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The Perfect Passion Company #1-3
The Perfect Passion Company
As the new manager of the Perfect Passion Company, Katie’s mission is to help the lonely hearts of Edinburgh. With the assistance of her amiable and handsome office neighbor, William, she finds herself using a personal touch to find matches for the city’s lovelorn citizens. When an airline pilot comes to her looking for a woman to take care of him, Katie sends him to cooking school. The case of a hotelier with a particularly overbearing mother may require a delicate two-pronged approach. And for a client who has a habit of talking so much she does not even seem to draw breath—well, Katie doesn’t turn down a case just because it’s challenging.
Along the way, Katie learns that her work may be a little broader in scope than she had originally thought, and there may be something to learn about her own future happiness as well. With the tenderness of which only McCall Smith is capable, The Perfect Passion Company charmingly illuminates the psychology of matchmaking, the search for love and compassion, and the mysterious spark of attraction that can, at times, catch hold of us all.
Along the way, Katie learns that her work may be a little broader in scope than she had originally thought, and there may be something to learn about her own future happiness as well. With the tenderness of which only McCall Smith is capable, The Perfect Passion Company charmingly illuminates the psychology of matchmaking, the search for love and compassion, and the mysterious spark of attraction that can, at times, catch hold of us all.
Hardcover
Published February 1, 2024
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
551 books12.3k followersAlexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
July 30, 2024
Because he's just so prolific, I couldn't ever claim to be a connoisseur of Alexander McCall Smith's work. I've dipped in and out of various series, but not all, and I've completed none. But when this new one came along, it sparked my interest and I thought I'd give the audiobook, covering the first 3 titles in the series, a try. It's sweet and charming, and deceptively insightful, which are three qualities I have learned to expect from this author.
As a collection it works very well. There are 3 distinct stories, covering 3 separate tales of romantic matchmaking in present day Edinburgh. Tying them together is the longer arc of Katie, coming to take over her cousin's introduction agency while the latter takes an adult gap-year in Canada, and of Will, the Australian knitwear designer from the studio next door. I enjoyed all 3 stories, but it's my curiosity about what might happen next for Katie and Will that will have me keeping an eye out for any further instalments of this series.
As a collection it works very well. There are 3 distinct stories, covering 3 separate tales of romantic matchmaking in present day Edinburgh. Tying them together is the longer arc of Katie, coming to take over her cousin's introduction agency while the latter takes an adult gap-year in Canada, and of Will, the Australian knitwear designer from the studio next door. I enjoyed all 3 stories, but it's my curiosity about what might happen next for Katie and Will that will have me keeping an eye out for any further instalments of this series.
February 14, 2024
A huge thank you to Birlinn Books for this gorgeous proof.
This year I made a promise to myself to expand my reading genres and I'm very glad that I did. First on the list was The Perfect Passion Company. This is exactly the story I was looking for without realising it. It was like being whisked away on holiday. Sweet, romantic, hopeful and full of beautiful prose; I was swept away and the cherry on top was having Edinburgh as the stunning backdrop.
Katie is disheartened with love and feels it's not so much for her. Wanting a change of scene she heads back to her routes to manage her Aunt Ness's business whilst she goes on an adventure trip.
The Perfect Passion Company is a matchmaking business that she is not sure she is qualified to run but she soon finds out that love can be found in the most unlikely of places, all with the help of her handsome, unattainable neighbour, William.
William is a great character (my favourite character). Love the little things he does, like bringing in coffees and his astute advice. I genuinely find that the little things in life make such a difference and William and Katie were quite the dynamic duo.
We meet various walks of life in this book and I loved the concept that there is someone for everyone. I found myself turning the pages quickly to see how each couple would fare.
I love a slow burn and for me this has the perfect ending full of hope on the horizon.
Book love equals annotation and this story has given me many moments I want to remember and look back on.
A highly recommended read!
