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The Gift of the Matchmaker: A Fake Dating Holiday Novella
When I agreed to attend a romantic and lavish winter wedding as Lee Thorne’s fake date, I knew his family would be a problem—but I didn’t expect to tear them apart.
My matchmaker set me up with a sugar daddy who doesn't want sugar. Four months in, Lee still hasn't asked for anything but company—until he asks me to be his girlfriend for Christmas.
Not for real. For his sister's wedding, in front of a family he'd clearly rather not face alone. It's easy money, the kind that could buy me more time with my sick dad, and all I have to do is smile, wear the clothes he buys me, and remember that I’m supposed to be smitten.
Except while in this gorgeous mansion in the Berkshires with his family, Lee and I team up. He defends me from his family’s pointed questions, I help him ignore their disapproval. When the heat goes out, we stick together.
And somewhere along the way, the awkward, quiet man I know becomes someone I can’t stop thinking about.
Until I get an ultimatum. Turns out we're both willing to give up everything for each other—we just don't find out until after the wrapping paper's gone.
This Christmas, enjoy this class gap romcom with a wealthy hero who’s been hiding for too long and a whip-smart heroine that knows how to make him laugh. The final book in the Winter Wanderlust series of standalone novellas is all set to crack open your heart this holiday season.
My matchmaker set me up with a sugar daddy who doesn't want sugar. Four months in, Lee still hasn't asked for anything but company—until he asks me to be his girlfriend for Christmas.
Not for real. For his sister's wedding, in front of a family he'd clearly rather not face alone. It's easy money, the kind that could buy me more time with my sick dad, and all I have to do is smile, wear the clothes he buys me, and remember that I’m supposed to be smitten.
Except while in this gorgeous mansion in the Berkshires with his family, Lee and I team up. He defends me from his family’s pointed questions, I help him ignore their disapproval. When the heat goes out, we stick together.
And somewhere along the way, the awkward, quiet man I know becomes someone I can’t stop thinking about.
Until I get an ultimatum. Turns out we're both willing to give up everything for each other—we just don't find out until after the wrapping paper's gone.
This Christmas, enjoy this class gap romcom with a wealthy hero who’s been hiding for too long and a whip-smart heroine that knows how to make him laugh. The final book in the Winter Wanderlust series of standalone novellas is all set to crack open your heart this holiday season.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2026
About the author
Liz Alden
36 books257 followersMy Direct Store: https://lizalden.myshopify.com/
2026 Releases
Bailey Bangs Her Brother’s Best Friend: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Bailey
Rory Rides Her Fake Fiancé: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Rory
Cava with My Colleague: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Cava
The Gift of the Matchmaker: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/matchmaker
About Liz
I spent ten years traveling the world on a sailboat with my husband. He is not a secret rockstar, nor a grumpy farmer, nor a coworker I accidentally saw naked. I only see him naked intentionally.
Many of my books are based on my travels all over the world—from the Caribbean to Polynesia to Europe. I know exactly how big the world is—having sailed around it—and exactly how small it is, having bumped in to friends worldwide. I’ve been a dishwasher, an engineer, a CEO, and occasionally I get paid to write or sail.
Now I’m in my small town era, both in fiction and real life. I live in Western Massachusetts with a big backyard that would be perfect for a goat if only SOMEONE would let me have one. I like my men to be sweethearts, the bedroom door wide open (with a splash of something new!) and the women to be independent and mature.
You can read free short stories in all her series at https://www.lizalden.com/
Connect with Liz:
Facebook > https://facebook.com/lizaldenwriter
Twitter > https://twitter.com/lizaldenwriter
Instagram > https://instagram.com/lizaldenwriter
Pinterest > https://www.pinterest.com/lizaldenwri...
2026 Releases
Bailey Bangs Her Brother’s Best Friend: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Bailey
Rory Rides Her Fake Fiancé: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Rory
Cava with My Colleague: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Cava
The Gift of the Matchmaker: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/matchmaker
About Liz
I spent ten years traveling the world on a sailboat with my husband. He is not a secret rockstar, nor a grumpy farmer, nor a coworker I accidentally saw naked. I only see him naked intentionally.
Many of my books are based on my travels all over the world—from the Caribbean to Polynesia to Europe. I know exactly how big the world is—having sailed around it—and exactly how small it is, having bumped in to friends worldwide. I’ve been a dishwasher, an engineer, a CEO, and occasionally I get paid to write or sail.
Now I’m in my small town era, both in fiction and real life. I live in Western Massachusetts with a big backyard that would be perfect for a goat if only SOMEONE would let me have one. I like my men to be sweethearts, the bedroom door wide open (with a splash of something new!) and the women to be independent and mature.
You can read free short stories in all her series at https://www.lizalden.com/
Connect with Liz:
Facebook > https://facebook.com/lizaldenwriter
Twitter > https://twitter.com/lizaldenwriter
Instagram > https://instagram.com/lizaldenwriter
Pinterest > https://www.pinterest.com/lizaldenwri...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lee has been paying Eva to eat dinner with him for four months, not sleep with him, just eat dinner and talk, and then one day he goes, “Would you like to come to my sister’s Christmas wedding and pretend to be my girlfriend because my family is a nightmare?” Sir. That is not a normal client request. That is a trapdoor directly into feelings.
Eva says yes because she needs the money, which, fair. Her dad’s ALS is getting worse, she is working like crazy, and Lee is basically the safest weird rich man she has ever been assigned. He does not grope her, pressure her, or start acting like payment means ownership. He just sits there being awkward and lonely and listening to her talk, which honestly feels more dangerous because now she has to deal with the possibility that he is NICE.
Then they get to this giant Berkshire family situation, and I immediately understood why Lee needed backup. His relatives are one of those families where nobody has to say “we disapprove” because their faces have already formed a committee. Eva is there pretending to adore him, except the problem is she already knows how he takes his coffee, when he is uncomfortable, what makes him laugh, and how to get him out of his own head. At some point fake dating stops being fake if you are doing emotional support this efficiently.
And Lee is so weirdly endearing because his idea of romance is apparently logistics. Eva is cold? Wool socks. Eva needs something? He quietly handles it. Eva talks? He listens. He is not out here making speeches, he is just consistently noticing her, which unfortunately is how these men get you.
Eva is also not some wide-eyed woman waiting for a billionaire to rescue her. She knows exactly what this arrangement is. She is working because life is expensive and her family needs help. The whole reason she likes Lee is that he never treats her like he bought access to her. He pays for her time and somehow manages to act more respectful than half the men who claim to be dating women for free.
Meanwhile his family keeps pressing every bruise Lee already has. You can feel him becoming the version of himself he hates around them, quieter, smaller, more careful. Eva sees it immediately and instead of telling him to stand up for himself like she is his life coach, she just starts standing next to him. That got me more than I expected.
And because Christmas apparently needed to make everything worse and cuter at the same time, there is a winter wedding, snow, fancy clothes, sleigh rides, family drama, and the heat going out. Of course the heat goes out. These two were already one shared blanket away from ruining their own arrangement.
The part that landed for me is that both of them are being controlled by money in completely different directions. Eva does not have enough, Lee has so much that his family uses it like a leash. She is working to help her dad. He is trying to figure out if the life he has been handed is worth keeping if it means becoming someone he does not like. Then they both start making choices that cost them something, and suddenly the fake girlfriend job is very much no longer on the invoice.
I read Frosty Proximity forever ago, so coming back to Winter Wanderlust was basically me walking into a reunion like, “I remember the general emotional weather.” Luckily this works fine on its own, and Odessa is still out here behaving like she personally invented strategic matchmaking and knows everyone’s business before they do.
The Gift of the Matchmaker gets 4 stars from me. Lee and Eva are sweet without becoming boring, his family made me tired on sight, and I loved how their whole relationship changes through tiny things instead of one giant declaration. Also, if a man you are being paid to accompany starts buying you socks because your feet are cold, that is not sugar daddy behavior anymore. That is boyfriend paperwork.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning “Paid Christmas Girlfriend” Into “Fine, I’ll Blow Up My Entire Family Situation for You”
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC, and for reminding me that the real holiday danger is not mistletoe. It is a lonely rich man with boundaries, wool socks, and a family so difficult you accidentally fall in love while helping him survive dinner.
