The Parent Trap meets Switched at Birth... kind of. Featuring Summer Camp (the drama!) and a Summer Romance, I can see how Emma Lord has claimed a top spot in Contemporary YA. (I haven't read Tweet Cute yet. 🙈) I will definitely be rereading You Have a Match on audiobook for my Summer tbr.

I loved Tweet Cute, so I was so excited to get my hands on an early copy of You Have a Match by Emma Lord.

This book is a clever take on the Parent Trap theme mixed with a contemporary dash of 23andMe. There's young love, and it takes place mostly at summer camp, which was a nice distraction from our chilly winter days.

Plus, there are totally fun moments about that IG life.

People are going to love this one. I know it.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Emma Lord has written a great story about growing up and not being afraid to face new things and hidden it inside a plot that sounds straight out of a Jerry Springer/'90s Disney movie mashup.
It's mostly fun and innocent, full of the anxieties and worries typical of adolescence, while also taking the fact that all those feelings are valid and complex into account in creating a story that breathes life into even the side characters.
Abby is immensely relatable and Savannah is a great counterpoint to her. They each have their own worries before being hit with the big reveal but they're both handling it differently. It doesn't help that they both also feel like they're the only ones facing adversity and that they have to handle it alone. Just their interactions and that of their parents are enough to make this a worthwhile book, but add in a crossed-wires romance, finding a path to the future, and a super strict summer camp, and you've got the makings of a great story.

Manny happy thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the early read.

Books about camp make me so happy and this one was like reading a childhood favorite When Abby signs up for a DNA service she finds out she has an older sister so what do they do The 2 sisters meet and decide to meet up at summer camp to try and figure out what all happened and along the way the girls discover themselves, find love, and a whole lot more this was just so campy!! Loved it!

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Welp. Emma Lord has done it again. She has delivered the most precious cast of characters for a second time. I didn’t think I could love anybody like I loved (and still love) Pepper Jack, but to be honest, I adored Abby wholly and completely. I loved all of them, if we’re being honest (‘sup Finn?) and they were just so good and wonderful and pure fun.

One of the things I love most about Lord’s writing is her ability to transport us back to when we were teenagers. She has this way of writing characters that you want to throttle, but also completely understand because you were those characters. You were insecure, and selfish, and learning, and trying to hold on to the things in your life that were sturdy, while still being scared of change and losing people. You were Abby, worried about everything slipping out of your grasp while trying to stay afloat. You were Finn, just wondering why your friends all seem to be moving on without you and you seem to be stuck in the same place. You were Connie, overworking yourself with activities and schoolwork just to feel accomplished and in control of your future. You were Savannah, trying to grasp some sort of control in a life that was chosen and laid out for you.

You were all of these characters and it makes them that much more relatable and that much more endearing.

Look, Abby was a mess. I’m not going to sugarcoat it and honestly, neither would she. She was a mess. She was basically just floating through life, unsure of what she really wanted, overscheduled and over-committed (courtesy of her parents) and she just wanted to breathe. I think we can all relate to that feeling, right? Regardless, the results of her DNA test send her into a tailspin because she finds out that, for her entire life, her parents have been keeping a major secret from her. So for once in her life, Abby takes the reins and does something about it. She takes control of the situation and goes after what she wants, and from there we get this beautiful journey of self-discovery, friendship, and growth. The Abby we start the book with is not the same Abby that the book ends with, and getting to that point is just such a fun ride. You meet such a fun crew of characters that you’ll have a hard time not inhaling this book up. You’ll laugh, you’ll squeal, you’ll cry, you’ll scream at Abby, but all the while, you never stop rooting for her.

It was delightful and I had such a good time. And I am anxiously awaiting what Emma Lord delivers next because if she keeps writing books like this, I’m never going to want her to stop.



**Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the review copy**

DNA services, such as Ancestry or 23andMe, have become almost commonplace for most people as many are anxious to find out more about where they came from and to see how they connect to various distant relations, either known or unknown. I’ve done one myself and it’s nice to see which countries/areas all my ancestors came from with a few surprise ones thrown in. This book sets out to see what happens after the main character and her friends take their own tests. This is actually my first book by this author as I never got around to reading her other novel, Tweet Cute, yet.

