My Heart's Desire

Hopeless Romantics #1

by Matilda Martel

Lana Howard is a modern-day matchmaker with the happiest clientele in Manhattan. She promises to learn your heart’s desire and she delivers.
Liam Fitzgerald wants nothing to do with a matchmaker. He’s fine, the way he is. But before his beloved mother passed away, she fought tooth and nail to book his secret appointment fearing her first born son would never marry.
One look at Lana and he’s sold. He knows what he wants. He wants her. But Lana has a system. She doesn’t give people what they want- she gives them what they need.
According to her blueprint, they’re not compatible. She has a code. Flings don’t turn into true love. There must be something that’ll stick---or maybe this matchmaker’s been afraid of love all along.
Can Liam convince Lana they’d make the perfect match?

This is a steamy instalove, matchmaker, fling to true love, older man younger woman romance with a guaranteed happily ever after. Happy Reading!

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2020

About the author

Matilda is a Texas girl in love with a Philly boy who loves to write dirty books about two people who trip into love and fumble their way into a Filthy, Funny, Happily Ever After.

I live in Austin, with my husband, two crazy Chihuahuas and an even crazier cat. And I spend most of my day writing dirty romance books about older men who fall in love with younger women and make fools of themselves trying to win their hearts.

If you love Dark Romance, you’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t like dark heroes.

I like my hero to be successful, sweet, suave, sophisticated and kind--- and then I want him to lose all his composure and game when he meets the heroine. I want him to turn into a bumbling idiot when he spots the girl of his dreams and revert to a teenage boy in a man’s body trying to win her.

I like my heroines to be witty, intelligent, and unshakeable---who could do just as well without a man—until the hero convinces her otherwise.

I write A LOT OF AGE GAP--because I LOVE AGE GAP ROMANCE. I’ve got no other excuse for it.

No matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are ADORED, and my endings are always Happily EVER AFTER, not HFN.

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Reviews

[Granger McGringot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess OMYW was now officially my trope. I like my OM to be alpha mature character who knew exactly what he wanted and when he wanted with devil-may-care attitude. And this book was giving all those goodness tidbit of free-falling hopelessly in love at first sight. Plus, I like how the h was trying hard, but not too hard -just a tad bit in the middle-, to get. Independent streak, had spine, and sassy to boot, was definitely good combo for a cute h.


The plot was well written. As usual, the writer delivered the story in a fun comedic yet romantic and smutty way. Interesting combination to dig. I like how the author put punchline here and there to make us smile on MC's absurdity, yet it made sense for the whole story.

Virgin h, Experienced H
No condoms
OTT instalove
No cheating, No OW/OM
Safe read, HEA
Overall score: 4 smutty fun stars

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 4
Length: Lunch Break Read
POV: Dual
Series: Hopeless Romantics #1 (Stand Alone)
Ending: HEA
Re-read? Maybe (okay probably)

“I can’t believe I’ve fallen in love in a matter of days. But nothing prepared me for Lana. She’s everything I never knew I always wanted. She’s everything I didn’t know I’d missed in life.”

I enjoyed this story much more than I thought I would. It was romantic, sexy, and at times, hilarious.

” I don’t need a matchmaker to meet Grace Kilroy. Every man over the age of thirty in Upper Manhattan knows Grace Kilroy. I consider her email an act of hostility.”

I mean Lana is okay but Liam is my new book boyfriend. He’s dedicated, possessive, and a bit of a stalker. What’s not to love?

”I sneak past the hostess and hide behind a large plant. I pray no one sees me. It’s a new low.”

All in all well worth the read!

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

had to DNF, heroine gave her body to another man and can’t give the hero the primal bond of claiming her innocence for himself. The memory of her first time will always belong to another man, which means a part of her will always belong to another man in a profound and intimate way. No thanks

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/16/2021)! 🎁

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Heart’s Desire may just be my favorite book by Matilda Martel! It is a deliciously over the top, older man/younger woman, InstaLove romance read. Whether I was staring at this book’s sexy cover or gobbling up all the words, I was 100% hooked!

Lana is a professional matchmaker. She is extremely good at what she does and her success rate is impressive. Liam is a sexy, business before marriage, silver fox. His darling mamma’s dying wish - to see him married, has him agreeing to meet the famous matchmaker.

The.sparks.fly when Lana and Liam meet. Every single possessive and dirty instinct in him comes to the surface as Liam falls instantly and madly in love with the sexy young woman. Ever the professional, Lana is determined to find his perfect match even though her traitorous body and her fickle heart have other (indecent) ideas. Watching Liam lose his ever loving mind in his maniacal pursuit of the only woman he will ever love and seeing her crumble and fall into a pool of sexy goo at his feet, makes this a five star romance read.

