Thank you Netgalley and Avon for this ARC. What a fantastic trip through Vietnam with this enemies to lovers couple. The descriptions of the landscape were so vivid, I felt submersed in the view. I loved learning about the culture in the midst of complicated family dynamics and the main characters trying to figure out what their futures hold. A fun and sweet reading experience.

This was such a cute and sweet romance. I loved seeing Vietnam in this book and getting to experience such beautiful places I will most likely never get to go. This was fun and definitely worth the read!

Nora Nguyen is the new romance pen name for acclaimed literary fiction novelist Thao Thai, and this debut romance release is the perfect selection for readers craving armchair travel adventures.

When Evie's auntie passes away, she leaves her a complicated inheritance. She can inherit her San Francisco rowhouse on one stipulation- she must go on a luxury matchmaking tour of Vietnam.

Although this is a bit meddlesome, her aunt thoughtfully chooses a brand new feminist-run tour perfect for a spirited poet. She does not have to fall in love, but at the ripe age of thirty-two, what would it hurt to take her aunt up on a free vacation? As she leaves behind an academic career that never got her vision and a man with whom she has little chemistry, she sets out on a picturesque adventure to explore Vietnam through the adorably named Love Yêu matchmaking group tour.

But when sparks begin to fly between her and the company's grumpy CMO, Evie finds more than she ever bargained for while pursuing her dream estate.

This gorgeously written novel perfectly captures the unexpected camaraderie of group travel experiences. You will be transported to boisterous, wild, drunken karaoke nights, exploring caves, and savoring street vendor foods. It’s a wholly immersive travel experience for any reader.

However, the author excels at capturing all the great love stories, from familial love to love oneself. As Evie understands elements of her family's story and Adam discovers that his happiness is just as important as his family's legacy-building business, these revelations give readers so much to root for.

Nguyen wrote this novel during the pandemic when Vietnamese borders were closed to visitors. She longed to return to this country and begin to write of it, partially garnered through inspiration from a tour she took exploring many of its beautiful landmarks (and a little armchair travel herself). This delivers a sophisticated, steamy, open-door romance that will be an enormous hit for our Abby Jimenez fans who like emotional layers to their love stories!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for a copy of this book!

The book's premise was really refreshing - a matchmaking trip where the FMC was sent by her grandmother who passed away, and the MMC works for the company. Totally different from most of what I read this year, so it piqued my interest.

The dynamics between the main characters were interesting...sometimes hot, sometimes cold. There were moments when I couldn't tell if there was chemistry between them, and others where it was beyond clear. Also, I found the mild enemies-to-lovers angle to detract from the story...I would've rather let the plot itself unfold without that trope being present.

I loved the ending and found it so, so sweet! Highly recommend!

I couldn’t get into this one. The chemistry was lacking, which is important for a romance! The writing about the scenery and history was fantastic though!

Nora Nguyen’s Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour is a delightful romantic comedy brimming with charm, witty banter, and an irresistible premise. Nguyen seamlessly blends heartfelt romance with laugh-out-loud humor, creating a story that feels like a warm hug from start to finish.

The novel follows Adam, a cynical travel blogger, and Evie, a hopeless romantic who runs a boutique matchmaking business. When a chance encounter leads them to co-host a cross-country matchmaking tour, sparks fly—not just between their clients but between the two of them. Along the way, they navigate their own clashing personalities, past heartbreaks, and the chaos of bringing strangers together in the name of love.

Nguyen’s writing is effervescent, perfectly capturing the chemistry between Adam and Evie. Their dynamic is equal parts antagonistic and endearing, with moments of vulnerability that make their budding relationship all the more compelling. The matchmaking tour itself provides a colorful backdrop, with quirky clients and unexpected pairings adding layers of humor and heart to the narrative.

The settings, from bustling cityscapes to picturesque small towns, are vividly described, enhancing the sense of adventure. Nguyen’s attention to detail makes the tour feel like a character in its own right, reflecting the growth and transformation of the protagonists as they learn more about themselves and each other.

While the novel is undeniably fun, it also delves into themes of trust, self-discovery, and the many forms love can take. These deeper moments add emotional depth to the lighthearted plot, ensuring the story resonates on multiple levels.

Rating: 4.5/5

Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour is a charming, feel-good read that will leave readers swooning and smiling. Perfect for fans of opposites-attract romances and travel-inspired adventures, Nguyen’s novel is a must-read for anyone who believes in the magic of love and serendipity.

