“God is the lover of your soul, Evangeline. He woos you every single day of your life, wanting you to fall in love with Him over and over again the way He loves you. He calls you beautiful , beloved, and lavishes you with more tenderness and affection than a groom does a bride on their wedding day . And nothing can change that. Not an autoimmune disorder or physical changes in appearance. Certainly not hair loss. He loved you from the beginning, and He’ll love you for all time.”

Thank you @bethanyhousefiction for an advance copy 🫶🏽

An Overdue Match was a delightful surprise, as it was my first read from the author, though definitely not the last!

If you are into romances that are light, fun, romantic yet full of depth, then this is definitely for you.

Evangeline Kelly is still healing from her broken engagement after developing alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that caused her to lose all of her hair. A lover of love, she decides to partake in love from the sidelines - and try to matchmake her library patrons. To do this successfully, she needs Tai Davis' insider information about the town she just recently moved in.

Tai is a new top-tier book boyfriend! Previously misunderstood because of his tattoos, he's determined to make Evangeline recognize that he's more than his tough exterior. Through a series of dates, they get to know each other better, and reveal their true, vulnerable selves. I love how Tai treats Evangeline - he builds up her self esteem, making her remember that she IS loved and has ALWAYS been loved 🥹

Their chemistry was so cute 🥰 And I just loved following along as they learned to accept and love each other, especially Evangeline, who struggled with accepting her condition, and accepting love freely given in spite of.

Read if you like:
Chronic illness / disability representation
Inspiring and healing romances
Boy obsessed
Small town romances
A plethora of literary references

Other details and mild spoilers:
Closed door, kissing only
Dual third person POV
CW: alopecia, broken engagements, emotional abuse

An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon was a fun and touching read! Main character Evangeline struggles to see herself as God does, as words from a former fiancé have branded her heart. So she decides to play secret matchmaker to library patrons in her new-ish town. The catch is, she doesn’t know everyone well enough to be successful. So local tattoo artist Tai strikes a deal with her- a series of dates in exchange for knowledge of library patrons. She reluctantly agrees, promising herself she’ll keep her heart (and her secret of alopecia) out of it. But, we know that rarely goes according to plan in the world of romance novels. You’ll have to read the book to see how it all plays out. It was so fun to read this story and see Evangeline’s walls slowly come down. Tai is an absolute gem of a guy! He has his flaws too, of course. But his patient pursuit of Evangeline was a delight to read. I thought her struggle was realistic; if I lived through what she did, I would probably react quite similarly. Tai’s journey as well seemed realistic; I could identify with his mom in wanting to keep my kids safe. Book lovers will appreciate Evangeline’s occupation of librarian and the multiple bookish references throughout- many made me smile or chuckle. The message of God’s unending, unconditional love for us is beautifully illustrated in this story, and I’m looking forward to reading the second book when it releases!
Thank you to the author and publisher for my review copy. All thoughts above are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.

An Overdue Match was a cute, not typical, love story. There was a shorter MMC, a FMC with an autoimmune disease, and at first glance you don't feel like they might be a good match. But as the story goes on, and you get to know the characters, they end up adorable together.

It is from two points of view - his and hers. My only problem with it is the fact that one is first person & another third person. You have to really focus to keep up with who is talking etc.
Overall, it was very enjoyable!
Thanks bethany house & Sarah Monzon for a copy. A positive review was not necessary for my receiving it.

Evangeline Kelly, a librarian in love with love, starts matchmaking in the small town she moved to six months ago. However, not everything goes as planned. Tattoo artist Tai Davis strikes a deal—he’ll provide his hometown knowledge for each of her matches, and in exchange, Evangeline must go on a date for every match-up.

Why must authors toy with my emotions? I’m enjoying my time with Evangeline and Tai, and suddenly, I find myself crying. Not a hypothetical cry—actual tears welling up and spilling over. I keep reading, laugh out loud about Chuck Norris (you had to be there), and then, before I know it, I’m crying again.