This year I made a promise to myself to expand my reading genres and I'm very glad that I did. First on the list was The Perfect Passion Company. This is exactly the story I was looking for without realising it. It was like being whisked away on holiday. Sweet, romantic, hopeful and full of beautiful prose; I was swept away and the cherry on top was having Edinburgh as the stunning backdrop.
Katie is disheartened with love and feels it's not so much for her. Wanting a change of scene she heads back to her routes to manage her Aunt Ness's business whilst she goes on an adventure trip.
The Perfect Passion Company is a matchmaking business that she is not sure she is qualified to run but she soon finds out that love can be found in the most unlikely of places, all with the help of her handsome, unattainable neighbour, William.
William is a great character (my favourite character). Love the little things he does, like bringing in coffees and his astute advice. I genuinely find that the little things in life make such a difference and William and Katie were quite the dynamic duo.
We meet various walks of life in this book and I loved the concept that there is someone for everyone. I found myself turning the pages quickly to see how each couple would fare.
I love a slow burn and for me this has the perfect ending full of hope on the horizon.
Book love equals annotation and this story has given me many moments I want to remember and look back on.
A highly recommended read!
June 8, 2024
Great start to a new series! Interesting characters I would like to learn more about.
August 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this first instalment of The Perfect Passion Company. I loved the storylines of the matchmaking and of course am intrigued as to what happens with Katie and William.
February 18, 2024
I love McCall Smith's book and have read a great many of them. I was surprised to find that even though this book was presented as a new book - I had read the first two parts and only the 3rd part was new. I enjoyed rereading it but felt a bit betrayed that I purchased it thinking it was a whole new story. I will always get whatever is offered from this author but hope that next time it will really be new.
March 28, 2024
Sweet characters, in the way that Alexander Smith has.
September 24, 2024
I gave this book 2 stars just because I forced myself to finish it, but I certainly didn’t enjoy it. The characters are dull, the dialogue is mind numbing, and the plot, such as it is, is barely there. The chapters that take place in Canada are particularly sleep inducing and really serve no purpose. I have not read any other books by this author, and if this is an example of his work, I won’t be reading any others.
February 25, 2024
Katie Donald's life down in glamourous London isn't going so well. She works in a gallery with little chance of advancement and she's just broken up with her boyfriend. When her cousin Ness contacts her from Edinburgh and asks if she'd like to take over her business for a year, Katie jumps at the chance for a fresh start. When Katie arrives, Ness only has time to show her the basics of her business, the matchmaking agency The Perfect Passion Company, before she has to leave to catch a flight to Canada. Oh, and also to introduce her to the man who runs a business across the hall in the building, William. William is from Australia and is making a name for himself in the knitwear business. So Katie, thrown in at the deep end, begins to work out the mechanics of running a dating agency. The clients come in for a chat so they can discuss the type of partner they're looking for, and also so that Katie can get a feel for their personalities and make better matches. From the start, William wanders over and sits in on client meetings. Katie can't help but notice that William is very good looking, as well as being kind and friendly. Unfortunately, William has a fiancé back in Melbourne, Alice, who is studying to be a doctor. Katie takes on clients and makes matches as William continues to knit. In Canada, Ness has chosen a very small out-of-the-way village for her "adult gap year." Of course, even in the middle of nowhere there can be possible romantic entanglements.
