Ask A Matchmaker blends personal anecdotes with professional matchmaking insights from Maria Avgitidis—also known as Matchmaker Maria. With her signature no-nonsense tone, Maria offers practical dating advice grounded in personality types, compatibility theories, and her own curated rules.

While I didn’t initially realize this was a self-help book (a genre I don’t typically gravitate toward), I found parts of it refreshingly candid. Some of the advice may feel overly prescriptive depending on your perspective, but fans of straightforward, tough-love guidance will likely appreciate her direct style.

This was a really interesting read, I do not think I've ever read anything like this. I am in a long term relationship but I still think it is good to read this kind of book. And it gives an interesting perspective to how things have changed.

I don’t usually go for books like this, but I’m really glad I gave it a shot. It offers thoughtful, well-explained insights on human connection that feel fresh but also familiar—even for someone who’s done a lot of self-reflection and people-watching. The author cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually matters in relationships. History is even interwoven into the book. You get some recommendations as well. Whether you're single for life, dating, or just curious about how we relate to one another, there’s something valuable here. This book gives you clear, practical steps to take control of your dating life, enjoy the process, and feel genuinely hopeful about what’s ahead.

Maria Avgitidis herself narrates this audiobook. Maria’s no-nonsense, straight-talking style makes the book engaging and full of practical advice that makes it feel like conversing with a wise friend. I loved how she blends personal stories with professional insights, making everything relatable and easy to apply to my own life. The mix of history, psychology, and real-world examples deepened my understanding of modern relationships. Whether single or in a relationship, this book contains actionable steps to help you find love and build stronger connections. I highly recommend this audiobook. Maria’s voice makes the experience even more personal and impactful.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the way the book flowed easily. The advice she gives is good and I'll have to use some of her tips in my own life.

*Ask a Matchmaker: Matchmaker Maria's No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love* by Maria Avgitidis, narrated by the author herself, is a practical and insightful audiobook that offers valuable advice for those navigating the world of dating. As a fan of Maria’s work for several years, I’ve always appreciated her direct, no-nonsense approach, especially her green dress theory and 12-date rule. In this book, she shares her personal journey into matchmaking, touching on the history of matchmaking within her Greek culture and how her own dating experiences led her to this career.

Throughout the book, Maria emphasizes the importance of understanding your desires and needs in a long-term relationship, while also recognizing how hidden patterns can keep you stuck in unhealthy cycles. One of the unique pieces of advice she shares is to write a manifest for what you're looking for in a partner and put it out into the world. She also provides guidance on how to broaden your search criteria when using dating apps and offers practical tips for meeting potential partners offline, including how to be more sociable and approachable in real-world settings.

A helpful feature of the book is how Maria includes questions she’s received during her “Ask a Matchmaker Wednesdays” on Instagram, where she answers real dating dilemmas faced by others. This allows listeners to hear her advice on actual dating issues, which adds a personal and relatable touch to the book. While asking your social circle for help finding matches is a more common tip, Maria’s advice on leveraging your personal network serves as a useful reminder in the dating process.

What I really appreciate about this book is how Maria’s advice is both practical and compassionate, offering clear steps that anyone can apply to their own dating life. Listening to this audiobook gave me a renewed sense of optimism and readiness to approach dating with a fresh perspective. I would rate this 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for honest, no-nonsense dating advice. I received an advanced listener copy from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience this motivating and insightful guide.

I have listened to Matchmaker Maria in podcasts in the past and was very excited to find out that she had written a book AND that she read the audiobook. This book is a good combo of dating tips, life tips and storytelling about her past. As someone in a relationship I still got quite a lot out of it. A thoroughly enjoyable read and the audiobook is the best I’ve heard in awhile!

This book provided me with a few “ah-ha” moments, gave me a few ideas to try when dating, but for me personally there was a lot of no brainer and filler information.
However, for those who are extremely lost when it comes to dating, this book might be helpful. Like I said, there were a few ideas given that I will give a try!
Worth a listen/read if you’ve struggled with dating or struggle in your current relationship.