This was a very enjoyable read by Emma Lord. There were many twists and turns in the story that surprised me. I enjoyed the character dynamics and the drama. kept me from wanting to put the book down. I think it was about a topic that is not often discussed, but I hope it is more now. I would recommend this to middle school students, just because I think it may be too mature for elementary.

Imagine doing one of those DNA tests and finding out you have a full sister, two years older, but you never knew it. Abby Day is astounded, angry, hurt, and above all, curious. The sister, Savannah (called Savvy), contacted Abby after she too got the DNA test and learned of their relationship. Abby and Savvy meet at a park, and after their initial shock over how much they look alike, agree to arrange to spend the summer together at a camp so they can try to figure out what happened and why.

Abby and Savvy don’t get along at first, and there is a full-on "Parent Trap" plot arc as they first plot against each other, but then ally with one another to get to the bottom of what happened.

Side plots concern their love lives, and how not communicating their true feelings results in both of them risking losing what (and who) they want most. Other themes, including what constitutes friendship and the role honesty should play in that relationship, are well-handled.

Evaluation: If you loved The Parent Trap (and who doesn’t?!!) you’ll also love this update and variation for young adults. The characters all might be a little too perfect when not acting out from their pain, but if you are looking for a sweet story and funny break from the dire problems of the world, this story will entertain you, and like The Parent Trap, would make a great movie.

Oh my goodness! I was approved for this ARC and took some time getting around to it because (don’t hate me) I wasn’t a fan of Emma Lord’s debut novel. However I requested this because I love DNA/adoption sister swap stories and this seemed right up my alley.

Abby is who I strive to be, consequences be damned and a vocal spitfire. But she’s got two things looking over her life right Now, the BEI with Leo (😍) and she has a surprise sister! After meeting Saavy (Abby’s complete opposite not matter how much they look alike) Abby agrees to “run away” to camp so they can spend time together. Little does she know hunky Leo s has been going to this camp since forever!

I just loved these characters! They was such great character development (which I find to be hard to pull off in teen romance novels because it often gets very cliche-y). Leo and Abby are goals and every one deserves a Connie!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

I loved this book, and I almost didn't read it because high school romances are NOT my thing. They simultaneously often feel too juvenile and inauthentic, as there's no possible way the characters could be real life teenagers because of the outlandish ways in which they're written. You Have A Match, on the other hand, is so well written and grounded it's making me reconsider my high school hating ways!
*
Lord is so talented at crafting real, three dimensional characters that are simultaneously deeply compelling and totally authentic. The feelings that Abby Day expresses in the book -- ranging from her frustrations with her parents to her emotional turmoil over losing her grandpa to her roiling feelings for her best friend Leo -- gave me flashbacks to how I felt as a high schooler, struggling to make sense of the world and my emotions.
*
The major plot line -- Abby discovers she has a full blooded sister, Savannah 'Savvy' Tully, who her parents gave up for adoption before a mere 1.5 years she was born -- could go horribly awry in another writer's hands. And there admittedly are aspects to the history of the adoption that border on preposterous. But the blooming kinship between Abby and Savvy is the heart and soul of this novel and I found the evolution of their relationship to be just so charming. Plus this book really made me want to pick up my DSLR that's been gathering dust and go snap some pictures!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for making this advanced copy available in exchange for an honest review!

When I received this ARC I literally screamed. I loved Tweet Cute so I was ecstatic to get the opportunity to read Emma Lord's next YA book, You Have a Match, which is out January 5.

First off, this book was great and I know “Don’t judge a book by its cover” but this one is adorable. Emma Lord nailed the camp setting and the description of camp friendships. And, as someone who had a high school friend turned crush (turned eventual boyfriend/husband), I really liked Abby’s awkwardness and indecision on how to proceed with her feelings. I found Abby’s journey at camp to make new friends and realize her academic ability, while trying to continue her photography heartening, especially for younger readers that might not have realized that a traditional college path is not always right for everyone.

At the heart of this book is Abby’s relationship with her newfound sister Savvy. I found their relationship frustrating (which any sister will tell you is realistic!) and their story took some turns I never saw coming. #NoSpoilers, but I eventually loved their relationship.

