Lynda Cohen Loigman

What an absolutely charming story! There's history, family dynamics, clash of the old world and the new, magical realism and a touch of romance. What more could one ask for?

Across dual time lines, (1920s Brooklyn and 1980s southern Florida), we follow the life of Augusta Stern. In her very early years she and her family are dealt a difficult blow. Her father, the neighborhood pharmacist, struggles to manage work and the family. Soon, his mother's sister Esther, joins them and manages their home. But Esther is old world and dad is of the new. There's so much for Augusta to learn and so many decisions to make as she plans her life's journey. Can old and new world ways peacefully cohabit? Add to that a young struggling Irving, who is Augusta's dearest friend and perhaps even a bit more. That is until he abandons her. Sixty years later, all the youthful angst and hurt resurfaces. But can all be made well? Perhaps anything can be fixed with a bowl of hot chicken soup. Please pass me a spoon.

Ms. Loigman has done a spectacular job of providing a beautiful story with a lot of heart. The writing is solid; the characters are well-developed; the dialogue fun and at times amusing; the old world ways are mysterious and magical; and the story just warms one's heart. Are you looking for a charming feel good story? Then this may just be the perfect book for you.

I am grateful to to St. Martin's Press for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 8, 2024
No. of pages:‎ 320
ISBN:‎ 978-1250278104… (mehr)

This book will make you think about the love connections in your life, and ones you've observed in other people's lives. Wouldn't it be nice to see a flash of light connecting two people that tells you those people were meant to be together? It would have saved me a lot of heartache over the years! :)
I LOVED this story, the hope and determination laced through Sara's story, and Abby's. Sara's begins from the time she's ten and witnesses that first flash of light to make her first match, and ends at her death in 1994.
Abby's story is cemented in 1994 after her beloved grandma, Sara, dies and leaves Abby her old matchmaking journals. I won't get into the details of the story, but it is so good that every time the chapters changed from Sara's POV to Abby's, and visa-versa, I didn't want it to change. Both stories are captivating and enchanting.
I listened to the audiobook of this and the narrator did a fantastic job with this heartfelt, heartwarming story of hope and trusting your heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for proving me a copy of this must read!… (mehr)

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me a copy of this page-turner historical fiction novel! Ruth and Millie are sisters with parents who are strict and a mother who has high expectations for responsible Ruth, the older sister, and unrealistic dreams for beautiful Millie, the younger sister, which only creates a gulf between the sisters that expands almost beyond repair when their parents are unexpectedly wiped from their lives.

This story digs deeper than just their relationship. I loved the wartime threads that were the intricate part of the story, including things like the Springfield Armory and its importance during the war-something I'd never heard about before.

There were many interesting characters in this story filled with strong women, heart, suspense, mistrust, and family all during the horrors of war. I highly recommend this book!… (mehr)

In The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman, I have to suspend disbelief on the ability of an individual to see matches. Perhaps it is more engaging to believe in the idea of soulmates and the idea that soulmates can be clearly identified. Both timelines are interesting, but Sara's story with its history, its picture of a time and place, and the determination of a young woman to claim her talent is the one I will remember.

Read my complete review at rel="nofollow" target="_top">http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/11/the-matchmakers-gift.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.… (mehr)