The Matchmaker's Gift
Books | Fiction / Historical / General
4.2
Lynda Cohen Loigman
Named a Best Book of Fall 2022 by Parade • BuzzFeed • New York Post • GMA.com • People"Loigman's latest is a gem. A scrappy Jewish teenager newly arrived in 1920s New York struggles to follow her calling as a matchmaker––seventy years later, her cynical divorce-attorney granddaughter realizes she has very inconveniently inherited the family gift for matching soulmates. Both funny and moving, The Matchmaker's Gift made me smile from start to finish."––Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose CodeIs finding true love a calling or a curse?Even as a child in 1910, Sara Glikman knows her gift: she is a maker of matches and a seeker of soulmates. But among the pushcart-crowded streets of New York’s Lower East Side, Sara’s vocation is dominated by devout older men—men who see a talented female matchmaker as a dangerous threat to their traditions and livelihood. After making matches in secret for more than a decade, Sara must fight to take her rightful place among her peers, and to demand the recognition she deserves.Two generations later, Sara’s granddaughter, Abby, is a successful Manhattan divorce attorney, representing the city’s wealthiest clients. When her beloved Grandma Sara dies, Abby inherits her collection of handwritten journals recording the details of Sara’s matches. But among the faded volumes, Abby finds more questions than answers. Why did Abby’s grandmother leave this library to her and what did she hope Abby would discover within its pages? Why does the work Abby once found so compelling suddenly feel inconsequential and flawed? Is Abby willing to sacrifice the career she’s worked so hard for in order to keep her grandmother’s mysterious promise to a stranger? And is there really such a thing as love at first sight?
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More Details:
Author
Lynda Cohen Loigman
Pages
320
Publisher
St. Martin's Publishing Group
Published Date
2022-09-20
ISBN
1250278090 9781250278098
Community ReviewsSee all
"One of my favorite books this year! With all the appeal of a classic 90’s romcom, and the charm of an early twentieth century immigrants’ tale, with just a dash of fairytale magic sprinkled in - 10/10!"
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NyrdwithAY
"Sara has a gift for finding soulmates and makes her way in the world as a matchmaker. Two generations later, her granddaughter, Abby, inherits her journals. Abby, a divorce attorney, suddenly begins seeing her clients’ relationships in a new light. Told in alternating timelines between the two women, we see both of them learn about love and discover who they’re meant to be.
Would definitely recommend for anyone who wants a reminder of what love is, or anyone who loves alternating timelines.
Character growth: I loved Sara’s growing tenacity and belief in her own value. Similarly, Abby’s wounds from her parents’ divorce begin to heal, and she becomes less jaded about relationships. We also see Abby in deep grief over the loss of her grandmother, and there are many bittersweet moments that will be familiar for those who have lost a loved one.
Narration: I listened to the Audiobook, and the narrator did a pretty good job.
Note: Sara and Abby are Jewish, as are many in this book. Much of the book is steeped in the Jewish faith and Jewish American culture, but told in such a way that non-Jewish people can understand. I imagine that some of the lessons would be more profound for a follower.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy of the audiobook."
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Kari Kirfman
"By the end, this book will pull at your heartstrings and wish for a matchmaker of your own. My husband and I were brought together by a mutual friend and 25 years later we are so blessed that she graced our lives. This book is full of hope and about listening to your heart. ❤️"
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Tanya Grayson Andoniadis
"The Matchmaker’s Gift <br/>By Lynda Cohen Loigman<br/>St Martin’s Press<br/><br/>This is a beautiful story of a 10year old Jewish girl, Sara Glikman, who discovers she has a special gift. She is able to see streams of light that connect soulmates to each other. However this gift doesn’t come without its costs. At the turn of the century in New York’s Jewish communities, matchmaking is reserved for men and is a profitable business. The story follows Sara through the years as she first tries to hide her gift, then learns to embrace it and finally decides to fight the establishment for the right to practice it. Told through dual timelines, we also follow Sara’s granddaughter, Abby as she tries to make a name for herself interestingly enough as a divorce attorney. As she learns more about her grandmother’s gift through inherited journals she finds she may have inherited more than just the journals. <br/>I always enjoy a book with a little magical elements thrown into the story, add in some romantic overtones and I am all in. I loved the irony of Sara’s gift of matchmaking and Abby’s occupation as a divorce attorney. I think as Abby read Sara’s story she was able to frame her grandmother in a different light and in turn learn to stand up for herself. The story was well written, intriguing and I felt moved at a good pace. I learned a lot about the “art” of Jewish matchmaking and found the subject fascinating. I bought this book on sale during Prime day because I loved the premise and the cover"
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Shannon Kauffman
"By the end, this book will pull at your heartstrings and wish for a matchmaker of your own. My husband and I were brought together by a mutual friend and 25 years later we are so blessed that she graced our lives. This book is full of hope and about listening to your heart. ❤️"
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Tanya Andoniadis
"Lovely, entertaining read. I hope there is a sequel!"
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Kristin Rebholz
