Christa Ann Banister’s sophomore novel Blessed Are the Meddlers brings us back into the life of Sydney Alexander. She is happily married to the man of her dreams and she’s pretty sure that she can just find just as great guys for her friends. She's already a matchmaker (okay, just once), seeing as how she set up her friend and neighbor, Rain, with her now-husband, Nate (also known as Stinky Nate – you’ll have to read the first book for the explanation of that one). Since Rain and Nate are as happily married as she is, Sydney is convinced that she can make the same dream come true for other friends.

Sydney -- sometimes willingly, sometimes no-so-willingly -- takes on the challenge of setting up for a few of her friends. This happens to include her boss, Lucinda, who is determined to meet a member of a band that she’s loved from afar. Sydney has no idea how she’s going to convince this guy to go out with her boss, especially since she has to convince him during the course of an interview. And yet, he agrees. Sydney just knows this must be her calling.

Sydney becomes more and more confident in her matchmaking abilities and soon she is presented with a chance to fill in as "Lucy for the Lovelorn." Lucy’s normal writer needs a break and Sydney is convinced that she’s the right gal to fill in. The column could take her writing career to new heights and she’ll have the chance to dole out her amazing love life advice.

In the midst of it all Sydney's sister, Samantha, is going through a relationship melt-down. Despite “helpful” advice from her sister, Samantha realizes that she must make the decision for herself. She decides to follow her heart and see where it leads despite the fear she feels at letting go of her boyfriend whom she’s been friends with for years.

Sydney's talent of pairing off her friends is reminiscent of another of my favorite heroines, Jane Austen's Emma. Just as Emma eventually realizes that meddling rarely works out for the best, and many times actually makes things worse, so Sydney learns lessons of her own.

I love Banister's writing style and her humor is laugh-out-loud funny. The story is unique and filled with warm, quirky characters. Also, in the back of Blessed Are the Meddlers readers will find: a Reader’s Guide, as well as "Sydney's Recommendations For Life's Little Circumstances."