TAGS: Shirley Hailstock, Harlequin Kimani Romance, Romance Writers of America, online dating, Princeton University, wedding planner, organ transport pilot
Shirley Hailstock is the BlackBoard, Essence, and Library Journal bestselling author of more than thirty romance, paranormal, and women’s lit novels, and past President of the Romance Writers of America. Her work has garnered many awards, including the Holt Medallion, Waldenbooks Bestselling Romance Award and Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award. She returns with her latest offering, His Love Match, which tells the story of a wedding planner who attempts to find love via online dating, and finds it in an unlikely place.
Diana Greer, wedding planner and owner of Weddings by Diana, makes dreams come true for the many brides who are her clients; yet she doesn’t believe a wedding day exists for her. At the prodding of her business partner Teddy, she solicits help from an online dating service, MatchForLove.com. The dating site matches her up with former classmate turned airplane pilot Scott Thomas, who not only wants her to vacate the building that houses her business but was the source of constant teasing at their alma mater, Princeton University, saddling her with the the nicknames “Diana 4.0” and “Brainiac”. The fact that they exchanged a steamy kiss as a prank during their college days is a memory that lingers with both Diana and Scott, though they each choose not to consciously think about that night.
The author took time to explain the wedding planning business in depth, and all the real events that are created by the stress of planning a wedding. Her partner, Teddy, is the perfect foil and a very good friend. More information about Diana’s parents and siblings would have added more balance to her life story, particularly upon learning the reason Scott wanted her to vacate the building which housed her business. The author does a very good job of character development with the Thomas family. Scott’s career choice as a pilot who delivers organs to those in need is very endearing in light of his days at Princeton. His parents, although wealthy, instilled and displayed acts of kindness and giving back as a way of life to Scott and his sister. The author weaves a beautiful tale of finding love in today’s age of internet dating. The story progresses well, with Diana and Scott coming to terms with their college days and the attraction they felt,and still feel, for each other. Through their friends and family,they learn to let down their defenses and to trust and believe in the power of love.
The author took time to explain the wedding planning business in depth, and all the real events that are created by the stress of planning a wedding. Her partner, Teddy, is the perfect foil and a very good friend. More information about Diana’s parents and siblings would have added more balance to her life story, particularly upon learning the reason Scott wanted her to vacate the building which housed her business. The author does a very good job of character development with the Thomas family. Scott’s career choice as a pilot who delivers organs to those in need is very endearing in light of his days at Princeton. His parents, although wealthy, instilled and displayed acts of kindness and giving back as a way of life to Scott and his sister. The author weaves a beautiful tale of finding love in today’s age of internet dating. The story progresses well, with Diana and Scott coming to terms with their college days and the attraction they felt,and still feel, for each other. Through their friends and family,they learn to let down their defenses and to trust and believe in the power of love.
This reviewer loved the storyline and the characters, which were all believable and likeable. His Love Match is a great vacation or airplane ride book although as with most romance novels, the end was predictable and a little too rushed.
Verna Odums works at law firm in Washington, D.C. She is the co-founder of Unique Women Only book club. She’s an avid reader and lives in Maryland with her husband.