This story revolves around a family owned matchmaking business in Georgia now run by Nura Khan. She has a lot on her plate handling large weddings and I really enjoyed learning about the culture around the matchmaking business and weddings. Nura starts having things go awry at some of the wedding events and it becomes apparent her business is being sabotaged. There's family drama, a love interest, a mystery - all good things to keep you intrigued. I wish NetGalley had half stars as I would give this 3.5 stars so I'll round up to 4.

I really enjoyed this! It was a compelling book that I didn’t want to put down. I found the matchmaker history and “Desi” culture fascinating. (I always do.) The characters are very likable and the mystery kept me guessing. The added romance was just right and not cheesy.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

Love love loved this 5 star read! I couldn’t put it down and was hooked immediately! Worth the read and recommendation- 100%!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this awesome book in exchange for my 5 star review!!

I got an ARC of this title from NetGalley and I’m honestly saying that this is NOT what I was expecting at all. I thought I was getting a fluffy little Desi romance, but it was not that in the least. It was actually a mystery wrapped up in a matchmaker’s business which, it turns out, was almost her entire life. I very much enjoyed reading about the business, as it was so much more involved than I understood. And I always like to learn more about other cultures. It was a very quick read and I liked it. 💜📚

I reviewed this book through Library Journal. They ask that reviewers do not repost the review itself in full or in excerpts. Link available here: https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/the-matchmaker-1811647.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would be excited to see future adult titles from this author.

What a pleasant surprise! I very rarely tiptoe into the romance genre, but I am so glad I took a chance on this book. There is a romantic story thread, but the main plot focuses on Nura, her family & friends, and some very mysterious things happening in her business. There were several plot twists that really kept me guessing! Who knew matchingmaking could be so dangerous...

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC of this book!

A third generation Pakistani matchmaker and her successful business of matchmaking is at the center of this intriguing mystery. The Matchmaker is a refreshingly distinct mystery novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

THANKS TO THE NETGALLEY AND PUBLISHER FOR THIS DIGITAL ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW.

Nura Khan is a third-generation matchmaker. Her grandmother started it in Pakistan and her aunt continued the legacy after moving to the USA, Nura is natural in matching people and joined her aunt after her mother passed away. She put all her efforts into agency, it is not typical matchmaking anymore. She has her team who developed an algorithm, their app, a tech guy, a PI, and a marketing team. She is a big name, but handling things like this is hard. You can't always help anyone. Negative reviews and conspiracy theories regarding the agency are not new things for them but it all got serious when back-to-back two marriages set by Nura went awry. Someone is after her and the agency with an agenda, She can't let anyone destroy her family business.

The story was new, unique, and definitely fresh. It is the first time, I read a Pakistani/desi mystery. It was a mixture of romance and mystery, though romance wasn't that much. I really enjoyed the mystery element and couldn't guess the ending which is a positive thing. In all of the small details, Nura's dynamic with her family and colleagues was well developed. Though Azar and Zaynah's part felt a bit bland and filler to me. The book was definitely a good read and I had fun. As usual, the thing that didn't sit well with me was picking half culture and leaving half behind. In simple words, it wasn't a halal romance. I am so done with this narrative of using culture to attract a certain demographic. Don't make characters Muslim if you can't handle halal romance.

A little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance. I found them both a tad too predictable, but it was an enjoyable book! I would recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for a copy of the arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book is one part rom-com and a truckload of mystery suspense, which I didn’t see coming, but I’m so here for it. Don’t go into this expecting romance fluff. The mystery had me literally guessing right up until the very end. Super fun read!

A little matchmaking, romance and family relationships. The story flows well and the intrigue increases as bad reviews are posted and weddings are called off. A good mystery as to who is behind it all. A surprise who- done- it and a happy ending.

This book combines romance, family drama and mystery. While this was mostly a light read, I appreciated that the matchmaking service at the heart of this story focused on the importance of becoming your best self before finding a perfect partner. I also appreciated the messages around the cycle of abuse involved in domestic violence.

I knew I was going to love this one and I did.

I have no notes, this was perfection.
I will be shoving this down everyone’s throats for the foreseeable future.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for ARC of The Matchmaker by Aisha Saaed, I loved this book!
Nura Khan is a matchmaker, charging enormous amounts of money to Atlanta elites to set people us with their perfect match. She is wildly successful, at the expense of having a real personal life, and her business is booming, when suddenly she realizes that someone is trying to sabotage her. There are threatening voicemails, bad reviews that can’t be substantiated, and weddings going wrong, and soon Nura is fearing for her safety.
I wasn’t fully sure what this book would be about, but it’s a good mixture of mystery, thriller and romance and I read it in about a day. The Matchmaker will be published in April of 2025 and I highly recommend it.

What I thought started as a general fiction, maybe romance, took a wild twist and became a "I can't put this down" thriller! The ups and downs of Nura and her family relationships and work relationships and just her life in general! What a whirlwind!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Matchmaker offers a fresh mix of mystery and romance as it follows Nura Khan, a dedicated matchmaker who’s built her career and reputation on helping others find love. With charmingly witty dialogue and plenty of chemistry with her "pretend" fiancé, Azar, Nura's story had me rooting for her at every twist.

As the stakes rise with a series of sabotaged weddings, Nura faces real threats to her livelihood and her safety, turning what could have been just a cozy romance into a suspenseful journey. The tension builds well, though some of the stakes felt a little low compared to the mystery’s setup. That said, Saeed keeps it all engaging and balanced with heartfelt moments that spotlight Nura’s dedication to her work, her family, and her complicated feelings for Azar.

All in all, The Matchmaker is an enjoyable read that’s full of charm, with just the right touch of intrigue and romance. A great pick if you’re looking for a mystery with a heartfelt twist.

So enjoyed the writing & storytelling as well as the culture.
Part romance, part family/relationship saga, part mystery--enjoyed it all and the multi-dimensional characters & dialogue too.
For me the ending went a bit off the rails.

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this e-ARC.

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy

Nura Khan, a third-generation matchmaker in Atlanta, finds plenty of work, thanks to her Piyar app. She loves matchmaking almost as much as she enjoys working with her dedicated staff.

But suddenly she finds herself caught up in a flood of threatening messages and suspicious events, including a wedding gone horribly wrong. Someone is trying to ruin her matchmaking business.

And someone wants her dead.

=========

This cozy mystery/romance/family drama keeps readers guessing as the unfolding story touches on several genres. Unexpected revelations and plot twists build suspense and keep the pages turning. Readers are sure to appreciate the insights into the Indian culture and customs.

This unique story moves along at a brisk pace as it touches on trust, friendship, family issues, and the frustrations involved in the running of a business. Nura isn’t always likeable, but she’s believable and does not always behave predictably. There are some dark moments in this narrative, but it keeps readers engrossed in the telling of the tale.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries will find much to appreciate here, especially in the unexpected denouement.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley
#TheMatchmaker #NetGalley

class-consciousness, domestic-violence, family, family-business, family-drama, family-dynamics, friends, friendship, kidnapping, matchmaking, mysterious-character, mystery, no-gratuitous-erotica, quirky, read, relationship-issues, relationships, relatives, romance, sabotage, small-business, stalking, threats, triggers, unputdownable, wealthy, witty, contemporary****

Nura Khan is a third-generation matchmaker in Atlanta whose clients are both class conscious and wealthy. Her business is booming and she seems to be doing well, but her personal life is a bit disappointing in that she has had to ask her childhood best friend, Azar, to pose as her fiancé in social situations. The business is working well.
Then things start to get murky as there are more problems and bad press than she has ever had to deal with. The mystery is about finding the culprit before her business is destroyed. The slow burning romance is between Nura and Azar. There is an abundance of plot twists!
I think it's a great story and a peek into a lifestyle different from mine.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected ebook file from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam via NetGalley.
Pub Date Apr 08, 2025 #TheMatchmaker by Aisha Saeed @aishacs @randomhouse #Ballantine #Bantam #NetGalley @bookshopsindia @AusIndieBooks @chaptersindigo

I really enjoyed this! The plot was mostly mystery based but I loved the matchmaking aspect of the book and trying to figure out who was behind everything. My only note would have been that it would have been nice to develop the romance a little more/see a little more of that.