Book Synopsis
When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.
But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.
When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.
The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.
But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones
Book Review
Charming and witty tale of a modern-day parent trap with a twist
You Have a Match was a delightful, feel-good read that was an excellent way to kick off my 2021 reading journey. It is a fresh and compelling story that outlines the rare but quite possible occurrence of actually finding matches in “ancestry” type websites.
You Have a Match, highlights the story of Abby and how one simple message changed her life and unraveled a mystery spanning decades that could very well turn her little world upside down. The revelations- the secrecy, the absolute need to understand the events from the past all culminate in a jaw-dropping discovery that will leave readers speechless.
Following along with Abby felt like holding a friend’s hand, as they embarked on a life-changing journey. Her progression throughout the novel revealed her personal growth from a shy girl with an innate need to keep her life private, to a young woman, willing to take a leap of faith and open herself up to new experiences, friendships, and the possibility of love. Her emotional journey, as she blossoms from a careless teen to a thoughtful young adult willing to unravel her layers of resistance and open herself to new memories was heartwarming.
The beauty of this story for me stems from the characters, who had me picking, then switching sides, laughing, crying, and feeling utterly helpless and heartbroken. I love how relatable the characters were and how they managed to fit together despite their differences.
Emma Lord’s writing is superb! She managed to nail the teenage angst and the struggles and misunderstandings of becoming a young adult while maintaining a level of innocence and purity that was refreshing.
You Have a Match overall was quite an interesting story that gave an insider’s look at adoption, the importance of heritage, and the burning need to belong.
Recommended for those who enjoy: Young Adult| Contemporary Romance| Feel good books
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author Emma Lord for providing me with an arc. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own
About the Author
Emma Lord is the author of TWEET CUTE and upcoming YOU HAVE A MATCH, and a digital media editor living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn’t writing either running or belting show tunes in community theater. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. She was raised on glitter, a whole lot of love, and copious amounts of grilled cheese.
Jessica Reads It 