Title: His Maddening Matchmaker
(The Very Village Scandal Book 2)
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: February 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Regency Romance, Mills & Boon Historical, Friends-to-Lovers

Blurb:

Sparks fly in this witty Regency romance

They say opposites attract...

But do they wed?

Ned Parker has spent years restoring his family’s fortunes, leaving no time for courting. Now childhood friend and self-appointed matchmaker Isobel has decided to transform this “scruffy brute” into an eligible gentleman. Though he has no interest in rejoining society, Ned senses Izzy needs the distraction and reluctantly goes along with her plan. Despite their differing views, a surprising new attraction grows...but Ned’s doing his best to avoid it!

My Review:

Finally the second book of The Very Village Scandal is here. The Whittleston-on-the-Water is incredibly interesting village and its residents are the best!

Isobel or Izzy is resolutely determined to become a matchmaker for Ned Parker after she partially succeeded in pairing off her friend, Sophie, with Rafe. However Ned, the gruff, surly, unapproachable and scruffy hero, is enraged by the idea, because he has secluded himself after the flood attack on his father farm and preferred to work. Despite her cheery characters, Isobel feels the void within her that she thinks no one knows. Her father is a bully whom always throws accusations and makes her life miserable. She is so inclined to set up a new life far from the village and buries her horrid past behind yet no man has taken interest in her therefore she is determined to preoccupy herself by making her childhood friend happy through reforming him.

Ah I immensely enjoyed the life in Whittleston-on-the-Water. Despite its location, the village is far from the fancy life and ball of London even though the gossip is still there. I loved how technically enlightening it is about the farming and the beauty of the sunset and sunrise near the River Thames. The scene when Isobel tries to avoid her father and runs to see sunrise, tilting her face and immersing herself in the yellow shining sun captivated me a lot.

Virginia Heath’s wonderful writing is always entertaining and full of wonderful characters. Ned, the gruff and scruffy farmer who works hard in the farmer but has soft heart for animals and Isobel, an optimist who has shining and pleasant, albeit irritating character, both Ned and Isobel are stubborn but I loved them. At times I just wanted to put some sense to make them realize that they deserve one another and thanks to the kind neighbours for their considerate action. The story is so splendidly immersive and entertaining. The ending is so twisted and dramatic but I even loved it more. Thank you, Virginia Heath, for the ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl, it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated – sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. One day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep. Follow her at https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/ or her facebook page Virginia Heath.