Member Reviews
I enjoyed this book so much! I thought the story was so adorable , I loved Evie as a main character and I thought Jacob was a great romance interest.
The banter between Jacob and Evie is so dang cute, especially on their first meeting when they realize Sam tricked them into meeting because she was interested in a service dog. I thought the relationship between Sam and Evie was great and I appreciated that they connected over a shared experience with epilepsy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me listen to the audiobook.
4,5 ⭐️
This book was so adorable!! It was my first book by Sarah Adams and it’s definitely not my last. This book follows Evie, who’s working at a company that provides service dogs for people who need one. She, herself, also has a service dog named Charlie, who helps her with her epilepsy. One day she meets a father and a daughter for an appointment to give information about the company and what a service dog might do for the daughter, Sam, who also suffers from epilepsy. However, the dad, Jake, wasn’t aware of this appointment being made by his little girl pretending to be him 🦮
Their paths obviously cross and Evie helps Jake and Sam handle her epilepsy with the help of a service dog. There’s some really cute tropes in here and great representation. The one thing that made me take off half a star was the third-act conflict. That being said, the rest of it was so cute.
I listened to this book and the narration was amazing. It’s double POV and there’s also two narrators, which I thought was really nice. I had a great time listening to this and I thoroughly enjoyed this story 🫶🏼
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this audiobook in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own 🩷
hank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
This book was so cute and is definitely going on my top books of 2024. I know this book is a reprint/special edition, so being that I enjoy Sarah Adam's books I am not sure how I haven't read this book yet. I enjoyed the narrators of the audiobook and I thought there voices went well together. I also thought the chemistry between the two main characters was amazing. However, what I really loved about this book was the service dog element. As someone who lives with multiple disabilities, I love when a book includes disability representation. I also have a service dog of my very own. Her name is Pretzel and she is a golden retriever. She helps me with my diabetes. I love how Sarah Adams includes characters with disabilities in her books and I hope she continues to do this in the future.
I seriously couldn't love this book more! All the stars!!!
Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
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This story truly captured my heart with its touching storytelling. The author's words evoked a range of emotions—nostalgia, happiness, and at times, a hint of anxiety—yet throughout, there was a comforting assurance that everything would unfold beautifully in the end.
The narration was captivating, skillfully bringing each character and scene to life with every spoken word. It felt as though the narrator not only conveyed the narrative but imbued it with depth and emotion, enriching every chapter.
What I found most compelling about the author's writing was their ability to delve into the complexities of human emotions. I found myself deeply engaged, laughing with the characters' quirks, empathizing with their struggles, and celebrating their triumphs. The narrative's ability to evoke such a wide range of feelings is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess.
As the story drew to a close, I felt a satisfying sense of closure. The conclusion was impactful and left a lasting impression, reminding me of the beauty in life's journey and the power of a well-crafted narrative.
This work is a true gem that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter. It exemplifies the transformative power of storytelling, offering both escape and profound insights into the human experience.
Another sweet, adorable book from Sarah Adams. Honestly, she has become a must read rom-com writer for me. This one was cheesy, sweet and left me feeling happy. Was it predictable, yes. Realistic, not really. But wonderful anyway. I love the characters - the main characters and support characters (2 and 4 legged!) They were a group of people that I wanted to jump into the story to meet and make a part of my life. I loved the happy ending, even if it felt a little forced. I just walked away from this book smiling - I listened to it on audiobook in a day and a half. I truly did not want it to end. If you are looking for the sweetest relationships - thrown in with some real life issues - definitely pick this one up! A perfect summer read.
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced audio copy.
Everyone deserves the freedom to live their life the way they want, independence is important and Evie got hers later than most. With her service dog Charlie by her side she’s safe and now she dedicates her time training service animals to help others. When Evie meets Jacob for a consultation meeting there’s an instant spark. He’s reluctant at first, a dog can’t protect his daughter like he can. Sam is his everything and once they find her perfect match Daisy he starts opening up.
When it comes to romantic comedies I need three things for the optimal reader experience. Moments that make me laugh out loud, quirky lovable characters and an emotional element that pulls on my heartstrings. This one checks all those boxes, I’m obsessed!!!
Evie is so strong and I admire her for going after what she wants despite what those around her says. Jacob is the best father and loves his daughter Sam with his entire being, she’ll always come first. His wife left him to pursue a career in Hollywood but she always comes crawling back. What i took from that is if someone’s dragging you down it doesn’t matter who it is, cut them off until they’ve proven otherwise.
This is a revised and expanded edition of The match by Sarah Adams. Add this one to your tbr if you’re into the single dad trope and looking for a comforting summer read.
Read this if you like
🧑🏼🍼The single dad trope
🏡Small town
🦮Puppies
✨Found family
💜Clean romance
TW epilepsy, emotionally abusive parents, divorce
This book is a sunshiny, feel-good, closed-door romance. Evie works for an agency that matches service dogs with people who need them. She knows first hand the independence and security a service dog can provide, because her golden retriever, Charlie, is a service dog trained to assist with her epilepsy. Evie meets Jake when his 10-year-old daughter (who also has epilepsy) sets up a meeting with Evie to talk about getting a service dog of her own.
