As someone who’s never really been to summer camp, You Have a Match is especially intriguing. The concept of leaving home and making friends has always been incredibly intimidating to me! Combined with the fact that Abby takes a DNA test and finds a secret sibling? That’s always been a wonder for me as an adoptee! Keep reading this book review to find out my full thoughts!
Summary
A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she’ll never forget.
From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord’s You Have a Match, a hilarious and heartfelt novel of romance, sisterhood, and friendship…
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
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
You Have a Match is a story about friendship, family, and forgiveness. Abby’s casual narration sweeps you away with her conversational tone. You feel like Abby is speaking directly to you. And, before you know it, you’ve been swept away to a summer camp of secrets. You Have a Match had a distinct “Parent Trap” vibe that I loved throughout. If you love the ideas of camp pranks between newly found sisters, then this is for you! There’s sometimes-not-so-hilarious pranks, reckless adventures, and shocking secrets. Lord strikes a balance between action packed revelations and charismatic characters.
Eva Kaminsky, the audio book narrator, is able to convey Abby’s narration perfectly. Kaminsky relays the tension between the three of the best friends, the unspoken silences, the tension in the pauses. The narration was one of the main reasons I ended up finishing all my holiday knitting plans. I just could not stop listening and powered through like three scarves!
You Have a Match features relatable fears and the times we are lashing out but don’t know how to stop it. When it feels like we’re careening down the tracks without an emergency brake. It was one of those books which ended up reaching all the emotional high points in my heart. If you’re looking for a book about family and forgiveness – the true lengths to which only our (found) family can put us through, check You Have a Match out!
Find You Have a Match on Goodreads, Amazon, Google Play Books, Libro.fm, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.