I loved the concept of this book! I loved how Lila gets spammed by the agency, only to discover that Cupid is her match. I enjoyed the fantasy elements and found the romance to be sweet - however I felt that the relationship with James was overlooked, I didn't feel like I was given much about their relationship at the start to compare it to Lila and Cupid's.

Cupids Match is a medium burn, urban fantasy romance and is SO full of sass 😂

It's based on the idea that Cupid's are a paranormal race of match makers that have been monitoring human romance and matches BUT the Cupid's themselves are forbidden to match with anyone 🙈 As the title suggests a certain very powerful Cupid ends up being matched and we are witness to the mayhem that follows 🔥

I found the hierarchy of cupid's and the main romance to be similar to The Vampire Diaries in terms of having "original" cupid's and family structure as well as some of the conflict the family experiences. 

I found it compulsively readable and LOVED having so much sass and snarky comments mixed in with a realistic for the situation romance ❤

Overall it's a really fun read with great characters and a well thought out plot where our main characters,
"once-normal teenaged world has exploded into a mythological nightmare overrun by crime-lord sirens, wrathful cupid hit men, magic arrows that cause no end of trouble, and a mischievous, not-so-angelic love god she can't seem to stop herself from falling for . . ." 😍

50 million watt pad readers can't be wrong 🙈

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.   Thank you NetGalley.

Cupid's Match is truly an unique storyline.    It's a young adult/teen supernatural / romance genre based around the concept of actual cupids running a match-making service.    The REAL Cupid is matched with Lila!  Will she believe it?   Will she be Cupid's match?

When I first picked up this book, I got a bit worried it would just be a sickening sweet love story. But NO! So much action and adventure. Of course there is love, it is about Cupid after all. But fastpaced with some great twists. I was sad when it ended. I wouldve liked a few more chapters to finish tieing it all up. Or maybe an epilogue.

major CW for attempted suicide

welp i may have to nope out of this one now. I was intrigued by the concept,  and it was entertaining.  Up until a student  jumps off a freaking building!! and there was not even a single content warning for attempted suicide. so yeah i'm sorry but I'm  out. 

I still gave 2 stars because until that jarring moment, I was curious to see how it would all play out. It's quite a unique twist on the soul mates trope but I don't think I can continue after this moment.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book, received through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Although I wouldn't consider this book an awesome story, it's a good read to pass the time. The idea of having a Cupid Matchmaking Corporation where thousands of Cupids work to match people is pretty great. So is the premise of matching a human girl with THE Cupid. Who, for some reason, is a bad boy.  

Something I didn't enjoy that much is the use of the mythology. I'm a big mythology fan, so I was sold on the story as soon as I read the description. However, while I can understand the need to tweak some details from the original myths to fit into the author's story, I think this could have benefited from more research. For example, the author uses names from both Greek and Roman mythology without an apparent reason instead of just sticking to the Greek pantheon as it would be expected. That was a bit disconcerting for me. At times, it also felt like the author was just throwing in more and more myths into the story in a Percy Jackson kind of way.

About the pace, it felt very repetitive. I did feel some of the plot was a bit weak and some aspects of the story felt very rushed. In regards to the characters, I thought they were too plain and they weren't developed enough. Lila was just bland, too expressionless, too timid, too in the dark about everything to actually step up like a main character. For me, it felt as if Cal was actually more developed than Cupid. Also, I would have appreciated a bit more time devoted to build up the relationship between Lila and Cupid, as it appeared too suddenly. 

Overall, there are flaws in this story but it was a fun read. The book had potential and I really did like the idea, but the execution could have been better and benefited from some more research.

Officially rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

Initial Reaction:
Cupid’s Match is similar to any other popular Wattpad story in the fact that it is fun, easy to read, and impossible to put down. I read this book in two days total, which is something I haven’t done for a long, long time. With an interesting premise, engaging characters and simplistic writing style, Cupid’s Match is, without a doubt, a wholly entertaining read. There are elements of the story that I feel could’ve been furthered developed, but I also have a funny feeling that we might be seeing these characters again in a sequel, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Full review:
I think that I’ve come to the conclusion that, if I want to pick up a book that I will be totally obsessed with from start to finish, I can pick up any story with Wattpad as its origin.