Evangeline’s internal struggles with alopecia reminded me of my challenges with my birth defect. And Tai—he’s the perfect reminder that first impressions aren’t always the truth. His love is so pure and perfect that you just want to scream at Evangeline, “Stop pushing him away!”

Several times, I thought this story should be over because my heart felt so full. But then the narrative kept unfolding, and I could feel my heart swelling just a little more—until it overflowed with happiness, melancholy, and love. This book will be the one all other contemporary romances must live up to.

𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon is a book match made in literary heaven!

Evangeline, our heroine, opens the story with an emotional wound so deep you can feel her hurt radiating from the pages. I immediately empathized with her and found myself just as protective of her heart as she was.

But then Tai came along sigh his rakish flirting and his neck tattoos and oh my…..I think I was rooting for him even more! It was hard to resist his charm, I’m not sure how Evangeline did it, but once she finally let him love her it was so worth the wait!

Monzon crafts a beautiful story about learning to love and accept yourself, by first grounding your identity in Christ. Evangeline suffered with alopecia- an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss- and Monzon handled the depth of the situation with respect and gentleness, never shying from the hard issues but not weighing down the story with too many details.

I particularly enjoyed Evangeline’s (terrible) matchmaking attempts! It added a thread of humor to the story and it gave our heroine a relatable flaw as someone who desperately believed in love and goes about finding it in all the wrong ways.

An Overdue Match is a solid sweet & clean romance featuring:

❤️ he falls first (and hard!)
❤️ bookish heroine
❤️ perceived bad boy (with a heart of gold)
❤️ insane chemistry
❤️ themes of faith, acceptance, and love
❤️ lots of kissing! 😘


Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for the advanced copy!

"Bravery is just the voice telling fear he can't win today."

So much fun! Sarah Monzon has a gift for delicious banter and this book proves it beyond doubt. Evangeline's honest, fresh, endearing first person voice is easy to love especially when her snark and sarcasm are wrapped in Southern sweetness. Tai's third person voice is also easy to fall in love with - he's patient, kind, tender, persistent, and godly underneath his bad boy exterior. Evangeline's matchmaking scheme was a bit lame but I think it was intended to be portrayed that way. The heartbreak and destruction of self-esteem in Evangeline were real and palpable; the author addressed alopecia in a sensitive and caring manner and succeeded in making this book a romcom even with a topic that many are uncomfortable discussing. Evangeline and Tai's conversations are sometimes outright hilarious, oftentimes thought-provoking, and always witty and clever. I loved their banter regarding books, music, and movies. Evangeline recognizing God's unconditional love was the highlight of her journey.

I love that the author has this series centered on the librarians in a small town. I can't wait to read Hayley's story next and see what adventure she embarks on!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through JustRead Tours and LibraryThing via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

This. Book. Oh my goodness. It had all the feels. Sometimes I wanted to cry. Sometimes laugh. And at the end I was cheering.

Author Sarah Monzon was upfront about the way people who are deemed to be “different” are treated. Whether it’s a bald woman or a tatted up tattoo artist, people can be cruel. They can be indifferent. Or they can be warm and friendly. We see all of these in this wonderful story.

As always, faith is a strong thread all the way through this story. Monzon is not ashamed of her beliefs and I appreciate that. Because ultimately God is the Healer of broken hearts and broken stories.

While this book is a rom-com (romantic comedy), and I did laugh, I saw it more as a Christian romance with strong characters. Give it a read. You won’t be sorry. Now I wait impatiently for book 2.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

I absolutely loved the setting and deeper meaning behind this book. There was depth to the characters and their trauma, illnesses and family dynamics. The beauty of being seen as who you are despite of all those factors.

I liked the plot and that it had a steady pace. I also enjoyed the wearing and characters.

Now to the things I was struggling with a bit. The dual pov where one character was written in 1st person and the other in 3rd person threw me of a bit making it feel a bit difficult to follow. I also had an issue with the "matchmaking ", since first of all it just felt a bit weird and second of all using private library records feels like a violent against privacy.

