The Love Rematch is a contemporary romance with a really fun premise: Emily is the lead in the latest season of a Bachelorette-like dating show, but when she starts filming, she realizes that Jake, her ex of seven years, the one who got away, the one she never got over, is part of the show’s production crew. Cue pretending they don’t know each other, awkwardness, short-lived revenge plots, reluctant attraction, and other elements that are generally known as rom-com gold.

And for most of the book, it all flows quite well: surprisingly good writing for a debut, and some fun back-and-forth — both between the MCs and in their own heads, as they try to fight their unresolved feelings.
What was missing a little bit was clarity about their background: the author chose not to reveal Jake’s motivations for leaving until quite late into the story, and that made it hard to really bond with him as a character, because as charming as he was, for most of the book he was just the jerk who left. And honestly once the reason was revealed, it didn’t quite strengthen his position because it felt a bit watery.

That said, the chemistry between the two of them is really beautifully built-up, and they are very convincing as a couple. I especially loved the flashbacks to their high school days, they were very heartwarming and gave the characters and their dynamic a lot of dimension.

The rest of the characters however, were a little disappointing: aside from Sam, who managed to come through loud and clear (and really fun!) despite limited page time, the rest of the side characters were unfortunately mostly relegated to the role of plot device, just showing up to prompt reflections or monologues from the MCs, or to do or say something to move the plot forward, then disappear again until needed. For instance, I would have liked Emily’s producer on the show, Nina, to have a bit more substance. I feel like the book would have benefited from building their relationship a little more, considering she is Emily’s main contact in the show and the one she spends the most time with. At first it seemed she would have a bit more of a role, but then she sort of faded into the background for the most part.
I get that the focus is on the MCs but I feel like giving the side character a bit more substance would have strengthened the emotional charge in the story, particularly during certain reveals.

Speaking of reveals, there are two big ones in the last 1/4 of the book that make it hard to place this romance in a category: one of them is definitely rom-com material, while the other, and the overall general tone of the book, would place it definitely outside of comedy territory.
My verdict: this isn’t a rom-com, and it needs a few trigger warnings.

That said, it is quite a fun read and flows pretty well, so I’m giving it 3 1/2 stars and would recommend it to readers of contemporary romance, with the caveat that you check the trigger warnings if there are certain topics you’d rather steer clear of — particularly if you read romance to escape real-life stressors.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC! I was excited to read this as I love a second-chance romance. This book follows Emily, an accessory designer, and Jake, a reality TV producer. Emily and Jake dated in high school, and through parental machinations Emily ends up as a contestant on the Bachelor-esque TV show that Jake produces. Things ended quite poorly between them, and shenanigans ensue.

This book is overall very well-written, but I found it fell short of my expectations. We're told Emily and Jake dated in high school, but the majority of that story unfolds over the course of the book. We don't have the knowledge to understand their connection and animosity when they first meet. Seeing their relationship later in the book provides needed context, it's unclear at first why they're both so angsty about the other! This book hinges on miscommunication (honestly my least favorite...), and in particular miscommunication from when they were in high school. There are a number of reveals towards the end of the book, and without getting into spoilers I found them both a little overdone (they could probably have limited it to 2 of the 3 big "reveals"), and also not that big a deal because I repeat -- they were in high school! These, ostensibly grown-up, adults hold their prior selves to higher standards than I certainly do. Finally, I found the ending a bit rushed. Part of it was the one-last major reveal (which didn't add much plot-wise?), but also just how the pacing worked. Also note that this is mostly a close-door romance, which does honestly make it feel a bit more rooted in the high school storyline.

Overall I liked the author's writing style a bunch, and I'll probably read the sequel. I'm hoping that having a novel set without the high school element will make it more my speed.

I thought I was beginning to tire of romance books, but this one hooked me. It had one of my favourite styles with dual POV. I liked that there was history between the characters and how it was told in flashback when something in the present reminded one of them of it, graphite smudged fingertips or a bottom lip bite.

