The Time Traveling Matchmaker by Janie Emaus

The Time Traveling Matchmaker Reviews

• 
  BrandyD

  The Time Traveling Matchmaker is one of the most interesting story lines I have ever read. Most time travel romances have the two main characters set-up for true love. This story was unique because it was the Matchmaker who traveled, not the romantic other half of the couple. At least, that's how the story began....
  When Matchmaker Renn meets romantic target Jessie, his mission goes completely sideways. Once the Matchmaker, he immediately realizes Jessie is actually his own soulmate, and their lives quickly grow complicated.
  This was a fun story with loads of potential but the writing felt stilted and disjointed because it didn't flow well. The initial meeting between Renn and Jessie was awkward, Her friend, Kyle, was annoying and kept pushing for a romantic relationship even though Jessie had insisted multiple times on a platonic friendship. The villain was a bit comical- all that was lacking was some evil mustache twirling,
  Some story details were missing or mixed-up: they planned on getting a cellphone after going to a restaurant but the outing ended without purchasing a phone; then, somehow, Renn has a phone. Also, there was an 1870's date mentioned twice but shortly after, it was mentioned as a date in the 1890's. It was clearly an error in the writing,
  This novel could use more polish and attention to detail. As a fan of time travel romances, I was ready to be wowed by the story, but it simply didn't work for me.
  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to access this title in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Sandra Young

  Want to find a soul mate who may exist in another time? Engage the services of the Time Traveling Matchmakers.
  
  The innovative concept is infused with romantic sizzle as we meet Jessica in present-day and Renn, who comes from the future to link her with her perfect match. But the undeniable feelings between them leave him second-guessing his apprentice assignment, especially as their lives are endangered.
  
  Futuristic elements like a cloaking trench coat and super-high-tech watch interweave with the couple’s sweet, modern connection to create a fun, imaginative read.
  
• 
  Avis Adams

  The Time Traveling Matchmaker, by Janie Emaus
  
  Janie Emaus’s The Time Traveling Matchmaker is a paranormal/fantasy romance that builds up to steamy romance by the end of this (her debut) novel. Emaus warps the space-time continuum to bring us a nail biting story that builds scene after nail biting scene!
  Emaus’s protagonist, Jessica Dylan Singleton, is a young woman still reeling from a bad relationship and breakup a year later, who just wants to move on already. She wanders through life with her eyes half-closed until she meets a mysterious man in a tan trench coat. When she witnesses that man’s disappearance into thin air, she has a new mission. Find out how he does that!
  Jess, a screenplay writer, is on hiatus from her writing program, but her advisor is pressing her for a chapter, so she doesn’t lose her place in the program. No pressure there. But Jess finds inspiration in the most unlikely place, her father’s love story with her mom. Soulmates who met in the 1980s, her mom and dad had a special kind of love, but her mom was killed when Jess was only six years old. Her dad never recovered or remarried, but he also disappeared from Jess’s life.
  Soulmates is a theme Emaus weaves throughout her fantastic book. Her grandparents and her aunt and uncle are also soulmates, and that’s what Jess wants too. She thought she had it with David, but that relationship did not fulfil her. It left her scared and abandoned, and she realizes how lucky her parents were to find such an elusive love.
  Janie Emaus creates a world where love and magic are masterfully intertwined into the setting, the characters, and the plot. Jessica’s search for love and the dangers that come with that search will satisfy fantasy/time-travel/romance fans and any reader looking for an thrilling weekend read or fun escape. I highly recommend The Time Traveling Matchmaker, a five-star read, for sure!
  
• 
  Gina Mitchell

  Janie Emaus served up an amazing debut adult novel. Her unique twist on time traveling created an intriguing tale of soulmates, love across time, intense friendships, and relationships.
  
  Jess and Renn, the main characters, fight the evil and corruption that threatens to pull them apart forever. They each present points of view, giving the story a well-rounded perspective.
  
  While the story occasionally drug a bit, I was never tempted to put the book down. What more could you ask for? Time-crossed love, an evil antagonist, great friendships, and coffee talk!
  
  I love the twist at the end. I certainly didn’t see that coming. I wish I could tell you more, but you’ll have to grab your own copy to figure it out.
  
  I look forward to the next book in the series to tie up a few loose ends.
  
  I received a copy of the book for a Goddess Fish tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
  
  
• 
  Vicky

  This was an unusual time-travel romance in that the matchmakers are from the future, hired by people who wan their soul-mate, and the matchmaker goes back in time to find them (using futuristic technology to determine who that is). When novice matchmaker Renn meets Jessie (the supposed match for someone), things definitely do not go smoothly. Not only is he drawn to her like no one he’s ever met, but he gets the feeling things at work aren’t exactly as they’re supposed to be.
  