One side plot explores Abby’s relationship and grief regarding her grandfather. This was as honest an interpretation of losing a close grandparent as I ever read. Ironically, I read this over the 5th anniversary of my grandpa’s death so it might have hit me differently because of that, but it was beautifully written. I wanted to give Abby a squeeze many times in scenes where she thought about him. Overall, this is a great book to escape in - which is needed now and will be needed in a post-holiday winter when it is released in January!

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Abby and Savvy discover they are full-blood sisters and decide to attend the same summer camp (Hello, Parent Trap!) and they discover more about who they are and form a bond that is more powerful then they ever thought possible. The character development was outstanding and the slow-burn romance was spot-on. The family drama was the winner of this book and was full of heart and humor. For fans of Emma Mills and Sarah Dessen.

First, thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC for an honest review.

I adored Tweet Cute so when I was approved for Emma's newest book, I was really excited. I like the way she writes, her characters are witty, and the banter is usually stellar. That was all in this book, and the characters were mostly well written, but something about this book fell flat for me.

I'm beginning to realize that a lot of contemporary YA is not going to be something I'll be into. The massive social media presence in this book made me roll my eyes, because these were children. Majority of them were still in high school and were talking about brands. It's also suspect that Savvy's parents were okay with their daughter literally pimping herself out on Instagram while being a minor since it's mentioned that she has been working on her brand for two years. Perhaps I've had too much training when it comes to minors and their online fingerprint and the sickos that troll the internet for these minors. And the fact that she was going to teach a workshop on how to build a brand at the camp was APPALLING. A barely 18 year old girl does not need to teach young, impressionable girls anything about social media. I just couldn't stand behind this and it really put me off this book. But the teenage girls will love it.

I also was a bit taken aback that Abby's parents didn't realize that her grades started to drop after her grandfather died. For being highly educated people, they were rather stupid to this fact. Granted, Abby didn't speak her mind and ran away from anything that had to do with feelings or confrontation, but that's really typical for teens. I wanted them to touch on this, but it was never brought up. It was all the tutoring and the classes that were the problem. Not the fact that she was clearly grieving and depressed over the death of a man who was very close to her.

I felt the ending was rather cliched with the parents working through their 18 years of animosity and guilt towards each other. Of course, Abby gets with Leo, but I expect that with a YA. The predictability is comforting. What I wish I had more of was Finn and that little bit of closure between him and Abby. She comes back to camp only to find that he left to go to Chicago. Who picked him up? Who took him to the airport? How are all these minor children able to just leave this camp!?

These incidents in the book weren't enough to really detract from the book, and again, it's probably my age that affects my opinion on those aspects of the book. The book is very well written, the characters are flawed but you can't help love them anyway, and at the end it's about two girls who connect over a long family secret and manage to build a friendship out of that.

Oh my goodness, y'all...this book felt like reading all my favorite tropes in one book!!!

You Have a Match by Emma Lord is a tale of sisters, found family, and my favorite love trope (hint, it's not enemies-to-lovers, but you'll just have to read it to find out).

Emma's debut novel, Tweet Cute, was one of my favorite reads last year, so I was excited about the opportunity to read a free eARC of this one. (Thanks St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.)

I expected to find a cute YA romance, and there was plenty of that to give me all the sappy feels, but more than anything, the story focuses on the two sisters who didn't know about each other. Their journey of finding a sister-relationship with a stranger, and discovering the story of why neither of them knew they had a sister is a roller coaster of emotions, and I loved being along for the ride!!! The main character, Abby, was quirky, brash, awkward, and anxious - and so very relatable. The summer camp setting is totally fun. And the story made my heart break for Abby and her sister. It made me root for love for Abby, cheer her on as she struggled to pursue her passions, and ultimately grin ear-to-ear at the heartwarming conclusion.

It has beautiful diverse representation, from her Filipino best friend, Leo, to her sister who has a girlfriend. And, of course, adoption is a huge part of the story and it's something that I rarely read about.

