The Fake Matchmaker: A novel

by Sonya Singh

From the nationally bestselling author of Sari, Not Sari comes a delightful enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance about how love is sometimes only a click away.

While her brothers are finding their soulmates and planning the rest of their lives, Manisha Patel is moving back in with her parents, dodging calls from her cheating Aquarius ex-boyfriend, and avoiding questions about her love life. Worse, she's being forced to help out her father's friend's son, and Manisha would rather be doing anything else. Rohit Khanna may be incredibly hot and have great style, but he's also arrogant, rude, and (allegedly) a cheater, and Manisha wants nothing to do with him.

But these things turn out to be the least of Manisha's worries when she gets the heartbreaking news that her dream of one day having a family might slip through her fingers. Then, a stroke of What if there was a fake matchmaking service where Manisha was the only client? One single profile, countless eligible bachelors for Manisha to choose from. It's the perfect plan to find a husband and live happily ever after. . . . Isn't it?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

About the author

Sonya Singh is an author, writer and storyteller. A former reporter, she brings a strong command of character, voice and structure to her fiction, shaped by years of experience in media and communications.

Her debut novel, Sari, Not Sari (Simon & Schuster, 2022), received early industry attention ahead of its release, including selection for the Debutante Ball, and launched an international two-book deal.

Her forthcoming novel, The Fake Matchmaker (Doubleday Canada), further cements her voice in contemporary romance, exploring modern relationships, cultural identity and the expectations placed on women, blending humour with emotional depth.

Across both novels and her screenwriting work, Singh focuses on character-driven stories that balance wit, heart and relatability.

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad !!

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
first read of march !!!! this is one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and i'm so excited to start it!! i also might possibly get to meet the author in a few weeks 🤭

✧˖°🩷 ⋆｡˚꩜ tropes & stuff to expect
⤷ enemies to friends to lovers
⤷ south asian main characters & culture
⤷ fake dating
⤷ closed door
⤷ pining
⤷ slow burn
⤷ he falls first
⤷ forced proximity


thank you double day canada for the e-arc & librofm for the ALC!

↪ started march 1
↪ finished march 5

[sabrina]

DNF @ 25%.

Personally this wasn’t for me 😭 the FMC is 34 years and before even figuring out her age I thought she must be 20. She was too immature for me through her actions and attitude and also snobby 🫠

[Jenn (burlingtonbiblio) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fake Matchmaker
Sonya Singh
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5


Pub Day: March 10
Publisher:Doubleday
Genre: Romance

Tropes and Triggers
✅ Enemies to friends to lovers
✅ Small close knit South Asian Community
✅ Weight of family relationships where there are cultural and social expectations
✅Mid-Life Career pivot
✅Online and Auntie matchmaking
✅Parents Passing (off page)
✅ closed door romance

FMC
Manisha- wants to be the dutiful daughter, family pressure is starting to wear her down, ,feeling her baby clock ticking away, lawyer, foodie, she’s been hiding a few details about her love life and career from friends and family

MMC
Rohit- eligible bachelor with leftover drama from his last relationship; business owner, wants to leave a family legacy to honour his mothers contributions to the community

Thoughts
Sweet. Charming. Offers the reader the opportunity to experience and explore authentic south asian culture. I havent decided how I feel about the Sunil storyline…
Was it there to define Manisha’s personal growth arc… or to emphasize the fake matchmaker scheme? Both? Would the story have read the same without the texts/emails back and forth? Hmmm…..
Rohit and Manisha had great chemistry and the banter matched their personalities perfectly .

Overall
Swipe right on this romance

Thanks to @netgalley, the author and the publisher for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are
My own.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of things I liked about this book, but there were also some things I didn’t enjoy. I’m just gonna jump right into it.

What I liked:
✨ The portrayal of South Asian culture was vibrant and fun, and I honestly learned a lot.
✨ There were lots of horrible first dates that the FMC went through, and I loved reading about each guy and his horrible personality.
✨ The relationship between Manisha and her parents, especially her mom, was almost healing to read about. It was a beautiful thing.
✨ Manisha and Rohit’s enemies-turned-friendship-turned-romance was comforting and romantic all at once, and the chemistry was well-written.

What I disliked:
✨ I couldn’t get on board with the Manisha and Sunil storyline for so many reasons, but the biggest one being how it tied into the third-act drama. I honestly don’t get why Manisha was afraid to tell the truth to Sunil, and I certainly don’t get why Rohit was angry at the realization.
✨ It was hard to relate to the characters because they were all so freaking rich. And Manisha’s biggest problem was not being able to afford $50,000 to freeze her eggs. Meanwhile I’m over here not knowing how I’ll ever be able to afford my own place to rent. So yeah, this reader could not connect. 😂
✨ The dialogue was a stilted at times, taking me out of the story.

Thank you to Doubleday Canada for my gifted copy!

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manisha had a boyfriend, career, and money but after a bad breakup and some questionable decisions, she is now moving back in with her parents. Both of her brothers are in happy relationships and Manisha can’t figure out why she’s had terrible luck. Cue the perfect idea! What if there was a matchmaking service but Manisha was the only client? Then she could have her pick of bachelors and find her happily ever after also.

