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.

Nita is an Atlanta based matchmaker (hey there hometown!) who has taken over the business that has been in her family for generations. But suddenly there are threatening letters and a podcast which threaten the upcoming marriage of two of her upcoming high profile clients. Nura and her staff are determined to figure out who is behind the sabotage in order to restore her reputation and credibility. She also has a relationship with her long time best friend Azar, whom she has developed more feelings for, but she doesn’t know how to tell him because she doesn’t think he will reciprocate them. She confides in her aunt, who is really more like a mother to her, and who also used to run the matchmaking agency, and is very close to, and her aunt helps her balance the agency, the mystery, her feelings for Azar and eventually it all falls into place.
Thanks to Bantam Publishing and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. This book started off okay, but I didn't see any chemistry between the leads. Additionally, it was just awkward cause apparently one of them confessed to the other beforehand which made their friendship awkward. So how can they go into a relationship after that? I had to DNF.

Solid mystery-drama-light romance about Nura Khan, matchmaker to Atlanta's elite. As she navigates high-profile clients and weddings, she also has to navigate her own heart.

However, the bulk of this story revolves around the mystery of who is trying to sabotage her business? There are several likeable characters in this story, although due to the ending knocked I off at least 1 star (I was tempted to reduce it to 3 stars for the ending, but the story is pretty fun overall).

Overall a solid book and I would look forward to what the author wrote in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC #sponsored

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for the advanced reader copy. This was my first book by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did not know what to expect going in, as I feared it was a romance novel, which I am not the biggest fan of reading. To my pleasant surprise, this was a story about so many things I love – complicated family, friends that are like family, women running companies, and more. I was immediately invested in the characters, and wanted to see Nura succeed in her business and her life. Nura runs a matchmaking business, and has a close group of trusted coworkers that support her in matching some of the wealthiest clients in the world with their significant others, as well as running an online app for matchmaking as well. Suddenly, things start going sideways and it escalates quickly. Nura is receiving threats and the business is starting to fail. What is happening and can Nura and team get to the bottom of it before it is too late? This is a recommended read if you enjoy light mysteries, family stories and friendship stories.