Let me put one thing out there right away: This is not a romance. Even by the standards of YA (which I read a lot of), this is not a romance novel. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing, necessarily, but it is definitely much more of an adventure story than a love story. Sure, there are some love elements (I mean, we are talking about cupids and their arrows), but there is much more to the plot than just a budding taboo romance. And there is a lot of mythology in here, both Greek and Roman.

The setup of the story reminded me a lot of Twilight in the sense of “boy that has an eternal life pretends to be a high school student and woos teenage girl,” and I don’t know if it’s because I’m in my 30s now, but it was a little bit creepy to me. Not only is he so much older than her, but how does he expect this relationship to last when she ages and he doesn’t…and when she’ll eventually die. I know this is a series of books, so maybe they’ll address it in the future.

I did really like the adventure aspect of the book. It did get a little bit mythology crazy near the end, but I didn’t mind it. Because I was familiar with all the characters (or most of them), it made it easier to visualize what was happening.

All in all, it was a good read. I wish there was a bit more romance in it, and I wish the character’s name wasn’t Cupid (it just takes me out of the story), but that doesn’t mean I won’t continue the rest of the series when it becomes available.

3 STARS

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for sending this book.
When I started reading this book, I thought that this is something that would be a light read for me and will totally go with the reading slump that I was experiencing. But this proved to be much much more than that and I'm really grateful that I picked this book

So the main storyline of this book is enveloped around a matchmaking agency that matches couples romantically. This institution is headed by cupids (Cal is the head) who looks after the completion of the matches with his assistant named crystal who is also his receptionist. Now an unfortunate match takes place between Cal's brother Cupid and Lila in this story line who happen to be children of the love god Venus

The problem in this story line is created when the major contract of the institution spells out that the cupids cannot be matched and if they are then various consequences would befall and the original God would return and the world would end so now they all try to protect Lila from making the match

The pro of the story is that it is not only a chick flick or a romantic story but it has a lot of elements like friendship, hate, love triangles, brtrayals and the details about the Greek mythology which symbolises the magical realism element in the story

The con of the book would be that a lot more emphasis could have been paid on the mythology aspect just so as to elaborate the main mission the lead characters. I personally felt that the romantic relation between the cupid and Lila could have been built much better than a casual kind of fling which was given in the story

On the whole I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading an adventurous, mythical, romantic at the same time book to read. I found this book really interesting and unique

Rating-3.5 stars

“He’s mythologically hot, a little bit wicked, and almost 100% immortal. And he’ll hit you right in the heart…”

Lila Black doesn’t believe in matchmaking, especially not Cupids’s Matchmaking service, whom she keeps getting letters from. Deciding to go confront them, she finds that the agency is not what they seem..

It turns out the matchmaking service is the real deal. As in, actually run by real cupids who don’t look anything like the popular myths portray them as.

But they have a problem with Lila’s match.. He is the original cupid himself. And Cupids CANNOT be matched. Lila is told that she is in grave danger and Cupid, who has gone awol centuries before, will stop at nothing to find her.

Now Lila’s normal teenage world is turned upside down and has exploded into a mythological nightmare overrun by crime-lord sirens, wrathful cupid hit men, magic arrows, and of course the mischievous love god she can’t seem to not fall for…

This book was actually really surprising! I read an excerpt for this on Bookish First and was instantly sucked in from the first chapter. This is the perfect October read because it has that darkness I always crave around this time of year. Cupid is portrayed as a teenage bad boy who doesn’t believe in “Matches”, despite him actually being Cupid.. Which I thought added a fun twist to the classic myth. He knows what danger would come if he were to complete his Match with Lila, yet he seeks her out anyways to see if it is true. Cupid has been lonely for centuries and you get a glimpse of his more human side while getting to know Lila. Lot’s of stolen glances and lingering looks between the two of them.. Until all hell breaks loose! I loved the darker themes besides just romance! If you are a YA lover and like Fantasy you will love this!

Thank you to @wattpadbooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Available October 1st!

