What do you think?
Rate this book
The Matcha Maker Café: The Cosy Small-Town, Opposites Attract Romance
The only person harder to match than her clients . . . is the matchmaker herself.
The Matcha Maker Café is a sweet, small-town slow-burn romance set in a charming matcha cafe, perfect for readers who love Laurie Gilmore, B.K. Borison and the gentle magic of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
At Matcha Moments, owner Sasha Lee is a star matchmaker, helping customers find love over a smooth cup of matcha. You’d think that as the master she’d be living her fairytale ending, but Sasha is allergic to commitment.
With a growing reputation, her successes are challenged when the ‘unmatchable’ Ben walks in - a man who believes he’s too boring for love. As Sasha tries to match him, she slowly finds herself drawn to his quiet charm.
As their daily banter becomes the highlight of her day, Sasha must confront the possibility that her own love story might be brewing. Will she embrace the unexpected romance, or let her past fears keep her from true love?
The Matcha Maker Café is a sweet, small-town slow-burn romance set in a charming matcha cafe, perfect for readers who love Laurie Gilmore, B.K. Borison and the gentle magic of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
At Matcha Moments, owner Sasha Lee is a star matchmaker, helping customers find love over a smooth cup of matcha. You’d think that as the master she’d be living her fairytale ending, but Sasha is allergic to commitment.
With a growing reputation, her successes are challenged when the ‘unmatchable’ Ben walks in - a man who believes he’s too boring for love. As Sasha tries to match him, she slowly finds herself drawn to his quiet charm.
As their daily banter becomes the highlight of her day, Sasha must confront the possibility that her own love story might be brewing. Will she embrace the unexpected romance, or let her past fears keep her from true love?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2026
8 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Did not finish
March 9, 2026This seems like a big advertisement for matcha 🫠
Unfortunately I had to dnf this book! I feel like I’m forcing myself to read it and that’s not something I enjoy doing. I’m not liking the writing at all!
I want to thank Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the arc 🫶🏻
Unfortunately I had to dnf this book! I feel like I’m forcing myself to read it and that’s not something I enjoy doing. I’m not liking the writing at all!
I want to thank Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the arc 🫶🏻
March 3, 2026
I want to begin to thanking Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this ARC.
When I begin this book I really enjoyed the energy, mood and cosy atmosphere of The Matcha Maker Café.
I found this storied atypical: a cosy paranormal small town romance that I never experienced before.
I honestly like it even if I find the dynamic sometimes a little too long. It isn’t the kind of books you will read if you love many actions but if you want to breath, take a long road to thinking about messages and thoughts we can have.
I like Sasha. This woman is a psychic tea reader who sees visions of her clients' futures. But everything is going to change when she meets a newcomer in her town and café : Ben. She cannot read him nor see visions of his future and it’s becoming a problem for her. At the same time she feelings attracted to him, she can’t be trusted Ben. It gives her in internal conflict and tourments.
I honestly didn’t feel any sparkles for Sasha and Ben together. But I like their own characters with their failures. I enjoyed too the final plot and I had a good time.
3/5
When I begin this book I really enjoyed the energy, mood and cosy atmosphere of The Matcha Maker Café.
I found this storied atypical: a cosy paranormal small town romance that I never experienced before.
I honestly like it even if I find the dynamic sometimes a little too long. It isn’t the kind of books you will read if you love many actions but if you want to breath, take a long road to thinking about messages and thoughts we can have.
I like Sasha. This woman is a psychic tea reader who sees visions of her clients' futures. But everything is going to change when she meets a newcomer in her town and café : Ben. She cannot read him nor see visions of his future and it’s becoming a problem for her. At the same time she feelings attracted to him, she can’t be trusted Ben. It gives her in internal conflict and tourments.
I honestly didn’t feel any sparkles for Sasha and Ben together. But I like their own characters with their failures. I enjoyed too the final plot and I had a good time.
3/5
March 10, 2026
Thanks to Pan Macmillan for this e-arc!
I really wanted this book to be my next favorite small town romance with a little paranormal aspect, but it sadly could not catch me at all.
I did like the setting of it, with a cute café in a small town as the backdrop of the story and lots of side characters that were really adorable at times.
But I found the third person POV to not be a good fit for this type of book, the inner monologue of our main character Sasha really confusing and at times irritating. Her psychic abilites felt misplaced in this otherwise very normal everyday life kind of story.
The writing style was my biggest issue. It was all over the place, a lot of telling instead of showing when it comes to the characters emotions and inner turmoils, really repetitive and juvenile.
Since this is a debut novel, I hope to see some improved work from the author in the future, because the potential is definitely there!
I really wanted this book to be my next favorite small town romance with a little paranormal aspect, but it sadly could not catch me at all.
I did like the setting of it, with a cute café in a small town as the backdrop of the story and lots of side characters that were really adorable at times.
But I found the third person POV to not be a good fit for this type of book, the inner monologue of our main character Sasha really confusing and at times irritating. Her psychic abilites felt misplaced in this otherwise very normal everyday life kind of story.
The writing style was my biggest issue. It was all over the place, a lot of telling instead of showing when it comes to the characters emotions and inner turmoils, really repetitive and juvenile.
Since this is a debut novel, I hope to see some improved work from the author in the future, because the potential is definitely there!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well, the only enjoyable part of this book was the matcha!
I was really hoping for a cozy story set in a small town near Oxford. But the writing style and the character work made it extremely hard to enjoy the story or feel anything that wasn’t pure irritation!
The story is told from the perspective of the main character, Sasha, who runs the matcha café and supposedly has the hidden talent of being able to read love matches for her clients from matcha bubbles. Unfortunately, I just didn’t think the author did a good enough job convincing me of this “magical” ability. And it felt a bit ridiculous that she was judging a complete stranger (who also happens to be her future love interest Ben) for not believing in it straight away - which feels like a completely valid reaction in the real world!?
Sasha’s internal monologue was really, really difficult to listen to, and I think that mostly comes down to the writing style.
This is the author’s debut novel, so I’m hoping that with more writing her work will improve, and that we won’t have to be told how a character is feeling but instead see it through their body language and how they interact with the world.
If café books , which seem very trendy right now , are something you enjoy, you might still appreciate the vibe of this one. Or if you’re particularly obsessed with matcha.
2/5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I was really hoping for a cozy story set in a small town near Oxford. But the writing style and the character work made it extremely hard to enjoy the story or feel anything that wasn’t pure irritation!
The story is told from the perspective of the main character, Sasha, who runs the matcha café and supposedly has the hidden talent of being able to read love matches for her clients from matcha bubbles. Unfortunately, I just didn’t think the author did a good enough job convincing me of this “magical” ability. And it felt a bit ridiculous that she was judging a complete stranger (who also happens to be her future love interest Ben) for not believing in it straight away - which feels like a completely valid reaction in the real world!?
Sasha’s internal monologue was really, really difficult to listen to, and I think that mostly comes down to the writing style.
This is the author’s debut novel, so I’m hoping that with more writing her work will improve, and that we won’t have to be told how a character is feeling but instead see it through their body language and how they interact with the world.
If café books , which seem very trendy right now , are something you enjoy, you might still appreciate the vibe of this one. Or if you’re particularly obsessed with matcha.
2/5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 22, 2026
This was a very lovely small town romance with a quirky twist. Match making using matcha is certainly something that I’ve not read before, and I would have loved to have learned more about this “power” but still, it made for a very sweet story.
This one was a super easy read that focused around the town and a very cute matcha cafe. It definitely had so much potential, and I think I would have preferred if the story was written in first person as it would have helped me connect with Sasha a bit more. I also find it odd that her “power” wasn’t questioned by anyone and that the town just went with whatever she said 😅
That being said, I did like the twist at the end. even though the third act was a little frustrating. It was a little more complex than a usual twist (not just a “reveal”) and was something I hadn’t even thought of and wasn’t expecting it.
•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Paranormal Vibes
•Small Town
•Cosy
•Matcha Teashop
•Slow Burn
•Closed Door
This one was a super easy read that focused around the town and a very cute matcha cafe. It definitely had so much potential, and I think I would have preferred if the story was written in first person as it would have helped me connect with Sasha a bit more. I also find it odd that her “power” wasn’t questioned by anyone and that the town just went with whatever she said 😅
That being said, I did like the twist at the end. even though the third act was a little frustrating. It was a little more complex than a usual twist (not just a “reveal”) and was something I hadn’t even thought of and wasn’t expecting it.
•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Paranormal Vibes
•Small Town
•Cosy
•Matcha Teashop
•Slow Burn
•Closed Door
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.
3.5/5
The Matcha Maker Café is a cosy paranormal small town romance; our heroine, Sasha Lee, is a psychic tea reader who sees visions of her clients’ futures. She mostly uses her talent to matchmake, however she sees scenes which also bring people joy as well. All is well in her world until she faces two challenges, both of which consist of the two conflicts of the book. One internal, and one external.
The internal conflict within Sasha consists of her controversial feelings regarding a newcomer in town, Ben. She cannot read him nor see visions of his future, and she has several internal battles; first, regarding her own abilities, whether they are fading or not, and secondly, concerning the spark of attraction she feels towards this new person in her life. Having quite a traumatic experience with her last boyfriend, and a very distant relationship with her family, Sasha’s conflict arises mostly due to her lack of comfort and love in her life. While she has her friends and her community, it is not the same to have someone who is there for her unconditionally. Consequently, the barriers she has placed around herself are challenged, forcing her to become vulnerable.
A direct parallel to her internal conflict, the external discord of the book is regarding the state of her business. In the year 2026, there are challenges which most of the hospitality industry faces, and she is sadly not spared of that either. Sasha is once again forced to break out her usual rhythm, and adjust to the new requirements.
Ben’s character is absolutely delightful, and he is definitely one of the best male leads out there. He is bold when he needs to be, but patient and discreet when the time requires it. Truly a knight in shining armour.
The romance between the two is naturally developed, extremely sweet, and sunny (meaning they both bring out the best in each other). It can be considered a slow burn, but I daresay it’s just a well-paced, realistic advancement, with the added touch of mutual healing. Their chemistry? 10/10, not only do they understand each other perfectly, but their flirtatious banter is delightful.
Despite my elaboration, the plot is simple and cute, somewhat reminiscent of old Hallmark movies, in the best way possible.
The narration is done in third person, which is definitely a bonus, as it elevates the literary aspect of the writing. Regarding the prose, I admit I have mixed feelings. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and I believe that the author is a good writer, however, I found the exposition a bit too mechanic for a romance and the overall organisation of the book set in a manner in which everything important happens in the last quarter. While one can easily merely say it is the added nuance of a slow burn, it is not quite that — the structural arrangement is extremely reminiscent of how a thriller would be written. The exposition being so direct and sharp reminds me more of how it is normally executed in an espionage novel (it actually made me think of the detailed directness of John le Carré) and the culminating point being so close to the end, along with all the dramatics occurring all at once, was more fitting for a murder mystery or a suspense. And while she is an endearing character, I found Sasha’s personality a bit too stubborn at times, with no good reason whatsoever aside from her behaving in this manner being used as a plot point, again something quite common for a thriller, but not quite naturally fluid for romantic prose.
