Author: Sonya Lalli
Genre: Romance, Canadian
Type: Trade Paperback
Pages: 352
Source: publisher
Publisher: Berkley Books
First Published: February 5, 2019
Opening Lines: Nani opened the front door as I was still crossing the lawn. Her nose twitching, she looked me up and down as I forced myself up the steps.
"Is that what you're wearing?"
"Is that what you're wearing?"
Book Description from GoodReads: One devoted modern girl + a meddlesome, traditional grandmother = a heartwarming multicultural romantic comedy about finding love where you least expect it.
As Raina's life spirals into a parade of Nani-approved bachelors and disastrous blind dates, she must find a way out of this modern-day arranged-marriage trap without shattering her beloved grandmother's dreams.
My Rating: 4 stars
My Review: The Matchmaker's List is a heartwarming and impressive debut that is a mix of a few things. It's a sweet coming-of-age story with a touch of romance, a sprinkle of humour and a dash of Canadian pride that looks at the positive aspects and complications of family, friendship, culture and community.
While it appears to be a cute romantic comedy (and it is!), Lalli also introduces several deeper issues into a story that focuses on one determined grandmother as she tries to find her single granddaughter a husband. Readers get a look into the rich Canadian-Indian culture of Raina's family and also witness the pressures it puts on three generations of women. It's through these relationships of family and friends that Lalli shows how cultural expectations can sometimes clash with individual needs.
The story is set in 'Toronno' (that's 'Tor-on-toe' for non-Canucks). I love it when a Canadian author set their stories in Canada! Lalli's vivid descriptions of that vibrant city and its diversity make it a great setting for this story.
My only issue with the book is how Raina, in one instance, tries to curtail her grandmother's husband hunting. It just didn't sit well with me. While I appreciated the discussions it will create and the insight it gives readers about an aspect of the Indian community, I wasn't fond of the execution and felt this misunderstanding went on for too long.
Overall, this was an enjoyable multi-cultural romance that had a touch of humour and went beyond the typical romantic fluff. I applaud the author for tackling larger issues including diversity, acceptance versus shame, multi-cultural and generational differences and the deep influence tradition and culture have on people of all generations.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Berkley Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
While it appears to be a cute romantic comedy (and it is!), Lalli also introduces several deeper issues into a story that focuses on one determined grandmother as she tries to find her single granddaughter a husband. Readers get a look into the rich Canadian-Indian culture of Raina's family and also witness the pressures it puts on three generations of women. It's through these relationships of family and friends that Lalli shows how cultural expectations can sometimes clash with individual needs.
The story is set in 'Toronno' (that's 'Tor-on-toe' for non-Canucks). I love it when a Canadian author set their stories in Canada! Lalli's vivid descriptions of that vibrant city and its diversity make it a great setting for this story.
My only issue with the book is how Raina, in one instance, tries to curtail her grandmother's husband hunting. It just didn't sit well with me. While I appreciated the discussions it will create and the insight it gives readers about an aspect of the Indian community, I wasn't fond of the execution and felt this misunderstanding went on for too long.
Overall, this was an enjoyable multi-cultural romance that had a touch of humour and went beyond the typical romantic fluff. I applaud the author for tackling larger issues including diversity, acceptance versus shame, multi-cultural and generational differences and the deep influence tradition and culture have on people of all generations.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Berkley Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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