Zoe-Esther Zundelevich is a young Jewish woman who believes in adhering to the ways of her people. However, in America it isn’t always as easy to observe her religious and cultural beliefs. Not only is Zoe-Ester faced with the cultural and religious challenges of being different from most of the people around her, but she is also a young woman about to graduate from medical school. When her dear friend Daniel proposes marriage, and her father’s health worsens, Zoe-Esther makes a decision she may regret; she leaves the safety of Philadelphia for the Colorado territory. Though she cares for Daniel as a friend, she does not want to marry him. The decision to move is not only motivated by Daniel’s proposal, but also by the fact that her father is dying from consumption, better known now as tuberculosis, and a warmer, drier climate will lessen his active symptoms. Once there, Zoe-Esther meets a man she feels as if she knows, and one that she is very attracted to; however, Jake Whiskey isn’t Jewish, and she isn’t sure whether or not to follow her heart or a lifetime of teachings and traditions.

Jake Whiskey is the owner and operator of the Golden Gates saloon in Golden City, Colorado. Jake is a simple man with few interests: good women, good drink, and a good faro game. What else would a man need? Jake doesn’t want complications in his life, which is why every time the saloon darling, Belle, tries to talk him into marrying her, he gets her mind on other things. Jake just can’t see himself sharing his life, and especially his past, with anyone. However, when a downpour puts him into the company of a young woman, Jake is instantly attracted to her. To combat the feeling he experiences every time he is near Zoe-Esther, he presents a facade of hostility toward her, and from everything he sees, Zoe-Esther feels the same way about him. Once he gets to know her better, he sees her as a woman who has had to live her entire life by the rules, and is in need of a little corruption.

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER is the debut novel of Joanne Sundell and is quite good. Zoe-Esther is a rather remarkable woman for her time. She is independent, intelligent, and headstrong. With sheer grit and determination, she takes on a profession that women were not encouraged to attempt. She is also deeply devoted to her father and wants nothing more than to please him. Jake Whiskey is the typical bad boy. Money is what he lives and breathes for. Although Jake doesn’t want permanence or family, Zoe-Esther breaks down his defenses and works her way into his heart. The secondary characters add greatly to the story and show the struggle Zoe-Esther faces as she falls in love with a gentile.

The emotions and determination both characters show are believable, and the dialogue is lively. The story is sprinkled liberally with Yiddish

phrases, but not so much so that it distracts from the story. Ms. Sundell’s portrayal of Zoe-Esther’s struggle with religious differences and love is well done, never becoming a repetitive theme within the story. It is shown in the character’s actions, inner thoughts, and dialogue. This makes it seem more profound and realistic. My only complaint with the story is that a great many important scenes are a retelling rather than allowing the reader to experience them with the characters. Despite this criticism, this is a good story that will hold a reader's interest and mark Ms. Sundell as an author to watch.

If you are looking for a story that touches on all things emotional, be sure to read MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER.