I have a feeling that the two stories contained in this book were previously published separately and the publisher decided to repackage them together and reissue them. The only things that connect the two stories is that they are romances set in Seattle.

I don't know that I know anyone who's had an arranged marriage. I do remember one girl in college talking about her father wanting to do it for her, but it seemed like it was more of an option than a requirement. I do have a friend who met her second husband after her kids put a profile on an online dating site.

I actually preferred "First Comes Marriage" to "Wanted: Perfect Partner". "First Comes Marriage" was cleaner--there were a few kisses but not as much wanting to make love with each other prior to marriage. In "Wanted: Perfect Partner" I felt like the two main adult characters allowed things to go a bit too far before reining themselves in--a common complaint I have about Macomber's novels. I also felt like they were playing too many games with each other instead of just talking about how they felt.

I can understand what Janine was trying to tell her grandfather--though I don't think she had the right words for it. I think what she was looking for was a deep, abiding love. A knowing that when things get tough (and they will) there's something underneath it all that will bring the two of them together to work it out. I liked that Macomber had Zach come to that point with his emotions and feelings and tell her this. Yes, the two of them played a few "games" both with each other and with her grandfather (deceptions) but overall it wasn't as blatant as what's in the other book.

In "Wanted: Perfect Partner" I almost felt like Meg and Steve were the teenagers with all their missteps and plots to get the matchmakers off their backs. In the end, it seems that Nancy and Lindsey were aware of all the gameplay and may have played along in the hopes of the two doing the exact opposite of what the "former matchmaker" wanted them to do. Shouldn't you be past games by your 30s? ( )

Both of the two stories in Married in Seattle are retellings of the same plot from Debbie Macomber's original hit,
The Matchmakers. Unfortunately, there is nothing new here and old readers or fans may well wonder why it was published.

Light, but tedious reading. ( )

Married in Seattle has two stories in it. First Comes Marriage is about Janine and Zach. Janines Grandfather tries to arrange a marriage for them when they have only met once. When they both refuse he sets about trying to get them to fall in love with each other. Very predictable but amusing It would have been better if you could have gotten Zachs side also instead of just Janines. This story rates as just a 3.0 stars in my opinion. It was good enough for a reread but nothing to write home about. Wanted: Perfect Partner is about Steve and Meg. Meg's daughter wrote a personal ad about her mother without her knowing. Steves sister answered it for him without him knowing it. It is a little like First Comes Marriage. Avery amusing story about the couple being manipulated by their loved ones. This story in my opinion is 3.5 stars. ( )

Read, quick read, great story. ( )

Married in Seattle is the first Macomber book I have read. Two stories in one book – cute and fluffy and entertaining. The second story, Perfect Partner, reminds me a little of the movie, The Parent Trap, where the kids get involved in setting up a romance. ( )