The Fake Matchmaker

This romance had a cute matchmaker premise and delivered on the enemies to lovers’ trope (oh boy, did it ever), but I struggled to get into this romance. 

Part of my feelings about this book stem from not being sure what it was trying to do. There's definitely room for Manisha's personal growth. I didn't connect with her at all and for a 30-something professional woman, she came off as very immature in her over-the-top hatred for sweet Rohit. But I'm not sure enough time was spent developing the fake matchmaking aspect either - even though there were some funny/cringy first dates that make me glad I've been off the dating market for 3 decades. The story had good intentions but didn't quite deliver for me.

 This is a good pick for readers who enjoy slow moving, sweet with no heat romance. While I struggled with its pacing and main character, I appreciated the lovely descriptions of South Asian culture (and food!), its HEA, and how it focuses on the negative impact of rumours and celebrates the importance of community and intergenerational bonds.

Disclaimer: Thank you to DoubleDay Canada for the complimentary digital ARC that was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Sonya Singh

Genre: Romance, BIPOC author, Canadian

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: DoubleDay Canada

First Published: March 10, 2026

Read: March 4-10, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: From the nationally bestselling author of Sari, Not Sari comes a delightful enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance about how love is sometimes only a click away.

While her brothers are finding their soulmates and planning the rest of their lives, Manisha Patel is moving back in with her parents, dodging calls from her cheating Aquarius ex-boyfriend, and avoiding questions about her love life. Worse, she's being forced to help out her father's friend's son, and Manisha would rather be doing anything else. Rohit Khanna may be incredibly hot and have great style, but he's also arrogant, rude, and (allegedly) a cheater, and Manisha wants nothing to do with him.

But these things turn out to be the least of Manisha's worries when she gets the heartbreaking news that her dream of one day having a family might slip through her fingers. Then, a stroke of What if there was a fake matchmaking service where Manisha was the only client? One single profile, countless eligible bachelors for Manisha to choose from. It's the perfect plan to find a husband and live happily ever after. . . . Isn't it?