Emily Ann, is cast as the lead in the new season of her favourite dating show, thanks to her mum's appearance on national morning TV! Soon she's at a mansion with 30 men and her ex-boyfriend Jake, who turns out to be on the crew of the show. Jake left in the middle of the night 7 years ago in the summer before they were due to start college. Emily hasn't seen or heard from Jake in that time and what better way to reconnect than while she has to pick a man to marry.

The pacing was really good, considering there were 30 guys, we could easily have got so bogged down with the tales of their dates and descriptions, but it's almost as if the show was secondary and I loved that. It kept Emily and Jake front and centre, with just a handful of guys mentioned.

I'm so happy there's going to be a sequel and I'm so happy about who it will focus on, I'm really looking forward to reading more from Kay Marie and more in this series.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. The writing was great! I really loved the "Bachelorette" aspect of the book, it definitely
kept my interest. I did get frustrated with the love story of the two MC's, the miscommunication throughout most of the book between them. I wanted to feel more tension between them. In the end, I was pleased with how the book wrapped up!

The Love Rematch was a quick and fun romcom in the style of The Bacherolette. I don’t personally watch the show but I could take it in book form 🤣. This was a bit of friends to lovers to enemies to lovers told in dual POVs and time lines. So definitely a fan of the tropes, the reality show aspect was interesting and who doesn’t love a second chance romance 🤷‍♀️. There were also some funny moments thrown in which is always a good thing. What didn’t quite work for the were the characters. I think I just expect a bit more from adults, even in fiction. The mis-communication trope went on for way too long, to the point of frustration 🙄. And I honestly didn’t think they had much chemistry, or maybe I just stopped caring 🤨. So overall it was entertaining but I was hoping for a bit more.

“All a woman needs to take on the world is a pair of killer earrings and ring with enough carats to cut-the girlier, the better.” Hallelujah!!!

The Love Rematch by Kay Marie is the perfect lively read that will invade your heart and leave you with a smile! When Emily wakes up one morning to find her mother on National TV with a sign saying, “Emily Ann needs a man!” she is mortified – however, with the lead out on The Love Match, the new viral sensation that is Emily gets nominated to date 30 men and hopefully end up finding “the one.” Unbeknownst to her, Jake, her high school boyfriend, previous love of her life, and the man who left her with no explanation, is the producer of the show and now must watch behind the cameras to help find her a man.

With dual points of view, you get to see the second chance romance – and all the underlying misunderstandings – reveal themselves on differing sides, and root for real love to not only belong together but be together.

I did enjoy all the characters, and think they were written well, but at times had to remember that Jake and Emily were only high school seniors when they were in love due to some of the serious discussions and decisions made in this novel. I think maybe having them in college would have been more realistic. In addition, I thought Emily delaying speaking to Jake was drawn out too much with how much it was brought up, and Jake’s misbelief of not being good enough for others was a little worn out. The characters were developed enough at that point that past issues didn’t have to be hammered home.

Weirdly enough, I have never read a Dating Game / Reality TV show like the Bachelorette turned into book form – and it was such a cute idea. I really enjoyed getting to see it “behind the scenes,” because, at the end of the day, of course it is about ratings.

I honestly thought that a different ending was going to occur (in fact, I found it predictable and was eagerly racing to read the ending), only for a totally different – probably predictable ending – that I never saw coming, greet me instead. (But I can’t tell you what I thought without giving away the ending!)

Overall, this was a cute, refreshing story and I enjoyed how the author pulled it all together. I will recommend this novel to my girlfriends and will definitely read book 2 in the series! @KayMarieBooks made a believer out of me! 3.8 entertaining stars rounded up!

Also! There is a great giveaway going on – Preorder this sweet book that will not disappoint and get two postcards of before and aft pictures of the main characters!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this charming ARC! All opinions are my own.

“Screw symbolism. Relationships come and go, but jewelry is forever.”

the ultimate cosy classic romance read! such a quick page turner and one to get you out of a reading slump!

This novel was okay. The characters I couldn't connect with in this genre. I think I need something with more meaning as this felt very materialistic.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read The Love Rematch in exchange for an honest review.

