The Wartime Matchmakers by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Description
When the world went to war . . . they fought for love.

England, 1939: The world is on the brink of war when Elizabeth Mowbray breaks her engagement with a tea planter in India and returns home to the English countryside. Desperate to escape a stifling life under her parents’ roof, she moves to London seeking adventure and excitement.

With German forces sweeping across Europe, she has little hope of finding steady, fulfilling employment as England readies itself for war. A chance encounter with Henrietta, Brigadier General Byron’s daughter, sets Elizabeth on a course that will forever change her life and the lives of others.

Henrietta, a recently divorced and statuesque beauty, is not a hopeless romantic like Elizabeth, but her new friend inspires her to embrace life, even as the dark fog of war creeps across the English Channel.

The two enterprising young women come up with a brilliant idea to open London’s first matchmaking agency. They face numerous challenges in establishing their business in the midst of air raid drills, food and clothing rationing, and the dangers of the Blitz. As they match Londoners, they find themselves in romances of their own. Elizabeth catches the eye of a daring, roguish RAF pilot and Henrietta discovers passion with a charming solicitor who joins Britain’s first Commandos.

While the men they love are fighting in the air and in Europe, German shells shatter the peace of England. Henrietta and Elizabeth become legendary as they rescue men from the shores of Dunkirk, dig for survivors in the ruins of bombed homes, and inspire thousands of their countrymen and women not to give up the fight for life and love.

Inspired by the stunning story of the real matchmakers Mary Oliver and Heather Jenner, The Wartime Matchmakers is a humorous, poignant, and personal reminder that even in the darkest times, love triumphs.

Review:

The Wartime Matchmakers by Lauren Smith is another wonderful standalone story I’ve read by this author. Must admit wartime romances aren’t usually my thing, but I’m always up for a new read, and I’m glad I did….. What an amazing story….. 

It’s England, 1939, and we are on the brink of war. 

Elizabeth Mowbray breaks off her engagement to a tea planter in India and returns home to England. Wanting adventure and excitement Elizabeth travels to London, despite her parents arguments and fears. 

A chance meeting with a young lady by the name of Henrietta, has the young women bound for adventures that will change their lives forever…..They come up with an idea to open the first dating agency (but it’s more of a matchmaking service, dating certainly wasn’t as free as it is today ?) they go through obstacle after obstacle, they have to prove their worth and their sincerity time and again….. 

But matchmaking isn’t the only thing they do. They are heroes in my eyes…..They battled in their own way through the war, they helped when they could, they did their bit for the war effort, and I loved reading every second of it. 

This book was inspired by real matchmakers Mary Oliver and Heather Jenner.So the attention to detail is amazing. I could feel the excitement and terror that these two young women faced on a daily basis. 

Both Elizabeth and Henrietta are just wonderful characters. Strong and independent, very resourceful and witty. I laughed, I cried and I cheered as we witness them surviving the evacuation of Dunkirk. The nightly raids (blackouts) by the enemy aircraft. The Battle of Britain had me moved to tears with the vivid descriptions. And their daily lives and struggles which brought joy and sadness. 

So do Elizabeth and Henrietta find love themselves? What I can tell you is that true love never runs smoothly. It has a habit of keeping you on your toes? but to find out if they do or if they stay single you’ll have to read the book. I loved all the information at the end of the book, it just finished it off nicely. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review