  I loved the first few sentences from Jessie: I used to believe in happily ever after, but now I only believe in…after summer…after school…after breakfast…etc. I know that feeling all too well. Jessie meets Renn and after some misunderstandings, they turn to each other, but there’s someone who doesn’t want them together.
  
  While I liked the story overall, I thought the writing was a bit jumpy with things happening, then not happening (going into buying a phone, not buying one, then having a phone). Dates that are a bit…off. But I did love the juxtaposition with Jessie’s parents. That was so sweet. I wish a character Renn knows had been found, but I have a feeling that’s a loose thread for a later book.
  
  Recommendation: This is a decent story with an interesting premise, but there are some writing hiccups that made it not quite work for me. But overall, the concept is really good and I actually do look forward to more from this author.
  
  Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the author, I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
  
  
  9/19/22
  
• 
  Jan Sikes

  The book cover was the first thing that attracted me to this story. Then the blurb sucked me in. Also, Janie Emaus is a fellow Wild Rose Press author, and I love supporting others.
  
  This book is different from anything I’ve ever read. I loved the story concept of an organization whose purpose is to bring soulmates together, even if it involves traveling backward or forward in time.
  
  I’ll admit it took me a few chapters to really get invested in the story. The pace starts slow but steady. However, around the mid-mark, things pick up and shift into high gear.
  
  Jessica Singleton isn’t looking for love. In fact, quite the opposite. She’s recovering from a bad breakup and sworn off men. She’s putting all her energy into writing screenplays and working in a coffee shop.
  
  That is until a mysterious stranger shows up with a shimmering trenchcoat and a disturbing disappearing act. Of course, she has no idea what to make of the strange events that occur whenever the stranger is around. And she has no idea she’s been chosen to be a soulmate for an unknown man named Frank.
  
  But the tables turn when sparks fly between Jessica and the time-traveling matchmaker, Renn. Once it becomes obvious that a mistake has been made and Renn and Jessica are the true soulmates, the entire organization and the greed and corruption that’s spawned begin to unravel.
  
  There are so many great scenes once Jessica discovers Renn is from another space in time. Then there’s a tie-in with Jessica’s deceased mother and her father, who is still alive.
  
  If you like a romance where sparks do more than fly, with a different sort of twist, you’ll enjoy this book from Janie Emaus.
• 
  Tammy Moldovan

  Smart funny and appealing story
  
  I enjoyed this sci-fi time traveling romance of Renn and Jessica. The story included witty dialogue, fairly well developed characters, and an engaging storyline. Jessica is a film student working at a coffee house. Her coursework and life was derailed after a break up with her fiancée. One day an odd man wearing a trench coat, Renn, enters the coffee shop and Jessica feels an instant connection to him. Renn is a time traveling matchmaker who was sent to collect Jessica for her soulmate. But he quickly realizes that there was a mistake and he is Jessica’s soulmate. This is where the plot becomes fast paced while Jessica and Renn try to discover the cause of the miscalculation, correct the error, and stay alive long enough to be together. This book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from a good romantic suspense and sci-fi story - sweet moments, real life issues, imperfect characters, painful pasts, dangerous high stress situations, intrigue, mystery, evil actors, surprises, plot twists, futuristic devices, and some chuckles. The story was written mostly from Renn and Jessica’s POV but we also got POVs from two other characters which gave us some insight into the bad guy’s motivations. I would have liked the story to have included more details of the future and of the mechanics of the time traveling. That part felt like it was not fully fleshed out. Nevertheless, it was a fun enjoyable read. I willingly reviewed an early copy of this book.
• 
  Mercè

  ESP:
  La idea era buena y la química de los personajes está ahí. Pero le falta mucha chicha y mucho desarrollo.
  No está mal ni me he aburrido leyendo, pero la impresión final que me ha dejado es que todo es un poco caótico. La manera de narrar, la cronología y los eventos y los personajes. Creo que le falta pulir un poco.
  Y aunque puedo aceptar la premisa del insta-love con las almas gemelas que se encuentra, hubiese estado bonito ver como van asentado su relación y se conocen.
  
  ENG:
  This had a lot of potential. The idea of the plot and the chemistry of the characters is there. But I think there's so much to be developed.
  As a whole, the impression I've been left with is: chaotic. It's a bit all over the place. The way things unfold, the writing, and the pacing. All of them could be a little more polished.
  I can go along with the insta-love of soulmates, but I need a bit more backstory for them. And I also need to see how they establish their relationship, even if they are soulmates.
  
  I received a free copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
• 
  Cara Bertoia

  What if you had to travel through time to find your soulmate? Would you leave everything behind to find the love of your life? Renn is sent to the past to find Jessica and match her with her soulmate but Renn can’t kick the feeling that he is her soulmate. Will he risk it all to find his true love. I love novels about romance but to me the characters have to be relatable so that I can invest myself in their story and Jessica has a great story. You can feel the chemistry between them jump off the page.
  
