At the start of 2020, Emma Lord released the witty Tweet Cute, a Twitter rivals-to-lovers romcom, and now she is back with another book! You Have A Match is a modern take on The Parent Trap movie, and where Tweet Cute used Twitter, Instagram is the social media platform of choice this time. You Have A Match follows budding photographer Abby, who discovers she has an Instagram influencer sister that her parents have kept secret, and the two sisters plot to head to summer camp together to work things out. You can also expect a friends-to-lovers “will they, won’t they?” subplot, plus a handful of silly pranks and schemes, and of course, that big family secret.
I think Lord really gets social media and writes about it well. A bit of knowledge about Instagram would give readers an advantage, but for those not familiar with the platform, it shouldn’t make the book less enjoyable. It does explore how using the app affects people, and I think the message around responsible use of these types of social media platforms is a good one for teenage readers. It’s not preachy, but I feel like there is a lesson to be learnt.
Lord’s writing style is enjoyable and the voice is easy to get into, it’s what made Tweet Cute one of my favourite reads of last year. Like in Tweet Cute, this will appeal to your senses as one of the characters named Leo loves to cook, so there is plenty to smell and taste. Once again, I think she hits what it’s like to be a teenager really well. There are times where characters feel lost and confused, jealous, sad, and wanting to get back at their parents! I could definitely relate, and think lots of readers will have felt these emotions at some point. There is quite a bit of miscommunication between characters in the story which creates drama, and life would be so much easier if everyone just says what they mean, but when have feelings and emotions ever been easy to deal with at that age?
You Have A Match does have sensitive themes around family and brings up adoption, and I cannot comment on how well this topic is handled and represented as this is not something I’ve ever had to experience myself. Experiences can vary, the book can only show how its characters choose to feel and behave in their own unique situation. Saying this, the book never takes itself quite too seriously. It’s emotional, and there are tough moments, but it’s broken down into short chapters and there are lots of jokes, banter, silly scenes, and tender moments to break it all up. On the one hand you could argue that it doesn’t take certain issues (adoption, family trauma etc) seriously enough, but on the other hand, you could argue this is a teen book also trying to be a coming of age comedy set at a summer camp. Sometimes I felt like the book was trying to tell two stories at once, so the secret sister plotline sometimes had to take a back seat where it should have been at the centre stage. It is still a positive book though, honestly reading this was a ray of sunshine after the year we just had! I would definitely check out anything else Emma Lord wants to write a book about, she’s one to watch!
If you’ve enjoyed Emma Lord’s previous work, then read this book. If you haven’t read her books yet, then pick up this book. If you’re a teenager or ever been a teenager, read this book!
You Have A Match is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 12th 2021.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord’s You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…
When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.
But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.
When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.
The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.
But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.
