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loveambreen's review
2.0
DNF @ 74%.
I tried so hard to at least hate finish this but the main character is horrible. I thought we left "pretend to be gay because it's convenient" stories behind in the 90s. Also, how many times do we have to read about how brown men are trash but white men are worldly and deep and good?
I tried so hard to at least hate finish this but the main character is horrible. I thought we left "pretend to be gay because it's convenient" stories behind in the 90s. Also, how many times do we have to read about how brown men are trash but white men are worldly and deep and good?
limeykiss's review against another edition
3.0
A generally unlikeable heroine, who really frustrated me at times! I also felt like the plot was tied up too quickly at the end.
akookieforyou's review
2.0
*2.5*
Asian Readathon 2019
This book was very different from what I initially thought it was going to be. I had expected this to be a fun, adult contemporary romantic comedy, and it definitely wasn't that. In fact, the romance element felt very weak. The main character, Raina, spends a good portion of the story pining after an ex, and in contrast barely spends any real time with her main love interest. I really liked the fact that this novel incorporated so much Indian culture, and some of the issues within said culture. I thought all of those elements were really well done, and very interesting. I also think that the relationship between Raina and her nani were really good. But sadly, that doesn't fully make up for all the things that I didn't like. Raina was a bit of an annoying protagonist, and she did a lot of stupid and downright awful things. I sort of understand why she did some of them, but she ended up taking everything too far in the end. And this book just wasn't funny. At all. Overall, I was very disappointed by this book.
Asian Readathon 2019
This book was very different from what I initially thought it was going to be. I had expected this to be a fun, adult contemporary romantic comedy, and it definitely wasn't that. In fact, the romance element felt very weak. The main character, Raina, spends a good portion of the story pining after an ex, and in contrast barely spends any real time with her main love interest. I really liked the fact that this novel incorporated so much Indian culture, and some of the issues within said culture. I thought all of those elements were really well done, and very interesting. I also think that the relationship between Raina and her nani were really good. But sadly, that doesn't fully make up for all the things that I didn't like. Raina was a bit of an annoying protagonist, and she did a lot of stupid and downright awful things. I sort of understand why she did some of them, but she ended up taking everything too far in the end. And this book just wasn't funny. At all. Overall, I was very disappointed by this book.
kpounce's review
5.0
I thought this book was a very relaxing and wholesome read. The character was relatable albeit a little annoying sometimes, but she had redeemable qualities
hannahfeathers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thephdivabooks's review
5.0
Heartwarming, funny, and fresh—Sonya Lalli’s novel The Matchmaker’s List is already a favorite in the romantic comedy category for me! I loved the story about a woman who is feeling pressured to get married as she nears the age of 30, and I loved the way Lalli wrote. She lets her characters be flawed and make mistakes, but the book is also clearly filled with love. And not just romantic love! Family love, friendships, and the love of a community in a time of change. I hope you enjoy this one!
About the Book
One devoted modern girl + a meddlesome, traditional grandmother = a heartwarming multicultural romantic comedy about finding love where you least expect it.
Raina Anand may have finally given in to family pressure and agreed to let her grandmother play matchmaker, but that doesn't mean she has to like it--or that she has to play by the rules. Nani always took Raina's side when she tried to push past the traditional expectations of their tight-knit Indian-immigrant community, but now she's ambushing Raina with a list of suitable bachelors. Is it too much to ask for a little space? Besides, what Nani doesn't know won't hurt her...
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.
Reflection
I found The Matchmaker’s list to be completely refreshing, bright, and filled with heart. To me, this was a book about a woman, and a community, on the cusp of transitioning from generations of tradition, and newer generations who are evolving to a different way of living their culture and religion. An evolution that maybe puts less emphasis on the way things were done in the past. Raina (and even her best friend Shay, to an extent), are both caught in the middle. Wanting to choose happiness on one side, and feeling pressure to not disappoint their families on the other.
But while Shay seems to know what will make her happy and just needs to find the courage to tell her mother, Raina doesn’t know what she wants from life. Raina has always done things because she felt she was supposed to. Which means that Raina has never really thought about what makes her happy. What she does know is that the pressure is becoming too much. Raina has lost a bit of herself, through a heartbreak and a career that she is good at, but not sure she enjoys.
Not everyone is brave enough to be themselves.
This line has stuck with me long after finishing this book. It’s not only the perfect line to describe the story, it’s something that we can all reflect on and learn from. I can think of several characters in this novel who learn this lesson throughout the book. For Raina, this book is about finding out who she is. Finding out how to be brave and live with the best of her and the worst of her out in the open.
A few things that I completely loved about this novel, in addition to what I already wrote. First, I loved many of the male characters. This is a female-centric novel (as it should be), and the women characters are incredibly well developed. But even many of the male characters who were supporting roles I found to be unique, refreshing, and delightful to read about. I think that is a hard balance to write!
Second, I loved the way the characters were drawn to be imperfect. No one is without fault in the debacle that happens. Raina is perhaps the character with the most outward mistake (that lie…it just spirals out of control and she doesn’t know how to reclaim it), but nearly all of the characters show the best of themselves and the things that make them imperfect. And they are all the more loveable for it!
