Contemporary
Playing with Matches
Hannah Orenstein
Playing with Matches
Sasha Goldberg takes a job at a Manhattan matchmaking agency while still in college and turns out to be good at it, even as her own relationship wobbles. When a difficult client and an unexpected attraction collide, Sasha has to decide what she really wants. A fun New York romcom about love for hire.
About This Book
Playing with Matches is a contemporary romance novel by Hannah Orenstein, first published in 2018 by Touchstone. It runs 320 pages. Readers can expect opposites attract.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Opposites Attract
- Published
- 2018
- Length
- 320 pages
Where to read or listen
Get Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A college student finds professional success as a Manhattan matchmaker while her personal romantic life unravels.
- Fans of contemporary workplace romances
- Readers who enjoy stories about professional identity and career growth
- Lighthearted
- Features Opposites Attract
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Details
Type: Contemporary
Pairing: unknown
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Heat Level
Heat information not available.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Sasha Goldberg, while still in college, takes a position at a Manhattan matchmaking agency. She discovers a talent for finding matches for others, but must reconcile this professional success with the instability of her own romantic life. When a difficult client enters the picture alongside a new, unexpected attraction, Sasha is forced to evaluate her true desires.
Central Conflict
Sasha must balance the professional demands of being a matchmaker with the personal turmoil of her own wobbling relationship and a new, unexpected attraction.
Setting
Manhattan, New York
Strengths
- Relatable premise of balancing early professional life with personal relationships
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 4
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 5
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Hannah Orenstein
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Touchstone
- Published
- 2018
- Length
- 320 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781501178504
Playing with Matches: quick answers
- Who wrote Playing with Matches?
- Playing with Matches was written by Hannah Orenstein.
- When was Playing with Matches published?
- Playing with Matches was first published in 2018 by Touchstone.
- What genre is Playing with Matches?
- Playing with Matches is a contemporary romance novel, with opposites attract.
- How many pages is Playing with Matches?
- Playing with Matches is 320 pages long.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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