This was cute but only an okay read for me. I mainly had issues with the FMC as she kind of irritated me. I can see this being a hit for a lot of people, but sadly it wasn't it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's press for the ARC.
This was a friends to lovers rom com set in Mumbai.
I found the FMC to be pretty irritating and immature. She said she was a matchmaker and could find anyone a match as she claimed she was very good at it but didn't have any experience herself really in the relationship department.
She meddled in her co-workers love life to the point that it messed up her co-workers love life.
I just found the FMC very full of herself and it was difficult to enjoy the book because of it.
The book wasn't boring really but the characters were not likeable, in my opinion.
The book has a ton of miscommunication between the FMC and MMC so if that is your thing, you may enjoy this book.

This was just okay. I really really liked Jaiman but had a hard time relating to or rooting or Jia. All the miscommunications was also not a hit for me. I loved Jia's co-workers and family and everything about Jaiman. It was an overall enjoyable and quick read! Perfect for sitting by a beach!

2.75 Stars

First of all thank you so much to Netgalley and Random house for the E-ARC. This was the first ever ARC I received and I’m so grateful!!

Second of all, unfortunately I just don’t think this was my kind of book. Since I was graciously gifted this book this review will be far more professional than my other reviews.

To quote the wise words of my friend Marisol, “this book is giving wattpad.” While she didn’t read this book herself, she got to listen to my ranting. The amount of Gen Z and Millennial mentions was tragic. In the nicest way possible, I think the only people who feel the need to express their opinions towards “Gen Zers” are Millennials. I counted about 3 separate references (far too many)

Next, FMCs (female main characters) are so hit or miss for me. Jia, our FMC, was a very disappointing character. There were so many times while reading that I had to put down my kindle and seriously consider if I actually wanted our main couple to get together. I simply found that he was a way better person than her and he deserved better.

I really really really wish Jia’s asexual tendencies could have been explored more! It could have been such a good sub plot to have her explore that deeper instead of just burying these feelings and then never speaking about them again. When she never mentioned it again I wondered what was the point of even bringing it up. The author could have even just explained that she only felt sexual attraction to people once Jai really got to know them, but instead the whole asexual characteristic was swept under the rug.

Fortunately there was no 3rd act break up. Unfortunately, the slow burn was so slow that it would have been weird to have a 3rd act break up. I felt that at the end the author realized that there was slim to none romance and then shoved it all into one, going from nothing more than (mostly one sided) sexual tension to love confessions. I’m not one to say how realistic things are (turning to my lack of experience in the romantic field and my love of rom coms) but I just found it unrealistic.

I’m growing tired of the same predictable FMCs and the pushover MMCs. You don’t know how many times I wanted to shake Jaiman and tell him to snap out of it and tell Jia to go sit in the corner and think about her actions.

Lastly I would like to recognize the author. While this may not have been my favorite book it’s clear that they put an insane amount of effort into this book and I’m all for representation of all cultures. It gives me more to learn about and take a deeper dive into the traditions that I had no idea existed.

What a lovely debut book by Swati Hegde! Match Me if You Can is a slowburn contemporary romance set in Mumbai and follows Jia and Jaiman, two childhood friends in the mid to late twenties. Jaiman runs a pub and Jia works at a magazine, trying to convince her boss to let her start a modern day matchmaking service.

I wasn't very convinced at the beginning of the book that our two leads were actually childhood best friends because of how Jia acted towards Jaiman, but as the story progresses, we learn why Jia acts the way she does towards him. Also, the miscommunication didn't really make sense based on the conversation Jia overheard- it was obvious to me that Jaiman was defending Jia and telling the other guys not to talk about her that way. I just wasn't fully convinced in the conflict/miscommunication there.

Something else that bothered me was the way Jia reacts to Jaiman being around her family all the time and her trying to get him to have a relationship with his parents (who essentially abandoned him as soon as he turned 18 and don't talk to him often at all). I wish she had been more understanding that her father was a surrogate father for Jaiman and how that is something that Jaiman really needs.

The storylines outside of the romance were fun- I wanted to see what would happen next with the pub and the matchmaking services. I loved our side characters, especially Charu and Damini. I would've loved a full book between Charu and Manoj- a (small) age gap, different types of backgrounds, etc. I loved the sprinkling of their love story we got in the book.

I saw that this author has another book coming out Spring '26- I will definitely be reading it! I can't wait to see what all this author does next.

The premise itself had so much promise, but sadly this fell short for me. I didn't love Jia. She came off as selfish and presumptuous. Some of her reasonings for her actions and thoughts were incredibly frustrating. There was also too much miscommunication and misunderstandings between her and Jaiman. I did love the Indian cultural representation in this book. The holidays, festivities, the description of the food and dresses at these events were beautiful and it was really fun reading a story that was set in Mumbai. I just I wish I loved the characters more.

This friends to lovers romance novel is set in India with its vibrant colors, festivals, and traditions. 

Jia and Jaiman are the friends who are fighting their attraction to one another. Well, it is mostly Jia. I wasn't sure what to think of her. She seemed immature and self-serving when it came to her matchmaking. She thought that two successful pairings made her an expert. However, she didn't clue into what the "client" wanted vs what she wanted. 

Jaiman was more likable, but he had his own issues. He doesn't know how to market his business, a local pub, to be successful. Then he has been hung on Jia for fifteen years. That is a long time to not let her know how you really feel. 

I liked several of the minor characters better, especially Charu. She is such a trusting soul, and I love her vibe.

The book does move at a very slow pace. We do get to know the characters better, and can visualize the locations and scenes without them flashing by.

We give this book 3 paws up.

If you're also a sucker for a childhood friends to lovers story, I think you're going to love Match Me if You Can. While I thought the main characters were enjoyable, the magic was really in the robust and lovable cast of side characters!

I could see someone describing this as being very trope-heavy, but I actually thought it was done well, particularly for a debut author! Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Publishing for the ARC!

This was an adorable debut novel set in beautiful Mumbai where two friends struggle with their feelings for each other and other things life throws at them before they eventually realize they belong together and can tackle anything the world throws at them. Jaiman knows he's been in love with Jia basically since he was a teenager, but Jia is slow to realize her feelings for him are just as strong.

These two grew up together, their parents are best friends and when Jaiman's parents left to America, he stayed behind, falling into a comfortable routine between Jia's family and the Pub that he's put all his time, money, and energy into. This was a really heartwarming story and they had such a cute relationship. Jaiman was so patient with her, even though he thought he would never get his happily ever after with her. Jia was stubborn and a little miscommunication about something she overheard kept her from realizing just how obvious his love for her was. Everyone around them knew it, it just took her nearly losing him to realize how strongly she felt about him too.

This was super cute and a wonderful debut! Thank you to Dell/Random House Publishing and Swati for the ARC!

Cute summer read alert!!!

If you, like me, have been wanting a fresh written take on Emma, I’ve got excellent new for you. It’s modern, it’s Desi, it takes place in Mumbai - I’ve never been, but Swati writes in a way that sweeps you away to let you walk beside these characters in the city, and along the sea.

Jia is working for a magazine writing the love/relationship column during the day and writing for her blog (also sometimes during the work day), but her dream is to become a matchmaker, and has successfully found two couples love so far. When her proposal to try her matchmaking skills for the magazine and its readers doesn’t impress her boss, she negotiates to do a trial run for someone at the company…and she knows exactly who will be perfect together.

Jaiman is the owner of a (struggling) pub and a childhood friend of Jia’s. He’s basically an honorary member of their family and watching him interact with Jia’s father, sister and brother in law was so sweet. Mixing drinks is his passion, but when Jia waltzes in with her coworkers one evening and tells him about her plan, he can see trouble brewing, even when she can’t. Jaiman is so adorable but also very ‘old man yells at cloud’ about some things.

The side characters are so full of life, I’d love to see more stories about them. But let me tell youuuuu. I am a SUCKER for childhood friends to lovers in that no one knows me better than you way(I always get nervous it won’t end in love lol), and the way it all unfolds in Match me if you Can??? Exactly right. Was there a hiccup or two getting there? Yes. Was there an accidentally on purpose kiss that they’re awkward about? Also yes. Come for the romance, get roped in by the lives being lived, and stay for the heart of it. Family, friends, found family and love.

Match Me If You Can by Swati Hegde is a charming romance novel that explores the journey from friends to lovers. This heartwarming story is sure to satisfy your craving for a sweet and uplifting read, leaving you feeling content and joyful.

I was intrigued to read a modern-day Emma adaptation set in my home city of Mumbai. Emma isn't a favourite Austen book but I wanted to see how it would transpose in this particular context. There were some enjoyable, genuine bits, but most of this felt like the writer took too much on with her supporting narrative threads much to the detriment of the development of the leads. The writing style and narrative voice -- and this is a personal preference -- was not my cup of tea, which is always a roadblock when it comes to my enjoyment of a romcom, in particular. There will be many readers who'll enjoy this; it just wasn't for me.

Jia likes to matchmake for others but what about her own love life? What about Jaiman, who is practically part of her chaotic Mumbai family? These two- the fashionista columnist and pub owner-do the slow burn friends to lovers thing throughout this entertaining rom com. Yes it's a bit trope-y but in the best way- the Jane Austen way. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.

Jia and Jaiman were both a bit bull headed and had abysmal communications skills. This friends to lovers romance could have progressed better with just, like, one meaningful conversation. A lot of the dialogue felt stilted and the main characters were a bit immature. Jia was overconfident in a way that rubbed me wrong, because she was making some decisions on the behalf of others without awareness of how she was hurting them. However, matchmaking is outside of my ken, so it’s possible that her foibles are just par for the course; part of the learning curve that any aspiring match maker would face.
I did like that Jia was unapologetically stereotypically girly and that she stayed far away from the “not like other girls” scene. She had her moments of being a genuine friend and person. Jaiman had his relatable moments, with a complex relationship with his parents and feelings of inferiority when he wasn’t super successful with his pub. The story dragged at times, but did have its good moments.

Spice: 2/5 closed door

Triggers: parent death from cancer (off page), unwanted kiss

Jia Deshpande is an aspiring matchmaker working for Mumbai’s top women’s magazine Mimosa. She’s tasked with successfully setting up a new coworker for a shot at a column of her own. Meanwhile her childhood friend Jaiman Patil has been trying to hide the fact that he’s been in love with her for longer than he can remember.

Despite having shamefully never read Jane Austen, I’m familiar with the story Emma because Clueless is one of my favorite movies of all time. This adaptation of it was really fresh and charming, and I loved the Mumbai setting!

The friends to lovers trope was executed really well here, and I always love pining of which Jaiman did plenty.

This was a really lovely debut and I look forward to what Swati Hedge writes next!

Dating Dr. Dil meets Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na 🫶 Normally, I dislike the miscommunication trope but the seamless writing, eventful plot, Mumbai aesthetics, and dorky characters made this book quite the desi beach read for me this summer.🩷✨

Thank you Netgalley and Colored Pages Book Tours for my e-ARC :)

good mystery and i loved the friends too. I really enjoyed the romance and how it solved . I also loved reading this author. Really enjoyed her friends. Great book.

This is my first read from Swati Hegde and it won't be the last! I enjoyed getting to know each character and the descriptions of Mumbai. The slow burn in this book was excruciating! So much back and forth and will they or won't they? Fortunately, the end result made up for the angst!

I always enjoy an opportunity to learn more about another culture, especially the Indian culture. Matchmaking is such an interesting concept, and I like that Jia (the FMC) thinks she is one. She wants to make that her job instead of working for a magazine. Of course she doesn't believe she will ever find someone for herself but is good at making matches for others. Her best friend, Jaiman, owns a pub that is struggling. As can be typical, Jia doesn't see Jaiman as a romantic interest even though it seems like he does. It seems like this should not really be categorized as a romance as that aspect of the book happens in the last part of the book. It definitely seems secondary to everything else. Overall an interesting book but I felt a bit duped thinking I was going to get more romance.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

If you like Jane Austen's Emma, this book is for you. I happen to love Emma so I loved this!

I am so surprised this is a debut book. The writing is captivating and brings the reader on a romantic journey with Mumbai as the setting. Match Me If You Can is fun, humorous and filled with heart. I really enjoyed the characters and their relationships with not only each other but their families.

I wanted a bit more from the romance. I think a few extra scenes with just Jai & Jaiman would have solved this problem. The love declaration was so romantic and I did like the pining from Jaiman (not gonna lie). Jai is a difficult character to love at first, but that's the point. Emma isn't the best version of herself at the beginning of the book and neither is Jai. I think the author did a great job interpreting the Emma characters and putting her own unique spin on them.

Overall, a fun debut! Can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.