Overall, this is a sweet and lovely read, a light romance with nothing too overly dramatic, perfect for a fun read during an afternoon or the weekend, when one just wants to read something just for positivity and relaxation. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison and My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella.
3.5/5
The Matcha Maker Café is a cosy paranormal small town romance; our heroine, Sasha Lee, is a psychic tea reader who sees visions of her clients’ futures. She mostly uses her talent to matchmake, however she sees scenes which also bring people joy as well. All is well in her world until she faces two challenges, both of which consist of the two conflicts of the book. One internal, and one external.
The internal conflict within Sasha consists of her controversial feelings regarding a newcomer in town, Ben. She cannot read him nor see visions of his future, and she has several internal battles; first, regarding her own abilities, whether they are fading or not, and secondly, concerning the spark of attraction she feels towards this new person in her life. Having quite a traumatic experience with her last boyfriend, and a very distant relationship with her family, Sasha’s conflict arises mostly due to her lack of comfort and love in her life. While she has her friends and her community, it is not the same to have someone who is there for her unconditionally. Consequently, the barriers she has placed around herself are challenged, forcing her to become vulnerable.
A direct parallel to her internal conflict, the external discord of the book is regarding the state of her business. In the year 2026, there are challenges which most of the hospitality industry faces, and she is sadly not spared of that either. Sasha is once again forced to break out her usual rhythm, and adjust to the new requirements.
Ben’s character is absolutely delightful, and he is definitely one of the best male leads out there. He is bold when he needs to be, but patient and discreet when the time requires it. Truly a knight in shining armour.
The romance between the two is naturally developed, extremely sweet, and sunny (meaning they both bring out the best in each other). It can be considered a slow burn, but I daresay it’s just a well-paced, realistic advancement, with the added touch of mutual healing. Their chemistry? 10/10, not only do they understand each other perfectly, but their flirtatious banter is delightful.
Despite my elaboration, the plot is simple and cute, somewhat reminiscent of old Hallmark movies, in the best way possible.
The narration is done in third person, which is definitely a bonus, as it elevates the literary aspect of the writing. Regarding the prose, I admit I have mixed feelings. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and I believe that the author is a good writer, however, I found the exposition a bit too mechanic for a romance and the overall organisation of the book set in a manner in which everything important happens in the last quarter. While one can easily merely say it is the added nuance of a slow burn, it is not quite that — the structural arrangement is extremely reminiscent of how a thriller would be written. The exposition being so direct and sharp reminds me more of how it is normally executed in an espionage novel (it actually made me think of the detailed directness of John le Carré) and the culminating point being so close to the end, along with all the dramatics occurring all at once, was more fitting for a murder mystery or a suspense. And while she is an endearing character, I found Sasha’s personality a bit too stubborn at times, with no good reason whatsoever aside from her behaving in this manner being used as a plot point, again something quite common for a thriller, but not quite naturally fluid for romantic prose.
Overall, this is a sweet and lovely read, a light romance with nothing too overly dramatic, perfect for a fun read during an afternoon or the weekend, when one just wants to read something just for positivity and relaxation. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison and My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Cosy Paranormal Slow-Burn with a Psychic Twist
I want to begin by thanking Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this ARC. Entering the world of The Matcha Maker Café felt like stepping into a sanctuary; I immediately fell in love with the energy, mood, and cosy atmosphere that defines this story. It is an atypical find, a paranormal small-town romance that prioritizes reflection and "breathing room" over high-octane action.
The story follows Sasha Lee, a smart and gentle psychic tea reader who uses her visions to matchmake for her friends and community. Her world is upended when she meets the newcomer, Ben. For the first time, Sasha’s gift fails her: she cannot see his future or read his intentions. This creates a fascinating internal conflict. Because of past traumas and a distant family, Sasha has built high walls, and Ben’s "unreadable" nature makes it difficult for her to trust him, even as she feels an undeniable attraction.
Ben is the ultimate "golden retriever" MMC, bold when necessary, yet patient and discreet. While the "sparkles" between them take time to develop, their chemistry is grounded in mutual healing and a realistic, slow-burning advancement that brings out the best in both of them.
The book masterfully balances two parallel conflicts:
The Internal: Sasha’s battle with her own fading abilities and her fear of becoming vulnerable.
The External: Set in 2026, the story touches on the very real challenges the hospitality industry faces, forcing Sasha to break her rhythm and adapt her beloved business to a changing world.
Prose & Structure:
The writing style is unique and elevated by a third-person narration. Interestingly, the structural arrangement is reminiscent of a thriller or a suspense novel; the exposition is sharp and direct (evoking the detailed directness of John le Carré), and the most dramatic plot points are saved for the final quarter. While Sasha’s stubbornness can occasionally feel like a plot device, her dedication to her friends and her growth as a character make her deeply rooted and admirable.
My Verdict:
The Matcha Maker Café is a sweet, lovely read packed with laughs, swoons, and sweet treats. It is perfect for a relaxing weekend when you want something positive and atmospheric. If you enjoyed Lovelight Farms by B.K. In " Borison or My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella, you will find a lot to love in this stellar cast of characters.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A beautiful reminder that some futures don't need to be seen to be believed.
I want to begin by thanking Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this ARC. Entering the world of The Matcha Maker Café felt like stepping into a sanctuary; I immediately fell in love with the energy, mood, and cosy atmosphere that defines this story. It is an atypical find, a paranormal small-town romance that prioritizes reflection and "breathing room" over high-octane action.
The story follows Sasha Lee, a smart and gentle psychic tea reader who uses her visions to matchmake for her friends and community. Her world is upended when she meets the newcomer, Ben. For the first time, Sasha’s gift fails her: she cannot see his future or read his intentions. This creates a fascinating internal conflict. Because of past traumas and a distant family, Sasha has built high walls, and Ben’s "unreadable" nature makes it difficult for her to trust him, even as she feels an undeniable attraction.
Ben is the ultimate "golden retriever" MMC, bold when necessary, yet patient and discreet. While the "sparkles" between them take time to develop, their chemistry is grounded in mutual healing and a realistic, slow-burning advancement that brings out the best in both of them.
The book masterfully balances two parallel conflicts:
The Internal: Sasha’s battle with her own fading abilities and her fear of becoming vulnerable.
The External: Set in 2026, the story touches on the very real challenges the hospitality industry faces, forcing Sasha to break her rhythm and adapt her beloved business to a changing world.
Prose & Structure:
The writing style is unique and elevated by a third-person narration. Interestingly, the structural arrangement is reminiscent of a thriller or a suspense novel; the exposition is sharp and direct (evoking the detailed directness of John le Carré), and the most dramatic plot points are saved for the final quarter. While Sasha’s stubbornness can occasionally feel like a plot device, her dedication to her friends and her growth as a character make her deeply rooted and admirable.
My Verdict:
The Matcha Maker Café is a sweet, lovely read packed with laughs, swoons, and sweet treats. It is perfect for a relaxing weekend when you want something positive and atmospheric. If you enjoyed Lovelight Farms by B.K. In " Borison or My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella, you will find a lot to love in this stellar cast of characters.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A beautiful reminder that some futures don't need to be seen to be believed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We meet Sasha, who against her parents wishes, runs a lovely Matcha cafe in a small town and who is loved by quite literally everyone there. Sadly she’s met with a challenge that could potentially mean the end of the cafe. But for this journey we get to join as well as the journey of potential love.
That brings us to Ben. Ben seems dark and broody at the beginning but over time we get introduced to different sides of him and they’re quite endearing. Ben and Sasha start to cross paths more and how that turns out? Well, read the book and you know. :)
✨
Honestly this was such an adorable cozy read and I felt like I was part of their little community. Also, it made me crave a matcha badly but I finished this at 12am so :(
The plot isn’t overwhelming in the slightest, it feels nicely paced with us being introduced to more and more characters who have their own little side stories. It’s hard to not fall in love with all of them (except one because boo a party pooper) because they’re all endearing in their own ways. As a reader, you feel engulfed in the book the whole time and it’s simply perfect to snuggle up and read this in one go. It also felt important on how Sasha honours her grandma. But also highlights the struggles that can come with family pressure and wanting to prove yourself. All in all, beautiful cozy read.
I definitely would recommend this book especially now for the upcoming spring/summer time. This book is perfect to either read inside with a cup of tea or to read outside with a nice cold matcha. If you love a small town romance with a slow burn romance, this book is basically written for you!
That brings us to Ben. Ben seems dark and broody at the beginning but over time we get introduced to different sides of him and they’re quite endearing. Ben and Sasha start to cross paths more and how that turns out? Well, read the book and you know. :)
✨
Honestly this was such an adorable cozy read and I felt like I was part of their little community. Also, it made me crave a matcha badly but I finished this at 12am so :(
The plot isn’t overwhelming in the slightest, it feels nicely paced with us being introduced to more and more characters who have their own little side stories. It’s hard to not fall in love with all of them (except one because boo a party pooper) because they’re all endearing in their own ways. As a reader, you feel engulfed in the book the whole time and it’s simply perfect to snuggle up and read this in one go. It also felt important on how Sasha honours her grandma. But also highlights the struggles that can come with family pressure and wanting to prove yourself. All in all, beautiful cozy read.
I definitely would recommend this book especially now for the upcoming spring/summer time. This book is perfect to either read inside with a cup of tea or to read outside with a nice cold matcha. If you love a small town romance with a slow burn romance, this book is basically written for you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Don't get me wrong, I was expecting a book called 'The Matcha Maker Cafe' to talk about Matcha...but the word Matcha was used 295 times in this book, which considering it is 320 pages long (according to Waterstones website).. this feels a tad excessive, and I like Matcha.
I enjoy a small town romance and have been loving a cosy read recently so this sounded like it had potential, especially with the comparisons to Laurie Gilmore and B.K Borison, but I struggled to connect with this story. I think the third person POV didn't help here. I also found it went into maybe too much detail about unnecessary things such as how to exactly make all the FMC's customers favourite orders.
I think also the fact the FMC can just have visions felt a bit brushed over/out of place in a seemingly otherwise non-paranormal world and I think the MMC not fully believing in this at first made sense yet the FMC seemed surprised by this??
I think we were also told a lot as readers rather than shown it which is something I don't enjoy as it makes it feel really juvenile.
I did enjoy the community/found family aspect of the book and the relationship between Sasha and her customers and the cosy small town feel to it, but overall I struggled with this one as I couldn't get invested in the story, the characters or their relationship. For this reason I ended up DNF'ing this.
Thank you to Pan Macmillian and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy a small town romance and have been loving a cosy read recently so this sounded like it had potential, especially with the comparisons to Laurie Gilmore and B.K Borison, but I struggled to connect with this story. I think the third person POV didn't help here. I also found it went into maybe too much detail about unnecessary things such as how to exactly make all the FMC's customers favourite orders.
I think also the fact the FMC can just have visions felt a bit brushed over/out of place in a seemingly otherwise non-paranormal world and I think the MMC not fully believing in this at first made sense yet the FMC seemed surprised by this??
I think we were also told a lot as readers rather than shown it which is something I don't enjoy as it makes it feel really juvenile.
I did enjoy the community/found family aspect of the book and the relationship between Sasha and her customers and the cosy small town feel to it, but overall I struggled with this one as I couldn't get invested in the story, the characters or their relationship. For this reason I ended up DNF'ing this.
Thank you to Pan Macmillian and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have a question for you: how much matcha is too much matcha? It’s a tongue-twister in and of itself.
Unfortunately, even the lovely setting didn’t save this book for me. I’m very sad to report that I didn’t enjoy it at all — and that rarely happens.
One of the biggest issues for me was how incoherent the book felt. On one hand, the writing reads extremely immature and childish. At times, I couldn’t even pinpoint the characters’ ages based on how they acted. Then suddenly the narrative would switch to awkward, very basic “adult” conversations, which gave me second-hand embarrassment. This tonal inconsistency made the reading experience frustrating.
Another issue was the plot, which felt very weak, and the characters, who were not developed enough for me to fully connect with them. I wanted to care more about Sasha and the shop, but there simply wasn’t enough depth provided for that emotional investment. At one point she loses the café, and only a few pages later she has it back again. I understand that this is meant to be a cozy book, but in this case the pacing and resolution didn’t translate very well.
Overall, this story had a charming premise and a setting with a lot of potential, but the execution ultimately didn’t work for me.
Thank you to Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Overall rating: 2 stars
Unfortunately, even the lovely setting didn’t save this book for me. I’m very sad to report that I didn’t enjoy it at all — and that rarely happens.
One of the biggest issues for me was how incoherent the book felt. On one hand, the writing reads extremely immature and childish. At times, I couldn’t even pinpoint the characters’ ages based on how they acted. Then suddenly the narrative would switch to awkward, very basic “adult” conversations, which gave me second-hand embarrassment. This tonal inconsistency made the reading experience frustrating.
Another issue was the plot, which felt very weak, and the characters, who were not developed enough for me to fully connect with them. I wanted to care more about Sasha and the shop, but there simply wasn’t enough depth provided for that emotional investment. At one point she loses the café, and only a few pages later she has it back again. I understand that this is meant to be a cozy book, but in this case the pacing and resolution didn’t translate very well.
Overall, this story had a charming premise and a setting with a lot of potential, but the execution ultimately didn’t work for me.
Thank you to Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Overall rating: 2 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Final rating: 2.5 stars
The Matcha Maker Café started off with so much promise—the cosy café setting and hint of magical realism immediately drew me in. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver on that early potential.
One of the main challenges for me was the third-person narrative style, which created a sense of distance from the characters. I found it harder to fully connect with Sasha and her emotional journey, which made the story feel less immersive than I’d hoped.
The magical element also felt underdeveloped. Sasha’s psychic abilities were an intriguing concept, but I would have loved to see them explored in more depth, as they felt quite underutilised.
Sasha’s relationship with Ben also didn’t quite land for me. Their connection felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to see the chemistry between them. Because of this, the romantic aspect lacked the emotional payoff I was expecting.
Overall, while the premise and setting were charming, the execution didn’t fully come together for me. I think readers who enjoy gentle, atmospheric reads may still find something to like here, but I was left wanting more depth, both in the characters and the story’s magical core.
Publication date: 14 July 2026
Final rating: 2.5 stars
The Matcha Maker Café started off with so much promise—the cosy café setting and hint of magical realism immediately drew me in. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver on that early potential.
One of the main challenges for me was the third-person narrative style, which created a sense of distance from the characters. I found it harder to fully connect with Sasha and her emotional journey, which made the story feel less immersive than I’d hoped.
The magical element also felt underdeveloped. Sasha’s psychic abilities were an intriguing concept, but I would have loved to see them explored in more depth, as they felt quite underutilised.
Sasha’s relationship with Ben also didn’t quite land for me. Their connection felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to see the chemistry between them. Because of this, the romantic aspect lacked the emotional payoff I was expecting.
Overall, while the premise and setting were charming, the execution didn’t fully come together for me. I think readers who enjoy gentle, atmospheric reads may still find something to like here, but I was left wanting more depth, both in the characters and the story’s magical core.
Publication date: 14 July 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Matcha Maker Cafe is a slow burn, closed door, small town romance with a touch of psychic ability woven into the story. It is written in third person, which is not my usual preference since I tend to gravitate toward first person POV, though I do occasionally enjoy third person narratives.
Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. I found both main characters to be quite flat and uninteresting, and I never felt myself rooting for either of them. Their personalities lacked depth, which made it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level.
The dialogue often felt clunky and at times cringe worthy. Much of it came across as childish and immature, which pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in. The romantic development between the FMC and MMC also felt awkward and unnatural. Their relationship did not flow smoothly and often felt forced.
There was also a noticeable amount of repetition throughout the book. By the end, I was especially tired of seeing the phrase "por por" repeated so frequently. Overall, the story could have benefited from being several chapters shorter, as trimming it down may have helped with pacing and reduced some of the repetition.
While the premise had potential, this one ultimately fell flat for me.
Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. I found both main characters to be quite flat and uninteresting, and I never felt myself rooting for either of them. Their personalities lacked depth, which made it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level.
The dialogue often felt clunky and at times cringe worthy. Much of it came across as childish and immature, which pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in. The romantic development between the FMC and MMC also felt awkward and unnatural. Their relationship did not flow smoothly and often felt forced.
There was also a noticeable amount of repetition throughout the book. By the end, I was especially tired of seeing the phrase "por por" repeated so frequently. Overall, the story could have benefited from being several chapters shorter, as trimming it down may have helped with pacing and reduced some of the repetition.
While the premise had potential, this one ultimately fell flat for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Matcha Maker Cafe by Lily Chen offers a cosy small-town romance with some standout minor characters.
However, the story has its challenges. The female main character comes across as flat, often allowing others to take advantage of her, including Dominic, her family, and Eleanor, the mean coffee shop owner. Her thoughts can be repetitive and seem a bit too childish and naive. The handling of the first kiss with Ben is particularly frustrating, as the FMC’s reasoning feels unconvincing, especially given her profession as a matchmaker. Her inability to recognise chemistry and her passive approach to saving her cafe are also disappointing.
The male main character initially shows promise with more depth than the FMC, but unfortunately, his character development also falls short as the story progresses.
Additionally, the book could benefit from better editing, particularly in terms of punctuation.
Overall, while The Matcha Maker Cafe has its charm, it could be improved with more nuanced character development and attention to detail in editing.
2.5 stars ✨
However, the story has its challenges. The female main character comes across as flat, often allowing others to take advantage of her, including Dominic, her family, and Eleanor, the mean coffee shop owner. Her thoughts can be repetitive and seem a bit too childish and naive. The handling of the first kiss with Ben is particularly frustrating, as the FMC’s reasoning feels unconvincing, especially given her profession as a matchmaker. Her inability to recognise chemistry and her passive approach to saving her cafe are also disappointing.
The male main character initially shows promise with more depth than the FMC, but unfortunately, his character development also falls short as the story progresses.
Additionally, the book could benefit from better editing, particularly in terms of punctuation.
Overall, while The Matcha Maker Cafe has its charm, it could be improved with more nuanced character development and attention to detail in editing.
2.5 stars ✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was just fine.
Whilst I did find this book quick and easy to read, I did have a little bit of an issue with the way the FMC seemed to find miscommunication in what felt like every situation. This book would have been a lot shorter if she had just talked about her feelings to literally anyone instead of making things up in her head for days on end.
I do feel like romance books have it hard to be unique these days and I think this one just suffers with being very, normal. I don't mean to sound harsh because I understand that some people enjoy normal and cozy and that's totally fine, I just think I'm not the target audience for this one unfortunately.
I do however think the author has a talent in describing places really well because even if I wasn't a fan of the characters I did enjoy the setting and I definitely felt the cozy vibes throughout the book.
Overall, a quick to read romance but just a bit too normal for my tastes.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Author letting me have access to this ARC.
Whilst I did find this book quick and easy to read, I did have a little bit of an issue with the way the FMC seemed to find miscommunication in what felt like every situation. This book would have been a lot shorter if she had just talked about her feelings to literally anyone instead of making things up in her head for days on end.
I do feel like romance books have it hard to be unique these days and I think this one just suffers with being very, normal. I don't mean to sound harsh because I understand that some people enjoy normal and cozy and that's totally fine, I just think I'm not the target audience for this one unfortunately.
I do however think the author has a talent in describing places really well because even if I wasn't a fan of the characters I did enjoy the setting and I definitely felt the cozy vibes throughout the book.
Overall, a quick to read romance but just a bit too normal for my tastes.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Author letting me have access to this ARC.
March 22, 2026
A small town, cosy, grumpy x sunshine romance set in a cute matcha café. Personally i have never been a matcha fan but the drinks and desserts mentioned throughout the story did make me want to to try out some more matcha flavours. I liked the quirky idea that the main character Sasha is a psychic matchmaker for those seeking love. What I didn’t enjoy was that Sasha’s reasoning for everything she did was a tad silly, the fact that she couldn’t be with her love interest because he was her ‘client’ when he never even wanted to be wasn’t really a plausible problem to overcome in the story. I also felt that it was missing chemistry between the characters. Ben went from being super grumpy to all of a sudden being completely enamoured with Sasha. The small town world that was created was very sweet and I liked getting to know some of the side characters.
It was an easy read, low stakes and had lots of cosy vibes. It very much reminded me of the pumpkin spice cafe, if you were a fan of that book then you will enjoy this I am sure.
2.5 stars!
It was an easy read, low stakes and had lots of cosy vibes. It very much reminded me of the pumpkin spice cafe, if you were a fan of that book then you will enjoy this I am sure.
2.5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3✨
Publication date -
📧Ebook: Available Now
📗🎧Paperback & Audiobook: 23rd April 2026
A cosy, small town, opposites attract, slow-burn romance for readers who enjoy:
➸ Matcha, lots & lots of matcha.
➸ Laurie Gilmore
➸ B. K. Borison
➸ The gentle magic of ‘Before The Coffee Gets Cold’
➸ More matcha…
~
PLOT ➸
The Matcha Maker Café is a pleasant, easy-going, lighthearted, closed door romance with a hint of ‘paranormal’ that tells the story of Sasha Lee, a successful matchmaker/café owner who despite fearing commitment herself uses her ‘abilities’ to help others find love. But when Ben, an unreadable stranger walks into her life, she’s left questioning everything she thought she knew because this is the one thing she never saw coming.
~
REVIEW ➸
I have to start by saying the cover of this book is absolutely beautiful. It’s bright, energetic, inviting & would stand out on any shelf. I wouldn’t be able to walk past this book without picking it up to see what it’s about so huge props to the cover artist! 🌸💚
As a lover of cosy romance The Matcha Maker Café is a book that really jumped out at me so I was thrilled to have been invited to read this eARC.
In terms of atmosphere it was exactly what I was hoping for. Warm, comforting & homely with Hallmark-esque small town community vibes, good humour & a sense of found family that instantly put a smile on my face!
But even with the ideal setting & strong premise, I struggled to get into the story & connect with the characters. That however was not due to issues with the plot but instead, issues with how it was written.
The story itself was sweet, fun & had a huge amount of potential so executed differently, I’ve no doubt it would be absolutely brilliant!
In this instance, there were a few issues with the writing. The 3rd person POV made everything feel less personal & had that been the only issue, you could easily breeze past it. But when you add in repetition, writing that feels disjointed & things such as the inclusion of a a single ‘magical’ element that good or bad just felt totally out of place, it’s much harder to brush everything aside.
However, I do think it’s important to remember that this is a debut novel & despite issues with the execution, there’s no denying the strong foundation & good bones. The book has all the ingredients, it’s just about getting the recipe right! So while it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea (or matcha!) I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what Lily Chen does next!
~
❣️Thank you to Pan Macmillan, NetGalley & Lily Chen for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily.
Publication date -
📧Ebook: Available Now
📗🎧Paperback & Audiobook: 23rd April 2026
A cosy, small town, opposites attract, slow-burn romance for readers who enjoy:
➸ Matcha, lots & lots of matcha.
➸ Laurie Gilmore
➸ B. K. Borison
➸ The gentle magic of ‘Before The Coffee Gets Cold’
➸ More matcha…
~
PLOT ➸
The Matcha Maker Café is a pleasant, easy-going, lighthearted, closed door romance with a hint of ‘paranormal’ that tells the story of Sasha Lee, a successful matchmaker/café owner who despite fearing commitment herself uses her ‘abilities’ to help others find love. But when Ben, an unreadable stranger walks into her life, she’s left questioning everything she thought she knew because this is the one thing she never saw coming.
~
REVIEW ➸
I have to start by saying the cover of this book is absolutely beautiful. It’s bright, energetic, inviting & would stand out on any shelf. I wouldn’t be able to walk past this book without picking it up to see what it’s about so huge props to the cover artist! 🌸💚
As a lover of cosy romance The Matcha Maker Café is a book that really jumped out at me so I was thrilled to have been invited to read this eARC.
In terms of atmosphere it was exactly what I was hoping for. Warm, comforting & homely with Hallmark-esque small town community vibes, good humour & a sense of found family that instantly put a smile on my face!
But even with the ideal setting & strong premise, I struggled to get into the story & connect with the characters. That however was not due to issues with the plot but instead, issues with how it was written.
The story itself was sweet, fun & had a huge amount of potential so executed differently, I’ve no doubt it would be absolutely brilliant!
In this instance, there were a few issues with the writing. The 3rd person POV made everything feel less personal & had that been the only issue, you could easily breeze past it. But when you add in repetition, writing that feels disjointed & things such as the inclusion of a a single ‘magical’ element that good or bad just felt totally out of place, it’s much harder to brush everything aside.
However, I do think it’s important to remember that this is a debut novel & despite issues with the execution, there’s no denying the strong foundation & good bones. The book has all the ingredients, it’s just about getting the recipe right! So while it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea (or matcha!) I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what Lily Chen does next!
~
❣️Thank you to Pan Macmillan, NetGalley & Lily Chen for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I liked the diversity, the match making and the community aspects. There was a nice community and supporting characeters who came together for Sasha.
Sasha was a little frustrating in not accepting Ben and the developing relationship. Also around the the cafe and not accepting the help from the community. This made the story feel like it wasn't really moving forward. There was a little repeation of explaining situations at the start of the book.
I liked the late twist, and how it was more than just Ben who helped to bring the solution together.
Overall, it was a sweet caring book, with a HEA and generally good relationships built within the story.
Sasha was a little frustrating in not accepting Ben and the developing relationship. Also around the the cafe and not accepting the help from the community. This made the story feel like it wasn't really moving forward. There was a little repeation of explaining situations at the start of the book.
I liked the late twist, and how it was more than just Ben who helped to bring the solution together.
Overall, it was a sweet caring book, with a HEA and generally good relationships built within the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cosy slow burn romance with a stellar cast of characters!
I adored smart, gentle Sasha. Her matcha cafe was a gorgeous setting, and her dedication to helping her friends find love was admirable!
I liked the way she handled the obstacles that came her way, and stood up for what she believed in.
Ben was the perfect golden retriever MMC, who adored Sasha, but obviously couldn't tell her.
If you're looking for a cosy romance, with awesome characters who you will really root for, this is the one! I couldn't put it down and was desperate to see if Sasha and Ben found their happy ever after.
Packed with laughs, swoons and loads of sweet treats!
I adored smart, gentle Sasha. Her matcha cafe was a gorgeous setting, and her dedication to helping her friends find love was admirable!
I liked the way she handled the obstacles that came her way, and stood up for what she believed in.
Ben was the perfect golden retriever MMC, who adored Sasha, but obviously couldn't tell her.
If you're looking for a cosy romance, with awesome characters who you will really root for, this is the one! I couldn't put it down and was desperate to see if Sasha and Ben found their happy ever after.
Packed with laughs, swoons and loads of sweet treats!
March 7, 2026
This book is as cute and beautiful as the cover.
I think the whole story being built around the cafe and what this place means to its community is beautiful. The aspect of people also going their to find their love matches makes it even more touching and beautiful.
I like how the FMC is portrayed as a great, fair and loyal person but that we can also see how torn she is and that she only wants to live up to her family‘s expectations in the end. The only thing that is a bit annoying is how blind she is or tells herself to be when it comes to his feelings for her.
The MMC is a green flag. When she asks for space, he gives it to her without second guessing her decision. I sometimes feel sorry for him as he obviously falls hard for her and she just does not want to acknowledge it.
I really enjoyed this read. It is a fast, fun and romantic book which every Romance lover will enjoy.
I think the whole story being built around the cafe and what this place means to its community is beautiful. The aspect of people also going their to find their love matches makes it even more touching and beautiful.
I like how the FMC is portrayed as a great, fair and loyal person but that we can also see how torn she is and that she only wants to live up to her family‘s expectations in the end. The only thing that is a bit annoying is how blind she is or tells herself to be when it comes to his feelings for her.
The MMC is a green flag. When she asks for space, he gives it to her without second guessing her decision. I sometimes feel sorry for him as he obviously falls hard for her and she just does not want to acknowledge it.
I really enjoyed this read. It is a fast, fun and romantic book which every Romance lover will enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me the ARC.
The Matcha Maker Café is a warm and comforting cozy romance set in a charming café filled with love, friendship, and second chances.
Sasha, a matchmaker who helps others find love, struggles with her own feelings—until Ben, the so-called “unmatchable” man, enters her life. Their relationship builds slowly through quiet moments, soft conversations, and emotional growth.
The café setting feels cozy and inviting, and the story focuses more on healing, connection, and gentle romance rather than heavy drama.
The Matcha Maker Café is a warm and comforting cozy romance set in a charming café filled with love, friendship, and second chances.
Sasha, a matchmaker who helps others find love, struggles with her own feelings—until Ben, the so-called “unmatchable” man, enters her life. Their relationship builds slowly through quiet moments, soft conversations, and emotional growth.
The café setting feels cozy and inviting, and the story focuses more on healing, connection, and gentle romance rather than heavy drama.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a cosy romance in a small town setting where psychic cafe owner Sasha proves to be immensely successful in matching people up.
That is, until she meets Ben, whose future she seems unable to read. Slow burn romance ensues, with plenty of matcha talk.
The setting is described beautifully but the characters, while interesting enough as individuals, do not seem to offer much chemistry on the page. This one is best for readers seeking a cosy, wholesome story with limited surprises/excitement.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
That is, until she meets Ben, whose future she seems unable to read. Slow burn romance ensues, with plenty of matcha talk.
The setting is described beautifully but the characters, while interesting enough as individuals, do not seem to offer much chemistry on the page. This one is best for readers seeking a cosy, wholesome story with limited surprises/excitement.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
March 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
The concept of this book is sweet and had a lot of potential, but unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me. I found the story quite repetitive at times, which made it feel slower and harder to get through than I expected. While the premise was promising, the pacing and repetition made it a bit of a drag to finish
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
The concept of this book is sweet and had a lot of potential, but unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me. I found the story quite repetitive at times, which made it feel slower and harder to get through than I expected. While the premise was promising, the pacing and repetition made it a bit of a drag to finish
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sasha & Ben
Small Town
Opposites Attract
Slow Burn
Paranormal
Closed Door Romance
Third Person POV
This one had the foundations to be a really great book, but for me it was missing something 🫣
I struggled to connect with the characters which I think was partly due to it being written in third person, but I found myself skimming through.
That being said, it was a cute, comforting type read so if that's what you're looking for, this may well be for you!
Small Town
Opposites Attract
Slow Burn
Paranormal
Closed Door Romance
Third Person POV
This one had the foundations to be a really great book, but for me it was missing something 🫣
I struggled to connect with the characters which I think was partly due to it being written in third person, but I found myself skimming through.
That being said, it was a cute, comforting type read so if that's what you're looking for, this may well be for you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
really thought I would love this book but there was even too much matcha talk for me.
I honestly had to force myself to finish this one, there was no connection between the characters and it all felt very choppy with very little storyline.
I did enjoy the found family aspect but just a very repetitive boring story unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review
I honestly had to force myself to finish this one, there was no connection between the characters and it all felt very choppy with very little storyline.
I did enjoy the found family aspect but just a very repetitive boring story unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a sweet and lovely small town romance.
I wasn't so sure about the psychic part but it was done well and blend in the story nicely.
Sasha and Ben were interesting characters and the side characters were funny.
The writing seemed a bit childish sometimes but overall it was a pleasant read.
It's good for anyone looking for a charming and cozy read.
I wasn't so sure about the psychic part but it was done well and blend in the story nicely.
Sasha and Ben were interesting characters and the side characters were funny.
The writing seemed a bit childish sometimes but overall it was a pleasant read.
It's good for anyone looking for a charming and cozy read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Small town cosy romance but add in a love for matcha. This book was quirky and fun to read. I love a cosy romance with a hardworking and funny fmc. It did feel a bit repetitive and similar to all the other small town, cosy, cafe based romances and some parts felt like it dragged. But i did enjoy it. Thank you to Netgalley and to Pan-Macmillan for this ARC copy
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.5⭐
ARC Review
This book started off strong in the beginning but just dragged on too much for the story to have impact by the end. A lot of the storyline was predictable and it was really hard to get behind and like Sasha.
Thank you to Netgalley and PanMacmillan for the advanced copy of this book.
ARC Review
This book started off strong in the beginning but just dragged on too much for the story to have impact by the end. A lot of the storyline was predictable and it was really hard to get behind and like Sasha.
Thank you to Netgalley and PanMacmillan for the advanced copy of this book.
Did not finish
March 5, 2026DNF at 10% - didn’t vibe with this story straight off the bat
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews