Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Matched in Merriweather

ebook
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 8 weeks
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 8 weeks

What do you get when you mix historical drama, a heavy dose of romance, sharp wit, and a dash of Jane Austen? The Merriweather series!

Amateur matchmaker and social queen at an all-women's college in 1937 Chicago, Melody Merriweather's world shifts when she receives a distressing letter informing her that her father is gravely ill. Forced to abandon her frivolous school life, she rushes back to her small Wisconsin hometown, where she is surprised to learn she is expected to help at the family's general shop, affectionately called "The Merc," until her father recovers.

Once there, Melody discovers the Merc is not as prosperous as she had been led to believe, and she quickly tries to devise a way to settle the mounting debts. With the help of her motley assortment of employees—especially the handsome but overly critical, Cal Fraiser—she attempts various schemes, including the selling of luxury hats and gloves, to save the family shop before settling on the brewing of cider.

In the meantime, she just can't help but play matchmaker with her sweet employee, Harriet. Determined to thwart the young woman's attraction to a local farmer, Melody instead introduces her to the town's upstart young banker and encourages her to pursue him. Things do not go as planned, however—either with Harriet or the Merc—leaving Melody to question not only whether she might have to make Merriweather her permanent home, but if there is perhaps something more than cider brewing between herself and Cal . . .

"The novel shines with small-town charm infused with humor and romance."—Booklife reviews

"Exceptionally well-written and easy-to-read book. Highly recommend!"—Amazon reviewer

"This was the perfect escape read for me; loved every delightful and laugh-out-loud moment. Simply charming!"—Amazon reviewer

  • Creators

  • Series

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      October 28, 2024
      Set in the small town of Merriweather, Wisconsin, during the Great Depression, this endearing story tracks the reluctant return of Melody Merriweather from her vibrant college life in Chicago to the helm of the family business following her father's heart attack. Eager to revitalize the quaint yet quiescent Merriweather Mercantile, Melody introduces chic products like silk scarves and velvet hats, but her modern flair clashes with the old-world pragmatism of Mrs. Haufbrau, her father's immutable staff member, who regards such luxuries as frivolous amid the economic despair. As Melody's inventory languishes, her initial optimism is further dampened by the revelation of her family's debts.
      Cox’s spin-off of her Henrietta and Inspector Howard series offers a cozy, intimate glimpse of Melody's trials amidst economic woes, rendering a historical fiction that does not overwhelm with a broad geopolitical plot. Desperate to fix her family’s financial woes, inspiration strikes when Melody learns of her father’s prohibition-era moonshine business. Warned by Cal, the surly but handsome butcher at the Merc, she pivots to his suggestion of selling cider, hoping for a lucrative turnaround. The arrival of lodgers Frank and Julius, restorationists bent on preserving traditional craftsmanship, adds to the intrigue.
      The novel shines in its palpable sense of place—from the spirited Harvest Fest to badger holes, old zinc mines, and quaint Cornish cottages. Cox favors small-town charm exploration, infused with humor and romance, with Melody's matchmaking schemes that soon become dramatic, her hanging engagement with her old beau, and her complicated moments with Cal. Melody's strong character development, humorous interludes, and the underlying themes of dreams versus familial obligations, tradition versus modernity, and community spirit compensate for the repetitive minutiae of daily store operations that occasionally drag the narrative. Though the ending is neatly tied, it hangs with a surprising romantic twist, leaving readers of lighthearted historical fiction eager for the next installment.
      Takeaway:Small-town saga of matchmaking and family business during the Great Depression.
      Comparable Titles: Helen Simonson's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Gabrielle Zevin's The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.
      Production grades
      Cover: A
      Design and typography: A-
      Illustrations: N/A
      Editing: B
      Marketing copy: A-

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Loading