Buttons and Bows by Amelia C. Adams

Free-spirited Kitty Clark has never cared a fig for anyone else’s opinion, and she won’t marry simply because it’s expected of her. She wants to be really, truly in love before agreeing to become the other half of someone’s whole. She’s often thought about remaining single forever and retaining her independence, but she does want to have a family someday. It’s all too complicated. The seven meddling grandmothers of the sewing circle decide this must be remedied, and they set about finding her the man who will change her mind permanently.

After suffering an illness that damaged his vocal chords, Justin Sorensen has come to Topeka to study with famous opera singer Orinda Britt Perry. Having retired herself for similar reasons, Mrs. Perry is in a unique position to help him, and he prays this visit is successful – without music, he doesn’t know who he is. When he meets the charming and vivacious Kitty Clark, he discovers someone who understands his connection to music and encourages him to become even more than he thought he could be.

But with an ill mother, an absentee father, and a brother who won’t hold up his end of the bargain at home, will Kitty ever be able to marry—now that she’s decided she wants to?