Ugh it pains me to write this.

But I think this is the last Sally Thorne book for me.

The Hating Game was amazing.
99% Mine was horrible.
Second First Impressions was a DNF.

Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match... was odd.

I know the premise was odd and cutesy all at once. But she seems to write the same female characters. All kind of quirky, odd, a little annoying, and obsessive. I just didn't connect with her which really makes the rest of a book fall.

The pacing was a bit weird too. Ugh... I don't want to rip it apart. But this wasn't the best.

DNF

This book just wasn't for me. A hit too over-the-top and campy for my personal taste. Some readers will find it refreshing, quirky, and fun.

I loved this book. Written by Sally Thorne (The Hating Game and other romcoms), tells the story of Angelica and her brother Victor. They’re orphans and there’s plenty of money, but Angelika can’t find a husband. Possibly she’s too smart and outspoken. She works with Victor on the family hobby, reanimating experiments to bring a dead man back to life.

On one of their trips to the morgue, Angelika sees a very attractive man and decides she’ll make a husband for herself. She picks parts very carefully, (using the 2nd largest penis available) and successfully brings him back to life. He’s everything she’s ever dreamed about, except he want to know who he was before this happened.

I liked the setting and especially loved the character development of the Frankenstein siblings. Sally Thorne writes very readable books, and you won’t forget the story once you’re done!

Synopsis:

From USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game Sally Thorne comes something a little unexpected... a historical rom-com that imagines Victor Frankenstein's sheltered younger sister, and her attempts to create the perfect man.

For generations, every Frankenstein has found their true love and equal, unlocking lifetimes of blissful wedded adventure. Clever, pretty (and odd) Angelika Frankenstein has run out of suitors and fears she may become the exception to this family rule. When assisting in her brother Victor's ground-breaking experiment to bring a reassembled man back to life, she realizes that having an agreeable gentleman convalescing in the guest suite might be a chance to let a man get to know the real her. For the first time, Angelika embarks upon a project that is all her own.

When her handsome scientific miracle sits up on the lab table, her hopes for an instant romantic connection are thrown into disarray. Her resurrected beau (named Will for the moment) has total amnesia and is solely focused on uncovering his true identity. Trying to ignore their heart-pounding chemistry, Angelika reluctantly joins the investigation into his past, hoping it will bring them closer. But when a second suitor emerges to aid their quest, Angelika wonders if she was too hasty inventing a solution. Perhaps fate is not something that can be influenced in a laboratory? Or is Will (or whatever his name is!) her dream man, tailored for her in every way? And can he survive what was done to him in the name of science, and love?

Filled with carriages, candlesticks, and corpses, Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match is the spooky-season reimagining of the well-known classic that reminds us to never judge a man by his cadaver!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Sally Thorne can write!!! This was so different than The Hating Game, but that didn’t matter! It was still amazing! So impressive!!

Jelly is absolutely amazing. I want to be her when I grow up. And Will was absolutely perfect.

Complex characters, lots of quotes highlighted to read again later and flowing plot line. Perfect equation for a five star read!! This was such a great way to bring in the fall season!

This was a cute/weird/fun rom-com. I've decided the only romance I can do is fantasy based. The MC was a little inconsistent and whiny but overall it was a cute story and I'm sure this will be big on bookstagram.

I like Sally Thorne. I like her quirky women. I like her stoic heroes. In this one, Angelika is the sister of Victor Frankenstein, and is equally scientific, equally brilliant and wants to find (or create) the love of her life. So when she finds a cadaver in the morgue that strikes her fancy, she resurrects him and hopes that he feels the same. What happens next is a search for her guy's true identity, while his kind, caring nature begins to rub off on the Frankenstein's wealthy, privileged nature.

It's funny and quirky, incredibly strange and somewhat entertaining. If you like Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (and I do, very much) then you'll like this.

I'll round down to 3 stars even though I'd give it a 3.5. There was a part at the end that went wildly off course for me, but otherwise it was a fun read for the fall season.

Super cute re-telling of Frankenstein. Quirky, fresh, and amusing. I really enjoyed this story and the uniqueness behind it. Definitely a great read for this time of year. My only complaint is I wish there was more drama surrounding Will(Arlo) and Adam. Where were the pitch forks and mob like crying out that they are abominations especially in the time period it was set. That is just me.

