What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings
It’s 27 Dresses meets Sonya Lalli’s The Matchmaker’s List in this delightful romcom where she doesn’t believe in love…he’s determined to prove her wrong—by being her matchmaker!
Kimiko Halim thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales. But her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down as a condition to inherit her yarn store, and the family’s legacy is the only thing that matters. Kim’s plan is find a guy, date him until the store is hers, then gently uncouple from the poor, unsuspecting victim.
But the clock is ticking, and her dates have been more frogs than princes. When Rob Carmichael, a perpetual groomsman and self-proclaimed proponent of happily-ever-afters, overhears Kim’s cynical view of love, he’s baffled. Having been surrounded by happy relationships all his life, Rob convinces her that he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he’s going to.
What can possibly go wrong?
Kimiko Halim thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales. But her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down as a condition to inherit her yarn store, and the family’s legacy is the only thing that matters. Kim’s plan is find a guy, date him until the store is hers, then gently uncouple from the poor, unsuspecting victim.
But the clock is ticking, and her dates have been more frogs than princes. When Rob Carmichael, a perpetual groomsman and self-proclaimed proponent of happily-ever-afters, overhears Kim’s cynical view of love, he’s baffled. Having been surrounded by happy relationships all his life, Rob convinces her that he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he’s going to.
What can possibly go wrong?
Audible Audio
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Cynthia Timoti
4 books117 followersCynthia Timoti writes fun multicultural romcoms with plenty of heart and snark, where happy endings are always guaranteed. She was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, and moved to Australia when she was seventeen. She later studied Commerce and spent too many years working in finance, even though numbers aren’t her strongest suit.
When she isn’t writing, she's probably trying to make a dent in her TBR pile, hunting for the perfect cup of bubble tea, and collecting pretty notebooks that she’ll never use. Cynthia currently resides in Melbourne with her husband and two sons.
Find her on Instagram: @cynthiatimoti
When she isn’t writing, she's probably trying to make a dent in her TBR pile, hunting for the perfect cup of bubble tea, and collecting pretty notebooks that she’ll never use. Cynthia currently resides in Melbourne with her husband and two sons.
Find her on Instagram: @cynthiatimoti
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 30, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this e-Arc of this title releasing in May 2026.
I was lucky enough to get to ARC read the first of the series “Salty, Spiced and a little bit Nice”, and it was fun to be back in that world again. This is an interconnected stand alone.
Kim has been on a lot of bad dates. Like a lot. But with a stipulation in her grandmothers will coming up, she has to either find someone to settle down with or lose her grandmothers yarn store. Wanting to carry on her legacy, Kim pushes on trying to find Mr.Right. But in reality, Kim doesn’t believe in love and commitment, having been burned by a previous relationship and having other family baggage. On one of these horrible dates, she gets saved by none other than Rob. Rob is the charismatic best friend of her best friend’s partner- and also one of Kim’s bad dates. Well I mean as bad as a date can be when he no shows. Rob is a romantic, but is not looking for love after coming out of a messy break up himself in the last year. But after hearing about Kim’s struggles - he decides to be her matchmaker and help her find a good guy. In return, Kim will attend the five weddings he has coming up so he won’t run into his ex alone. The more time they spend together, the more she starts to trust and depend on Rob. And for two people who don’t want a relationship, they are together a lot. But staying within the “just friends” boundary, will they miss out on what’s been in front of them all along. Or will Kim take a leap of faith and start to believe in a fairy tale love?
I was lucky enough to get to ARC read the first of the series “Salty, Spiced and a little bit Nice”, and it was fun to be back in that world again. This is an interconnected stand alone.
Kim has been on a lot of bad dates. Like a lot. But with a stipulation in her grandmothers will coming up, she has to either find someone to settle down with or lose her grandmothers yarn store. Wanting to carry on her legacy, Kim pushes on trying to find Mr.Right. But in reality, Kim doesn’t believe in love and commitment, having been burned by a previous relationship and having other family baggage. On one of these horrible dates, she gets saved by none other than Rob. Rob is the charismatic best friend of her best friend’s partner- and also one of Kim’s bad dates. Well I mean as bad as a date can be when he no shows. Rob is a romantic, but is not looking for love after coming out of a messy break up himself in the last year. But after hearing about Kim’s struggles - he decides to be her matchmaker and help her find a good guy. In return, Kim will attend the five weddings he has coming up so he won’t run into his ex alone. The more time they spend together, the more she starts to trust and depend on Rob. And for two people who don’t want a relationship, they are together a lot. But staying within the “just friends” boundary, will they miss out on what’s been in front of them all along. Or will Kim take a leap of faith and start to believe in a fairy tale love?
2026
November 21, 2025📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars.
"How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings" by Cynthia Timoti is pretty good. It's not my favorite book of the year, but it does have its moments of levity and fun. It's got a really cute premise where the main male character, Rob, offers to set Kim, the main female character, up on a series of dates with acquaintances of his, since she has been having such bad luck with online dating. In the process, after several more dates that don't go exactly as planned, they both realize, albeit slowly, that they have actually fallen for each other and aren't sure what to do about it. I think this is a good palate cleanser of a book. It's a little bit heavy in terms of its themes at times (parental abandonment and a parental figure who has a chronic illness, mainly), but it's mostly a lighthearted matchmaker romance that's not too terribly spicy and not too high-stakes. It has some good banter between the characters, an interesting commentary on the current dating scene, and a wonderful relationship between Kim and her grandfather, aka her Opa. I loved Opa so, so much. His love for and parentage of Kim was so well written! I loved the care and respect they had for one another. I wasn't always convinced by Kim and Rob's chemistry, unfortunately. They felt like they were only great friends until the last 15% or so. This is a slow-burning romance, so know that going into it. There is a large subplot about Rob and his relationship with his dad that comes and goes and is basically explained away at the end with an "he'll come around" line, but it sure didn't feel like he was the kind of guy that would *ever* come around! The third act felt really rushed to me. Still, this was a decent enough read that managed to make me smile and laugh a few times. I'll definitely go back and read the author's first book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Cynthia Timoti, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings" by Cynthia Timoti is pretty good. It's not my favorite book of the year, but it does have its moments of levity and fun. It's got a really cute premise where the main male character, Rob, offers to set Kim, the main female character, up on a series of dates with acquaintances of his, since she has been having such bad luck with online dating. In the process, after several more dates that don't go exactly as planned, they both realize, albeit slowly, that they have actually fallen for each other and aren't sure what to do about it. I think this is a good palate cleanser of a book. It's a little bit heavy in terms of its themes at times (parental abandonment and a parental figure who has a chronic illness, mainly), but it's mostly a lighthearted matchmaker romance that's not too terribly spicy and not too high-stakes. It has some good banter between the characters, an interesting commentary on the current dating scene, and a wonderful relationship between Kim and her grandfather, aka her Opa. I loved Opa so, so much. His love for and parentage of Kim was so well written! I loved the care and respect they had for one another. I wasn't always convinced by Kim and Rob's chemistry, unfortunately. They felt like they were only great friends until the last 15% or so. This is a slow-burning romance, so know that going into it. There is a large subplot about Rob and his relationship with his dad that comes and goes and is basically explained away at the end with an "he'll come around" line, but it sure didn't feel like he was the kind of guy that would *ever* come around! The third act felt really rushed to me. Still, this was a decent enough read that managed to make me smile and laugh a few times. I'll definitely go back and read the author's first book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Cynthia Timoti, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
December 6, 2025
This was such a fun read! Kim has been unlucky in love and has lost hope in finding her person. After her grandmother passed away she took over her yarn store with the stipulation that she would find a partner within two years. Enter Rob who offers to play matchmaker for her if she’ll agree to be his date to five weddings. The chemistry is undeniable from the start. I love a matchmaker romance! Opa (her grandfather) is adorable and the way that Kim cares for him is amazing. The writing style was easy to read and enjoy! There are a few Indonesian sayings sprinkled throughout the story that reinforced the multi-cultural influences.
Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Cynthia Timoti for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
P.S. If you liked Sarah Adams book “Practice Makes Perfect” chances are you’ll like this too with its charming main characters and memorable side-characters.
Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Cynthia Timoti for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
P.S. If you liked Sarah Adams book “Practice Makes Perfect” chances are you’ll like this too with its charming main characters and memorable side-characters.
March 26, 2026
This is the first book I’ve read by Cynthia Timoti. I was very intrigued by the title and thought it would give off 2000’s romcom vibes which it absolutely did. This romcom had everything I wanted and I’m so happy that I took a chance on a new to me author. The idea of Kim not believing in love but needing a partner to keep her grandmother’s yarn store was such a fun concept that I loved reading about. Rob was such a great character for this story to help Kim find her person while also accidentally becoming that person. I really enjoyed this book and now I want to go back and read her other book Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice. I rate this book 4/5 stars and recommend it to anyone who likes a slow burn, friends to lovers romance.
November 30, 2025
i absolutely adored this book! this was my first cynthia timoti novel, and i can confidently say i’m hooked. the plot, the characters, the writing style — i loved every part of it.
kim and rob won my heart from the moment they met. their connection felt so genuine, and their chemistry grew in such a natural, beautiful way. watching their journey from friends to lovers was incredibly satisfying. there’s just something special about a story where you fall for your matchmaker — it makes the whole thing so fun and charming.
i also loved the strong focus on family in this book. opa was hilarious and added so much warmth, humor, and guidance to the story.
overall, this is a lighthearted, warm, feel-good rom-com that will leave you smiling. i recommend it to everyone!
thank you netgalley for the arc <3
kim and rob won my heart from the moment they met. their connection felt so genuine, and their chemistry grew in such a natural, beautiful way. watching their journey from friends to lovers was incredibly satisfying. there’s just something special about a story where you fall for your matchmaker — it makes the whole thing so fun and charming.
i also loved the strong focus on family in this book. opa was hilarious and added so much warmth, humor, and guidance to the story.
overall, this is a lighthearted, warm, feel-good rom-com that will leave you smiling. i recommend it to everyone!
thank you netgalley for the arc <3
May 18, 2026
4 ⭐️
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
🔥 slow burn
💍 wedding shenanigans
🌹 friends to lovers
🥂 he falls first
🧶 yarn puns
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
what a cute romcom!!!! can we discuss the way rob showed up for kim 👏🏻👏🏻 a MAN!!! this was my first book from cynthia and now i want to read more!!! i felt their chemistry and it felt so genuine. i was rooting for them!!!! do note, there are some heavier themes but i love me a book that dives deep and has such an emotional impact on me.
