[ARC Review] Matchmaking Mischief by AR Casella and Denise Grover Swank

In the latest Bad Luck Club book from A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank, writer Alex is having a bit of a writer's block. Past due on his next deadline, Alex desperately relocates from NYC to Asheville, NC in hopes of finding some peace and inspiration. That inspiration comes in the form of Willow, the manager of Bear's Buns Bakery. Willow is gorgeous, but more importantly, she's happy and upbeat - things Alex is not. And despite getting off on the wrong foot, Willow and Alex might just be perfect for each other. But Alex's time in Asheville is limited, and neither wants a repeat of past heartache. Can Alex overcome his past to stay with Willow? And can Willow successfully forge her own path, away from her matchmaking family? The fourth book in the Bad Luck Club series brings plenty of laughs and hijinks, the return of some of my favorite Bad Luck Club characters, and a happily-ever-after for two of Asheville's newest residents. 

I love these two authors' writing styles, and that definitely carries over into Matchmaking Mischief. Both the new and returning characters are so vibrant and real on the page. One of my favorite parts about Willow and Alex's story is how their pasts unfolded. For Willow, we see her family conflict almost immediately: she comes from a family of matchmakers, and she doesn't fit in with her grandmother or sister. Alex's true reason for his writer's block doesn't come until the end, but I absolutely loved how each of their stories sort of started at each end of the book and met in the middle. These two main characters were on fire on the page; it's easy to see their chemistry from their first meeting, and watching them build to their happily-ever-after was fun and delightful. Both Alex and Willow had their vulnerable moments, and I loved seeing Alex so raw and exposed - it truly made him more real to me as a character. 

As much as I loved Alex and Willow and their love story, I absolutely adored the secondary characters (particularly that pink-haired wild child, Nicole). While Willow comes from a family of matchmakers, there's a sense of fate and magic hanging in the air whenever Willow's friends interrupt her life. Willow wants everyone to be happy but clearly everyone feels the same about Willow, and both authors did such a great job at bringing that through in the writing via both Willow and Alex's perspectives. 

Between great characters, a funny and fantastic plot, and character development that was well done and true to the characters, Matchmaking Mischief was a fun read and an excellent addition to the Bad Luck Club series. And despite some previous book characters making appearances, this entry can definitely be read as a standalone if you're looking for a sunshiny amateur matchmaker and grumpy author romance. 

A huge thank you to the authors and Social Butterfly PR for providing an advance review copy of Matchmaking Mischief. 

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Release date: 1/2/22
Format: eARC
eARC provided via Social Butterfly PR