  I love when an author creates a unique world and Janie Emaus has done that complete with rules for the time traveling matchmakers. Set in California the land of dreamers, you can’t help but root for Jessica who has been dealt some hard blows in life but keeps on going with an optimistic attitude. Her parents love story is the inspiration for her own journey, but she has her own path to travel and her own story to tell. I loved the finale of this novel and I can’t wait to read book two.
   
  
• 
  Sandra Lopez

  Jessica was going nowhere while living in her grandparent’s studio and working at a coffee shop, where she couldn’t help but notice the mysterious guy in the trench coat. His name was Renn and he was a time traveling matchmaker.
  
  Story had an easy narrative for the most part, but it can be long and slow at times. Renn’s notes on Jessica and the rules of matchmaking were brief, succinct, and, in a way, interrupted the flow of the story.
  
  For a while, Jess deals with the “illusion” of the trench coat guy, questioning her eyes and what to believe. Eventually, the romance element seeps in, once again, piquing my interest in the story. There was some ambiguity and complexity, but, in general, this was a rather interesting read. Time traveling stories have always fascinated me, and this one certainly had an alluring premise, even though it wasn’t entirely as I expected.
  
  A fairly nice read.
  
• 
  Sarah

  Jess's average life takes an unexpected turn with the appearance - and then disappearance - of a man in a trench coat who seems to know who she is. What does he want, and why is she inexplicably drawn to him?
  
  This is a quick, fun read with a really interesting concept and a good hit of romance. However, I felt it could do with more detail about how the time travel worked, and about Renn's future world; although his point of view does get a look-in, his character felt a little two-dimensional, and it should be possible to incorporate more explanation and background without falling into the 'show don't tell' trap. Also, there were a few consistency issues, such as Jess referring to Renn by name before he's even introduced himself - although as I was reading an ARC these may well be fixed. 3.5 stars rounded up.
  
  I received an advance copy from Netgalley and this is my honest review.
• 
  Beth Billings

  Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
  
  Jessie is still hurting from her break-up with her ex over a year ago until a handsome man walks into the coffee shop where she works and gives her tingles. Something seems strange about him and she won't rest until she finds out who and what this mysterious stranger is.
  
  
  The flow of this story is brilliant. You can feel the emotions flowing through the characters and how they grow. It does make me a bit jealous of their relationship as it's so tender and loving - why can't mine be like that!?!
  
  
  I enjoyed the storyline a lot more than I thought I would and I was able to read through it quite quickly. There wasn't any point where I felt I was stuck, lost or confused about the plot.
  
  
  I would recommend you read this book.
• 
  Sharon J

  The Time Traveling Matchmaker by Jamie Emaus is a delightful, good feel easy read. Although the story was light on the time travel specifics and details of the future, it was still an enjoyable read. Some drama with romance with the sci-fi/fantasy element of moving between time periods. The two main characters Jessie and Renn (from the future) play a pinnacle role in the plot and their relationship is enjoyable to see bloom! Other characters are believable (even with the sc-fi aspect) and contribute to some interesting twists in the plot.
  
  Recommended read.
  
  
  This review is based on a complimentary copy from The Wild Rose Press Inc. via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
  
• 
  Kristy Johnston

  I thought the concept behind this book of a matchmaking agency travelling through time to unite soulmates was fascinating. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the execution. I enjoyed the characters, but they were often inconsistent in both actions and dialogue. I also expected more on how the agency worked and was surprised by a few of the matches in history without explanations for any kind of time travel paradox theories.
  
  Thank you to Netgalley and Wild Rose Press for a copy provided for an honest review.
• 
  Corinne LaBalme

  What's not to like? There's time travel, clever protagonists, multiple love stories, magical trench coats... plus some rather dangerous office politics from a far-away future workplace. I thoroughly enjoyed this ARC and highly recommend it to anyone who wouldn't mind crosssing several hundred time zones to find their perfect soulmate.
• 
  Tina

  The Time Traveling Matchmaker is compelling paranormal romance about fighting for love and finding one’s soulmate. Author Janie Emaus was creative in her futuristic world-building, the characterization, and offering the perfect obstacles to keep the pages turning. I couldn’t help thinking that this story is ripe for sequels and I hope I’m right!
• 
  Susan

  I received this book from the Facebook group - Jews Love to Read - giveaway contest. Because this book did not fit that criteria, which I only realized after I started the book, I won't write a review. I love sci-fi, but this book was not for me.
• 
  Esther Flemembaum

  A must read, clever, quirky and full of surprises!