My Heart’s Desire is everything I love about Matilda’s writing. She gives us a sexy, laugh-out-loud, swoony romance read that will put a smile on your face and a tingle in your jingle! TBR and Enjoy!

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time's up. Pencils Down.

My Heart's Desire is the fist book in the Hopeless Romantics series. It is the story of Lana Howard and Liam Fitzgerald. This story just grabbed me quickly and immersed me into a fun, witty, romantic and sexy world of an older man who just falls instantly in love with a beautiful younger woman who made a promise to his mother.
Lana may only be twenty-six years old but after two years she has a reputation as a matchmaker in NYC to the rich and desirable. She is also intelligent as she has degrees in Psychology and Human Behavior and also is talented in math and statistics. Some say she has "the gift" in finding out what someone's heart wants and matching them with it. So far she has fifty-five successful matches and the forty-seventh wedding on the weekend.
Liam is forty-two years old and is the CEO of Fitzgerald Properties. He is dedicated to his work and business but has never found the one woman that he felt he could commit to. It is not that he has not had long term relationships and tried but he has just never "fell in love" with anyone. But just shortly before his mother died a couple of months ago she tracked down a matchmaker that was whispered about and book an appointment for Liam. Then she made her youngest son and his wife, Mitchell and Marjorie, promise to urge Liam to keep the appointment. It is now that day and over lunch with Mitchell and Marjorie Liam is just finding this out. With some good old fashioned motherly guilt from beyond the grave Lian finally agrees he will meet the matchmaker and fill out her very lengthy questionnaire, even if he grumbles and is not happy about it.
As soon as Lana walks into Liam's office the sparks fly and all thought and reason go out the window for both of them. Liam instantly feels something he has never felt before and knows that Lana is the one and only for him. Lana is so attracted to Liam that her brain is literally short circuiting as he body is being traitorous from all of the very naughty ideas she is thinking of. But Lana is a professional and Liam is a client. She is determined to find him the perfect match. Liam has a completely other idea but decides to play along with Lana, playing the long game with her. There are "dates" which are supposed to be about Lana discovering more about Liam so she can match him but he always seems to slyly turn the questions around so that Lana talks about herself. He is a sneaky one which ends up with Lana digging in even more which only results in the determined Alpha hunting her down, as she may try to avoid him but she is not going to be able to.

I really loved this well written story. The story-line has a great balance of so much - OTT possessive and protective Alpha, romance, laugh out loud moments, witty banter, fantastic inner dialogues of both characters and a good amount of hot and steamy sex. This is a classic Matilda Martel story and another winner. I would RECOMMEND this book to others.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, steamy, feel-good story. This was an intense novel about Liam, a confirmed bachelor whose dying mother enlists the services of a matchmaker, Lana, to find him a wife. There would be no introductions to other eligible ladies because the attraction between Lana and Liam, from the first moment they meet, is undeniable. At least Liam admits it to himself. He spends the rest of the novel persuading Lana of that. This book is a well-written steamy story, which is a little too short to give suitable attention to the tension points and produce a smooth transition of the emotional changes in the storyline. However, it is a pleasant and very hot short story with an HEA, which I would be happy to recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ronel Olver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, steamy and totally over the top read. Liam is guilted into meeting with a matchmaker and filling in her questionnaire by his mother. After her death his family continues to pressure and guilt him to keep the meeting, as that is what mom made them promise. When Liam sees Laena he is instantly smitten and being an OTT, totally possessive man that knows what he wants, he resorts to stalking and snooping. Lana is trying to stay professional but the instant attraction and Liam's sneaky ways does not make it easy. Even though short and insta- love, the author still manages to convey the passion, feelings and emotion. Loved the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Liam who does not want to marry but his dying mother made him promise. Lana is a matchmaker with an impressive track record. Liam has an appointment with Lana. Liam is instantly in love with her. He wants to protector and love her. He is older and she is younger. She insists that she is not his match. He pursues her. Will she weaken, go against her rules? This is a great read and the characters are just amazing and amazing together. The dialogue and banter was wonderful. The story flowed and it was a quick and enjoyable read. Wonderful.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Lana is a proud of her history of being a matchmaker. Her intentions are to keep helping couples find each other, not to find a man herself. Liam would not be doing this if it wasn't a request of the mother he recently lost. There is no denying the chemistry between these two from the first meeting. Sparks were flying. He knows that she is his and sets out to prove it. She wants to fight it, but her heart wins out. I really enjoyed their love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathy Greco]