I think it's my favorite contemporary I've read this year. A total 5 star read. And I'd recommend it for fans of Tweet Cute, Geekerella, P.S. I Like You, and Parent Trap!

(I'll post this on my IG tomorrow)

I loved Emma Lord's book Tweet Cute, so I had a feeling I probably was going to like this one as well, and it exceeded my expectations. You Have A Match is a really fun twist on the Parent Trap story - two girls find each other, learn that they're sisters, and go on a adventure at camp to figure out what happened and bring their parents back together. It's a beautifully written story, with lots of drama (at one point Abby says she's "living a CW drama" - very accurate) and dotted with moments of humor. I loved the addition of Finn and his craziness, as well as Connie and her "Pros and Connies list".

I really enjoyed this book - it hooked me pretty much from the start and once I was in, I didn't want to stop reading and ended up gobbling it up in a couple days. This book really had all the feels - romance, comedy, lots of drama, and even a little bit of heartache. It explores the meaning of what it is to be a family, as well as the growing pains of being a teenager and trying to figure out if the boy you like really does like you back, or if you're just friends. As well as how to navigate complicated friendships. And as in Tweet Cute, it had LOTS of fun, witty dialogue between the characters. Definitely would recommend reading!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review this advanced reading copy.

“There’s another silence. I nudge some dirt in the wet grass with my foot, right as Savvy looks down and does the same. It’s unnerving. It’s why, I realise, we’ve been dancing around the thing we came here to do - we are both breaking a rule being here. An unspoken one. A rule buried so deep in our past that our parents never even told us it existed. It has strange power over us even now, standing right in front of each other with the proof that we’re both real. The crime of existing in the same space.”

“You have a match” by Emma Lord tells the story of Abby, her best friends Connie and Leo, and the sister she never knew she had - Savvy.

In an attempt to help Leo connect with his birth family, Abby and Connie agree to submit their DNA for analysis. The only problem is, Abby is the one who ends up with a connection - a full sister she never new about.

What is going on? Why would her parents have a baby and then give it up. It’s not as if they didn’t want children - Abby and her 3 brothers show that.

And so Abby and Savvy agree to meet, and then come up with a plan to get to know each other better and try to work out why their seemingly once close friend parents have never mentioned each other. Savvy just happens to be spending the summer at a summer camp Abby’s parents have been trying to convince her to attend. The perfect plan, especially when Leo ends up there too. In fact, it so happens to be the summer camp Leo has been going to for years and Savvy is one of the friends he has been sharing stories about all this time.

It’s perfect. Abby gets to explore the island taking photos, get to know her new sister and spend time with Leo, for whom her feelings have developed way beyond friendship.

“I lean against the ferry window, temporarily distracted from my shock. Half of me is here, but half of me already living in the moment - in the adrenaline rush of seeing something magical and knowing only you have a small window to capture that magic, sometimes only a fraction of a second. It’s why I love photographing nature and landscapes most. You never know exactly when the magic is going to happen. There’s nothing quite like the rush of getting to hold that magic still and keep it forever - allowing something so big to feel so intimate and personal because a part of you belongs to it, and a part of it belongs to you.”


There are so many parts of this delightfully fun story. It a story about finding your place in the world, in your family, in your friendships. About finding your passion in life and of finding the courage to pursue it. About forgiveness and admitting that past mistakes don’t have to shape your future.

Another wonderful must-read from Emma Lord.



Thanks to @Netgalley & @wednesdaybooks for the ARC.

Have you ever read a book that was so much more than what you thought it would be?

Honestly going into this one, I really thought this was going to be a cute romcom set in summer camp. I was not at all expecting this emotional ride, finding a balance between mining the courage to be yourself while finding out who you are from the relationships that surround you. This was so much more than it’s adorable cover. The author had a beautiful way of wording and capturing what it is like for a 16 year old struggling to find her identity while being thrown into this sensitive situation of discovering she has an older sister.

Abby is an introvert. She doesn’t believe in her talent and keeps her circle of two friends close to her heart. She is doubtful that she will equate to anything more than a hobby photographer, she constantly struggles with parental disappointment, and she’s completely scared of her growing feelings for Leo and what consequences might come from admitting them. I enjoyed reading along with her evolution into this young woman with each challenge she faced.

