Mystical . . . Beautiful . . . Romantic . . .
Read the matchmaker’s story to find out where it all starts . . .
Mae Li has been in love with Chen Zhu for years, and he with her. But when the matchmaker arrives at the Zhu family home, she recommends another village girl for Chen.
Heartbroken, Mae Li watches as Chen does his duty by marrying another. Mae flees her village with the clothes on her back and her only possession—a pearl embedded comb, given to her as a goodbye gift from Chen Zhu.
Upon Mae’s arrival in Shanghai, she quickly learns that she’ll starve within days unless she sells her prized comb or joins a courtesan house. She goes to the Huangpu River and promises the River God that she’ll always be selfless if he will save her from becoming a prostitute . . . Her wish is granted when Ms. Tan, the matchmaker of Shanghai, finds Mae. But Mae must completely change her future and her name if she is to become the next matchmaker.
Audience: Adult (Clean)
Genre: Romance, Historical
Length: 60 pgs
Rating: 3.5
Review:
This novella did exactly what it was supposed to: interest me in the upcoming one-a-month novels in the Matchmaker series. I'm beyond curious about what role Mae will play in these new novels! It is a quick, lovely read with lots of cultural detail to devour. Though it's obvious the Matchmaker's life (and the novels to follow) will cover many, many years, it was unclear to me when exactly "Power of the Matchmaker" took place from some of the dialogue (it seemed too modern sometimes for the period depicted). Still, I enjoyed traveling with Mae, watching her struggle, and cheered her on to be able to keep her dignity and the comb given to her by her beloved. Looking forward to the rest of this series!
Content
Sex - 1 (Mae is shown naked pictures of women as some characters try to force her into modeling/prostitution; her only option being prostitution is discussed.)
Language - 0
Violence - 1 (Mae is drugged)
Overall Rating - PG
Content
Sex - 1 (Mae is shown naked pictures of women as some characters try to force her into modeling/prostitution; her only option being prostitution is discussed.)
Language - 0
Violence - 1 (Mae is drugged)
Overall Rating - PG
Oh my. What a fascinating story concept!
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