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
rob lives life as a perpetual groomsmen knowing his happy ever after is out there. kimiko thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales but her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down to inherit her yarn store. kim has a simple plan: find a guy, date him until the shore is hers, then breakup. when rob overhears her view on love, he convinces her he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he is attending. will she fall for her matchmaker???
🎧audio: the narrator did such a great job with tone, attitudes, etc!!!! i was engaged the entire time!!!
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
🔥 slow burn
💍 wedding shenanigans
🌹 friends to lovers
🥂 he falls first
🧶 yarn puns
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
what a cute romcom!!!! can we discuss the way rob showed up for kim 👏🏻👏🏻 a MAN!!! this was my first book from cynthia and now i want to read more!!! i felt their chemistry and it felt so genuine. i was rooting for them!!!! do note, there are some heavier themes but i love me a book that dives deep and has such an emotional impact on me.
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
rob lives life as a perpetual groomsmen knowing his happy ever after is out there. kimiko thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales but her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down to inherit her yarn store. kim has a simple plan: find a guy, date him until the shore is hers, then breakup. when rob overhears her view on love, he convinces her he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he is attending. will she fall for her matchmaker???
🎧audio: the narrator did such a great job with tone, attitudes, etc!!!! i was engaged the entire time!!!
May 17, 2026
This did have some light, funny moments. Though this was a light rom com type story I found that it was easy for me to put down. Took me longer to read this than it should.
The inheritance clause has me rolling my eyes. Seemed silly. The FMC was annoying. I found the MMC kinda dull. I did like grandpa.
Overall, this was light and fine but didn’t blow me away.
The inheritance clause has me rolling my eyes. Seemed silly. The FMC was annoying. I found the MMC kinda dull. I did like grandpa.
Overall, this was light and fine but didn’t blow me away.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bear with me, because I have an official, non-spoiler-y review for this book, and an unofficial one, very spoiler-y one, and both involve me gushing about the author and the characters way too much, because this is the sweetest romcom I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a long while!
So here goes, the ✨official, non-spoiler-y review✨
“How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings in everything one could want in a romcom. Through the POV of Kim, I didn’t just return to the bustling, dreamy city of Port Benedict that I adore (along with its residents), I also got to see this headstrong, cynical, beautifully complicated woman experience love and friendship that’s more than perfect . . . but utterly ungrudging, selfless, and swoony. Rob and Kim’s romance reminded me of why it’s worth believing in love, even after a comically heavy dose of failed dates and heartbreaks. Each plotline is treated with the love and care it deserves, and the Asian representation had my heart swelling with joy. Packed with endless chuckles, fun dates (from go-karting to skydiving), long, heartwarming conversations, and a slow burn romance, How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings is the quick fix book you need, especially if you miss the magic of 90’s romcoms!”
And now, the unofficial, ridiculously long, rambling, and spoiler-y one (there are lots of SPOILERS, so please don’t read beyond this if you haven’t read the book):
For context, Cynthia’s first book, Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice is one of my favourite romcoms ever written. I read it during a time where I was in a rough place, but that book gave me the escape I so desperately needed, and once again, this book did it for me!
Port Benedict is like one of those fictional places that I’d love to keep going back to, again and again, like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls! I could read a hundred romcoms set here, I swear.
The writing and humour had me in stitches from the very first page, Kim and Rob’s chemistry, banter, and slow burn romance had me squealing and literally begging for them to kiss with all the moments of tender yearning they had, and reading Ellie, Alec, and Jenna’s cameos was the highlight of the book for me. And a certain wedding scene in the epilogue? I SQUEALED at that.
One of my favourite scenes in the book is the skydiving one, because it was so dreamy and swoony, and I truly was begging Kim to open her damn heart and see Rob for the wonderful man that he was, and I screamed and kicked my pillow off my bed when they finally kissed. Because god I waited so damn long for that!
Kim’s relationship with her Opa was one of my favourite dynamics and storyline in the book. I love the cinnamon roll of a man that was Opa, and how funny and familial all the scenes with them were. Rob really has to be the greenest flag man possible because he was so perfect with Opa.
Speaking of perfect, the fact that the first chapter was titled The Perfect Kim and the last line was Rob talking about who he thinks is the perfect Kim? Cynthia’s a literal genius, that was such a delightful callback!
She masterfully dealt with all the plots, because there was so much going on I was in awe of how she balanced all of it: Kim’s dates, the will, her relationship with Opa and her friends, her dad, Kim’s romance with Rob, the Goodwin property plot, Rob’s relationship with his dad and his family members, all the weddings, the Port Benedict fair that they decide to organise, and more. And every single plot was neatly wrapped up.
The writing was stunning; I annotated so many lines, but I especially loved the bits where Kim would try to match the colour of Rob’s eyes with a yarn colour. And when she called it her favourite colour? My heart!
Kim and Rob’s romance was so slow burn that the romantic payoff felt well-earned and had me rooting for them throughout. Their preparatory dates (golfing, go-karting, coffee dates? So fun!), their non-preparatory dates (Hunger Games watch, dinner with Opa, picking dresses for Kim), the weddings, banter, long conversations, and how they felt like they were actually meant for each other.
I also adored the format of the five weddings / five dates, and the way Kim confessed to Rob in the fifth wedding. It was so romcommy! I was so annoyed when I read that Kim saw Lucy next to Rob in that moment – like I think it actually shattered my heart.
Fans of Emily Henry, who love long conversations + slow burn + how the world feels like a character on its own in her books, will absolutely love Cynthia’s books.
I can’t wait to place this book on my shelf next to Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice! And Emily Henry!
So here goes, the ✨official, non-spoiler-y review✨
“How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings in everything one could want in a romcom. Through the POV of Kim, I didn’t just return to the bustling, dreamy city of Port Benedict that I adore (along with its residents), I also got to see this headstrong, cynical, beautifully complicated woman experience love and friendship that’s more than perfect . . . but utterly ungrudging, selfless, and swoony. Rob and Kim’s romance reminded me of why it’s worth believing in love, even after a comically heavy dose of failed dates and heartbreaks. Each plotline is treated with the love and care it deserves, and the Asian representation had my heart swelling with joy. Packed with endless chuckles, fun dates (from go-karting to skydiving), long, heartwarming conversations, and a slow burn romance, How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings is the quick fix book you need, especially if you miss the magic of 90’s romcoms!”
And now, the unofficial, ridiculously long, rambling, and spoiler-y one (there are lots of SPOILERS, so please don’t read beyond this if you haven’t read the book):
For context, Cynthia’s first book, Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice is one of my favourite romcoms ever written. I read it during a time where I was in a rough place, but that book gave me the escape I so desperately needed, and once again, this book did it for me!
Port Benedict is like one of those fictional places that I’d love to keep going back to, again and again, like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls! I could read a hundred romcoms set here, I swear.
The writing and humour had me in stitches from the very first page, Kim and Rob’s chemistry, banter, and slow burn romance had me squealing and literally begging for them to kiss with all the moments of tender yearning they had, and reading Ellie, Alec, and Jenna’s cameos was the highlight of the book for me. And a certain wedding scene in the epilogue? I SQUEALED at that.
One of my favourite scenes in the book is the skydiving one, because it was so dreamy and swoony, and I truly was begging Kim to open her damn heart and see Rob for the wonderful man that he was, and I screamed and kicked my pillow off my bed when they finally kissed. Because god I waited so damn long for that!
Kim’s relationship with her Opa was one of my favourite dynamics and storyline in the book. I love the cinnamon roll of a man that was Opa, and how funny and familial all the scenes with them were. Rob really has to be the greenest flag man possible because he was so perfect with Opa.
Speaking of perfect, the fact that the first chapter was titled The Perfect Kim and the last line was Rob talking about who he thinks is the perfect Kim? Cynthia’s a literal genius, that was such a delightful callback!
She masterfully dealt with all the plots, because there was so much going on I was in awe of how she balanced all of it: Kim’s dates, the will, her relationship with Opa and her friends, her dad, Kim’s romance with Rob, the Goodwin property plot, Rob’s relationship with his dad and his family members, all the weddings, the Port Benedict fair that they decide to organise, and more. And every single plot was neatly wrapped up.
The writing was stunning; I annotated so many lines, but I especially loved the bits where Kim would try to match the colour of Rob’s eyes with a yarn colour. And when she called it her favourite colour? My heart!
Kim and Rob’s romance was so slow burn that the romantic payoff felt well-earned and had me rooting for them throughout. Their preparatory dates (golfing, go-karting, coffee dates? So fun!), their non-preparatory dates (Hunger Games watch, dinner with Opa, picking dresses for Kim), the weddings, banter, long conversations, and how they felt like they were actually meant for each other.
I also adored the format of the five weddings / five dates, and the way Kim confessed to Rob in the fifth wedding. It was so romcommy! I was so annoyed when I read that Kim saw Lucy next to Rob in that moment – like I think it actually shattered my heart.
Fans of Emily Henry, who love long conversations + slow burn + how the world feels like a character on its own in her books, will absolutely love Cynthia’s books.
I can’t wait to place this book on my shelf next to Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice! And Emily Henry!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2026
4.75 ~ I LOVED this. Perfect rom-com vibes. The premise of the MMC playing match maker for our FMC set us up for a really well built-up slow burn. The chemistry and the banter were so well done, the relationship felt genuine and like it progressed at a natural pace, and I was rooting for them so hard.