Surprising and emotional, Sally Thorne does it again.

Thorne latest standalone was a bit of a surprise to me. Firstly, this is Thorne’s first foray into historical romance with a paranormal twist. Secondly, I almost didn’t make it past the first chapter. Yet, there’s a reason I love this author and I was willing to give her another chapter to hook me, which she did. This book is worth the push.

Angelika is a character that I could root for. Her loneliness, desire, and emotional turmoil are so pivotal in this story and dragged me in. My emotions were as topsy-turvy as hers when faced with all the decisions she had to make. There were times I disliked her as much as I was pleased by her gaining not only one potential suitor, but three. I won’t tell you who.

As usual, Thorne shines with her characterization and creating an entire cast that feels real enough you want to reach in and smack someone or hug them. From Angelika’s brother Victor to her made-match, Will (if that’s even his name), even the side characters in the village that play a role, all of them inspired an emotional response in me as if I was interacting with real people. I kept seeking more details and wanting to know more about everything.

The romance is still a high note with Angelika having plenty of competition for her affections, though I’ll say there were times I truly wondered if everything would work out. Thorne kept the tension ever present, but it’s definitely a romance and I got a satisfactory HEA.

What kept me from a five? Besides the hesitation at the beginning, there were a few elements of the story that sat oddly with me. While the story as a whole is fabulous, there were a few resolutions I desired to see more detail of.

Overall, if you enjoy monster romance and historicals this may be the match made in heaven for you. Also, for those who enjoy first-person POV.

~ Landra

This is a great romantic companion to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein which I just recently read. Where Shelley was making a social commentary on the scientific process of just trying to be the first without thinking of the effects on populations or the world or if they should (cough Jurassic Park).

This is a delightfully Gothic reimagining of a very brilliant, odd and gorgeous woman in her dotage of 24 years. She has selected the perfect cadaver to reanimate and has fallen in love before he even awakens. Though her brother makes an interesting creation, hers is a dreamboat.

Just enjoyed all the scenarios these siblings got into and their interactions. The mystery of trying to figure out who her creation used to be was also a fun adventure. Angelika had such a quirky and somewhat naughty personality but she definitely grew as a person through this and her relationships with her family and others around her were better because of it.

Wow that epilogue! 

Thank you avonbooks and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

There is no way a review could ever do this book justice. It is absolutely enchanting and an extraordinary read. I am smitten. I am in love. I am touched beyond measure. Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match is one of the best books I have read this year—and many years past. Calling it ‘creative’ is a dreadful understatement, but it is the best I can come up with. Whether you love romance or not, this book will capture your heart. I am truly sad to have finished this book and in the unenviable position to have to leave it.

Read. This. Book.

This book is bonkers, and I'm pretty sure I mean that in a good way. PLEASE go into this book with major suspension of disbelief. That should be obvious, but seriously this book just launches you into a whole lot of weirdness and just assumes that you're along for the ride with minimal exposition.

I was fine with that. I honestly felt a little fever-dreamy and drunk reading this book, and again- I'm pretty sure I mean that in a good way.

One thing I DO know is that Thorne is great at writing dialogue, and a lot of the character interactions had me laughing out loud.

Thanks so much for the review copy!

THIS WAS SO FUN!!!! Sally Thorne is back and funnier than ever. Right off the batI knew I was going to adore this book. I loved the setting and the spooky but quirky vibe. I've seen others say if you like Tim Burton you'll love this and I totally agree. Angelika was such a fun protagonist and Will was so sweet. This was the perfect mix of funny, sweet and sexy. I was so entertained and I loved this cooky little book.

This book was BONKERS in the best possible ways!!!

I was a little nervous going into this loose Frankenstein retelling not knowing what to expect but Sally Thorne has pulled off something truly unique and special!!

Equally hilarious and heartfelt, this story features the Frankenstein siblings, Angelika and Victor as together they try to create the perfect 'monster'. Angelika is tired of trying to find the perfect man in real life and decides maybe she can make her perfect mate.

In turns spoiled and deeply caring, I really enjoyed Angelika's journey of self-awareness as she gets to know the 'monster' they name Will and tries to help him discover who he was before he was so rudely brought back to life by the Frankenstein siblings.

