Unlikely Match is another freebie I luckily got approved for through NetGalley. The blurb definitely had me hooked, but then I saw another Bookstagrammer say how good this book was, and I was so happy to get started reading it. Although I will say I was a little worried, because a romance with the main character needing a liver transplant was giving me A Walk to Remember vibes, and I was majorly scared. But anyways, let's get on with the review.

In Unlikely Match, we have Jules and Tom. They are both CEOs of tech start-ups that are sharing an office space. They appear to be completely different, and they immediately start off on the wrong foot. He's talking shit on her company, and she overhears him. She calls him out like a badass, and he's stunned. They eventually become frenemies and then a fling. Throughout all of this, Tom is unaware that Jules is battling a life-threatening disease and is waiting for news of a possible donor for a liver. Tom eventually becomes enlightened about her situation and they have to deal with a complicated relationship to both find their happily ever after, if Jules doesn't run out of time.

Ok, so there are so many things I loved about this book. So much so that I flew through it pretty much one day. I was laughing, I got all misty-eyed, I was just all up in my feels. I also loved how raw and real this book was. These are not characters who have petty problems or are unrealistically perfect. They are both real and are both very flawed. Yet they both are such amazing people and are willing to better themselves and face their fears for the other person. They also acknowledge that the other person cannot be perfect and that working to better themselves is not a linear progression. They know there will be ups and downs, but as long as they communicate and do not take on the responsibility of "fixing" one another, they can work through things together.

The romance between Jules and Tom is just *chef's kiss.* Like I mentioned earlier, it's real, and just, ugh, I love it. Despite very different traumas, they both just get one another. Some quotes about their relationship that just made me sigh, and if I hadn't felt these things with Derek, I wouldn't have believed them to be things that you can feel in real life.

"It felt like sitting in front of a roaring fire under a soft blanket, sipping a good cup of hot coffee." Ok, so I don't even like coffee, but in my head I just swapped that out with, like, hot cocoa or something.

"Could love and learning thrive side by side too?" Yes, unequivocally yes. As the majority of people in this world, I've had some bad relationships. Having to learn to work past those experiences to truly have a happy and healthy relationship with Derek has made me realize that this is what makes a relationship. You learn together, and that sets up the foundation for a strong, sturdy relationship.

The thing I did not like about this book...Jules's family. They are horrendous. Like legit pieces of shit. Their interactions in this book made want to go absolutely unhinged. And what's even worse is that there really are people like that. I try to see the best in people, but they're just awful. Good for Laura Bradbury to invoke such emotion with her writing (and that is not sarcasm!).

Now to move on to Jules's true family...her friends. I am so happy for Jules that she has created such a warm family for herself. Her best friend, Alan, is a true friend and family member. You can tell how much they each care for each other and truly want what is best for each other. Their relationship was very comforting to me. And while maybe not part of her chosen family, her Dr. Abebe and Stewart are such comforting characters. You can just tell their hearts are golden.

And a few more parts I highlighted and just loved from this book.

"Oh bless! I forgot how ridiculous men are. Thanks for reminding me why I'm married to a woman." I legit laughed out loud at this part. It's a very serious part of the book, and poor Tom is just not clued in as to why Jules is sick. He makes a statement that is just so endearing, and this person's reaction just cracks me up.

And these quotes on pity - they hit home and may be why I hate being pitied. I was just never able to put those feelings into words (the joy of books, right? They help us express ourselves in ways we never thought we'd be able to). "Once they decide you are one thing, it's almost impossible to change their minds, yet nobody can be defined by just one thing. Not ever." and "And they always made me feel like a stranger to myself-like pity blinded people to who I was inside."

And for anyone who has ever been through some type of trauma or mental or physical illness, this one will probably speak to you like it did me. "You've earned your black belt in surviving; the hard thing is remembering how to live."

Overall, I gave Unlikely Match five stars. I really hope you'll pick this book up. It's free on Kindle Unlimited and is worth the $5 Kindle version.

This was the first book I’ve bread from this author and I enjoyed it! Good read with great banter. I always love a grumpy sunshine story and this one for sure gave me everything I wanted!

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review

Unlikely Match isn't your typical light-hearted romance read. It's one of the most moving, touching, heart-wrenching romances I've read in some time. Jules is brave, strong, fierce, and determined. She's the epitome of a fighter. Tom is selfless, caring, and kind despite not having the most nurturing upbringing. I loved how raw and real the characters, their experiences, and their emotions were. You could feel the characters feelings radiating off the pages. I could not stop reading because I was so invested in this story and needed to know how it played out. A fair warning to readers that this book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions, from laughing to crying and everything in between, but it is definitely worth the ride.

I was not able to put this book down after starting it.

We see Jules who is successful and young. She is a social person with a love of bright colours.

She runs a travel startup with her best friend. So she shares an office space.

Tom is a CEO of a startup with who she will share the office space.

He is really motivated and hard-working but not good with human interactions or great with first impressions.

But first impressions are not always what you think they are.

I loved how Jules disease did not define her.

She was bad*ss and Tom is the typical boyfriend that you love.

We see the best but also the worst of humanity.

Don't judge people without knowing them.

We read about friendship, love and hope.

This sat on my shelf for a while, I assumed I knew what would happen all throughout the book. I slowly learned that I was wrong, and that what I anticipated happening wasn't happening! About half way through I hit a point when I couldn't stop reading and quickly finished the book. It was a little slow to start, but one of those that when you get through all the little details it comes through strong.

THIS. WAS. SO. CUTE. AND. AMAZING!! big thank you to netgalley and laura bradbury for sending me an arc. now, although i received this after pub day, this was such a cute book! the two main characters were loveable and relatable, and i found myself laughing multiple times throughout the book. the storyline flowed so nicely, and i found myself constantly drawn to this book once i started it, it was that addicting!! overall i would totally recommend this book and my final rating is a 4.75/5⭐️

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

-Enemies to lovers
-Workplace romance
-Opposites attract
-Closed proximity

The main character Jules is really fierce and her character is so well developed. The banter and the chemistry between her and Tom, the male protagonist, is perfect and the both helped each other work through their trauma and overcome their difficulties.

This book made me ugly cry many times while reading it and that’s one of the many things I loved about it! You know a book is good, when it makes you feel a lot of different emotions all at once.


!Please note that this book contains sensitive topics such as medical trauma and hospital scenes on the page. It also refers to parental abandonment and the foster care system mostly off the page.

I throughly enjoyed Unlikely Match, the banter between Tom and Jules in the beginning sucked me in and I found my self rooting for them.

I have read two other books that are similar to this one that I would recommend reading if you like this one: Would You Rather by Allison Ashley and Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez. The premise of this one sounds similar so I decided to give it a go. It is a bit different than the first ones I mentioned, and this one starts off with the two main characters not liking each other. They get off on the wrong foot when they first meet. Jules, the main character, is really sick. I think the author does a good job of not only showing what it is like to live with a chronic illness, but also what it is like to be around people who don't understand it. Jules' family members really were insufferable, and I felt bad that she had to deal with them. Also, I really enjoyed the fact that Tom's real name was Thunder. There were plenty of funny moments but also moments where the characters were vulnerable and emotional that made this book have a little bit of everything you want in a good story. Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read a copy of this book!

This book gives you all the feels! If you have a loved one or have been through a medical trauma yourself you will resonate with the lead character Jules. Having been through my own medical trauma I really resonated with how Jules feels after she gets better. Definitely brought a few tears to my eye. Overall I loved the fact that the connection between the Jules and Tom was messy & they actually lived messy human lives. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unlikely Match is a beautiful slow burn romance featuring a sick heroine in desperate need of a transplant, all in the midst of fighting for her business to succeed. I loved the found family aspect with the best friends, along with the detail and insight into what it’s like for a transplant patient before and after their transplant. Having been through the experience herself, Laura Bradbury carefully weaves the emotional ebbs and flows of her characters, especially Jules as she navigates the changes her illness has brought to her life, including the gratitude for being alive but also the resentment that the medical realities brings from being a transplant recipient. I’m looking forward to more from Bradbury.

This was the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it! I think it covered some heavy topics very well, while also giving the reader a nice romance to root for. I loved the enemies-to-lovers vibes between Jules and Tom. Their tension and banter was so fun.

I think this story definitely should get more attention because it truly was such a special book.

I absolutely loved this story! I'm always a fan of a good enemies-to-lovers trope and this one definitely delivered. I also really enjoyed the message to enjoy and live the life you have because you really don't know how much time you have. Such a great read and I'd recommend to anyone looking for a feel good kind of book!