As a huge fan of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, I had high hopes for this novel from the same author. I found that I just couldn't get absorbed in this story. It was a real struggle to finish. Nothing much happens (and it happens very slowly!). Katie interviews clients and makes matches, and we get long and involved backstories for all the characters, including the minor ones who only make brief appearances. Ness's adventures in Canada feel shoehorned in and don't really seem to fit with the rest of the story. I see that this is the first in a planned trilogy, but I don't think I will be following up on Katie's adventures. I'm sure she will continue to drink lots of coffee and moon over William while setting up Edinburgh's oddball couples. I'll stick with the tried and true series that I do enjoy instead!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
As a huge fan of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, I had high hopes for this novel from the same author. I found that I just couldn't get absorbed in this story. It was a real struggle to finish. Nothing much happens (and it happens very slowly!). Katie interviews clients and makes matches, and we get long and involved backstories for all the characters, including the minor ones who only make brief appearances. Ness's adventures in Canada feel shoehorned in and don't really seem to fit with the rest of the story. I see that this is the first in a planned trilogy, but I don't think I will be following up on Katie's adventures. I'm sure she will continue to drink lots of coffee and moon over William while setting up Edinburgh's oddball couples. I'll stick with the tried and true series that I do enjoy instead!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
March 28, 2024
I enjoyed this book but felt it was a little too slow, even for Alexander McCall Smith. The question about the main characters' relationship went on far too long. It wasn't as witty or absorbing as some of his other books. Having said all that, it did keep me reading. It had bits that were very good. It may well be the start of a new Edinburgh series, which is a good thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2024
The Perfect Passion Company is “a sort of dating agency or introduction bureau… or sort of a relief agency.”
Many people do not like meeting people in bars or through dating apps. Often, they find it easier to go to an agency who can match them up with a compatible person.”
Katie returns to Edinburgh to help run the agency for her aunt Ness, who wishes to take a “gap year” in Canada. Without any prior experience, Katie is able to match several clients with appropriate mates. Katie’s aunt suggests that all she needs to be successful is a sense of humor.
Ness travels to a small town outside of Toronto. She loves the slower pace and decides to stay a while. The local custom: “People drink a lot in winter�� and then, when summer comes, they forget to stop.”
All goes well for both Ness in Canada and for Katie in Scotland. Then Katie falls in love with her neighbor, but of course, she does nothing about it because he is engaged to a woman in Australia.
Sweet story, as are all of McCall Smith’s delightful Scottish tales.
Many people do not like meeting people in bars or through dating apps. Often, they find it easier to go to an agency who can match them up with a compatible person.”
Katie returns to Edinburgh to help run the agency for her aunt Ness, who wishes to take a “gap year” in Canada. Without any prior experience, Katie is able to match several clients with appropriate mates. Katie’s aunt suggests that all she needs to be successful is a sense of humor.
Ness travels to a small town outside of Toronto. She loves the slower pace and decides to stay a while. The local custom: “People drink a lot in winter�� and then, when summer comes, they forget to stop.”
All goes well for both Ness in Canada and for Katie in Scotland. Then Katie falls in love with her neighbor, but of course, she does nothing about it because he is engaged to a woman in Australia.
Sweet story, as are all of McCall Smith’s delightful Scottish tales.
September 21, 2024
I thought of this as a simple, lighthearted romance. Nothing too brilliant about it; the dialogue nor the characters. That was fine with me, sometimes you need a simple read, one you can take with you about your day and it won’t evoke any major changes in your thoughts.
I know this book a three in one series and I think the average reader can read this one instead of the two separate ones. If you want a filler read :) I listened to the audiobook; the accents lively enough to have entertained me, for what I thought a predictable plot.
Keep in mind this is my first book I’ve read from the author! Perhaps his detective series is better?
I know this book a three in one series and I think the average reader can read this one instead of the two separate ones. If you want a filler read :) I listened to the audiobook; the accents lively enough to have entertained me, for what I thought a predictable plot.
Keep in mind this is my first book I’ve read from the author! Perhaps his detective series is better?
July 1, 2024
3+ perfectly predictable stars
“Life after all, is an unfinished narrative, the plot of which is constantly subject to revision.”
Alexander McCall Smith is an experienced and prolific author. I’ve read at least a dozen of his books. If you are looking for something fun and fluffy, The Perfect Passion Company is sure to satisfy, even though its stories are saccharine. The characters are not nuanced. They are all good and kind, or completely rude and mean. Katie’s friend, Laura, is the perfect friend: wise, kind, empathetic and always available. The male love interest is all those things as well as handsome and (you guessed it), rich.
I did enjoy the Perfect(ly Predictable) Passion Company. Sometimes you just need chocolate without all life’s dramas.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Life after all, is an unfinished narrative, the plot of which is constantly subject to revision.”
