Unlikely Match by Laura Bradbury was an unexpected emotionally heart-felt book that made me laugh and cry with some really amazing characters. Tom and Jules and even the supporting cast; I LOVED them all! I'm super glad I requested this one.

Jules and Tom are CEO’s of start-up Tech departments, sharing office space. After a not-so-great meeting between the two, leaves Jules with a fire in her that she hasn’t felt since being diagnosed with a rare and debilitating illness. The more Jules looks for Tom to argue with to feel a bit more like herself pre-diagnosis, the more the learns about her co-working neighbor, the more drawn she is to him. But between her failing health, bad medical news, and looking for a donor liver, love is the last thing on her mind. Though Tom has a way of burrowing past those defenses.

CW: Medical trauma, PTSD, on screen hospital scenes and procedures. References to parental neglect and abandonment.
Tropes: Single POV, Enemies to lovers, work romance

This is my first book by this author, and I couldn’t have started with a better one.

Things I enjoyed: I really enjoyed this book, it was so full of feels, I got teary a couple times as Jules went through her medical journey. Laura Bradbury has a wonderful way of weaving the dark humor and seriousness of living with an illness that’s killing you. I loved the supporting cast and the support system the Jules creates for herself. As vile as they were, I enjoyed the tiredness of having a family that truly doesn’t understand what it means to be living with a serious illness. IT truly is a wonderful read.

Things I wished for: I really do wish this had been a dual perspective, while I understand that this book is more about Jules and her medical journey as well as her journey in love, I did feel like there was a bit missing from Tom’s POV. He didn’t feel quite as fleshed out as the other characters around him and Jules. That really didn’t take me away from the story as a whole, but it was something I thought about periodically as I read.

Overall: It’s a beautiful story, that is well written and will most definitely hit you in the feels.

Smut rating: 2/5 – This is an open-door romance, with a few fade to black scenes.

Thank you Laura Bradbury and NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinion are honest and my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Absolutely loved the book. Looking forward to its complete publication. Would definitely recommend it.

⚡️Unlikely Match ❣️

„Maybe healing was more like this—not an uninterrupted line on a graph but a period of chaos and beauty that never followed a predictable pattern.“

This book tells the story of a young woman who wants to make a name for herself in the tech world. Jules is a strong personality and due to her illness she knows exactly what she wants and enjoys every second of it.
It's hard enough to make it as a woman in the tech world but when you have a rare liver disease it's almost impossible.

Tom is the complete opposite of Jules. He is a prototype in a tech world. For him there is nothing more important than work. He knows nothing except work and fitness. It is clear that the two do not get along with each other at the beginning 😉

This book was just indescribable! I could relate so well in Jules. I can imagine nothing worse than to live every day with the certainty that it can soon be over.
Me and Jules would have been friends in real life. If im in a bad mood or depressed i also watch my favorite rom-com movies or read a book 😂
Theres nothing wrong with that! We are perfectly fin! 😂
Dear God! I don't wish anyone to have a family like Jules'! I sincerely hope that doesn't happen! Such a thing is unimaginable for me!
I was so angry every time someone should up in the story!

There was a time when a family member was very ill. We were looking for a bone marrow donor, so I know how difficult it is! There is nothing worse than seeing someone you love sick and having no way to help them!

Tom is just a dream. You should never judge someone too early because you never know what kind of beggars they are going to hit with themselves.

All in all this book was very well written. The story is easy to read and very original. ♥️

Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unlikely Match by Laura Bradbury

Jules is the CEO of an up-and-coming small business, matching travelers with local guides. They are currently sharing a common office space with a soulless database company with the most gorgeous and cold and judgmental CEO on the planet. However, he is not the bane of her existence right now, the first place goes to her rare and seriously inconvenient disease, taking the health away from her body more rapidly everyday. The only thing that can save her now is a transplant, but finding a liver is harder than she ever imagined. With flirtacious glances, and the most delicious pierogi dates, will the clock run out before they can fall in love?

CW: Medical trauma, PTSD, hospital scene, urgent care, ambulance, parental abandonment, negative foster care experience, recipient/donor dynamics.

This book hit me like a swoony train right into my heart. I cried, I laughed and I completely fell over heels for Tom and Jules. I loved how different they were, the best of enemies to lovers are opposites attract and this was definitely it. I adored their banter, and their chemistry. The pacing in this book was perfectly executed and even with the high page count it did not drag at all and the progression for their love story versus her health issues felt true and genuine. This book goes straight to my favourite of all times shelf. It was an incredible read that I'll keep in my heart forever. The supporting cast was a jewel to read about. From her disgusting and truly disastrous family to her best friend who I only wanted more time with, all the characters were carefully crafted and I loved how Allen also got his own love story.