I also love so dearly how much the author brings in elements of Indonesian culture. The FMC’s relationship with her grandfather, and the subsequent relationship the MMC built with him was such a heartwarming part of the story.
Both main characters were well fleshed out with backstories and motivations that felt substantial for a shorter contemporary romance. The cast of characters and all the little running jokes added to the charm, and every side plot wrapped nicely. My only wish is we got a bit more of the plot point of the FMC working through her relationship with her farther, but that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment!
Thank you to Tor Publishing group for this advanced copy! Cynthia is cementing herself as an auto-read romance author for me!
I also love so dearly how much the author brings in elements of Indonesian culture. The FMC’s relationship with her grandfather, and the subsequent relationship the MMC built with him was such a heartwarming part of the story.
Both main characters were well fleshed out with backstories and motivations that felt substantial for a shorter contemporary romance. The cast of characters and all the little running jokes added to the charm, and every side plot wrapped nicely. My only wish is we got a bit more of the plot point of the FMC working through her relationship with her farther, but that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment!
Thank you to Tor Publishing group for this advanced copy! Cynthia is cementing herself as an auto-read romance author for me!
May 18, 2026
2.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble, and the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me in exchange for an honest review.
Overall a fun read with good chemistry, but packed with characters that seemed unreal to me and plot points that left me with questions. Even so, I'd consider reading another book by this author.
The plot:
Kim's life is nearly in order. She's moved home to take over her late grandmother's beloved yarn store and to take care of the grandfather who raised. The only thing that's missing? The love of her life. Or at least, that's what Kim's grandmother thought she was missing. So much so that she included a "settle down" clause in her will -- if Kim can't find someone to share her life with within two years, she loses the yarn store. The problem is that Kim doesn't believe in true love. She's been hurt in the past and isn't sure "forever" is really for her. She'll temporarily put up with terrible dating app men if it means she can keep the store, though. But when a friend of a friend, Rob, saves Kim from a truly disastrous date and discovers how she feels about love, he's determined to show her that love exists... by bringing her as a plus one to several weddings and setting her up with single guests. Will Rob be able to change Kim's mind about true love? And what happens if she finds it where she least expects it?
What I liked:
- This is a second chance-ish kind of plot I can get behind. Kim and Rob were supposed to go on a date long before the start of this book, but he never showed. However, they've talked it out and remained civil. No big drama between them, but some shared history.
- She calls him by his last name! That's how you know something is brewing between them!
- Really good chemistry between Kim and Rob. They're funny together and it's easy for them to be around each other. I enjoyed their mini golf scene.
- I love when there’s a physical uncontrollable reaction to casual touches with no meaning behind them, like when he’s .
- I love when a guy rubs the back of his neck when he’s flustered or embarrassed.
- Hidden tattoos👀👀
- Rob being protective is so so good! He's such an acts of service man.
- Kim's grandpa is a gem. My new fave social media influencer.
- I'm so glad that Kim Very 27 Dresses.
What I didn't like:
- I feel like you don't really see the "settle down" clause plot in everyday, working class families. Usually it's in rich families who are trying to control inheritance or a company. While Kim's grandma isn't actually a character in the book because she's passed away, based on what I know about her and her love for Kim, I find it a little far fetched that she would put that pressure on her granddaughter and create such stipulations for inheriting the shop.
- I really felt like Kim was a large part of her problem when it came to dating. She had really high expectations for her dates, but she was often rude and abrupt. Occasionally even leaving dates without seemingly saying anything? Sometimes it was hard to root for her.
- I didn't always understand Kim's motives. Like, she explained that That didn't make much sense to me or explain why she would have stayed away from her grandparents, especially when
- I'm big on dialogue, and while I did enjoy parts of the dialogue in this book (especially between Kim and Rob), I thought there wasn't enough of it. There was a lot of fluff and description that could've been communicated via dialogue instead. Some of the dialogue was also confusing because there were a lot of characters involved and they were repeating a lot of the same thoughts.
- Love protective Rob but he sometimes verges on stalker territory... especially when he . At least his friends call him out for it and he pretty much admits to it. My guy just needs to chill out a little.
-
- In my head, the real reason Rob had bailed on that initial date with Kim was that he had
Some notes (I'm neutral on these but figured I'd share):
- There are some really horrible dating app stories in here. I hope they're not based on real life because if so, the dating landscape is really far worse than I thought. And I already thought it was terrible.
- A lot of foreshadowing and foils, making some plot points predictable but not in a bad way.
- I kinda wish this was dual POV. I would've loved to know what Rob was thinking and feeling.
- I definitely see the 27 Dresses comparison, but also some influence from The Hating Game, specifically . I saw that coming from a mile away.
- This is a SLOW BURN. Definitely builds up but I feel like it took foreverrrrr.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble, and the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me in exchange for an honest review.
Overall a fun read with good chemistry, but packed with characters that seemed unreal to me and plot points that left me with questions. Even so, I'd consider reading another book by this author.
The plot:
Kim's life is nearly in order. She's moved home to take over her late grandmother's beloved yarn store and to take care of the grandfather who raised. The only thing that's missing? The love of her life. Or at least, that's what Kim's grandmother thought she was missing. So much so that she included a "settle down" clause in her will -- if Kim can't find someone to share her life with within two years, she loses the yarn store. The problem is that Kim doesn't believe in true love. She's been hurt in the past and isn't sure "forever" is really for her. She'll temporarily put up with terrible dating app men if it means she can keep the store, though. But when a friend of a friend, Rob, saves Kim from a truly disastrous date and discovers how she feels about love, he's determined to show her that love exists... by bringing her as a plus one to several weddings and setting her up with single guests. Will Rob be able to change Kim's mind about true love? And what happens if she finds it where she least expects it?
What I liked:
- This is a second chance-ish kind of plot I can get behind. Kim and Rob were supposed to go on a date long before the start of this book, but he never showed. However, they've talked it out and remained civil. No big drama between them, but some shared history.
- She calls him by his last name! That's how you know something is brewing between them!
- Really good chemistry between Kim and Rob. They're funny together and it's easy for them to be around each other. I enjoyed their mini golf scene.
- I love when there’s a physical uncontrollable reaction to casual touches with no meaning behind them, like when he’s .
- I love when a guy rubs the back of his neck when he’s flustered or embarrassed.
- Hidden tattoos👀👀
- Rob being protective is so so good! He's such an acts of service man.
- Kim's grandpa is a gem. My new fave social media influencer.
- I'm so glad that Kim Very 27 Dresses.
What I didn't like:
- I feel like you don't really see the "settle down" clause plot in everyday, working class families. Usually it's in rich families who are trying to control inheritance or a company. While Kim's grandma isn't actually a character in the book because she's passed away, based on what I know about her and her love for Kim, I find it a little far fetched that she would put that pressure on her granddaughter and create such stipulations for inheriting the shop.
- I really felt like Kim was a large part of her problem when it came to dating. She had really high expectations for her dates, but she was often rude and abrupt. Occasionally even leaving dates without seemingly saying anything? Sometimes it was hard to root for her.
- I didn't always understand Kim's motives. Like, she explained that That didn't make much sense to me or explain why she would have stayed away from her grandparents, especially when
- I'm big on dialogue, and while I did enjoy parts of the dialogue in this book (especially between Kim and Rob), I thought there wasn't enough of it. There was a lot of fluff and description that could've been communicated via dialogue instead. Some of the dialogue was also confusing because there were a lot of characters involved and they were repeating a lot of the same thoughts.
- Love protective Rob but he sometimes verges on stalker territory... especially when he . At least his friends call him out for it and he pretty much admits to it. My guy just needs to chill out a little.
-
- In my head, the real reason Rob had bailed on that initial date with Kim was that he had
Some notes (I'm neutral on these but figured I'd share):
- There are some really horrible dating app stories in here. I hope they're not based on real life because if so, the dating landscape is really far worse than I thought. And I already thought it was terrible.
- A lot of foreshadowing and foils, making some plot points predictable but not in a bad way.
- I kinda wish this was dual POV. I would've loved to know what Rob was thinking and feeling.
- I definitely see the 27 Dresses comparison, but also some influence from The Hating Game, specifically . I saw that coming from a mile away.
- This is a SLOW BURN. Definitely builds up but I feel like it took foreverrrrr.
December 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
This book was so cute! It had a classic rom-com feel, but the predictability didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. Timoti really pulled me in and kept me emotionally invested the whole way through.
I was rooting for Kim and Rob from the start. Their banter was fun and natural, and I loved the friends-to-lovers dynamic. Even the moments of backpedaling had me frustrated in the best way because I wanted to see them grow. Kim’s inner monologue was a highlight and made her feel very relatable.
Overall, this was a charming, feel-good read that rom-com fans will love.
I received an advance copy via NetGalley; all thoughts are my own.
This book was so cute! It had a classic rom-com feel, but the predictability didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. Timoti really pulled me in and kept me emotionally invested the whole way through.
I was rooting for Kim and Rob from the start. Their banter was fun and natural, and I loved the friends-to-lovers dynamic. Even the moments of backpedaling had me frustrated in the best way because I wanted to see them grow. Kim’s inner monologue was a highlight and made her feel very relatable.
Overall, this was a charming, feel-good read that rom-com fans will love.
I received an advance copy via NetGalley; all thoughts are my own.
April 27, 2026
Kim struggles to believe in love and happy endings. Growing up, she didn’t have the best example of love, but now she must find it in order to inherit the family business—all part of the inheritance clause in her grandmother’s will. After multiple horrible first dates, Kim has had enough.
Then she runs into Rob, someone she knows through her best friend’s fiancé. Rob is a firm believer in happily-ever-afters and comes to her rescue during one of her disastrous dates—where she also runs into her ex-fiancé, the one who shattered her heart.
During another chance encounter, Kim runs into Rob again. This time, he comes up with a plan to help her find “the one.” Rob has five weddings to attend before the end of the year and offers to take Kim as his date. He believes weddings are the perfect place to meet new people and promises to help her weed out the weirdos. So, it’s decided: Kim will attend the weddings as Rob’s date, and he’ll act as her matchmaker.
Rob is determined to prove to Kim that true love and happily-ever-afters do exist—and that they can exist for her, too.
If you loved the movie 27 Dresses and enjoy friends-to-lovers and slow-burn tropes, this book is for you. I couldn’t put it down!
I especially loved the family aspect of this book and how important Kim’s Oma and Opa are to her. They’ve shaped who she is through the love they showed her growing up. Opa, in particular, is one of my favorite parts of the story. He has such a profound impact on Kim and encourages her to do more for herself.
And then there’s Rob—sweet, swoon-worthy Rob. He’s easily one of the best parts of the book. I loved his perspective on love and how determined he is to find his own happily ever after. He’s such a dedicated friend and is completely set on changing Kim’s outlook on love.
The diverse cast is another standout element, handled beautifully. It’s such an important part of the story and really helps you connect with Kim. I especially loved the Indonesian phrases woven throughout the book—they added so much depth and richness, particularly to Kim and Opa’s relationship. Their interactions feel warm, authentic, and full of cultural pride.
There are so many emotional moments in this story. I found myself tearing up—and even monitoring my heart rate at times—because the banter and friendship between Kim and Rob are just that beautiful.
Thank you so much to Cynthia Timoti, Booked With the Emilys, and Bramble Publishing for the ARC of How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings. This book is incredibly enjoyable, and I can’t wait to recommend it to my friends!
Then she runs into Rob, someone she knows through her best friend’s fiancé. Rob is a firm believer in happily-ever-afters and comes to her rescue during one of her disastrous dates—where she also runs into her ex-fiancé, the one who shattered her heart.
During another chance encounter, Kim runs into Rob again. This time, he comes up with a plan to help her find “the one.” Rob has five weddings to attend before the end of the year and offers to take Kim as his date. He believes weddings are the perfect place to meet new people and promises to help her weed out the weirdos. So, it’s decided: Kim will attend the weddings as Rob’s date, and he’ll act as her matchmaker.
Rob is determined to prove to Kim that true love and happily-ever-afters do exist—and that they can exist for her, too.
If you loved the movie 27 Dresses and enjoy friends-to-lovers and slow-burn tropes, this book is for you. I couldn’t put it down!
I especially loved the family aspect of this book and how important Kim’s Oma and Opa are to her. They’ve shaped who she is through the love they showed her growing up. Opa, in particular, is one of my favorite parts of the story. He has such a profound impact on Kim and encourages her to do more for herself.
And then there’s Rob—sweet, swoon-worthy Rob. He’s easily one of the best parts of the book. I loved his perspective on love and how determined he is to find his own happily ever after. He’s such a dedicated friend and is completely set on changing Kim’s outlook on love.
The diverse cast is another standout element, handled beautifully. It’s such an important part of the story and really helps you connect with Kim. I especially loved the Indonesian phrases woven throughout the book—they added so much depth and richness, particularly to Kim and Opa’s relationship. Their interactions feel warm, authentic, and full of cultural pride.
There are so many emotional moments in this story. I found myself tearing up—and even monitoring my heart rate at times—because the banter and friendship between Kim and Rob are just that beautiful.
Thank you so much to Cynthia Timoti, Booked With the Emilys, and Bramble Publishing for the ARC of How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings. This book is incredibly enjoyable, and I can’t wait to recommend it to my friends!
May 13, 2026
How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings 💐Book Review 📖 thank you @bookedwiththeemilys @brambleromance for the gifted book!
How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings
by Cynthia Timoti
Narrated by Sura Siu
out now!
Kimiko Halim thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales. But her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down as a condition to inherit her yarn store, and the family’s legacy is the only thing that matters. Kim’s plan is simple: find a guy, date him until the store is hers, then gently uncouple from the poor, unsuspecting victim.
But the clock is ticking, and her dates have been more frogs than princes. When Rob Carmichael, a perpetual groomsman and self-proclaimed proponent of happily-ever-afters, overhears Kim’s cynical view of love, he’s baffled. Having been surrounded by happy relationships all his life, Rob convinces her that he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he’s going to.
What can possibly go wrong?
💭 My thoughts:
Sweet, funny, and full of charm, this was a great feel good rom com! This was a fast and fun read. Truly the perfect book to fly through over a weekend. I’m already a sucker for romances centered around weddings, especially during spring and summer, so this immediately had me in a good mood. The romance itself was incredibly sweet, but what really made this one stand out for me was the cast of characters. The friendships, family dynamics, and wedding chaos added warmth and personality to the story. Rob is a true green flag king. The slow burn and “he falls first” energy was pretty dang good. The terrible dates had me laughing, and overall this was just one of those books that leaves you smiling. Reasons to read this one… it’s cozy, romantic, and impossible not to enjoy.
What to expect👇🏽
❤️🔥Slow burn
💗Friends to lovers
☝🏽He falls first
💐Wedding shenanigans
🍷Horrible (but funny) first dates
✨AAPI representation
Happy reading 📖 💐💗
How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings
by Cynthia Timoti
Narrated by Sura Siu
out now!
Kimiko Halim thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales. But her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down as a condition to inherit her yarn store, and the family’s legacy is the only thing that matters. Kim’s plan is simple: find a guy, date him until the store is hers, then gently uncouple from the poor, unsuspecting victim.
But the clock is ticking, and her dates have been more frogs than princes. When Rob Carmichael, a perpetual groomsman and self-proclaimed proponent of happily-ever-afters, overhears Kim’s cynical view of love, he’s baffled. Having been surrounded by happy relationships all his life, Rob convinces her that he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he’s going to.
What can possibly go wrong?
💭 My thoughts:
Sweet, funny, and full of charm, this was a great feel good rom com! This was a fast and fun read. Truly the perfect book to fly through over a weekend. I’m already a sucker for romances centered around weddings, especially during spring and summer, so this immediately had me in a good mood. The romance itself was incredibly sweet, but what really made this one stand out for me was the cast of characters. The friendships, family dynamics, and wedding chaos added warmth and personality to the story. Rob is a true green flag king. The slow burn and “he falls first” energy was pretty dang good. The terrible dates had me laughing, and overall this was just one of those books that leaves you smiling. Reasons to read this one… it’s cozy, romantic, and impossible not to enjoy.
What to expect👇🏽
❤️🔥Slow burn
💗Friends to lovers
☝🏽He falls first
💐Wedding shenanigans
🍷Horrible (but funny) first dates
✨AAPI representation
Happy reading 📖 💐💗
May 16, 2026
Look if you’re like me, and you’ve watched/read your fair share of rom-coms, then you’ll probably suspect how this story will end. Nevertheless, there’s just so much joy in picking up a Romance book or movie and knowing there will be a happy ending. Some parts of the dialogue didn’t work for me, but this was a quick easy read with a familiar rom-com vibe 💗
Cynthia’s FMC’s always have a bit of bite and banter, and Kim was definitely not settling for any mediocre man. Kim and Rob’s romance was a slowwwwburn, that had me internally screaming at them to just date each other already 😩. Cynthia also doesn’t shy away from family drama, and I love the way she writes about complicated family dynamics in both her books.
Thank you Cynthia for sending me a copy to review. I recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a 90’s rom-com feel with a bit of wedding shenanigans and matchmaking
Cynthia’s FMC’s always have a bit of bite and banter, and Kim was definitely not settling for any mediocre man. Kim and Rob’s romance was a slowwwwburn, that had me internally screaming at them to just date each other already 😩. Cynthia also doesn’t shy away from family drama, and I love the way she writes about complicated family dynamics in both her books.
Thank you Cynthia for sending me a copy to review. I recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a 90’s rom-com feel with a bit of wedding shenanigans and matchmaking
May 15, 2026
This was a fun and easy read with plenty of chaos, family pressure and awkwardly entertaining moments.
I really enjoyed the humor and the messy family dynamics that made everything feel relatable and entertaining. The wedding setting kept the story moving reminding me of several 2000s romcom movies. I also enjoyed how the book explored cultural expectations around dating and marriage while still keeping the tone fun and approachable.
For me, the biggest issue was the lack of character growth throughout the story. The main character is 30 years old, yet so much of her decision making still revolves around unresolved daddy issues and it started to feel frustrating after a while. I’m glad I read it but I don’t think this will be a reread for me. And if you’re looking for a fast read that reminds you of early 2000s romcom movies this is it!
Thank you NetGalley, Cynthia Timoti, Tor Publishing and Bramble for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I really enjoyed the humor and the messy family dynamics that made everything feel relatable and entertaining. The wedding setting kept the story moving reminding me of several 2000s romcom movies. I also enjoyed how the book explored cultural expectations around dating and marriage while still keeping the tone fun and approachable.
For me, the biggest issue was the lack of character growth throughout the story. The main character is 30 years old, yet so much of her decision making still revolves around unresolved daddy issues and it started to feel frustrating after a while. I’m glad I read it but I don’t think this will be a reread for me. And if you’re looking for a fast read that reminds you of early 2000s romcom movies this is it!
Thank you NetGalley, Cynthia Timoti, Tor Publishing and Bramble for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
May 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Spotify Audiobooks and Cynthia Timoti for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a really fun friends to lovers story. All of the set ups made for great a great rom com plot. The motivation to be paired up for an inheritance was a bit hard to believe- and the MMC reaction was a bit dramatic. I do wish they just got together sooner because it all seemed inevitable.
Overall, I liked it!
Narration was really well done.
This was a really fun friends to lovers story. All of the set ups made for great a great rom com plot. The motivation to be paired up for an inheritance was a bit hard to believe- and the MMC reaction was a bit dramatic. I do wish they just got together sooner because it all seemed inevitable.
Overall, I liked it!
Narration was really well done.