Alexander McCall Smith is an experienced and prolific author. I’ve read at least a dozen of his books. If you are looking for something fun and fluffy, The Perfect Passion Company is sure to satisfy, even though its stories are saccharine. The characters are not nuanced. They are all good and kind, or completely rude and mean. Katie’s friend, Laura, is the perfect friend: wise, kind, empathetic and always available. The male love interest is all those things as well as handsome and (you guessed it), rich.
I did enjoy the Perfect(ly Predictable) Passion Company. Sometimes you just need chocolate without all life’s dramas.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2024
Such an enjoyable read!
June 22, 2024
Delightful, charming story. These characters would fit right in with those from Scotland Street
June 25, 2024
I enjoyed this more than his other recent offerings, but I hope it stays as a standalone rather than becomes a new series, the ending was nicely ambiguous.
That being said, it felt very samey to his Isobel Dalhousie early novels, here we have a woman in Edinburgh solving a problem people have, and even 'fixing' a whole family. We also even have a Jamie2.0 - a shining Apollo of male beauty, that should be gay, but isn't, that women fall for at first glance... we even have a Violet Sepotho type from No.1 - and as per Ms Nasty gets away scot free with everything she wants. It's strange that AMS has written an entire book of revenge stories, but in his main series people get away with it every time, even Bruce and Irene in 44 are getting a second chance... for once I'd like to see some consequences in an AMS book but I guess he's too scared to frighten the millions of 'cozy' loving American readers.
That being said, it felt very samey to his Isobel Dalhousie early novels, here we have a woman in Edinburgh solving a problem people have, and even 'fixing' a whole family. We also even have a Jamie2.0 - a shining Apollo of male beauty, that should be gay, but isn't, that women fall for at first glance... we even have a Violet Sepotho type from No.1 - and as per Ms Nasty gets away scot free with everything she wants. It's strange that AMS has written an entire book of revenge stories, but in his main series people get away with it every time, even Bruce and Irene in 44 are getting a second chance... for once I'd like to see some consequences in an AMS book but I guess he's too scared to frighten the millions of 'cozy' loving American readers.
April 5, 2024
This is the beginning of a new series about a modern matchmaking business by a favorite author. For some the book might be too philosophical, but I enjoy the writing style. The characters are people I would enjoy meeting. There are romantic moments, descriptions of delicious Italian food, and word pictures of the beauty of Edinburgh. Clean read.
February 15, 2024
I felt I had already read this book and I had but not in a good way!
So many chapters were just repeats of stories I had read else in other book/s by the author. Just seems like greed to be blunt.
So many chapters were just repeats of stories I had read else in other book/s by the author. Just seems like greed to be blunt.
March 6, 2024
💟Gentle, whimsical and delightful😊
Alexander McCall Smith excells again at giving the rather ordinary and overlooked his and her day in the spotlight, in this case in the hands of a matchmaking service that caters to a more traditional Edinburgh clientele.
First, the writing style:
I love the author's dry wit and it's in full evidence here. Yes, he does get a bit pedantic in some of the philosophizing. For me, that's one of the things bringing the book down to a four-star read. His characters often face moral dilemmas (think Isabel Dalhousie) and Katie, the matchmaker, is tied up in a major one here involving William, the knit designer who works and lives next door to the Perfect Passion Company. The writing (apart from the philosophizing bits) is sparse, clear, and keeps things moving at a good pace.
The plot(s):
All of the book's content was new to me. I found the start a tad slow but then it picked up pretty early on and, way before the end of Part one (the pilot's match) I was totally engaged and loving the turn of events.
Ness' s foray into the the wilds of Ontario had its ups and downs. Maybe because I had no idea where that part of the story was going. I liked her character and her adventurous spirit.
Katie and William, putting their heads together to find the perfect match for some challenging Edinburgh clients, were the heart of the story. The cases were interesting, involving some twists, and the pair's evolving relationship was the main draw and cincher for me. I look forward to finding out where their friendship leads. And this is an author who offers romance that doesn't hinge on steamy scenes: for me, all to the better.
