Reinventing Lindsey by Maggie Brown is a quirky Australian romance between a matchmaker and a reclusive scientist.
Daisy Parker loves helping people find successful relationships. She has a higher success rate than most matchmakers (and WAY higher than Tinder) because she backs her methods with a master’s degree in anthropology. Even so, nothing could have prepared her for Lindsey Jamieson-Ford when the reclusive scientist hires Daisy to find her a wife.
Lindsey hasn’t dated in years and she doesn’t have the time or inclination to learn the scene, so hiring a matchmaker just makes sense. With most of her social interactions kept to her housekeeper, other employees at her company, and the robots she’s built, Lindsey is bewildered by the vivacious Daisy and her intense, hands-on methods that include a total makeover and practice dating. And when Daisy starts seeing that there’s more to Lindsey than the mousey image she’d projected for years, Daisy is equally surprised by the feelings that grow.
Can Lindsey let go of the past experiences that have kept her from dating? And can Daisy keep things professional between them?
The Characters
Daisy is sweet and fun, and just all around lovely. It’s easy to see why anyone would be interested in her, even though she’s pretty much married to her job.
Lindsey is a little less easy to like at first because she’s so closed off to everyone. She’s brilliant, her work focusing on robotics that include smart prosthetics, and yet she doesn’t really have anyone around her.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing both women change and grow. While Lindsey has the biggest character arc, both are satisfying and I was happy with where they are by the end of it.
The Writing Style
I was intrigued by the blurb for Reinventing Lindsey (I’m a total sucker for matchmakers falling in love), so I leapt at the chance to review this one. Despite being into the premise, I was still pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it and I couldn’t put it down! I was totally engrossed by Lindsey and Daisy and the slow burn that crackles between them. Everything about the writing style worked for me.
The Pros
Everything!
The Cons
I can’t read it again for the first time.
Also that cover… I get what it’s doing, but the book is SO much better than the cover.
The Conclusion
I’ve never read anything by Maggie Brown before and I’ll be checking out more of her stories in the future. Reinventing Lindsey was a delight from beginning to end and it’s one of my favourite books this year.
Also, if Brown felt like writing a spinoff story for Kerry (a fabulous side character who’s in the book very briefly), I would be VERY okay with that!
Excerpt from Reinventing Lindsey by Maggie Brown
Daisy leaned over and took her right hand. “What kind of woman are you attracted to?”
At the feel of the touch, Lindsey’s muscles tightened. As subtly as she could, she eased her fingers from Daisy’s grasp. Then she blinked to focus on the question. “What kind of woman? Didn’t I put that in my profile?”
“No, this is your sexual preference. What kind turns you on? An athlete? Butch? Femme? Political? In the closet, or out and proud? Do you want to be the boss in a relationship? Who is in your fantasies?”
Lindsey’s jaw sagged, and heat blossomed into her cheeks. “I…I don’t really have a preference. Um…no…wait. That’s not strictly true. I like women who are on the feminine side…with curves.” She fluttered her gaze over Daisy’s torso and down her legs. “You know…your type of body…with nice breasts and hips. Older though.”
Daisy gave a wry smile. “Oh, me when I’m grown up.”
“Yes, but,” she added more firmly, “I’m also attracted to the mind, if you know what I mean. I’ll never be happy with someone who is vacuous or ditzy.”
“I know exactly what you mean there. Do you prefer to wear dresses or pants?”
“I prefer pants, though I don’t mind my suits with skirts or a simple-cut evening dress. I detest anything frilly.”
“Good. That will be enough for today.” Daisy handed her a slip of paper. “Here’s the hair stylist’s address. Will that time suit you?”
“That’ll be fine.”
“Great. Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No. I’ll drive in. I employ a chauffeur. Joe also keeps the maintenance on the house in order.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then. There’s one last thing before I go, Lindsey. I want you to give me a hug.”
Lindsey froze, unable to think of a way out. She hadn’t touched anyone but Trisha intimately for years. With a swallow, she edged forward and gave her a tentative squeeze. Before she could get away, Daisy pulled her closer until they were pressed together. After a last firm clasp, she murmured, “There. That wasn’t so bad, was it? You’re going to have to get used to touching people, Lindsey, if you want a wife.”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781642470352
Publisher: Bella Books
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