1.75/5.

Unfortunately for me, Soulmatch started out strong but did not stick the landing in the way I had hoped. What had started as wonderful worldbuilding that felt reminiscent of a lot of the great YA dystopia novels I read when I was younger (The Hunger Games, Scythe, Unwind), a fast-paced plot, a relatable protagonist, and deeply emotional writing that made me tear through the book in one sitting—bringing up the question of if we can be blamed for pasts that aren't really ours to begin with—the latter half of the book tipped from protagonist Sivon's friendship and journey to self-discovery through uncertainty to a love triangle that was half-baked, not believable to the reader, and felt more like an amalgamation of tropes than a concrete and organic relationship. The very real consequences of the society in which the book took place, and the political corruption and intrigue that surrounded it, seemed to be muddled by the author's desire to write a partner for Sivon rather than create an engaging climax and conclusion to the story—which, in itself, felt hollow and half-hearted rather than what should have been the most high-stakes and interesting part of the text. For being nearly five hundred pages in hardcover, it felt as if so much of that was wasted with badly-spun "romance" that felt reminiscent of the fanfiction I read in middle school. I believe the author had some wonderful ideas about the world in which Soulmatch took place, but the book quickly veered off into something disappointing. Furthermore, the foreshadowing felt far too obvious for the tension the author was trying to portray, and the final confrontation felt like it fizzled out before it began as a result.

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.

DNFed at 35%, I just didn’t feel connected to the characters so I wasn’t invested in the story. I am really grateful to have been sent this book and passed it on to a friend who I know will enjoy it!

I am in love with this book. When I first read the description the moment I read ‘souls’ and ‘reincarnation’, I just knew I had to read it and it totally paid off. In the beginning, I was so entranced by this dystopian world, its history, and their soul tracking system. It’s,I think, the most unique system crafted in a book that I have read. Meeting Sivon right before she is to go to the institute to find out which soul she is was so crucial. I was anxious along with her the entire time leading to her finding out her soul and if she would have a ‘bad’ or ‘good’ soul plus finding out her new lives. But that plot twist of her soul definitely surprised me.
Then there is the whole plot plus mystery with ‘Flavynski’ another thing I didn’t see coming and didn’t even connect the dots until way later. Brilliant.
I loved Donovan and Sivan’s time together. Bodyguard trope at its finest. Some times I’d questioned how they were not soulmates and how tragic it was but the way it ended…mad eme so happy.
Now the whole plot and scheming was brilliant. I admit even I got confused by the soul names at some point but i all makes sense at the end. And wow the conspiracy was so big. It was fun to see the twins and Sivan figure out their own scavenger hunt while also uncovering the mystery of all mysteries. I was so entertained and i awe of this book the whole time, it was easy to declare it a 5 star from the very beginning. I will definitely be recommending this one and buying it on release day.

I really loved the concept of this book and I thought it was executed pretty darn well. The idea of reincarnation and finding out about your past lives as well as who your soul mate is (if you have one) was very intriguing. I was flying through the pages, wanting to find out what happened next. There was action, adventure, self-discovery, love, friendship/found family, and even a mystery to solve. I appreciated the definitions in the chapter headings and the help with pronunciation. This helped me focus more on the content and took the guesswork out. The only part that I struggled with was the complexity of the reveal. I kinda felt like I needed a diagram to help me see the whole picture. But the depth of it was pretty amazing. Overall, I really enjoyed the book!

I loved this book so much. I found the concept of reincarnated souls so intriguing and really enjoyed the moral questions that raised about punishment for crimes committed in past lives. The ending of this book was...a lot, and I'm still not sure I understand everything. But it was so good!

Steel & Spellfire gave me all the feels fierce magic, court drama, and a heroine who’s equal parts badass and vulnerable. Pandora’s got that “don’t mess with me” energy while still hiding layers you just want to peel back. Ellis Beacon? Total swoon material but also someone who actually makes you root for the slow-burn romance instead of rolling your eyes.

The world is dripping with secrets and tension, and the magic feels fresh and dangerous. I was hooked by the mystery and stayed for the vibes that mix of danger, desire, and a dash of snark kept me turning pages way past my bedtime. Sure, it slowed down here and there, but honestly, the characters were so compelling I didn’t even mind.

