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2.67k reviews for:

You Have a Match

Emma Lord

3.64 AVERAGE

rakentinejn's review

3.0

3.5** corny & cute
hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was exactly what I was wanting it to be: a cute, fun, quick read!
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delirilyn's review

3.0

3.5/5 stars - man what a ride!! This book has the zany DCOM energy and shenanigans of the 2000s-2010s/early 21st century. It had a well-rounded supporting cast of characters, a cute and developing romance, hints at a love triangle, and humor to go around. And it had just as much heart and lessons too through Abby's struggles and her journey to discover her own voice. I didn't expect to relate so strongly to Abby's conflict avoidance, and it's something I think she handled in a strong way. Abby blossomed into such a beautiful character in the end, and it was heartwarming to see.

Although, the execution wasn't perfect by any means. Sometimes the writing was just as chaotic as Abby and Savvy's family drama. While Emma Lord certainly shows Savvy's growth through her time with Abby, I wish it could have been a little more explicit or present. While all the subplots and characters were enjoyable, sometimes they felt like deadweight. There were even some points that characters made that, when looking at the scenario, probably should be a really big deal but instead are downplayed for the overall story. And there was a lot of missed potential in some story moments that would give some characters a little more significance and the novel more emotional weight.

Regardless, I'm fully ready to mail this novel to The Walt Disney Company so that they can start working on their new Disney Channel Original Movie or Disney+ exclusive movie You Have A Match and convince Reese Witherspoon to try and sign on as executive producer.

emtabachuk's review

5.0

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Lord is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA authors. Tweet Cute was so fun, and You Have a Match does it again!

Abby and her best friend/secret crush, Leo, take DNA tests to see if Leo can find his birth family. Instead, Abby discovers she has a secret sister. And their parents are NOT excited they've found out about each other.

This novel is a perfect summer escape. The characters are well drawn, the emotions run realistically deep and the plot moves at a clip. I rooted for every character in this book - I wanted the world for Abby, watching her trust herself and learn to fight for the things she wants while grieving is so great. These kids are talented, and whip smart, and the Pacific Northwest setting is a perfect backdrop.

I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read another EL book!

ashleylchen's profile picture

ashleylchen's review

3.0

3.5 — nothing super spectacular or memorable
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the_reading_ranger's review

5.0

I love books with photographers as main characters, and while I hated the mis-communication trope in this book, it was actually done realistically, portraying the relationships between parents and kids so well. And also friendships.

Abby was so used to keeping everything to herself that she didn't know how to open up to other people, and I loved seeing her grow throughout the story. It also hit harder for me, as I'd also just lost my grandfather in the last few months, and while I wasn't as close to mine as Abby was, I could understand the feelings of loss that she was dealing with. It's not a major part of the story, but it definitely contributes to the tension between her and her parents.

I loved Leo, and how he was trying to help Abby in his own ways. And Savvy, she was so cool, and I loved seeing her character growth too.

avalonreigns's review

5.0

Super cute story about figuring out what it means to have a sister and falling for your best friend. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters personal growth. It was far more than a journey about two unknowing sisters and I highly recommend.

chellyklam's review

5.0

Did I read this in one day - more like in one afternoon? Yes, yes I did.

It’s so very down to earth and real. It’s cute and sweet but will also leave you tears eyed and anxious. I laughed, squealed, grumbled and cried. The found family aspect of the friend circles but also of the actual real family is heartwarming even through the highs and lows.

I enjoyed this so much and if you’re looking for something that leaves with that feel good content mood this is the book for you.

As a person who always wanted a sister I knew I had to read this book.

Abby finds out through a DNA service that she has a secret sister named Savannah ("Savvy"). She's surprised but also happy, thinking that they will bond instantly and that she finally has someone who understands her better than her parents or her little brothers do. She signs up for the summer camp where Savvy is a counselor so that the two can get to know each other and figure out why their parents gave Savvy up, but Abby soon learns that her sister is not what she expected and that things are more complicated than they first seemed...

I loved the Parent Trap like plot. Abby and Savvy were by far the most interesting and well-developed characters. Their dialogues and interactions made me smile (sometimes even laugh) and their sister-sister relationship is the reason I liked this book so much.

Before I continue with the review I want to add why this book is shelved as LGBTQ+. I wasn't sure why when I started reading this book and maybe it's confusing for other people as well. I put it under a spoiler tag but don't worry, it's not a secret in the book, the reader learns this early on and the character is out:
SpoilerSavvy, the sister of the main character, is a lesbian.


Back to the review: This book was so much fun. Yes, it was silly and often unrealistic. And yes, there's lots of teenage drama, so much that eventually even the main character points out that her life is basically a CW drama. (I chuckled at that part, she wasn't wrong though).

There were some parts at the beginning where I had to cringe really hard because I couldn't believe that teenagers nowadays actually talk like that in real life (a younger friend of mine confirmed they do, which made me feel old). I accepted that, stopped my eye rolling and kept reading.

And I'm glad I did because the characters made up for all that in the end and really grew on me. Emma Lord knows how to write characters that feel real and makes you care for all of them. She even got me invested in the side plot of the parents and how they met. I wanted to know more about them and their past, which really surprised me.

It was also refreshing, after reading so many books in a row about troubled teenagers, to finally read one with no alcohol or drug abuse. The teenagers in this book have lots of typical teen problems (first love, bad grades, being unsure about life after High School, disagreements with the parents) but it doesn't end in binge drinking or drug using. It ends in tears and more drama than necessary, but it felt different and reminded me more about my childhood than the other books I read recently.

I'm sure it helped that Abby reminded me about myself lots of the time. At one point she thinks "I have no interest in arguing or confrontation in general. Give me the wrong scoop of ice cream? I'll eat it." and I actually had to pause reading because that's so me.

The one thing I didn't like was the hetereosexual romance (the male crush was nice but also so boring and I still think Finn would've been way more interesting as a love interest). The constant back and forth between those two was annoying. Every time Abby wanted to tell him she likes him they were interrupted and there were a few misunderstandings which lead to them not speaking or even fighting which got on my nerves. Just talk to each other like normal people!

The romance gladly wasn't the main focus in this book so I'm looking past that.

If you need something to lift you up and fill you with positive energy you should go and read this book. It left me happy and in a great mood and I can't wait to find out what Emma Lord writes next.