A review by xsophiehoughton
Always the Matchmaker by Emily E.K. Murdoch

3.0

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Always the Matchmaker is the latest instalment in the Never the Bride series, and this time around we see matchmaker supremo, Miss Theodosia Ashbrooke as she meets her hardest client yet, and might just lose her heart in the process. She's got a number of successes under the belt, but when the Dowager Countess of Lenskeyn hires her to find a wife for her 39 year old son, the current Earl, she knows she's in for a struggle. Albemarle Howard is rude, arrogant, and has no intention to marry any time soon, no matter how old he is, but there's something about the fiesty matchmaker that sets him on edge, and if he has to marry, the only person he can imagine being with is Theodosia herself. Will he be able to convince her that he's sincere, and can Theodosia get over the heartbreak of her past, to have the happiness she deserves?

I've enjoyed each of the books in this series I've read, and this one was no different. Both Theodosia and Albemarle were likeable characters - Theodosia more than Albemarle - and I felt like their relationship progressed well. With the way they met, it was a frosty start, but their own humour, and personalities, won the day, and there were many lovable moments too. I did feel as if the angst and inevitable conflict was slightly obvious, and it detracted from the enjoyable a bit, but all in all, I enjoyed the book. I'm so happy Theodosia has had her own love story, after helping so many others.