This was genearlly engaging when I was reading it but it didn't stick with me and the conflict set up wasn't enough for me believe the actions

I’ve read the first version of the book but it had been awhile so I was really excited to get this audiobook! Sarah Adams, as always, is such a gifted writer. She managed to add romance, chemistry, and tension without going past make-out scenes. I loved the representation in this book for both epilepsy and service dogs! My mom is a puppy raiser for a service dog company so it took on a really special meaning to seen that side shown in this novel. It was also sweet to know Sarah Adams’ mother-in-law is also involved with service dogs so it felt pretty accurate, with the only exception being how quickly Sam got her service dog. I loved Evie and how she was very much her own person. Jacob did some quality growth throughout the book and it was a nice change to see the man have to work on himself more. The found family and actual family dynamic for both main characters was really genuine and great to see. There were some very cheesy moments in the book and I wasn’t a big fan of the miscommunication/third act breakup at the end. However, it was still an adorable read that I thoroughly enjoyed! 4.25⭐️, 1🌶

This book was so much fun!! The entertainment level is high and man do I love to be entertained. I smiled, I giggled and I swooned. The chemistry was spot on so that I felt all the emotions right along with the characters. Lest you think it was all fun and games, there are more serious things going on but never overwhelmingly so. The characters are well defined with strengths and weaknesses, wit and charm. I really loved them. This book will definitely go down as one of my favorite books this year. It has all the feels and all the things I look for. This is my first book by this author and I hope she writes more books like this! Love, love, love.

I listened to this book because I am a huge Sarah Adams fan, but this wasn't my favorite of hers. I think the overall premise is cute, and I enjoyed the disability and service dog representation. I definitely felt like this was a little too much "insta-love" for me. I prefer romances that have more build up in terms of the characters falling for each other. I did enjoy the dynamic between Evie and Sam though, it was definitely heart warming. Overall this was a cute book and I would definitely be interested in finishing the series.

I love the book as a whole but the narrators gave it a life of its own and I am so grateful to get to listen to it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I listened to this book on Audio and a thank you also to Dreamscape media!

Love these narrators. They were perfect for this specific novel.

Evie’s passion for the company is absolutely inspiring. You can tell that she really wants to help people who have epilepsy and other disabilities by matching them with a dog that can make their lives so much easier.

Main themes/tropes in the book:

Disability rep (seizures/epilepsy)
FMC (Evie) works for a non-profit for service dogs and matching them with people who need them
MMC (Jake) is a single dad of a child with epilepsy (mother left to become an actress in hollywood). He is navigating life with a pre-teen with extra needs, during her time of growing up.
Toxic mom for the FMC. Her mom only cares about how people view her family because she thinks she is above everyone else. Her mom is honestly a terrible human being for treating Evie the way that she does and the way that she takes advantage of her daughter.
Evie creates a relationship with Sam (the 10 year old daughter of Jake) which is absolutely the sweetest. It is very heartwarming because it is part of what leads him to fall in love with Evie.
Gilmore Girls references!!!!


I did not like the mis-communication, however, as it is my least favorite trope so the incident that happens around 89% in kinda upset me but it had a great resolution so it did not ruin the book thankfully.

Such a great revisit! I read this book years ago when it came out and it was just lovely coming back into this world. The narrators did a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life! The story is magical and heart warming. You won’t regret picking this one up!

What a cute story! This book was originally published in 2020, but just came out with the audiobook. I’m glad they did. Not sure I would have read this otherwise. Jacob and Evie were adorable together. This was a cute, lighthearted, swoon worthy read that was easy to follow along with. The writing was simple, and I loved the dual POV. I loved the epilepsy representation and how important service dogs are for their owners / best friends. This was a charming rom com with very little spice. One thing of note: I am liking the single parent troupe more and more.

This was a delightful story. It's funny, romantic and really touching. Excellently written. The banter, the chemistry, and the family dynamics had me eager to read on and find out more.
The only thing I didn't enjoy was that the author made a point of referring to the FMC's southern drawl many times but the female narrator didn't have one. But other than that, I loved this book and really enjoyed it.

