You Have A Match

 

You Have A Match, by Emma Lord, is such a gem of a novel! In this day and age where DNA tests have become popular, a YA novel centered around that what if question of discovering an unknown sibling was super fun! Abby is our main character throughout our journey here, and takes the DNA test at the nudging of her best friend Leo, who's adopted and wants to find out more about his heritage. So along with their other best friend Connie, they all take a DNA test together to lessen the nerves. But instead of Leo finding out about his past, Abby gets the shock of a lifetime when she discovers a full-blood older sibling named Savannah. Not only that, she's a popular Instagram influencer who reacher out to her and wants to meet her. Abby is curious, I mean wouldn't you be? One thing leads to another, and the girls find a way to go to summer camp together without their parents any the wiser. It's not love at first sight with Savvy, but they grow together and figure out their mysterious past while strengthening their relationship despite some personality differences. Throw in some relationship drama and pranks, and you have a five star novel! 

You Have A Match was released January 12th and is a Reese's Book Club Winter YA Pick! 

Slingshot

         This debut novel, Slingshot, by Mercedes Helnwin, starts out a little rough. Gracie is a 15 year old teenager who attends boarding school in a less than glamorous, inland Florida location. Her Dad pays to send her there - and that's about all he does, since he has a whole other family in California. She's on the bottom of the totem pole and has no friends going into this year. 

    The opening scene doesn't seem to contribute a lot to the plot or Gracie's overall character development and seems swept under the rug a little bit too much. It's issues are concerning and need to be addressed. After we move on from the almost teacher-student relationship, the novel goes to great places! I loved how real the novel could be with issues of loneliness and coming of age. I really enjoying the friendship that Wade and Gracie developed first before it blossomed into more, and was devastated when it shattered into pieces. The ending broke me as well, I could feel Gracie's pain as she was dealing with heartbreak and desertion. A solid four stars from me! 

Publish date April 27, 2021

Special thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review