Evie is such a strong character, who fully lives her life despite a difficult family and the added challenges of having a disability. She is such a positive person, and I loved her relationship with her boss, Joanna. Evie and Jake have instant chemistry but their relationship building is a slow burn, and their story is captivating from the start. Jake’s daughter, Sam, added so much to the plot and I adored seeing Jake and Sam’s sweet relationship.
🎧The audiobook is dual narration by Rusty Mewha and Leanne Woodward. I loved their portrayal of Jake and Evie, as well as their added southern accents for other characters. It really brought in the southern charm of Charleston.
I loved this book and cannot wait for the re-release of the 2nd book in the It Happened in Charleston series, The Enemy (8/6/24). Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Sarah Adams, and NetGalley for the chance to listen to this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
What a sweet lovely well narrated story. Evie is trying to live her life as she wants to. She was diagnosed with epilepsy and has a wonderful service dog that is giving her the confidence to do so. It’s a bit of a struggle as she’s though she is not only learning to be her own person in her own right, she is constantly under attack by her very wealthy parents who only see her as broken, doing a job they don’t approve of and only want to marry her off to someone who who she abhors and is an awful person. Her parents are incredibly wealthy, snobbier than anyone has a right to be, constantly belittling her each and every move and treating her as chattel. Her life is quite lovely, if not a little bit small as she has, based on her experience mostly given up on having a romantic partner due to her past experiences and her diagnosis. She has found her place with Jo, working for her company that raises and places service dogs with people in need of them. She will eventually take over the company that she loves and is excited, but cannot catch a break from the barrage of disdain, disinterest and manipulation from her selfish and very misguided parents. When she meets Jacob, through some very smart sneakiness of his adorable daughter, she is intrigued and hopeful. The author has written a wonderful sweet story of two people wary of trust and romance, but even with some miscommunications finding their way to a very sweet and satisfying happily ever after. I adored the listening experience. I needed something sweet and happy and thats what I got. Plus we got to meet Charlie her service dog. Service dogs and the people who raise them are amazing. These working dogs give people their autonomy and make heir lives better. I am in awe of them and respect everyone involved in helping people get these life changing dogs.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator's were both great. The story was a little drawn out for me and at times flat. Conversely, there were some moments I loved, like jumping into the pool at the family BBQ. It was a solid 3.5 star read/listen for me.
If Sarah Adams doesn’t have a fan, I am dead.
My heart 🥹
I honestly wish the book was longer!! Sam, Jake, and Evie are adorable!! Read this if you enjoy Gilmore Girls, single dad tropes, support animals, cute banter, and rom coms in general. I appreciate how Sarah Adams tells ya how it is with spice level and trigger warnings!
Evie is a therapy dog trainer, who has her own therapy dog, Charlie. One day, she gets an email about training a seizure support dog for a young girl, and she’s all in. The girls dad? Skeptical. But, Jake and Evie both had a crush on the other at first site. This cute rom-com talks about parent issues and spouse issues as well as epilepsy. It was a quick, binge read. I love that Sarah took her MIL’s awesome job as inspiration.
I can’t wait for the enemy!
Thanks to netgalley for the ALC 🫶🏼
Just finished listening to this story and boy do I want a chocolate chip muffin real bad now 🤣 such a great story! Disability representation throughout as Evie has epilepsy as well as Jake’s daughter. I love the whole premise of this story- dogs are such smart and amazing creatures!
This wholesome romance was 5 stars from me and is my new favorite from @authorsarahadams!
Evie Jones is living in Charleston and working at Southern Service Paws, a company that matches individuals with service dogs and who introduced her to her best friend, her dog Charlie. Evie meets Jacob at a client consultation “meeting”, which was secretly set up by Jacob’s daughter, Sam. Sparks instantly fly between Jacob and Evie, and Evie realizes she may have finally found a true family that supports and loves her unconditionally.
The Match is my favorite book that I read in June and I can’t recommend it enough. This book was originally published in 2020 but the revised and expanded copy is publishing on Tuesday, July 2! Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscape_media, and Sarah Adams for an advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
Oh. My. GOSH! SARAH ADAMS!!! This book was absolutely phenomenal! As an occupational therapist, I was immediately captivated by the story. The main character had such an inspiring strength that literally had me in awe. The bond between the two main characters was written so beautifully that I was totally swooning. Their connection just pulled me completely into the story. This was my first time reading anything by Sarah Adams, but it certainly won't be my last. I am beyond excited to dive into her entire backlist next. This book was truly out of this world - from start to finish, I was on the edge of my seat. If you love stories with heart, depth and characters you become totally invested in, then you HAVE to read this one. I can guarantee it will leave you with all the feels. Thank you, Sarah Adams, for bringing such an amazing story to life - I am one very happy (and satisfied!) reader.