Thank you @laurabradburywriter for sending me an advanced reader's copy of your wonderful book. As always, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Start-up culture + a rare and life-threatening disease is the backdrop for Unlikely Match— and I loved it. Jules Kelly is a bohemian boss babe whose startup just won subsidized office space for a year. The problem? She has to share it with tech bro, Tom Davenport, and his company. He wears the same black and white suit every day, doesn't know how to smile, is condescending to Jules' mostly female team— and has amazing forearms and a stunning head of hair.

Jules needs a liver transplant, like yesterday, and a rivalry with Tom is just the adrenaline she needs to keep going. Will their fiery feud turn into something more?

Unlikely Match has been my first-time reading Laura Bradbury and, to be honest, it’s been such a good experience.

I love reading books that give visibility to uncommon conditions and diseases because I think it’s a great way to get to know them and learn about them. That’s whey Unlikely Match caught my eye. ¿A romcom about it? Yes, please.

Before going on, I’d like to mention that Laura actually suffered from PSC and got a living liver donor which gives the story this touch of veracity along with the fiction part that makes it unique and such an interesting read.

Jules and Tom have earned a special place in my heart 🖤 but not only them. The characters building is amazing! Their actions and the way they act is totally endorsed by their past and the way they are and that’s something I loved because there wasn’t a single time while reading that I felt anything they did was unnatural.

I admit I was curious about how PSC and a romcom would turn out to be when put together and I think Laura did great at letting the reader know what hides behind this illness. It was gracefully executed and the book has the perfect balance between the raw reality of PSC and the romance without making its reading dreadful. I’d say it has it all: veracity, humor, romance and touching characters.

Something I also liked a lot was the technological environment where the story takes place. Besides learning about PSC, by reading this book I also discovered how a start up works. I loved the fact that Hubtech is actually inspired in a real place (I still dream about the yellow couches. I won’t deny it…). Moreover, the book also has a great LGTBI+ representation and it gives mental health the importance it should deserve.

It has a some of my favorite tropes and I think they are really well executed:

- Office romance
- Forced proximity
- Found family
- Enemies to lovers (although I’d say rivals-to friends-to lovers)
- Opposites attracted

Although the main plot can be easily guessed, that didn’t stop me from enjoying this story at all because the tiny plot twists and the subplot were able to keep me wanting to know more and more about the characters.

Regarding the spice on this book, I’d say it has the perfect amount. Not too much not too little. It doesn’t feel as if the whole story revolves around it and I prefer it this way because it flows along with the events in a very natural way.

To sum up, I really enjoyed this book and it surprised me in the best way. I’d encourage anyone to give it a go. The transplant aside, the evolution of the main character is beyond this world and getting to know Jules has been a breath of fresh air that has left my heart feeling soft and warm.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Laura for giving me the opportunity to discover this story. It will forever live rent free in my head.

Unlikely Match by Laura Bradbury draws you in from the beginning with our work place opposites, Jules and Tom. The story unfolds and wraps you in their successes, struggles, and emotions. It's got angst, steam, dark humor, and comfort all wrapped up in a wonderful package!

Rival CEOs, Jules and Tom, must learn how to cohabit in their office space after receiving one year rent free. Jules is a fierce boss babe, who is not only running a travel company with her best friend, but also battling PSC and awaiting a crucial liver transplant. Tom, a tough guy with his own trauma, isn't quite sold on the shared office space. These two soon reach a common ground, but life has a way of throwing curveballs and no one knows that more than Jules.

I loved Jules' character. She had a very realistic outlook on her diagnosis which made her relatable and honest. Tom was a fantastic mate, you start by really hating his guts, but then his character becomes so complex and surprising. I liked how Bradbury didn't overlook the realities of post transplant life for Jules, the story seemed so much more authentic. This was definitely a genuinely fun romance with highly likable characters and a steady plot!

First of all I want to thank Laura Bradbury for writing this book and allowing me to read an ARC personally via email. With someone who has chronic pain and a disability it is refreshing to finally read an romance novel - well enemies that turn into lovers that deals with this.
I have learnt so much about SPC and live liver donor transplants and what so many have to endure. It's a friendly reminder to all, to register on your donor transplant list. I give this 5 stars.

First off, I’ll give it 5 out of 5 stars! This story was absolutely brilliant. I loved the story plot, and I loved how real and true Jules Appeared.

I loved Tom and I loved that it was NOT completely guessable, ykno? I didn’t expect every outcome, I didn’t guess everything that happened! Which was so nice! I’ll definitely get my hands on this when it’s released!

I loved Tom and it’ll be hard for any real life man to complete! It shows the harsh reality of a person with an illness like PSC and the harsh thinking that you may not survive. It was so heartbreaking to see all Jules thinking as she took things into consideration - but cast them aside because she thought she wouldn’t be alive! I almost cried at that!