If you want fantasy that’s smart, sexy, and full of heart, this one’s a solid 4.5-star treat.

Soulmatch is a perfect telling of a classic love story, with many twist’s. The dystopian setting reminded me so much of the Shatter Me universe and I absolutely loved it. The tension between the characters slowly builds up, making the slow burn factor absolutely perfect.

Sivon is definitely for the girls who have to put on a brave face and show the world that they can take anything, but inside they are really full of anxiety and worries. Even though this is set in a fantasy and dystopian setting, I could really relate to the corrupted government and the complex characters.

Definitely going to make an appearance in my best reads of 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

I was pleasantly surprised by Soulmatch. When I heard that there was a debut YA dystopian being published in July, I knew I had to get my hands on it no matter what.

The author has created such a compelling moral dilemma surrounding reincarnation: What would happen if our souls were passed on to different individuals when they die?

Things I liked:

- I loved the overall concept of a soul match program and how as an institution it is regulated and corrupted. It felt very complex and I felt like it was explained thoroughly.
- The overall plot kept me so engaged, I was enthralled with the trajectory of Sivon’s story and I was kept guessing!
- I loved the found family aspect by the end!!
- I think the concept of becoming an overnight celebrity in a very political world is so true to our world and I was so intrigued by how Sivon managed that situation.
- All of the characters were compelling and felt whole, with real issues and realistic dialogue and characteristics, Donovan is definitely my favorite!


Things I wanted more of:

- I knew going into this that it was YA, but I desperately wish that we delved into some of the darker aspects of soul matching. There is a heavy theme of suicide in this story, mainly about how the new soul will have to be held accountable for a past soul’s suicide and crimes. I thought this aspect was so interesting and I wanted to really get into the dark and uncomfortable moral questions that this poses.
- Overall, I think the pacing of this book was well done, but I kind of wish this was a duology or at least a little longer! I feel like there’s more to be explored in this world. I’m glad it’s a standalone but I feel like the complex system that’s been set up deserves more exploration.

Sivon’s character frustrated me a bit at first with the typical teenage angst, but by the end I think she developed and changed from the challenges she went through. Her character is so much more than just a teenage girl and I really grew to love her by the end. I’m not sure if this is just because of the “reveal”, though.

I’m so thankful to have read this and definitely recommend it!!

soul match ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ -

ok besties, this book was wild in the best way!
i’m a huge dystopian fan, but i’d never read one with reincarnation as the main premise so i was a little nervous going in. thought it might be too out there for me. but honestly? it worked so well. it felt super fresh and different from anything i’ve read in the genre before 👀✨

set 200 years after world war III, this world runs on a soul identification system where every 18 year old learns who they were in their past lives. good souls get a future, bad souls get arrested. sivon thinks something’s off about her soul and she’s right. her results shake the entire system and throw her into a dangerous game where she has to figure out who to trust while protecting her heart and maybe the entire future

towards the end i did get a little confused with the names and past lives. there was a lot going on. but overall i still really enjoyed it. the romance felt a bit rushed in places and some moments didn’t flow quite right in my head but the concept alone makes this a dystopian worth reading

if you love stories that make you think and break the usual mold, add this one to your tbr asap

🗓️ this book drops july 29th so preorder it now
huge thanks to @simonteen and the author for the arc 💌

#dystopianbooks #bookreview #arcreads #simonteenpartner #reincarnationread #bookstagram

↠ 3.75 stars, rounded up ⭐️

I always love a good dystopian story, and Soulmatch didn’t disappoint! It had such a unique and thought-provoking premise. I appreciated its take on reincarnation and how a person's current life could be impacted by their past life—everything from their job, inheritance, or having to pay the price for their soul’s wrongdoings. It’s such an interesting look at morality and the consequences of actions. I also loved how it included the concept of soulmates—and how they might not always be romantic.

The characters were all likable (or intended to not be) and well-developed, and I think they were appropriately written for a YA novel. There were some found family vibes, which I loved. And I enjoyed the tension and romance between Sivon and her man (no spoilers here). The twins were definitely my favorite characters though!

It was fun learning about the futuristic, post-WWIII world that the author created. It was a nice touch to have each chapter start with a definition to help the reader understand the world. However, I do wish there had been a little bit more world-building or explanation of certain things, and there were some words that were used early on that weren’t defined until later chapters.

