Evie Lang’s life is falling apart. Not long after her beloved aunt passes away, she’s finds out that her secret boyfriend has been fielding applications for her job. With no idea how to move forward, she takes a leap. In her aunts will, she left Evie her house, but only if Evie goes on a pre-arranged matchmaking tour in Việt Nam.

Adam Quyền left his job to help his sister, working for her elite matchmaking company, where he’s desperate to prove to his parents just how successful they can be, which is how he finds himself reluctantly agreeing to join their inaugural tour.

Over three week the tour travels all over Việt Nam, visiting gorgeous, historical sights, sweeping mountain ranges, dense tropical forests and spectacular beaches, bringing together people from all over to fall in love. Neither Adam, nor Evie have joined this tour to fall in love. Adam finds Evie irritating authentic and chaotic, while Evie thinks Adam is grumpy and uptight, they are each other’s opposites, and yet is it difficult to believe that with the amount of time these two are pushed together in such a romantic tour not a flicker of love would spark?

Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour was an easy book to read and fun ride. The description of the landscape and scenery where enough to make me want to travel to Việt Nam, yet I think that having so many took valuable time away from the deepening and development of Adam and Evie’s relationship, It felt there was such little time spent with the two and I also wish the tour was longer than just three weeks, however the tension between the two, especially from Adams point of view, was great. I also really enjoyed Evie’s journey for herself throughout this book, and this is where the main story lies is rather than on the romance between Adam and Evie. So while this was an enjoyable book, the focus is much more on the scenery and Evie’s self-discovery than on the budding relationship for which I was hoping for.

I loved the premises and given the clever title and unusual settings I was expecting to really enjoy this book but unfortunately it really missed the mark for me.

The formal writing style and the complicated relationship between 'Evie and her mother' and 'Adam and his father' felt too heavy for the set-up from the get go. Also I felt Evie was quite inconsistent in her behaviour and her sense of self.
The descriptions of the beautiful landscapes didn't help create the magical background for an epic love story but felt more like they were better suited for a Lonely Planet guide.
Unfortunately the spicy scenes also fell a bit flat as if the author isn't really comfortable with this genre or she was holding back.
Having said that I'd read a novel from this author again either if she wrote a family saga or maybe a contemporary rom-com.

I didn't get into this as quickly as I expected, I'm not sure if it was the writing style, but once I got used to it I loved it! It seemed such a different romance set in a beautiful country. The descriptions were fantastic but not too over the top as to take over from the characters. I was really dragged into the story and couldn't put it down. Brilliant!

Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nor Nguyen
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 24 September 2024

Evie Lang's life is in disarray after losing her beloved aunt and being fired from her poetry professorship. With no income or inspiration, she receives an unexpected letter informing her that her aunt has left her a house in San Francisco, with one condition: Evie must participate in a pre-arranged matchmaking tour in Vietnam.

Adam Quyền, eager to prove himself at his sister's elite matchmaking company, reluctantly joins the first tour. Despite finding Evie chaotic and unpredictable, while she sees him as grumpy and uptight, their undeniable chemistry and charged animosity lead them to discover potential love in an unexpected place.

"Adam and Evie's Matchmaking Tour" is a charming exploration of the grumpy-sunshine dynamic, with Evie and Adam's evolving relationship delivering humour and heartfelt moments. Nguyen skilfully balances light-hearted scenes with deeper themes of family, grief, and love, set against the vibrant backdrop of Vietnam.

This spicy page-turner is perfect for romance enthusiasts, especially those interested in cultural immersion and opposites attracting. With its genuine plot, lovable characters, and captivating setting, the novel celebrates imperfections and the courage to take chances in love and life. A delightful journey through the complexities of relationships, it leaves readers with a sense of adventure and a belief in unexpected romance.

