 Author: Jody Hedlund Genre: Historical Romance Series: A Shanahan Match #2 Pages: 352 Release Date: August 6, 2024 Publisher: Bethany House After her annulment is finalized, Enya Shanahan finds herself caught in a web of scandal and obligation while carrying a secret that threatens to shatter her family's reputation. Determined to find a suitable marriage for Enya, her father turns to a wily matchmaker to save them from their circumstances. Sullivan O'Brien, a steamboat captain committed to aiding enslaved people on their path to freedom, is faced with an ultimatum from his father. Forced to marry or lose his livelihood, a marriage of convenience seems to be the only solution. As he and Enya face the trials of their pasts and a city consumed by fire, they must confront their deepest fears and learn to trust in love, even when darkness threatens to engulf them.
 Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer This is the first book I have read by Jody Hedlund and I’m already looking for other books she has written! The first chapter captures your attention and doesn’t let go. Even at the end, you are definitely wanting more. Enya’s life is turned upside down by mistakes and promises that were made. Sullivan needs a wife on a certain date so his father would allow him to continue his business. A matchmaker does what he does best and makes a match. Both Enya and Sullivan work through their past and their flaws to come together with this new marriage. This is a story of a second chance letting go of expectations and living in the moment. I’m going to go back and read the first book in the series! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Deanne Patterson Though this can easily be read as a standalone, I’d suggest you read the series in order. I loved the first book in the series, and I think this one was even better. Once again, the matchmaker is called upon, with different circumstantial needs. The couple has a marriage of convenience. A previous marriage had her thinking she was in love, and he loved her until she realized it wasn’t true. He has insecurities because of past circumstances. I loved how gentle and understanding Sullivan was. He didn’t rush her into anything. He knew she was hurting from her past relationship and not ready to trust another man yet. He goes out of his way to ensure her happiness, security and trustworthiness, not caring it was at the expense of himself. Time and again he proves to her he is not like the one who abandoned her, and he can be trusted. I loved Enya and Sullivan’s characters and how he gave her all the time she needed to trust him and fall in love. I couldn’t put this down and highly recommend it to all lovers of historical fictional romance. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Lori Parrish I was so very excited to receive this book! I loved this one so much more than the first one. Hedlund never disappoints me with her stories. This book has so much to offer. It’s definitely a can’t-put-down book! I loved that Enya was a fun character and she can be quite stubborn when the occasion called for it and fun loving, too. I just really like her character. Sullivan is something else. At times, he cracked me up. There were just plain and simple moments where I just giggled because I couldn’t help myself. Just loved him. I love second chances. This was the best part of all. I loved it just simply because Hedlund added the steamboats to it along with a few other things. There were places that she made me hold my breath and I think that in my opinion those were the exciting parts. Five stars for a wonderful and fun-loving adventure. I highly recommend it! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.  Reviewer: Linda Klager I was fascinated by the cover and title of this book. Enya Shanahan married a man who became a swindler and mean. Her father and brother came to her rescue to obtain an annulment when her husband decided to leave her and look for gold in California. Then Enya told her father and brother that she was pregnant. Immediately, her father and brother went to the local matchmaker to find a suitable husband to end the family’s disgrace. Sullivan O’Brien was pressured by his father to find a wife by Shrove Tuesday. Time was running out, so Sullivan decided to go to the same matchmaker. Sullivan and Enya were married before the clock struck midnight. This young matchmaker had a keen sense about which man and woman would fit the role of husband and wife. I enjoyed his advice and positive attitude. Enya did not want to get married to another man and that marriage also to end up dying. She resisted and resisted. The matchmaker told Sullivan that he was the man to help Enya see true love. The result would be that Sullivan would cherish Enya. I admired Sullivan for his constraint because as time passed, he fell in love with Enya and wanted her to love him. Sullivan needed to get over his inadequate feelings because of the scars of the past. Enya also had hidden scars on her heart. The drama at the end of the book was riveting. Sullivan treasured life and rescued many from slavery. Enya joined in assisting Sullivan. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise
Matchmaker Bellamy has a tough job his second time around. Each of his candidates is desperate and time is running out. Enya has been abandoned by her cruel husband and is pregnant. Sullivan has promised his father he will wed before midnight on Shrove Tuesday or his career as a steamboat captain is over. By midnight, the deed is done, but the bride and groom are strangers. This was a great marriage of convenience story with a very kind, patient, and caring hero. Sullivan is truly a hero with scars to prove it from rescuing men from a burning boat. Enya carries her scars inside her as she tries to trust a man again. I am glad there was a bit less sizzle to this romance as Sullivan and Enya try to deny that they care for each other. Other elements such as life on a steamboat, the scenery down the Mississippi, Enya composing music, a nasty slave catcher, and a very scary fire make this a well-rounded story. In the end, the couple find their way back to each other and regain their trust in God. "God did not prevent the hardships or the difficulties. Instead, He pieced the shards together to create something new that would not be perfect and would not be without its blemishes, but the brokenness would be beautiful in its own way." A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone. Leave a Reply. |
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