This was a fun read and I enjoyed the cultural aspect of this book. I also really enjoyed the chemistry between Adam and Evie. Overall, lots of fun.

(4.5☆)

i really really enjoyed this book! i am obsessed with a forced-proximity, grumpy-sunshine story, and the matchmaking tour was a perfect, fun adventure to have it set. it’s such a perfect summer read (and an easy one too!!) and i wasn’t able to put it down. every character had a story and i felt connect to each one of them, even the background characters, and in such a short book that’s hard to do but wow nora nguyen made it look easy.

i loved the way the book was set in việt nam because it added so much, from the descriptions of the places to the people to the food to the culture! as someone who has aphantasia i usually stray away from descriptive books like this because i find it hard to emerge myself in the story, but i honestly had no issue.

the only reason this book doesn’t get a 5 star from me is because it’s written in the third person which isn’t my favourite because i sometimes i end up getting lost and having to go back and reread parts so i don’t confuse myself! (but that’s a personal thing so don’t let it put you off!) i love a good dual pov and this book DELIVERED!!

this book is a must read for anyone looking for a summer romcom that is entertaining but also pulls at your heartstrings a bit!

Okay so the thing is, I've never been a romance girly and it's just this past year or so that I've found romance to be the perfect palate cleanser between my preferred heavy fantasy and fiction reads, or just the thing to get me out of a reading slump. So, this not being my genre also makes me really picky about what I like, and more importantly dislike in a romance book. I need actual good prose, relatable characters, humor, emotional depth and a strong plot line to enjoy a romance novel. I know smut comes with the territory, but it's incredibly low on my list of things I care about. It's not a USP for me. I'm here for the tension and the plot, and have a very low cheese and cringe-tolerance. So bear all this in mind when you read the rest of my review and take it with a grain of salt. I'm hard to please, and truthfully this book is WAY better than a lot of the popular romance books I've read that people seem to love (but I actually hated).

Let's begin shall we.
I want to start off by saying I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. As a diaspora kid myself (although not from South East Asia), these kinds of stories really intrigue me and they are very underrepresented in the genre, which made me super excited to read this, and I blew through the entire thing in a day.

While I am not a big fan of the 3rd person POV, the actual prose is really good, and Nora Nguyen's literary talent really shines in her depictions of Việt Nam. I am absolutely awestruck by the vivid and beautiful descriptions of the architecture, the beautiful settings, the food and culture and by the interesting historical facts. Though I've never visited Việt Nam myself, I could really picture all the beauty, and was constantly looking up all the places they were travelling to, and the dishes I wasn't already familiar with. As someone who was raised by immigrant parents in the west, who has never experienced her homeland I could really relate to Evie's yearning, and her difficulty to claim Việt Nam as her own, and I really wish we had seen more of that emotional journey, and an elaboration into that experience that has so much untapped depth that we only just begin to scrape the surface of in this book.

So, here is my issue, and what ultimately makes me land on 3🌟 rating.
I'm not really vibing with the romantic plot. It's not the characters faults, I actually really like them all. I like Evie and Adam and the friends they make (although I do wish we had gotten to know them all better), but the romantic plot just isn't there for me, and I think maybe it's the case of the trope marketing striking again, as it so often does.

Since this book was marketed as enemies to lovers, I went in with a set of expectations and was deeply disappointed. Because they're never really enemies, or even dislike eachother, do they?
It's more like: bad first impression to brief dislike to lust back to somewhat mild dislike mixed with lust and back and forward over and over until we go from lust to love, and all in a pretty short amount of time. It gave me whiplash, especially since there was a tendency to skip forward a few days between a lot of the chapters and I feel like we miss out on a lot of the tension and the characters gradually growing on each other as they get to know one another.

I'm seeing more and more of this in books nowadays, where it feels like these popular tropes are kind of being forced in, to market the books, but then they don't really fit the narrative and it just ends up being half-assed and it's such a shame to not just let a story be it's story, without forcing these buzzword hype tropes either into the story itself, or into the mind of the reader, because that inevitably makes the reader expect certain things that, in this case, the book does not deliver.

It was all too quick and, I feel like they very rarely actually had proper "getting to know you"-conversations, which made the falling in love part hard to buy into.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this! It was sweet and funny and a good book. But it wasn't great(4🌟), and it wasn't spectacular (5🌟). And unfortunately, for me, the romance is to blame.

