You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
sarahs_readingparty's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise/service... Kind of like a predecessor to online dating services! The book overall could be slow at times, but I enjoyed the letters and learning more about this little slice of history.
lovelyoutliers's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! The story of the first matchmaking agency in London. Started by two clever, intelligent, and entrepreneurial women, Heather Jenner and Mary Oliver, the Marriage Bureau set about arranging introductions for people looking to marry during the late 1930s and 1940s. The book weaves through the early years of the agency, while providing little glimpses into some of the heartwarming or interesting characters they encountered along the way. The Bureau is set against the backdrop of WWII, which provides a rich and interesting context to view this business of finding matches. As I currently live in London (and work around the street from 142 New Bond Street, where the Bureau was located) I also enjoy gleaning historical tidbits about my neighbouhood.
nikkiei's review
While for a nonfiction book it does have good storytelling, the language was too British and too old fashioned for my liking. Was not captivating my attention & I felt like I was wasting my time reading it when I could be reading other books
deannah's review against another edition
4.0
This was a perfect antidote to my last book. I loved reading about 1) how this business came into being, 2) the initial reactions to said business and 3) their numerous successes in finding couples well-suited to each other. The writing felt slightly formulaic after awhile, but I really enjoyed the stories. There were quite the number of characters.
micasreads's review
3.0
The true story of a marriage bureau, the first of its kind, in London around World War II. An idea that many saw as an impossibility, two young women knew they could make work. Heather Jennifer and Mary Oliver succeeded when no one thought they could. The book begins just prior to the decision to open the Bureau and ends on its 10th anniversary. The Bureau helped 3,000 couples meet and find love.
The book was a quick read that detailed stories of the owners and those who they interviewed. They go through their application process and tell horror stories of some of their worst clients. They also detail heartbreaking stories of some of their poorer customers who were looking for someone to grow old with. It wasn't exactly the book I thought it would be but it was still a fairly decent read.
The book was a quick read that detailed stories of the owners and those who they interviewed. They go through their application process and tell horror stories of some of their worst clients. They also detail heartbreaking stories of some of their poorer customers who were looking for someone to grow old with. It wasn't exactly the book I thought it would be but it was still a fairly decent read.
bookslovejenna's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The Marriage Bureau by Penrose Hanson 5/5⭐️s
1. Absolutely fascinating account of two women who do the unthinkable and start a completely respectable (and still in business!) marriage matchmaking business in WWII era London.
2. Some of the stories made me laugh.
3. Some broke my heart.
4. Overall, the reader is left with a warm fuzzy belief in the goodness of most people.
5. Extremely readable and written by a later proprietor and former client of the business!
1. Absolutely fascinating account of two women who do the unthinkable and start a completely respectable (and still in business!) marriage matchmaking business in WWII era London.
2. Some of the stories made me laugh.
3. Some broke my heart.
4. Overall, the reader is left with a warm fuzzy belief in the goodness of most people.
5. Extremely readable and written by a later proprietor and former client of the business!