Match Me If You Can* by Sandy Baker is a fun, lighthearted romantic comedy that follows the journey of Zoey, a matchmaking expert who prides herself on finding the perfect partner for her clients—yet struggles to find love for herself. When Zoey meets the charming but seemingly perfect-for-her client, sparks fly, and she must navigate the tricky line between professional ethics and personal feelings.

Baker’s writing is witty and engaging, with plenty of humor and heart. Zoey and her potential love interest is playful and sweet, filled with delightful banter and relatable moments. The novel also offers an inside look into the world of matchmaking, adding an interesting twist to the classic romance trope.

While the plot is somewhat predictable, *Match Me If You Can* is an enjoyable read with endearing characters and a feel-good storyline. Perfect for fans of rom-coms, the book offers plenty of light, charming escapism.

In theory i liked the premise but everything about it fell flat to me. I struggled to connect to the story and characters and found myself skipping through trying to get to the end

I love a Sandy Barker book, The Holiday Romance and Christmas Romance novels have been devoured and The Ever After Agency is another delight for all.

Poppy Dean is a matchmaker at an elite London agency, matching couples successfully, but not herself.
Meet Tristan, who needs a wife but on paper only!

A challenge Poppy heads face on, overcoming many obstacles, including accompanying Tristan overseas to chaperone a match.

I fully immersed myself into this storyline feeling Poppy’s dedication and sometimes frustration and although I disliked Tristan’s character at the start he grew on me as his character was developed.

A definite HEA!

So wanted to like this book, but even 50% into the tale, there was zero chemistry between the main protagonists, no scene where they could've felt something for the other much less fall in love, and it all felt forced and like it was trying to be forced down the reader's throat. The entire plotline with the Italian contessa felt impossible and forced and like it was there just to move the story to Greece, but then nothing actually happened in it... Good premise, but the execution was weird and more convincing at all as a romance

What a fun weekend read! I am always up for a good banter filled forbidden love story...and add to it a rush for the inheritance and I'm only seeking a Marriage of Convenience drive and I am standing in line at the checkout with the book in my hand. What better for an escape the humdrum then a London Matchmaker Agency romance where the matchmaker and her client catch feelings for each other. This book did not disappoint and I loved the first half of the book so much because of that spark and the push of emotions in the should I.....shouldn't I conflict.

Thank you Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC I read

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This was a great book and I'll be purchasing it for the library.

I am a sucker for a forbidden romance and ‘Match Me If You Can’ did not disappoint. I loved the elements of humour, particularly in Greece and the sweeter moments between Poppy and Tristan had me hooked into their story.

I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. 🤍

the fmc works at an exclusive matchmaking agency which is facing turmoil as someone threatens to expose them, while the mmc is an investment banker who needs to be married by his 35th birthday in order to receive his late grandfather’s inheritance. the fmc is assigned to his case and the two grow closer as they try to find the perfect bride for his marriage of convenience.

i did enjoy this as the plot was really unique and fast-paced. however, it was quite jumpy and i feel like their chemistry could have been better developed.

you could not help but smile when reading this. Such a fun story with the best characters. absolutely loved it

I was intrigued by the premise of matchmaking when I picked this up, and overall I really enjoyed. MATCH ME IF YOU CAN had likeable characters with all the heart and humor.

*many thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This was a good read, a decent time pass. I couldn't seem to really connect with either character, but I thought this was a good one time read.

Secret matchmaking companies are definitely interesting to read about, and it was just that mention that had me picking this up to read.

Poppy is different from your average protagonist in the books of this ilk based in London that I have read because of two key reasons, one is that she’s Australian and the other is that she’s a psychologist by training and uses this skill to bring happily ever afters to the clients who want to get married ( for whatever reason). In this book we have the inheritance gag and the hunt is on.

The process itself is not very new but the supporting cast and the interactions made it fun to read. The ultimate result is not something that will surprise anyone but the trials that the two face in the meantime is what the book is actually about. There’s even a teaser at the end of the book for the next couple. Although I must admit to dropping that one part way because it didn’t hold my interest as much.

Poppy faces a professional dilemma and that is addressed before the ending rolls around. The banter is done well and the pacing is maintained. I would recommend this to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This was my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely read more, starting with the second book in this series.

Really good easy read, Forbidden romance elements. Netflix rom com vibes, I really enjoyed myself throughout. 3.5 stars rounded to 4!

