growing old, and standing up for what you need. Are you a help or a busybody if you introduce two unattached people to each other?

[Lesliek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Difficult book to get into, stopped reading.

[Maria Everest · Rating 1 out of 5]

Part missing

I feel really ripped off. This book did not completely download. It went from page 1192 directly to page 1233 with only 2 pages in between. Very disappointing.

[Debbie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

I love feel good stories. This one was an easy read, and the end of the book....well....you’ll just have to read it to see what happens!

[Gwen Hight]

The Matchmakers

This is a good story about a mother and father that are may hangers for their families and then decide on their own lives