4.5

i just loved this one! the narrators were perfect and made this story even better! Jack and Evie were so good together, i loved their dynamic and how much they truly loved each other. Seeing Evie and Sam bond was so sweet and melted my heart. This story was so sweet and i highly recommend picking this one up if you love a sweet, closed door single dad romance!

Sarah Adams never fails to leave readers feeling as if they have just read a comforting love story in her books. The Match is no exception. I loved that the service animals were what brought everyone together. Without her service dog, Evie would not have had her independence, nor would she know her best friend or be introduced to Sam and Jake. I really enjoyed the growth that Evie showed in standing up to her family, and the confidence that she found throughout the story too!

This is an expanded edition of a previously published book. I have not read the original edition, so I don't know which chapters or segments have been updated.

I don't often have occasion to read books that include disability representation. I appreciate when books expand representation for an underserved population—it's important for all people to see themselves in art and entertainment.

While not my favorite example of the genre, this could be considered a rom-com, with some amusing banter. It's at least primarily a closed-door romance. I found some of the “sexy talk” to be silly and decidedly not romantic—maybe this is part of why I don't read a lot of romance.

Because of the book's focus on romance, young Sam is not a main character, even though her needs spur and drive the storyline. As so many parents of resourceful children have lamented over time, Jake hopes that his childrearing methods will help Sam use her powers for good—not evil—as she matures.

Evie's mom is a passive-aggressive, manipulative woman [not the word I used in my personal notes]. She serves her purpose in Evie's character development and in parts of the story's advancement. Jake's family adds a lot humor to scenes in which they appear.

In the audio edition, male narrator Rusty Mewha sounds funny as a woman—not unexpected; I'm just making an observation. He immediately brings to mind Dustin Hoffman's movie performance as Tootsie—soft-spoken and somewhat breathy. On the plus side, Mewha at least approaches a Southern accent as indicated. Female narrator Leanne Woodward doesn't use a Southern accent, which is completely weird given how often characters' accents are brought up in the text.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and recommend it for avid and occasional mild romance or rom-com readers.

This is a super cute novel that will surely tug on your heartstrings. Evelyn goes to meet Jacob and his daughter to discuss matching with a service dog as his daughter has epilepsy. The meeting goes decidedly poorly, partly due to the fact that the daughter is the one who set up the meeting, unbeknownst to Jacob. Thinking they will never see one another again, they part with harsh words and without Evelyn sharing with Jacob that she, too, has epilepsy. However, because they are in a Sarah Adams novel, these two definitely cross paths together and the interactions are delightful.

I have really enjoyed Sarah Adams's books. This one is not as good as her later works, but is still quite enjoyable. I loved the disability rep and the open conversations between Evelyn and Jacob. The way in which they just couldn't help but like one another was endearing. Evelyn's parents and ex were great to hate and it was sweet seeing Jacob manage life as a single father and all the worries that go with parenting. There was chemistry and banter and scenes that made me smile. This is a perfect quick read for when you want something lighthearted and fun to escape into without too much drama and angst.

I listened to this one on audio. There were two narrators. Each did a good job of portraying both Jacob and Evelyn, although I didn't always like the voices for Jacob's daughter and some of the other side characters. It didn't take me out of the story though and I appreciate the casting with the dual POV.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"They'll find a new normal."

Thank you! In the charming feel good The Match by, she knows the assignment and she gets it done, RomCom author Sarah Adams (see The Cheat Sheet), I laughed, I cried, I swooned and finished listening with a smile and a feeling of satisfaction.

Last month most of the RomComs I experienced were more coming of age stories from the female POV. There's nothing wrong with these stories, in fact they were quite enjoyable; but they were sold as romcoms and often had little romance or funny moments or a male POV. Luckily, The Match is the definition of a RomCom.

Evie works at Southern Service Paws matching service dogs with clients. Charlie, her own service dog has changed her life, giving her independence after a diagnosis of epilepsy. She rushes to meet divorced Jacob, looking for a dog for his too cute 10 year old daughter Sam. What neither of them knows is that Sam set up the meeting via email to convince Jacob that a service dog would help after her own epileptic seizures.

