Lauren Holbrook has decided to add a side career to her regular job as a photographer: matchmaking for the romantically challenged. After successfully hitching her sister and her new husband, Lauren decides to sets out to strike sparks between her carefree singles' pastor, Nick, and her neurotic, obsessive compulsive coworker, Ruby. However, Lauren finds that certain combinations of people results in explosions, rather than sparks, and her foolproof plan begins to unravel. As Lauren is faced with disaster after romantic disaster, will she rethink her matchmaking role as well as her vow to her father to remain single forever? Erynn Mangum, softcover, 365 pages.

Miss Match by Erynn Mangum is a light, witty novel about twenty-three-year-old Lauren Holbrook’s quest for contentment, fulfillment, and the world’s best cup of coffee. Lauren claims to be a happily single caffeine addict, but she questions this as she sees the success of the relationship she has set up between her sister and new brother-in-law. She enjoys the scheming of setting up her co-worker, Ruby, with her pastor, Nick, but this relationship challenges her desire to be single, testing whether it is a part of God’s will or her own.

The book begins as a modern day mimic of Jane Austen’s Emma, but progresses past this original premise to develop an attitude and action all Lauren Holbrook’s. The more I read the book, the more I found myself drawn into the actions, events, and conversations of this borrowed social circle. The most striking aspect of Mangum’s book is her ability to push humor past the predictable. Many times, a slight twist in a predictably funny scene changed my quiet entertainment into genuine, out-loud laughter.

From beginning to end of Miss Match, Lauren sifts through everyone she knows to bring together the perfect couples. Her employer and long-time friend, Brandon, watches her attempts to set up Ruby and Nick with scornful amusement. Hannah, the secretary at the studio where Lauren works, also joins in. As Lauren watches her plans unfold only to crumple under the stress of everyday life and misunderstanding, she questions if it is her place to prod along other people’s relationships. Despite her uncertainties, Lauren launches ahead through extravagant evenings, failed dates, and even a fake relationship with Ruby’s brother to see her friends happy together.

It is through these elaborate schemes that readers meet the energetic, highly caffeinated Lauren Holbrook, known by most of the people around her as a quick-witted kindred spirit. Fortunately, Mangum incorporates a deeper, deliberative side to Lauren’s character as she struggles to find God’s will in her life. By the end of the book, these two sides merge to form a more mature, understanding Lauren Holbrook than the one presented at the beginning.

After reading Miss Match, I feel as though coffee with Lauren might taste better and that I would be comfortable going out to dinner with her friends. Unexpectedly, Mangum’s ultimate goal in this novel does not seem to be a condemnation for all matchmaking or even a rulebook for singles to live by. Instead, she challenges readers to think about God’s sovereignty in their own lives through Lauren Holbrook’s friends, decisions, and cravings for caffeine. – Natalie Myers, Christian Book Previews.com

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Author: Erynn Mangum
Located in: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Submitted: April 24, 2007

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I'm 22, I love Christ with all my heart. I'm a major chocoholic and an even bigger caffeine addict. I love hanging out with girls of any age, I love reading, writing, watching sappy chick flicks, eating Oreos with ice cream, the last few swallows of a caramel Frappucino, daisies, anything pink and spending time with my unbelievable family.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  I started writing just for fun. So, I hope that this book is something fun to read!

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  Above all else, I hope Miss Match makes you laugh and reminds you of God's unfailing love. And that you'll be inspired to get a cup of coffee while you're reading! :)

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  Hard question because there are so many! Most of all, Christ is everything to me. My family has definitely encouraged and inspired me - my parents are amazing and my siblings are the best out there. My college group has always provided me with a lot of inspiration (read: fodder. Sorry guys!). Favorite authors? Way too many to name!!

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  I absolutely love hearing from you! I hope you'll visit my website at www.erynnmangum.com and send me an email!

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