This book follows Jules, who’s in her mid twenties and a CEO of a startup tech company with her best friend. She’s dying due to the late stage of liver failure due to an autoimmune disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (which continues to be called PSC throughout the rest of the book). She’s not very high on the dead donor list due to "not enough complications" or not being sick enough, so she has to focus on finding a live donor who fits her rare blood type. Her family is literally AWFUL. Like says she looks the best she’s ever looked because she’s lost weight and looks tanned (due to jaundice) and doesn’t ever acknowledge that she’s dying. They basically say that they can't donate or check if they're eligible to donate because it'd be too hard on them. And they just don't take her and her illness seriously.

Then there’s Tom. The CEO of another startup tech company that shares an office with Jules’ company. And now is kind of a rival for the next set of funds. He was an orphan who bounced around in the system. He had a hard life and works really hard for what he wants and doesn’t really know how to function outside of work.

The tropes we see in this are enemies to friends to lovers.

Honestly, this book was absolutely amazing. I literally stayed up until 3 AM in order to finish this in one sitting. This was so well written, got me in my feelings, and just made me so happy. There was a bunch of medical jargon, BUT, it covers the essentials due to the disease that Jules has. This was a different kind of romcom and it will honestly hold a special place in my heart.

Are we crying?! Yes, we most definitely are! Grab the kleenex because this is a tear jerker!! This books was one of the most heartwarming books, I've read this year! I felt that the premise of the book was something that I haven't seen in many other books on the market. I loved Jules' character! She was strong, independent, and smart! Her character was so well developed. She and Tom had such hilarious banter between them! Read this book if you love, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, slow burn romance, a perfect amount of spice, a touch of feminism, and witty banter. This is a book you will not want to put down!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of the e-arc.

This story had me gutted. I love Jules personality and character. Someone who creates a fun hip environment whose employees really work hard for their amazing boss. Introduce Tom to the story and you have a brooding character who doesn't want any distractions on his way to obtaining the prize. I felt so much empathy for Jules and how she wanted to deal with her illness alone with the exception of her best friend. Insert love story and falling for brooding characters who don't expect love to fall into their lap. A story that I would re-read and recommend to others. I've never read a story about medical transplants and to know the author has lived through it is simply amazing.

I ate this book up! Love the characters SO MUCH! There is banter, angsty and funny moments, enemies to lovers, close proximities, opposite attracts, guy falls first, office romance, grumpy sunshine! The chemistry between the main couple is SO GOOD.

Tom and Jules are both CEO of their startup companies and share the same office space. Jules was diagnosed with Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) five years ago, and she needs liver transplant because her disease is getting worse. When a mysterious investor forces these two CEOs to compete against each other for the future’s success of the company, they try to get along to understand their differences.

The medical terms were explained in the book, so you don’t have to search in google what it's about. It wasn’t cliche, the emotion feels raw and realistic. I have learned so much about this book.

This is long overdue, but I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an E-ARC. Know that this review and opinions are all mine

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

📚Unlikely Match - Laura Bradbury📚

This beautiful book is so much more than your typical cutesy romantic comedy (although it is still all of those things 🥰). It has a bit of everything - enemies to lovers, workplace romance, found family, forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, but most importantly there is representation of a chronic illness and organ transplant.

It was a whirlwind of emotions right from the start and Bradbury really made the characters come to life. Through her voice I felt like I learned so much about what it’s like to live with a chronic illness and the importance of compassion, support, understanding and kindness. It was such a moving, emotional and heart wrenching read which I highly recommend! I can’t wait to read Laura’s backlist and whatever gem she comes out with next 🥰

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to @laurabradburywriter , the publisher and @netgalley for sending me this to review 🙏🏻

I loved this book so much! I love the diversity of the characters, I love the chronic illness representation, and the I love the grumpy/sunshine trope! When I first read the description I knew that this was going to be one of those books that just hits you a little different if you or someone close to you lives with a chronic illness. I know this book was very personal for the author and I cannot express how much I appreciate Bradbury putting her vulnerable side out there for us to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grape Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

There was a lot I loved about this book. I have never read a book about a transplant, especially not by an author who was a transplant patient. As I was reading, I was so impressed by the perceptive way the author wrote about the transplant experience and the emotions involved, both before and after. It is truly so complex, physically, but also mentally and emotionally, and the author got the balance exactly right.

I also liked that the story was a unique take on the typical enemies to lovers trope, with the donor/recipient dynamic adding an additional level of complication.

BUT... I didn't love the writing. I almost gave up a few times because it was just so cheesy. I'm glad I didn't, because I enjoyed the story overall, but the writing style just wasn't for me.