It was a very cute, charming rom com. I am not an avid watcher of the bachelorette type of shows, but this book will leave you feeling fully immersed in the process not only of the main characters, but also the producers. I found those details to be especially interesting.

I was enamored with Jackson, while emily actually got on my nerves a bit.

Jackson’s reasons for leaving Emily 7 years ago were questionable at best, but he did gain extra points for being the strong, protective & broody type.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a lighthearted romantic comedy.

Imagine the horror of your mother declaring on national TV that you need a man, which trends on social media, to then end up on a dating show, only to find one of the producers is the man who got away.

This book was fun, I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes action and various contestants Emily dates (hello Cooper). Kay Marie really puts her contestants through the wringer with the way the producers machinated situations to get reactions. Emily was also smart and resourceful in the way she skillfully navigated them, all while dealing with her past heartbreak staring at her in the face on-set. I liked the way Kay Marie seemlessly wove the past as present day reflections by Emily and Jake vs having swapping between past and present chapters which I find that usually messes with the pace too much.

However, I did find the story dragged on too much and felt the looming 'why did you leave me?' showdown much earlier to make it tighter. It would've have allowed for more present-day bonding to make me believe that despite everything they'd been through since they first split, and that they could reunite into a much healthier relationship where they properly communicated. An important piece I felt was missing for a second chance story.

While I understood they were both teenagers and Jake was nursing some heavy turmoil which made him leave, I found the lack of confrontation in the present day frustrating. I don't mind misommunication in a book, as it happens in real life relationships all the time, but dragging it out meant the story lost its pace. Jake snuck into Emily's room as well as gifting her pre-paid phone and not once did one of them finally address the elephant in the room. Jake knew he owed her an apology and yet he said nothing? By the time we got to Emily's own side of the story, I found it frustrating that she, too didn't reveal what she was holding onto. If she's so angry, then why wouldn't she finally tell him given she'd been carrying it for seven years? Not to mention Sam's own role in it.

Overall, if you like stories about behind the scenes of reality TV, plus second chance romances, like I do, this book is one to add to your TBR pile. I look forward to book two.

Thanks to Kaitlyn Davis and NetGalley for the ARC.

A quick, easy, fun read. I'm not usually a fan of reality show rom coms but this one was done fairly well and kept my interest. This wasn't life-changing or anything but it was the perfect low-stakes read to cleanse my palette after reading an intense fantasy trilogy.

I absolutely loved this one!

The premise was wonderful. Reality TV is such an interesting world to delve into, and done so well in this second chance romance context!

There’s some wonderful exploration of each character’s personal experience which definitely contributed to their overall arcs and what leads them back together. Emily and Jake’s chemistry was fantastic!

My only critique would be the enemies to lovers aspect didn’t quite hit as well, conducive to the miscommunication. Understandably, this is often needed in second chance romance, but I felt as though a proper conversation between Emily and Jake could have changed the whole story. I generally prefer when there is a more sustainable underlying issue, rather than a simple miscommunication.

Overall I loved it! I thought the side characters were hilarious, and watching Emily date men infront of her ex was such a funny idea!

3.5 ⭐️ - I liked the idea better than the execution, but overall still enjoyed the book. The start was a little slow, and the flashback portions from both MCs were a little confusing at first because the change in timeline wasn't always immediately apparent. (That improved as the book went on, or maybe I adjusted to the style?) And I enjoyed how the story resolved!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Rematch is a second chance romance which reads exactly like a classic rom-com and I absolutely ate it up.
The idea of the main character Emily being thrust onto a reality dating show to find her perfect match (which was unknowingly orchestrated by her mother pleading to help her find a man on live television) only to find out one of the producers is her old high school flame, the once thought love of her life was entertaining.. It’s clear from the very beginning that both her and Jake still held brightly burning torches for each other, but when he walked out 7 years ago without so much as a goodbye let alone an explanation, love isn’t exactly the first emotion that springs to mind…

I really enjoyed the forced proximity narrative play out, as Jake has to jealously watch from the sidelines whilst Emily has 30 men fighting for her attention and ultimately her hand in marriage.

