About the book
Newly minted professional matchmaker Sophie Go has returned to Toronto, her hometown, after spending three years in Shanghai. Her job is made quite difficult, however, when she is revealed as a fraud—she never actually graduated from matchmaking school. In a competitive market like Toronto, no one wants to take a chance on an inexperienced and unaccredited matchmaker, and soon Sophie becomes an outcast.
In dire search of clients, Sophie stumbles upon a secret club within her condo complex: the Old Ducks, seven septuagenarian Chinese bachelors who never found love. Somehow, she convinces them to hire her, but her matchmaking skills are put to the test as she learns the depths of loneliness, heartbreak, and love by attempting to make the hardest matches of her life.
My Review
This was one of those books that immediately drew me in – from the cover to the synopsis, I was curious to read about a matchmaker determined to build her business after failure. I was instantly a fan of Sophie’s – but also horribly sad for her. As an Asian-American, family and taking care of her parents is a priority to her, but the way both her parents – especially her mother – treated her was at times excruciating to read. I rooted for Sophie to stand up to them, and I’m actually really pleased with how that storyline wrapped up. Perhaps some might want it different, but happy endings aren’t always real life.
When Sophie takes on seven aging bachelors to prove her matchmaking skills, I raised an eyebrow – or both. I loved her competitive spirt and even though she might not agree – her ability to bet on herself. Some of the scenes with her clients were my favorite throughout the story, and also made me truly sob into my sandwich during lunch while reading one particular scene. What I enjoyed most about the writing was that it was unpredictable amidst what could be a very predictable storyline. It felt refreshing, relatable and it was downright touching from chapter to chapter. To taking chances on yourself, figuring out what love means and even a touch of magical realism involved, this was a delight to read.
4.5 stars