This story is an enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, rom-com, contemporary romance story - just my favourite genre! It’s a steamy romance taking place at Jules and Tom’s workplace.

We follow Jules, a girl with PSC and a bit of a tough family. She’s the CEO of GoodGuides and is “forced” to work together with the “enemy corporation CEO” Tom.

As Tom and Jules story progresses, Jules health worsens and worsens, which creates complications in Jules life. She prefers to keep the illness away from work so only a few knows, as well as her best friend Alan (I wish I had an Alan 🤍)

Perfect for fans of ‘The lovehypothesis’ and ‘The Spanish love deception’

It was such a pleasure to read this, and I think I’ll need to read more of Laura’s books now 😍.

Loving quotes:
“Those must have been magic Pierogi”
“Besides the gym and my new side hustle as a pierogi delivery man, I’m always here Jules”
“I wept the entire way home for the life I couldn’t have”

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have never before read a book before about a character needing a transplant. It was a very unique and informative way of storytelling. The heroine is likeable and sounds very realistic. I would recommend giving this one a shot!

Thank you net gallery and the publisher for this e-arc!

“I thought with you I’d found home I’ve been looking for my whole life.”

Unlikely match follows the story of Jules and Tom. Jules has rare condition that is getting worse by the day and needs a immediate transplant or else. Her and Tom aren’t that close and more likely despise each other.
I was immediately attracted to the book I loved everything about it! It wasn’t too fast paced or slow paced. the romance was amazing<3 and as a nursing student I felt known while reading this
I hope to read more books from this author!

I received an eARC of this book is return for an honest review.

I adored this book. Such a raw and beautiful story full of friendship, romance and real life struggles. Highlighting medical and health struggles from the perspective of a character struggling with liver disease and the aftermath of a transplant.

This story had my tears at times. It’s so beautifully written, Jules is a character so easily related to and the slow burn romance is incredible.

I highly recommend this wonderful romance book!

It contains adversaries to lovers, a wonderful found family, medical and healing journeys (physical and mental), and a workplace romance.

Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing an arc for me in exchange for an honest review.
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Going into this book I wasn't sure what to expect, the only thing I knew was that this was a transplant story and I wasn't sure how it was going to work, however, I ended up absolutely loving it. If you are looking for a good book to cry to this is a great one. I found myself in tears in several places.
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I loved Jules and Tom so much as the main characters. One of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers and this one definitely did not disappoint. from the moment they meet, Jules and Tom bring out the worst in each other. Jules appears to not work that hard and tom, an arrogant try hard tech leader.
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I loved Alan and Jules and their lifelong friendship and how Alan was always there for Jules. Although Jules had some amazing people to support her one thing that bugged me was how arrogant and oblivious her family was and how they cared more about their image than her health and her life-threatening condition. although this was an intentional part of the story I wish her family appeared a little less so their presence would be less irritating.
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This book was so cute and I read it in one sitting. I was fascinated by the medical side o this story. throughout this novel, I was just rooting for Jules and hoping she got the transplant and romance that she definitely deserved. This isn't the type of book that will work for everybody but I loved it so much and this story now holds a special place in my heart.

Unlikely Match, Laura Bradbury
May 26, 2022, Grape Books

Thank you NetGalley and Grape Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jules and Tom are an unlikely pair as the title would suggest. They become work frenemies and sparks fly, but Jules is very, very sick and in need of a kidney transplant. Sure this was a romance novel, but as a chronically ill person, I found so many ways I could relate to Jules and her struggles. I read this book wherever I could, because while I knew it would have a happy ending, I was rooting for Jules in both love and life. The story is sweet and predictable, but also gives a voice and hope to the chronically ill.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #chicklit @laurabradburywriter #unlikelymatch #romance #chicklit #summerreads

I ABSOLUTLEY LOVED THIS!!!!!
What a brilliant and unique concept. As someone with a chronic illness i related to so much of this book and it was so heart-warming to see parts of my world reflected in this book.
Jules the protagonist was so strong and beautiful. there was a lot of focus of the emotional/mental side of medical problems, the trauma and anguish associated with it. It was evidence a lot of research and though has gone into this book - i believe the author is a transplant recipient herself and her knowledge in this subject shows.
The romance was exquisite, there was a lot of brilliant humor, especially from the side characters. overall i absolutely loved this and would recommend to everyone, especially those with chronic illnesses.