The setting:
For me, a Scottish setting never goes wrong and, in fact, my favorite books by this author are set, like this one, on the streets of Edinburgh.
The conclusion (or lack thereof):
I hope this really is the start of an evolving series, like his Scotland Street and Isabel Dalhousie series, because Smith has got me intrigued by the pairings yet to be drawn from the Perfect Passion Company's files and its matchmakers.
Thanks to publishers Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Alexander McCall Smith excells again at giving the rather ordinary and overlooked his and her day in the spotlight, in this case in the hands of a matchmaking service that caters to a more traditional Edinburgh clientele.
First, the writing style:
I love the author's dry wit and it's in full evidence here. Yes, he does get a bit pedantic in some of the philosophizing. For me, that's one of the things bringing the book down to a four-star read. His characters often face moral dilemmas (think Isabel Dalhousie) and Katie, the matchmaker, is tied up in a major one here involving William, the knit designer who works and lives next door to the Perfect Passion Company. The writing (apart from the philosophizing bits) is sparse, clear, and keeps things moving at a good pace.
The plot(s):
All of the book's content was new to me. I found the start a tad slow but then it picked up pretty early on and, way before the end of Part one (the pilot's match) I was totally engaged and loving the turn of events.
Ness' s foray into the the wilds of Ontario had its ups and downs. Maybe because I had no idea where that part of the story was going. I liked her character and her adventurous spirit.
Katie and William, putting their heads together to find the perfect match for some challenging Edinburgh clients, were the heart of the story. The cases were interesting, involving some twists, and the pair's evolving relationship was the main draw and cincher for me. I look forward to finding out where their friendship leads. And this is an author who offers romance that doesn't hinge on steamy scenes: for me, all to the better.
The setting:
For me, a Scottish setting never goes wrong and, in fact, my favorite books by this author are set, like this one, on the streets of Edinburgh.
The conclusion (or lack thereof):
I hope this really is the start of an evolving series, like his Scotland Street and Isabel Dalhousie series, because Smith has got me intrigued by the pairings yet to be drawn from the Perfect Passion Company's files and its matchmakers.
Thanks to publishers Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
January 18, 2024
Thank you to Vintage and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on February 13th, 2024.
A new offering from Alexander McCall Smith — possibly the beginning of a new series. Katie has taken on management of the Perfect Passion Company — a matchmaking service with the personal touch. She is aided by the knitwear-designing, gorgeous but unavailable, William next door. Together they face a number of difficult-to-place candidates and manage to find matches for all in a typical McCall Smith simplistic, but effective and empathetic, approach to every day human problems (very reminiscent of Mma Ramtoswe’s style in the Number One Ladies Detective series).
I completely enjoyed reading this book with its emphasis on kindness and making a positive difference in people’s lives, though I admit to being slightly more annoyed than usual by some of the principles that inform his characters. Some are kind and empathic but also (IMO) weak, allowing themselves to be taken advantage of and turning the other cheek (they happen to be rich which I guess helps). There is also some not-too-subtle demonizing of the Right with, for example, some (very negative) descriptions of “libertarians” that don’t map to any of the libertarians I’ve ever met. However, as always I loved his ability to see people from different viewpoints and (except for the libertarian) accept people for who they are and acknowledge that they can still find happiness and love despite some very annoying (and pretty humorous) characteristics.
A new offering from Alexander McCall Smith — possibly the beginning of a new series. Katie has taken on management of the Perfect Passion Company — a matchmaking service with the personal touch. She is aided by the knitwear-designing, gorgeous but unavailable, William next door. Together they face a number of difficult-to-place candidates and manage to find matches for all in a typical McCall Smith simplistic, but effective and empathetic, approach to every day human problems (very reminiscent of Mma Ramtoswe’s style in the Number One Ladies Detective series).
