Member Reviews
I love single dad MCs. I don't think they get enough rep.
Evie trains dogs! She does it for the love not money. She trains dogs to become service dogs. Her own dog helps her and when a young girl who also suffers from epilepsy, contacts her pretending to be her dad in hopes of convincing him that a service dog will make things better for her, Evie can't help feeling a connection to the young girl even when her dad, Jacob, is having none of it.
After a rough start they work together to find the perfect fit for Sam, they start to feel things for each other and Evie teachs him that hovering over Sam isn't thr right way for her to learn to live with her diagnosis.
I loved this book with all of my heart. It was so heartfelt and gave me the honeyglows. I can see why Jacob was having a tough time at first. It must be so hard taking care of a little girl with extraordinary needs especially asfter the mother abandoned them both. Evie on the other hand, comes from money but she gave it all up to do what she believes in. I was blown away by the depth of this book.
It was super cute romance with so much more to it. The narration was on point and I am so glad I spent the day listening to it.
5 stars. BRILLIANT!! Cannot recommend this book more.
This was a cute read! It’s closed-door, and very sweet. There were some funny moments too. I loved the blended family element, and the epilepsy rep. This one felt like a Netflix rom-com, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. It was an easy story to get lost in.
This was a fun book examining life with medical accommodation, what it means to have found family, some age difference romance. How to deal with past family trauma and horrible family expectations. It had all the personality of Sarah Adams books, with MCs with great senses of humor and some good quality give and take.
Thoroughly enjoyable and a fun read.
#arc
#netgalley
#thematch
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Match is a sweet romance about Evie Jones, who trains service dogs. When she meets Jacob Broaden at a client consultation meeting, there are instant sparks—but not the good kind, because Jacob’s daughter set up the meeting without his knowledge. Sam has been recently diagnosed with epilepsy and has wanted a service animal ever since. Jacob reluctantly agrees, but soon realizes the animal and Evie might just be the best thing for him and his daughter.
Such a cute and quick audiobook. I loved Evie and Jacob and rooted for them. Any romcom with dogs is a good romcom.
ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was an easy listen. I really thought the book being centered around service animals was a nice change and wonderful for an author to help showcase. Who doesn’t enjoy a sexy single dad who works so hard to help their daughters needs be met. I adored the Gilmore Girls references. Love Sarah’s work!
This was just a precious book! I have read several books by Sarah Adams, and I was so excited to get the chance to listen to this rerelease of The Match. I thought it was such a cute and heart warming romance. I loved all the characters so much. Evie was a great female main character, learning to live through a diagnosis of chronic illness like epilepsy with her service dog Charlie. I thought Jake was the perfect grumpy sunshine with not *too* much grumpiness. He was certainly a fanastic single dad. I enjoyed that the characters weren't in their early 20s trying to get together for the rest of their lives- that they both had their baggage that they brought to their relationship and that they learned how to work through it. I don't love a miscommunication plot, but I thought that this one was resolved quickly so I'll let it slide. Overall, it was a cute fast romance book that left me smiling. Perfect beach day read or listen.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audiobook copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.
So so so cute. I've been on a bit of a Sarah Adams kick lately-- I read her When In Rome series last month and adored it, so I jumped at the chance to request this audiobook as well. She's the sweetest human, and it really shines through in her romance books.
I loved that this book centered around a guide dog user/trainer. That's not a perspective I've seen often in books, so it was cool to see how Charlie changed Evie's life.
Sam was such a fun side character--I always love a precocious child in books.
I'm thrilled to see that Book 2 is already on Hoopla, so I'm going to go listen to it now.
Loved this audio! Sarah writes the cutest stories! The characters were so relatable and just fun. I love a good closed door romance.
Add dogs to a book, and I’m there!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 stars (rounded up)
Synopsis:
Having worked for Southern Service Paws for a few years now, I like to think I’m prepared for just about any client meeting under the sun. I am dead wrong. The day I meet with single dad, Jacob Broaden, about potentially matching his daughter with one of our service dogs, I learn a few valuable lessons.
1) Always set my alarm clock.
2) Single dads are way hotter than I previously thought.
3) It is possible to go from fantasizing about kissing someone to wishing they would be run over by a truck in a matter of two minutes.