From the synopsis, I was excited to read something Cupid related, including if it was a hot, and supposedly wicked one. I was actually really into the concept and how Lila Black, our protagonist, was supposed to be Cupid’s match, but she wasn’t interested until their paths actually crossed. Her adventure started when Lila was being pestered to meet up with Cupid’s Matchmaking Agency. When she does end up meeting one of the workers of the agency, Cal, he informed her that her match with the actual Cupid can not happen, so there began her ride of the supernatural.

I was very much on board with the book initially as it definitely seemed more than what the summary led on. Soooo I was quite surprised when there is essentially a love triangle. I was most certainly rooting for a certain someone, but while the main plot centered on Cupid and Lila not being matched, it also centered on their feelings and exactly what they were going to do with them. It was very much an entertaining and fast-paced book as our characters are always being led to one place or another. It sets up for a much bigger world than just Cupids, and I enjoyed Lila’s adventures as she meets different creatures. I really like that there isn't just one type of arrow being used, but three, with different abilities. It expands the story than just a simple one shoot matchmaking, and while I was disappointed with some of the romance, I still enjoyed those other aspects that kept me reading.

I do have to complain that I felt there were alot of characters and sometimes it was hard to keep track, and that some weren’t really necessary, like Lila’s boyfriend. It felt like, to me that he wasn’t that big of a part of the story. It could’ve been a bit more condensed since I think the author was trying to impact too much at one time. Can’t say I was too fond of the romance either since it is a love triangle and while I think I know which direction its leading, there were just too many open ended decisions I wanted to know more about.

This isn’t a bad book by certain means, the adventures and encounters with other creatures were exciting, and while the romance wasn’t going anywhere, I still like Lila as a character, and her trying to give some common sense to the happenings around her.

Entertaining blend of Greek mythology with Young Adult Paranormal tropes. Highly recommended for fans of 'The Vampire Diaries', and Addison Moore's 'Celestra' series.

A centuries-old, supernatural dating service run by incredibly high-tech cupids race to stop the original Cupid from charming and enchanting his match at a middle-of-nowhere, California high school. What happens when the master of love arrows has the chance to fall in love for himself?

Seventeen year old Lila Black keeps receiving notifications from Cupid's Matchmaking Service and she finally has had enough and goes to the office to ask them to stop bothering her. Yet, when she tells the receptionist who she is, the woman looks almost scared of her and Lila finds out she has been matched with Cupid himself, which is forbidden. Though she is determined to avoid Cupid, he is determined to find his mysterious match which causes Lila and everyone she knows to be put into danger.

I loved how mythology was included in the plot. It was interesting to read about each myth and how they were incorporated into the story. However, the story of Lila and Cupid fell flat for me. I thought that Cupid's brother, Cal had more chemistry with Lila. He was just a better written character overall. I actually had a hard time caring for any of the other characters because they seemed to lack personalities and fit into cliche roles in a very cliche story line. It was too predictable. Had the rest of the characters been as well developed, it would have helped the book immensely.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Right from the start, we get thrown into the story, and I highly appreciate that. I wasn't bored once reading Cupid's Match and it's one of those titles that can easily be read in one sitting if that's your thing.
The writing flows nicely, something's always happening and you just don't have time to get bored with it.

However, especially as we near the ending, I felt like things switched from fast-paced to rushed. Everything falls into place a little too easily, an important character (or at least what should have been one) dies off screen and suddenly it's all over.
The story as a whole, even though I enjoyed it, was also just very predictable. Which saddens me, because the premise is interesting. I believe with some editing, more elaborate world building and incorporation of all the mythology that's really only brushed over as it stands, and some more character development for the side cast especially, this could be a favorite of mine. As it stands though, it's more so the concept of it that is.

If there is gonna be a follow up novel, I am definitely interested in picking it up though, in hopes that it'll fill in some gaps and simply allow itself some more time to develop everything. I instantly liked and sympathized with Lila and would like to see more of her and Cupid and especially Cal.

What happens when you are a love match for cupid himself?
So this is a YA romance with a bit of fantasy/mythology, light fun and a good fast summer read.
I say this all the time but I adore any kind of mythology and this was a fun twist on the greek God cupid.