Cupid’s Match is the story of Lila Black, who, at the start of the book, had simply wanted to stop receiving emails and messages from this so-called dating service, only to be told her fated partner - her allotted soulmate - was the mythical and iconic Cupid himself, and that their love was forbidden. An abomination. Soon enough, Lila finds herself dodging arrows left and right, wrapped up in this utterly insane revolution involving matchmakers, struggling to push down a passion that seems completely out of her control. This is not just a story about love, a mere attraction blossoming into more. It’s a story about accepting love as well, and the internal and external struggle that that entails.

So, when I say that I didn’t want to put this book down, I mean that I did not want to put this book down! I swear, if I hadn’t had things to do during the two days I was reading this book, without a doubt in my mind, I could have finished this in a single sitting. Lauren Palphreyman is a fantastically talented writer in that she knew exactly where to end each chapter so that the reader had no other choice but to convince themselves of “Ooooh... Just one more chapter!” While her writing style is simplistic, it’s also humorous and inviting. The only way to describe it is that it is binge-worthy writing!

Moreover, I have to commend Lauren for making these enticingly dynamic relationships between these characters. I mean, sure, the premise of the book is riveting. Matchmaking service run by cupids? SIGN. ME. THE FUCK. UP! And adding a bunch of other mythical creatures on top? Where do I mail my soul and should I send it as Priority or Express? However, what truly kept me turning the pages was that I needed to know how these characters and these relationships developed. There are so many exchanges that can be interpreted in various different ways: seeing the hurt, the pain, the joy, the indifference on their faces. And a handful of the times, Lauren chooses to gloss over that moment to proceed with the action, leaving the reader squirming in agonizing anticipation because there are too many things left unsaid and they must be brought back to light at some point. MUST!

All that being said, there is a point where the book slowed down for me personally, but I believe that’s because it took a shift that I was not expecting at all. What I initially thought was going to be a story about falling for the alleged bad boy and rebelling against fate becomes a lot more complicated and convoluted, and I definitely had to alter the gears in my own head to get myself back on track. 

Furthermore, there are a few things that I wish were fleshed out more throughout the course of the book. For example, the romance between the main couple, Cupid and Lila, did not quite work for me because, even though the sexual tension was there, the chemistry was not up to par. I wanted them to talk more one-on-one and connect with each other. Really, it was like an insta-love scenario in the fact that it was clear they were devoted to each other from the beginning, though they both denied it because, you know, angst, but there was a lack of intimate moments to substantiate their bond. Honestly, I felt like Lila and Cal were more compatible than Lila and Cupid because they were actually given the time to be together, one-on-one, and read each other — understanding, connecting, building a relationship. 

On top of that, I have an inkling that there is more of a history between Crystal and Cal than we are lead to believe. His reactions when she was hurt or indisposed were way too vehement for me to believe they were nothing more than co-workers. Also, since Charlie is now a cupid, doesn’t that mean she cannot be with her Match, James? Or that’s all changing with the new administration? Finally, if an individual is now permitted more than one soulmate, does that mean that Cal and Lila can... you know.... *smoochy noises* explore what they got going on? I mean, I cannot be the only thinking that Cupid’s Match does not seem like a standalone because there are still far too many unanswered questions. My curiosity alone added a star to my rating, so dang flabbit, there better be more to this story!

So, at the end of the day, Cupid’s Match is positively fun, entertaining, engaging, mildly steamy, rich with vibrant characters and relationships, incredibly difficult to put down, and absolutely has the potential to be expanded. Let’s see what happens!

Theme: A Greek Mythology high-school romance with a dark undertone of ruthless ancient beings.
Nature of Review: I was provided with an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review- all opinions expressed are my own.
Release Date: Cupid's Match is being published by Wattpad Books, a new publishing company from the online writing website Wattpad, and is set to release October 1, 2019!
Warnings: Violence, language, generally standard YA themes

Lila has been trying to have a stable life since her mother passed away, walking through life with her sweet boyfriend and childhood best friend by her side. The last thing she wants is to keep getting these creepy letters from Cupids Matchmaking Service, saying she has a potential match and needs to be seen by a cupid representative immediately. Except Lila didn't ask for the Cupids services, and their unsolicited opinions are getting excessive.

