What do you get when you mix historical drama, a heavy dose of romance, sharp wit, and a dash of Jane Austen? The Merriweather series!

Amateur matchmaker and social queen at an all-women’s college in 1937 Chicago, Melody Merriweather’s world shifts when she receives a distressing letter informing her that her father is gravely ill. Forced to abandon her frivolous school life, she rushes back to her small Wisconsin hometown, where she is surprised to learn she is expected to help at the family’s general shop, affectionately called “The Merc,” until her father recovers.

Once there, Melody discovers the Merc is not as prosperous as she had been led to believe, and she quickly tries to devise a way to settle the mounting debts. With the help of her motley assortment of employees—especially the handsome but overly critical, Cal Fraiser—she attempts various schemes, including the selling of luxury hats and gloves, to save the family shop before settling on the brewing of cider.

In the meantime, she just can’t help but play matchmaker with her sweet employee, Harriet. Determined to thwart the young woman’s attraction to a local farmer, Melody instead introduces her to the town’s upstart young banker and encourages her to pursue him. Things do not go as planned, however—either with Harriet or the Merc—leaving Melody to question not only whether she might have to make Merriweather her permanent home, but if there is perhaps something more than cider brewing between herself and Cal . . .