I completely enjoyed reading this book with its emphasis on kindness and making a positive difference in people’s lives, though I admit to being slightly more annoyed than usual by some of the principles that inform his characters. Some are kind and empathic but also (IMO) weak, allowing themselves to be taken advantage of and turning the other cheek (they happen to be rich which I guess helps). There is also some not-too-subtle demonizing of the Right with, for example, some (very negative) descriptions of “libertarians” that don’t map to any of the libertarians I’ve ever met. However, as always I loved his ability to see people from different viewpoints and (except for the libertarian) accept people for who they are and acknowledge that they can still find happiness and love despite some very annoying (and pretty humorous) characteristics.
March 27, 2024
The Perfect Passion Company is a sweet romance, contemporary fiction by bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith. Katie has inherited a unique business from her aunt. She is now the proprietor of an introduction company, a business that exists to introduce people in a matchmaking scheme. Katie is ready for a change in her life and this business provides the perfect opportunity. As she seems to help others find romance in their lives, she might find a bit of her own.
McCall Smith is a prolific author but every one of his books has endearing characters and charming circumstances. This book fits the bill. I absolutely adored the main characters. You are rooting for them the entire time. Sometimes you get the feeling that McCall Smith doesn't know how the story is going to end and is writing making it up as he goes along. For some authors, this does not work, but for McCall Smith, it just adds to the charm.
I love how he weaves philosophical wanderings within his story. He also includes snippets of history, art and culture. You can just imagine the characters as real people. I imagine McCall Smith is just adding topics that he is personally learning or contemplating in his own life. I find this to be highly charming and adds a lot to his writing style.
This book was a pure joy to read! I don't want this author to ever stop writing. I re-read all his books. I highly recommend this one.
McCall Smith is a prolific author but every one of his books has endearing characters and charming circumstances. This book fits the bill. I absolutely adored the main characters. You are rooting for them the entire time. Sometimes you get the feeling that McCall Smith doesn't know how the story is going to end and is writing making it up as he goes along. For some authors, this does not work, but for McCall Smith, it just adds to the charm.
I love how he weaves philosophical wanderings within his story. He also includes snippets of history, art and culture. You can just imagine the characters as real people. I imagine McCall Smith is just adding topics that he is personally learning or contemplating in his own life. I find this to be highly charming and adds a lot to his writing style.
This book was a pure joy to read! I don't want this author to ever stop writing. I re-read all his books. I highly recommend this one.
June 12, 2024
The Perfect Passion Company is an introduction agency in Edinburgh, Scotland, owned and operated by Inverness Macpherson who wants to take a year off. She asks Katie, a close relative, to manage the business while she’s away in Canada.
Katie, attractive and in her 30s, is pleased to leave London. We learn she has experienced not one, but two unhappy love affairs in the nation’s capital.
'The Perfect Passion Company', the book, follows Katie (and Michael) as they find partners for an airline pilot who is looking for a woman to take care of him; an hotelier with an overbearing mother; and a woman who talks too much. Michael, handsome and in his mid-20s, used to help Inverness and is soon involved in helping Katie.
Now and again, we leave the search for suitable partners for lovelorn clients to visit Canada to see how Inverness is faring. She has chosen to go north and spend time in a small rural community where newcomers are a rarity. We realize before she does that two of the unmarried older men are keen to have a relationship ‘closer than friendship’. Being in her mid-50s with three husbands in her past, she’s not wanting a fourth. She needs a strategy to let them know without losing their friendship.
Alexander McCall Smith’s latest novel is well-written, has short chapters, apparent complications that look insurmountable, and wonderful solutions that are a joy to read.
Katie, attractive and in her 30s, is pleased to leave London. We learn she has experienced not one, but two unhappy love affairs in the nation’s capital.
'The Perfect Passion Company', the book, follows Katie (and Michael) as they find partners for an airline pilot who is looking for a woman to take care of him; an hotelier with an overbearing mother; and a woman who talks too much. Michael, handsome and in his mid-20s, used to help Inverness and is soon involved in helping Katie.