I was dying for Emily and Jake to speak their truths to each other throughout, as both of them were hiding secrets that if they had just shared, could have helped them both heal from their past trauma and move on together. The tension build up was just the right amount and the emotions really came out in the well written dialogue.

I will say that even though Jake was a bit of a lost soul, his leaving Emily the night after some shattering news was a bit of a major red flag! I was skeptical at this point, but then once his motive and thought process behind leaving was explained, all is forgiven. A classic case of miscommunication on both parts.

Although not in it too much, I loved the fiercely supportive Sam (Emily’s twin sister) which led to a switcheroo towards the end of the book. A great way to set up for the next book, and I look forward to seeing how Sam and Cooper’s potential romance plays out!

I dislike second chance romance in general. But the whole reality tv dating show theme seemed very intriguing so I went in expecting a lot.
A lot, in fact, was not delivered.
Instead, it was turned into a cliched story of a caveman-ish male lead and a hot n cold female lead. Extremely unexciting. Emily’s personality was hard to understand. It’s like author had multiple ideas and tried to morph them into one boring person. And Jake was just generally unlikeable. The tension and chemistry between them felt so forced.
The pacing was off. The flashbacks were timed in way that was hard to comprehend if it was a present event or from the past.
The way they went around doing everything other than communicate irked me to no end.
I did not enjoy for a single moment and was put off by the whole thing.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Net Galley and Kay Marie for the arc!

The love rematch is a second chance romance with a bachelorette reality show theme. Honestly, I did not vibe a lot with the book because sometimes the writer would put past references in the present and that really confused me. I had alot of difficulty emmersing myself in the book.

The characters could have been written more in detail and the story could have moved along in a slow pace rather than at a fast pace. There was tension but odd tension. Second chance romances are supposed to be slow and have tension so the reader is anticipated enough to read but I did not find myself immersed in this book. The storyline was very predictable, characters were a bit dull like I couldn't understand the chemistry and there was a lack of wow factor.

Emily’s mom campaigns for her to be the next Bachelorette on national TV, but when she arrives she realizes thar one of her producers is her first love, Jake, who ghosted her seven years ago.

I haven’t watched The Bachelor since season 3 or 4 and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! So much that I finished it in a day!

Here’s what you’re getting:

✅Inspired by The Bachelor
✅Dual POV
✅Second chance romance
✅ childhood sweethearts
✅So much hot yearning
🌶️: a little. It’s not entirely fade to black

If you’re looking for a fun escapist read and/or enjoy reality TV, this is a good one to pick!

A super fun read that actually had characters with multi-layers to them!

I loved the events that kick started the book and it was a great book into what was to come!

I loved this book. I did find it a little bit slow to start and the chapters were a bit long as I am a short chapter girlie, but it definitely made me smile. Emily’s mom on national television in an attempt to get her the lead on the hottest dating show. Priceless! Emily ends up landing the lead on the dating show and in an attempt to promote her jewelry brand and move on from her ex, she accepts. Only to find out that her ex is a producer on the show. The man who left her behind, the man she can never get out of her head, the man she loved so much she hated him. This story reminded me very much of what it might be like to be a contestant on the Bachelor(ette) and kind of gives some insight into how reality TV is likely more staged than we are willing to believe. I must say, I love reality tv and dating shows so this book fit perfectly into my wheelhouse. I will be honest, for some time I really wanted Emily to pick one of the contestants and shove it in Jake’s face that she had moved on and found happiness but at the same time I really wanted her and Jake to end up back together because their love for one another definitely seemed like that once in a lifetime love that people search so hard for. Either way, I loved this book and intend on reading more books by Kay Marie.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! As always, let’s start with the positive. The writing was great & well fleshed out—although I would have like to have seen more variety in regards to dialogue. In some instances, the dialogue felt choppy & I would have like to have seen more fluid conversations. As a die-hard reality TV & Bachelor fan, I loved this concept. Especially with the enemies to lovers trope mixed in! For me, the chemistry fell a little flat & I found myself frustrated at their lack of communication. There were several times I was yelling at my kindle because I just wanted them to sit down & talk to each other. All in all, I liked the plot & I would like to read more by this author in the future.