The writing flowed well and easily held my attention. There was a touch of mystery and kind of a “whodunnit” feel that I enjoyed—I was never certain who to trust, and it added to the tension of the story.

The pacing was fast and engaging throughout. However, I think the ending could have been a little less fast-paced, because there was a lot happening and the revealing of which person was actually a specific soulname got really confusing for me.

Overall, this was an original and thought-provoking YA dystopian novel, and such a good debut novel! I’m excited to see what comes next from this author.

Many thanks to Simon Teen, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such an unexpected gem! The concept instantly grabbed me — getting matched to your future based on a past life? That’s such a cool and eerie idea, and the way it plays out in this story felt fresh and gripping.

I really liked Sivon as a main character. She’s clever, a bit cynical, and definitely not here for being told what to do with her life — especially not by some mysterious process like “kirling.” Watching her push back against the system and try to hold onto her sense of self was one of the best parts.

Also, I can’t lie — I totally loved the slow-burn tension with the off-limits bodyguard. It wasn’t over the top, just enough to make me root for them while everything else was falling apart around her.

The story had a nice pace, plenty of tension, and raised some big questions about fate, identity, and freedom — all without being too heavy. I’m honestly really looking forward to seeing where this story goes next!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read — I had a great time with this one!

TW: book has mentions of suicide and murder

The premise of Soulmatch is incredibly unique and thought-provoking—set in a world where people eventually undergo their "kirling," a process that reveals who their souls used to be in past lives. I found this concept fascinating, especially as it played out for the main character, who discovers she’s a new soul. With no past lives to draw from, she’s essentially a blank slate—an anomaly in this society—and suddenly becomes the center of attention, both socially and politically.

I was really engaged through the first half, intrigued by how identity, legacy, and societal expectations were explored. But as the story progressed, things became a bit overwhelming. There were a lot of sudden twists, characters turning out to be someone else entirely, and new people appearing without enough backstory to feel grounded. The romance with two different characters at the same time added to the chaos rather than grounding the narrative, and I found myself struggling to keep track of what was going on.

Still, the originality of the world and the philosophical questions it raises about who we are without our pasts kept me intrigued. I just wish the pacing had slowed down a bit to let the plot developments breathe.

If you enjoy soul-bond stories, ethical sci-fi concepts, and don't mind a whirlwind of twists, this might be worth a read!

Thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for the early copy!

Fans of YA dystopian are going to be thrilled about this release! It drew me in with its unique synopsis, but I personally struggled to really get into it. The writing style was not holding my attention, and I decided to DNF. It's been *some* years since I was in my teens, and my distance from the target audience was the likely culprit for my struggles.

Okay this book had me. It took awhile to finish because physical copies have been hard but I really was hooked in and intrigued. It really makes you think about your own beliefs of redemption and change and everything. I’ve told so many people the premise of the story and really everyone is so intrigued by it. There were some lulls and by the last 15% I was worried it wouldn’t wrap up and would be a sequel but this seems to be a stand alone. Like they could add to it or focus on other characters but it’s nice there was resolution!
Thank you so NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for the advance e-reader copy.

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was everything I wanted it to be! I love a good dystopian sci-fi, and this book delivered on everything I could have hoped for in a novel. Any gripes I had were small and obviously weren't big enough to affect my rating.

I really enjoyed almost all of these characters. I think the only issue I had, if you could call it that, was the transparency of the "twists" and possibly the pacing of them as well. When the plot starts to reveal itself, it's like a ball of yarn tied to a bowling ball. It's all fast, all at once, and never stops. Hits you like a train. I think in a good way lol, but I'm still reeling.

I do wish we could have waded a little slower into the revelations, or spent a little more time with our FMC before moving on to the next plot point. I felt like we got to know her but not as well as we could have. What I meant by transparency was just that the plot is predictable as well. You can clearly tell who the bad ones are going to be, and spend the entire novel just waiting for that twist to finalize. Things fall into place exactly how you want them to or expect them to, and we conclude as such. Not that it is a bad thing, because obviously I liked it and it played out exactly how I wanted it to, but it does take the thrill away a little bit when you can see it coming in the first 20%.