Truly a must-read for fans of romantic comedy seeking both entertainment and depth.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Quercus Books, and the author, Nora Nguyen, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I had such high hopes after reading the other reviews but sadly ended up disappointed by this book. Now I love a good forced-proximity, grumpy-sunshine story, and the matchmaking tour itself is a cool idea for a meet-cute so I was super excited going into it but this just didn’t work for me. I think it was a combination of the writing style - especially the dialogue which I found to be unnatural - and the 3rd person POV that made me feel disconnected from the characters and overall story. This kind of pulled me out of the story so I didn’t feel immersed in it like I do most of them time when reading, but rather I was overly aware that I was reading words on a page :((

I found the main characters frustrating to read about at times, and I just didn’t really connect with or relate to their backstories and motivations throughout the book. The pretty much instant “I’m super annoyed but also unexplainably attracted to you” vibe felt forced and the chemistry just wasn’t really there.

All in all, this book was a light, summery romance read that takes you on a vivid tour of Vietnam. There was love island-type drama between the characters that had me entertained at times. I can see how people might enjoy this one but it wasn’t my cup of tea sadly.

i can’t wait to be able to read this in print, this book makes for a perfect summer read!!

i’m obsessed with the way that they meet eachother it’s so adorable. i love that it’s different from the constantly replicated typical romance/ romcom tropes. i also love the fact that both characters weren’t rigidly stuck in their archetypes of ‘grumpy’ and ‘sunshine’ as it made the characters so much more enjoyable and believable m.

usually i’m not a huge fan of third person narration in romance novels but i think with the dual perspective it feels less detached and so works quite well

the descriptions of the scenery and food that adam and evie experienced on the tour were so immersive it’s made travelling vietnam part of my bucket list, the author illustrates the country so vividly and with so much tenderness.

Title: Adam and Evie's Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen

Release Date: September, 24th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

"Adam and Evie's Matchmaking Tour" by Nora Nguyen is a delightful and heartwarming novel that takes readers on a romantic journey through the vibrant landscapes of Vietnam.

This book is a charming blend of humour, romance, and adventure, with a touch of cultural exploration that makes it a standout in the contemporary romance genre.

Evie Lang's life is in turmoil after the loss of her aunt and her unexpected dismissal from her job. Her fortunes change when she inherits her aunt's San Francisco row house, but with a unique condition: she must embark on a matchmaking tour in Vietnam. Despite her initial reluctance, Evie's curiosity and the allure of visiting her family's homeland draw her into this unexpected adventure.

Adam Quyền, the CMO of his sister's matchmaking business, is a skeptic when it comes to love. His determination to prove his worth leads him to join the tour, where he meets Evie. Their initial clash of personalities—Evie's chaotic and unpredictable nature versus Adam's grumpy and uptight demeanour—soon gives way to an undeniable chemistry as they navigate the tour together.

The novel is a masterful exploration of the grumpy-sunshine trope, with Evie and Adam's evolving relationship providing both humour and heart.

Nguyen's writing is beautifully balanced, weaving together the light-hearted moments with deeper themes of family, grief, and the courage to love. The setting of Vietnam is vividly described, offering readers a rich cultural experience that complements the romantic narrative.

"Adam and Evie's Matchmaking Tour" is a spicy page-turner that will captivate romance fans, especially those who enjoy the exploration of cultural backgrounds and the dynamics of opposites attracting. The novel's genuine plot, deeply likeable characters, and stunning setting make it a memorable read!

It's a story that celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the power of taking leaps of faith in both love and life.

This novel is a delightful romp through the complexities of love and the human experience. It's a book that will leave readers with a sense of adventure and a belief in the possibility of finding love in the most unexpected places. "Adam and Evie's Matchmaking Tour" is a must-read for anyone looking for a romantic comedy that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Thank you to The Publisher Quercus Books | Quercus ,The Author Nora Nguyen & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

A lovely romance with a Vietnamese twist. I loved the depth of the 2 main characters and the steamy scenes kept me interested. The setting sounds beautiful and makes me want to travel! I found it frustrating at times and wished that the characters and got together slightly earlier in the book!