This book was a miss for me unfortunately. The first 40% or so were great! I thought the premise of the book had promise and the writing was enjoyable for me. However, after Tristan had met and rejected the first potential suitor, things started to go downhill for me. I was kind of expecting Match Me If You Can to turn into a marriage of convenience romance between the two leads (and it did, 90% of the way through the book) but instead I had to read about Tristan going on dates with other women, even proposing to one, while Poppy watched from the sidelines. I unfortunately felt barely any chemistry between the two main characters, even when I was being constantly told that their chemistry and mutual attraction was off the charts, so when they did finally share their first kiss, I felt kind of bored. I found myself struggling to finish the book, and when I did get to the end all I felt was "meh". This was not a bad book, the writing was snappy and funny at times, and I really do think the premise had potential. Sadly, Match Me If You Can just didn't hit the mark for me, and I won't be picking up the next book in the series.

Very easy to read, forbidden romance that I enjoyed from the start.
Likeable characters, and although the storyline was a little bit out there, who am I to judge!
Looking forward to reading the 2nd installment.

Poppy was an agent for the Ever After Wedding Agency, tasked with finding potential spouses for a myriad of situations, from traditional weddings to marriages of convenience. When Tristan Fellows, on the cusp of his 35th birthday, faced the looming threat of losing his family inheritance due to his grandfather's will, which mandated marriage by his next birthday, panic set in.

Thanks to his best friend Rossi, who had found his own happiness through the agency with his beautiful wife Jacinda, Tristan secured an emergency meeting with Poppy. From the photos she perused, Tristan appeared as a striking figure, but upon their first encounter, Poppy sensed the complexity that lay beneath his charming exterior.

Despite her efforts, three potential matches fell short of the mark: one already married, another pregnant, and the third seemingly perfect, yet by then, Tristan's heart had veered off course, captivated by someone unexpected.

As Tristan navigated the maze of potential unions, he found himself drawn to someone outside the agency's roster, someone who ignited a spark within him that transcended the bounds of obligation and expectation.

Though Poppy's mission to find Tristan a suitable match ended unconventionally, it wasn't without its twists, laughter, and moments of poignant realization. Through Sandy Barker's deft storytelling, "Match Me If You Can" weaves a tale of love, serendipity, and the unpredictability of the heart, leaving readers both chuckling and reaching for the tissues.

And for those who relish the blend of humor, heart, and a touch of tears, Barker's newest offering promises to deliver yet another delightful journey, eagerly anticipated by fans already immersed in its pages.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

In Match Me If You Can, matchmaker Poppy Dean has just taken on her hardest case ever, a Mr Impossible. Her new client is Tristan Fellows, who has no interest in finding love, but following his grandfather's death, he needs to marry by his 35th birthday, or lose out on a £30 million inheritance. Relying on his best friend's advice, he goes to Poppy, but none of the potential brides catch his eye. No, instead Tristan is drawn to Poppy, but that could never work, right?

I loved this book so much! I started it expecting to have some fun and a bit of a switch off, but instead I found such a fun story, full of romance and humour, and also a little bit of drama and sadness. Tristan was the dictionary definition of a grump, and Poppy is perfect as she doesn't let him get away with any of his shit. I loved the banter and snarkiness between Poppy and Tristan, and though they had some difficult moments, every second they were together was exquisite. The scenes in Greece and Scotland were so funny and though both characters suffered at times, it was adorable to see the growth in their characters, especially at the end. Tristan really developed over the course of the book, and with Poppy by his side, I know that he will grow even more in the future. I hope that both main characters are part of book 2, as I really need to see their romance again.

This was such a fun romantic read and it is really easy to binge read it. All the vibes of a rom com movie and it held my attention throughout. If you enjoy romance books I think you will love this one.

Poppy, a former psychologist working at the exclusive Ever After Agency in London, is tasked with finding a wife for Tristan, who needs to secure his grandfather's fortune. Despite his reluctance for a love match, their initial hostility evolves into unexpected attraction. As Poppy navigates her professional and personal life, she finds herself drawn to Tristan's depth and charm. The chemistry between them crackles with energy, adding to the charm of the story. With well-drawn characters, including supportive friends and intriguing potential matches for Tristan, the novel offers a delightful blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth. Set against the backdrop of London's elite society, the story unfolds with plenty of laughs, poignant moments, and a satisfying slow-burn romance. Overall, "Ever After Agency" is a fabulous read that promises a unique and engaging story, making it a must-add to any reading list.