Title: The Matchmaker's List
Author: Sonya Lalli
Genre: Contemportary/Realistic Fiction
Pages: 352 (Paperback - ARC)
Publisher: Berkley Books
Publication date: February 5th, 2019
Synopsis from The Matchmaker's List's Goodreads page
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.
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.
THOUGHTS
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book was just what I needed right now. So much so, that I read it in one sitting. One single sitting. I adored how cute and sweet this book was, but also how sad it was at times.
I loved the characters in this book, as each one of them was interesting and fascinating in their own way. They all had issues of their own, and they all seemed very realistic in their own ways. I loved how they interacted with each other, how they spoke to each other, and how they felt about each other. They all had amazing character development, and I adored them all.
The setting of this book was also super cool! As someone who lives fairly near Toronto, I loved being able to read about places that I am familiar with and places that I have been to. It makes the story much more enjoyable and definitely much more realistic when you have been to the places described in the book, and it makes the story stick with you much more.
I also adored the plot of this book. I felt sad for certain characters and happy for others. I felt their anger and frustration, and the love they had for each other. I felt everything that the characters were feeling, and I understood the reasons why certain characters said and did certain things that they did, (even if I wouldn't do them). The plot itself is sad at times and happy at others, frustrating and beautiful and something that many people will be able to understand and resonate with.
This book is about trying to find yourself, what is important to you, who you want to be and what you want to do with your life, and I'm so glad that I read it at a time in my life that I feel all of these things, and am trying to solve the same issues. This is a beautiful story that I recommend everyone an anyone to read!
This book was just what I needed right now. So much so, that I read it in one sitting. One single sitting. I adored how cute and sweet this book was, but also how sad it was at times.
I loved the characters in this book, as each one of them was interesting and fascinating in their own way. They all had issues of their own, and they all seemed very realistic in their own ways. I loved how they interacted with each other, how they spoke to each other, and how they felt about each other. They all had amazing character development, and I adored them all.
The setting of this book was also super cool! As someone who lives fairly near Toronto, I loved being able to read about places that I am familiar with and places that I have been to. It makes the story much more enjoyable and definitely much more realistic when you have been to the places described in the book, and it makes the story stick with you much more.
I also adored the plot of this book. I felt sad for certain characters and happy for others. I felt their anger and frustration, and the love they had for each other. I felt everything that the characters were feeling, and I understood the reasons why certain characters said and did certain things that they did, (even if I wouldn't do them). The plot itself is sad at times and happy at others, frustrating and beautiful and something that many people will be able to understand and resonate with.
This book is about trying to find yourself, what is important to you, who you want to be and what you want to do with your life, and I'm so glad that I read it at a time in my life that I feel all of these things, and am trying to solve the same issues. This is a beautiful story that I recommend everyone an anyone to read!
Overall - ★★★★☆.5
Q&A With Sonya Lalli!
How did you come up with the idea for The Matchmaker's List?
There wasn’t one particular moment or incident that I can pin down and say led to this book. I’ve always loved writing and now and then had characters and their stories appear in my head. Raina’s came along when I was about twenty-five, and I was at that age where I was done university and had started working. And I was single, and so I was starting to get some ‘looks’ from aunties that I perceived as: tick tock, it’s time to start thinking about marriage. And the rest was history!
Are any of the characters in your book based on people in your real life?
Absolutely. Nani’s personality is very similar to my real-life grandmother. They are both loving and feisty, sweet and compassionate. And they are great cooks! Actually, I also have a very close bond with my Nani, just like Raina. I also borrowed some personality traits for Shay from a few of my close friends.
What is your favourite place to write?
I’ve moved around a bit so I’ve actually lived in four (wait, maybe five??) different apartments since I started writing The Matchmaker’s List. I like writing in pyjamas or yoga pants at home, but even if the place I was living at the time had a desk I still would often write at the kitchen table. I clear it completely and have my laptop right in front of me, a pen and notebook to the left, and a cup of chai to my right.
How many books do you read in a year?
That’s very difficult to say. There were times in my life where I was so busy studying or working that I didn’t get to read much for pleasure, and would only read a book or two on holiday. (So maybe, those years, I read six or seven books.) But over the past five years, I really have started to make time to read no matter my schedule. Not only is it relaxing and ensures I have ‘me time’, it’s important for my own writing too. Lately, I probably read a book after week or two. So on average, I’d say about 40.