All in all this was a cute heart warming romance story with a deeper meaning which I absolutely loved!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

My review is posted on instagram, fable & goodreads. As well as Amazon.

Librarian Evangeline Kelly has convinced herself she's not leading lady material. You know the side character in a book or fluffy romance movie? The one who is the main heroine's friend or co-worker? That's Evangeline...or so she thinks.
Tai Davis is your stereotypical-looking "bad boy". The tattooed, leather-jacket-wearing, Danny Zuko-esque guy that feels the judgmental stares from left, right and center.
Despite Evangeline believing there's no one for her (especially after her fiance ditched her after her autoimmune diagnosis), she wants others to find love. She decided to match her library patrons. Tai is intrigued by her and strikes a deal - for each match she tries to make, she goes on a date with him.
Can the Lord work in each of their hearts to convince them they are "beautiful in His sight"? That the old adage of "don't judge a book by its cover" is one to be taken to heart?
This book is charming, humorous, thoughtful, and inspirational. Pop into your cozy chair and settle in for a read that will give you all the feels.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.

An Overdue Match is the first book I have read written by Sarah Monzon and I look forward to reading more. This book was so fun with its witty banter, book references and opposites attract.

The character development was great. I loved getting to see a main character struggling with Alopecia, personally struggling with hair thinning, I could relate on a small level. And I loved seeing how Evangeline dealt with it and all things she had to overcome to learn to love herself. I also liked getting to know Tai. There were many layers to the characters.

The setting and storyline were perfect. I loved the small-town feel. The librarian and tattoo artist characters kind of made me think of Rory and Jess from Gilmore Girls. All in all, it was fun. There was a lot to unpack in this book. I appreciated Evangeline’s scheming to try to play matchmaker. It was very comical.

The romance element was fun. I loved watching Evangeline fall in love after everything she has gone through. There were a few scenes that were a little much for my no/low spice preference. Just wanted to point out, for those that prefer a clean read. There was a little bit of passionate kisses.

Sarah Monzon did a great job intertwining faith throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

“Life was too short to live confined to other peoples’ expectations and opinions.”

*An Overdue Match* is the kind of contemporary romance that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. This book is an absolute gem when it comes to rom-coms, striking the perfect balance between playful banter, lighthearted fluff, and meaningful depth. The relationship between Evangeline and Tai was so well done, filled with banter that had me smiling, along with that delicious, underlying tension that made their attraction feel so real. It’s exactly the kind of chemistry I adore in closed-door romances, where the moments of tension and longing give you butterflies without being overly dramatic.

What truly stood out to me, though, was Sarah Monzon’s portrayal of chronic illness. As someone who has experienced the struggles of living with a chronic illness, I felt so seen by her writing. She captured the emotional and physical weight of it so authentically, and it added such a raw, relatable layer to the story. The way she brought that experience into Evangeline’s life made the book feel even more grounded and real.

The relationship between Evangeline and Tai was relatable on so many levels, and that made it all the more engaging. Their connection felt so genuine, and I loved how the author explored their individual growth alongside their blossoming romance. My only small issue with the book was that the ending felt a bit rushed, it left me wanting a little more depth to wrap up the story. However, that doesn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall experience.

I’m absolutely not done with Sarah Monzon’s work, this is definitely not my last book from her. I can’t wait to dive into more of her writing in the future.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy of this wonderful story.

I love books about books. And I love reading about characters who love reading. So this book was sure to be a winner! It had me laughing in spots and crying in others.

I liked Tai and Evangeline. At first glance, they seemed like complete opposites, but they had more in common than first thought. Plus, they were just flat-out great together. And I loved that we got both of their POVs.

I liked that Tai wasn’t the stereotypical bad boy. And I thought it was really cool that he was a tattoo artist. And while I did feel like he was a little unrealistically perfect, I liked him a lot.

