****
A REESE'S BOOK CLUB WINTER YA PICK
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.
Source: borrowed audiobook via HooplaAudio
You Have A Match is an absolute charmer. I enjoyed every moment I spent listening to it. DNA services are so popular now but it's the unintended and unexpected discoveries that result from them that have captured our attention. Our curiosity is piqued when it comes to pulling back the curtains on family secrets, unveiling the truth about legends passed down. I mean, we're all hoping to find a rich relative or a remarkable connection, right?
Abby wasn't quite expecting anything out of the ordinary when she agreed to do a DNA test along with best friend and long-standing crush, Leo. For Leo who's adopted, it's a chance to discover family and cultural connections from the Philippines. When her result comes back it shatters everything she knows about her own family. Finding out she has a 100% match with an older sister who lives in the area is one thing. Finding out Savannah aka Savvy is a pretty big deal on social media? That's just extra. Despite their physical resemblance, they're nothing alike which intimidates Abby. Savvy is put together, photogenic and outgoing whereas Abby is more sporty, all scuffed knees and very low key about her interests. Savvy suggests that Abby join her at a summer camp so they can get to know each other and get to the bottom of their parents secret. She agrees, though hesitantly, and without her parents' knowledge.
I liked that Emma Lord didn't make the getting to you aspect easy. Abby and Savvy don't get along immediately. There's so much underlying suspicion between these two opposing personalities, and maybe guilt about how they ended up where they are. There are also some ridiculous shenanigans thanks to some campers with rebellious streaks. Lord takes in to account how intense things can feel at this age. In Abby and Savvy's case, the slightest deviation from what has always been taken at face value as the truth can tilt their worlds off axis. For Abby and Leo, admitting love to their first crush can be the scariest thing. I liked the reminders that all the "firsts" can be felt so intensely. The friends and other supporting characters are also loads of fun.
All in all, listening to You Have A Match was time well spent for me. I truly enjoyed both Abby and Savvy as individuals, and also as newfound sisters getting to know themselves and each other.
~ Bel
No comments:
Post a Comment