What follows is comedy gold, heartfelt let the tears fall scenes and some swoon worthy romance. Voice actor Rusty Mewha was perfection. When he tells Sam, "I am so honored to be your Dad," I lost it because he made me believe it. Voice actress Leanne Woodward was her usual brilliant self giving Evie extra emotional depth.

Two leads, dual POVs, both scared to be hurt again, a protective father, an adorable little girl, two angelic service dogs, some angsty relatives, an evil ex wife, an hilarious tampon scene, some mistaken thoughts (see angsty relatives and ex wife) and a few make me sigh romantic moments makes this one The Match for a RomCom.

*Book 1 of It Happened In Charleston revised duology*

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book pulled on every heartstring. I was drawn to this book because of the disability representation. Evie has epilepsy and owns a business where she trains dogs to become service dogs and assist other individuals that also have epilepsy. This is where she meets Jacob and his daughter Sam. Sam is a young girl who also has epilepsy and is wanting a service dog to help her throughout her daily life. Evie is such a genuine good person, and has created her own family with Jo and her dog Charlie. Evie comes from the richest family in their town, but doesn't like to claim her family and live by their standards. I really felt for Evie with all the interactions she had with her mother and family. But it spoke to her resilience to sticking to herself and living the life she wants to. Jacob is a single dad who is trying to get by. The insta-love here wasn't my favorite, he definitely is the insta-lover first although they both are attracted from the beginning. But their relationship is so cute, i did overlook it haha. This book is so much more than a love story, as you see a little family form with Evie & Sam's relationship too. This book was super cute.

This was such a sweet and heartfelt book. I really enjoyed the audio version and dual POV. I loved the epilepsy representation and the cute service dogs that were in this book. Evie is a sassy, capable and caring female main character. I loved Jake as the single dad, who tries his very best to do everything he can with his daughter. I loved Sam’s character as she navigates her new normal.

The Match was such an adorable rom-com filled with Sarah Adam’s signature cuteness and cheese. I simply loved the characters of Jacob and Evie and the family they built together with Sam, Charlie and Daisy 🦮

This was the type of book that you can’t help but have heart eyes over the whole time while you’re reading it! It was just a pure, feel good romance and exactly the type of lighthearted read I needed.

I also loved that while this book was fun, it still dealt with some more serious and sensitive topics and I thought the epilepsy representation was done really well. It brought awareness to what can be a life changing illness while making you feel so much more connected to Evie and Sam. Highly recommend!

I enjoyed this book and the narrators were great and did a good job with the voices and making them unique, but not weird. I loved the setting of Charleston. My only complaint is that it seemed a little too "insta-love" for me. I like some swooning and pining in my romances, and the couples seemed to get together fairly quickly.

I adored this book. The epilepsy representation is EXCELLENT, and while illness sometimes feels like an unnecessary addition to a love story, in this case it adds something special to the plot. Jake and Evie are a wonderful pair, with just the right amount of miscommunication and excellent longing and desire. I loved the inclusion of the dogs, the villainous family, and Sam. My only criticism might be to resolve Natalie in a different way, as her twist seemed a bit off with just a little bit of the story to go, however, she served the purpose of highlight found motherhood as opposed to biological motherhood. I will absolutely recommend this expanded edition of The Match.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book is probably closer to 5 stars than 4 so let's call it 4.5
🌶🌶 this gets a 1-2 chili pepper depending on how to judge. It's a closed door romance.

It's the first Sarah Adams book I've read, even though I have a ton of her books on my TBR. It makes me want to read them sooner rather than later because I really like her writing style. This story was overwhelmingly sweet. Even though our main character suffers from a life altering disability she takes life in stride and is more positive than one would expect in her circumstances. Her family dynamics remind me a lot of Lorelai Gilmore with her parents. (if you are a Gilmore Girls fan and have read this let me know if you feel the same) I also love that the beginning and end had this mirror effect, with slight differences, but it was really cute. The ending was adorable.

I feel like the only parts that have any negatives, it's a tiny bit insta-love but not too badly. Also, there was a scene in particular with some miscommunication and I had to pause the audiobook and yell at no one because I was in the car alone. To be fair, Jake did try to fix the mistake right away, so props to him, but it was still there even if it didn't last long.

Thanks to #netgalley for a copy of #thematch by Sarah Adams to read and review.