MISS MATCH: Lauren Holbrook Series, Book 1
Erynn Mangum
Th1nk Books/NavPress
Fiction
ISBN: 9781600060953
365 pages

Lauren Holbrook is a happily confirmed bachelorette. The protagonist in Erynn Mangum’s debut novel, MISS MATCH, is 23 years old, living with her father in a sleepy Colorado town and couldn’t be happier about it. Unlike other twentysomethings on the hunt for love, Lauren is more concerned with finding the perfect mates for her friends. And she’s convinced that she has a God-given talent for it.

Her convictions are confirmed when her instant intuition about a newly arrived stockbroker and her older sister leads to a marriage made in heaven. After this glorious triumph, Lauren decides to further dedicate her energies to her newfound matchmaking obsession. She works at a photography studio run by her best (and still single) guy friend Brandon, which allows for plenty of inspiration from gazing at newly engaged couples. When perky blonde Hannah comes to town and is hired as the studio’s new receptionist, Lauren is initially repulsed by her Barbie-like attributes. However, when Hannah begins attending the church singles’ group that Lauren and Brandon go to, a whole new side of “Beach Barbie” is revealed.

With yet another single added into the mix, Lauren recommits herself to her matchmaking efforts. First, there’s Ruby, Lauren’s super-uptight boss, who has only recently shown a softer side. Lauren can’t help but think that she would be the perfect stabilizing influence for Nick, the wildly disorganized but very sweet singles’ pastor at her church. Then there’s Ryan, the disheveled but adorable construction worker who Lauren sees having potential sparks with Hannah. That is, until their friends seem more interested in seeing Ryan with Lauren.

The two very confirmed singles decide to play a joke on their friends by pretending to date. Lauren also hopes that by setting the example of being in a relationship, some of her less than cooperative matches will follow suit. But the joke may be on them, as their pretend dating seems to be becoming less and less pretend. Will Lauren stay committed to her vow of singleness? And, most importantly, will she ever realize that her plans aren’t always perfect?

MISS MATCH is a solid addition to the world of Christian chick-lit. Although being marketed as a young adult book, it would be much better classified as adult fiction that teens can enjoy. The plot revolves around twentysomethings and their quest for marriage (or avoiding it), something that may seem quite foreign and far off for some teen readers. For a chick-lit title, MISS MATCH is very heavy on religious themes, with Bible verses and topics present in nearly every chapter. Mangum creates a new sort of character in Holbrook --- a Christian girl who is not only not seeking marriage but also seeking not to be married. While the author should be given kudos for defying the Christian chick-lit stereotypes, it is also important to note that while Holbrook reaffirms her convictions to stay single, her actions often seem to state the opposite (such as being jealous of young engaged couples in the studio and pining over romantic comedies). This may send a confused message to some readers.

Nonetheless, for those looking for a hip coffee-and-chocolate-fueled chick-lit novel with Christian values, look no further than MISS MATCH, the first book in Mangum’s Lauren Holbrook trilogy.

    --- Reviewed by Jennifer Crosby

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