Eva says yes because she needs the money, which, fair. Her dad’s ALS is getting worse, she is working like crazy, and Lee is basically the safest weird rich man she has ever been assigned. He does not grope her, pressure her, or start acting like payment means ownership. He just sits there being awkward and lonely and listening to her talk, which honestly feels more dangerous because now she has to deal with the possibility that he is NICE.
Then they get to this giant Berkshire family situation, and I immediately understood why Lee needed backup. His relatives are one of those families where nobody has to say “we disapprove” because their faces have already formed a committee. Eva is there pretending to adore him, except the problem is she already knows how he takes his coffee, when he is uncomfortable, what makes him laugh, and how to get him out of his own head. At some point fake dating stops being fake if you are doing emotional support this efficiently.
And Lee is so weirdly endearing because his idea of romance is apparently logistics. Eva is cold? Wool socks. Eva needs something? He quietly handles it. Eva talks? He listens. He is not out here making speeches, he is just consistently noticing her, which unfortunately is how these men get you.
Eva is also not some wide-eyed woman waiting for a billionaire to rescue her. She knows exactly what this arrangement is. She is working because life is expensive and her family needs help. The whole reason she likes Lee is that he never treats her like he bought access to her. He pays for her time and somehow manages to act more respectful than half the men who claim to be dating women for free.
Meanwhile his family keeps pressing every bruise Lee already has. You can feel him becoming the version of himself he hates around them, quieter, smaller, more careful. Eva sees it immediately and instead of telling him to stand up for himself like she is his life coach, she just starts standing next to him. That got me more than I expected.
And because Christmas apparently needed to make everything worse and cuter at the same time, there is a winter wedding, snow, fancy clothes, sleigh rides, family drama, and the heat going out. Of course the heat goes out. These two were already one shared blanket away from ruining their own arrangement.
The part that landed for me is that both of them are being controlled by money in completely different directions. Eva does not have enough, Lee has so much that his family uses it like a leash. She is working to help her dad. He is trying to figure out if the life he has been handed is worth keeping if it means becoming someone he does not like. Then they both start making choices that cost them something, and suddenly the fake girlfriend job is very much no longer on the invoice.
I read Frosty Proximity forever ago, so coming back to Winter Wanderlust was basically me walking into a reunion like, “I remember the general emotional weather.” Luckily this works fine on its own, and Odessa is still out here behaving like she personally invented strategic matchmaking and knows everyone’s business before they do.
The Gift of the Matchmaker gets 4 stars from me. Lee and Eva are sweet without becoming boring, his family made me tired on sight, and I loved how their whole relationship changes through tiny things instead of one giant declaration. Also, if a man you are being paid to accompany starts buying you socks because your feet are cold, that is not sugar daddy behavior anymore. That is boyfriend paperwork.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning “Paid Christmas Girlfriend” Into “Fine, I’ll Blow Up My Entire Family Situation for You”
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC, and for reminding me that the real holiday danger is not mistletoe. It is a lonely rich man with boundaries, wool socks, and a family so difficult you accidentally fall in love while helping him survive dinner.
November 3, 2026
The Gift of the Matchmaker by Liz Alden
A Christmas novella involving Lee and Eva.
If you can get past the initial transactional nature of the MCs this story is for you.
Both MCs are forced into closer proximity for a week when attending Lee’s sister’s wedding. Over this time, they discover they may need and like each more than they realise. Add some family ultimatums, the influence of a great matchmaker and no heat in the room– how we keep warm and you have a quick enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Liz Alden for the ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
A Christmas novella involving Lee and Eva.
If you can get past the initial transactional nature of the MCs this story is for you.
Both MCs are forced into closer proximity for a week when attending Lee’s sister’s wedding. Over this time, they discover they may need and like each more than they realise. Add some family ultimatums, the influence of a great matchmaker and no heat in the room– how we keep warm and you have a quick enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Liz Alden for the ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
November 2, 2026
If you’ve read Liz Alden before, you know she loves a steamy romance novella, and she especially loves the one-bed trope! This one delivers both, along with a little fake dating!
Lee comes from family money and is looking for companionship without the commitment of marriage. Eva is a waitress trying to help support her family as her father’s health declines due to ALS. The two meet through a matchmaker and enter into an arrangement where Lee is essentially Eva’s sugar daddy.
When Lee’s sister gets married, he invites Eva along as his date, hoping to avoid his family’s attempts to set him up. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns into something more as the two begin falling for each other. But, of course, things can’t be quite that simple!
I really enjoyed both Lee and Eva, and the spicy scenes were 🔥🔥🔥! This was such a quick, fun, and entertaining read. It’s set around Christmas, although the holiday isn’t a huge part of the story. Still, it was just enough to get me excited for the Christmas season! 🎄❤️
If you’re looking for a short, spicy holiday romance with fake dating, forced proximity, and the one-bed trope, this is a fun one to add to your holiday TBR!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
Lee comes from family money and is looking for companionship without the commitment of marriage. Eva is a waitress trying to help support her family as her father’s health declines due to ALS. The two meet through a matchmaker and enter into an arrangement where Lee is essentially Eva’s sugar daddy.
When Lee’s sister gets married, he invites Eva along as his date, hoping to avoid his family’s attempts to set him up. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns into something more as the two begin falling for each other. But, of course, things can’t be quite that simple!
I really enjoyed both Lee and Eva, and the spicy scenes were 🔥🔥🔥! This was such a quick, fun, and entertaining read. It’s set around Christmas, although the holiday isn’t a huge part of the story. Still, it was just enough to get me excited for the Christmas season! 🎄❤️
If you’re looking for a short, spicy holiday romance with fake dating, forced proximity, and the one-bed trope, this is a fun one to add to your holiday TBR!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Eva and Lee met through a high end matchmaker named Odessa and they have a “sugar daddy” type relationship that is unusual. Dinner and conversation is what Lee needs, while Eva needs money for very understandable reasons. When Lee changes things and asks Eva to go to a family wedding over the holidays neither of them realize how much things are going to change for so many people. What ensues is beautiful, heart wrenching, and romantic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wasn't 100% sold on the premise of transactional-relationship-becomes-REAL, but I am very glad I tried it, as this book is a delight, especially Odessa, a matchmaker who is more hyper-competent fairy godmother. A delightful winter holiday romance with some - needed! - sharp social commentary on the stage of real estate in New York these days.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Liz Alden and a holiday romance novella, yes, yes and yes.
I absolutely love a short novella and a Christmas themed one was absolutely a must.
Ahhh Lee is absolutely a dream boat but gosh his family is something else. We do love an age gap sugar daddy romance. Something a little naughty and nice wrapped in a neat book bow.
As much as I loved the story I definitely struggled with some of the family drama.
Absolutely worth the read this Christmas season.
I absolutely love a short novella and a Christmas themed one was absolutely a must.
Ahhh Lee is absolutely a dream boat but gosh his family is something else. We do love an age gap sugar daddy romance. Something a little naughty and nice wrapped in a neat book bow.
As much as I loved the story I definitely struggled with some of the family drama.
Absolutely worth the read this Christmas season.
October 27, 2026
Meet Eva and Lee: a gold digger and a recluse . . . or . . . a woman who was waiting for her own story and a man who was hiding from his.
Have you ever read a book that just won’t let you go? You fall so in love with the characters that you don’t want to leave; you want to follow them through the rest of their lives, wherever they go, whatever they do. The Gift of the Matchmaker by author Liz Alden is one of those books. It’s the fifth and final book in her Winter Wanderlust series of holiday novellas. And it is delightful first page to last. A must-read and a book you will read over and over.
