This dystopian, post apocalyptic YA novel is based on a unique and interesting premise. Zero, a dangerous virus, decimates the world and a person's rank in society is determined by the amount of immunity and vaccinations they have. Because of the virus, people are unable to reproduce naturally so when they turn eighteen, they are paired with a person they are most likely to be able to produce test-tube children with. The pairings are decided by VaxWell, a vaccine company, and are based on a person’s individual score which is determined by immunity and the number of vaccines and body mods a person has taken. Lora Flannigan signs up for a pairing because she thinks her father wants her to. She is paired with Jarid and is shocked to move to an upper level of society. All is not well in Jarid’s family though and he suffers from terrible headaches. Lora finds out from Syeth, Jarid’s twin brother that her potential mother-in-law, the CEO of VaxWell, may be the cause. She, Syeth and other rebels work together to find proof of what his mother has done, to find a cure for Jarid and to stop VaxWell from controlling and manipulating people. While investigating VaxWell, Lora finds out some secrets about her own family along the way. I liked the premise of this story but the characters were a little shallow and were not well fleshed out. With a little tweaking in characters development, this could be a better book. I know this is YA but the romance was simple and not very believable. I think this is a good book for tweens but beyond that, the writing style is a bit simplistic. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE PAIRINGS depicts a carefully constructed dystopian world in which a devastating viral plague has left humanity classified based on health and viability, and the best resources are reserved for those deemed most likely to survive. When they reach maturity, teens are matched with a partner deemed appropriate based on their health, intelligence, and skills. Lora Flannigan has worked hard to excel, and her reward is a pairing with the son of the CEO of VaxWell, the successful company charged with creating immunity boosters. But Lara is more strongly attracted to her pairing's twin brother, and when she discovers the secrets behind VaxWell's success, she must risk everything to uncover a dangerous plot and discover the truth behind her mother's death.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3053814649?book_show_action=false

I received a free ecopy of this book for an honest review through Net galley. I thought this was a very well done book and an excellent read. I was a little worried about whether or not I would be able to keep my focus on the book and understand it since the blurb made it sound as if some aspects would be overly technical. I didn't have this issue though. I never felt there was an overwhelming info dump or even got slightly confused. It was a great paced read too without losing vision. It was easy to lose myself into this world and I could see it so easily. Very impressed. I am looking forward to the next in the series and have already marked it on my calendar.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

The Pairings was a pretty book, with enough uniqueness to set it apart from other dystopian novels. The main Character, Lora, is written out well and is a likeable heroine. In this world, you are paired with who is deemed your best match, but sometimes, in Lora's case, you are fated for a different future.
This book was good, and it does set up nicely for book 2 without you hanging.

I’ve been a huge fan of Ramona Finn’s for awhile now, so when I found this book I decided I needed to give it a shot! It wasn’t bad, it had a good enough premise (albeit slightly predictable) and characters that drew you in. There were a few confusing moments that made me go ‘huh?’ And wonder if I had missed something or accidentally skipped over a page lol overall I think a little bit more work could’ve gone into tying up the ends, but it was an interesting read.

A wonderful YA book with great characters and an engaging story!
Although real life was hard the last couple of days, I always reached for this eARC as soon as I finished work.
The story is full of thrilling situations, lovely moments and secrets. I loved the interaction between the main characters and this fictional glimpse into the future seemed very possible...
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this great eARC!

Though I have a lot of books by author Ramona Finn, I've never actually followed through with reading any of them, until this one. Coming into the author's work with a completely fresh mind, having just finished a comic book and before that, a non fiction cookbook, I was excited to get back into a topic that I just love, which is a good dystopia.

This one, however, is a little different than the other's that I've read about. Not as completely technology driven, this world is one where you trust the government because you have to. They are, after all, saving you from virus zero with many, and trust me when I say many, vaccinations. I'm talking daily injections.

The story is following a girl named Lora in first person, a high school girl who lives with her single dad. Not always easy, but what she has to do. All her life they've been working towards her pairing, an event that every 18 year old goes through where they're basically graded for their immune system, and shoved into an arranged marriage. That is, until she actually is paired off. Suddenly, her father has a change of heart, and Lora thinks that's unfair. Because she's going to be successful in her level one pairing, now her dad wants her to reject it and stay home with him? She's not going to have any of that.

So she continues on with her pairing, and her new life as a level one. Fancy dinners, nice clothes, the works. That is, until she realizes that something's up. Her paired partner has crippling headaches, and his mother is an absolute nightmare when it comes to his twin brother. Turns out, one of the twins has been subject to mind control through purposeful memory loss, and the other is a rebel. And I'm not talking a teenage rebel, though he is a teen. I'm talking full out plots against the overbearing government kind of rebel.

Lora's faced with a decision. Melt into her new life, or rebel with the other twin, and find out what really happened to her mother. Not that she's able to really choose between those, this book was an exciting adventure and one I look forward to reading more about. Though the whole New California thing reminded me of Fallout New Vegas more than anything, I was able to move past that and really enjoy reading this book. Lora is a strong female lead, and the world she lives in, although in the future, isn't really that hard to imagine, and isn't really that different from our own world, aside from the security and memory loss technology. I'd say definitely check this book out if you're looking for an action packed story, and a new author to read!

Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)

The Pairings is a story about hope of a better future, romance, technology and the fight for independence. In a future were you get paired with your best match, but only if your scoring is high enough, Lore gets matched with Jarid. A Level 1 boy, a dream come true for a Level 3 girl like Lora. What she doesn’t know is that not everything is as it seems in the Rothkind family and that Jarid’s twin brother Syeth might change her look on life. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next. There is bound to be a lot of fighting in New California and more secrets to discover.

I loved this book! I feel like even though there are a lot of post apocalyptic books out there, this one was very unique compared to the rest.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was an enjoyable read in a post apocalyptic world, where humanity now relies on pairing, which are based off one's immunity and use of biomods to enhance themselves. Lora Flannigan wants to do what she believes she father has always wanted her to do: find a pairing. When she gets paired with high caste Jarid, she thinks everything is looking up. However, there is so much she does not know, and it begins with her being enlightened by Jarid's dark, brooding twin brother, Syeth. They have an instant connection and attraction, and Syeth knows there are secrets and truths he must uncover. As the black sheep of his family, he does what he wants, hiding his talents, looking for evidence to prove his theories. Syeth convinces Lora to see to the truth behind the facade that the world sees, and they begin to work together. Lora gets deeper in with the rebels, wanting to help Jarid and looking for clues about her dead mother, for it seems things have been hidden from her as well. Lora also has an ability, one that VaxWell wants to exploit and use to control others. A great read and looking forward to the next novel!