Read this book if you enjoy LOTS of bawdy humor, intelligent women, smart retellings and just a heck of a great spooky season historical fiction romance!! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my early digital and physical copies in exchange for my honest review.

I loved how unexpectedly fun but also thought provoking Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match is. Thank you to Avon and Harper Collins for the review copy on NetGalley. There is a lot of unpack in this slightly off center, funny but edgy, spooky love story.

1. A strong female protagonist looking for love but also for credit for her scientific work and her ideas and her mind. I really liked Angelika as an interesting character, wanting a lot from her life and taking the lead in a lot of ways.

2. A fascinating brother/sister dynamic. This might be a love story but the relationship between Angelika and Victor, if a bit unconventional in ways, was funny and loving. It added fun comic beats to the story and gave some added depth. I appreciated the secondary characters woven into the story via their sibling relationship.

3. The very ideas of creating the perfect man/perfect love is always worth talking about. The themes on identity, poor Will (who was he, he woke up with is face but not his body... that's a lot to think about!), the themes on parent loss/women's identities and roles, and how a man/love interest should act. I really enjoyed the themes present in Angelika's life and work.

This book is absolutely bonkers but in the best way. (You know how on Friends Mike tells Phoebe during their wedding vows she’s so “wonderfully weird”? That’s how I feel about this book!) It’s Sally Thorn takes Bridgerton but make it Tim Burtonesque… This book was clever and witty and hilarious and I really enjoyed it! It’s a slow burn and not particularly steamy but somehow when they finally get together, it’s really sexy. I loved the banter and teasing (between all the characters), Victor and Lizzie were wonderful, and I loved Angelika’s growth. The writing was so well done that your forget the absurd storyline- there were a few lines early on that literally made my heart ache. Such a creative book and the perfect start to spooky season!

The reader must suspend believe and embrace the quirkiness that is this book.
Think of this book as a combination of Frankenstein, the movie Young Frankenstein and Evan Peters' character in the third season of American Horror Story (the Coven). We begin the story with Angelika and her brother picking out body parts for her man, the one she's going to create that is. This book is so wacky and hilarious. I really enjoyed the plot and how it played out.
I also found the romance to be delightful and surprising steamy. It is a slow burn but it is worth the wait.
Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match is perfect for spooky season reading!

I love Sally Thorne's writing style. Her characters are always witty and funny and I never have a bad time reading her books. This book was the spooky rom-com I needed - I have nothing bad to say about it!

I finished this advanced reader copy and immediately preordered the book from Amazon. I could not imagine not having a physical copy of this book on my book shelf.

Sally Thorne is the queen of quirky and witty banter!

I was a little hesitant about the historical aspect as I do not typically read historical books but she absolutely made it work.

It was fun and it was spicy. The entire cast of characters felt like new friends. Angelika and “Will” were adorable and I loved the mystery of his identity!

Will highly recommend this book to all of my friends.

Angelika Frakenstein finds the perfect parts to make the perfect man, but does he desire her? Can she keep him?

This is the first book I have read by this author and I like her writing style. I liked the author's take on the classic story. She made it her own and I was enjoyed every bit of it. It was fun and a tad spicy while keeping elements of the original. The characters were enjoyable and I wanted to be part of their secret society. I'm not sure how I feel about the resolution of Will's problem. It's logical and makes sense. I think I wanted it to be a miracle. I liked the references, especially in the Epilogue, to the author and the story. This is a wonderful fall read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Release Date: September 6, 2022

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The Frankenstein family has a long standing tradition of finding their perfect mate, but Angelika has run out of suitors. While helping her brother with his reanimating project, she realizes that her brother may have just brought back her perfect partner. He, on the other hand, is more interested in who he is/was than a romance with Angelika. When she agrees to help him dig up his identity, the sparks fly. Will he learn the truth about who he was? Will he be Angelika destiny or will it be another who comes calling?

I need to preface this by saying I preordered this book but was lucky enough to be selected to read it prior to its release date (which is today!!!). I love @sallythorneauthor and her writing. The slow burn is one she is so good at. I know this book isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea but I really liked it! It was funny and sweet and a like kooky. I’d recommend this book especially if you don’t mind Sci-Fi/Paranormal romances!!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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