I loved the little tidbits of Filipino culture I got to see through Leo and Mickey. As a fellow Pinoy, I really appreciated the little references to delicious food, cultural traditions, and all the Tita’s (aunt’s) superstitions. I also loved the setting of this book, mainly taking place at a camp in the San Juan Islands. As a resident of said islands and a frequent ferry commuter, I felt like she perfectly captured the description of my magical slice of heaven. From the dew, fogged over mornings with the colorful sunrises to the magical moment when you do get to see a pod of whales unexpectedly (for me I have seen them a total of 3 times). I could easily see the picture painted by her artful words.

The diversity of relationships were the center of this story. I loved seeing everything from fractured friendships being mended, children and parents learning to openly communicate better, and finding the courage to finally open your heart up to possible heartbreak. Watching Abby navigate the news of her new sibling was really interesting to see. It was so good to read how she handled this new relationship and how they were able to let each other into each other's lives rather than letting outside pettiness dictate how they would interact.

Leo and Abby's relationship was one of my favorites to read. The tension filled moments filled with “almost moments” and things that were left unsaid were too much for my little heart. I loved these angsty moments between them and I cannot get over how well the author wrote each tension filled scene. My heart had butterflies and I would get literal chest pains as I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Leo and Abby to work out whatever dynamic they have going on.

This book was a lot of fun and a really good read. The story was done so well that you could feel how the author took the time and consideration with each character and story. If you're looking for a good ya fiction book that has it all, look no further. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for this ARC

Another delightful, huggable book from Emma Lord. So much banter and humor and heart. Exactly the kind of story I was hoping for.

I would rate this a 4.5.

What a sweet story! Abby Day is a daredevil, great friend and amazing (but shy) photographer who’s overwhelmed with the tutoring her parents are forcing her to do and the prospect of the future. To support her adopted friend Leo, she agrees to take a DNA test, and surprisingly gets a very close result. Savvy is her biological sister, through and through. The only problem is, Abby had no idea she existed. After they connect, Abby and Savvy decide to get to know each other, and try to figure out how everything came to be at summer camp, where Leo and a bunch of other campers will be. Abby has to confront everything she’s been holding on to, to begin the journey of where she’s going.

Reading this boom confirmed that I need to go buy and read Tweet Cute! This story was very light and sweet while intertwined with important topics like grief, adoption and familial relationships. Abby is the best narrator, funny, smart and honest. Her friendships and relationships were a pleasure to read, especially with Savvy and Leo. The relationship between her and Leo was so relatable to me I had to put this book down a couple times because it stirred up emotions. Abby really goes on a journey that’s so fun and real. The setting of camp lent itself to this story so perfectly, gave it just the right YA vibe but this story and Abby herself didn’t seem overly young. Throughout the book, Abby really reflects and grows which I enjoyed reading. Also, the relationship between her and Savvy really had me guessing! This book was a pleasure to read, I can’t waif for more from this author!

Emma Lord has done it again. I read this book in a matter of hours.
I think her other book, Tweet Cute was my favorite, but You Have a Match is a close second.
This book was an amazing contemporary story, but it contains so much more than your typical YA rom com.
While this story does contain sweet moments between Abby and Leo, I think the true gem of the story is the bond between Abby and Savannah. This story explores the meaning of familial bonds and what it truly means to be family. I loved seeing the growth in all of the main characters in this story. I would highly recommend reading this book if you love contemporary novels, or want a feel good story with a lot of meaning behind it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review my ARC of You Have a Match!

Drama, drama, drama! I liked several aspects of this book, though it loads on the drama in a way that becomes a bit much (and I generally like drama). I think the main premise is a great idea for a novel: finding a secret sibling though a DNA test. I know of a few people that's actually happened to. However, the fact that their lives have overlapped in so many ways felt like taking it a bit too far. The whole parental drama gets exhausting as well. I loved the development of the sister relationship though, and that really is the primary relationship of this book. This is something I almost never say, but I don't think this particular story needed additional romance plot lines. There's already so much going on with the family, that the romantic complications felt like distractions, even though I liked all the potential partners. I spent the second half of the book consistently teary-eyed and it's up to you whether that is a pro or a con. Anyways, I don't want to put you off because I think a lot of people will really enjoy this book, but there were some things that just weren't my cup of tea.

