A Wager With the Matchmaker

About the Book

 After her brother's entanglement with an Irish gang threatens their family's safety, Alannah Darragh flees St. Louis and her troubled past, seeking refuge as a maid for the affluent Shanahan family. Alannah's resolve to avoid romance is tested by the undeniable attraction she feels for Kiernan Shanahan. Determined to maintain her position and the safety it provides, she vows to resist the pull of her heart despite the growing bond between them and their undeniable chemistry.

In the wake of a devastating fire, Kiernan Shanahan sees a shrewd opportunity to invest in a clay mine and brickyard to aid the city's rebuilding. To secure his venture, he seeks a wealthy bride with a substantial dowry. However, the matchmaker he consults has different plans. As danger looms and Alannah fights to keep her brother safe, Kiernan's protective instincts draw them closer together, but a future with him seems too far out of reach. It will take a miracle--or a wager with the wily matchmaker--to bring the unlikely couple together.

Be swept away in a tale of love, danger, and destiny in this captivating historical romance from bestselling author Jody Hedlund. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

You don't have to read the previous books in this series to enjoy this one but it always adds if you do! I really love the matchmaker, Bellamy, whose presence is in all of the books. He adds so much and makes me smile every time! 

Alannah is a strong willed gal and I liked reading her character grow and develop throughout the story. She loves to read and is determined to read her books when she can and I love that about her. The wagers with the matchmaker are entertaining and made for a fun twist. There is a "forbidden" love situation that I didn't especially enjoy but the author did surprise me in the end with how she handled the family members and conflict. I really struggled to like Kiernan and even at the end he just didn't work for me. His attitude and personality grated on my nerves. So because of this I wasn't totally invested in the love story. But there are lots of "swoony" moments that I am sure Hedlund fans will love. 

There is a good amount of action and a few intense moments that had me eager to flip to the next page. Overall this is a captivating read with excellent secondary characters that I am hoping will pop up in another book! 

Four Stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."