I received a free arc copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, my opinions are my own.

When Lila won’t stop being pestered by Cupid’s Matchmaking Service she decides to take it upon herself to go directly to their office and let them know she does not want to receive emails and letters from them anymore. But when the receptionist takes a look at one of the letters she was sent, Lila finds herself being called down into one of the many offices to talk with someone higher up. Someone who is claiming to be a cupid and that Lila has been matched with the original, Cupid himself. Lila learns that a cupid is not allowed to be matched and her being the match for Cupid is very dangerous.

Warned to stay away from Cupid, Lila is sure that it will be no problem. But the next day at school, there’s a new guy. And his name is Cupid. And Lila realizes that avoiding her match might be easier said than done.

“Cupids cannot be matched. And we can’t watch over you forever.”

Cupids Match was a pretty easy read for me. It was full of lots of Greek Mythology references which was entertaining to read. However, I did have some problems with it. All the relationships seemed a bit forced (ahem, whats up with the whole Cal thing??) and I found it hard to connect to some of the characters. I also wish that Cupid and Lila’s whole relationship hadn’t been dragged out for so long. This was a very fun, unique take on the myth of Cupid I just wish that some tediously dragged out scenes were cut a bit shorter. I enjoyed the humorous narration of this and even laughed out loud a few times. Hopefully book two answers the questions that book one left me with. I am giving this 3 out of 5 stars.

Lila Black is getting spammed by a matchmaking agency and she wants them to leave her alone. So, on summer break, right before school starts, she heads to LA to to the Cupid's Matchmaking Services and is immediately told 'we're not taking customers at this time." She shares the multiple letters she has received and is suddenly face to face with one of the people (er, cupids) who is a matchmaker. It turns out she has been matched with Cupid himself (the original) and there's a rule that cupids are not allowed to match or something horrible will happen. Plus, Lila already has a boyfriend and does not want to be matched.

There is a lot of action in tis book- it doesn't surprise me that it's getting turned into a CW show. At one point I thought that it actually read like a screenplay (not that I have read any screenplays, but there is a lot of dialogue and action, and I felt like I Was watching what was going on versus being drawn into it). It's also firmly in the YA genre. I am not a YA, but typically enjoy the genre; this one wasn't for me. I found the writing to be a choppy and it was hard for me to relate to any of the characters. I wish they had been more fleshed out. It was also a very abrupt ending. I should also note there's a lot of references to mythology, but little alignment with actual myths. This might be an issue for some readers. I think it's going to be a series, but I would have like a little more wrap up before ending. I think this has and will find an audience, maybe even among the young writer population.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books in exchange for an honest review.

I was going into "Cupid's Match" thinking that it's a romance novel with some mythological aspects (cupids). Yet it turned out to be more of an action and adventure story, which was a pleasant surprise.

The mood was quite light in the beginning and everything seemed clear-cut. Lila is matched with Cupid - the first and most powerful of them all - but she already has a boyfriend and is definitely not interested. Which is good, because if Cupid and Lila were to get together, there would be some mysterious consequences that would ruin the world as we know it. Cupid is dangerous too, and he is searching for his match, so Lila has to be protected and hidden from him. Things escalate with Cupids appearance in Lila's hometown, but here the novel takes a turn. Everything is not as simple as it seems, and could it be possible that there are other forces at work?

I liked these twists and suspense, they made "Cupid's Match" entertaining and easy to read. There were a few reveals that seemed quite obvious and didn't hit the mark for me, but it did not ruin the overall experience. I will be on the lookout for the sequels.

3.5 Stars rounded to 4.

Cupid’s Match by Lauren Palphreyman is a charming, humorous, and entertaining romance fantasy with a fun mythological twist. I found myself laughing a few times, swooning a bit here and there, and just having a really good time. Definitely a quick and amusing tale that enamored me until the end.