Now and again, we leave the search for suitable partners for lovelorn clients to visit Canada to see how Inverness is faring. She has chosen to go north and spend time in a small rural community where newcomers are a rarity. We realize before she does that two of the unmarried older men are keen to have a relationship ‘closer than friendship’. Being in her mid-50s with three husbands in her past, she’s not wanting a fourth. She needs a strategy to let them know without losing their friendship.
Alexander McCall Smith’s latest novel is well-written, has short chapters, apparent complications that look insurmountable, and wonderful solutions that are a joy to read.
April 2, 2024
The Perfect Passion Company is an Edinburgh matchmaking service founded by Ness (short for "Inverness") Macpherson. The service isn't cheap---1800 pounds to sign up plus 400 more for each introduction---but there are no lack of customers.
When Ness decides to take an "adult gap year," she turns her business over to Katie, a second cousin. Ness thinks Katie is a natural for the position, and she turns out to be right. With the help of William, an Australian designer and knitter of sweaters who lives next door to the company's offices, Katie is able to find matches for some unusual clients.
In the process, Katie and William quickly become friends. This creates an additional complication, since William is engaged to an Australian medical student. Meanwhile, Ness attracts the interest of two old bachelors in the remote Canadian town that she has chosen as a temporary haven.
This book will definitely remind readers of the author's #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
When Ness decides to take an "adult gap year," she turns her business over to Katie, a second cousin. Ness thinks Katie is a natural for the position, and she turns out to be right. With the help of William, an Australian designer and knitter of sweaters who lives next door to the company's offices, Katie is able to find matches for some unusual clients.
In the process, Katie and William quickly become friends. This creates an additional complication, since William is engaged to an Australian medical student. Meanwhile, Ness attracts the interest of two old bachelors in the remote Canadian town that she has chosen as a temporary haven.
This book will definitely remind readers of the author's #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
May 1, 2024
4.5 Stars. AMS is one of my favorite authors and I love all his books, particularly The #1 Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland St. That being said, he always does a great job dealing with people and human nature. He always finds love, kindness, and compassion, along the shoes and Peploe.
We're in Scotland for this book with Ness the owner of the Perfect Passion Company and her cousin Katie, who takes over while Ness is off in Canada for a break. Katie tries to match couples. She meets them in person and then goes from there. William, an artist nearby, works with Katie and they become fast friends, not lovers as he's engaged.
We go back and forth a bit from Katie in Scotland to Ness in Canada, both women trying to help others find happiness. Throw in some haggis and we're good to go. A quick enjoyable read and you can probably figure out where the story will end up.
We're in Scotland for this book with Ness the owner of the Perfect Passion Company and her cousin Katie, who takes over while Ness is off in Canada for a break. Katie tries to match couples. She meets them in person and then goes from there. William, an artist nearby, works with Katie and they become fast friends, not lovers as he's engaged.
We go back and forth a bit from Katie in Scotland to Ness in Canada, both women trying to help others find happiness. Throw in some haggis and we're good to go. A quick enjoyable read and you can probably figure out where the story will end up.
September 25, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I haven’t read a book by McCall before. I generally avoid books by men. I hear their voices and opinion enough in society. I think it’s very bold for a man to write a story from the perspective of several different women. I think he did a fairly clever job. This is a story about matchmaking. Katie’s cousin has run a matchmaking business for a long time and is handing it over to her for a year in order to get a break. They charge £400 per introduction in addition to £1500 to sign up. Expensive! Most of the matches are fine, but the last one bothered me. A chatty woman is paired with a deaf man who turns down his hearing aid. A life of not listening to or connecting to their partner for both of them. Very sad. Also the flow of narrative was incredibly predictable. For those who are interested, absolutely no spice. Pleasant and engaging characters though.
March 7, 2024
"The Perfect Passion Company" seemed awfully familiar as I read it.
Granted, I had read "Cook for Me," the initial section of this book, when it appeared as a stand-alone ebook. As far as I recall, however, the remaining two sections were new to me . . . and yet they felt very familiar.