*Thank you Wednesday Books for the eARC from Netgalley.

When Abby Day’s friend Leo has the idea to submit his DNA to an ancestry service, Abby and their other friend Connie agree to do theirs as well. The unexpected happens when Abby discovers that she has an older sister she has never heard of. Abby and Savvy team up to learn what happened between their parents as they begin to create a relationship together.

This was a great summertime read. I really enjoyed how the main setting was during the summer camp that Abby decides to attend at the request of Savvy. I appreciate with the camp setting, the reader can get some comedic relief with all the pranks and new adventures. I love how much of an impact the camp made with Abby. Abby continues to show great growth in herself and how she acts with others throughout this novel.

I loved how the camp was able to help with the relationship between Abby and Savvy. I think both Abby and Savvy were a bit intimidated by the other, but as the plot progressed they were able to better know and understand one another. I enjoyed the friendship between both girls and other characters as well. Abby seems more outgoing once she enters the camp. It was great to she her become part of a supportive friendship group. We see Abby branch out and be accepted for who she is. It was nice to see new friendships form and current friendships strengthen. This book had an excellent cast of side characters.

The reveal for Savvy’s adoption story was good in my opinion. I did not fully expect the nature of the situation, but I think it was fairly easy to predict most of it and understand. I want to add how much I love how things ended between both families. It gave me all the happy feels. I know that it was hard for them to communicate with one another, but in the end they did a good job with this.

I do not have much to critique for this one. I will say that some of the scenes when both parents came to camp seemed a little rushed with some of the details which led to a bit of confusion at times, but overall it was not a big annoyance. Communication between characters could have been a bit better with some easy fixes, but overall it was okay.

I think that this was a great book that explores some excellent topics. I was invested in all of the characters and the support they share.

For anyone who enjoyed "The Parent Trap" this book is for you! Having read and enjoyed Tweet Cute I was really excited to pick up this book and I was not disappointed. The story focuses on a young girl who finds out after doing a DNA test that she has a sister she never knew about that lives no more than 30 minutes away, The two of them decide to attend summer camp together to try and discover what happened all those years ago that caused the adoption. There is also love stories thrown in but the real focus was on the two sisters in a coming of age / building a relationship type of love story and I absolutely adored it. I found myself grinning the whole time and laughing out loud at some of the banter. I devoured this book in one sitting! This was a great summer read and I strongly recommend it!

Ahhh! Ahhh! More Emma Lord! Ahhh! I loved Tweet Cute so much. It was a hard act to follow, and although I didn't love this one quite as much, it was still charming and amazing. It's effectively The Parent Trap, with more 23&Me and less parental romance. I thought this was going to be a love story, and it sort of was - but it was really more of a love story about sisterhood, the complexities of found family, and how hard it can be to find your own identity as a teenager. Abby and Leo were adorable, but honestly, Savvy and Finn made the whole thing. I'm also always glad to read YA with a) functional cultural representation and b) believable LGBTQ characters. This had both! It was fun and funny and sweet. Recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC; I received it in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cute, quick read. I picked this up after listening to the author’s last book Tweet Cute. I knew from experience that the protagonist would take a while to get together with her crush, but I was pleasantly surprised at the other storylines.

From the author of the adorable YA romcom book "Tweet Cute" comes this new novel, "You Have a Match." I was hoping this book would meet my high expectations, but unfortunately, it didn't. Leo was adopted, and he wants to know more about his background. With the help of his friend Abby (who is secretly in love with him), he signs up for a DNA matching service to discover his heritage. But it's Abby who unearths a family secret: she has another sister. I'm not sure if it was the storyline that I wasn't interested in, or the lack of chemistry between Leo and Abby. Unfortunately, this book just didn't keep my attention, but it was well-written.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.