Just So Stories

New South Books

Polygon

9781846976933 / 1 June 2025 / AUD$39.99, NZD$44.99

After two weeks of being unwell and not reading (or reviewing) much beyond PBs and easy reads basically because of poor focus/fuzzy brain, it was just such a pleasure to escape into one of A. McC S’s gentle narratives filled with rich characters, very human emotions, a dash of humour, and some reflective insights into life.

In other words, very typical Alexander McCall Smith, the one we love so much. This is the second in the series [now I have to hunt down the first] with more on the way, which is always good news!

Katie Donald has taken on her aunt’s introduction agency in Edinburgh. And very happily back in her home town, after an unpleasant break-up whilst living in London. She’s finding her way around the business quite successfully, and is aided in this by the young Australian textiles artist, whose studio is next door to the office.

A string of successful introductions has led to more clients and while it is true that sometimes things just don’t ‘gel’ between two people, there are plenty who find Katie’s knack for assessing exactly the right mix the answer to their dreams. If only Katie can find that same spark for herself – but maybe she can.

It’s a lovely meandering through the developing relationship between Katie and William, some amusing moments when two frightfully snobbish upper-class twits let themselves be misled by ‘what will people think’, a mystery man to uncover for a woman who took fright and let ‘the right one’ get away – and away over in Canada, Ness is not missing her agency much, as she is too taken up getting to know more about her neighbour – who is not her type at all, but is he?

Honestly, it was just quiet and tenderly warm joy from cover to cover and I’m very much looking forward to more. The psychology of match-making is an old art and one that maybe is almost forgotten now, but I know which method I would prefer for myself – the personal touch via the online cesspit – no question which to choose.

How could it be anything but a 5 💘💘💘💘💘 rating? Pick it up – you won’t be sorry!