I like that this book tackled serious subjects in the midst of the humor. It felt very balanced. I really appreciated the light it shined on alopecia. I knew a little about the autoimmune disease, but I appreciated learning more.

If you’re looking for a humorous and heartfelt romance, give this book a try! I’m excited that it’s the beginning of a series. I can’t wait for the next one.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

DNF at 50%

I was excited to jump into this small-town romance, the premise sounded really promising but I was just not able to finish it.

Things I liked:

The premise of a librarian matching her patrons based on their reading preferences was very fun and I also appreciated the disability representation.

Things I disliked:

The dual POV was a bit jarring to read due to the fact that the FMC chapters were written in first person whereas the MMC chapters were third person.

Around the 50% mark of this book the FMC goes on a little ramble about explaining love with mathematical equations and the statement made by saying
“A+B=C
Boy+Girl=Love”
just didn’t sit right with me and quite frankly left me feeling that this book might not be for me.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was everything I could’ve hoped for—heartfelt, charming, and beautifully meaningful. The bookish elements completely stole my heart, and the romance was absolutely swoon-worthy.

I adored the contrast between their worlds—a tattoo artist and a librarian might seem like an unlikely match, but their connection was pure magic. Evangeline’s journey was just as touching as the romance. After losing her confidence to Alopecia, she built walls around her heart, believing love wasn’t meant for her. But Tai? He wasn’t having it. He showed up, saw her, and proved—through patience, kindness, and the sweetest persistence—that beauty isn’t something that can be lost.

This book carried such a powerful message about self-worth, love, and embracing the person you are, all wrapped in the coziest, most heartwarming romance. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page, and one I’ll forever recommend. ✨

I loved all the things about this story! I love the bookish elements(those are always my favorite), Tai was completely swoon worthy the way he was with Evangeline, and I love how Evangeline found her self and her bravery along the way. This book has such a fantastic and powerful message mixed with a most adorable romance. A simply perfect read that I will forever recommend!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own audiobook copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

This story was such a heartwarming read! I have to admit, I loved the unique pairing of a tattoo artist and a librarian as the main characters. You’d think they’d be total opposites, but the chemistry between them is undeniable!

It’s such a heartwarming story. Evangeline has given up on finding love for herself after her heart was broken in the past. Instead, she focuses on matchmaking others, though with little success. That is, until Tai walks into her life. With his bad boy image, her first impression of him isn’t great. But Tai is more than he appears, and despite her curiosity about him, he’s even more drawn to her. However, Evangeline struggles to see her own beauty. When Alopecia took her hair, it also took her confidence and her belief that she could have a future with love. But Tai is determined to show her that she’s still beautiful, and he’s set on helping her rediscover her worth. Despite her skepticism about his flirtations, he persists, wanting to prove his sincerity. They come to an agreement: he’ll help her with matchmaking, but only if she agrees to go on dates with him, giving him a chance to win her over.

Can Evangeline see that her worth isn’t tied to her hair? Can she believe that Tai genuinely likes her for who she truly is? And can they successfully match someone else?

I really enjoyed this story and feel grateful to have been part of the launch team. I received a complimentary copy, and this review reflects my honest opinion.

This was a Christian contemporary romance. Our heroine has alopecia and it has greatly affected her sense of self worth. She moved away from her family to this small town. She has written off love as not being an option for her. Our hero is a tattoo artist that comes in and meets her at her job in the library. When she wants to begin matchmaking people, he gets involved. There is some humor, many sweet moments, and the theme of a person’s with in God’s eyes. This is a just kisses romance that I liked more than I expected. It was my first by this author. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚔. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢'𝚛𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚘-𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝, 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍, 𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕.

📚 Release Date: February 18, 2025 📚
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I had been impatiently waiting for this book since I first heard of it because I just knew it was going to be amazing. Let me tell you, it definitely lived up to my hopes and dreams! How could a book involving a love match between a nerdy librarian and a leather jacketed tattoo artist not be amazing?! 🤩

Evangeline Kelly, librarian and sworn book protector by day, was certain that she was NOT heroine material, especially after her fiancé broke up with her. So when a certain tattooed modern rake starts frequenting her library, she’s completely caught off guard by his interest in her. Evangeline is not open to any sort of a relationship after having been burned once, so will this tattooed, supposed bad-boy be able to win her over?

