When I first started reading this book, I thought it would be another predictable romance novel -- boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. And it is that. But it's also much more. Despite being a combination of a Hallmark movie, Sex and the City and Crazy Rich Asians, the book, which has a love story as its focal point, also deals with issues of self worth, self identity and finding your own version of success and happiness, all set on a backdrop of Vietnamese sights and sounds. It includes an eccentric set of characters, all likable and all relatable. I definitely enjoyed this book, and I would recommend that others give it a chance as well.

DNF…

I felt that there was way too much filler in this to the point of boredom. It took too long to get to the premise of the story. There were so many things that could’ve stayed out of the book. This was too dull for me to finish.

Even though the plot had a lot of potential, it fell short on delivering the fun romance I was hoping for. However, I really enjoyed the writing! It was beautiful and poetic and resonated with me so deeply.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Adam and Evie's Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen!

A delightful, adventure-filled romance with sizzling chemistry and heartwarming moments. Adam and Evie’s reluctant connection blossoms against the vibrant backdrop of Việt Nam, making for a fun and emotional journey. Perfect for fans of grumpy-meets-sunshine tropes and stories about love, self-discovery, and embracing the unexpected.

Thank you for the advanced copy. I really liked this book! It had a perfect Rom-Com feel similar to Crazy Rich Asians. It was an easy read, but still felt mature. I the characters felt well developed, especially Evie and Adam. I found their relationship to be believable and realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to friends who also like contemporary romance novels.

The 3rd person POV prevented me from really sinking into this story and connecting with the characters. I love the scenery and the entire idea of a matchmaking tour, but the story didn't grab me and I found my mind wandering as I read. I ended up not finishing it, and will not be writing a more in-depth review than this.

the romance in this book didn't completely work for me, but i did love the setting and the writing! i will check out the author's other books under her other author name.

I was so thrilled to see a book with Vietnamese main characters and even set in Vietnam. It has such a fun and enticing premise as well! There are some things I absolutely loved about this book and some elements that just could have been stronger.

The romance, once it really picked up, did seem a bit forced and typical in a way that so many other romantic comedy books tend to fall into. A bit overly angsty, a lot of miscommunication, and head over heels, almost-aggressive actions taken by our male lead that seemed out of character from how he was in the rest of the book.

It is unfortunate that I didn't love the actual romance as much because the rest of the writing was so incredibly engaging and well-done. The description of the locales visited on the tour, all the food mentioned, and the depictions of culture and people were so very immersive. I loved being along for the ride with Adam, Evie, and the rest of the tour group. This portion of the story was truly a fun time and it's too bad that the main part of this romance story couldn't quite round out the book as a whole.

As a Vietnamese person who rarely sees this representation and has always wanted to experience all there is to see, taste, and try in the motherland, this was still such a great book to pick up. I hope Nora Nguyen can continue to improve her writing and keep telling fun stories.

I really enjoyed this story. There is not only the Rom-com situations but also a look at family expectations and the different ways they affect each family member and the romantic relationship. There's not only self-growth but also growth in the sibling relationships with the main characters and Adam's sister. The descriptions of Viet Nam and the life styles are wonderful.

i’m unfortunately dnf’ing this one for now…

the culture was interesting and i would’ve loved getting to know more about this including our fmc’s family, but the mmc was giving me the ick and i was feeling a bit of a disconnect from the romance. the writing itself so far is gorgeous and i enjoy nguyen’s storytelling abilities. as i have not completed it, i will not be providing a public review 🩷

This book is obviously a love letter to Vietnam--the people, the scenery, the history, the food, and the culture. Hopefully, it will tempt some people to take a look into visiting, who Nora Nguyen portrays as a truly beautiful place.

As for the story itself, poet and college professor Evie Lang's life has imploded, and when an opportunity arises to visit the homeland, she reluctantly takes it. (I don't really understand her reluctance considering what happens to her. No spoilers here.) Her Auntie Hao has left her a townhouse in San Francisco on the condition she visit Vietnam and take an all-expense-paid luxury matchmaking tour. This is where is meets grumpy Adam. He and his sister Ruth run the company that is hosting the matchmaking tour.

There is a hilarious meet cute involving a motorcycle and a roving rooster (or chicken, I can't remember which) that sets-up the dislike between Adam and Evie, but of course, both soon start to warm-up to each other against the lush backdrop of Vietnam.

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.