This was a cute love story set in Viet Nam. Evie, a biracial American poet, travels on an all expenses paid luxury matchmaking tour in her father's native Viet Nam. She is only taking the trip to satisfy her inheritance--a SF row house if she takes the trip. There, she meets the tour owner's younger brother, a very buttoned up, very wealthy man named Adam. They fall in love, despite all reservations, as they travel around the country. Both have their walls up with so many reasons why they shouldn't--and couldn't-work. But will they make it work after all? I liked it, but didn't love it. Evie's character was hard to pin down-free spirit or quiet observer? She seemed so different in Viet Nam than in the US. But it was an enjoyable story and made me want to book a trip to Viet Nam soon!

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC. While I’ve heard great things about this book, it didn’t grab my attention.

I shared this book on my Fall 2024 Book Preview podcast episode before I'd read it.
DNF at 32%
So…this one felt disjointed.
She did a good job with any parts of the story that didn’t involve the actual romance - particularly Evie’s home life and backstory.
But the parts that involved the actual romance felt clunky and kind of like network TV. Too in your face.
The banter felt overly aggressive. Adam & Evie hate each other so much and they so openly banter about how much they hate each other, but they don’t have anything in their backgrounds really to make them hate each other that much. They had a five second run-in in the street. I just didn’t buy it.
Evie’s character in particular felt inconsistent. The Evie that went on the tour in Vietnam felt totally different from the Evie we met back in the states. Vietnam Evie is a rule-breaker, very outspoken, and has no problem firing back at people. The Evie in the States didn’t seem like that at all. It felt like I was reading about 2 different people without any understanding of how US Evie turned into Vietnam Evie.

A really fun romance novel that highlights the beautiful of Vietnam. It def made me want to visit one day!! And I also loved the discussion on family expectations and finding how to decide what makes you happy, while staying connected with family. I also love a handsome Asian protagonist! We need more hot Asian male characters!

This was adorable. I loved the auntie and the setting! I don’t think I’ve read a book set in Vietnam. The romance is very sweet and I love the two main characters—complex without being whiny. Definitely a great summer read!

I loved the last 15% or so of this book! There were parts of the rest that I liked, but it really felt like it dragged at points. The narrative also felt crowded with secondary characters that were hard to keep straight.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

Adam & Evie's Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen: 5 stars

UGH, I WAS OBSESSED—this book was literally so wonderful! Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour has everything I didn’t know I needed, and I absolutely loved it.

Evie Lang has been stuck in a rut for a while, but everything changes when her beloved Auntie Hảo passes away and leaves her the home where she spent many happy summers. The catch? In order to receive her inheritance, she must go on a matchmaking tour in Vietnam. After a not-so-glamorous firing from her not-so-secret boyfriend and supervisor, Evie figures she has nothing to lose and decides to take the plunge.

Enter Adam, the grumpy, brooding CMO of Love Yeu, the matchmaking tour company. He’s a man who's completely given up on love after a very public proposal gone wrong. Adam and Evie’s paths cross by chance before the tour even begins when Evie saves a chicken crossing the road, and Adam steps in to make sure she’s not injured. Their chemistry is electric from the start.

The banter, the sass, the undeniable chemistry—honestly, this book made me laugh out loud several times. I couldn’t get enough of the witty exchanges between Evie and Adam. The dynamic between them is delightful, and the romantic tension is just perfect. The characters felt so real and flawed, and I loved how their personalities complemented each other. Their journey together was filled with adventure, humor, and spice (and it’s spicy in all the best ways!).

The glimpses of Auntie Hảo were both heartwarming and tear-jerking. The portrayal of Evie and Auntie Hảo relationship was tender, wild, and fragile—so vividly written that I truly felt connected to her even after she was gone. It added such a lovely, emotional layer to the story.

The descriptions of Vietnam were absolutely stunning and made me want to book a flight immediately. The rich cultural details and beautiful settings brought the story to life in a way that felt immersive and exciting.

If this book is on your TBR, don’t wait any longer. It’s an absolute treasure, brimming with romance, adventure, and deeply relatable characters. I LOVED IT.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. In the spirit of this honesty I must report that I DNFed this at 25%. The writing didn’t hook me in and I didn’t get the chemistry. I am bummed about it though because the setting was lovely and I was looking forward to learning more about modern day Vietnam.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen. Evie’s father is Vietnamese, but married her mother and lived in America until his death. Evie has never visited Vietnam, but his sister has kept it alive for Evie with stories. When her aunt dies, she leaves her an amazing San Francisco house, with the stipulation that she goes on a luxury matchmaking tour in Vietnam. She leaves her not great boyfriend and her not great job as a college professor to go on the tour, with no expectations, just hoping for a beautiful vacation. While there, the matchmaking does not exactly happen as planned, but she does fall for a man. Of course, there are complications. This is a very light read, definitely a romcom. Fun for a beach read or something like that. #adam&eviesmatchmakingtour #noranguyen #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #arc #romcom #romancenovel #bookstagram #takeapagefrommybook #lovetoread