Our main character Abby Day takes a DNA test as her best friend, Leo, who is also her long-time crush, wants to take one to find out where he came from. There is a discount if you buy multiple tests so Leo also asked Connie, the third member of their best friend group. Abby is fully motivated to take the test as it is Leo who asked her, which fits a more stereotypical need of a younger teenager who wants to do something to please their crush. Leo’s reasoning for doing the test is more personal as he and his full-sister, Carla, were adopted by white parents and they are from the Philippines. Connie agrees to take the test as she forms a bet with Abby about who has a higher percentage of Irish heritage found.

Sure enough, Abby finds that her percentage is higher than Connie’s, but she wasn’t expecting a certain surprise. It turns out that Abby has a full-blood sister named Savannah Tully. Unfortunately, Leo does not find a match for his search for his family. Although Abby feels bad for him, she becomes wrapped up in the idea that she has a surprise sibling that is only a little over a year older than her 16-year-old self. Although it’s expected that the reader’s focus is pulled to Abby’s situation (the story is written from her point of view), it seems to gloss over Leo’s situation a lot. There’s no mention that maybe his ancestors didn’t take this test, have access to this test, or maybe something in the algorithm didn’t match them together. Abby acknowledges Leo’s sadness over the results, but she’s very selfish in this situation considering her massive crush on him. Of course, the news of a surprise sibling is overwhelming, but you’d think that she would also be more aware of what’s going on with one of her best friends and take a minute to solely focus on his needs before returning to dealing with her own situation.

We continue to the main part of the story as Abby receives a message from Savannah (“Savvy”) who wants to the meet-up. This kicks off the adventure of the two of them getting together to know only get to know the other, but also to figure out the mystery of why they were separated and never knew about the other. Savvy invites Abby to the summer camp where she will work over the summer. As it turns out, Leo also works at the camp and has been friends with Savvy for a long time. This plot point weaves together Abby’s two stories where she not only has to balance her feelings for Leo while also being with Savvy. Abby’s character as she does everything well, but has extremely low confidence in her. She’s an avid photographer that is fearful her work isn’t good enough, yet every single person who comes across it tells her that it’s good enough to sell or be museum-quality work. Although natural talent exists, it just seemed way too ideal that Abby is a perfect photographer without any training to hone her skills. Also, I need to buy a camera like Abby’s ASAP as the equipment is hit against objects, falls to the ground, among other incidents, and comes away unscathed.

Not only does Abby get to spend some time with Leo and Savvy during her time at camp, but she also makes new friends, including those she shares a cabin with. As this camp is a mix of academic (SAT prep) and fun, Abby is slightly frustrated by the situation as she’s exhausted from her parents’ expectations. Again, Abby is a very smart person, but her lower confidence affects her ability to express herself to her parents to let them know that all this extra academic work is not for her. Essentially, this adds a third story to our novel. Our first is the main focus for Abby’s discovery of her secret sister. The second is her dealing with her feelings for Leo and the confusion if they are meant to be just friends or if there’s the possibility of more. Our third is Abby’s confidence itself, whether it’s her photography or her ability to express herself to her parents. The three stories become muddled at times as the focus continues to shift between the three pieces so the details can get lost. There was a lot of potential in this novel, but it doesn’t quite make the mark with me.

Overall, I’ve read many YA books with teenage characters and they can be both mature and immature as you would expect of this age group. Abby, to me, just felt immature, yet those around her were more mature. However, both Savvy and Abby’s parents were all beyond immature and I have no idea how they got by when they lacked a lot of common sense at times. I didn’t agree with their backstory so it soured what was turning out to be a decent tale. I think if I were a teenager reading this story, I would’ve breezed past any negatives as the concept is fantastic. However, as an adult who enjoys reading some YA, it just doesn’t quite meet my expectations. The writing is still very humorous and it flows, albite a little fast at times, but it was a very enjoyable read that is light-hearted with some great heart behind it. Even though I’ve expressed critiques, I’m still thrilled that I read this story and I’m very curious to read more work by this author!

**I give a special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for the ARC to read and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.**

This was a sweet book. Abby, the teenage narrator, takes a DNA test and finds out she has a sister, surprise! Of course, this raises difficult questions about adoption and family. Her sister is internet famous and wealthy and Abby is not sure how to deal with everything happening to her. It’s a quick read, 3.5 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this YA read that’s a modern-day take on The Parent Trap with added layers of changing and evolving friendships, teenage love interests and even social media influencers. The beginning read a little surface level, but as soon as the girls got to camp it picked up and turned into a YA book that has depth and was fun, fast and interesting to read. Also brought up some interesting conversation starters that would be great for a book club. It was a fun escape and if you love a good YA, I would recommend!