Eva is the gold digger, Lee is the recluse, and Odessa is the matchmaker. Eva and Lee’s relationship is strictly transactional with no physical intimacy. Dinner in a top-notch restaurant every couple of weeks, good food, conversation – mostly from her; he’s not much of a talker – ending with gifts or a gift card and an excessive amount of cash for a cab ride home. She’s not really a gold digger: she works as a server in a “regular” restaurant, is single – and her father has ALS. She’s definitely not looking for a relationship; what she wants is stability, to help her family and maybe cut back her hours to spend time with her father before it’s too late. The extra cash and selling some of the gifts helps with that.
Lee isn’t really a recluse, either, but he could easily become one. He and his family are rich, rich, rich (hence the gifts and cash) but he’s the odd man out there. He believes in giving rather than taking, in providing help to those who need it rather than making money, keeping as much of that money as possible, and using whoever is in the way to get even more money. He has friends – a group of eight fellow writers and the guy at the hardware store where he goes to buy supplies for the houses he’s flipping and putting into trust to help others. Not much face-to-face contact.
Odessa runs an exclusive, unusual matchmaking service. Doesn’t advertise, isn’t on the internet, is very selective about the clients she takes on and keeps close tabs on them. She determined that Eva and Lee would be a good match: Eva is a good conversationalist, not looking to go outside the boundaries, not wanting anything beyond the terms of their agreement. Lee realizes he needs to have some human contact once in a while. He writes books and he flips houses, both of which are solitary pursuits. He has the money and the manners and matching with Eva is the perfect solution. You can’t even really call it fake dating, because they aren’t trying to convince anyone they are together when they’re not; they know little about each other and certainly nothing personal and that’s just fine with both of them. What they have is not fake, it’s regularly scheduled pleasant evenings within well-established parameters.
But then along comes the fake dating and the personal information and things aren’t so simple anymore. But they are – eventually – funny and spicy and hurtful and romantic and heartwarming.
Lee needs a plus-one to his sister’s wedding week. They’re close, she’s the only one who understands and supports him, but if he shows up alone his parents will continue their relentless criticism of his lifestyle and their efforts to hook him up with someone suitable. His family already thinks he is eccentric, lonely, being taken in or too smart to be taken in so that means he’s being defiant. Eva will get a new wardrobe and car, and then when the week is up they will go back to their regularly-scheduled no-expectation encounters. Except practice kisses feel pretty real – and pretty nice. Snuggling when the heat goes out in their room at the wedding feels even nicer. And sticking up for each other and actually talking and dancing and going on a sleigh ride . . . well, that feels way too good and way too real – and way too scary. This wasn’t the deal. Lee has his rich life to go back to and Eva needs to be there for her family.
Things suddenly spiral out of control. People aren’t always who they seem. Expectations are high and unforgiving. Trusting can be difficult. Odessa is a force to be reckoned with – hilarious, no-nonsense, protective. I received an advance copy of The Gift of the Matchmaker from the author as part of her review team. Once again Alden has written an engaging, riveting, sweet story with many moving parts that she expertly weaves together. It is heartfelt, heartwarming, so sweet, romantic and spicy and a well-written and well-told story about serious health issues and family dynamics. I recommend this book without hesitation and can’t wait to see what comes next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
Have you ever read a book that just won’t let you go? You fall so in love with the characters that you don’t want to leave; you want to follow them through the rest of their lives, wherever they go, whatever they do. The Gift of the Matchmaker by author Liz Alden is one of those books. It’s the fifth and final book in her Winter Wanderlust series of holiday novellas. And it is delightful first page to last. A must-read and a book you will read over and over.
Eva is the gold digger, Lee is the recluse, and Odessa is the matchmaker. Eva and Lee’s relationship is strictly transactional with no physical intimacy. Dinner in a top-notch restaurant every couple of weeks, good food, conversation – mostly from her; he’s not much of a talker – ending with gifts or a gift card and an excessive amount of cash for a cab ride home. She’s not really a gold digger: she works as a server in a “regular” restaurant, is single – and her father has ALS. She’s definitely not looking for a relationship; what she wants is stability, to help her family and maybe cut back her hours to spend time with her father before it’s too late. The extra cash and selling some of the gifts helps with that.
Lee isn’t really a recluse, either, but he could easily become one. He and his family are rich, rich, rich (hence the gifts and cash) but he’s the odd man out there. He believes in giving rather than taking, in providing help to those who need it rather than making money, keeping as much of that money as possible, and using whoever is in the way to get even more money. He has friends – a group of eight fellow writers and the guy at the hardware store where he goes to buy supplies for the houses he’s flipping and putting into trust to help others. Not much face-to-face contact.
Odessa runs an exclusive, unusual matchmaking service. Doesn’t advertise, isn’t on the internet, is very selective about the clients she takes on and keeps close tabs on them. She determined that Eva and Lee would be a good match: Eva is a good conversationalist, not looking to go outside the boundaries, not wanting anything beyond the terms of their agreement. Lee realizes he needs to have some human contact once in a while. He writes books and he flips houses, both of which are solitary pursuits. He has the money and the manners and matching with Eva is the perfect solution. You can’t even really call it fake dating, because they aren’t trying to convince anyone they are together when they’re not; they know little about each other and certainly nothing personal and that’s just fine with both of them. What they have is not fake, it’s regularly scheduled pleasant evenings within well-established parameters.
But then along comes the fake dating and the personal information and things aren’t so simple anymore. But they are – eventually – funny and spicy and hurtful and romantic and heartwarming.
Lee needs a plus-one to his sister’s wedding week. They’re close, she’s the only one who understands and supports him, but if he shows up alone his parents will continue their relentless criticism of his lifestyle and their efforts to hook him up with someone suitable. His family already thinks he is eccentric, lonely, being taken in or too smart to be taken in so that means he’s being defiant. Eva will get a new wardrobe and car, and then when the week is up they will go back to their regularly-scheduled no-expectation encounters. Except practice kisses feel pretty real – and pretty nice. Snuggling when the heat goes out in their room at the wedding feels even nicer. And sticking up for each other and actually talking and dancing and going on a sleigh ride . . . well, that feels way too good and way too real – and way too scary. This wasn’t the deal. Lee has his rich life to go back to and Eva needs to be there for her family.
Things suddenly spiral out of control. People aren’t always who they seem. Expectations are high and unforgiving. Trusting can be difficult. Odessa is a force to be reckoned with – hilarious, no-nonsense, protective. I received an advance copy of The Gift of the Matchmaker from the author as part of her review team. Once again Alden has written an engaging, riveting, sweet story with many moving parts that she expertly weaves together. It is heartfelt, heartwarming, so sweet, romantic and spicy and a well-written and well-told story about serious health issues and family dynamics. I recommend this book without hesitation and can’t wait to see what comes next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
September 27, 2026
This story is a satisfying, modern, sophisticated CHARMER!
It’s a smart, entertaining holiday romance with modern, real life issues and circumstances that bring depth to the story.
The characters are immensely likable, their personal struggles and strengths make them relatable and multifaceted. There’s fantastic humor, amazing character development, especially when you take into consideration it’s a novella, it’s rare that an author can make me feel I understand the characters and I’m fully invested in such a short format; however, this author does it every single time she writes a novella. It’s an incredible talent.
I really appreciate the social, cultural and sexual issues that the author includes in this story and all of her books. It flows with the story naturally, it’s not like when it feels like a forced point is trying to be made. I’m sure that’s because it’s a natural aspect of the author and her feelings herself.
Eva and Lee met through a high end matchmaker, Odessa (she is quite the larger than life character, I adore her) and they have a “sugar daddy” type relationship that is unusual. Dinner and conversation is what Lee needs, Eva needs money for very understandable reasons. I absolutely respect her hustle ;)
When Lee changes things and asks Eva to go to a family wedding over the holidays neither of them realize how much things are going to change for so many people.
What ensues is beautiful, heart wrenching and romantic. Their conversations are engaging, fun and humorous. I enjoyed the second hand experience of the characters getting to know each other on a real and personal level.
When the characters get physical it’s steamy and delightful with a bit of holiday spice. The romance is super satisfying and absolutely swoon worthy in a realistic way, yet it still feels magical. It made me feel giddy with excitement. This is an absolute delight!
There are very serious family issues that play a big part in the story for Eva and Lee. Both are compelling and very emotional aspects to the story and they give a lot of insight into Lee and Eva’s choices and their personal struggles.
I can’t believe this the last of the series. I choose to believe it’s because the author is going to write a full length holiday novel for next year OR she is going to begin a new holiday series… hint, hint!! Nudge, pssst!! I hope so, I look forward to her holiday stories so much. If not, I still have her regular books to look forward to and they are just as fantastic.
It’s a smart, entertaining holiday romance with modern, real life issues and circumstances that bring depth to the story.
The characters are immensely likable, their personal struggles and strengths make them relatable and multifaceted. There’s fantastic humor, amazing character development, especially when you take into consideration it’s a novella, it’s rare that an author can make me feel I understand the characters and I’m fully invested in such a short format; however, this author does it every single time she writes a novella. It’s an incredible talent.
I really appreciate the social, cultural and sexual issues that the author includes in this story and all of her books. It flows with the story naturally, it’s not like when it feels like a forced point is trying to be made. I’m sure that’s because it’s a natural aspect of the author and her feelings herself.
Eva and Lee met through a high end matchmaker, Odessa (she is quite the larger than life character, I adore her) and they have a “sugar daddy” type relationship that is unusual. Dinner and conversation is what Lee needs, Eva needs money for very understandable reasons. I absolutely respect her hustle ;)
When Lee changes things and asks Eva to go to a family wedding over the holidays neither of them realize how much things are going to change for so many people.
What ensues is beautiful, heart wrenching and romantic. Their conversations are engaging, fun and humorous. I enjoyed the second hand experience of the characters getting to know each other on a real and personal level.
When the characters get physical it’s steamy and delightful with a bit of holiday spice. The romance is super satisfying and absolutely swoon worthy in a realistic way, yet it still feels magical. It made me feel giddy with excitement. This is an absolute delight!
There are very serious family issues that play a big part in the story for Eva and Lee. Both are compelling and very emotional aspects to the story and they give a lot of insight into Lee and Eva’s choices and their personal struggles.
I can’t believe this the last of the series. I choose to believe it’s because the author is going to write a full length holiday novel for next year OR she is going to begin a new holiday series… hint, hint!! Nudge, pssst!! I hope so, I look forward to her holiday stories so much. If not, I still have her regular books to look forward to and they are just as fantastic.
October 28, 2026
Lee and Eva . . .
On their 8th date, Eva is going on about telling Lee Thorne stories about glow-in-the-dark skeletons the kids in her neighborhood have put up as she tries to fill the awkward silence he is known for. He enjoys having someone to eat meals with, but he doesn't have much to say. He treats her to an expensive meal every other week while she chats with the waitstaff or the occupants at the table next to them. Then he gets her a cab to go home. He wasn't looking to fall in love and their relationship wasn't physical in any way. But he was about to change things and hoped she would go along with it. With dinner finally ending, he surprises her by asking what she is doing for Christmas. She said she would be working, not telling him about her terminally ill father and his medical bills she is paying. He continued to tell her his sister is getting married... and he is supposed to bring his girlfriend. He had already told his family about her even though he is only her sugar daddy and not boyfriend material. She sounds almost angry when she asked why he told them about her. He continues to tell her he doesn't want to take his car, and she doesn't own a car in the city, so he says he will buy her a new one for the drive to the wedding. But asking her to take a week off to be with him and his family is quite a big favor, especially when he doesn't know about her obligations. All Lee had ever wanted from her before was a companion for dinner. But this would be easy money Eva can use for her sick dad. She just has to pretend that she is smitten with her date.
The two of them work well together to keep his toxic family under control. He acts differently here, and being together, she can't stop thinking about him. When the heat source fails, there is only one way to keep warm. But the family's interference can completely ruin what is between them. Will they succeed in breaking them apart? Or can Lee find a way to end their manipulation?
On their 8th date, Eva is going on about telling Lee Thorne stories about glow-in-the-dark skeletons the kids in her neighborhood have put up as she tries to fill the awkward silence he is known for. He enjoys having someone to eat meals with, but he doesn't have much to say. He treats her to an expensive meal every other week while she chats with the waitstaff or the occupants at the table next to them. Then he gets her a cab to go home. He wasn't looking to fall in love and their relationship wasn't physical in any way. But he was about to change things and hoped she would go along with it. With dinner finally ending, he surprises her by asking what she is doing for Christmas. She said she would be working, not telling him about her terminally ill father and his medical bills she is paying. He continued to tell her his sister is getting married... and he is supposed to bring his girlfriend. He had already told his family about her even though he is only her sugar daddy and not boyfriend material. She sounds almost angry when she asked why he told them about her. He continues to tell her he doesn't want to take his car, and she doesn't own a car in the city, so he says he will buy her a new one for the drive to the wedding. But asking her to take a week off to be with him and his family is quite a big favor, especially when he doesn't know about her obligations. All Lee had ever wanted from her before was a companion for dinner. But this would be easy money Eva can use for her sick dad. She just has to pretend that she is smitten with her date.
The two of them work well together to keep his toxic family under control. He acts differently here, and being together, she can't stop thinking about him. When the heat source fails, there is only one way to keep warm. But the family's interference can completely ruin what is between them. Will they succeed in breaking them apart? Or can Lee find a way to end their manipulation?
October 27, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Liz Alden for providing me with an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review!
Synopsis:
When Lee asks Eva to be his fake girlfriend for his sister’s lavish winter wedding, she sees an opportunity to earn some much-needed money. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for the quiet, wealthy man she’s been keeping company with. Between family drama, a snowy mansion, and undeniable chemistry, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But when an ultimatum threatens to tear them apart, will they risk everything for love?
Review:
I absolutely devoured this one! Liz Alden has delivered another gorgeous romance that completely pulled me in from the start. I loved the fake-dating premise, the festive winter wedding setting, and the dynamic between Lee and Eva. Their chemistry was wonderful, and watching their relationship develop from a paid arrangement into something much more meaningful was such a delight.
The pacing was fantastic, especially for a novella. It never felt too rushed, and the relationship had enough time to develop naturally without losing that page-turning quality that kept me wanting to read just one more chapter. The spice level was great, too!
Lee was such a lovable hero, and I really enjoyed seeing him come out of his shell. The characters were easy to connect with, and the family drama added an extra layer of tension to an otherwise cosy and romantic Christmas story.
If you love fake dating, wealthy heroes, class differences, festive settings, and romances that sneak up on you, this is definitely one to add to your holiday TBR!
Another great book by Liz Alden, and a lovely addition to the Winter Wanderlust series. A sweet, spicy, feel-good read that left me smiling.
Synopsis:
When Lee asks Eva to be his fake girlfriend for his sister’s lavish winter wedding, she sees an opportunity to earn some much-needed money. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for the quiet, wealthy man she’s been keeping company with. Between family drama, a snowy mansion, and undeniable chemistry, their pretend relationship starts to feel very real. But when an ultimatum threatens to tear them apart, will they risk everything for love?
Review:
I absolutely devoured this one! Liz Alden has delivered another gorgeous romance that completely pulled me in from the start. I loved the fake-dating premise, the festive winter wedding setting, and the dynamic between Lee and Eva. Their chemistry was wonderful, and watching their relationship develop from a paid arrangement into something much more meaningful was such a delight.
The pacing was fantastic, especially for a novella. It never felt too rushed, and the relationship had enough time to develop naturally without losing that page-turning quality that kept me wanting to read just one more chapter. The spice level was great, too!
Lee was such a lovable hero, and I really enjoyed seeing him come out of his shell. The characters were easy to connect with, and the family drama added an extra layer of tension to an otherwise cosy and romantic Christmas story.
If you love fake dating, wealthy heroes, class differences, festive settings, and romances that sneak up on you, this is definitely one to add to your holiday TBR!
