From the author of DONUT FALL IN LOVE comes a perfect summer love story set in the forested paradise of Canadian cottage country that asks the question: can love beat the odds when the odds are two mothers dead-set against it?
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You’d think my mother would be trying to set me up with architect Neil Choy, the unmarried son of her best friend. But you’d be wrong.
My single mother has always been fiercely independent. Since I was a small child, she’s always told me not to believe in fairy tales and that I don’t need a man. So she’s failed to mention that Neil is a total hottie in glasses. When I see him for the first time in a decade, on a multi-family cottage vacation, I’m in for quite a shock. (In fact, I nearly fall in the lake, but let’s keep that a secret.)
He sure can grill a mean steak and mix a killer cocktail, plus he’s pretty impressive in a kayak. Yes, he’s a little stern and grumpy, but that just makes him more fun to tease—and makes it more satisfying when he quirks his lips in my direction.
Even though my mind is spinning romantic fantasies, I’m not entirely sure how he feels. And I’m afraid that if anything happens between us, it’ll screw up the friendship between our staunchly anti-relationship mothers. Especially since they’ve been acting increasingly weird since we arrived—I will never forgive them for the S’mores Incident. In fact, I think they’re trying to sabotage my love life, and I’m starting to worry that I won’t make it through this bizarre summer vacation…
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Perfect for fans of Helen Hoang’s THE BRIDE TEST and THE DONUT TRAP by Julie Tieu, THE UNMATCHMAKERS is a forced-proximity, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy that explores finding the balance of meeting expectations and being true to yourself, and how even the best of intentions can sometimes backfire.
Review:
Good grief, this book was so good, y’all.
The Unmatchmakers takes the trope of meddling parents (Asian or otherwise) who are trying to get their offspring married off to the “perfect” candidate of their choice and turns it on its head! I kept waiting for it to be revealed that Neil and Leora’s mothers were *actually* trying to set them up, but nope, they really, really weren’t. Leora’s mom especially takes her not my daughter sentiment waaaaay too far–hearing how Leora has had to make adjustments all her life because of her mother’s views on relationships is bad enough, but seeing the lengths she goes to here tips it over into OMG territory. It’s funny, but at the same time it’s so not.
(Truly, how does Jackie Lau make me gasp in indignation one moment and LOL the other? She’s like some kind of writing magician, I think.)
To add to the delightfulness that is this book, Neil and Leora are also a grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract pairing. I think I was just as excited as Leora every time she caused buttoned-up, ultra serious Neil to quirk a little half smile because of something she said or did. And gah, when he let his guard down and opened up to her at last? Absolutely delicious!
The Unmatchmakers is a relatively short read, perfect for picking up while visiting your very own vacation home on the lake. Or, if you must, reading on a lazy summer afternoon at your own home. (Darn it, why don’t I own a vacation home on a lake again? Oh well, maybe some day…)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
(I honestly can’t believe how many books this summer are getting a 4 1/2 star rating from me, but truly, they are just that good. These authors are 100% bringing their A game!)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.