This is definitely a cute coming of age story about Abby who, after taking a DNA test finds out she has a full blood sister she never knew about. There was a fair amount happening: family - new and old, friendships - new and old and teen love. I enjoyed Abby's story and seeing her grow up, I enjoyed Savvy letting her hair down and how they got to know and respect each other. The rest of the characters were written well too - and my heart warmed at all the friends Abby made during her time at the camp. The story was fairly predictable but it was a nice easy read.

This is a wonderful YA about love, family, loyalty and allll of the teenage feelings. It's especially timely with the DNA testing theme, and explores the issues related to that very nicely. I think the author did a great job in writing these characters, and wove the parents in seamlessly. I thought it was a bit long in some places, but overall I highly recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy!

When Abby signs up for those of those DNA kits, it’s only in support of her friend Leo. The last thing she expects is to find out she has an older sister. Savannah is an instagram influencer whose super into being healthy and gaining followers. And she’s Abby’s sister? Instead of confronting their parents, they decide to figure it out at summer camp.

Do you ever read a book and find yourself crying through the entire epilogue because you’re just so happy for the characters? Yep, that was me. It’s hard to even explain why other than the fact that I felt so connected to these characters and fell completely in love with them.

Emma Lord’s writing style is exactly what I’ve always wanted from YA. The quirky characters, the cheesy jokes, the emphasis on food and cooking, the relationships between characters. She also loves to pay homage to old movies. This time it’s the Parent Trap. The nostalgic feeling I get from this book can’t be beaten.

Although there is a small bit of romance involved, I wouldn’t consider this book a romance. It’s more about growing a sisterly bond, uncovering secrets from the past, and healing what’s been broken. I loved the backstory of the parents just as much as the moments among the teens.

If you like the summer camp setting, you’re in for a treat in that aspect as well. There are plenty of fun campers and adults as well as camp activities and pranks.

So if you’re looking for a sweet YA book filled with family drama, sisterly bonds, and summer camp fun, look no further!

I haven't read a YA book in what seems like forever and this book just made me question why I'm not reading them more.

Abby decides to do a DNA test, but what she's not expecting is to find out that she had a sister. She decides to go to the summer camp to meet her sister Savvy.

I enjoyed this book. It was different because it explored so many topics that is relevant to today's world. I loved the summer camp setting and the fact that it reminded of The Parent Trap which is one of my favorite movie.

If you haven't read a YA book in a long time or this is your first book, read this because it's great.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book dragged a little in the middle and got a little chaotic but everything was settled nicely in the end.

Overall it was a cute story and I loved the camp setting! Would recommend for fans of The Parent Trap!

I received an arc of this book for review from NetGalley!

✨ The Title/Cover Draw:
I adored Tweet Cute so when the opportunity came to read this one, I was very excited. Thank you to @netgalley and #wednesdaybooks for the opportunity to experience this book.
💜 What I liked:
The location was wonderful. Seattle and a camp 2 things I just love. The characters are amazing also and I felt like I got to know them so deeply, sympathizing with them. It is an easy read and full of teen drama so if you like that kind of thing, look no further.
What I didn’t like:
It was slow to build and frantic in the end trying to tie everything up. The pacing lagged a bit in the middle, where the characters thoughts and scene descriptions were thorough and almost repetitive. This did not ruin my enjoyment of the book, however, just something to keep in mind.
The Characters:
Abby and her best friends Connie and Leo take DNA tests and Abby finds she has a FULL sister she didn’t know about named Savvy. Savvy, her friends Mickey and Finn, as well as Abby and Leo all join up at camp (for various reasons) and start to discover why the sisters were a secret.
The Ending:
It was cute and ended very well. All loose ends were tied up nicely and satisfyingly. I really do love Emma Lord’s writing style and will read anything of hers in the future.
Consider if you like:
If you read Tweet Cute and loved it, or are a fan of Princess Diaries or the Parent Trap in vibe, this one is for you!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from Netgalley.

3.5-4 stars, An overall cute read! I really enjoyed the way Emma wrote about dreams and the fear of pursuing them, It almost seems “easy”, when you’re good at something that you also enjoy, In fact, many might even say that the road should be smooth sailing from there. But I like how Abby, despite how great she is at photography, still possesses a level of uncertainty. It’s realistic! I also liked the romance in this one. There’s a palpable longing and an undeniable tension between Abby and her LI (will refrain from saying who just in case it’s a spoiler) and I just wanted them to get together immediately. I’ve never been a big fan of stories centered around sibling relationships but I enjoyed reading the growth between Abby and Savvy. It wasn’t by any means a perfect relationship (what is?) and it definitely took... Some work, but I think I liked it better that way. The camp setting was a great opportunity for all these relationships to progress too.

All in all, I enjoyed this book! I’ve had Tweet Cute on my shelf forever so I hope I can get to it soon.

Abby's been enamored with Leo for quite some time, so when he gets his DNA tested, she naturally follows suit. What she never expected was to find out that she has a long-lost sister named Savannah, and for some reason Savannah lives with another family. While Abby likes to climb trees and take beautiful photographs, Savannah is all about the rules and staying out of the muck. Abby doesn't really understand this new sister of hers, and things with Leo aren't the same after an awkward incident. She hopes that at summer camp she'll figure all of this out. Unfortunately for her, Savannah doesn't want to engage in the sort of fun she's interested in, and Leo is busy making food at camp. The worst part of all is that her parents have been keeping a dangerous secret for years, and that secret could change their family's life forever.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
This was a really cute book! The ethical conundrums of DNA testing kits aside, it was really sweet to see two sisters learning about each other, navigating adolescence, and dealing with family secrets. Because each sister is so different, it creates an interesting dynamic between them as they partake in summer camp and try to navigate their own feelings. Abby's crush on Leo was also cute if a bit maddening. I would have liked a bit more discussion in the book about the pros and cons of DNA testing, and what can be done with that information for good and bad, though I recognize it's not always easy to organically write a discussion like that into a story. You Have a Match is a fun, sweet story from Emma Lord, and just as I had a lot of fun with Tweet Cute, I had a lot of fun with Abby, Savannah, Leo, and Connie. This one could be a match for you, too!⁣⁣

Really enjoyed this one. I finished it right after watching a ton of news on the events that took place the first week in january at the Capitol Building and it was a great relief from real life happenings. I loved how this one not only focused on a love story but was also building a new found sisterly bond. Really enjoyed it, I think I liked Tweet Cute a little more. I do love how Emma Lord creates female characters that are strong self-starters.

Imagine taking a DNA test on a lark and discovering that you have a sister that you knew nothing about.  Or spending a summer at camp with a boy who has been your best friend for years and you are secretly in love with but don’t have the guts to tell him.  Add finding out that your parents have been lying to you your entire life.  All of these things and more come together to make a splendid story in the book You Have A Match by Emma Lord.

 

Abby Day is a regular teenager with loving parents and three younger, pesky brothers.  She enjoys photography and spending time with her two best friends, Leo and Connie.  Abby struggles a little with insecurities and isn’t the best of students.  She also has quite a crush on Leo, which could complicate their friendship.  After taking a DNA test to support Leo’s search for info about his own genealogy, Abby discovers that she has a full-blood sister named Savvy whom she has never heard of. 

 

Abby and Savvy meet and then the drama follows!  They decide to get together at summer camp so they can get to know each other and try to sort out what happened in the past between their sets of parents.   But surprise!  Leo is attending the same camp.  Also, Leo has been coming to this camp for a while, so he knows Savvy and her other friends.  Abby wants to get to know her sister, but all kinds of things seem to keep getting in the way, including their parents finding out that the sisters are together at camp. 

 

I enjoyed this book!  It had tons teenage torment and relationship issues and was very entertaining.  I thought that all of the characters were very well-rounded and complete.  You could get a real sense of who they were and what they felt.   I was rooting for Abby throughout her journey and adored the relationships she developed on her path to finding her sister as well as herself.  This is definitely a thoughtful and twisty book that you can dive into and lose yourself for a while.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC!

Really cute YA book where two girls find out they’re sisters through an ancestry DNA site. All the characters were so darn cute and likeable, and I liked the summer camp setting and themes of found family and coming into your own.

A good choice if you’re looking for something light to read. Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the arc.

On a whim, Abby sends her DNA off to get tested to see what % Irish she is. This sets off a series of events that leads her to spending a month at a summer camp with the sister she never knew she had. Also at camp is her friend Leo, who she has a crush on. If you enjoyed Emma Lord's recent book, Tweet Cute, you will also enjoy You Have a Match. Perfect read for a snowy or lazy winter weekend.

I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley.