To Spark a Match by Jen Turano
After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she's destined to remain a spinster forever--a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.
Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his case. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend--and one of high society's leaders--to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable.
When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon's case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good--along with their lives.
To Spark a Match is the second book in Jen Turano’s The Matchmaker’s series, coming after A Match in the Making. You can check out my review for that novel here on the blog too! I used to regularly read and review books and that’s why that seems to be all I have going on with this blog right now, but between growing the bakery business and my two adorable little children (neither of which is even 3 years old yet), my plate is a little full. I promise I do still read as often as I can, you can keep up with the novels I’m reading on my Goodreads account, and someday I’ll actually get around to recommending more than just Jen Turano’s novels 😂 But since she’s one of my top 5 favorite authors of all time, her books are definitely some of the best ones to tell you about.
Adelaide Duveen was actually a minor character in A Match in the Making, and as soon as I was introduced to her I hoped Jen would write her story. She is so unique, and truly herself, and I immediately loved that about her. She doesn’t at all conform to the rules of society, instead forging her own path and just being who the Lord created her to be, and that is so inspiring, especially to someone who spends far too much time worrying what others will think of them like I do.
Besides all of the inspiring details, there are so many other reasons to love this story. First, the endearing romance. Adelaide and Gideon are perfectly adorable. The way that they interact with one another, how Gideon always protects Adelaide while Adelaide jumps headfirst into one adventure after another, is what romantic dreams are made of. Then there’s all the fun, hilarity-inducing elements such as Adelaide’s numerous cats, her crazy fashions, Gideon’s weapons cache, and so much more that will keep you in stitches. All the perfect pieces to put together into an impossible-to-put-down story.
Jen knocks it out of the park with this one once again, and I cannot wait to finally read book three. I HIGHLY recommend this story and, as I say every time, literally every novel Jen has ever written, as I know you’ll enjoy them just as much as I do.
Photo Credit: © Emilie Haney, EAH Creative
Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She's been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at jenturano.com.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)