Little does Lila know that Cupids are real- yes, the little guys that fly around shooting soulmates with arrows, except they are anything but harmless. And Lila has been matched with the most dangerous of them all, the original Cupid himself.

Don't let the guise of a forbidden romance fool you-  Cupid's Match is filled with so much more. Enter a world where mythology hides in the shadows of our own, filled with vengeful Gods (and demi-gods), meddling Cupids, addictive sirens, murdering monsters, action-packed battle scenes, puzzling quests, tested friendships, and the hardest lesson of all- what is the cost of true love?

I always automatically start with what I loved about a book, and this will be no different! I'm a sucker for paranormal romance (is mythology considered 'paranormal'?), so I was along for the ride from the first page, even when I thought that was all this novel had to offer. Surprise surprise (no sarcasm intended), much like all the best novels, the story just got more and more complex as the plot developed, taking the romance label by the hand and almost losing it in all the side-themes. 

The characters were all fairly developed, and definitely unique in both personality and voice. You didn't love every character, and you didn't always love the heroes, either. The reactions that the characters had to plot lines and dialogue were natural and realistic, and although this is a magical story, I never once excused any part of the story to it simply because it was magic, and "anything can happen". 

The way this story added more and more myths as it went on was so entertaining! It added a dark side to the story bringing deadly beings to life in the real world. It was super creative in all the plot twists, and no one can say that this book wasn't completely original and it kept you guessing at what happened next. There was hardly a dull moment, and the slow burn romance was nicely paced to allow these other elements to shine, although, I must go on to say...

There were some points that I disliked, and that kept it from a full five stars (for me, personally). I'll start on the romance topic, since we are here already. I wished there was more. Plain and simple. I wanted more of a tension-filled romance with more attraction, more steam, and I thought the romance was kind of just there sometimes. 

There is a slight love triangle, but I was also confused as to why that happened, since the other love-interest had no real reason (that was explained) to care so much about Lila, even going so far as to having an awful experience with love in the past that didn't seem to affect his feelings at all. And, there was some eyerolling with the hero/happily ever after moments that I thought were ridiculous by the end of the story, since there is such a dark undertone most of the novel. One thing I found was super realistic, though, was the relationship between Lila and her boyfriend, and how the tension of the cupids affected them, and how it turned even more trouble into the romance plot..

Also, there were a few times I had a problem with Charlie's character (Lila's best friend). I loved the story arc she went through, and loved her as a side character, but I couldn't help but find some things just so irrigating about her. Mainly, how when certain things happen, and she is more worried about a cupid she just met as opposed to her lifelong best friend, despite the circumstances. At times, her behavior was justified. Other times, not so much.

I know there is more than one book, as I added them to my library on Wattpad, but I wish there was less than a happily ever after ending. There were so many characters, so many twists and turns introduced, that the whole storyline could have been extended into multiple books. There could have been a bigger build up, more suspense, a more difficult ending. Also, the ending was so open that it felt unfinished- but that could be because I'm a selfish reader and want all the answers, especially if this turns out to be a stand alone.

Overall, Cupid's Match was a perfect story to cozy up to and it was easy to go along for the ride. I was sucked in from the very beginning, and ended up being pleasantly surprised throughout nearly the entire story. I thought it could have been a but more of a mysterious, puzzling read with a satisfying ending, but I recommended this book none the less, just as a light read. Cupid's Match brought all the mythological nightmares to the table, and created a world where love is not so easily earned. If you enjoy myths, paranormal romance, and the idea of fighting for true love, Cupid's Match is for you.

Book Review

...Lila's true love match is Cupid. The original bad boy of love. And he wants her."
Hold up. Stop the press. The original bad boy of LOVE?! 

I can always tell how much I'm going to enjoy a novel by how quick my attention is captured. The cover got me to click, the blurb made me cross my fingers and hope I would be approved to read, and then the novel itself didn't disappoint. 