Overall though, I absolutely loved this novel and this concept. I am really hoping it gets a sequel so we can delve back into this intricate world of souls!

Wow. Truly one of the best books I have read this year. This is a very unique dystopian book with twists and turns that you can never predict. Imagine turning 18 and leaving for a government facility where you will learn about your soulid (souls identity). You learn about all of your past lives, and either leave in handcuffs to serve time for crimes committed in your previous life or gain your inheritance. If you are one of the lucky ones, you may even find out you have a soulmate.

As one of the last of her friends to turn 18 years old. All Sivon wants is to go to her kurling, get some answers, leave with her inheritance, and possibly find her soulmate; however, her kurling does not go as expected and things get messy.

I highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a fast-paced, action-packed book. This is a YA book; however, I think adults of all ages will enjoy this read as well.

What is you knew exactly who you were on your 18th birthday? This romantic dystopian follows a wild reincarnation journey of who you’ve been and who you are going to be. Following Sivon on a journey, as she must report to be Kirled (a system that examines your soul to tell you who you have been in past lives), full of worry she’ll be the tragic soul that reincarnates only to commit suicide for their failures, or a criminal. In this world criminals must continue their former prison sentences if they didn’t complete them, even if they weren’t the ones to commit the crime. Suicide comes with a hefty penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine. But in addition to finding out your soul, you also get to receive your inheritance, and see if you have a soulmate (not always romantic). Sivon is kirled among grief that happens during her stay at the institute, only to discover she’s a new soul, with no inheritance and no soulmate. But then why does she feel like she’s having Deja vu? The circle with an x haunts her. She’s now in danger for having the first new soul in 200+ years, and she must learn to trust herself in order to stay alive. This is a highly suspenseful story, with romance where one must learn to follow their heart. There is some language for those who want to know, and the romance doesn’t really extend beyond kissing, but the very end eludes to more, but was incredibly done for those that desire closed doors romances. It’s a standalone, which is great for those who do not want to invest in a long series or wait for more to come out. I was deeply enthralled and I know others will be too.

I’m SO glad dystopian is on the rise again! SOULMATCH flipped the genre on its head in the best way possible with a unique and interesting premise. World building is one of my favorite aspects about a book, and Rebecca did such a wonderful job creating an immersive world that felt real and tangible. The romance was SO wonderfully done as well! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

My face the entire time I was reading this book looked a lot like this 😱😱😱

Thank you @rebeccadanzenbaker and @simonteen for the #gifted book for a group of us nerds to read together [Pub Day: July 29, 2025]

I was hooked reading "Soulmatch" as soon as I cracked open the book. Dystopian fiction will always have a special place in my heart because I had an addition to them growing up. Pre-teen Dani would have eaten this book up.

I loved the futuristic world that Rebecca built. It was so fun seeing how a distant future would look, and the way the author wrote this was so addictive.

Between the idea of finding out what your past souls were and learning about your destined match, I was locked in.

My favorite thing about this book has to be Carrefor and Donovan. I have some super spoiler stuff I want to word vomit here, but it will have to wait until July. (Ugh) Just know that any scene with these two in it is *chefs kiss*

This story being action-packed and addictive was just what I needed. It was an interesting world to get lost in. It was w i l d to experience Carrefors inner monolog anticipating knowing who she was to becoming something completely unexpected.

If you are like me & thrive the nostalgia of the first time reading Hunger Games, Divergent, Matched, or Delirium, you're going to want to add this to your tbr!! Addictive. Twisty. W O R T H I T!!!!!

🦋 Dystopian
🦊 College Setting
🦋 Futuristic
🦊 Enemies to Lovers
🦋 Action Packed
🦊 Puzzles
🦋 Love Triangle
🦊 Body Guard
🦋 Slow Burn
🦊 Forced Proximity

❔️#QOTD What's a book from your pre-teen/teen days you wish you could read for the first time again?

Shout out to the tagged group of bookish friends for being a part of this traveling sisterhood moment. I appreciate you all so much. Tons of virtual hugs coming your way!

Wow! This is one to read. The dystopian was out of this world, and what a world Rebecca built. I love everything about this story. I highly recommend picking this up when you see it. You will not be disappointed.