Title: You Have a Match
Author: Emma Lord
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication date: January 5th, 2021
320 pages
4/5 stars
Goodreads 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.
Review
After reading Tweet Cute last year, I knew I needed to read You Have a Match – and it did not disappoint. Emma now has set herself up as the author to incorporate social media sites into her novels, and she does it so. well. You Have a Match uses Instagram to help tell the story of Abby and Savannah, secret sisters who find each other through a DNA app. There’s a story here, and the two try to navigate their parent’s lies while also getting to know each other. On top of that, there’s a subtle romance aspect and a summer camp plot line.
Overall, I found this story to be super cute. Each character had specific personality traits, and the secret sister storyline was VERY compelling. Since the boom of DNA testing, you’ve heard stories in the media of people finding family members they didn’t know existed and familial secrets that wouldn’t have been discovered otherwise. I enjoy that Emma Lord incorporated this story line. Instagram is used by both sisters for different purposes, but it isn’t as much of the storyline as Twitter is in Tweet Cute. Emma Lord’s writing is very good and her pacing is always on point. I never felt unfocused while reading it or that it was too long or wordy.
I didn’t prefer the romance portion as much as I wanted to. I actually wanted Abby to end up with a background character, I just felt like he was a better fit for her. But, I recognize why the romance happened the way it did, I just also wish it was resolved sooner than it was. Also, there was a character in Abby’s friend group that just didn’t have as much page time as she deserved. As a “best friend” you’d think she’d have more of story – but she seemed to only serve to move a minor plot line forward. I wanted more for Connie.
The ending was very heartwarming, and you love to see it. I do highly recommend this story, especially if you read and loved Tweet Cute like I did.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading, folks!
Baltimore Bibliophile 