This was a super cute, sweet, and refreshing closed door romance. Is it a bit cheesy? Sure, but most of what I read is dark and heavy and this world we live in can be dark and heavy, so a cheesy and uplifting read that soothed my heart and made me feel good is exactly what I needed. I absolutely loved the dual narration for Evie and Jake; both narrators did an outstanding job. Thank you so much Dreamscape Media, Sarah Adams, and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sarah has done it again, I swear everything she writes leaves me so uplifted and light after turning th last “page”.
Thank you Dreamscape Media for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own. I absolutely adore everything Sarah Adams writes!
This was a reread for me but I loved the updated audiobook. I really appreciated that we got narrators for Evie and Jake. The work that Evie does (and seeing her and Sam experience a seizure) was heartbreaking but I loved seeing Jake take care of her. I loved Charlie and hearing about their organization and the good that it does. I love how they fell into each other and it always felt so natural for them.
Well I have been charmed by 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉. This book is pure sunshine and sweetness. I’m talking all the hallmark vibes. It is truly so wholesome and had me smiling throughout the entire book. Evie, Jake, Sam, Charlie, and Daisy deserve the world. I loved the little family they built. The chronic illness rep was done so well. Evie was so much more than her disability and never let it hold her back from pursuing what she wanted. I admired her strength in all aspects. Overall, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 was an adorable book and perfect if you’re looking for a feel good romance.
🎧 The audiobook for this was so well done. The narrators, Rusty Mewha and Leanne Woodward, portrayed Jake and Evie perfectly. I would definitely recommend the audio for this book.
Tropes:
✨ Single Dad
🚪 Closed Door
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
💕 Friends to Lovers
🩺 Chronic Illness Rep
🫶🏼 Found Family
🐕🦺 Service Dogs
Thank you so much Dreamscape Media, Sarah Adams, and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Having worked for Southern Service Paws for several years, Evie thought she was prepared for any client meeting. However, she was dead wrong. The day she meets single dad Jacob Broaden to discuss matching his daughter with one of their service dogs, she learns a few valuable lessons. As they navigate the process together, unexpected connections form, reminding them both that love often appears when you least expect it.
I’m not even a dog person and this was still 5⭐️ The story was so meaningful through watching Evie and Jacob’s daughter, Sam, manage epilepsy- I learned so much! Evie’s service dog Charlie had me giddy and though he was a cute companion from the beginning, Jacob complements her so much more (& also actually gives her the most adoring compliments hehe). I was living for the sweet moments when he realized she might like him and told himself ‘I’m over it’ to risk putting his heart on the line. Don’t even get me started on all the ✨girl dad✨ moments. Jacob Broaden couldn’t have shined any brighter.
Thank you @dreamscape_media @netgalley for the audiobook 💛 I absolutely loved the narrators!
Perfect for you if you like:
Insightful disability rep
Adorable pet companions
Age gap + man head-over-heels
Girl dad things that help him also connect with Evie
Similar to:
Betrothal or Breakaway by Leah Brunner
Savor It by Tarah DeWitt (open door)
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
*Evie & Jacob reminded me of these main characters at different points throughout the book
⛔️fade to black romance
⚠️mild language, strained relationship with parents, spouse/mother previously left
Evie walks into a meeting with a potential client and his daughter. But, Jake, the client, knew nothing about it. His daughter, Sam, set the whole thing up pretending to be him. Sam was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and saw a news segment about how service dogs can help. Evie works for a service dog company, and has a service dog herself. Jake sends Evie packing, but feels guilty. He reluctantly allows Sam to have a service dog. The more time Evie spends with them, training their new service dog, the harder it is for Jake to picture life without her.
This is a cute, quick, clean read. (I consider it clean- there is kissing, but anything more is closed door). Evie, Jake, Sam, Charlie, and Daisy make an adorable family. It was predictable, but still enjoyable.
Rusty Mewha and Leanne Woodward narrate the audiobook.
I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐬
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★
I absolutely LOVE Sarah Adams and this book did not disappoint! This wholesome, feel good story had me hooked from the first page. I adored the FMC Evie and her down to earth personality, along with her beautiful outlook on life. Even with the circumstances she faced with her family and her lack of finances to support herself she is still positive and works hard to help others in life.
Evie’s story of battling with epilepsy and working to train and provide service dogs for others who need them with similar conditions was truly inspiring to read. I loved her “no back down” kind of attitude that landed her the connection with the one and only Jacob! I ate up the fact that Jacob’s daughter was dealing with the same battle as Evie and she tricked her dad into meeting with Evie. The instant connection between the two characters was perfection.
The adorable found family theme that unfolded after and the sweetness that overflowed through the pages had me unable to turn away from this until the end.
Rusty Mewha and Leanne Woodward did a wonderful job narrating this book. I enjoyed the emphasis they put into reading the characters.
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘
Single Dad
Found Family
Closed Door
Strong FMC
Epilepsy Rep
Age Gap