About the Book Stuart offers this charming tale set in a French village in which the local barber, whose business is failing as his clients grow older and balder, decides to become the town matchmaker. Book Synopsis A hilarious romp. --Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat The charming tale of a small French town in which the local barber, whose business is failing as his clients grow older and lose their hair, decides to become the town matchmaker. Barber Guillaume Ladoucette has always enjoyed great success in his tiny village in southwestern France, catering to the tonsorial needs of Amour-sur-Belles thirty-three inhabitants. But times have changed. His customers have grown older--and balder. Suddenly there is no longer a call for Guillaumes particular services, and he is forced to make a drastic career change. Since love and companionship are necessary commodities at any age, he becomes the towns official matchmaker and intends to unite hearts as ably as he once cut hair. But alas, Guillaume is not nearly as accomplished an agent of amour, as the disastrous results of his initial attempts amply prove, especially when it comes to arranging his own romantic future. For every reader who adored Chocolat , Julia Stuarts The Matchmaker of Prigord is a delectable, utterly enchanting, and sinfully satisfying delight. From the Back Cover Barber Guillaume Ladoucette has always enjoyed great success in his tiny village in southwestern France, catering to the tonsorial needs of Amour-sur-Belles thirty-three inhabitants. But times have changed. His customers have grown older--and balder. Suddenly there is no longer a call for Guillaumes particular services, and he is forced to make a drastic career change. Since love and companionship are necessary commodities at any age, he becomes Amour-sur-Belles official matchmaker and intends to unite hearts as ably as he once cut hair. But alas, Guillaume is not nearly as accomplished an agent of amour, as the disastrous results of his initial attempts amply prove, especially when it comes to arranging his own romantic future. For every reader who adored Chocolat , Julia Stuarts The Matchmaker of Prigord is a delectable, utterly enchanting, and sinfully satisfying delight. Review Quotes A hilarious romp off the beaten track. Love it to bits. -- Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat A warm, funny novel about life and love in rural France. -- The Independent Extra (London) Debut novelist Stuart infects Amour-sur-Belles byzantine lore with whimsy...and sensual detail. -- Publishers Weekly [A] frothy debut, as enchanting as Joanne Harriss Chocolat . -- More Magazine Filled with enchanting settings and a brilliant attention to detail, Stuarts first novel is an enjoyable trip through the sweetness, sadness, and hilarity that love-and life-often brings. -- Library Journal Following these gentle folks on their blind dates and awkward reentries into the field of romance is a sweet and simple pleasure. . . . Delightful. -- Kirkus Reviews So deliciously witty are Julia Stuarts sentences, so warm is her satire of quirky villagers, and so rich is her rendering of a culture that seems untouched by time, that you pause as you read to enjoy her polished style, to savor the meticulously described meals, and to ponder the next hilarious mishap of the matchmaker. Stuart does for Perigord what Peter Mayle did for Provence. -- James Tipton, bestselling author of ANNETTE VALLON Fast, furious and incredibly funny. If you love all things French and are passionate about wordplay, then this romp through the lives of the villagers of Amour-sur-Belle will be le billet for you....Julia Stuart sets a great pace in this lip-smacking mix of food, foolishness, and fun. -- SHE magazine (UK)