Review: Truly, Madly

Summary: Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and sonot qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.

Plus, her rent is due.

Here’s the problem: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking for something. So when Lucy locates a missing wedding ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who lives upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it… -- St. Martin's Paperbacks

I recently read a very cute mystery called TRULY, MADLY by Heather Webber. I thought it was perfect for this time of year since the main character is Lucy Valentine, and she comes from a family of matchmakers. This novel was very entertaining -- the basic premise of the book was adorable, the character of Lucy was extremely likable, there were lots of funny moments, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I really couldn't ask for much more from this book!

Lucy comes from a long-line of matchmakers who have all been given a "special gift" in the form of psychic abilities. Although members of her family have the ability to find true love for couples, they don't have much luck in finding their own true love. In fact, Lucy and her parents both suffer from this problem! When Lucy's father has a heart attack on a beach with one of his girlfriends, Lucy has to step into his shoes and run the family matchmaking business. The only problem is that Lucy doesn't have the psychic ability which assists couples in finding their soul mates. Lucy does have a psychic ability though -- when she touches someone, she can find their lost objects! Pretty cool talent -- but not exactly useful for running a matchmaking service! Or, is it?

Lucy's unusual skill does come in handy when one of her father's clients comes in and Lucy shakes his hand -- she immediately has a vision of an engagement ring on a buried, dead body. Lucy decides that she has to uncover the mystery; and she enables the help of her upstairs neighbor Sean, a very sexy private eye. The sparks fly -- literally! As if running her father's business, trying to solve a murder mystery, and becoming involved with a new love interest isn't enough, Lucy also becomes involved in helping with the disappearance of a young boy!

TRULY, MADLY is very cute -- it's action-packed and full of mystery; however, I think I most enjoyed this book because I just adored Lucy. She was smart and spunky and also very funny! I think she's going to make a great new heroine! I found myself rooting for her and wanting her to find some romance (even though she thinks she is cursed!) I especially enjoyed Lucy's ethical dilemmas surrounding her psychic abilities and how she was eventually able to solve all of the mysteries in this novel!

TRULY, MADLY is the first book in a new series of Lucy Valentine books; and I know I will be checking out the next ones. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy fun mysteries or if you enjoy Janet Evanovich!

Thanks to Library Things Early Reviewers Program for sending me an ARC of this book.