Three years after seeing her first love, Patrick, quite by chance in London, Celine’s ten-year marriage to Mike is over and she is running her own business, called The Love Market, a professional matchmaking service in Northern England. She’s coping with the unanticipated heartbreak of a marriage ending, and her quirky twelve-year-old daughter who seems to blame her for the split.

Then, out of the blue, Patrick emails. Tempted to find out if all the old feelings can possibly still be there, she’s thrown into tailspin again when Mike has an unusual proposition for her, forcing her to question whether a divorce really means it’s over.

Celine is a romantic married to an incredibly practical and good-natured man, Mike. Since her time visiting The Love Market in Vietnam, years before her marriage, she’s only been able to think about another man, Patrick. When, by an incredible set of circumstances, she sees Patrick again while visiting London with Mike she’s thrown for a loop and suddenly her whole life veers off track. A few years later, an extremely amicable divorce, a random phone call and suddenly Celine is more unsure of her love life than ever. Will she choose the more predictable, Mike, or will she follow her heart by taking a leap toward the practically unknown, Patrick? Only time will tell.

Wow! If only there were some way for me to give this book more than 5 stars? I can honestly say that without a doubt, The Love Market is by far my favorite Chick Lit novel I’ve ever read. Ever. What Carol Mason has done within the pages of this brief, but incredibly lovely novel is something I feel I’ve been looking for without consciously recognizing it. It’s as if everything I’ve ever wanted in an adult fiction novel has been tied up nice and neatly with a pretty bow wrapping it tightly, just waiting to be opened and read again and again.

Now, the question is, how do I talk about this story without giving away it’s most important details and the ending? First of all, the writing. My biggest question is why is Carol Mason not more well known? Her writing is gorgeous! That being said, this is my first experience reading her books and I’m eager to try her others. But honestly, I’m quite surprised she isn’t more well known. Her writing is equal to, if not better than many of the biggest authors I read day in and day out. This story in particular had me guessing until the very last pages what the outcome would be, but she would give glimpses along the way that would give you hope without being unrealistic. Mason also wove in the story of Celine’s career as a matchmaker between the story of Celine’s love life, making it blend seamlessly with what seemed to me to be little effort (though I’m sure that wasn’t the case).

As for the characters…I’m absolutely head over heels in love with Mike! I know, the underdog, but I couldn’t help routing for him all along the way. He was so incredible in his love for Celine and the way he cared for not only her but everyone around him. Such a catch! I just kept hoping that no matter the ending he’d end up swept off his feet in love. In the case of Celine, I actually quite enjoyed her character. She could have turned out to be quite annoying, having just divorced and still longing for a relationship that was in her past, but she wasn’t at all. Each of the characters were so refreshingly true-to-life, it was beyond enjoyable. Even the 12 year old Aimee was a doll! I loved how they each felt and seemed so real, as if you could walk down the street and bump into Jacq on her way to her big architecture job.

The Love Market is absolutely one of the best Chick Lit novels out there and definitely a perfect read for the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday. A story of love lost and gained and the choices we make to have it in our lives, Carol Mason has created a story so real that the characters come to life before your eyes. Be prepared to fall in love and enjoy a book that could be the story of anyone anywhere or no one at all. So unbelievably well written and timeless. The Love Market is a book you cannot miss!

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for sending me a copy for review!

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