You Have a Match by Emma Lord Book Review

Title: You Have a Match
Author: Emma Lord
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: January 12, 2021
Pages: 320

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. 

Buy it on Barnes & Noble or Amazon  

My Thoughts

When Abby signs up to take a DNA test, she isn't expecting much. Little did she know that she has an older sister who is Instagram famous which turns her world around. A head full of questions, Abby decides to sign up for camp where Savvy works as a counselor.

Savvy's eyes light up with sudden mischief so familiar to me that I might as well be back home, playing referee between my brothers as they pummel one another with plastic lightsabers and Silly String.

At camp, Abby and Savvy try to put together everything they know about their past without their parents finding out. She also runs into Leo, her long-time best friend, but things have been awkward after an interesting incident between the two.  

Maybe it's why we've always kind of gravitated to each other. I pull Leo off the ledges of his thought spirals. He pulls me off literal ledges. We've got each other's backs.

As the sisters grow closer, they realize their past may not be as simple as they think. Can the two of them uncover the truth before camp is over? 

Star Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

The synopsis totally gave me The Parent Trap vibes and I love that, so I knew I had to pick this up. 

The chemistry between the two sisters was great and I loved reading about them as they uncovered their past. I had hoped for more exciting camp scenes but the sweet bonding moments between them made up for it.

Overall, You Have a Match was pretty predictable but I had so much fun reading it! Even though I had enjoyed Tweet Cute more, this book and its touching focus on family was still a good read, perfect for those who love plots around family. 

About the Author

Emma Lord is a digital media editor and writer 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.