I learned so much about organ transplants in this one. It’s presented in a way that’s easy to understand but hard to stomach (the rules on who is qualified were shocking). I also learned a lot about startups and how difficult it is to make a new business thrive. I loved so much about this book. It is billed as a romance but I didn’t really feel the romance part until towards the end. It didn’t change how I felt about the book; it’s just Jules focus changes throughout the book. This was a heartwarming, funny, infuriating at times (her family), and all-around feel good book. I really enjoyed it.

Unlikely Match is different from other contemporary fiction novels in that there’s added components of physical illness and mental health concerns. The book discusses topics of PTSD, mental health, and therapy, which is uncommon for a romance. I love all the characters and their personalities. The main characters are nearly opposites, one grumpy and one full of sunshine (one of my favorite tropes). When the main character Juliette’s (Jules) health declines, she is forced to face the reality of not finding a living liver donation. An unlikely anonymous donor may be the miracle that she’s been searching for. There are moments of inconsistency when Jules is in the hospital and I lost count at the number of times I read the word “pierogi,” but I loved this quick read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“I thought with you I’d found the home I’ve been looking for my whole life.”

Unlikely Match is my first but certainly not my last book from Laura Bradbury. I went in with zero exceptions and barely read the summary before hitting the request button on Netgalley. The initial premise sounded so interesting (and, because I’m a sucker for Angtsy Pain) heart wrenching. I don’t always go for books where one or both of the protagonist are sick because of three reasons: #1 it hits close to home as someone who has a chronic illness. #2 The Fault in Our Stars traumatized me in middle school. But for some reason I found myself drawn into this book and was ecstatic when I found out that my request was approved! I devoured this book as fast as I can and now I regret it—I wish I could have savored and took my time with this book and it’s wonderful characters.

Jules Kelly is CEO and cofounder of GoodGuides, a company that focuses on providing traveling guides. She runs it with her childhood best friend Alan and, on the outside looking it she is seemingly living a perfect life. That is exactly what Tom Davenport thought. He’s CEO of a Silobase and is temporary sharing office space with GoodGuides. Right off the bat the two gets off on the wrong foot which kicks off this intense game of back and forth. Think The Hating Game but better. Tom thinks Jules is this overindulgent hippie while Jules thinks Tom has a stick up his…well you get it. But Jules secretly loves this little game that she has with Tom because it finally gives her this spark that she was desperately missing from her life since she was diagnosed with PSC — primary sclerosing cholangitis. Jules needs a liver transplant fast and this need only increases as she gets sicker and sicker. Along with juggling her sickness, she also has to juggle her budding feelings for Tom, work, her toxic family, and her own mental health.

I was immediately pulled into the book within the first few pages. It wasn’t fast paced but it certainly was not slow either. I’d say it was more medium paced. There was enough happening plot wise to always keep me invested but it never went 0 to 100 or dragged. I really don’t want to spoiler anything but I want to say that even though some of the plot twist was easy to figure out they still packed an emotional punch. Even at times when the plot was slowing down, the delightful characters were plenty entertaining. Jules is one of my new favorite protagonists. Even though she’s struggling with PSC she refuses to be placed into a box. She isn’t an easily defined and messy at times but isn’t that realistic? The same could be said for the rest of the characters. They were mostly well defined even if they were minor or side characters. The one complaint I have about the characters is that Jules (incredibly) insufferable family was very one dimensional. But at the end of the day I was okay with that—I would much rather spend extra time getting to know Jules, Tom, Alan, and everyone else.

Speaking of Tom: he is also one of my new favorite characters too. He doesn’t fit into any one box and he’s complex but most importantly he’s genuinely good. Sure he makes a few blunders but so do the rest. The things he says and does had me swooning and crying…sometimes at the same time. Even though he was “enemies” with Jules I don’t think he ever got the memo. Every time she brings it up he’s just like “wait…we are 😳” Tom gives off golden retriever energy except he only turns into a golden retriever around the people he cares about.

I just loved this book so much. It was funny, relatable, honest, adorable, and heartbreaking.

Read this is you like:
❄️ socially awkward golden retriever boyfriends
❄️ strong yet realistic main characters
❄️ books that deals with terminal illness but does not have a tragic ending
❄️ spice. adorably awkward and steamy spice
❄️ characters who makes a lot of mistakes but actually attempt to learn from it
❄️ the found family trope!!
❄️ healthy LGBTQ+ rep
❄️ angst, humor and comfort, and fluff
❄️ dark humor

✨4.5 out of 5 stars✨

There was so much about this that I loved. The way the author handled the heroine’s illness was real and relatable. The romance was sweet though the focus on her illness meant their romance didn’t get quite as much time to develop as one normally expects in this genre but it still worked. The only thing I didn’t love was the characterization of the heroine’s family. It just felt over the top. They read like caricatures next to the rest of the illness narrative which was so honest and true to life. I would definitely recommend, especially for anyone with a major illness who wants to feel seen.