The Matchmaker by Aisha Saeed was unfortunately a miss for me!

The premise was unique and I was intrigued by the thriller plus rom-com description, but the execution on putting those together fell flat for me. Myra is a society matchmaker and finds herself in hot water, in a terrifying position and in her own cat-and-mouse game while also realizing her feelings for her best friend are no longer just platonic.

While I was hoping for more thriller and romance, this felt to me like more of a family and work drama book. It was a cozy read, I just quickly lost interest in the story itself.

The Matchmaker releases April 8, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Bantam for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Is there such a thing as a cozy thriller? This book is somewhere between a suspense novel and a PG rom com. Maybe it’s best described as a drama.

This is a compelling story with interesting characters and a whole lot of drama. It was fun to get a glimpse of Atlanta society and the world of matchmaking. The plot is suspenseful with lots of twists and turns. The love story is a slow burn with lots of pining. Overall, this was a fun quick read.

Nura is a matchmaker who finds herself in the middle of a dangerous situation as her company and personal safety are threatened. How can matching couples suddenly turn so treacherous? I found this to be exciting and once I got towards the end I couldn’t put it down. (ps the cat is okay)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This romantic suspense debut about Nura Khan, a third generation South Asian matchmaker in Atlanta, Georgia whose reputation gets trashed started off strong but went a little off the rails for me. There was stalking, gun violence, car crashes, drug overdoses and so much more. The strongest part of the book for me was the family relationships between Nura and her aunt, cousin and niece (and the shocking family secret Nura didn't know about).

I did enjoy the friends to lovers, second chance romance Nura gets but it definitely felt like it took a back burner to all the other shenanigans going on. Good on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Sara Desai's Sima Chopra series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars for The Matchmaker. It takes until 50% for the story to really get going and even after that I found myself entertained but not super invested in the plot. The suspense definitely needed to be pumped up. I did enjoy reading about Indian culture and I thought this was a good start for the author, as it is her debut. I definitely could see her improving and would be interested to see what she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for the advanced copy. The Matchmaker hits shelves on April 8, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the eARC.

This book was just so fun to read. I really enjoyed the characters and the mystery. It was an easy read and one that brought me joy.

This was a lot of fun. An interesting mystery while the protagonist Nura tries to keep a grip on everything she holds dear. It was thrilling, entertaining, and original.

Thank you Netgalley & Bantam for an eARC ❤️


As someone married into a South Asian family, I found the matchmaking premise particularly delightful 💓
Nura Khan is a refreshing protagonist—a sharp, successful matchmaker with an impeccable reputation, until someone starts systematically destroying her clients' weddings. The sabotage escalates from mildly inconvenient to downright sinister, and Saeed builds the suspense masterfully. Is it a scorned ex-client? A jealous competitor? Or someone much closer to home? 😳
The fake-dating trope between Nura and her childhood best friend, Azar, adds a layer of tender, slow-burn romance that balances the darker thriller elements. (Loved it😉)Their chemistry is palpable, and I loved how Aisha Saeed wove in themes of identity, family expectations, and the pressure to maintain appearances—all while keeping the mystery taut and unpredictable.
What really sets this book apart is its authenticity. The South Asian cultural details—the gossip, the grandeur of the weddings, the unspoken social rules—are woven in seamlessly, making the world feel vibrant and real. And the villain's motives? Chillingly plausible.
Final thoughts: If you love mysteries with emotional depth, a side of romance, and a smart, resilient heroine, this is a must-read. 🤩

⭐⭐⭐⭐ A brilliant, binge-worthy blend of suspense and heart❤️

“The Matchmaker” by Aisha Saeed presents a captivating portrayal of a contemporary Desi matchmaker operating in the urban metropolis of Atlanta. The protagonist, Núr, endeavors to maintain the family business while navigating the challenges of singlehood in her thirties. The author provides insightful exposition on Desi culture, elucidating the unique elements that characterize their weddings. This narrative is imbued with a profound cultural richness. Amidst the tapestry of cultural traditions, the author weaves elements of mystery and intrigue, skillfully concealing the secrets within the fabric of the story. Moreover, it explores the profound significance of family and the pursuit of a partner who brings fulfillment and joy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. This book was pretty predictable, but I did enjoy reading about desi culture and the matchmaking industry. Rounding up to 3 stars.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine and Aisha Saeed for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Renowned matchmaker, Nura, finds things suddenly going wrong with her clients. It’s quickly apparent that it’s sabotage but who could be behind it?