A clause in Evie’s beloved Auntie Hao’s last will and testament prevents poetry professor Evie from inheriting her home unless–or until–she goes on a matching tour of Viet Nam with Love Yeu Tours. Guests pay $10,000 to see the sights of Viet Nam, discovering the best the country has to offer, while hoping to connect romantically with a like-minded individual in a similiar social / class tier. Each member has a dossier on every other eligible guest, and owner Ruby arranges solo dates in between each day’s choices of events. The tourists visit museums and palaces, snorkle and hike, dance and sing, dine at extravant restaurants, and experience the hospitality and the judgement of the locals.

The narrative alternates between Adam, the new chief marketing officer and co-owner with his sister, and Evie, who decides (after her boyfriend, who is also her boss, doesn’t shield her from the fact he’s interviewing her replacement before having the decency to fire her) that a mental and physical break, with a prospect of new love, is in many ways just what Evie needs. She lets loose through outspokenness, fashion, and the activities she pursues, including chasing her attraction to Adam. The tour culinimates at the home of the chief investor, Ruby and Adam’s father, who upon noticing his son’s attraction to a mixed race woman and threatens to pull the purse strings–not just the ones that fund the business, but his son’s living expenses.

The story is infused with Vietnamese culture, particularly responsibility to parents, and preferred qualities for traditional gender roles. Both protagonists are examining their responses to abusive parents, in particular, and in their own way. Vietnamese words have appropriate diacritics, adding another layer of authenticity. The writing is a feast for the appetite, with lush descriptions of the food, the scenery, the luxurious places the tour group visits, and many allusions. The action is so clear, with such vivid description, it’s almost cinematic, and Evie’s mother’s email, when she reaches out, is nearly a poem in and of itself.

The characters are strong, including others on the tour: Talia, a former Miss Sai Gon who becomes a friend even though Ruby is trying to nudge Adam at Evie; Fen, a pansexual actress; Riley, a very sweet professor who seems to really like Evie; Pin, a banker. The protagonists are complex: Evie comes off as brash, wild, and a bit difficult at first, while Adam is judged as serious, no fun, and maybe not in the running to pair off into a couple with the others on the tour. Their attraction is undeniable, but every time they get close and it seems like something might happen, they are interrupted or the moment passes. If they do fool around, fickle Adam remembers his last bad breakup and pulls back, or Evie is reminded of her British lover, who continues to text her in a comradley sort of way, and detours. The push-pull dynamic creates a delicious slow burn.

The novel is more literary and moody than most romances, and may be best categorized as fiction with strong romantic elements. Heart & Seoul and Seoulmates, both by Jen Frederick, is a solid readalike about identity, travel, finding one’s purpose, and falling in love at an inopportune time.

I recieved a free advance reader’s review copy of #Adam&EviesMatchmakingTour via #NetGalley courtesy of #Avon.

This was right up my alley and I was so excited from the start, getting into the lore of the FMC's aunt's will and their close and unique relationship. And switching to the MMC and his dynamic and banter with his sister, pressure of the company's need for success, etc. But then this book really stalled for me. There was quite a bit of repetition. I even switched to the audio at 2x speed to see if we could get to the romance. The characters' motivations were just repeated too many times, I wanted to skip the inner monologue about it as it was very clear what was going on and I just wanted the tour to start.

So overall I felt like a bit of underbaked romance even though the bones of this book are solid as well as the setting. Thank you to Avon for the eARC.

this was a good book! I like how the aunt set up her niece to be on this matchmaking tour as a requirement to get the inheritance. It is the typical "both people not interested in being matched up" who of course hit it off. It was interesting and kept me entertained while reading.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Thank you to the Book Club Girl Newsletter and Net Galley for the ARC. This was a fun romance read. There are two components I love about this book: the first is the setting. I've not read many books set in modern day Vietnam and the setting is a tour of Vietnam historical sights, so it is informative as well. The second part is the main characters are opposites, but their differences make the story line interesting, and I love how the ending honors them both. A great read!

A journey through Vietnam provides the perfect setting for this charming romance. With a delightful grumpy-sunshine dynamic and a wonderful supporting cast, the story blends humor and love while exploring deeper themes of grief, family traditions, and the pressures of rigid expectations. It's a captivating read that balances lighthearted moments with more meaningful, emotional depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.