Now, Cupid's Match has been around for some time, but I'm so delighted it's being released as a paperback version or else I may have never read Lauren Palphreman's beautiful creation. Disappointment would be an understatement if I never knew this novel existed. For a YA Romance, I have to pin this strictly into the younger YA section since there weren't tones of steamier moments. The kinetic attraction between her main character Lila and Cupid hits the right notes without blasting off into the YA Mature section. 

Sidenote: I do love mature ya! So this wasn't the typical read for me, but I'm so delighted I did!
Lauren Palphreyman's writing, detailing, characterization, and pace are ridiculously on point. Each chapter left you ready to turn the page. The way she twisted and gave a new quirky life to some of the mythology we've heard time and time again. Cupids, Gods, the Myths of old. She shook them up and definitely made them more applicable to today's world. We start off with a typical teenage girl, who is then propelled into the most unusual of circumstances that keep compiling until the ya romance it started out to be, morphs into more of a ya fantasy romance. Higher key on the Fantasy aspect, which I loved. 

Did this have a HEA?

Yes, which is why I think it's in the romance category. I think the only part I didn't necessarily care for was an almost love interest/attraction to Cupid's brother Cal as well. It was snipped and really didn't go there, but the insinuation was enough. The whole trio love triangle under concept didn't really seem to be needed.  Overall, other than that one little hiccup for me, I think Cupid's Match is a great solid Ya Romance with a new twist to old Mythology.

I received an ARC of Cupid's Match in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of the review. Let's be honest here. If it was great or sucked I have no problem writing it out.
Want to read the Cover Critique of Cupid's Match? Then check out my blog on www.jenarcollins.com AKA The Mother Cover Lover

This was a really cute YA romance! I really enjoyed the mythical element and thought it was pretty well done. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

Wow. This book takes a different look at Greek myths. It throws love and attraction at you from everywhere. 
I was skeptical as I have had a love/hate relationship with Wattpad books. But this one is well done, if a bit long. In the middle I got a tad bored but by the end I absolutely loved it. Though I could do without a love triangle type story. 
I am not afraid to say that when I finished this I immediately went to Wattpad to find out if there were any more stories in this world. I am pleased that I will now have other books to read in this universe. 
A must for fans of fated matches, mythology, and a broody boy who just needs some love.

I started reading this such a long time ago on Wattpad and completely forgot about it, I was ecstatic to see it listed on Netgalley! Reading it made me feel like a teenager again. I loved it then and I absolutely love it now! 

A really interesting and imaginative read that totally sucks you in. I'm a sucker for romance, I'm a sucker for mythology and Cupid's Match perfectly balances the two to create a perfect blend of romance and humour. 

A must read for anyone who enjoys the genre!

Four emotional, heart-felting, romantic, mythological, gripping stars!

The author is so intelligent to bring different genres and perfectly combine them into a heart-felting, enjoyable, fast pacing YA book. It's not only a standard college romance. The mythological touch in right places worked so well and help us connect with the characters and want to read more about their love story.

And we shouldn't forget one of the good villanelle Venus! When a story's bad characters is good, it means to story is more powerful just like this one!

I love the pacing, character development, chemistry between the hero and heroine and also I enjoyed the ending.
So far this different combination worked for me!

I highly recommend this one to YA romance lovers just like me!

Thanks to Wattpad Books and NetGalley to share this great book with me in excahnge my honest review.

This book was so much more than I expected!  I really, really enjoyed it, and can't wait to get my hands on the next book.  I'll be purchasing a copy.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC. 

Lila Black is Cupid’s Match, as in, the Cupid. Which is fine, except that, according to the rules of the “Cupid Matchmaking Service”, NO Cupid can ever be matched... and that is because Cupid’s mother, the goddess Venus (in this story) would return and wreak love fuelled havoc on the world. 

The premise of Cupid (a 3,000 or so year old Demi god)  being matched with a 17 year old, while implausible, actually works in this storyline; what I had trouble with is the love triangle between Lila, Cupid and Cupid’s brother Cal, since Lila and Cupid are supposed to be ‘soulmates’ (I also thought that Cal was the brother I would have chosen). 