Finally, I love the context and culture. An Indian community, and all of the quirky and fun and light, as well as the dark sides of a community such as this one. They love and support one another. And they also perpetuate traditions for the sake of tradition. In addition and related to this, there was such a cozy feel to this novel! Lalli mentions the smells and the textures a lot. Talcom powder. Cocoa butter. Roasted cumin. Pepper. Every scene and character had these cozy scents that really brought the book to life for me.
I read this one with my book besties Jennifer and Berit, and we all loved this story. The friendships, the family, and the community made this romantic comedy good-to-great. Because while there is a fantastic love story, to me this is a book about Raina—a woman finding herself in the midst of a cultural evolution that left her behind. I hope you love it as much as we did!
Thank you to Berkley for my partner copy!
About the Book
One devoted modern girl + a meddlesome, traditional grandmother = a heartwarming multicultural romantic comedy about finding love where you least expect it.
Raina Anand may have finally given in to family pressure and agreed to let her grandmother play matchmaker, but that doesn't mean she has to like it--or that she has to play by the rules. Nani always took Raina's side when she tried to push past the traditional expectations of their tight-knit Indian-immigrant community, but now she's ambushing Raina with a list of suitable bachelors. Is it too much to ask for a little space? Besides, what Nani doesn't know won't hurt her...
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.
Reflection
I found The Matchmaker’s list to be completely refreshing, bright, and filled with heart. To me, this was a book about a woman, and a community, on the cusp of transitioning from generations of tradition, and newer generations who are evolving to a different way of living their culture and religion. An evolution that maybe puts less emphasis on the way things were done in the past. Raina (and even her best friend Shay, to an extent), are both caught in the middle. Wanting to choose happiness on one side, and feeling pressure to not disappoint their families on the other.
But while Shay seems to know what will make her happy and just needs to find the courage to tell her mother, Raina doesn’t know what she wants from life. Raina has always done things because she felt she was supposed to. Which means that Raina has never really thought about what makes her happy. What she does know is that the pressure is becoming too much. Raina has lost a bit of herself, through a heartbreak and a career that she is good at, but not sure she enjoys.
Not everyone is brave enough to be themselves.
This line has stuck with me long after finishing this book. It’s not only the perfect line to describe the story, it’s something that we can all reflect on and learn from. I can think of several characters in this novel who learn this lesson throughout the book. For Raina, this book is about finding out who she is. Finding out how to be brave and live with the best of her and the worst of her out in the open.
A few things that I completely loved about this novel, in addition to what I already wrote. First, I loved many of the male characters. This is a female-centric novel (as it should be), and the women characters are incredibly well developed. But even many of the male characters who were supporting roles I found to be unique, refreshing, and delightful to read about. I think that is a hard balance to write!
Second, I loved the way the characters were drawn to be imperfect. No one is without fault in the debacle that happens. Raina is perhaps the character with the most outward mistake (that lie…it just spirals out of control and she doesn’t know how to reclaim it), but nearly all of the characters show the best of themselves and the things that make them imperfect. And they are all the more loveable for it!
Finally, I love the context and culture. An Indian community, and all of the quirky and fun and light, as well as the dark sides of a community such as this one. They love and support one another. And they also perpetuate traditions for the sake of tradition. In addition and related to this, there was such a cozy feel to this novel! Lalli mentions the smells and the textures a lot. Talcom powder. Cocoa butter. Roasted cumin. Pepper. Every scene and character had these cozy scents that really brought the book to life for me.
I read this one with my book besties Jennifer and Berit, and we all loved this story. The friendships, the family, and the community made this romantic comedy good-to-great. Because while there is a fantastic love story, to me this is a book about Raina—a woman finding herself in the midst of a cultural evolution that left her behind. I hope you love it as much as we did!
Thank you to Berkley for my partner copy!
dhemanth's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
suzyq436's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was so interesting to read a romance from an Indian's perspective in a modern day Canada. I enjoyed the family dynamic, the growth of the main character, the obstacles that she faced and the dilemma between choosing what her family wants for her and what she wants for herself. It was a captivating, solid story.
kvreadsandrecs's review
2.0
Thank the lord this book is over. First off: I was expecting a light and happy romance. It’s been a rough summer and I could have used it. Too bad the biggest plot point is the main character decides to pretend to be gay for nearly the entirety of the book. WHAAAT? We live in 2019. This is absurd. They could have done something much better. I only want fake gay stories if they involve the MC realizing that they’re into the same sex and fall in love with the person they’re fake dating. Anything else is just trash.
kberry513's review
3.0
I wanted to love it but didn't because I felt that every choice Raina made was obviously the wrong one but she still did it even while acknowledging it was wrong and regretted it. Maybe especially bc she was still making excuses for her douchey ex that was clearly playing her. That being said, I didn't hate it -she did at least acknowledge it was wrong...and I enjoyed the cultural storylines. Not sure if I would reread it though