You Have a Match - Review

You Have a Match

By: Emma Lord

Expected Publication: January 5th 2021 by Wednesday Books

320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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Goodreads description--From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord's You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…

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.

Tweet Cute was one of my favorite reads of 2019 (released early 2020). I was so engrossed in the relationship and dynamics. So I have been stalking Emma Lord on Goodreads for any information to release for any upcoming books. When You Have a Match was listed, I was on it. The premise had me on the edge of my seat. DNA companies have become really popular and the idea of finding a full-blooded sibling is so interesting. Especially considering that Abby's parents are still together.

I honestly don't know where to start in describing this book and how I felt about it. I'll start with Abby and Leo. They're 2/3 of a best friend trio. There was an almost kiss and things have been awkward between them since. Abby tries to stuff her feelings but she just can't move on. Truthfully, I find this frustrating in real life, but I expect it in fiction. Abby and Leo are expecting to spend the summer apart, but end up at camp together and are forced into contact so frequently.

Abby and Savvy. Well first I need to address Savvy. She's an Instagram star who focuses on health and fitness. She's all about her image, on the internet and in real life. She was a bit stuck up at times. And I was frustrated to see that Emma Lord chose to make the sibling gay in this novel the same as in her debut. Abby and Savvy have a complicated situation to navigate and I felt like Emma Lord did so well in writing a of the twists and turns to their relationship. I teared up a few times through their journeys.

Favorite quotes:

-I never know what the right word is when it comes to my feelings about Leo— it’s equal parts hopeful and disappointed, these mismatched moments where I’m so certain he might want me too that are punctured in an instant by the ones where I’m sure he doesn’t.

-This is the person you are to me; these are the things I feel safe to tell you because of it.

I wasn't sure what the story was going to end up being between the parents and Savvy's adoption. I do think Emma Lord worked this in a way that I was okay with. I didn't attempt to poke at the story too much. But man it also kind of broke my heart at the same time.

You Have a Match was a good follow up novel to Emma Lord's debut, Tweet Cute. I think I loved Tweet Cute more, but You Have a Match was intense at moments and my heart hurt through multiple scenes. I felt like the decision with Savvy mimicking Eric (I think that was the brother's name) was a disappointment. But ultimately, I truly enjoyed this story. You Have a Match gets 4 Stars. Have you read You Have a Match? What did you think? Let me know!