This is the story of Liam who does not want to marry but his dying mother made him promise. Lana is a matchmaker with an impressive track record. Liam has an appointment with Lana. Liam is instantly in love with her. He wants to protector and love her. He is older and she is younger. She insists that she is not his match. He pursues her. Will she weaken, go against her rules? This is a great read and the characters are just amazing and amazing together. The dialogue and banter was wonderful. The story flowed and it was a quick and enjoyable read. Wonderful.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lana may match lovers, friends, strangers alike together by following a rule, but what about her is she so focused on matching everyone else that she is blind to the connections that are happening around her?
Liam is happily single but according to his ailing mother he needs a good woman. He protests all the way to his appointment with the illusive matchmaker. Stop dead, well excuse him, thank you mother for forcing this meet. Except Liam has to be crafty because his perfect match is resisting their ever so obvious connection. Challenge accepted

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shanna D · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Heart’s Desire by Matilda Martel. Ah Lana doesn’t stand a chance against Liam, he knows what he wants, and he wants Lana. If I was her, I’d be saying yes, Yes, YES! Many, many times over. I liked Liam, his charm, personality, and of course his good looks had me hooked. I felt Lana was a good match for him even though her calculations said otherwise. This book was easy to read and enjoyable and I would recommend it and the author to others. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[M Hurford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Little RomCom!
Cute book about Liam, an oldish successful man, and Lana a younger woman who is a matchmaker. Upon her dying bed Liam’s mother reveals she made an appointment for Liam to see a matchmaker who ends up being Lana. That’s when the fun begins between the two especially when Liam realizes Lana is making his moves on him!
It’s a great, quick read that is most enjoyable and I’m definitely recommending for your reading enjoyment and satisfaction.
Peace.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man knows when he meets the one, this was such a fantastic storyline of Liam and Lana. I liked the OTT alpha man going after the woman he has been waiting to share his life. I enjoyed Liam being knocked sideways and having to pursue the girl, that it didn’t all happen easily for him. Great ending for this couple who were not supposed to be.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a cute romance! I love how single-minded Liam is and how he knew Lana was the one for him. Liam makes me laugh as he woos Lana. Their chemistry together is super hot and steamy enough to melt your panties off. Their love story is just too adorable for words! this was a very entertaining and enjoyable romance!

I rate this book 4.5 stars.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Men know. Bachelor Liam is blindsided by his brother and sister in law when they tell him he has a meeting with a matchmaker, Lana. The appointment, however, was made by his deceased mother. I really enjoyed the way author Matilda Martel worked this story around, and it amazes me how well she can create palpable chemistry through the written word. I loved the line, and the premise - men know.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Matilda Martel; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Esme Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lana is a professional matchmaker. Liam's mother booked him an appointment with the matchmaker before dying so he keeps the appointment since it is her dying wish to see him married. When Lana and Liam, there is an instant attraction. Liam wants nothing to do with a match unless it is with her. Will Lana be able to set aside her feelings to find him his match?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious steamy romance mixed with drama, intrigue, witty banter, humour, and a whole lot of fun. It is well written, compelling, and will pull you in from the first page. Likeable characters - the chemistry between them is off the charts, hot, and instant. Definitely recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matilda Martel did a good job on this story, My Heart's Desire had a strong plot that was written well. Lana and Liam were strong characters that were meant for one another, the attraction between them was instant, their connection was strong. The chemistry between them was off the charts, it was steamy, they were good together.
This was a good story. Thanks, Matilda Martel. Good work :)

[Jeanne Kotsios · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn’t put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect read.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Liam and Lana is fun and steamy. It has a good flow with adorable characters and simple, interesting plot. I definitely enjoyed reading this entertaining novella!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced story with an insta-love theme. I liked how realistic this felt even though it was also a bit over the top. The characters were engaging as was the storyline. It was a quick fun read.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

[Ria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice

Not sure why I didn't particularly like Liam, but yeah.

Oh wait. I know why. He didn't respect Lana's privacy and her profession when he snooped through Belinda. Sorry. Dealbreaker.

Fun writing though. I can see myself reading more of this author's books.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the matchmaker theme and that it's the matchmaker that has to decide if she is compatible with the man. It's cute, sexy, funny, and entertaining.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was gripping, well written & the chemistry between the characters, Liam & Lana sizzled throughout this wonderful read.

Well done Matilda. I look forward to more!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 ⭐️