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The Matchbreaker
When Lindsey Parker's widowed father announces that he is to remarry, Lindsey does what any good daughter would wishes him congratulations then sets about trying to kill his fiancée, Karen. Fortunately, the murder attempt fails but Lindsey still succeeds in driving Karen off. It doesn't take long, however, before Lindsey realizes that her father's heart really is broken and the only way to mend it is by getting Karen back. But Karen already has a new man - mysterious entrepreneur. Lindsey enlists the help of an old schoolmate, now private detective, in an attempt to break this new couple up, but when on her friend's advice, Lindsay turns honey-trapper and sets out to seduce her ex-future-step-mother's new man, she finds herself falling in love...
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
7 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Chris Manby
38 books122 followersThis author has also released books under the name Chrissie Manby.
Encouraged my by English teacher, Mrs. Pocock, I published my first short story in Just Seventeen when I was fourteen years old. The story was called ‘Whatever happened to the wonderful boy I fell in love with’ and I published it under the pseudonym ‘Carolyn Lane’ because it largely consisted of a transcript of an argument I’d had with my boyfriend. I bought a black denim jacket from C & A with the proceeds.
I continued to contribute short stories to Just Seventeen to help pay my way through university. I studied Experimental Psychology at St Edmund Hall in Oxford. Alas, I devoted rather too much time to my social life and staggered away with an unimpressive 2:2. In retrospect, that 2:2 saved my life. It meant that none of the graduate training schemes I had hoped to join would have me. I wouldn’t become an accountant after all. I moved to London and took a series of temp jobs to support myself. It was while I was working at Prelude Audio Books, a company which took erotic ‘classics’ and put them on tape, that I met my first real novelist: David Garnett.
David is a very well respected science fiction writer, who once dabbled with writing erotica under the name Angelique. Prelude was recording the Angelique novels. One afternoon, David spent a couple of hours sitting on my desk, waiting for my boss to come back from a very long publishing lunch to discuss some unpaid royalties. I told David I’d always wanted to be a writer. He dared me to write a novella like Angelique’s. A few weeks later, I handed him my first full-length manuscript. David cast his experienced eye over my scribblings, helped me tweak it and then passed it on to his editor at Little Brown. Incredibly, she made an offer on it. My dream of becoming a proper writer was reborn.
That first book was called ‘Inspiration’. It centred on the sexual shenanigans of a group of artists in St Ives. Wary of embarrassing my parents, I published ‘Inspiration’ as Stephanie Ash. Four more Stephanie Ash novellas followed, helping me to pay my rent and attract the attention of a literary agent. In 1997, I published my first Chris Manby novel, ‘Flatmates’…
Thirteen novels on the single life as Chris Manby later, I’ve just published ‘Getting Over Mr. Right’ as ‘Chrissie Manby’ (apparently too many people are under the impression that I am a bloke!).
I live in London and when I’m not writing (in fact, even when I’m supposed to be writing) I spend an awful lot of time on Twitter. Follow me on @chrissiemanby.
Encouraged my by English teacher, Mrs. Pocock, I published my first short story in Just Seventeen when I was fourteen years old. The story was called ‘Whatever happened to the wonderful boy I fell in love with’ and I published it under the pseudonym ‘Carolyn Lane’ because it largely consisted of a transcript of an argument I’d had with my boyfriend. I bought a black denim jacket from C & A with the proceeds.
I continued to contribute short stories to Just Seventeen to help pay my way through university. I studied Experimental Psychology at St Edmund Hall in Oxford. Alas, I devoted rather too much time to my social life and staggered away with an unimpressive 2:2. In retrospect, that 2:2 saved my life. It meant that none of the graduate training schemes I had hoped to join would have me. I wouldn’t become an accountant after all. I moved to London and took a series of temp jobs to support myself. It was while I was working at Prelude Audio Books, a company which took erotic ‘classics’ and put them on tape, that I met my first real novelist: David Garnett.