Unfortunately, I don’t hold that opinion of him for very long. Not when he shows me a different side of himself—one that’s sweet as maple syrup and hot as apple pie fresh out of the oven. And after a few days of working closely with him and his daughter, he starts looking at me with fire in his eyes, making me dream of something I probably shouldn’t…A family.
What I liked:
-It was fun and light! A good change of pace for me.
-The service dogs were fun to learn about! and going hand in hand with the service dogs was the disability rep!
-A man that not only watches Gilmore Girls, but quotes it throughout the book?! Say lesssss
What I didn’t like:
-Honestly, the romance felt unrealistic and really fast paced. Just weird that Evie spent so much time with this family right from the start when she was meant to be there working? Idk just moved too fast for me maybe.
-Why do prologues always have to be so over the top? I don't want to spoil it but sometimes its just too much. A little mystery at the end isn't a bad thing!
Overall, it’s a fast paced book but it is nice & wholesome if you’re looking for a lighter and quicker read.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Libro.fm for my gifted audiobook!
Another superb, sweet romance from Sarah Adams. Lovable Evie and her service dog, Charlie will steal your hearts, just as they stole the hearts of single dad Jacob and his endearing daughter, Sam. Sam suffers from
Epilepsy and she is determined to talk her dad into getting a service dog. Enter Evie, who just happens to also have epilepsy and works for Southern Service Paws, making her The perfect Match!
As someone who grew up with a mom who struggles with epilepsy, I have a very soft spot for these characters. I thought Adams writing was done so with sensitivity and tact. I found myself laughing out loud and then tearing up.
I loved our MC, Evie. Finally, an author who listens to the reading community, Evie is a straight shooter! No miscommunication here. She is such a great character full of life and generosity, but also filled with her own self doubts making her so totally human.
Our single dad Jake…. He is #1 dad! He had a whole cabinet filled with women’s hygiene products, watches Gilmore Girls and reads Twilight….need I say more?!? I ♡ him.
This appears to be the first book of a series and I am eager to see what comes next.
🎧 The audiobook was brilliantly narrated by Rusty Mewha and Leanne Woodward. Both made the listening experience enjoyable and I highly recommend this option.
Read if you appreciate:
* Hot single dads
* Service animals
* Epilepsy rep
* Closed door romance
* Found family
This wasn’t my favorite book I've read by sarah adams. It had its moments though. It took me a while to feel a connection to the characters, but once I did I really enjoyed it. My favorite part was the last 3rd of the book. There were some very cute moments. I liked seeing representation of characters with epilepsy, both adult and child. I also loved the representation and importance of service animals. The discussion around them was good. Overall not a bad book just not my favorite so I will probably be reading book 2.
Audiobook specific: These weren't my favorite narrators ever. I did end up speeding the audio up a little bit but they weren't horrible so I was able to enjoy listening to them.
Content warning: seizures, chronic illness, emotional abuse, abandonment, ableism, pregnancy
The disability rep in this is amazing. I adore Sarah Adams for this book. If you need a sweet, quick romance, this one is for you. I loved the characters and the setting. Also, from the opening scene, the narrator really brought energy and personality to the story! Overall, just an absolute joy.
This is it, I can declare that I am indeed a huge fan of Sarah Adams! This novel was everything I was looking for enemy to lovers, a single dad, and of course a cute dog. Not only does this book have a main character Evie, who has epilepsy, but she also runs a foundation that sets up others with service animals with disabilities. Through this, she meets Jacob a struggling single father, whose daughter has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy. In turn, Evie teaches Sam and Jacob how to take on life with a new service animal by their side.
This book was so gosh darn cute! I enjoyed seeing Evie and Sam's relationship blossom from a teacher to a mother figure. On top of that Jacob constantly struggles to be the best father for Sam but is a bit too much in the end.
When I realized that another big plot point was Evie's family I was a bit unsure. I was uncertain if this novel would play out where Evie is being silent and pushed aside. But no Evie was a super strong character who knew what she deserved. The only thing I have to add about her family is the fact that I wish that they got the day they deserved. I wanted to see them feeling guilty for the way they treated Evie and Jacob. But we never really got that scene.
I listen to this novel as an audiobook, and I think the narrators did a good job of telling this story. The voices weren't overly dramatic nor were they hard to listen to. They did a great job of telling this romantic story.