The idea of actual cupids running a Matchmaking service hidden in the real world is really intriguing. I knew there’ll be plenty of silliness and humor in the story and I couldn’t wait. While I didn’t completely love this book, I do have to admit… it’s absolutely a unique, quirky and fun read. The pacing is fast and feels rushed from time to time, but it wasn’t bothersome. I thought the writing is easy to follow and engaging. The plot is a bit outrageous and a little predictable, but there’s a few surprises that made the story really enjoyable. I don’t fully understand how the magical system really works, but the world-building is quite fascinating and the mythology aspect is creative and interesting enough. The narrative does get a bit absurd once in a while, the dialogue is sometimes chessy and awkward, the characters are kind of a mess, and the ending seems too convenient. So yes, the execution isn’t always perfect and there are some parts of the storyline that are confusing, but if you allow yourself to just relax, not overanalyze everything, and really enjoy the story for what it is, then you’ll have an awesome time just like I did.

I didn’t feel a deep connection with any of the characters, but I thought they’re all quite adorable and such a fun group. Lila is not always likeable, but she’s interesting and I enjoyed her personality. Cupid is the typical “bad boy” love interest and he definitely charmed me. I don’t think I’m head over heels in love with him, but he’s funny, magnetic, and swoony. Cal is serious, strict, and stony for the most part, but there’s something alluring about him. I was actually more drawn to him than Cupid and I wanted to knock down his walls in order to get to know the real Cal who I think is really sweet, caring, and fun. I like the secondary characters and I thought it was cool how all the cupids have names that begins with the letter “C.” The other mythological creatures are nicely introduced and I’m excited to learn more about them in the other books.

I do like the romance. It is a bit cringy at times and there’s definitely an insta-love/soulmate thing going on between Lila and Cupid, but I enjoyed their chemistry. They made me swoon here and there and I do think they’re cute together. I’m not so sure about the love triangle though and I’m kind of confused as to why it’s even there. I just don’t really like love triangles cause I have to choose one love interest to root for and sometimes, I really do like both while other times I’m in love with the one that doesn’t get the girl/boy.

Hilarious, charming, and surprisingly delightful, Cupid’s Match by Lauren Palphreyman is a wonderfully fun fantasy romance that I'm sure will keep readers amused. While this didn't hit me in the heart with all the feels, I definitely enjoyed the action, the drama, the bantering, the mystery, the intriguing characters, and the over-the-top, but sweet romance. Overall, this is a satisfyingly entertaining book that left me smiling in the end.

If you're looking for some silly fun, a few good laughs, and a story that will lighten your mood, then this book might just be for you.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lila Black goes to the Cupids Matchmaking Service in order to get them to stop contacting her, after all she never signed up for a dating service and she is currently in a relationship. She never expected to discover that the agency is run by actual cupids and that she has been potentially matched to Cupid, the God of Love. Lila is informed the match must never happen or else the consequences would be...well horrific. Lila finds herself thrown into a conflict between old and new as Cupid will stop at nothing to meet his "match"...and to complicate matters even more he starts at her high school on Monday.

Cupids Match is a cute YA paranormal romance series that offers readers more than just romance. This novel includes several other mythical creatures that get tangled up in Lila and Cupids predicament along the way. There are also cupid assassins, known as the Arrows, who will stop at nothing to keep the match from happening including murder. This novel offers a lot of potential as the series continues. Although I liked the plot and the characters; one of main issues I had was pacing. The first 80% of the book kind of stagnated on why the match couldn't happen...a secret they try to keep from Lila until near the end of the novel. At the last 20% of the book we discover the big secret, end that ARC, start a whole new ARC including more characters, and end on a to be continued... The novel ends with a promise of more romantic troubles. I realize it was trying to set up the next book in the series however, it felt really rushed. The romance is kept very PG but there was a darker element (attempted murder/death, implied stalking, attempted suicide) which may not appeal to all readers. Overall this is a fun new series to check out if you like a little action with your romance.

"What is a fairy tale without a monster to defeat?"