There’s some mystery, some action and a touch of romance.

The beginning of the book was pretty heavy on South Asian wedding culture and terminology- it was extremely interesting but a little daunting because I’m not familiar with it. Luckily, google and subtext was my friend but I was happy when it wasn’t such a focal point later in the book since looking things up frequently brings you out of the experience a bit. That being said, some of those sound incredible!

The romance aspect was pretty easy to clock from the start (but still satisfying). The mystery aspect wasn’t what I was expecting but once it was revealed I was like “of course, that makes sense!”

I enjoyed how l family and close relationships were a feature in this book. Nura may have her faults but it is clear she’s a loyal friend.

This book turned out way better than I was expecting.
It’s part romance and part mystery. There were a few surprises along the way too. It was an enjoyable story.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine books for the ARC.

Synopsis: Nura Khan is a Pakistani American woman living in Atlanta and a 3rd generation matchmaker. She’s turning into quite the legend among the Desis and this attracts a whole lot of customers. But someone threatens to ruin one of her matches and takes things too far. Now, she must investigate the events along with her childhood friend Azar, in order to protect herself and her loved ones.

My take: Matchmaking is such an integral part of the South Asian marriage market. The author’s portrayal of the grandeur as well as the fatigue of planning desi weddings is honest and refreshing. 
The suspense kept me engaged much more than the romance. I did have an idea of who the culprit might be, but I enjoyed the way the mystery unfolded. 
My only complaint is with the characters repeating the same mistakes over and over. I let out a frustrated groan every time they did something that was quite obviously detrimental to their situation.

The book was entertaining overall.

[3.5 stars]

Nura Khan is a third-generation matchmaker who is revolutionizing the field in Atlanta. Her high-profile clientele looking for personalized matching go directly through her rather than her app, combining the 21st century with centuries-old practices. Overall, her business is booming, and clients couldn't be happier. That is, until a string of unfortunate events unfolds for two weddings. Nura is now associated with two failed weddings - one is called off due to the groom being outed as a criminal, and the other with the sudden disappearance of both the bride and the groom. As word spreads, Nura's clients begin dropping their contracts. This isn't the only problem in Nura's life, however. Whoever is behind these events is also targeting Nura herself - and eventually her family. Just when Nura thinks the problem is taken care of, the activity ramps up. Nura's business and livelihood may never be the same.

This was a fun and fast-paced read! I kind of figured out the final twist, but some aspects still surprised me. The first few chapters will trick you into thinking this is a full romance novel! It is very romance-heavy, but still has the classic aspects of a typical mystery. I didn't love the underlying romance, but didn't find it overwhelming while reading either. If you're looking for a life-changing mystery or thriller, this isn't it. But it is a fun and quick read that will keep you hooked! I'd definitely recommend it if you're a fan of cozy mysteries!

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for the gifted ARC!

Title: The Matchmaker
Author: Alisha Saeed
Pub Date: April 8, 2025

I had no idea what to expect going into this book. Was it a romance? A mystery? Women's fiction? After reading, I'm still not 100% sure how I'd categorize it. I think it's safe to say it's a blend of all three.

Our main character, Nura Khan is a third-generation matchmaker. She is also A LOT, LOL. She kept me laughing and rolling my eyes at her antics throughout the whole book. At least she was relatively self-aware amidst her craziness.

I don't want to give a lot away, but I will say this: this book got CRAZY! The ending had me saying "WHAT?" over and over and over again. Nura is not very good at surrounding herself with upstanding people and, therefore, her whole life is basically a hot mess! It was a very entertaining hot mess, though!