At the end of the day, I enjoy this book for the sweet moments, for highlighting disabilities, and for the romance. But most importantly of all it was the dogs. It's always the dogs.
A special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to this novel early!
Oh my! Sarah Adams, bravo! This book created a space I felt safe to feel and express. I loved everything about it. No notes, just give me more!
It's no shock that Sarah Adams is one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled to listen to an early copy of The Match!
Evie has been working with a service dog company that feels more like family for the past few years. Charlie, her pup, is her lifeline and she adores helping others find a service dog and learn more about the services they provide...including helping one grumpy single dad who's daughter just got diagnosed with epilepsy.
Jacob truly wants to help Sam adjust to having regular seizures. With her conniving, he agrees to see what this "therapy dog" business is all about. What he doesn't expect is to fall in love with the woman who grinds his gears and runs the operation- Evie.
I enjoyed listening to The Match, especially as both narrators brought both Evie and Jacob to life in my ears. I was able to easily picture the organization and Sam's love for her pup from the get-go. Adams never shies away from the laughter, love and emotion with her characters. This is once again evident in her latest re-release, The Match.
The Match by Sarah Adams.
3..75 stars rounded up to 4.
A reissue of Sarah Adams' first book, The Match is a sweet romcom about a single dad to a child with epilepsy who falls in love with the woman providing his daughter with a service dog. It's an easy, low-stress listen that centers in on themes of self-acceptance and found family. The narration is excellent, although the production is not quite to the level of some of Sarah Adams' more recent releases, like the Rome, Kentucky series. Great for fans of Katie Bailey and Emma St. Clair, The Match is a charming listen with a lot of heart.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the complimentary ALC of The Match.
4.5⭐ ARC from Netgalley, thank you for the advanced copy!
This was just as cute the second time around! I loved jumping back into this world with Sarah's first characters. I love Evie & Jacob just as much now as I did when I binged all her books last year 💖 She is the queen of low stakes & high tension.
Audio: The narrators did a phenomenal job showing all the emotions in this book!
Adding to IG week of 7/15, added to storygraph & goodreads 7/15
Short synopsis: Evie helps run a company setting up Service Dogs to those who need one, when she gets an email about a little girl who suffers from epilepsy like her, she meets her and her dad Jake.
My thoughts: If Sarah Adams writes it I will read it. Her characters are always so “lifelike” and wholesome. She has a way of captivating me and pulling all the laughs feelings into her stories.
I absolutely loved the disability rep in this one. I loved how Evie wanted to help others even though she was suffering with her own disability. Charlie was such a good boy, I love Golden Retrievers they are so cute and fluffy.
Jake was such a caring and thoughtful Dad to Sam, always making sure she safe and protecting her from her selfish mom. It was kind of cute how he wanted to take care of Evie too.
I’m so glad I got to revisit these characters through audio! This was my second reading of this and it was almost better coming from the narrators who really brought the characters to life! Very well done!
Read if you love:
- Epilepsy rep and service dogs
- Single parent
- Friends to lovers
- Dual POV
- Slow burn closed door Romance
Books with dogs always hit my radar a little bit differently. They just feel a little more realistic with a furry friend running around. Add in the fact that these were life-saving dogs and it makes it so much better. I really enjoyed the romance but also how the FMC had a quick relationship with the girl. Her position was so vulnerable, learning about her disorder and trying to adjust to life, that it felt extra special for them to bond over it. The romance also seemed to blossom easily and the way he cared for her was super sweet. I did hate her family though, probably my only complaint.
I loved the characters, the premise, the feelings, the friendships, and the romance!
This audiobook was dual narration and I loved Evie and Jake brought to life with these narrators!
Evie's living on her own as an adult with epilepsy, and she brings her BFF and service dog, Charlie, everywhere she goes. So this truly was a perfect release for June being Disability Pride Month!
She meets Jake for the first time when his sneaky daughter, Sam, tricks them into meeting Evie at a coffee shop so that Sam can get a service dog because, like Evie, she has epilepsy.
As a single parent, Jake needs all the wins he can get. While helping his daughter to get a service dog through Evie's non-profit, the tension between them builds & builds and was so well done!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for my ALC of this awesome book from Sarah Adams in exchange for my review!