David is a very well respected science fiction writer, who once dabbled with writing erotica under the name Angelique. Prelude was recording the Angelique novels. One afternoon, David spent a couple of hours sitting on my desk, waiting for my boss to come back from a very long publishing lunch to discuss some unpaid royalties. I told David I’d always wanted to be a writer. He dared me to write a novella like Angelique’s. A few weeks later, I handed him my first full-length manuscript. David cast his experienced eye over my scribblings, helped me tweak it and then passed it on to his editor at Little Brown. Incredibly, she made an offer on it. My dream of becoming a proper writer was reborn.
That first book was called ‘Inspiration’. It centred on the sexual shenanigans of a group of artists in St Ives. Wary of embarrassing my parents, I published ‘Inspiration’ as Stephanie Ash. Four more Stephanie Ash novellas followed, helping me to pay my rent and attract the attention of a literary agent. In 1997, I published my first Chris Manby novel, ‘Flatmates’…
Thirteen novels on the single life as Chris Manby later, I’ve just published ‘Getting Over Mr. Right’ as ‘Chrissie Manby’ (apparently too many people are under the impression that I am a bloke!).
I live in London and when I’m not writing (in fact, even when I’m supposed to be writing) I spend an awful lot of time on Twitter. Follow me on @chrissiemanby.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 6, 2012
This is another book I’ve picked up on my travels, this time in Cambodia and anyone who has been to see the sights there will know that there’s some fairly depressing places to visit. I was in major need of a light read to cheer me up. Manby, step forward, you completely achieved this.
I can completely understand why many of the reviewers have said that they hated the main character Lindsey. I would tell my boyfriend the plot as I read and he would curse Lindsey and couldn’t believe how selfish and spoilt she was and somehow I found myself defending her. Yes she is incredibly immature, self-centred and a sponger, she was still adorable and it was exciting to see her develop as a character. The other characters I loved as well, particularly Barney (nominee for my favourite male character of the year) and in a semi-reluctant way, much like Lindsey, Phupeh.
From the first few chapters I assumed that the book was just going to be one long tale of a girl’s attempt to break up her father’s engagement but Manby put a slightly different spin on it and it veered off into new territory. However after that the plot was utterly predictable and I knew what was going to happen approximately half way through the book but it didn’t take anything away from it. I couldn’t wait for it to happen and Manby did manage to sneak in a tiny twist in the end that surprised me.
It was a really enjoyable book that followed a girl’s journey to maturity, with many giggles and a bit of romance along the way. Fantastic.
I can completely understand why many of the reviewers have said that they hated the main character Lindsey. I would tell my boyfriend the plot as I read and he would curse Lindsey and couldn’t believe how selfish and spoilt she was and somehow I found myself defending her. Yes she is incredibly immature, self-centred and a sponger, she was still adorable and it was exciting to see her develop as a character. The other characters I loved as well, particularly Barney (nominee for my favourite male character of the year) and in a semi-reluctant way, much like Lindsey, Phupeh.
From the first few chapters I assumed that the book was just going to be one long tale of a girl’s attempt to break up her father’s engagement but Manby put a slightly different spin on it and it veered off into new territory. However after that the plot was utterly predictable and I knew what was going to happen approximately half way through the book but it didn’t take anything away from it. I couldn’t wait for it to happen and Manby did manage to sneak in a tiny twist in the end that surprised me.
It was a really enjoyable book that followed a girl’s journey to maturity, with many giggles and a bit of romance along the way. Fantastic.
September 17, 2020
While I was reading the book I was convinced it only deserved 3 stars but the ending was really good.
You see the main character, Lindsey go from being a complete bitch to a really nice girl and you go from absolutely hating her to really liking her.
Although this book took me a while to get into I did really enjoy reading it and I would definitely recommend it.
You see the main character, Lindsey go from being a complete bitch to a really nice girl and you go from absolutely hating her to really liking her.
Although this book took me a while to get into I did really enjoy reading it and I would definitely recommend it.
December 26, 2014
most readers didn't enjoy reading this book however I quite liked it. It was a easy read and to be honest I was eager to find out what would happen. Yes I guess it was a little predictable but I was not expecting the twist at the end. So I guess I did enjoy reading this book and would happily pass it on to anyone wanting an easy read :)
May 27, 2008
It's really kinda of slow and it took a long time for me to finish. I thought it was predictable but still a good story.
