Member Reviews

A fun vacation romance set in Vietnam. It was an enjoyable read. I just couldn't relate very well to the characters

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This was such a lovely read! Fun to follow Evie and Adam on their adventure, it felt alot like an adult Vietnamese version of Loveboat Taipei.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the e-galley!

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This book was a Rom Com that I can see totally turning into a movie! I think some of what I loved about this book is that it is two people coming from different backgrounds. I like the narrative that is grumpy/sunshine, kind of forced proximity as they are forced to be on the same trip together. It makes me want to start a fresh page of life and go on a matchmaking tour to find love!

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This rom-com was extremely cute—I absolutely inhaled it. Adam and Evie are both at a crossroads and despite having nothing else in common, they are both on a matchmaking tour through Vietnam together. Adam's the CMO, whose founder sister has insisted he go along on the tour while Evie is checking it off the list of requirements she needs to receive the deed to her beloved late aunt's San Francisco house. Trading back and forth with dual perspectives, Nora Nguyen wrote both Adam and Evie with such great chemistry and how their perspectives flowed together was really well-executed.

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This is another title I would generally never pick to read for myself. However, I have been trying to enhance our romance selections after requests from my patrons. As such, I decided to give this book a chance. I found that it has much to offer. I think the Vietnam setting is deftly used as almost a minor character - readers with any interest in this Southeastern Aisa location will find much to love. Of course the two main characters will end up together. Watching their struggles as they work to build a strong relationship is exactly the type story I have been asked to add to my library.

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A fun debut opposites attract, dual POV, travel romance that has Vietnamese American poet, Evie going on a matchmaking tour in Vietnam to satisfy the requirements of her inheritance after getting let go from her teaching job. While on the tour Evie meets, Adam, the tour company head's brother who reluctantly agree to go along on the inaugural tour to help make sure things run smoothly. While Adam is attracted to Evie right away, he knows they could only ever have a fling since they live on different continents. Steamy and full of heart, this was entertaining and perfect for fans of books like Two for the road by Chantel Guertin. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

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I really enjoyed it. I sweet love story, but layered with grief, tugs of family obligations, life crossroads, adventure! Something for everyone. I could have done without some of the really flowery Romance language but it was sweet and a fun read.

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When I received an ARC of this one, I was so excited! I had been seeing this cover and description everywhere and had such high hopes.

After Evie's aunt passes away, she leaves Evie her house in San Francisco - Evie's summer haven - but there's one catch, Evie must embark on a matchmaking tour throughout Vietnam. While on the journey, she discovers more about herself, love, loss and her heritage.

It was so refreshing to read a romance set in a completely different part of the world, and I loved discovering more about Vietnam and Vietnamese culture through Adam and Evie's evolving romance. The other guests on the matchmaking tour were fun to watch as they went on their own romance journeys; although, it almost felt like there were too many side characters and it was hard to keep them all straight. The tension between Adam & Evie was 10/10 and I enjoyed watching them fall in love, despite all the rampant miscommunication.

My one main struggle with the book was that I didn't feel like Evie had character consistency throughout the book. When she arrived in Vietnam, it seemed as though she was a completely different character that did not line up with the poet we were introduced to at the beginning of the novel. This may be indicative of Evie's self-discovery and growth journey, but it pulled me out of the story at times.

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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e-ARC from NetGalley.

I enjoyed this story and the ways in which it turned some of the typical romance tropes on their heads. We follow Evie, a struggling poet who was recently fired & dumped on the same day, as she fulfills her aunt's last dying wish: to take an-all-expenses paid matchmaking tour across Vietnam. When she gets there, she finds herself drawn not to other members of the tour but to the tour company's grumpy CMO.

This story read as a love letter to Vietnam. It made me want to visit the country, to hike the trails, to sample the food, to see the sights. I didn't understand in the slightest why Evie wanted to return to the US afterward. I would have stayed forever.

I think the reason I couldn't give this book a higher rating was because it's a dual POV romance. Adam's hot and cold demeanor was made irritating by knowing his thought process. If I'd had no idea what was going through his head, I would have felt Evie's angst and craved the pair's togetherness. But knowing what he was thinking? Just made his reasons and rationalizations seem weak.

I also don't like the "rich family chases off poor girlfriend by threatening to ruin their own son's future if she doesn't leave" trope.

I will definitely keep track of the author's future work because I'm interested to see what she writes next.

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Overall the concept of this book was interesting. I did struggle to get through it because it was a little slow for my taste. But I did like seeing Vietnam through Evie’s eyes. Although this wasn’t a winner for me I’m sure it will find its perfect audience.

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The setting was absolutely the best part of this book! Loved the trip to Vietnam: the scenery, the food, the vistas.

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It's giving "Crazy Rich Asians" but make it more accessible. I liked this one a lot -- the only thing keeping me from a full five stars is that I didn't quite believe the third act breakup, but hey, as long as there's an HEA, I'm down for the ride.

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Charming,and such this romance follows the predictable formula of boy meets girl, they spar and banter wittily, misunderstandings ensue and then they come together. The highlight her is the Vietnamese setting with exotic locations, food and culture. EvIe is an outgoing poet and Adam is a surly marketing executive of the match making tour Eve participates in. A fun but expected story where th characters are likable the setting is lush and the sex is hot.

Copy Provided by publisher and Netgalley

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was an ok book in my opinion. I thought the book started off a little slow, but picked up in the middle. It was not a bad book in my opinion but there was just something off about it. I may try this book again a little bit later.


Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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A romance novel using the recipe of the main characters resisting their attraction to each other while it is obvious they will end up together. The appeal of this book was the wonderful tour of Vietnam we accompanied Adam and Evie on, while their story unfolded. Evie is a poet and part time professor, losing her job while also grieving her wonderful, eccentric Aunt Hao. Inheriting her aunt’s San Francisco home requires her to go on a matchmaking tour in Vietnam, a luxury tour established by Adam’s sister, Ruby. There are some very hot and steamy scenes. All in all, although not my usual genre, the book was okay. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

First of all, let’s talk about this cover. It’s a stunner. Second of all, I saw a few of my favorite authors (like Annabel Monaghan) recommend this book so I knew I had to give it a read. The setting of this book was so rich and visceral, it really transports you to the lush lands of Vietnam. It has never been on my bucket list of travel but after this read, I need to see it in person one day.


Synopsis:

“Evie Lang’s life is in shambles. On the heels of losing her beloved aunt, she's unceremoniously fired from her poetry professorship by her secret boyfriend. Lacking income and inspiration, she's stuck in Ohio with no idea how to move forward—until hope arrives in a surprising letter.

Auntie Hảo left Evie the deed to her San Francisco row house, a place full of Evie’s happiest memories. The catch? To inherit, she must go on a pre-arranged matchmaking tour in Việt Nam. The last thing Evie wants is to spend time with a group of strangers looking for love. But she can't resist the chance to finally visit her family’s native home.

A world away, Adam Quyền has a chip on his shoulder. He’s working around the clock as CMO for his sister’s elite matchmaking business, a job complicated by her insistence that he knows nothing about love. He’s desperate to prove himself, so when she challenges him to join the inaugural tour, he reluctantly agrees.

Adam thinks Evie is chaotic and unpredictable. Evie thinks Adam is grumpy and uptight. But from the bustling streets of Hồ Chí Minh City to the soaring waterfalls in Đà Lạt, they keep getting thrown together, their animosity charged with attraction…and they discover that true love may be out there, if they are willing to take a leap.

Two stubborn hearts, one whirlwind adventure, Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour is a story of how loving (and living) bravely can lead you to the most unexpected places—and the most imperfectly perfect loves.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:



The Setting—Like I said, I loved this setting. I really felt like the author brought it to life and reading the author’s note at the end solidified how important it was that she share this part of her.

The Concept—Maybe it’s because I’ve never used dating apps, but I am fascinated by the idea of matchmaking. There’s also the stakes of a wealthy, prominent family keeping the main characters apart.

The Writing—This was my first experience with Nguyen and I really liked her prose! I look forward to reading more of her work.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Chemistry/Pacing of the Relationship—One thing about me, I am very picky about the Insta-Love trope. I don’t think this book was quite insta-love but it had some aspects of it that didn’t leave me connecting to the main characters’ attraction to each other.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 3.75/5
Content Warnings:

grief, death of a loved one

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This book cover pulled me in and then I fell in love with all the beautiful descriptive locations throughout Vietnam that was mentioned in this book!! I want to book a trip there now! I loved all the adventures, the food and the slow burn romance between Adam and Evie. These two are complete opposites but yet fate seems to keep pushing them together. So much all in this story- it’s a wonderful read and a whole adventure.

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Of course the two least likely to pair up on an extravagant matchmaking tour in Vietnam would ultimately find their way to each other. Evie is a poet from Ohio, Adam is the CMO of the tour company in Vietnam. Each navigating a rough patch in their career and love lives that cause them to go on the tour with no expectations other than to escape reality. Evie is quirky and fun, Adam is a buttoned up suit, but hey, opposites attract. It was a sloooow build to them realizing they had fallen for each other and then it moved so quickly into baby/sweetheart talk that seemed a bit too soon for the pace of the book, but I guess someone out there has moved that fast in 3 weeks time.

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What initially drew me to this book is its setting in Vietnam, one of my favorite countries where I’ve spent significant time.

Our FMC, Evie, is a professor and poet who is going through a tough time. She’s just lost her beloved aunt, and to make matters worse, her secret boyfriend (who also happens to be her boss) unceremoniously fires her. After her aunt’s passing, Evie inherits her aunt’s house in San Francisco, but there’s a catch: she must go on a matchmaking tour through Vietnam to claim it. Evie, who is half Vietnamese, is excited to tour the country, but the matchmaking aspect? Not so much.

On the other hand, our MMC, Adam, is the CMO of the matchmaking tour. He initially comes across as a bit of a douche, being a hard worker who doesn’t seem to get the credit he deserves. Adam constantly feels like he's under watch with his sister as the CEO and their father funding the company. Though he’s been unlucky in love, he agrees to go on the inaugural matchmaking tour to prove himself and better understand the day-to-day operations.

At first, Evie sees Adam as an uptight jerk, while Adam views Evie as pure chaos. But as they journey through Vietnam’s breathtaking landscapes—exploring waterfalls and caves—their animosity evolves into something much deeper, resembling passion. Both have valid reasons why they can’t just move to another country, with Evie’s life back in America and Adam’s tied to Vietnam.

I really enjoyed how this book played out, especially the satisfying conclusion at the end. I’m giving this book 4 stars, and I definitely recommend checking it out if this sounds like your kind of read!

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Adam, the CMO of his sister's matchmaking company, and Evie, a poet and recently fired English professor, meet on a matchmaking tour through Vietnam.

It's hard to believe that “Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour” by Nora Nguyen is a debut novel! This book is a delightful grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers read that seamlessly blends romance, humor, and cultural exploration. The plot is well-paced and captivating, Adam and Evie are charming and witty, and the chemistry between them is sizzling!

This book is exciting and fun, and I highly recommend it for a fun read!

I offer this review in exchange for an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher.

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