Honestly I could have read 400 pages just about Evie travelling this beautiful country, meeting interesting people and reconnecting and claiming her heritage, and that would have been a 5 star book for me, because those are the moments this book really shines.

I am incredibly grateful to Quercus Books for sending me a copy of this to review, also thank you to NetGalley. As always, all opinions are sincere and my own.

This was a sexy read. Adam and Evie may be opposites, but they are both endearing and their emotions are laid out in the book. The hurtful and hurting family relationships, uncertainty about next steps and a love of Viet Nam unites them. The book concentrates on the couple and really explores them getting together and how they are changed and opened up to each other and the world. There is some of the amazing country although I could have done with more. There is something joyous about the book, and I always love a good epilogue,

Soft DNF at 50 percent


This book just wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy the writing style and felt very detached from the characters.

Maybe it's just the wrong book for me right now. Hence the 2.5 star rating upped to 3. I might try reading again in a few months.

• Love bravely •

‘Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour’ by Nora Nguyen is an enemies-to-lovers romance. As the title hints, the story takes off as the protagonists embark on a sweeping matchmaking tour through Việt Nam.
While Adam reluctantly joins the tour due to his meddling big sister and boss, Evie is practically forced thanks to an inheritance-with-conditions done right by her beloved aunt.

“…Evie-pie, I love you so much that I think I might burst with it. My hopes for you are myriad, and I believe that you will soon find the path to your wildest dreams, even the ones you are too afraid to speak aloud. —Auntie Hảo”

The narrative follows Adam and Evie’s journey of adventure and self-discovery—both of themselves and each other. They explore their dreams and desires, their heritage, and balance attraction, grief, and family drama, ultimately finding the courage to love freely.

The story is well-written and full of heat, emotion, great banter, and romance, as well as being a love letter to the beauty of the land and culture of Việt Nam. It made me dream of booking a tour through the bustling cities, emerald landscapes, pristine beaches, and historical landmarks of Việt Nam.

Although the poetic language sometimes overshadowed the emotional side of the story, which is essential to any great romance, I highly recommend ‘Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour’ to anyone who loves traveling and the serendipitous possibilities of love.

3,75⭐️

I believe this is Nguyen’s debut as a romance novelist, but she has also written the acclaimed historical fiction novel ‘Banyan Moon’ under the name Thao Thai, (now on my TBR).

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for providing me with this ARC.

I really enjoyed this cute strangers to lovers romance. I love Viêt Nam and it was lovely to read a story set there - I felt like I was back in SE Asia! I was routing for Evie and Adam and [spoiler alert] I was super pleased to see the character development and the way their lives together worked out in the end.

This book has the most romantic and wonderful descriptions. It is sweet and soft with some underlying harder issues and parental pressure.
I gave this 3.5 stars rounded up because whilst the love story is lovely, it wasn’t for me. I struggled to really get behind the couple, it felt like harder work to me.
The side characters for me felt a little too brash and not really listening to the main characters, it actually felt like no one listened to them, not even themselves.
It’s a beautifully written book, and the themes are well represented, it just wasn’t the book for me. But I know full well how many people will adore this and it deserves that.

4.25 ⭐️

I devoured this book in a day. I became consumed by the atmospheric writing, and the descriptions of the beautiful locations in Vietnam. I felt full immersed into the book. Having visited Vietnam myself, I was seeing it through fresh eyes, and I wish I could have seen some of the sights described in this story.

What to expect:

💛 Forced Proximity
💛 He Falls First and Harder
💛 Vietnamese culture and locations
💛 Mentions of loss and grief
💛 Grumpy x Sunshine
💛 Epic ribbing and banter
💛 Opposites attract

What I loved most about this book was the banter and ribbing Adam and Evie immediately fell into. Adam was uptight when we first meet him. The weight of his parents expectations are bearing down on him, and this is a strong theme throughout this book. The pressure and expectations of Vietnamese parents on their children, and how thay affects and defines their lives.
It also highlights the cultural differences between Vietnamese Amercans and Vietnamese who live and have made their life in Vietnam, even with the wars that had plagued the country. This books is rich with a bit of history but lots of beautiful descriptions of the country, it's like a travel guide and a romance all wrapped up in one.
I really liked Evie too, she was chaotic and a little lost, but I loved her growth and her journey towards her future.
She may not have gone in the matchmaking tour originally to find love, but sometimes life is so unpredictable.
The supporting cast of characters in the tour were also really good fun, and each had their own love story going on in the background.
This book is about all sorts of different love and I highly recommend for a late summer read 💛

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!