Book Review and Giveaway: Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1) by Kaye Dacus

A nice, second chance, Christian story.

Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1)

by Kaye Dacus

• Series: The Matchmakers (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (August 1, 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1602609891

Genre: Christian Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2010

Every grandmother wants to see her grandchildren happy, especially when it comes to their love lives. Join five active senior ladies—and one gentleman—who take a great interest in the lives and loves of their single grandchildren and become The Matchmakers. Zarah Mitchell and Bobby Patterson become the first focus of meddling grandmothers when he moves back to Nashville to work for the Tennessee Criminal Investigations Unit. Will Zarah be able to forgive the man who years ago chose a military career over her—especially when she learns he is investigating the historic preservation agency for which she works?

Review:
Zarah Mitchell is a young woman with confidence issues. All her young years she was criticized by her father, the General. The same man idolized her older sister and later focused on his new family, but he never had time or approval for Zarah. As a senior, Zarah dated a young soldier behind her father’s back. When he disappeared from her life she went off to college heartbroken and men-shy.

Fourteen years later Zarah is still cautious of men. She is highly respected by her boss and peers at her work with the historical preservation agency. She is also a successful leader, and willing servant, in her church singles’ group. Things are secure, if in a rut, until her teen love, Bobby, sudden moves to town to work at the Nashville office of Tennessee Criminal Investigations Unit.

Bobby is glad to see Zarah again but sad to see that she seems to be taken advantage of by those around her. Bobby doesn’t understand how he lost Zarah fourteen years ago. He begins to wonder if they might have a second chance. But first he has to deal with the fact that his new assignment involves investigating the agency where Zarah works. Then he will have to convince Zarah to open up to him and take a chance on live beyond her routines.

There are some wonderful messages of forgiveness and second chances. The story also shows the need for balancing servanthood instead of being a doormat. Ms. Dacus edges in the issue of self confidence but I felt she missed a bit of a chance to emphasize that our true worth should be found in being creations and children of a mighty, heavenly God rather than in trying to please an earthly father.

There are parts of the story that seemed no more than filler, mundane actions. But most of the story is enjoyable and engaging. This is the second book we have read by this author and we liked the first one too. The writing in this story has an easy flow and makes for a quick, light read.

This was Ladies' Book Club reading for August and we all enjoyed the easy read.

Giveaway:

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