May 13, 2026
I fell head over heels for Cynthia Timoti’s writing when I had the honor of reading her debut novel as an ARC. Now, with her second release, How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings, I was absolutely ecstatic to return to Port Benedict, where we last left Alec and Ellie, and move on to another shop on the strip - this time hanging out with Kim and Rob. The best part about a continuation, even if it is technically a standalone, is getting the chance to check in with some of your favorite characters from the previous story, and Cynthia didn’t disappoint.
The most important thing in the world to Kimiko Halim was family. She would do anything and everything for the two people who raised her, her Opa and Oma, even if that meant honoring the ridiculous condition left behind by her late grandmother: finding someone to spend her life with within two years of the will reading. While Kim couldn’t care less about the relationship aspect, she did care about what would happen if she failed. If she didn’t satisfy the clause, she risked losing ownership of her grandmother’s yarn store - and that simply wasn’t happening.
After one terrible online date match after another, Kim finds herself trapped in a disaster loop until one fateful evening when Rob Carmichael comes to the rescue. Talk about right place, right time. Rob steps in to save her from yet another awful date and ends up presenting her with a brilliant idea: he will help her find her true love and fulfill her grandmother’s wishes. Feeling guilty that Rob only knows part of the plan and being aware that she tends to dump whoever is in her life once the yarn shop is hers, she agrees to his plan - five guys, five weddings.
As each wedding passes, Kim finds herself spending more and more time with Rob, discovering there is far more depth beneath the beautiful surface and beginning to wonder if she has been looking everywhere except directly in front of her for the happiness she doesn’t believe she truly deserves.
Like Cynthia’s debut, I was completely consumed by this book. The antics of the blind dates, the outlandish results from the wedding setups, and the growing friendship between Kim and Rob were exactly why I could barely put it down.
That being said, I definitely had a love-hate relationship with Kim. Cynthia did an amazing job developing her background and helping us understand why she was so closed off and resistant to relationships, but I’m not going to lie - it was infuriating watching her behavior.
Cynthia also kept the intimacy fairly minimal throughout the book. Readers get enough detail to create a low-level sense of spice with an R-rated word here and there, but nothing that tips the scales into overly hot and heavy territory.
While I think most women can understand Kim’s fears and resistance toward relationships, my heart honestly went out to Rob.
Even with those concerns, I genuinely enjoyed how the ending wrapped up Ellie and Alec’s storyline alongside Kim and Rob’s. And if we’re lucky enough to continue following this friend group, I would absolutely love to see what happens with Jenna next.
More than anything, though, I appreciated that the core undercurrent of this story centered around forgiveness, family, sacrifice, and the complicated ways love shapes people - both positively and negatively. Sometimes we need reminders that situations are not always as simple as they appear from the outside. What feels like an easy solution for spectators can feel impossibly complicated for the people actually living through it. A little grace and understanding can go a very long way.
I truly enjoyed yet another wonderful story by Cynthia Timoti, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.
~ Spoilers have been removed.
The most important thing in the world to Kimiko Halim was family. She would do anything and everything for the two people who raised her, her Opa and Oma, even if that meant honoring the ridiculous condition left behind by her late grandmother: finding someone to spend her life with within two years of the will reading. While Kim couldn’t care less about the relationship aspect, she did care about what would happen if she failed. If she didn’t satisfy the clause, she risked losing ownership of her grandmother’s yarn store - and that simply wasn’t happening.
After one terrible online date match after another, Kim finds herself trapped in a disaster loop until one fateful evening when Rob Carmichael comes to the rescue. Talk about right place, right time. Rob steps in to save her from yet another awful date and ends up presenting her with a brilliant idea: he will help her find her true love and fulfill her grandmother’s wishes. Feeling guilty that Rob only knows part of the plan and being aware that she tends to dump whoever is in her life once the yarn shop is hers, she agrees to his plan - five guys, five weddings.
As each wedding passes, Kim finds herself spending more and more time with Rob, discovering there is far more depth beneath the beautiful surface and beginning to wonder if she has been looking everywhere except directly in front of her for the happiness she doesn’t believe she truly deserves.
Like Cynthia’s debut, I was completely consumed by this book. The antics of the blind dates, the outlandish results from the wedding setups, and the growing friendship between Kim and Rob were exactly why I could barely put it down.
That being said, I definitely had a love-hate relationship with Kim. Cynthia did an amazing job developing her background and helping us understand why she was so closed off and resistant to relationships, but I’m not going to lie - it was infuriating watching her behavior.
Cynthia also kept the intimacy fairly minimal throughout the book. Readers get enough detail to create a low-level sense of spice with an R-rated word here and there, but nothing that tips the scales into overly hot and heavy territory.
While I think most women can understand Kim’s fears and resistance toward relationships, my heart honestly went out to Rob.
Even with those concerns, I genuinely enjoyed how the ending wrapped up Ellie and Alec’s storyline alongside Kim and Rob’s. And if we’re lucky enough to continue following this friend group, I would absolutely love to see what happens with Jenna next.
More than anything, though, I appreciated that the core undercurrent of this story centered around forgiveness, family, sacrifice, and the complicated ways love shapes people - both positively and negatively. Sometimes we need reminders that situations are not always as simple as they appear from the outside. What feels like an easy solution for spectators can feel impossibly complicated for the people actually living through it. A little grace and understanding can go a very long way.
I truly enjoyed yet another wonderful story by Cynthia Timoti, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.
~ Spoilers have been removed.
May 15, 2026
This isn't escapist fun or opposites helping each other grow. This is a deeply unhappy FMC finally deciding that the cute MMC is probably nice enough to date.
The FMC wants to fulfil the 'settling down' clause in her grandma's will in order inherit her yarn shop. She doesn't seem to like the yarn shop, but wants to keep it because...? Memories I guess? So, her plan is to date a guy for a few months until the lawyers agree the clause has been met, then break up with him. Somehow this absurd clause is so ironclad it cannot be undone - but is also so weak it can be satisfied with a non long-term relationship. Sus. Also it's never discussed what will happen if the clause isn't met. Presumably the shop would go to the still living grandfather who is happy to have her run it. So, not really sure what the problem is.
But really, the biggest issue is the FMC sucks. She aggressively hates love (and apparently most forms of happiness). She spouts off about her righteous crusade against love at any and all opportunities making sure the reader knows how dumb they are for buying into the consumer construct that is love ("Had no one ever told her that soul mates and true love weren't real, but tales, nay, lies, spun by story tellers, hopeless romantics, and corporate sharks to dupe people into parting with their hard-earned money? Valentine's Day anyone? Biggest scam in the entire universe.") Well, except her grandparents; their love was real and "relationship goals."
Here's her take on RomCom movies, which occurs over halfway through the book:
Also, FMC and MMC are low-key problematic.
Exhibit A: She finds him attractive because: "This was a guy who [...] did things that were probably going to be at his expense to help keep the peace in his family. Not because he couldn't stand up for himself and say no, but because he puts his family and their well being first, above a lot of other things. Above himself." Girl, no. That's not healthy for either of you.
Exhibit B: He pranks her by
Skip this book and annoy the author by watching "27 Dresses" instead.
The FMC wants to fulfil the 'settling down' clause in her grandma's will in order inherit her yarn shop. She doesn't seem to like the yarn shop, but wants to keep it because...? Memories I guess? So, her plan is to date a guy for a few months until the lawyers agree the clause has been met, then break up with him. Somehow this absurd clause is so ironclad it cannot be undone - but is also so weak it can be satisfied with a non long-term relationship. Sus. Also it's never discussed what will happen if the clause isn't met. Presumably the shop would go to the still living grandfather who is happy to have her run it. So, not really sure what the problem is.
But really, the biggest issue is the FMC sucks. She aggressively hates love (and apparently most forms of happiness). She spouts off about her righteous crusade against love at any and all opportunities making sure the reader knows how dumb they are for buying into the consumer construct that is love ("Had no one ever told her that soul mates and true love weren't real, but tales, nay, lies, spun by story tellers, hopeless romantics, and corporate sharks to dupe people into parting with their hard-earned money? Valentine's Day anyone? Biggest scam in the entire universe.") Well, except her grandparents; their love was real and "relationship goals."
Here's her take on RomCom movies, which occurs over halfway through the book:
"Because those sickeningly happy, overly sappy romantic movies give false expectations to single women everywhere. Teaching young people to expect a perfect swooning heart breakingly handsome partner. But nobody in real life could live up to the characters in those romance movies. People like that aren't real. So why would you spend two hours of your life watching something that you'll be invested in, only to be disappointed when you realize that nothing like that would ever happen in your own life." [...]
"And you know what the best part of being single is?" [...] "You don't have to check in with or answer to anyone. Or plan your life around them and be constantly mindful of someone else's needs and wants other than your own." [...] "And that way you don't have to sacrifice your life or your identity for another person. Nobody expects anything from you. Nobody can hurt you and vice versa. If you're hurt, you only have yourself to blame."
Also, FMC and MMC are low-key problematic.
Exhibit A: She finds him attractive because: "This was a guy who [...] did things that were probably going to be at his expense to help keep the peace in his family. Not because he couldn't stand up for himself and say no, but because he puts his family and their well being first, above a lot of other things. Above himself." Girl, no. That's not healthy for either of you.
Exhibit B: He pranks her by
Skip this book and annoy the author by watching "27 Dresses" instead.
May 18, 2026
After her mother's death, her father left Kim with her grandparents. Although they raised her with much love, they could not prevent Kim from not believing in happy endings. When her grandmother passes away, she writes in her will that Kim must have a partner to receive her inheritance. Thus begins a series of terrible (but hilarious) first dates. Just as she is about to give up, Rob (a friend of her best friend's fiancé) offers to be her matchmaker, like he has been for some of his family members, if she accompanies him to five weddings so that he doesn't have to go alone and he can introduce her to eligible bachelors.
This book completely stole my heart from beginning to end.
One of the very first things that made me smile was the fact that Dutch was included in the story, because it’s my own mother tongue too.
There were also so many moments that had me laughing out loud: the friends tagging along on the date in cognito, the dossiers Rob put together and the not so little details he missed, the scenes with the grandfather discovering social media and casually “stalking” her friends,...
The friendship, the banter, the chemistry is fantastic! There were a few moments that gave me butterflies and goosebumps!
“Kissing him feels like an extension of my oxygen” - I mean, WAUW, how beautiful is that?! How can you not be swept of your feet after that?!
“I had to prove myself to you first. Made you realize that those guys aren’t right for you.” - I’m all here for it: not taking things for granted, but showing your worth, taking your time to win the trust!
I always love romance books that go deeper than just the love story and on that front this book didn’t disappoint either!
The deeper layer about career choices and parental expectations was so painful yet valuable. It hurt seeing how Rob internalized the way his parents looked down on his profession and how that made him feel less worthy. It made me grateful for my own upbringing in which I learned to use my own talents, do something I genuinely love and that contributing to the world in my own way always matters far more than status. So let me say it loud and clear for everyone: every job exists for a reason and don’t let anyone ever make you feel “less than” because of your career path!
And finally, what truly hit me emotionally was the relationship between Kim and her grandfather. Their bond was so warm, loving and genuine! It reminded me of the relationship I had with my own beloved ‘bompa’.
This book completely stole my heart from beginning to end.
One of the very first things that made me smile was the fact that Dutch was included in the story, because it’s my own mother tongue too.
There were also so many moments that had me laughing out loud: the friends tagging along on the date in cognito, the dossiers Rob put together and the not so little details he missed, the scenes with the grandfather discovering social media and casually “stalking” her friends,...
The friendship, the banter, the chemistry is fantastic! There were a few moments that gave me butterflies and goosebumps!
“Kissing him feels like an extension of my oxygen” - I mean, WAUW, how beautiful is that?! How can you not be swept of your feet after that?!
“I had to prove myself to you first. Made you realize that those guys aren’t right for you.” - I’m all here for it: not taking things for granted, but showing your worth, taking your time to win the trust!
I always love romance books that go deeper than just the love story and on that front this book didn’t disappoint either!
The deeper layer about career choices and parental expectations was so painful yet valuable. It hurt seeing how Rob internalized the way his parents looked down on his profession and how that made him feel less worthy. It made me grateful for my own upbringing in which I learned to use my own talents, do something I genuinely love and that contributing to the world in my own way always matters far more than status. So let me say it loud and clear for everyone: every job exists for a reason and don’t let anyone ever make you feel “less than” because of your career path!
And finally, what truly hit me emotionally was the relationship between Kim and her grandfather. Their bond was so warm, loving and genuine! It reminded me of the relationship I had with my own beloved ‘bompa’.
May 17, 2026
Thanks to @bookedwiththeemilys and cynthiatimoti for the #gifted copy of this book.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) so it's the perfect time to pick up this fun romance featuring AAPI characters! Keep reading for all the details and my thoughts.
HOW TO FIND A GUY IN FIVE WEDDINGS
Cynthia Timoti
Adult Romance
Bramble
Pub Date: May 12
For fans of:
Slow burn
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Feisty heroine
Green flag hero
Diverse cast
Wedding shenanigans
Horrible (but funny) first dates
AAPI representation
Synopsis:
It’s 27 Dresses meets Sonya Lalli’s The Matchmaker’s List in this delightful romcom where she doesn’t believe in love…he’s determined to prove her wrong -- by being her matchmaker!
Kimiko Halim thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales. But her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down as a condition to inherit her yarn store, and the family’s legacy is the only thing that matters. Kim’s plan is simple: find a guy, date him until the store is hers, then gently uncouple from the poor, unsuspecting victim.
But the clock is ticking, and her dates have been more frogs than princes. When Rob Carmichael, a perpetual groomsman and self-proclaimed proponent of happily-ever-afters, overhears Kim’s cynical view of love, he’s baffled. Having been surrounded by happy relationships all his life, Rob convinces her that he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he’s going to.
What can possibly go wrong?
THOUGHTS:
While I ended up enjoying the overall story, this one took some time to connect with. There's a whole bunch of interconnected characters in the first several chapters (many of whom I believe you meet in an earlier book in the same world) which was confusing. Rob as a character is almost too perfect and emotionally mature. The deal he and Kim strike feels lopsided, and I wasn't seeing the romantic chemistry between them. However, the more we got invested in both of their families and the more Kim grew, the better the story became. I also loved Kim's grandfather Opa, and the Indonesian culture and language woven throughout.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) so it's the perfect time to pick up this fun romance featuring AAPI characters! Keep reading for all the details and my thoughts.
HOW TO FIND A GUY IN FIVE WEDDINGS
Cynthia Timoti
Adult Romance
Bramble
Pub Date: May 12
For fans of:
Slow burn
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Feisty heroine
Green flag hero
Diverse cast
Wedding shenanigans
Horrible (but funny) first dates
AAPI representation
Synopsis:
It’s 27 Dresses meets Sonya Lalli’s The Matchmaker’s List in this delightful romcom where she doesn’t believe in love…he’s determined to prove her wrong -- by being her matchmaker!
Kimiko Halim thinks happy endings only exist in fairy tales. But her late grandmother’s will specifies settling down as a condition to inherit her yarn store, and the family’s legacy is the only thing that matters. Kim’s plan is simple: find a guy, date him until the store is hers, then gently uncouple from the poor, unsuspecting victim.
But the clock is ticking, and her dates have been more frogs than princes. When Rob Carmichael, a perpetual groomsman and self-proclaimed proponent of happily-ever-afters, overhears Kim’s cynical view of love, he’s baffled. Having been surrounded by happy relationships all his life, Rob convinces her that he can find her a soulmate in one of the next five weddings he’s going to.
What can possibly go wrong?
THOUGHTS:
While I ended up enjoying the overall story, this one took some time to connect with. There's a whole bunch of interconnected characters in the first several chapters (many of whom I believe you meet in an earlier book in the same world) which was confusing. Rob as a character is almost too perfect and emotionally mature. The deal he and Kim strike feels lopsided, and I wasn't seeing the romantic chemistry between them. However, the more we got invested in both of their families and the more Kim grew, the better the story became. I also loved Kim's grandfather Opa, and the Indonesian culture and language woven throughout.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
General Thoughts:
This was a very cute romcom with lots of layers to it. We had lots of subplots going on that intermingled with the main romance plot very well. Our FMC and MMC were both very relatable and came across as very human. While this book was pretty predictable, it was still cute and fun and held my attention.
I really liked the representation for anemia being that I myself have been recently diagnosed with chronic anemia. It felt very relatable to what I've been going through and I felt very seen by this novel.
I really liked our FMC and her general demeanor. She was so cynical and down on love, but still super relatable and cute. It felt very similar to how I felt in my younger years as well. I was really rooting for both the FMC and the MMC even through the difficult part of the book where things felt very up in the air between them. I enjoyed the FMC's relationship with her grandfather, and I super related to both of our characters as they struggled with other family relationships.
This is my second book by this author, and while I feel like I liked the first book a little bit better, I still really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read everything that author puts out.
Things to Love:
* Delightfully cynical FMC
* Tattooed MMC
* Golden Retriever MMC
Things to question:
* Reason for needing a relationship didn't quite make sense for me. Seemed shallow.
Book Stats:
📖: 313
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Bramble
Format: physical ARC
Series: STANDALONE
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 9 hours 15 minutes
🎤: Sura Sue
Publisher: Spotify Audio
Format: Single narrator/POV
Was the narration good??
I enjoyed the narration of this book quite a bit. The narrator did an absolutely wonderful job of conveying the snark and banter between the two characters. I really enjoyed her rendition of the cynical, but lovable FMC.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted physical ARC from the publisher and a audiobook via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This was a very cute romcom with lots of layers to it. We had lots of subplots going on that intermingled with the main romance plot very well. Our FMC and MMC were both very relatable and came across as very human. While this book was pretty predictable, it was still cute and fun and held my attention.
I really liked the representation for anemia being that I myself have been recently diagnosed with chronic anemia. It felt very relatable to what I've been going through and I felt very seen by this novel.
I really liked our FMC and her general demeanor. She was so cynical and down on love, but still super relatable and cute. It felt very similar to how I felt in my younger years as well. I was really rooting for both the FMC and the MMC even through the difficult part of the book where things felt very up in the air between them. I enjoyed the FMC's relationship with her grandfather, and I super related to both of our characters as they struggled with other family relationships.
This is my second book by this author, and while I feel like I liked the first book a little bit better, I still really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read everything that author puts out.
Things to Love:
* Delightfully cynical FMC
* Tattooed MMC
* Golden Retriever MMC
Things to question:
* Reason for needing a relationship didn't quite make sense for me. Seemed shallow.
Book Stats:
📖: 313
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Bramble
Format: physical ARC
Series: STANDALONE
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 9 hours 15 minutes
🎤: Sura Sue
Publisher: Spotify Audio
Format: Single narrator/POV
Was the narration good??
I enjoyed the narration of this book quite a bit. The narrator did an absolutely wonderful job of conveying the snark and banter between the two characters. I really enjoyed her rendition of the cynical, but lovable FMC.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted physical ARC from the publisher and a audiobook via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 5 🌟 | Spice: 3 🌶️
It should come as no surprise that I love a good rom-com! I will always choose to put on a rom-com film if I ever need a comfort watch. It always feels like a warm hug when I watch them, which is how I felt while reading this!
The story follows Kimiko (“Kim”) Halim who has a deadline to find love in order to inherit her grandmother’s beloved yarn shop. Sounds simple enough, right? Except Kim is a total cynic when it comes to love & she’s been on some terrible blind dates. Enter Rob Carmichael. A friend who is convinced he can find her soulmate in a span of five weddings as his plus one.
Much like the layers on a wedding cake, there are so many wonderful layers to love with this book. The story's vibe brought a sense of familiarity in that it gave me the same comfort that I seek from rom-com films. It’s not overly complicated, has comedic moments & it's full of heart.
It had many loveable characters. I loved how relatable Kim was with her deep insecurities & that we got to see her character growth. Rob was such a swoon worthy MMC with his selfless nature (he remembers her drink order!), but he also had own relatable journey to work on. I really enjoyed their interactions & their chemistry was palpable. Beyond the MCs, the secondary characters like Opa (Kim’s grandfather) & the ladies at the yarn shop added so much colour to the story.
I truly appreciated the Asian representation. I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again - I love seeing more & more BIPOC leads in the stories I read. Cynthia incorporated a lot of Kim’s Indonesian culture into the story - whether it was through food or how she communicated with her Opa.
The last layer I’ll mention is how the storytelling was presented. The pacing was great & it was an overall feel-good novel. The chapter titles were so fun - the perfect little teasers on what to expect within each chapter.
If you're looking for your next heartwarming rom-com read, I highly recommend this one! A huge thanks to Cynthia, Tor Publishing Group / Bramble & NetGalley for the eARC.
It should come as no surprise that I love a good rom-com! I will always choose to put on a rom-com film if I ever need a comfort watch. It always feels like a warm hug when I watch them, which is how I felt while reading this!
The story follows Kimiko (“Kim”) Halim who has a deadline to find love in order to inherit her grandmother’s beloved yarn shop. Sounds simple enough, right? Except Kim is a total cynic when it comes to love & she’s been on some terrible blind dates. Enter Rob Carmichael. A friend who is convinced he can find her soulmate in a span of five weddings as his plus one.
Much like the layers on a wedding cake, there are so many wonderful layers to love with this book. The story's vibe brought a sense of familiarity in that it gave me the same comfort that I seek from rom-com films. It’s not overly complicated, has comedic moments & it's full of heart.
It had many loveable characters. I loved how relatable Kim was with her deep insecurities & that we got to see her character growth. Rob was such a swoon worthy MMC with his selfless nature (he remembers her drink order!), but he also had own relatable journey to work on. I really enjoyed their interactions & their chemistry was palpable. Beyond the MCs, the secondary characters like Opa (Kim’s grandfather) & the ladies at the yarn shop added so much colour to the story.
I truly appreciated the Asian representation. I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again - I love seeing more & more BIPOC leads in the stories I read. Cynthia incorporated a lot of Kim’s Indonesian culture into the story - whether it was through food or how she communicated with her Opa.
The last layer I’ll mention is how the storytelling was presented. The pacing was great & it was an overall feel-good novel. The chapter titles were so fun - the perfect little teasers on what to expect within each chapter.
If you're looking for your next heartwarming rom-com read, I highly recommend this one! A huge thanks to Cynthia, Tor Publishing Group / Bramble & NetGalley for the eARC.
May 18, 2026
Oh este audiolibro fue estupendo, la narradora hizo un excelente trabajo dando todas las voces, su voz me trasmitió MUCHO y eso siempre lo agradezco en historias como estas.
La historia sigue a Kimiko, nuestra protagonista que tiene que encontrar un "novio" para poder heredar el negocio familiar y obtiene la ayuda de Rob para conocer a algunos hombres que según el, son el match perfecto para ella, la historia nos embarca en cada cita y en cada boda a la que van y déjenme decirles que me gusto cada una, si bien es ligero de escuchar me saco algunas lagrimas pero mas que todo entre las conversaciones de ella con su abuelo y aquí agradezco a la narradora y al guionista porque pusieron las traducciones del indonesio justo a los segundos de decirlas y fue lo mejor poder entender todo.
Mi único pero es el drama ya casi al final, literal todo estaba siendo HERMOSO pero bueno, son cosas de estos libros y mas de mi de no gustarme el drama, eso si, termino de la manera mas bonita y eso hizo que fuera un buen audiolibro para mi.
******
Oh, this audiobook was great; the narrator did an excellent job bringing all the characters to life, her voice really resonated with me, and I always appreciate that in stories like this.
The story follows Kimiko, our protagonist, who has to find a "boyfriend" in order to inherit the family business. She enlists Rob’s help to meet some men who, according to him, are the perfect match for her. The story takes us along on every date and every wedding they attend, and let me tell you, I loved every single one. Although it’s a light listen, it brought a few tears to my eyes, mostly during her conversations with her grandfather. And here I want to thank the narrator and the scriptwriter because they included the Indonesian translations just seconds after the lines were spoken, and it was wonderful to be able to understand everything.
My only complaint is the drama near the end, literally, everything was going so BEAUTIFULLY, but well, that’s just how these books are, and it’s more my issue with not liking drama. That said, it ends in the most beautiful way, and that made it a great audiobook for me.
📌I received an advanced listening copy through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
La historia sigue a Kimiko, nuestra protagonista que tiene que encontrar un "novio" para poder heredar el negocio familiar y obtiene la ayuda de Rob para conocer a algunos hombres que según el, son el match perfecto para ella, la historia nos embarca en cada cita y en cada boda a la que van y déjenme decirles que me gusto cada una, si bien es ligero de escuchar me saco algunas lagrimas pero mas que todo entre las conversaciones de ella con su abuelo y aquí agradezco a la narradora y al guionista porque pusieron las traducciones del indonesio justo a los segundos de decirlas y fue lo mejor poder entender todo.
Mi único pero es el drama ya casi al final, literal todo estaba siendo HERMOSO pero bueno, son cosas de estos libros y mas de mi de no gustarme el drama, eso si, termino de la manera mas bonita y eso hizo que fuera un buen audiolibro para mi.
******
Oh, this audiobook was great; the narrator did an excellent job bringing all the characters to life, her voice really resonated with me, and I always appreciate that in stories like this.
The story follows Kimiko, our protagonist, who has to find a "boyfriend" in order to inherit the family business. She enlists Rob’s help to meet some men who, according to him, are the perfect match for her. The story takes us along on every date and every wedding they attend, and let me tell you, I loved every single one. Although it’s a light listen, it brought a few tears to my eyes, mostly during her conversations with her grandfather. And here I want to thank the narrator and the scriptwriter because they included the Indonesian translations just seconds after the lines were spoken, and it was wonderful to be able to understand everything.
My only complaint is the drama near the end, literally, everything was going so BEAUTIFULLY, but well, that’s just how these books are, and it’s more my issue with not liking drama. That said, it ends in the most beautiful way, and that made it a great audiobook for me.
📌I received an advanced listening copy through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
May 17, 2026
4.5 stars
This was such a fun romance and honestly exactly the kind of romcom setup I love.
Kimiko needs a boyfriend in order to keep her grandmother’s yarn shop, but the problem is she does not believe in love or happily ever afters. Her plan is simple: fake it long enough to secure the shop and move on with her life. No feelings. No complications.
Then Rob inserts himself into the situation with a plan to help her find a soulmate across five weddings… and it becomes very obvious very quickly that this man is not staying in the “just helping” category.
The wedding setup was SO fun. Different dresses, different dates, wedding chaos, awkward matchmaking moments, and Rob showing up every single time being patient, thoughtful, and quietly more invested than he lets on. Kim is trying so hard to keep everything logical and under control while Rob is basically the human embodiment of sincerity and emotional availability, which made their dynamic so good. Watching her slowly crack despite desperately trying not to was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Rob? Absolutely adored him. He’s selfless, charming, and impossible not to fall for as a reader. I completely understood why Kim kept getting thrown off balance around him.
I also have to talk about Opa because every single scene with him made this story even better. Kim’s relationship with her grandfather brought so much heart to the book and made her character feel incredibly relatable. I loved how young-hearted he was, especially with technology, and the family obligations woven throughout the story added a lot of emotional depth underneath all the humor and romance.
Also… Kim’s dating history? Absolutely abysmal in the funniest way possible. Some of those scenes had me laughing out loud.
If you love:
💍 27 Dresses vibes
💍 slow burn romance
💍 wedding chaos
💍 matchmaking
💍 romcoms with heart
💍 a jaded FMC who doesn’t believe in love
…this one is definitely worth picking up.
This was such a fun romance and honestly exactly the kind of romcom setup I love.
Kimiko needs a boyfriend in order to keep her grandmother’s yarn shop, but the problem is she does not believe in love or happily ever afters. Her plan is simple: fake it long enough to secure the shop and move on with her life. No feelings. No complications.
Then Rob inserts himself into the situation with a plan to help her find a soulmate across five weddings… and it becomes very obvious very quickly that this man is not staying in the “just helping” category.
The wedding setup was SO fun. Different dresses, different dates, wedding chaos, awkward matchmaking moments, and Rob showing up every single time being patient, thoughtful, and quietly more invested than he lets on. Kim is trying so hard to keep everything logical and under control while Rob is basically the human embodiment of sincerity and emotional availability, which made their dynamic so good. Watching her slowly crack despite desperately trying not to was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Rob? Absolutely adored him. He’s selfless, charming, and impossible not to fall for as a reader. I completely understood why Kim kept getting thrown off balance around him.
I also have to talk about Opa because every single scene with him made this story even better. Kim’s relationship with her grandfather brought so much heart to the book and made her character feel incredibly relatable. I loved how young-hearted he was, especially with technology, and the family obligations woven throughout the story added a lot of emotional depth underneath all the humor and romance.
Also… Kim’s dating history? Absolutely abysmal in the funniest way possible. Some of those scenes had me laughing out loud.
If you love:
💍 27 Dresses vibes
💍 slow burn romance
💍 wedding chaos
💍 matchmaking
💍 romcoms with heart
💍 a jaded FMC who doesn’t believe in love
…this one is definitely worth picking up.
May 12, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and @brambleromance for an arc!
Happy Release Day!
This book got me out of a slump and it’s to be determined if it’s going to put me back in one. From the first few pages I was cracking up because Kim’s date was so unserious and then somehow the terrible situation got worse. There was nothing I could do except laugh because it was just so awkward and uncomfortable. I could feel Kim’s pain.
I really liked that we only got Kim’s perspective in this book. I didn’t feel like anything was missing, especially because through Rob’s actions what was really going on was clear as day. Kim and Rob’s banter and playful teasing was so good, I was cheesing while reading it and looking forward for more of it.
Their romance is a slow burn, and we get moments of lingering touches and glances, and we get deep conversations where they really get to know each other. By the end of the story, I believed they should be together because they complemented each other well.
There are a few storylines going on, but they all helped us understand the world and Kim’s and Rob’s characters. We unpack some trauma here. By the end of the story, it all came full circle. I really enjoyed all of it and Opa (Kim’s grandfather) was so lovable. His character was my favorite side character.
This story shows how our past can impact us and how we show up in the future, what healthy and long-lasting relationships can look like, and the damage you to do yourself when you’re living your life based on other people’s expectations.
Read for:
🧶 Matchmaker Romance
🧶 FMC doesn’t believe in love x MMC yearns for love
🧶 Complicated relationship with their fathers
🧶 Wedding Settings
🧶Awful and fun dates
🧶Banter
www.ihavetosay.blog
www.instagram.com/lyssa_posts_
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and @brambleromance for an arc!
Happy Release Day!
This book got me out of a slump and it’s to be determined if it’s going to put me back in one. From the first few pages I was cracking up because Kim’s date was so unserious and then somehow the terrible situation got worse. There was nothing I could do except laugh because it was just so awkward and uncomfortable. I could feel Kim’s pain.
I really liked that we only got Kim’s perspective in this book. I didn’t feel like anything was missing, especially because through Rob’s actions what was really going on was clear as day. Kim and Rob’s banter and playful teasing was so good, I was cheesing while reading it and looking forward for more of it.
Their romance is a slow burn, and we get moments of lingering touches and glances, and we get deep conversations where they really get to know each other. By the end of the story, I believed they should be together because they complemented each other well.
There are a few storylines going on, but they all helped us understand the world and Kim’s and Rob’s characters. We unpack some trauma here. By the end of the story, it all came full circle. I really enjoyed all of it and Opa (Kim’s grandfather) was so lovable. His character was my favorite side character.
This story shows how our past can impact us and how we show up in the future, what healthy and long-lasting relationships can look like, and the damage you to do yourself when you’re living your life based on other people’s expectations.
Read for:
🧶 Matchmaker Romance
🧶 FMC doesn’t believe in love x MMC yearns for love
🧶 Complicated relationship with their fathers
🧶 Wedding Settings
🧶Awful and fun dates
🧶Banter
www.ihavetosay.blog
www.instagram.com/lyssa_posts_
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to Bramble for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ very mild
Kim Halim has a deadline imposed by her late grandmother: she has to find love in order to inherit the family legacy yarn store. Kim was raised by her grandparents and still cares for her grandfather, including driving him to dialysis every other day; she can’t let them down by losing the yarn store. When she meets self-proclaimed master matchmaker, Rob Carmichael, the two strike a deal: Kim will be Rob’s +1 to the next five weddings he’s attending, and he’ll ensure she finds her soulmate at one of them. Can Rob’s plan actually work, or will Kim lose it all?
I loved reading Cynthia Timoti's debut Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice, and was so eager to read this sophomore novel. It certainly didn’t disappoint! There’s so much to love: the Indonesian diaspora and language representation, the PNW love (even if set in a fictional city called Port Benedict), the representation of grandfamilies (grandparents raising their grandchildren), and of course the #FriendsToLovers trope. Kim and Rob have such great banter and the premise of Rob as a matchmaker (#wingman) for Kim was just so swoon-worthy. Rob himself is such a golden retriever MMC and the perfect character foil to the stressed out Kim. You’ll love their chemistry and the sidequests of dating other people; after all, you’ve got to kiss some frogs to find the prince!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
👴🏻 were raised by your grandparents
🧶 love visiting the yarn store
⛳️ are secretly really good at mini-golf
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ very mild
Kim Halim has a deadline imposed by her late grandmother: she has to find love in order to inherit the family legacy yarn store. Kim was raised by her grandparents and still cares for her grandfather, including driving him to dialysis every other day; she can’t let them down by losing the yarn store. When she meets self-proclaimed master matchmaker, Rob Carmichael, the two strike a deal: Kim will be Rob’s +1 to the next five weddings he’s attending, and he’ll ensure she finds her soulmate at one of them. Can Rob’s plan actually work, or will Kim lose it all?
I loved reading Cynthia Timoti's debut Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice, and was so eager to read this sophomore novel. It certainly didn’t disappoint! There’s so much to love: the Indonesian diaspora and language representation, the PNW love (even if set in a fictional city called Port Benedict), the representation of grandfamilies (grandparents raising their grandchildren), and of course the #FriendsToLovers trope. Kim and Rob have such great banter and the premise of Rob as a matchmaker (#wingman) for Kim was just so swoon-worthy. Rob himself is such a golden retriever MMC and the perfect character foil to the stressed out Kim. You’ll love their chemistry and the sidequests of dating other people; after all, you’ve got to kiss some frogs to find the prince!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
👴🏻 were raised by your grandparents
🧶 love visiting the yarn store
⛳️ are secretly really good at mini-golf
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to like this book but alas… I think Timoti’s writing and characters are really not for me. In How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings, Kim is determined to save and inherit her family’s yarn store, motivated by her late grandmother’s clause that she must first “settle down” or else the shop will be sold. And so Kim goes on dreadful after dreadful first date, until she is reconnected with Rob, who has a “brilliant” idea to introduce her to single men at all his upcoming weddings.
It’s hard to describe Kim as a person: she’s a wild mix of snarky yet needlessly polite, determined but off-base, and punny yet not actually funny. She is someone hard to root for, but to be fair, girl was stressed for the entire book. As for the MMC… Rob was honestly pretty boring and was carrying unresolved, full-blown daddy issues at ripe age of 34 years old. The two worked together to prepare for dates, on renovation projects, and seemed to develop chemistry, despite the barrier to real romance was confusing to me.
What I did appreciate were the multiracial backgrounds and complex narratives of some of our characters, and how it shaped them as adults. I adored Kim’s sweet and tech-savvy grandpa, and his fun antics.
But the pacing of the story was confusing, some storylines not fully wrapped up, while the whole third act was a mad scramble of huge miscommunication and inappropriate grand gestures. Also, the dialogue came off as stiff, sometimes inorganic and even cringey. Phrases from both our protagonists, like “it’s an Asian thing” (like the Asian diaspora is supposedly a monoculture?) or “I’m not most guys” (just stop), honestly give me the ick.
This romance wasn’t for me… but maybe it’ll resonate with someone else?? Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
It’s hard to describe Kim as a person: she’s a wild mix of snarky yet needlessly polite, determined but off-base, and punny yet not actually funny. She is someone hard to root for, but to be fair, girl was stressed for the entire book. As for the MMC… Rob was honestly pretty boring and was carrying unresolved, full-blown daddy issues at ripe age of 34 years old. The two worked together to prepare for dates, on renovation projects, and seemed to develop chemistry, despite the barrier to real romance was confusing to me.
What I did appreciate were the multiracial backgrounds and complex narratives of some of our characters, and how it shaped them as adults. I adored Kim’s sweet and tech-savvy grandpa, and his fun antics.
But the pacing of the story was confusing, some storylines not fully wrapped up, while the whole third act was a mad scramble of huge miscommunication and inappropriate grand gestures. Also, the dialogue came off as stiff, sometimes inorganic and even cringey. Phrases from both our protagonists, like “it’s an Asian thing” (like the Asian diaspora is supposedly a monoculture?) or “I’m not most guys” (just stop), honestly give me the ick.
This romance wasn’t for me… but maybe it’ll resonate with someone else?? Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to @brambleromance for gifting me this physical ARC because this book ended up being such a good time. As someone who has watched 27 Dresses an embarrassing amount of times, this book was basically set up to work for me from the start. Wedding chaos, hopeless romantics, emotional baggage, meddling family members? Immediately yes.
This was my first Cynthia Timoti book and now I definitely want to read more from her. The story had that cozy, early 2000’s romcom feel while still having a lot more depth than I expected. It balanced the humor and emotional moments really well, and I ended up getting way more attached to these characters than I planned to.
Kim and Rob felt messy and realistic in a way that made them easy to root for. Rob being this walking golden retriever of a man who genuinely believes in love while Kim is over there trying to survive family pressure and terrible dates made for such a fun dynamic. Their banter felt effortless and the slow shift from friendship into something more was SO good.
Also… Opa deserves his own fan club. Every scene with him had me smiling because this man was matchmaking with absolutely zero subtlety. Between the family meddling, the friend group rooting for them, and all the wedding drama, this book honestly felt like watching one of those comfort romcoms you end up replaying constantly.
I also really loved seeing the Indonesian representation woven throughout the story. It added so much warmth and personality to the book and made the family dynamics feel even richer.
If you love friends-to-lovers romances, chaotic wedding energy, lovable side characters, and books that feel like a comfort romcom movie, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
This was my first Cynthia Timoti book and now I definitely want to read more from her. The story had that cozy, early 2000’s romcom feel while still having a lot more depth than I expected. It balanced the humor and emotional moments really well, and I ended up getting way more attached to these characters than I planned to.
Kim and Rob felt messy and realistic in a way that made them easy to root for. Rob being this walking golden retriever of a man who genuinely believes in love while Kim is over there trying to survive family pressure and terrible dates made for such a fun dynamic. Their banter felt effortless and the slow shift from friendship into something more was SO good.
Also… Opa deserves his own fan club. Every scene with him had me smiling because this man was matchmaking with absolutely zero subtlety. Between the family meddling, the friend group rooting for them, and all the wedding drama, this book honestly felt like watching one of those comfort romcoms you end up replaying constantly.
I also really loved seeing the Indonesian representation woven throughout the story. It added so much warmth and personality to the book and made the family dynamics feel even richer.
If you love friends-to-lovers romances, chaotic wedding energy, lovable side characters, and books that feel like a comfort romcom movie, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews