Yet another book I struggled with. This book couldn’t really make its mind up what it wanted to be. Is it a thriller? Is it a rom-com? Is it a women’s fiction? When you add to that, the person behind it all was ridiculously easy to figure out……..well it just had me rushing along to the end. The plot had such potential I thought, but it became muddled when everything extra was added in.
Overall I think if you’re looking for a cozy mystery read with a side of itty bitty romance and some desi culture, this may be a good read for you.
For me 2.5 stars in all.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Nura took over her Khala’s matchmaking business in Atlanta. She’s honored their culture’s traditions and matchmaking standards, but Nura has brought her own personalization to the business with an app. The agency is thriving. She’s got an amazing team- Genevieve, Borzu, and Darcy by her side along with her bestie/built in plus 1- Azar.

Everything’s great but it really isn’t. And then there are those nefarious emails and a podcast gaining traction, threatening Nura and the agency. There’s family history and drama that begins to erupt. And there’s unrequited love to boot.

This is a fast paced story that will keep you on your toes, guessing, and trying to read between all the lines. It was so fun and didn’t want the ride to end. I can’t wait to dive into more from

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to @ and @ for this # - pub date was 4/8/25. Go grab it!
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The Matchmaker centers around Nura, who is normally driven, focused, and runs a successful matchmaking agency. The premise was interesting - scrutiny, potential for negative press, and some odd happenings start triggering a thriller-mystery. Along the way, there are also themes family history, self-discovery, and romance.

It starts slower and then ramps up - with a lot going on at once. You really have no idea who to trust!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC.

I went into this expecting a sweet little romance, but wow—it took a sharp left turn into murder mystery, and I did not see it coming. Nura has taken over her family’s elite matchmaking business, and everything seems like it’s going smoothly… until two weddings are sabotaged and she starts getting stalked and threatened. The setup had so much potential, but the book never really finds its footing between the romance and the mystery. Just when I’d start to get into the swoony moments, things would suddenly shift to suspense—and then back again—so neither side really had time to fully develop. It kind of left me feeling like I never got the best of either story.

This book is modern Desi dating perfection (as viewed by a white woman)! I loved the setup to this novel… an expensive matchmaking company that also has a popular dating app? Then we add in the traditions (and modern updates) to Desi culture, while having such a perfect balance of authenticity without overexplaining to those of us who are white (or non-Desi). I loved the family culture and dynamics from Nura and the family she built for herself at work, all while being a total boss. I love that it didn’t shy away from the pressure she put on herself, but showed how complex and human she was. Her best friend since childhood and his own dynamics were a total plus. AND THEN we also have a mystery to solve?! It was tense but also fun to try to figure it out and I didn’t until it was literally written out for me! It was such a good payoff! This story isn’t too much of any one genre, it’s the perfect blend of mystery, multiculturalism, and romance. I love that it didn’t need the spice to make the romance authentic either. Absolutely adore this novel! 5⭐️, 0.5🌶

Nura has taken over her family's elite matchmaking business, but things take a dark turn when two weddings are mysteriously sabotaged and she becomes the target of stalking and threats. What started as a seemingly sweet romance quickly veers into murder mystery territory, catching me completely off guard. The book struggles to balance both genres, never fully committing to either, which left each feeling a bit underdeveloped. Just as I’d settle into the romantic storyline or the suspenseful plot, it would abruptly shift gears again.

I was excited to dive into this contemporary mystery romance, especially with all the vivid details of the weddings.

Atlanta matchmaker Nura Khan has built a thriving business and a stellar reputation despite being single herself. Luckily, her childhood best friend Azar is willing to play the role of her fake fiancé to keep up appearances. But when a string of her clients’ weddings start falling apart in disturbing ways, what once felt like harmless matchmaking turns into something far more sinister. With her business and her safety on the line, Nura must uncover who’s behind the sabotage, all while navigating the very real feelings she might have for Azar.

I would say that the romance in this book is the sub-plot compared to the disasters going on and trying to figure out who is trying to sabotage Nura’s company. This was a quick, fast paced read with a lot of things going on that lead you to think the plot is going one way, and the you're hit with a plot twist. Very entertaining, and I didn't see the ending coming!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for this eARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day. I loved the storyline and characters and their growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

This is my fault, I should have read the book description before diving in. I totally thought this would be rom com style story and not a murder mystery. I think I would have preferred either it be a mystery or it be a romance but the combo of both wasn't my favorite. I am sure others will enjoy this different take.