Another great book by Liz Alden, and a lovely addition to the Winter Wanderlust series. A sweet, spicy, feel-good read that left me smiling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oooh. This book is complex, I’ll give you that. It’s emotional, cozy, and occasionally a little humorous. The premise is also quite different, since it revolves around an escort and her client.
Leander Thorne is a lone wolf. He’s not very good at face-to-face social interaction, and with his passion for his work, he could probably stay inside his house forever. So he becomes a client of an escort—not for sex, but simply to have someone accompany him outside, go to dinner, and experience some physical interaction and social connection.
Eva needs money. Her father’s health is declining, and although she loves her day job, it doesn’t pay well enough. She’s experienced when it comes to being in bed, but Lee is different. With him, she mostly ends up talking his ears off and enjoying fancy dinners.
The emotional journey really begins when they attend Lee’s sister’s wedding. That’s when the line between fake and real starts to blur. Lee becomes a version of himself that he hates, but apparently, none of it fazes Eva. Despite Lee’s family constantly disapproving of their relationship, the two of them somehow make it work. Then, just when they finally realize what they’re feeling, the biggest obstacle comes from someone completely unexpected.
Overall, this was a good read. I wouldn’t really call it a novella, though. There’s a surprising amount of complexity in the family relationships, alongside the whole high-end escort premise. It turned out to be an unexpectedly enjoyable and emotional read.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Leander Thorne is a lone wolf. He’s not very good at face-to-face social interaction, and with his passion for his work, he could probably stay inside his house forever. So he becomes a client of an escort—not for sex, but simply to have someone accompany him outside, go to dinner, and experience some physical interaction and social connection.
Eva needs money. Her father’s health is declining, and although she loves her day job, it doesn’t pay well enough. She’s experienced when it comes to being in bed, but Lee is different. With him, she mostly ends up talking his ears off and enjoying fancy dinners.
The emotional journey really begins when they attend Lee’s sister’s wedding. That’s when the line between fake and real starts to blur. Lee becomes a version of himself that he hates, but apparently, none of it fazes Eva. Despite Lee’s family constantly disapproving of their relationship, the two of them somehow make it work. Then, just when they finally realize what they’re feeling, the biggest obstacle comes from someone completely unexpected.
Overall, this was a good read. I wouldn’t really call it a novella, though. There’s a surprising amount of complexity in the family relationships, alongside the whole high-end escort premise. It turned out to be an unexpectedly enjoyable and emotional read.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 2, 2026
Eva and Lee met through a matchmaker. She needed a sugar daddy and he needed a woman he could date without expectations. They have a simple, bland, transactional relationship until Lee needs a date to his sister’s wedding. Suddenly they have to get to know eachother on a deeper level. Will their ruse be discovered or will they find love?
Eva is a good character with solid motivation for her decisions. She works in a restaurant to make ends meet. Her father is ill and she wants to find a way to spend more time with him. Eva is a nice person who loves her family deeply. She didn’t like getting matched with a sugar but she needs the extra money. Her actions and reactions make sense. I like that she was not a simpering fool and thought through her actions even if emotions were running high. Lee is a sugar daddy. He likes transactional relationships because he doesn’t want to involve his heart. His relationship with his family is strained due to his choice of jobs and lifestyle. His family is rich but he doesn’t live like he’s rich. I like that the author chose his sister’s over the top wedding as the reason Eva and Lee need to make a show of being a real couple. There is something to be said for letting your emotions go free with all of the love in the air! I like Eva and Lee as a couple throughout the entire story. They are likeable characters.
This story involves a sugar daddy, some very bland dates and fake dating at a wedding. Their matchmaker is a force to be reckoned with and I like it! This is a nice love story and I would recommend it. I will read more from this author in the future.
Eva is a good character with solid motivation for her decisions. She works in a restaurant to make ends meet. Her father is ill and she wants to find a way to spend more time with him. Eva is a nice person who loves her family deeply. She didn’t like getting matched with a sugar but she needs the extra money. Her actions and reactions make sense. I like that she was not a simpering fool and thought through her actions even if emotions were running high. Lee is a sugar daddy. He likes transactional relationships because he doesn’t want to involve his heart. His relationship with his family is strained due to his choice of jobs and lifestyle. His family is rich but he doesn’t live like he’s rich. I like that the author chose his sister’s over the top wedding as the reason Eva and Lee need to make a show of being a real couple. There is something to be said for letting your emotions go free with all of the love in the air! I like Eva and Lee as a couple throughout the entire story. They are likeable characters.
This story involves a sugar daddy, some very bland dates and fake dating at a wedding. Their matchmaker is a force to be reckoned with and I like it! This is a nice love story and I would recommend it. I will read more from this author in the future.
October 4, 2026
I don’t know what Liz Alden puts in her books, but apparently it’s crack to me. 😂 I love the way she writes, I love how much depth she gives her characters, and she is very quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
And I did NOT expect this little Christmas novella to give me this many feelings. 🥹🎄
Eva and Lee were supposed to have a simple arrangement, but watching them slowly become something real was so incredibly sweet. It wasn’t one big romantic gesture that got me either. It was all the tiny ways they learned each other. Buying her wool socks because she was cold. Giving him the understanding, honesty, and space to be exactly who he is. Slowly letting each other in and communicating through all of it.
And somehow, in such a short book, Liz gave both of them so much complexity. Eva’s working-class background and her father’s illness have shaped so much of her life, while Lee comes from enormous privilege but has spent much of his life isolated and misunderstood. They’re completely different on paper, but together they just make sense.
And when it comes time to choose between the life his family expects from him and Eva? THAT MAN CHOOSES EVA. Fully. No games, no wavering, no nonsense. We love to see it. 😂❤️
Add snowy New York, a gorgeous winter wedding, sleigh rides, candles in the snow, and all those dreamy Christmas details, and this was basically a warm fuzzy feeling disguised as a novella.
I absolutely freaking loved it. 🎄❄️❤️
Thank you so much to Liz Alden for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 💗
And I did NOT expect this little Christmas novella to give me this many feelings. 🥹🎄
Eva and Lee were supposed to have a simple arrangement, but watching them slowly become something real was so incredibly sweet. It wasn’t one big romantic gesture that got me either. It was all the tiny ways they learned each other. Buying her wool socks because she was cold. Giving him the understanding, honesty, and space to be exactly who he is. Slowly letting each other in and communicating through all of it.
And somehow, in such a short book, Liz gave both of them so much complexity. Eva’s working-class background and her father’s illness have shaped so much of her life, while Lee comes from enormous privilege but has spent much of his life isolated and misunderstood. They’re completely different on paper, but together they just make sense.
And when it comes time to choose between the life his family expects from him and Eva? THAT MAN CHOOSES EVA. Fully. No games, no wavering, no nonsense. We love to see it. 😂❤️
Add snowy New York, a gorgeous winter wedding, sleigh rides, candles in the snow, and all those dreamy Christmas details, and this was basically a warm fuzzy feeling disguised as a novella.
I absolutely freaking loved it. 🎄❄️❤️
Thank you so much to Liz Alden for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 💗
Review of advance copy received from Author
I think Liz is underselling this excellent book by calling it a novella. It is longer than I would expect a novella to be and it also, because of it's length, has a great story and some interesting and well developed characters.
Our main man Lee is very much a loner, who has eight on line writing friends. He is also very rich. However, he realises he needs a human face to face contact so gets in touch with Odessa, our matchmaker, to find him company but not intimacy. Enter our female lead Eva, who is a server in a restaurant, but has a very poorly father.
Although the book starts slowly and quite low key it soon ups it's pace when they have to attend Lee's sisters wedding as a fake couple.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I have done with all of Liz's books, but I felt this one had more scheming untrustworthy people in it, one inparticularly, which I liked. She got me riled up and I did not expect to get so emotional over what nastiness she carried out. I don't give spoilers so that last sentence may not make sense until you read the book.
I found the whole plot a little different from most books with a sugar daddy and that was refreshing. I enjoyed reading this book immensely and would of loved it to go on for longer as I want to know how things went for Lee and Eva in the future, especially with regards to his relationships with his family members.
Our main man Lee is very much a loner, who has eight on line writing friends. He is also very rich. However, he realises he needs a human face to face contact so gets in touch with Odessa, our matchmaker, to find him company but not intimacy. Enter our female lead Eva, who is a server in a restaurant, but has a very poorly father.
Although the book starts slowly and quite low key it soon ups it's pace when they have to attend Lee's sisters wedding as a fake couple.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I have done with all of Liz's books, but I felt this one had more scheming untrustworthy people in it, one inparticularly, which I liked. She got me riled up and I did not expect to get so emotional over what nastiness she carried out. I don't give spoilers so that last sentence may not make sense until you read the book.
I found the whole plot a little different from most books with a sugar daddy and that was refreshing. I enjoyed reading this book immensely and would of loved it to go on for longer as I want to know how things went for Lee and Eva in the future, especially with regards to his relationships with his family members.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Showing Their True Colors
Odessa is the matchmaker who connected a very lonely, rich Lee with a lovely Eva to go out for dinner: No Sex Involved. Every time they enjoy each other’s company and when Lee is pressured to bring somebody to his sister’s Christmas wedding, he asks Eva to go with him. But things don’t go as expected and she flees home by herself. When Odessa finds out what happened, her influence saves the day again.
Eva works in a restaurant and tries to save as much as possible to help her parents as her father has ALS and their situation is rapidly deteriorating. The choice going with Lee comes with a certain risk to her heart and meeting his family doesn’t make it any easier. To come from a wealthy, self-indulgent family doesn’t mean Lee has to follow in their footsteps. When push comes to shove he knows where his priorities lay.
A story that is not just a romance, but has some emotional difficult issues too. Eva’s father dealing with a terrible disease like ALS and what it means for the whole family, is devastating. Having money problems and the difficult housing situation make it even worse. Then there is Lee’s manipulating family. Fortunately there are sweet feelings and steamy scenes between Lee and Eva, good for laughing and also getting mad in their names too. Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Odessa is the matchmaker who connected a very lonely, rich Lee with a lovely Eva to go out for dinner: No Sex Involved. Every time they enjoy each other’s company and when Lee is pressured to bring somebody to his sister’s Christmas wedding, he asks Eva to go with him. But things don’t go as expected and she flees home by herself. When Odessa finds out what happened, her influence saves the day again.
Eva works in a restaurant and tries to save as much as possible to help her parents as her father has ALS and their situation is rapidly deteriorating. The choice going with Lee comes with a certain risk to her heart and meeting his family doesn’t make it any easier. To come from a wealthy, self-indulgent family doesn’t mean Lee has to follow in their footsteps. When push comes to shove he knows where his priorities lay.
A story that is not just a romance, but has some emotional difficult issues too. Eva’s father dealing with a terrible disease like ALS and what it means for the whole family, is devastating. Having money problems and the difficult housing situation make it even worse. Then there is Lee’s manipulating family. Fortunately there are sweet feelings and steamy scenes between Lee and Eva, good for laughing and also getting mad in their names too. Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Gift of the Matchmaker was a match for me. Cheesy, I know, but this book was everything I didn't know I needed.
I was a little unsure of the concept at first. I love fake dating but the sugar daddy title kind of put me off. I guess it is sort of that kind of situation but it ends up being better than what you would expect.
Lee and Eva were wonderful for each other. Eva really for Lee helps him open up more. I love the slow build until they have to spend more time together at Lee's sister's wedding. This opens up so much more room for them to get to know each other leading up to the wedding and during. Lee was atypical of a trust fund kid. I love all that he did to goes against his family. Lee's family was awful but they are supposed to be. The twist there I was not expecting at all. Eva and her family were wonderful. I liked that there was ALS representation.
I cannot leave out the matchmaker herself, Odessa, who is described perfectly as Estelle Getty(Joey's agent from FRIENDS). That's who I was imagining the whole time. Matchmaker/fairy godmother almost.
This novella packed a lot into it. There was sweet kisses and then a whole lot of spice. Loved this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Liz Alden, and Victory Editing Co-op for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.
I was a little unsure of the concept at first. I love fake dating but the sugar daddy title kind of put me off. I guess it is sort of that kind of situation but it ends up being better than what you would expect.
Lee and Eva were wonderful for each other. Eva really for Lee helps him open up more. I love the slow build until they have to spend more time together at Lee's sister's wedding. This opens up so much more room for them to get to know each other leading up to the wedding and during. Lee was atypical of a trust fund kid. I love all that he did to goes against his family. Lee's family was awful but they are supposed to be. The twist there I was not expecting at all. Eva and her family were wonderful. I liked that there was ALS representation.
I cannot leave out the matchmaker herself, Odessa, who is described perfectly as Estelle Getty(Joey's agent from FRIENDS). That's who I was imagining the whole time. Matchmaker/fairy godmother almost.
This novella packed a lot into it. There was sweet kisses and then a whole lot of spice. Loved this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Liz Alden, and Victory Editing Co-op for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Eva & Lee ❤️
🎄Eva is a server in New York City, living in Queens with a roommate and working 50 hour weeks to get by. She’s close to her parents but her father’s ALS is worsening and the family needs help.
🎄Eva’s been meeting for dinners with the reclusive Lee, who she was introduced to by a matchmaker Odessa. The relationship is highly transactional, although it’s platonic. He has more money than friends and is happy to spend it in exchange for Eva’s time.
🎄With Lee’s sister’s wedding coming up in the Berkshire’s, he asks Eva to accompany him for the week of wedding activities, posing as his girlfriend. They know it’s going to be hard to convince the family of their relationship, but neither can predict how opening up about their lives to each other will pan out.
✏️I have read everything Liz Alden has written, including the previous stories in her holiday themed novella series. This plot has awkward written all over it, but the kind and generous people that both Eva and Lee are shine right through. As they share with each other and you get to know them, the mercenary aspects become so much less dark and the happiness they bring each other shines through.
Read an eARC copy courtesy of the author
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Pub date 27 Oct 2026
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
🎄Eva is a server in New York City, living in Queens with a roommate and working 50 hour weeks to get by. She’s close to her parents but her father’s ALS is worsening and the family needs help.
🎄Eva’s been meeting for dinners with the reclusive Lee, who she was introduced to by a matchmaker Odessa. The relationship is highly transactional, although it’s platonic. He has more money than friends and is happy to spend it in exchange for Eva’s time.
🎄With Lee’s sister’s wedding coming up in the Berkshire’s, he asks Eva to accompany him for the week of wedding activities, posing as his girlfriend. They know it’s going to be hard to convince the family of their relationship, but neither can predict how opening up about their lives to each other will pan out.
✏️I have read everything Liz Alden has written, including the previous stories in her holiday themed novella series. This plot has awkward written all over it, but the kind and generous people that both Eva and Lee are shine right through. As they share with each other and you get to know them, the mercenary aspects become so much less dark and the happiness they bring each other shines through.
Read an eARC copy courtesy of the author
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Pub date 27 Oct 2026
Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021
October 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. Eva and Lee meet when he hires her to be his sugar baby. But intimacy isn’t part of the equation. Lee has realized he is becoming too reclusive, and simply wants someone who will help him spend time out of his house. Eva, meanwhile, has taken on the role of a sugar baby to help her parents. Her dad has been diagnosed with ALS, and Eva is willing to do whatever she can for him.
Eva and Lee were so sweet together, and I adored how protective Lee was. And when they were amongst his family, the way the two of them acted as a team was so endearing. It was obvious how perfect they were for one another. It just took them both a bit of time to figure it out.
I have to say I was impressed with the way the author handled Eva’s father’s illness. It was done with compassion and dignity. I also appreciated that the author addressed income inequality and the affordability crisis the US is facing. It was not shoved in the reader’s face, nor was it politicized.
I am sorry to see the series end, as I’ve enjoyed all of the books in it. “The Gift of the Matchmaker” was a fitting way to close things out though. And can I just say, I really want to be Odessa when I grow up. :).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Eva and Lee were so sweet together, and I adored how protective Lee was. And when they were amongst his family, the way the two of them acted as a team was so endearing. It was obvious how perfect they were for one another. It just took them both a bit of time to figure it out.