December 12, 2022
Brit chick lit has such loser main characters.
January 3, 2019
What a bitch.
There is no other way to say the way Lindsey is as a character and I certainly don't believe she is a redeemed one by the end of the novel either. She didn't change because she wanted to, she changed because she had feelings for a man - a man she should never have gone after in the first place!
I know she was intentionally written this way but I was stunned by her level of selfishness. Swanky hotels, Jimmy Choo's, no job and just flat out horrid to people that she knows. Takes awful advantage of her father, deliberately split up three relationships that her father had previously been in, pushed a woman off a boat and took her sweet time to do anything about it, tormented kids in high school and yet these people still wanted to be friends with her?! I just couldn't like her and didn't find any real redeeming qualities in her at all.
By far and away my favourite character was Gemma. A decent woman who didn't judge Karen based on her friend's selfish thought and finally called Linsdey out on her behaviour before cutting her out of her life for the best of reasons. And I love that it was that way for a long time.
The ending was predictable but I was really glad for this fact - I needed to believe from the outset of the book that Lindsey would become a better human being. Still not someone I would ever want to spend time with if they were a real human being, but at least she wasn't quite who she was at the outset.
There is no other way to say the way Lindsey is as a character and I certainly don't believe she is a redeemed one by the end of the novel either. She didn't change because she wanted to, she changed because she had feelings for a man - a man she should never have gone after in the first place!
I know she was intentionally written this way but I was stunned by her level of selfishness. Swanky hotels, Jimmy Choo's, no job and just flat out horrid to people that she knows. Takes awful advantage of her father, deliberately split up three relationships that her father had previously been in, pushed a woman off a boat and took her sweet time to do anything about it, tormented kids in high school and yet these people still wanted to be friends with her?! I just couldn't like her and didn't find any real redeeming qualities in her at all.
By far and away my favourite character was Gemma. A decent woman who didn't judge Karen based on her friend's selfish thought and finally called Linsdey out on her behaviour before cutting her out of her life for the best of reasons. And I love that it was that way for a long time.
The ending was predictable but I was really glad for this fact - I needed to believe from the outset of the book that Lindsey would become a better human being. Still not someone I would ever want to spend time with if they were a real human being, but at least she wasn't quite who she was at the outset.
April 14, 2018
Strangely written in a way that SOMETIMES suggests the MC is talking to the reader about past events and sometimes just goes on like it's the current day being described. Not quite my thing. The MC is a bitch . I would perhaps read this while lounging on the beach, when I get interrupted a lot and the book might get waterlogged and sandblasted - because it's not exactly challenging. Oh. And I got it at the second hand bookstore. Wouldn't pay full price.
March 1, 2025
Actually that was the very first english novel I read . I wanted to read it with the intention of improving my language And it was worth reading . It was so funny even when I knew where the events where going ( the back cover) . You have to try it if you are a drama and romance lover , TBH I am not , but It just funny to read about someone who is making his own problemes .
4 stars because I didn't like the dark romantic details . And if you don't for any religious causes don't read it . BTW that was only in one page at one of the last chapters. ENJOY
4 stars because I didn't like the dark romantic details . And if you don't for any religious causes don't read it . BTW that was only in one page at one of the last chapters. ENJOY
June 27, 2017
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. It is so funny and keeps me laughing and smirking (at times) all the way. A good father, a rich best friend, an unexpected appearance of a friend from school, an understanding future stepmother and lastly a romantic hunk (interesting characters). Eventhough only a few chapters on the romantic part, it is just so touching....every girl`s dream. This is a great book....light and easy read with short chapters.....
July 20, 2017
A really funny addictive book that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. Strangely the main character Lindsay is so unlikeable and really a selfish self-indulgent bitch. But she gradually grew on me. I did really like Poupeh and her growing friendship with Lindsay.
The whole Barney thing was very predictable in that I guessed right away who he was but the little twist at the end was unexpected and I liked it.
The whole Barney thing was very predictable in that I guessed right away who he was but the little twist at the end was unexpected and I liked it.
July 21, 2016
I found this on a sale and I just knew I had to pick it up based from blurb. I was feeling a contemporary-chicklit-cutesy read with the amount of feels I want. So yeah, this book is definitely for me.
Writing: The story was written from a first person perspective (Lindsey's) and I love that I just automatically got in to her mindset and just fully grasp Lindsey's character. I like how the story was written. Definitely in-character. You'd fully imagine as if you're Lindsey.
Storyline:
I love that the story has a main goal, a strong female character with the wits and guts to do everything for that goal. I got that feeling from reading the first chapter. I instantly knew that I was in for a ride just by feeling Lindsey as a main character.
If you're a daddy's girl, you might cry at some parts of the book because holy shiz I balled like a kid when I was reading Lindsey's story about her relationship with her Dad. The part where she and her dad were in some really, really, really terrible argument and that her dad pointed out that she was a spoiled brat, an irresponsible adult and that she was a failure? GOODNESS!!! I was starting to have some self-reflecting while I cried at reading this chapter. Her father has the biggest heart yet he thinks that he had raised a monster - and Lindsey knew that. That shiz is hard! I couldn't even imagine having that argument with my own father. :'( I will seriously cry. It was a wake-up call for her, and it might be for you too if you're an irresponsible brat who still leeches off from your parents.
And her mom's story? Good god that hit me a hole! I could definitely see where she was coming from and the story explained that.
The thing that I didn't give this a full five stars was that, the beginning was kind of like slow... not really dragging. (I find Lindsey to be hilarious! I didn't feel bore at all!) But the main action happened like in the middle of the book already! The author could have cut out some unnecessary parts in the beginning of the book. I wish the storyline about where Lindsey trying to break Karen's relationship with Cavanagh was stretched out more and fleshed out because it felt cliffhanged. The twists were predictable and it felt insta-love for Cavanagh and Lindsey. :( We could have elaborated on it more and it would have been a flawless, cutesy read for adults. Still, because it gave me a lot of feels and I did enjoy it (mainly because of the characters!), it was a four out of five stars for me. :)
Characters: I love, love, love Lindsey ! I think she was an awesome, strong and relatable kick-ass character. Yes, she's a spoiled brat and childish for an adult - but her character development was on point. Just the part she was realizing that her strained relationship with her dad knock some sense into her - she's not at all heartless. For an only child whose family is only her father, no doubt she couldn't let him go. (I'm a daddy's girl, so I understand her.) Her dad, Alex was one of the most heartwarming and adorable dad I've read about in books, so far. There aren't that many, though but I love their father-daughter relationship. I was rooting for Linz! She's a lonely girl. :( She was one convincing femme fatale in a James Bond sort-of-way. I love her. From the spoiled, irresponsible parasitic brat - she blossomed to be a dutiful, wonderful woman. I'm so proud of her! :)
Her friendship with Poupeh is seriously goals. I felt they connected way more than Lindsey with Gemma. Poupeh is an adorable best friend. She has to be my favorite character. She's so badass with that detective work she does.
Karen ? Hands down to that woman who has the longest patience and definitely the most forgiving future stepmom anyone could wish for. I love that Karen acted like a mom to Linz in a Karen-style way when she made Linz admit the things she wrote on the letter. I literally laughed at that!
Cavanagh ? Good god, where do you find a bachelor like that?! Seriously, he's a dream guy. I just wished his relationship with Linz had more moments and didn't feel insta-love. :( Yet I still enjoyed their romance. I just hate open-endings.
Oh, and Gemma ? She doesn't even go to this story. I loathe her. She's so hypocritical and so self-righteous that she dumped Linz off the bat when Lindsey needed a friend.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry but most of all it was a wake-up call for me not to grow up as an irresponsible brat who still depends on her parents. Worth the read.:)
Writing: The story was written from a first person perspective (Lindsey's) and I love that I just automatically got in to her mindset and just fully grasp Lindsey's character. I like how the story was written. Definitely in-character. You'd fully imagine as if you're Lindsey.
Storyline:
I love that the story has a main goal, a strong female character with the wits and guts to do everything for that goal. I got that feeling from reading the first chapter. I instantly knew that I was in for a ride just by feeling Lindsey as a main character.
If you're a daddy's girl, you might cry at some parts of the book because holy shiz I balled like a kid when I was reading Lindsey's story about her relationship with her Dad. The part where she and her dad were in some really, really, really terrible argument and that her dad pointed out that she was a spoiled brat, an irresponsible adult and that she was a failure? GOODNESS!!! I was starting to have some self-reflecting while I cried at reading this chapter. Her father has the biggest heart yet he thinks that he had raised a monster - and Lindsey knew that. That shiz is hard! I couldn't even imagine having that argument with my own father. :'( I will seriously cry. It was a wake-up call for her, and it might be for you too if you're an irresponsible brat who still leeches off from your parents.
And her mom's story? Good god that hit me a hole! I could definitely see where she was coming from and the story explained that.
The thing that I didn't give this a full five stars was that, the beginning was kind of like slow... not really dragging. (I find Lindsey to be hilarious! I didn't feel bore at all!) But the main action happened like in the middle of the book already! The author could have cut out some unnecessary parts in the beginning of the book. I wish the storyline about where Lindsey trying to break Karen's relationship with Cavanagh was stretched out more and fleshed out because it felt cliffhanged. The twists were predictable and it felt insta-love for Cavanagh and Lindsey. :( We could have elaborated on it more and it would have been a flawless, cutesy read for adults. Still, because it gave me a lot of feels and I did enjoy it (mainly because of the characters!), it was a four out of five stars for me. :)
Characters: I love, love, love Lindsey ! I think she was an awesome, strong and relatable kick-ass character. Yes, she's a spoiled brat and childish for an adult - but her character development was on point. Just the part she was realizing that her strained relationship with her dad knock some sense into her - she's not at all heartless. For an only child whose family is only her father, no doubt she couldn't let him go. (I'm a daddy's girl, so I understand her.) Her dad, Alex was one of the most heartwarming and adorable dad I've read about in books, so far. There aren't that many, though but I love their father-daughter relationship. I was rooting for Linz! She's a lonely girl. :( She was one convincing femme fatale in a James Bond sort-of-way. I love her. From the spoiled, irresponsible parasitic brat - she blossomed to be a dutiful, wonderful woman. I'm so proud of her! :)
Her friendship with Poupeh is seriously goals. I felt they connected way more than Lindsey with Gemma. Poupeh is an adorable best friend. She has to be my favorite character. She's so badass with that detective work she does.
Karen ? Hands down to that woman who has the longest patience and definitely the most forgiving future stepmom anyone could wish for. I love that Karen acted like a mom to Linz in a Karen-style way when she made Linz admit the things she wrote on the letter. I literally laughed at that!
Cavanagh ? Good god, where do you find a bachelor like that?! Seriously, he's a dream guy. I just wished his relationship with Linz had more moments and didn't feel insta-love. :( Yet I still enjoyed their romance. I just hate open-endings.
Oh, and Gemma ? She doesn't even go to this story. I loathe her. She's so hypocritical and so self-righteous that she dumped Linz off the bat when Lindsey needed a friend.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry but most of all it was a wake-up call for me not to grow up as an irresponsible brat who still depends on her parents. Worth the read.:)
October 23, 2017
Quick, light-hearted read. Very predictable and the main character is a complete brat. I enjoyed it overall and was looking forward to every page, however the happy ending was a bit too convenient. If you have been an A* cow all of your life, you don't change into sweetness and light in the space of a few months, but then it is just a bit of chick-lit fun.
June 6, 2018
The author made it really hard to care what happened to Lind-zay (I loved Poupeh!). I ended up enjoying the last 1/3 of the book, but Lindsey was so awful to everyone I didn’t care if she turned her life around. Author should have sprinkled in a few redeeming qualities about Lindsey into the first half of the book so that the ending was more enjoyable.
February 10, 2024
There was literally not a single dull moment in this book! It was just a gift that kept on giving. I loved it!! I was also obsessed with Barney, such a cute love interest.
Yeah I kinda just marked it down because it was too predictable. I guess the ending was a surprise but it wasn’t a good one because it seemed completely unrealistic and just felt a little cheap.
Yeah I kinda just marked it down because it was too predictable. I guess the ending was a surprise but it wasn’t a good one because it seemed completely unrealistic and just felt a little cheap.
December 18, 2017
Brilliant storyline
Very well written, it took me a little while to get into the story but when I did, I found I couldn't put it down. The characters are very well thought out and mix well with each other.
Very well written, it took me a little while to get into the story but when I did, I found I couldn't put it down. The characters are very well thought out and mix well with each other.
June 21, 2018
I absolutely loved this dazzling little book! It starts out like a chiclit - but the heroine is ... well - *speechless*!
and the story surprises and twists and turns
you laugh
and jump
and have a great time.
Highly recommended!
and the story surprises and twists and turns
you laugh
and jump
and have a great time.
Highly recommended!
February 19, 2021
Enjoyable book. Easy to get into and I think alot of story was put into this book. Tho midway I thought it got abit meh. But that might be just me. Predictable unfortunately. I'd recommend this book tho. Cant believe it was hiding under my bed for so long.
January 1, 2019
Such an easy summer read - great book to start the year!!
March 16, 2019
So well-written you'll really dislike the main character, which is the point. Things don't matter; emotiins do. Well worth a read.
September 14, 2020
Chris manby is one of my favourite chick lit enjoyed did not see twist at end. Not as good as other but still enjoyed
April 6, 2021
Put a smile on my face
August 29, 2022
Easy reading chick lit
March 9, 2023
I've read a few of Chris Manby's books and enjoyed them however I couldn't bring myself to like the lead character and the things that happened
September 16, 2023
The story is completely unrealistic and the main character is insane and self absorbed. But I do love a redemption arc and a love story.
September 22, 2024
This novel won me over.
December 22, 2024
So good. Didn’t take long to read as was quite easy to read it. Would recommend as was great and doesn’t look like what you would imagine the book to be like. It’s a great thriller/murder type book even tho it’s not too popular
September 11, 2011
Lindsey is not happy with the bridesmaid dress her future step mother picked out. Really she is just not happy with the prospect of a stepmother. An only child and the light of her father's life since her mother died when Lindsey was a baby, Lindsey is on a mission to make sure she stays the only woman in her father's life. Driving away perspective stepmother after stepmother till it looks like Karen might stick and make it to the altar. Lindsey takes things into her own hands, but with Karen gone and her father devastated Lindsey has to consider if she is really thinking of others or just herself and how she can fix the situation now.
This book did have character growth in it and it did keep my attention at points. Unfortunately, there were more points in it where I could say "I know what happens next" or "I know what's going on" while Lindsey was still clue less about anything that was happening. Due to figuring out kind of the main plot before the main character made the book less enjoyable for me. Yes, I still finished it and wanted to finish it. I got to a point with the book where I could read, but not really focus on it, just skimming the pages so the plot could move on and be done. I did like how it was all brought together and wrapped up in the end, but getting there with the "oh I get it moments" wasn't worth the journey to get to the end. I would go into more detail, but I don't want to give away the whole book in case someone does want to read the book. Also, the main character was really annoying though out the whole book. In my opinion she was so horrible and such a caricature at the start that she was going to have to change. Making her lessons and how she learns them expected.
Overall, I wouldn't read this book again. I think if I knew about the main character before I started it I wouldn't have read it in the first place, so I am glad I didn't know about it. I do plan on trying other books by this author, she has an interesting one coming out in March. But, I can't say that I would recommend Matchbreaker to other readers.
E
This book did have character growth in it and it did keep my attention at points. Unfortunately, there were more points in it where I could say "I know what happens next" or "I know what's going on" while Lindsey was still clue less about anything that was happening. Due to figuring out kind of the main plot before the main character made the book less enjoyable for me. Yes, I still finished it and wanted to finish it. I got to a point with the book where I could read, but not really focus on it, just skimming the pages so the plot could move on and be done. I did like how it was all brought together and wrapped up in the end, but getting there with the "oh I get it moments" wasn't worth the journey to get to the end. I would go into more detail, but I don't want to give away the whole book in case someone does want to read the book. Also, the main character was really annoying though out the whole book. In my opinion she was so horrible and such a caricature at the start that she was going to have to change. Making her lessons and how she learns them expected.
Overall, I wouldn't read this book again. I think if I knew about the main character before I started it I wouldn't have read it in the first place, so I am glad I didn't know about it. I do plan on trying other books by this author, she has an interesting one coming out in March. But, I can't say that I would recommend Matchbreaker to other readers.
E
September 23, 2013
Reviewed by Lissa Staley
Posted February 12, 2007
Romance Contemporary
Fresh out of college, Lindsay is back home in London, trying to avoid applying for jobs and happily taking care of her father while living large with his hefty bank accounts. She's selfish, self-centered and just a little bit mean. She loves her father dearly, and she thinks nothing of an all-day shopping spree on his charge cards. Lindsay also actively protects him from women who want to marry him for his money.
Three previous fiancées have been dealt with efficiently, but with her dad's wedding to his personal trainer, Karen, looming, Lindsay must take action. With help from her best friend, Gemma, Lindsay offers to take Karen on a "hen" weekend to Ibiza, an extended bachelorette party in which hopefully Karen will do something embarrassing or compromising that Lindsay can use to break up the happy couple before their wedding. When things go terribly wrong, Lindsay might be arrested, the wedding is called off and everyone involved is completely miserable. Can THE MATCHBREAKER use her sneaky skills to reunite her dad and Karen after all?
Chris Manby pulls off a difficult transition here, creating a main character the reader will loathe for most of the book, but then writing a satisfying and redeeming conclusion. Lindsay's transformation is long overdue, but believably written. Manby's creative plotting helps the reader anticipate Lindsay's change in attitude without revealing how it will be accomplished. Surprising given the title, but THE MATCHBREAKER is all about finding real relationships and appreciating true love
Posted February 12, 2007
Romance Contemporary
Fresh out of college, Lindsay is back home in London, trying to avoid applying for jobs and happily taking care of her father while living large with his hefty bank accounts. She's selfish, self-centered and just a little bit mean. She loves her father dearly, and she thinks nothing of an all-day shopping spree on his charge cards. Lindsay also actively protects him from women who want to marry him for his money.
Three previous fiancées have been dealt with efficiently, but with her dad's wedding to his personal trainer, Karen, looming, Lindsay must take action. With help from her best friend, Gemma, Lindsay offers to take Karen on a "hen" weekend to Ibiza, an extended bachelorette party in which hopefully Karen will do something embarrassing or compromising that Lindsay can use to break up the happy couple before their wedding. When things go terribly wrong, Lindsay might be arrested, the wedding is called off and everyone involved is completely miserable. Can THE MATCHBREAKER use her sneaky skills to reunite her dad and Karen after all?
Chris Manby pulls off a difficult transition here, creating a main character the reader will loathe for most of the book, but then writing a satisfying and redeeming conclusion. Lindsay's transformation is long overdue, but believably written. Manby's creative plotting helps the reader anticipate Lindsay's change in attitude without revealing how it will be accomplished. Surprising given the title, but THE MATCHBREAKER is all about finding real relationships and appreciating true love
October 7, 2024
I found this book to be entertaining, however, I would not read it again. It was a cute, easy read, but it also dragged in places. The main character was vapid and hard to really like, and her emotions never seemed to go deep enough to round her out. The ending seemed rushed and nonsensical. Overall, with some tweaks, I think this could have been a really good book, but it fell right in the middle for me. It wasn't great, it wasn't horrible.
June 19, 2011
More Manby. At this point, this is probably the worst of the set that I have read. I hated the main character so much because I hate hate hate manipulators. They are pointless and selfish and agh, I just want to send them all to The Island. Girl is an only child in her twenties and since she graduated university she hasn’t done anything but keep women away from her father because she thinks none of them are good enough. She accidentally hits the latest women and she falls off a boat and nearly drowns. When her father finds out, he is so pissed and throws her out of the house. She has to fend for herself, but you just don’t feel sorry for her at all. She realizes that she is at fault all the time and tries to her the latest women back with her father but thinks she is dating someone knew. I knew the whole time that this “new boy” was really the women’s brother. It was like DUH! Girl learns a lesson and everyone lives happily ever after. No thank you.
Grade: C-
Grade: C-
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