Your Last First Date: Secrets From a Hollywood Matchmaker

by Jaydi Samuels Kuba

Here’s a secret: Hollywood insiders aren’t better at dating than the rest of us. They just have elite help.

The age-old art of matchmaking meets Hollywood as Jaydi Samuels Kuba, founder of LJMatchmaking, takes us behind the scenes of her work as a matchmaker and date coach for the entertainment industry’s most eligible singles. Even the glitziest picture-perfect set-up could flop due to bad dating habits, a frustration that Jaydi specializes in solving. Now, in Your Last First Date, she’s sharing her incredible stories, along with the exclusive practical wisdom we all need.

Meet our real-life characters:

Meera, a young film publicist and hopeless romantic who falls for nearly every guy she meets. When she finally finds a man who matches her intensity, she’s thrilled—but Jaydi warns her that her “twin flames” relationship is likely to combust.

Kent, a seasoned, award-winning director and vineyard owner who refuses to date anyone his age. He treats matchmaking like ordering off a menu until Jaydi introduces him to someone who makes him wonder if he might just be better off trusting the chef.

Callie, a high-achieving studio executive over forty, who is still yearning to start a family. She presents Jaydi with an ultimatum: find her a partner within the year, or she’ll give up on dating, and pursue motherhood on her own.

And Jaydi herself, a candid voice who offers up lessons learned from her own dating history, such as how to leave a controlling relationship and how to recognize your future husband when he walks into your life—even if he’s your client.

Whether you’re the one in a rush to “make it happen,” the one who’s convinced yourself you’re better off alone, or even the one who’s “figured it all out” but wants to play matchmaker for your friends, you’ll recognize yourself in these pages—and in the process, learn more about who you are, and how to achieve your “Hollywood” ending.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

272 pages, Hardcover

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SUPER interesting! I’ve always been fascinated by people who take on the responsibility of finding love for people. It started with The Fiddler on the Roof, then Emma, then Clueless, and then hearing about the movie Materialists, so I was pretty stoked when I saw this book on NetGalley and was over the moon when my request was accepted.

Not only does the author share her experience as a matchmaker for not only her clients but for herself as well, including her journey with IVF, but she also gives insightful tips, pointers, and information on how to date and find the match for you.

A little fact about me that you didn’t ask for is that I have never gone on a date (shocker, right? 😂), and I was worried that if I ever went on one, I’d make a complete and utter fool of myself because I don’t know what I’m doing. Movies and real life are not the same thing, and although I might never go on a date, I’d want to give wise advice if someone I cared about ever came to me with their woes about dating. And that’s where this book comes in. The advice the author shared on what you can do on a date, what red flags to look out for, and how to be the best version of yourself really eased my mind, and now I feel informed about the dating world.

Another great thing about this book was that 1) the chapters weren’t long, 2) the book was right to the point, and 3) Jaydi is a great writer! It was super engaging and entertaining, and I’m glad I got to read this. I definitely recommend this if you are interested! 💕

Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.

❗Content Warnings❗
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No (only mentions sex a few times.)

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. A touching autobiography of the matchmaker herself, as well as an insider’s view of life in Hollywood. A guide to what professional matchmakers do, and why, and what works. Well worth the read for a general audience, as well as people interested in the profession and, of course, those interested in finding a match.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Avid Reader Press for the e-ARC!

When I first heard about this book, I immediately knew I had to read it and am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to read an ARC. Matchmaking has been around for over hundreds of years, but aside from hearing about it in reality shows like Million Dollar Matchmaker and matchmaking shows on Netflix, I haven’t really come across it in my daily life. So when I heard that Jaydi Samuels Kuba was not only a matchmaker for those in Hollywood’s entertainment industry, but also a TV writer for shows like Family Guy, I was very impressed and even more curious to hear what she had to say.

In the Acknowledgments, Kuba mentions that one of her inspirations for this book was Lori Gottlieb’s “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.” This is a spot on comparison and “Your Last First Date” uses a similar format very well. Kuba not only gives us tidbits into what’s going on in her life, but she also introduces us to a few of her clients and details what they’re like, what they’ve asked for in a partner, and how they’re getting in their own way. But she doesn’t stop there. She skillfully uses her clients experiences (and her own) to provide detailed advice and things to look out for in ourselves when wanting to put your best foot forward when dating someone or in your everyday life.

Throughout reading this book, I kept thinking about how much this would’ve helped me when I was actively dating. I really liked when Kuba mentioned the different types of daters (Bares, Babblers, Clams, Workaholics, Self-Sabotagers, and Stiffs). I hadn’t really thought of those categories before, but they are all very true and I think we’ve all encountered them either on dates or within ourselves. I appreciated that when she went into detail of each type, it described them, but also gave insight on how we could help the other person feel more comfortable (i.e. if they’re more reserved/shy) or how to take back control of the conversation if you’re with a Bare or Babbler.

Overall, this book can be used for dating advice for those who might want more guidance in their dating journey, or it can be an insightful memoir you pick up just for fun. This book really has something for everyone. Thank you, Jaydi Samuels Kuba, for sharing your story with us!

All opinions are my own.

[Shifra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun read! Who doesn't want to know about Hollywood and secrets and making matches? Plus it has real practical value. Recommend!

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a resourceful and illuminating read on our dating culture, especially within the LA entertainment/film industry.

Jaydi S. Kuba penned a vulnerable yet entertaining memoir on the struggles of finding love and the right “match” that most of us can relate to. There are plenty of tea and celebrity name drops to indulge a reader’s appetite for all things Hollywood but what I reaped and enjoyed most were her sound advices and humorous antidotes. The author not only demonstrates expertise in her field by fixing up dates and counseling 3 of her most challenging clients, she also pours her heart and soul by sharing her IVF journey and personal hardships with dating.

In the process I learned the different types of dating personas and discovered the one I identified with most. I saw a bit of myself in Meera. I wanted to hurl this book at Kent. Callie’s story at the end shock me in the best possible way. I would have been better off with this book than my mother’s advice on dating but I digress. Overall an edifying read.


A warm thank you to the author and Avid Reader Press for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Yukari Watanabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just okay. Hollywood version of "true love"s are so uncomfortable to listen to.