Tai Davis was everything Evangeline was not, tattooed and a definite main character/hero. After his cousin persuades him to complete a dare, Tai finds a cute librarian stalking him around the library and is immediately fascinated by her. Of course, he wasn’t expecting this librarian to win over his heart quite so quickly with her closed off mannerisms and intriguing persona. Tai was always down for a challenge and that’s exactly what Evangeline posed to him, so he strikes a bargain with her that he’ll assist with her matchmaking if she goes on dates with him. Will this be enough to get Evangeline to finally open up to him?

This book had so many things going for it! I loved the alopecia and asthma awareness that played such a prominent part in this story. I really appreciated the faith element found in this book as well! The story taught some very valuable life lessons, first and foremost that you can’t judge a person purely off of their appearance and you can’t find your worth by what others think of you. I also loved the heavy emphasis put on families and how important they are.
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I received a complimentary arc from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. All opinions listed are purely my own.

Sarah Monzon's "An Overdue Match" is a delightful rom-com that subverts expectations and delivers a heartwarming story about embracing vulnerability, challenging assumptions, and finding love in the most unexpected of places. The premise itself is immediately engaging: a librarian burned by love decides matchmaking is safer than finding her own happy ending, while a misunderstood tattoo artist sees an opportunity to break down her carefully constructed walls.
Evangeline is a wonderfully relatable heroine. Her insecurities, stemming from both societal pressures and personal setbacks, make her instantly sympathetic. Monzon handles Evangeline's alopecia with sensitivity and grace, highlighting the emotional toll it takes while also showcasing her strength and resilience. Her passion for her work and her genuine desire to help others, even through her somewhat unconventional matchmaking methods, make her utterly endearing.
Tai, on the other hand, brings a much-needed edge to the story. He's not your typical charming romantic lead; he's got a tough exterior and a reputation that precedes him. Monzon does an excellent job of peeling back those layers, revealing a kind, generous, and deeply loyal man beneath the tattoos and perceived "bad boy" image. His connection to his hometown and his willingness to help Evangeline navigate it adds another layer of charm.
The forced proximity trope, fueled by their quirky bargain, is executed perfectly. Their witty banter is sharp and engaging, and the gradual development of their feelings feels organic and believable. The reader is invested in both their individual journeys and their growing connection.
"An Overdue Match" is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's a charming, funny, and ultimately heartwarming story. It's a book I would recommend if you're looking for a feel-good romance.

Oh my word! The amount of tears that filled my eyes when reading this book! Poor Evangeline had her self worth and confidence torn to absolute shreds thanks to her sleazy ex and the way he treated her after she lost her hair. But then my goodness, the way with which Tai just came in and started mending the brokenness with his actions and his reminders of God’s love, regardless of her looks. I about swooned! I did want to shake Evangeline sometimes when she used Tai’s perceived “bad boy” persona as a reason to not get close to him, but I know she was really doing it in an attempt to save her heart and confidence from being smashed to pieces yet again, so I tried to sympathize with her. But I was totally Team Tai all the way though!

Before I even started reading, I was so intrigued about a romance novel between a librarian and a tattoo artist! It was definitely a unique dynamic to see in a romance book. I read this genre pretty much exclusively so it’s always nice to see some new careers for the lead characters so I don’t feel like I’m reading the same book over and over again. I know there were mentions of how Evangeline was taught that someone with visible tattoos like Tai had on his neck meant that person was not safe, but I was really grateful that the author established early on that she really felt tattoos do not reflect someone’s moral code. As someone with tattoos, I have DNF’ed a book in the past by a different author when they were a bit preachy about tattoos. I was hoping we weren’t heading that direction with this book and thank goodness we did not!