I have to say I was impressed with the way the author handled Eva’s father’s illness. It was done with compassion and dignity. I also appreciated that the author addressed income inequality and the affordability crisis the US is facing. It was not shoved in the reader’s face, nor was it politicized.
I am sorry to see the series end, as I’ve enjoyed all of the books in it. “The Gift of the Matchmaker” was a fitting way to close things out though. And can I just say, I really want to be Odessa when I grow up. :).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book took me a few chapters to really get into. The sugar daddy arrangement isn’t my cup of tea, so I initially struggled to connect with the story. However, the more time I spent with Lee and Eva, the more invested I became in their journey. What starts as a surface-level agreement slowly develops into something much deeper, and I found myself rooting for them to realize that their feelings extended far beyond the terms of their arrangement.
When Lee asked Eva to accompany him to a family wedding over the holidays, they were given the opportunity to truly get to know one another. Their conversations were engaging, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, allowing both characters to reveal more of themselves and build a genuine connection.
There's also a plot twist later in the story that I didn't see coming, and it transformed the final third of the book into a real page-turner. The increased tension kept me invested as the story raced toward its conclusion.
While the premise wasn't completely my cup of tea, the character development, emotional growth, and strong finish made this an enjoyable read that left me happy to have stuck with it.
When Lee asked Eva to accompany him to a family wedding over the holidays, they were given the opportunity to truly get to know one another. Their conversations were engaging, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, allowing both characters to reveal more of themselves and build a genuine connection.
There's also a plot twist later in the story that I didn't see coming, and it transformed the final third of the book into a real page-turner. The increased tension kept me invested as the story raced toward its conclusion.
While the premise wasn't completely my cup of tea, the character development, emotional growth, and strong finish made this an enjoyable read that left me happy to have stuck with it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the story of Lee and Eva, a reclusive man supported by a trust fund and the waitress he met through a matchmaker.
They have a straight forward arrangement for several months - gifts to her and a nice dinner date every other week in exchange for conversation and companionship. A transactional relationship with no strings or physical intimacy.
He doesn’t know she selling his gifts to help pay for her terminally ill father’s medical bills. She doesn’t know how isolated he is or that she’s the only person he spends time with in real life.
Then he needs a date to his sister’s wedding. He loves his sister but loathes everything his family stands for. They disapprove of his life choices and he wants Eva to provide a buffer for him. She’s social and pretty - she’ll provide a distraction. He convinces her with his most elaborate gifts yet! He's paying her to smile, hold his hand, and remember their made-up origin story.
Neither of them is supposed to feel anything. That lasts until the radiator goes out on a snowy winter's night and the whole plan goes off the rails!
This is a quick read with a well developed plot. A great cast of interesting characters
October 28, 2026
The matchmaker is always right!
Lee and Eva have both joined the dating services of Sugary. Lee has been lonely, and just wants companionship so he decided to be matched, but not seriously. Eva worked as a server in a restaurant, but her father was diagnosed with ALS. She joined Sugary to make money to pay for her father’s medical bills. Lee was matched with Eva. Every other week, he would send Eva a nice outfit and then meet her at a nice restaurant just to talk. They wouldn’t even kiss at the end of their date.
Then Lee needs a date for his sister’s wedding. That’s when everything changed. Lee brought Eva to his family estate as this girlfriend. Would his family accept Eva? What happens when Lee and Eva spend the week in the same bedroom? Will Lee believe Eva wants to be with him for more than his money?
This story has it all - romance, matchmaking, family, betrayal, and SO much more! The character development for Lee was perfect - learning how to chance on love. A must read! You’ll be pulled in from the very first page and won’t be able to put the book down! I wonderful holiday story!
Lee and Eva have both joined the dating services of Sugary. Lee has been lonely, and just wants companionship so he decided to be matched, but not seriously. Eva worked as a server in a restaurant, but her father was diagnosed with ALS. She joined Sugary to make money to pay for her father’s medical bills. Lee was matched with Eva. Every other week, he would send Eva a nice outfit and then meet her at a nice restaurant just to talk. They wouldn’t even kiss at the end of their date.
Then Lee needs a date for his sister’s wedding. That’s when everything changed. Lee brought Eva to his family estate as this girlfriend. Would his family accept Eva? What happens when Lee and Eva spend the week in the same bedroom? Will Lee believe Eva wants to be with him for more than his money?
This story has it all - romance, matchmaking, family, betrayal, and SO much more! The character development for Lee was perfect - learning how to chance on love. A must read! You’ll be pulled in from the very first page and won’t be able to put the book down! I wonderful holiday story!
October 29, 2026
The gift of the matchmaker is a fun and quick read. It is set at Christmas, and although that's, of course, mentioned, I think you'd probably enjoy this book at any time of the year.
Lee and Eva have been seeing each other for some time, but their relationship is transactional. Lee pays for Eva's time and gives her gifts. She in needs this money to help her parents, as her father is suffering from a life-limiting disease. When they go to spend Christmas and his sister's wedding with his family, it soon becomes clear that there is more between them.
I'm not usually keen on relationships that start with such a power imbalance. This one seems to work, though, as it's not sexual in nature, at least not while it's a transactional relationship. Rather, the emotions come in before it reaches anything like that. It's clear that Lee has issues with his family too, and dealing with those help to bring him closer to Eva.
This was a fun quick read, although it did touch on some slightly heavier and darker topics too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Lee and Eva have been seeing each other for some time, but their relationship is transactional. Lee pays for Eva's time and gives her gifts. She in needs this money to help her parents, as her father is suffering from a life-limiting disease. When they go to spend Christmas and his sister's wedding with his family, it soon becomes clear that there is more between them.
I'm not usually keen on relationships that start with such a power imbalance. This one seems to work, though, as it's not sexual in nature, at least not while it's a transactional relationship. Rather, the emotions come in before it reaches anything like that. It's clear that Lee has issues with his family too, and dealing with those help to bring him closer to Eva.
This was a fun quick read, although it did touch on some slightly heavier and darker topics too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
November 6, 2026
Eva thought she was just entertain a rich dude with no social skills. He buys her stuff for their date, she returns them and get the cash. It’s a pretty good system. Until he asked if she would be a his fake girlfriend to get his family off his back and he’ll throw in a car as a deal. Sounded pretty good, and of course we all know how the trope goes, they fall in love.
I really like this one, it's a short novella but it pack so much punch. We get to see the love grow between Lee & Eva, we learn about both of their families and build the people that they've become. Throw in a dramatic wedding at a romantic setting. Of course, the drama that got thrown in and the fairy-godmother that double as the matchmaker, who is also very powerful in Manhattan. Wow, holy moly. Where can I get more?
Pacing is great, story moves along but still shows the feelings for a lonely girl and a lonely guy, and how they found the common ground and how they love each other . It's a short story but has so much happening that it was over before I realized it. Such a good read!
Thank you author for the ARC.
I really like this one, it's a short novella but it pack so much punch. We get to see the love grow between Lee & Eva, we learn about both of their families and build the people that they've become. Throw in a dramatic wedding at a romantic setting. Of course, the drama that got thrown in and the fairy-godmother that double as the matchmaker, who is also very powerful in Manhattan. Wow, holy moly. Where can I get more?
Pacing is great, story moves along but still shows the feelings for a lonely girl and a lonely guy, and how they found the common ground and how they love each other . It's a short story but has so much happening that it was over before I realized it. Such a good read!
Thank you author for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of this story was so intriguing and it did not disappoint! Ava and Lee have an arrangement. Lee is extremely wealthy and very lonely, but doesn't want a relationship, so he uses a matchmaker to take a women out on dates where he pays for her her time and any needs for the date. Ava needs the money to help pay for her father's medical bills and living arrangements. Working as a restaurant server, she doesn't make enough to help out and she doesn't want a relationship, so this is the best for her as well.
Lee's awful family needs him home for Christmas and he extends an offer to Ava to pay her to be his fake girlfriend. They have been "seeing" each other for months, so this should be easy, right? As Lee and Ava realize they might just be perfect for each other, Lee's family does everything to tear them apart!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an arc of The Gift of the Matchmaker in exchange for an honest review. This was an emotionally deep, suspenseful, and fun novella.
Lee's awful family needs him home for Christmas and he extends an offer to Ava to pay her to be his fake girlfriend. They have been "seeing" each other for months, so this should be easy, right? As Lee and Ava realize they might just be perfect for each other, Lee's family does everything to tear them apart!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an arc of The Gift of the Matchmaker in exchange for an honest review. This was an emotionally deep, suspenseful, and fun novella.
Review of advance copy received from Author
She's doing it, their fake relationship, for the money, which he has plenty of. He needs a companion and she needs the money to help her ailing father. When they attend his sister's wedding and they stand up for each other, things change.
Lee comes from a rich, elitist family. He is NOT like his family. He’s lonely and needs companionship.
Eva is a waitress. She works hard to earn money to help out her parents. Her father has ALS and she wants to spend as much time as possible with him since his time is limited.
Lee pays Eva to spent time with him. They go out to dinner and enjoy each other’s company without s*x being involved. At the wedding Eva is not surprised when she encounters judgment from his family. She is beneath him in their eyes.
This is a sweet class gap romance about a sweet, shy guy and a girl who helps get him out of his shell and back into the world.
The matchmaker is their fairy godmother. It really is sweet.
Liz Alden writes beautiful stories about mature people who find love. I love her writing.
Lee comes from a rich, elitist family. He is NOT like his family. He’s lonely and needs companionship.
Eva is a waitress. She works hard to earn money to help out her parents. Her father has ALS and she wants to spend as much time as possible with him since his time is limited.
Lee pays Eva to spent time with him. They go out to dinner and enjoy each other’s company without s*x being involved. At the wedding Eva is not surprised when she encounters judgment from his family. She is beneath him in their eyes.
This is a sweet class gap romance about a sweet, shy guy and a girl who helps get him out of his shell and back into the world.
The matchmaker is their fairy godmother. It really is sweet.
Liz Alden writes beautiful stories about mature people who find love. I love her writing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Liz Alden, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC opportunity.
What a great read this was! It had the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, with a genuinely good story to go with it.
I really liked both Eva and Lee, although I definitely wasn’t the biggest fan of Lee’s family — which I’m pretty sure was intentional!
Eva is sweet, loving and does everything she can to help her family, while Lee comes from money and writes novels alongside running a rather interesting side business. I don’t want to spoil what that business is, but let’s just say I loved him even more once I found out.
Their story was fun, romantic and spicy without the spice taking over the actual plot, which I really appreciated.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable Christmas novella: festive, sweet, spicy and with enough story to make it feel like more than just a quick romance.
Highly recommend it!
What a great read this was! It had the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, with a genuinely good story to go with it.
I really liked both Eva and Lee, although I definitely wasn’t the biggest fan of Lee’s family — which I’m pretty sure was intentional!
Eva is sweet, loving and does everything she can to help her family, while Lee comes from money and writes novels alongside running a rather interesting side business. I don’t want to spoil what that business is, but let’s just say I loved him even more once I found out.
Their story was fun, romantic and spicy without the spice taking over the actual plot, which I really appreciated.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable Christmas novella: festive, sweet, spicy and with enough story to make it feel like more than just a quick romance.
Highly recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Socially awkward recluse, Lee Thorne has hired a matchmaker to help him with some human interaction, a bit of company, but you know, not the physical kind - he's too much of a gentleman for that. Bit of a twist to your regular fake dating, this is more of a hired for/ escort - simply for companionship- which is just so Lee!! Eva is a minimum wage waitress, happy to accompany Lee, have a nice dinner and have him spoil her for those dates, its win win for everyone. That is until Lee asks Eva attend his sisters christmas wedding as his girlfriend. Odessa, the matchmaker, made the perfect match in these two, understanding that they both needed someone to lean on to deal with their own emotional traumas. Lee absolutely stole my heart with his letter to Eva! I'm sure I reread it as much as Eva did! Well worth a read to get us into the holiday season!
I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own
I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own
October 17, 2026
I loved The Gift of the Matchmaker. At first I was a bit unsure as I’ve never read some of the tropes in this one but i’m so glad I didn’t let that stop me from reading it! I loved both Eva and Lee as characters and they had chemistry and a genuine foundation built on friendship. Lee was such a good guy and even though he had a lot of money he tried to help people as often as he could and followed his passion despite people not approving. I loved Eva and how loyal and kind she was. She did everything she could to help her family. I loved how Lee got along with her family too. I’m still so angry at Lee’s family but absolutely adored Eva’s family. Sometimes I find novella’s hard to fully love because I always feel like they aren’t properly explored and things aren’t always answered but I never have that problem with Liz’s short stories. Hers continuously check all the boxes for a short but fully explored novella that reels me in and keeps me reading and entertained! A great read, definitely recommend.
October 21, 2026
This was such a sweet story! A matchmaker, a “gold digger” and a nerd — what a great combination!
Lee is a nerd who hires a matchmaker to find him dates and force him to get out of the house. He has plenty of money and doesn’t mind being someone’s sugar daddy. Eve is a waitress who needs money to help her family with her father’s medical bills, so she doesn’t mind spending her evenings with Lee. He doesn’t ask too much of her, and the arrangement works for them both.
That is, until Lee invites Eve to his sister’s wedding over Christmas, where she has to pretend to be his girlfriend. Between the forced proximity and protecting Lee from his family, Eve starts developing feelings she shouldn’t have. Lee feels it too, but when his family tries to break them up, their matchmaker is having none of it!
I really enjoyed the rapport between Lee and Eve, and Odessa was absolutely amazing! Overall, this was a fun, sweet and thoroughly enjoyable read.
Lee is a nerd who hires a matchmaker to find him dates and force him to get out of the house. He has plenty of money and doesn’t mind being someone’s sugar daddy. Eve is a waitress who needs money to help her family with her father’s medical bills, so she doesn’t mind spending her evenings with Lee. He doesn’t ask too much of her, and the arrangement works for them both.
That is, until Lee invites Eve to his sister’s wedding over Christmas, where she has to pretend to be his girlfriend. Between the forced proximity and protecting Lee from his family, Eve starts developing feelings she shouldn’t have. Lee feels it too, but when his family tries to break them up, their matchmaker is having none of it!
I really enjoyed the rapport between Lee and Eve, and Odessa was absolutely amazing! Overall, this was a fun, sweet and thoroughly enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
Omg I loved this book … at first I was really confused about things as I wasn’t sure if this was a pretty woman scenario but as the storyline progressed more things began to make sense
Eva and Lee were sort of dating they would meet up every so often and be a couple … no sex involved just a meeting up of two people who enjoyed each others company
But Lee needed to ask Eva a question and it was going to change things between them
When Lee asked Eva to go to his sisters wedding she wasn’t sure … it would move whatever they had now to something more … and was she ready for it …
And meeting lees family was about to open up a whole tin of worms that ultimately brings a betrayal that hits at a whole new level
Loved loved loved this final book in the series … that twist I never saw coming and I would love a friend like that
Can’t wait to see what else is next from this author
Omg I loved this book … at first I was really confused about things as I wasn’t sure if this was a pretty woman scenario but as the storyline progressed more things began to make sense
Eva and Lee were sort of dating they would meet up every so often and be a couple … no sex involved just a meeting up of two people who enjoyed each others company
But Lee needed to ask Eva a question and it was going to change things between them
When Lee asked Eva to go to his sisters wedding she wasn’t sure … it would move whatever they had now to something more … and was she ready for it …
And meeting lees family was about to open up a whole tin of worms that ultimately brings a betrayal that hits at a whole new level
Loved loved loved this final book in the series … that twist I never saw coming and I would love a friend like that
Can’t wait to see what else is next from this author
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