I think if you set your expectations that you're going in for a wild and crazy genre blend, you'll really enjoy it! I flew through the whole book in a two sittings! It's definitely a quick and easy read!

3.5 stars

The Matchmaker is both a mystery and a romance but is mediocre in achieving each genre.

Nura runs a matchmaking agency. When worse and worse things start happening to her clients, she must figure out who is trying to ruin her. At the same time, she is navigating her friendship with Azar, whom she has loved for their whole lives.

There was a lot of potential within this book but overall, it just did not reach the potential. I wanted more. More information about her father's family. More of the build up with Azar.

Oh well. There may be others who love mysteries that will enjoy this more than I did.

Thank you to Net Galley, Bantam, and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || THE MATCHMAKER [thank you to PRH Audio & Berkley Publishing for my #gifted copy!]

Title: The Matchmaker
Author: Aisha Saeed
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: audio
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Narrator: Tiya Sircar
Narration: ★★★★☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
Nura Khan’s matchmaking business is thriving—until a couple’s disastrous wedding sets off a chain of terrifying events. With her childhood best friend, Azar, posing as her fake fiancé (even though her feelings for him are very real), Nura is determined to protect her clients and her reputation. But as the threats escalate, she’s caught in a dangerous game that could cost her everything—her career, her heart, and maybe even her life.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
While this wasn’t my favorite cozy mystery I’ve ever read, it was also not my least favorite. I appreciated the cast of characters and the idea of a modern matchmaking service. It was interesting to see Nura’s process and how she made sure that not only she found her clients a match, but that those matches were ready to accept love when it came their way.

The thing I did not love was that it was so difficult to tell what genre the book was trying to be. The mystery didn’t seem to be the focal point, the romance didn’t seem to be the focus, and the family drama hopped in and out. I think if one of these genres had been more fleshed out, it may have caught my interest a little more.

🎧: The narration here was really well done and it definitely made for a fun 8.5 hour car ride audiobook! I appreciated reading this one with my ears so that I wasn’t’ making up pronunciations in my head. 😂 Sircar did a great job of keeping me interested and of keeping th story moving along.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Cozy Hijinx
Found Family
Dial A for Aunties
Arsenic & Adobo
Diverse MCs

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 3.90 ⭐️
# of Hours: 8 hours, 24 minutes
Pub Date: April 8, 2025

I was immediately hooked while reading “The Matchmaker.” How much I loved this book really took me by surprise. I would like to suggest that this book belongs in a new genre that we need more of - the cozy thriller! Nura took over the family Matchmaking business from her aunt. She and the business are wildly successfully until an anonymous podcast is posted spreading hate of her business and its purpose. That’s only the beginning - threats start popping up and a customer’s wedding is sabotaged. Nura and her coworker friends must get to the bottom of this to save the business and maybe her own life. Nura also has to navigate difficult family dynamics and her own personal journey of love. This is one of those genre-bending books that I think many readers will enjoy - a thrilling romantic mystery.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is an entertaining cozy mystery/romance about Nura, an Atlanta matchmaker who finds herself in danger when her clients' weddings begin to be sabotaged and her business comes under attack. There is also an element of romance, and I think this novel suffered a little from being pulled in both the mystery and romance directions. The suspense could have been amped up more, and I couldn't buy in to the romance storyline. I enjoyed Nura's family dynamics with the aunt who raised her and her standoffish older cousin, and the writing was solid. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for a digital review copy.

Received an ARC via NetGalley.

I went into this thinking it was a cozy mystery and it sort of checks that box but it also gets a little more dramatic towards the end so I don’t really know how to classify it.

I think the solve sort of comes out of left field and I can’t really go into my thoughts on it without spoiling it. In some ways, it made sense bc there were a couple red flags but in others.. it didn’t ring totally true.

But the story was fast paced and I wanted to know what happened so I enjoyed it.