This was definitely a quick guilty pleasure read for me! From the very beginning, the story got me hooked and intrigued. There were moments in the story that made me laugh out loud. However, it certainly needs some more editing and what’s up with Cupid “grinning” every single sentence…? At one point I was just rolling my eyes when I read the word “grin” for him, like does the boy have other expressions than grinning? Also, I appreciate the slow burn at the beginning of the relationship which added some elements of angst but then, I felt the relationship developed so suddenly as well. The length of the story could have been a bit shorter because near the end, it was just dragging and got a bit boring.

In overall, if you’re looking for a quick fun read, I definitely recommend you picking Cupid’s Match up!

I received an eARC copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This has no impact on my review/thoughts.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
As a YA fantasy, it is everything it claims to be. It's full of action, mystery and mythological concepts. Drama concerning friendships and relationships also come into play, but luckily aren't at the forefront of the story. I can see why it had a large following online, and how the author can turn this into a series using the other characters that were introduced at the end.
A lot of fun, and easy to read.

Thank you for the ARC.

Unfortunately I never really connected to the main character (probably because there was so little description of her, especially in the last 2/3rds of the book... I don’t know if the author still has time to add some descriptions but it would really flesh out Lila).

Also, I never really believed in the love story between her and Cupid (too insta and yes I know he was her match, but even when they fell in Love it felt forced and not natural). This is a personal opinion though. I’m certain many readers will ship them together.

What made my rating gain a star was the ending, which was REALLY good! The pacing was great and the action fantastic.

This was a bit too cliched for me. I was expecting a little more originality.
But, if you want a fluffy book that will take your mind off things, and if you like teen dramas, it's an option.

Thanks a lot to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Received this book from netgalley, it was an okay read. Some typos, some switching of tense and all in all was a bit meh. I wanted to love this but I just didn’t. I feel like I want to give this premise to Jennifer L Armentrout or Michelle Rowen and then read it. Not bad but not brilliant.

What a fun, quick read for a day when you need a laugh! I stumbled across this book on NetGalley and instantly knew this was one I had to add to my shelf. Cupid in modern day, finding his match in a teenager with zero interest in dating him? Sign me up! Being in my late 20s, I still read YA but tend towards adult romance these days. However, I didn't feel like this book had the typical angsty YA feel. Sure, there were moments where the character's hormones clearly were at play, but I also felt like there was a lot of growing up that happened in the story which we can all relate to.

The last thing Lila Black wanted to do on the last day of her summer vacation was take a bus into LA to tell a matchmaking company to stop calling her. But there she was, in front of the Cupids Matchmaking Service, doing just that. Only she gets much more than she expected - not only will they stop calling her, they will ensure she is safe from being matched at all. Because her match is with the #1 Undesirable person in their system - Cupid. Banished long ago for having "extreme" views on affairs with humans, he is not to be matched with anyone, ever, and certainly not Lila. So now Lila is in high school, chaperoned by a cupid of her very own to keep her safe. But what if she doesn't want to be safe from Cupid at all?

I enjoyed this storyline so much! It was unique, had lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and the characters were all individuals that added their own complexity to the story. Although I was thrown for a loop when I expected Lila to lose her heart in one direction and instead lost it in another. It was all very surprising and sucked me in even more. Cupid was very immature, and I was not all that enamored with him. Instead, I would have personally been interested in Cal and his ever-present moodiness. I like challenges, clearly. Cupid was easy to figure out - he was your stereotypical guy, interested in one thing. Lila knew that, but as they were soulmates, it was hard to break away from such a magnetic attraction.

This book is a few years old, so there have been books since. I am eager to see what direction they go in, as this is definitely a world that could be developed into many more books and spin-offs.

I don’t expect much from Wattpad books. This one surprised me. I can imagine that many people would look at it and talk about how it bastardizes the original mythology of the characters, but I also know that this book would be exactly what some of my teens are looking for. They want a lot of romance and some action without having to read the next big dystopian book to hit bookshelves across the nation.
I felt like there wasn't a lot of definition to the main character. If all you're looking for is a fun story without complex characters than this is totally the read for you, but if you want something that's a bit more character driven, then I would suggest something else.
Overall, it's a good read, but it's a few steps down from being great.
Thanks NetGalley and Wattpad Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.