I had a hard time with Manisha. She is in her 30s but I found her incredibly immature and her actions did not match the dedication and drive it takes to become a senior partner in a law firm. She was also so rude to Rohit initially, so I did not feel any building chemistry between them.

Unfortunately this one did not work for me.

2.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This romance had a cute matchmaker premise and delivered on the enemies to lovers’ trope (oh boy, did it ever), but I struggled to get into this romance.

Part of my feelings about this book stem from not being sure what it was trying to do. There's definitely room for Manisha's personal growth. I didn't connect with her at all and for a 30-something professional woman, she came off as very immature in her over-the-top hatred for sweet Rohit. But I'm not sure enough time was spent developing the fake matchmaking aspect either - even though there were some funny/cringy first dates that make me glad I've been off the dating market for 3 decades. The story had good intentions but didn't quite deliver for me.

This is a good pick for readers who enjoy slow moving, sweet with no heat romance. While I struggled with its pacing and main character, I appreciated the lovely descriptions of South Asian culture (and food!), its HEA, and how it focuses on the negative impact of rumours and celebrates the importance of community and intergenerational bonds.

Disclaimer: Thank you to DoubleDay Canada for the complimentary digital ARC that was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura Carter | Those Book Besties · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Check out our Bookstagram*

Thank you to Double Day Canada and Sonya Singh for the gifted copy! 💛🍁

Okay besties, I love a snarky, strong FMC as much as the next reader… but I have to be honest — I struggled a bit with Manisha at the beginning of this one. 😅 Her attitude toward Rohit felt very harsh right out of the gate, especially since he was basically a stranger. Even with the cheating scandal hanging over his head, the level of hostility felt a little over the top for me. Add in some impulsive shopping decisions and she came across a bit immature early on.

BUT… the premise of this story was so fun and totally hooked me. 👀 Manisha can’t afford the $50k price tag for egg freezing, so she decides the obvious solution is to find a husband ASAP. Her solution? Creating a secret fake matchmaking site with a friend to find the perfect guy. And of course… she unknowingly ends up chatting with Rohit. The whole setup gave major You’ve Got Mail vibes and I loved that part of the story. 💻💕

Once the tension between Manisha and Rohit started to soften, I enjoyed their romance much more. The chemistry grew on me and the story definitely leans into the romcom chaos — some of Manisha’s dates were absolutely disastrous in the funniest way. 😂

One of my favorite parts though was getting a glimpse into South Asian culture throughout the story. And the food mentions?? I was hungry the entire time. 🤤

Overall, this was a fun romcom with a unique premise, a bit of chaos, and some cultural richness woven throughout. If you enjoy romcoms with messy dating adventures and a touch of classic email-style romance vibes, this one might be for you!

[Priya · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up The Fake Matchmaker out of curiosity after hearing it was inspired by the author’s “real-life experiences,” but I found the story difficult to connect with on multiple levels.

The main character, Manisha, is clearly intended to come across as bold and unapologetic. Instead, much of her behaviour reads as unnecessarily rude and dismissive of the people around her, particularly in her early interactions with Rohit. Moments that seem written as sharp or witty often come across as immature, which makes it hard to root for her.

What makes that harder to ignore is the marketing around the book being inspired by the author’s own experiences. If that’s the case, the novel ends up feeling less like a playful rom-com and more like a polished spin on behaviour that isn’t nearly as charming as it thinks it is.

I also found myself questioning who this book is actually written for. The cultural framing often feels tailored for a white gaze rather than South Asian readers, flattening the community into something monolithic and easily digestible rather than layered or lived-in.

In interviews, the author has spoken about struggling to find Indian authors she could relate to. That framing is surprising given the depth and range of South Asian literature that already exists globally. It risks reinforcing the idea that those voices either don’t exist or aren’t visible, when in reality many writers have already explored complex, nuanced South Asian stories without reducing them to a simplified cultural backdrop.

Overall, the book struggles to balance its playful premise with the consequences of the characters’ actions, and the pacing is questionable.

[Jodie (That Happy Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in a community with a large Indo-Canadian population, I always enjoy reading ownvoices authors who offer a glimpse into this culture. The Fake Matchmaker follows Manisha Patel as she returns home after losing her job at a prestigious law firm and discovering her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Feeling the pressure from family expectations and worried about her future, Manisha creates a fake matchmaking service where she’s the only client—hoping a series of dates will lead her to the perfect husband. Of course, things become complicated when Rohit Khanna—arrogant, handsome, and the subject of plenty of community gossip—keeps appearing in her life.

This was a sweet and enjoyable romance with several funny moments. The story may be predictable, but that didn’t take away from the fun. As a Canadian reader, I did find myself wishing the story had been set in Canada, especially since both the author and publisher are Canadian and there are vibrant Indo-Canadian communities here. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ana Sani and thought she did a fantastic job, especially with the accents of the older characters and her excellent comedic timing. I’d definitely recommend the audiobook format for this one.

Thank you to Doubleday Canada and Libro.fm for the ALC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a snarky, strong character, but I really struggled with how unnecessarily rude Manisha was to Rohit in the beginning. Even with the cheating scandal surrounding him, I just couldn’t imagine acting the way she did, especially toward someone who was essentially a stranger. Combined with her impulsive shopping habits, she just came across a little immature to me.

But the premise itself was super fun! Unable to afford the $50k price tag for egg preservation, Manisha is desperate to find a husband and start a family. In a hilarious scheme to make that happen, she secretly creates a fake matchmaking site with a friend to try to find her perfect match. And I’m sure you can guess who she ends up unknowingly chatting with! Very You’ve Got Mail vibes!

I think the chemistry with Rohit could have been stronger overall, but once the hostility toward him eased up, I really grew to like their romance. And there were definitely plenty of romcom theatrics, if you like that. Some of the dates Manisha went on were wildly disastrous! On top of everything, I loved the peek into South Asian culture. Especially the delicious food mentions. Yum!

(spice level: closed door)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun friends to lovers romance between two jaded about love South Asians from the same small neighborhood who find themselves anonymously messaging one another through a fake matchmaking website.

I really enjoyed the focus on food and family in this story, the friendship between Manisha and her cousin and the urgency Manisha feels to figure out whether she should (and could afford to) freeze her eggs after a doctor tells her she needs to decide soon to optimize her fertility options.

Manisha goes on a slew of terrible first dates trying to find her match only to realize that of course she's falling for the one guy she thought she hated. This had some good Pride and Prejudice vibes and is perfect for fans of authors like Sara Desai and Sajni Patel. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Bushra Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a romance that feels fresh, heartfelt, and so fun? 💖

The Fake Matching by Sonya Singh

Honestly… no notes. I absolutely adored this one. It felt so close to home, and for a romance, it was refreshingly unique. The Bollywood references were such a fun touch and added so much charm. I loved every single one. 🎬✨

This story is full of heart, humor, and cultural nuance, and I can completely see why it’s one of the most anticipated reads of 2026. It truly deserves the hype.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
📅 Releasing March 10

Perfect for readers who love:
💘 Fake dating with a twist
🎥 Bollywood-inspired romance
🥰 Feel-good love stories with heart
✨ Fresh, culturally rich rom-coms

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday, and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review 💛📚

[Cess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I just couldn’t connect with Manisha. There’s just too many problematic issues for me that I cannot seem to let go and be swept by Manisha and Rohit’s enemies-to-lovers love story. For instance, the fertility doctor told her that her egg reserves are aging much faster than what is expected so she needs to stop drinking alcohol. But instead of doing that, she focused more on how to circumvent the $50k egg-freezing fee by dating and finding a partner.🤦🏻‍♀️ I guess I just can’t comprehend her actions and her priorities despite saying how badly she wants to have a baby and be a mother. To be fair, I liked how the book showed authentic South Asian culture and traditions. The variety of foods mentioned also made me drool after googling them! The dating scenes were a definite eye-opener for me. I was aghast and cannot imagine myself in that situation! All in all, this was just ok for me. Thanks @doubledayca for my ARC.

[Kiran Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to have received an ARC copy of The Fake Matchmaker, thank you for the opportunity to read this cosy rom-com ahead of release. This was such a warm, witty, and comforting read, following Manisha as she navigates family expectations, complicated relationships, and her own journey toward clarity and confidence. I loved how the story blended humour with heartfelt moments, offering just enough emotional depth while still feeling light, charming, and easy to sink into. It’s the kind of feel-good romance that wraps you in cosy vibes without trying too hard, perfect for anyone looking for a sweet, relatable escape.

[Alissa Minard · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of the book felt like reading a play scene by scene with dialogue felt awkward and unnatural. Additionally, while there are many interesting characters, it sometimes felt like caricature (and maybe that was the goal, if so it just didn’t land with me!). On the other hand Deena, Meena Auntie, and Manisha’s mother were really great characters.

One thing I did actually love about this book though, was its portrayal of generational bonds and relationships with elders in the community.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me but I’m sure there will be people who love it out there.

Thank you to Doubleday Canada for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Timothy Emmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really fun romance. I sort of have fallen into this theme with a few other books, but, this one was by far the funnest. Anna Singh did a phenomenal job of lending her voice to this audio book from Libro.fm, as part of their Advanced Reader Copy Program and this was an audio book that definitely needs to be listened too, as well as reading the EBook. They both -plement each other very well.

[evie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm probably not the target audience for this book..

I really wanted to enjoy this one and tried to push through, but unfortunately I had to DNF at 30%. The premise was interesting and I can deal with the overbearing parents, but Manisha, the main character, felt way too immature to my liking.


Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Random House Canada for the eARC!

[Enid Wray]

Let’s just say that I’m not the reader for this title and move on.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy (especially since it has taken me to long to get this posted).

DNF

[Caroline]

3.5/5

[Allison Ruffolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

very unique pacing and i really enjoyed the fmc and all the terrible men she dealt with

[Ramishah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.85

[Nira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A swoon worthy misunderstood MMC meets a lawyer running away from her past in hopes for a new start! Loved everything about this book and being a South-Asian, the whole aunty situation was so relatable.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.