Katie takes over her aunt's business, which arranges for introductions between suitable people looking for love. The guy with the neighboring business, a gorgeous Australian who designs knitwear and who knits, apparently comes with the deal as the person who makes the office coffee and who dispenses advice.
As one expects from an Alexander McCall Smith novel, Katie's foray into matchmaking introduces readers to unexpected characters with interesting problems. All's well that ends well.
Granted, I had read "Cook for Me," the initial section of this book, when it appeared as a stand-alone ebook. As far as I recall, however, the remaining two sections were new to me . . . and yet they felt very familiar.
Katie takes over her aunt's business, which arranges for introductions between suitable people looking for love. The guy with the neighboring business, a gorgeous Australian who designs knitwear and who knits, apparently comes with the deal as the person who makes the office coffee and who dispenses advice.
As one expects from an Alexander McCall Smith novel, Katie's foray into matchmaking introduces readers to unexpected characters with interesting problems. All's well that ends well.
March 16, 2024
Alexander McCall Smith is a well loved author best known for her No 1 Ladies Detective series. Her writing skills insure her fans come back book after book as she tells us an awesome story that is sure to stir our emotions and test our brains. THE PERFECT PASSION COMPANY is a matchmaking company that specializes in the pairing of those people that other matchmakers find "difficult". The book is broken into three short stories of the matches of those difficult people. The characters are wonderful. They are so well developed, I'm sure AMS has been living with them in her head for quite some time. She has finally let them out and shared them with her grateful legion of fans. Let's hope that we will see more of the Perfect Passion Company and it's erstwhile manager.
March 14, 2024
Maybe the best of Alexander McCall Smith. Ness, the proprietor of a dating service, wants a year off so she enlists her cousin Katie who’s just arrived in Edinburgh, to take over The Perfect Passion Company at least temporarily and maybe permanently. Katie is a dab hand at this and we see several complicated matchups work out for the best. William, a fashion knitter, is in the next flat and has worked closely with Ness, making morning coffee and conferring on cases. Katie is totally taken with this gorgeous, caring man who is unfortunately engaged to a medical student in Melbourne. Well you can see where this is going, can’t you?
April 10, 2024
Audio version… the voices totally made this a 3 vs a tentative 4…. this would fall into the “cute romance/cozy” story line, and recommend it if you want a cute romance story!
But i dont recommend the audio version. The voices were just all too…’cute’. Idk. Especially the guys…all sound so young and … unappealing!
The story line is a young woman, Katie, sitting in to manage her cousins business - match making! So there are many sweet and amusing tales of matches made, or attempted. And besides Katie, there is William, a neighbor and informal consultant in the business. Together they observe and analyze and work things out…
But i dont recommend the audio version. The voices were just all too…’cute’. Idk. Especially the guys…all sound so young and … unappealing!
The story line is a young woman, Katie, sitting in to manage her cousins business - match making! So there are many sweet and amusing tales of matches made, or attempted. And besides Katie, there is William, a neighbor and informal consultant in the business. Together they observe and analyze and work things out…
May 23, 2024
I loved the matchmaking premise of this book! It added a different twist to matching two odd personalities together. I also loved the humor sprinkled throughout the story. Who would have guessed that someone who talked a lot would be the perfect match for someone with a hearing aid?🤣 I enjoyed watching Katie and William work together to bring others joy and happiness while finding their own HEA. The characters felt like good friends by the end of the story and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
June 19, 2024
Another pleasant series set in Edinburgh, with a woman, Katie, who has been asked by her aunt to take over the Perfect Passion Company, a dating service with the personal touch, for those who don't have a taste for the online dating world. It's mostly just a vehicle for McCall Smith to write his observations about people, relationships and life. If you like that sort of thing, and I do, this is another good read. The slight twist to this series is that he is also covering the stories of the aunt, Aunt Ness, who is taking a sabbatical from work to relax in a tiny town in the wilds of Canada.
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