Reviews

Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

love4lit's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

dorothy_h's review against another edition

funny

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition

4.0

This isn't the most intelligent book in the world. But who cares! It's cute, funny and sassy. Annabelle is probably one of the most full-charactered romantic leading ladies I've ever come across and although her characterisation sometimes contridicts itself (eg: it's emphasised in the beginning that she's a pushover, but she spends the whole book standing up for herself), you still get swept away. Heath's backstory is over the top, but the parts that make the sum of the whole are realistic and SEP does a great job of using them to explain his current character. The supporting cast are fun and funny, although the focus of the next book in the series was perhaps just a little too obvious.

I listened to the fantastic audiobook read by Anna Fields - although her male voices weren't as convincing, she still bought body to the characters in a charming way.

Lots to love in this one and it encourages me to try SEP again.

bookfortbuilder's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

joannagli's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

amlibera's review against another edition

3.0

Old school style romance novel set in Chicago - he's an alpha male, she's a little wacky (and since she doesn't have a perfect body type, he couldn't possibly be interested in her but ohh... he likes the way she enjoys her food...). Not quite comfortable with the trans ex-fiance storyline or the seemingly emotionally abusive family who actually love the heroine deep down. Still it was comforting to spend a night reading this, like wearing old flannel pajamas. Also appreciated the Victory's Banner shout out.

lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Like a lot of SEP books, this book has many elements that are dated and problematic (the casual transphobia, yikes). But, also like a lot of SEP books, it has an engaging storyline and interesting characters. 

Her books manage to suck me in every time. This wasn’t my favourite that I’ve read of hers but it was a solid read and I really enjoyed it. 

If you’re a fan of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, definitely give this one a try. It’s got her classic slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance plot with a main male character that spends a lot of the book oblivious to how he feels. Just keep in mind that it was written in 2006, and it definitely shows 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Misogyny, Body shaming, and Fatphobia

Minor: Death of parent

jackiehorne's review against another edition

2.0

I often have mixed feelings about SEP books, but this one really made me uncomfortable. Some takeaway messages:

• To start your book off with a bang, make your heroine an insecure screw-up and make sure you mess up her clothes and make her late for an important appointment
• It's ok if your family denigrates and insults you, as long as they love you (you, of course, being a woman)
• Men who work too hard have to fall in love and they'll learn to scale back; women who work too hard have to have their careers destroyed, their sexual preference for dominant men confirmed, and be forced to appear in public in an embarrassing physical predicament in order to reform (but of course we'll take it all back in a feel-good epilogue)
• Men don't like to read; the rare odd one who does can't be in the all-women's book club because he'd throw off the "dynamic"
• You shouldn't worry too much about your clothes, girls, but reading about them is definitely worth your time
• All girl-children like princess parties, especially when all the dresses are pink

Yeah, I know it's supposed to be funny. But so much of the humor rests on gender stereotypes that I just didn't find myself laughing...

yolibear's review against another edition

5.0

This was a first for me by this author. I am pleasantly surprised and will continue to read more from her.

420blazeit's review against another edition

4.0

YAY, i loved this one!! when we are back to phoebe and dan being a part of the story, you know its going to be good. i loved this one, i loved Annabelle and her matchmaking business and can-do attitude paired with her sarcasm. her and heaths banter was 10/10 and i ate up every interaction they had. the side story with bodies and portia was nice too, although portia did scare me a little toward the end there ( and also she was right, bodies was acting like her part time shrink trying to psychoanalyze her every two seconds... man step off the gas and let her breathe) ANYWAY. this was a great read and had that frenemies-to-lovers feel that i love. also it was nice to be introduced to the Chicago stars bookclub, which i hope will be making its appearance again. also excited for deans book, he was a good guy to annabelle in this one. so anyway 4/5 loved it.