While elements of the story are excellent - I really enjoyed the characters in the dungeon - some features, like the story’s pace and editing need work to improve the whole. Overall, the story had some interesting plot elements but needed more character development to make it a ‘wow’ read rather than just a good read to while away time.

What would you do if you were contacted by Cupids Matchmaking Service? 

I couldn’t wait to dive into this books! With a synopsis that sparks intrigue and a first chapter that was funny and refreshing, I was hooked from the beginning. The cover is absolutely beautiful, paired with a name like Wattpad, and I knew that the people responsible for getting this book together would create something magical. 

The book follows Lila Black, a teenager with great friends and a great boyfriend, as she walks into Cupids Matchmaking service. A company that has been harassing Lila for months and she’s tired of it. She doesn’t need, or believe in matching so they can kindly leave her alone. 

Turns out it’s not that easy. In this original and refreshing story, the author does an amazing job of adding details that bring the history of Cupid and the lore around him, into 2019. Whether it’s from quick wit and funny one-liners to adventurous tales and matters of the heart, Lauren Palphreyman hit a home run when she created Lila, Cupid and Cal. 

Through a charming Cal and a clever (if not moody) Cupid, Lauren created an entire species backstory and religion while adding other mythological elements and military agenda to an extraordinary tale of love and sacrifice. 

I absolutely love this book and will be waiting to see what other worlds Lauren Palphreyman decides to create next. Thank you Wattpad books and Netgalley for the opportunity.

I am a fan of ancient-gods-in-modern-times type stories, so I was definitely interested when I saw this one available on Netgalley. Is one of those books where I really enjoyed parts of it, but there were other aspects I had qualms about, enough to affect my enjoyment.

The romance is where I felt the book’s main strength lay. While I did actually spend a fair chunk thinking/hoping it was going to take a different direction, it built the relationship between Lila and Cupid quite well. They had a decent amount of chemistry and there was certainly some entertaining banter between them.

I did feel some of the plotting was a bit weak. For example, after a character jumps off a building in the height of passion (don’t worry, he survives), rather than being completely horrified and upset, his classmates all decide they should still go to a house party that night as planned, because… it’s whathe would have wanted or something? (Or, because the author needed the characters to be at that party, because it was plot relevant, regardless of whether it made sense.)

The policy documents for the Cupid Matchmaking Agency, supposedly written two or three millenia ago, were written in modern-day corporate speak, which was amusing, but didn’t make much sense. And in her nightmare world, Pandora faces off with physical manifestations of the Seven Deadly Sins, a Christian construct.

The book does rely on the main character being kept in the dark about certain things until the other characters are ready for her to know and that got a bit tedious at times. Once that reveal came about, did enjoy the build up to the climax, even if the day seemed a little too easily won in the end.

Look, basically, this is one of those books that’s fine and entertaining for a while but ultimately not that memorable.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

It has been a while since I've read a romance novel and Cupid's Match completely blew me away. It's a perfect summer read if you like characters who are mysterious and interesting at the same time. I loved how this book was romantic and funny too and highly recommend it!

This was a very good YA book. Lila finds the world of myths and Gods are real when she gets matched romantically with Cupid, who is a disgraced matchmaker. One of the rules are that cupids cannot be matched. With assassins after her to keep her from falling for Cupid and bringing about the return of Venus, we get an action filled trip to the HEA that involves other myths and a good story. I would recommend this book to everyone. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

First and foremost thank you for providing me with an e-arc of this book. I was blown away by this story, I also did not realize it started as a Wattpad story. I have read and enjoyed many Wattpad stories and it makes me so happy that they are starting to get published.

The premise in this novel was extremly unique and kept me entertained the whole way through. There was a ton of humor while also dealing with some serious issues. I loved our main character as she was sassy and stubborn. Lila is a very unique character and deals with some next level crap. The way she deals with it just proves how bad ass of a lead female character she is. 

I cannot think of a single thing I disliked, this book was everything I was looking for at that moment. It was fun, enthralling, entertaining, beautifully written, strong characters, unique, and just all around a very amusing story. 

I definitely recommend this book to anyone! I also would love to see this adapted into a movie or tv series. I think it would be a good comedy.