Thank you for the advanced reader copy Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam & Netgalley.

I wanted to like this but could not get into it. I gave up at 20%. Too slow. Thought this was going to be a romance mystery and it spent too much time in the beginning on family. Not for me.

This was a very unique read! I love the mystery mixed in with some romance! It was a quick read for me and I enjoyed it. Also cool how the cultural diversity was presented

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC copy

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Aisha Saeed for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Matchmaker coming out April 8, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I forgot to upload my review. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoyed the diversity with the characters in the book. I think the plot was overall good, but there were some things I wasn’t as into about the book. I don’t think there was a lot of action. I would check out other books by this author!

i was initially intrigued by this book because it was marketed as a mystery romance, two of my favorite genres. however, the romance is minimal. the mmc is in a relationship for most of the book, and there's no buildup for the main couple's relationship within the actual pages, instead relying on years of friendship and a romantic moment ten years ago. the mystery aspect is closer to what i'd consider a suspense/thriller, and i didn't feel the necessary connection to the characters or the plot to feel the urgency or distress necessary to make me enjoy it.
the matchmaking aspect is a great setup of the story, and her family is a great subplot that i wished got integrated even more to the main storyline.

I really enjoyed how unique this book is! There was mystery, suspense, and romance with great cultural representation. I have to say I really didn’t see that last twist coming! And I also really wasn’t sure where the romance plot would go but I was happy with it. Friends to lovers is really growing on me! I love that way that Aisha’s writing just flows. It was so easy to follow and kept me interested the whole time. I wasn’t completely sure what to expect but I ended up really loving it.

I enjoyed this romance/mystery, fake dating story. A longtime matchmaker is suddenly hit by someone sabotaging her couple’s weddings. She’s concerned her business won’t survive unless she finds out who is trying to hurt her, and it turns out to be harder and scarier than she thought.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel follows Nura Khan as she runs the family matchmaking business under the guidance of her aunt. Her aunt has had to step back from the business, so more responsibilities lie with Nura. When things start going wrong at the weddings of couples she has set up and threatening notes fill her inbox, Nura and her staff determine that someone is trying to ruin her reputation and business.

I found this novel riveting! It was fast-paced, clever, and heart-warming. It was a quick read for me.

I loved seeing the development of Nura and other characters throughout the novel. The mystery was intriguing, and Aisha Saeed's execution kept me guessing. Nura's friends-to-lovers romance with Azar was so sweet, and I loved how he looked out for her. He was such a wonderful friend and love interest.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a clever, cozy mystery with a bit of romance mixed in.

loved this romance and finding love and remembering love before the one. love the friends and the chemistry between the couple was on fire and loved the banter.

This one was SO good and so surprising!! The perfect mix of rom com, mystery, & just a different culture (to me).

We get introduced to desi culture, matchmaking, will they won’t they, family obligations (see: desi culture), rom com vibes, & a mystery that definitely leaves you guessing but makes so much sense!!!

This writing was really easily bingeable and really hooks you in from the first page. The actual story was so original and truly one of a kind… definitely be on the look out for this one when it comes out!!

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for this advance copy.

Nura for President! I loved her style and her no nonsense way she ran her business. This was a fun book that checked all of my boxes:

Found family
Love Interest
Sinister people
Friends turned enemy
Greed

I had it figured out but it was still a fun read.

The Matchmaker is more of a women’s fiction/romance complicated by a mystery than what I expected (which was the reverse of that). The first half of the book is mostly about Nura’s business, family, and friendships with bits that provide the foundation for the slowly building mystery. Once the danger appeared, though, the pace - and my interest - increased rapidly. t I found the concept of the high end matchmaking service interesting, and most of the characters realistic. The motive in the end made sense after reflecting back, but it was a well-hidden plot point. (I had guessed the “who,” but not the “why.) This would be a fun cozy series if Saeed chooses to turn it in that direction. She has a smooth style and a good balance of detail vs. dialogue vs. action that I look forward to in her future work.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, Bantam, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this well-written novel.