Match me if you can

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

You met star quarterback Kevin Tucker in This Heart of Mine. Now get ready to meet his shark of an agent, Heath Champion, and Annabelle Granger, the girl least likely to succeed. Annabelle's endured dead-end jobs, a broken engagement . . . even her hair's a mess! But that's going to change now that she's taken over her late grandmother's matchmaking business. All Annabelle has to do is land the Windy City's hottest bachelor as her client, and she'll be the most sought-after matchmaker in town. Why does the wealthy, driven, and gorgeous sports agent Heath Champion need a matchmaker, especially a red-haired screw-up like Annabelle Granger? True, she's entertaining, and she does have a certain quirky appeal. But Heath is searching for the ultimate symbol of success -- the perfect wife. And to make an extraordinary match, he needs an extraordinary matchmaker, right? Soon everyone in Chicago has a stake in the outcome, and a very big question: When the determined matchmaker promised she'd do anything to keep her star client happy . . . did she mean anything? If Annabelle isn't careful, she just might find herself going heart-to-heart with the toughest negotiator in town.

Match Me If You Can

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂

Match Me If You Can is the sixth installment in the "Chicago Stars" series and this is where we get the infamous agent for the Chicago Stars that we have seen throughout the series and this is his book. I absolutely had a blast with this book. Its not quite my favorite of the series as it was a bit more slow burn than even I was expecting it to be. However, I had such a fun time being able to listen to this one here. It was also interesting in the ways that this couple comes together. I really enjoyed the moments that we get with this couple and they have some of the best banter with each other. There is something so fascinating in how this author will write angst and the whole conflicts of interest in a couple. This is a mix of a matchmaker in a contemporary setting, some competition, and a bit of finding the spouse for the one person you have the hots for kind of setup and this author really handled these elements so well in this one. It's pretty slow burn and a bit minimal on the sexual heat for this one as there aren't that many sex scenes, so keep that in mind when reading this one. And as its a very dragged-out slow burn it's not one that will work for everyone. So keep these aspects in mind upon reading this story.

If Annabelle hadn't found a body lying under "Sherman,: she wouldn't have been late for her appointment with the Python.

Annabelle has had her struggles with finding a career. She has gone from various interests until she decided to take over her late grandmother's matchmaking business and she is determined to make it last and make it a thriving business despite her family's misgivings on it. She is a quirky redhead who goes her own way and stands on her own. Even though she grew up in a family of wealthy and status, she has wanted to prove she can make it on her own. But in order for her business to make it off the ground, she needs to find a upstanding bachelor to land for a marriage, and she knows just the man....Sports agent for the Chicago Stars...Heath Champion. Heath wants to be married and not out of love but just out of expectations from himself. He doesn't believe in love at all and wants a match that will appeal and will be a solid investment. But Annabelle is determined to find Heath the perfect wife, but Heath doesn't make it easy. There is a growing chemistry between them but both of them are determined not to give into what they are feeling for each other. But will the man that is emotionally constipated be able to embrace what he feels for Annabelle before its too late?

Match Me If You Can is a flighty but fun romance. This is pure entertainment in reading this book. And if you love a unique twist for an enemies to lovers, then you have found the right book with this one here. I really enjoyed the whole matchmaking theme that we have here. Both characters you instantly fall for. The hero is so gruff and grumpy of sorts and he is so against love so when he falls hard for love and his girl....it is a brutal landing. And its so delightful seeing Heath grow and learn to redeem himself. We see him go from a man not caring about what others think and just doing his job at all costs...to caring about others and wanting to mend the bridges that he has cracked and broken over the years. Heath is such a redeemable hero that pulls you so strongly into the story. Then we have our quirky heroine. She is snarky but has a kind heart. She is a mix of personality traits that you become endeared to. She is quite easy to get behind and even though she seems so flighty at times, she is passionate and full of drive to set herself apart from her family and their expectations. The romance is definitely much more slow burn from the previous books. But this author does tend to go more for the slow burn type of relationships. We see such longing that these two have but they are also so driven by their "duty" that it takes them awhile to admit what they are feeling for each other but once they do boy do these two get entangled and its pure deliciousness. Now as for the conflict? Well Heath really has to prove he is genuine to the heroine and with the help fo their friends, they are able to accept each other and really come together in such a captivating almost poignant way.

It can be a bit harder to connect to the relationship that Heath and Annabelle have together. The slow burn was a bit too stretched out in my opinion. I do wish that there had been a bit more heart and swoons within this story dealing with this couple. It just felt like there could have been a bit more emotional focus. And while the ending really delivers on that score, I would have liked a bit stronger focus in earlier moments in the story. I just wasn't able to connect to this couple as I was with previous couples I have read from this author.

Anna Fields is such a solid narrator and she really brings the voice of the author in her narration. And my favorite aspects is how she portrays the humor of the story. Its just so well done and really delivers it to the listener in such a relatable way. I always laugh so hard when I pick up a book by this narrator and the accents are so well done.

Match Me If You Can is a feisty enemies to lovers, with delectable banter, characters you can fall hard for, and a slow burn romance to easily get behind! A TRUE DELIGHT!

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:  
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨

First Impressions

Match Me If You Can is the sixth installment in the "Chicago Stars" series and this is where we get the infamous agent for the Chicago Stars that we have seen throughout the series and this is his book. I absolutely had a blast with this book. Its not quite my favorite of the series as it was a bit more slow burn than even I was expecting it to be. However, I had such a fun time being able to listen to this one here. It was also interesting in the ways that this couple comes together. I really enjoyed the moments that we get with this couple and they have some of the best banter with each other. There is something so fascinating in how this author will write angst and the whole conflicts of interest in a couple. This is a mix of a matchmaker in a contemporary setting, some competition, and a bit of finding the spouse for the one person you have the hots for kind of setup and this author really handled these elements so well in this one. It's pretty slow burn and a bit minimal on the sexual heat for this one as there aren't that many sex scenes, so keep that in mind when reading this one. And as its a very dragged-out slow burn it's not one that will work for everyone. So keep these aspects in mind upon reading this story.

First Line

If Annabelle hadn't found a body lying under "Sherman,: she wouldn't have been late for her appointment with the Python.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero:  (Hero’s Name)

-Alpha Male
-Self Made Billionaire
-Sports Agent

The Heroine: (Heroine's Name)

-Small Business Owner
-Socialite
-Snarky and Quirky

Summary

Annabelle has had her struggles with finding a career. She has gone from various interests until she decided to take over her late grandmother's matchmaking business and she is determined to make it last and make it a thriving business despite her family's misgivings on it. She is a quirky redhead who goes her own way and stands on her own. Even though she grew up in a family of wealthy and status, she has wanted to prove she can make it on her own. But in order for her business to make it off the ground, she needs to find a upstanding bachelor to land for a marriage, and she knows just the man....Sports agent for the Chicago Stars...Heath Champion. Heath wants to be married and not out of love but just out of expectations from himself. He doesn't believe in love at all and wants a match that will appeal and will be a solid investment. But Annabelle is determined to find Heath the perfect wife, but Heath doesn't make it easy. There is a growing chemistry between them but both of them are determined not to give into what they are feeling for each other. But will the man that is emotionally constipated be able to embrace what he feels for Annabelle before its too late?

What I Loved

Match Me If You Can is a flighty but fun romance. This is pure entertainment in reading this book. And if you love a unique twist for an enemies to lovers, then you have found the right book with this one here. I really enjoyed the whole matchmaking theme that we have here. Both characters you instantly fall for. The hero is so gruff and grumpy of sorts and he is so against love so when he falls hard for love and his girl....it is a brutal landing. And its so delightful seeing Heath grow and learn to redeem himself. We see him go from a man not caring about what others think and just doing his job at all costs...to caring about others and wanting to mend the bridges that he has cracked and broken over the years. Heath is such a redeemable hero that pulls you so strongly into the story. Then we have our quirky heroine. She is snarky but has a kind heart. She is a mix of personality traits that you become endeared to. She is quite easy to get behind and even though she seems so flighty at times, she is passionate and full of drive to set herself apart from her family and their expectations. The romance is definitely much more slow burn from the previous books. But this author does tend to go more for the slow burn type of relationships. We see such longing that these two have but they are also so driven by their "duty" that it takes them awhile to admit what they are feeling for each other but once they do boy do these two get entangled and its pure deliciousness. Now as for the conflict? Well Heath really has to prove he is genuine to the heroine and with the help fo their friends, they are able to accept each other and really come together in such a captivating almost poignant way.

What I Struggled With

It can be a bit harder to connect to the relationship that Heath and Annabelle have together. The slow burn was a bit too stretched out in my opinion. I do wish that there had been a bit more heart and swoons within this story dealing with this couple. It just felt like there could have been a bit more emotional focus. And while the ending really delivers on that score, I would have liked a bit stronger focus in earlier moments in the story. I just wasn't able to connect to this couple as I was with previous couples I have read from this author.

Narration

Anna Fields is such a solid narrator and she really brings the voice of the author in her narration. And my favorite aspects is how she portrays the humor of the story. Its just so well done and really delivers it to the listener in such a relatable way. I always laugh so hard when I pick up a book by this narrator and the accents are so well done.

Overall View

Match Me If You Can is a feisty enemies to lovers, with delectable banter, characters you can fall hard for, and a slow burn romance to easily get behind! A TRUE DELIGHT!

Favorite Quote(s)
“I think this is the way love feels to people like you and me. Threatening and dangerous. We have to be in control, and love takes that away. People like us… We can't tolerate vulnerability. But despite our best efforts, sooner or later love seems to catch up with us. And then…And then we fall apart.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Jerk Hero, Socialite Heroine
Themes: Laughs/Giggles, Football, Slow Burn
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Woo's and Falls in Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Happier by Ed Sheeran

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone if needed

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Narrators:
Anna Fields

Siya S

★★★★☆ 4 PUT-OK-CUPID-AND-TINDER-TO-SHAME STARS !! 


  
    "You're looking for a wife. Maybe I'm just looking for a little fun."
"If you need fun," he shot back, "I'll give you fun."
  




So, Match Me If You Can is my first official read by SEP. I mean, I've tried It Had To Be You years ago and somehow couldn't manage to get through the 4th chapter. Now, since I'm suspiciously succumbed in a romance/ chick lit/ melodramatic reading mood at the moment, I've decided to give it a try. And oh boy, was it a good one.


  he was tired of being the family outcast, tired of coming up short. And she was afraid… because no matter how much she fought it, she was falling in love with a man who was just like them.


Annabelle Granger was tired. Tired of being the butt of all family's jokes. Tired of her overachieved brothers and their 6-digit salaries. Tired of being an underdog in her matchmaking business field. Tired of choosing the wrong guy (which of course an irony since it's in her profession to look for "the right one"). But with a little help from her friend Molly, she might finally get the chance to proof herself to the world. Why? because The Python, Heath Champion himself was now her client!

If she could convince him to be one, of course.


  “We’re only human.”
“One of us, anyway. The other’s a reptile.”
“Harsh, Annabelle. Very harsh.”


Heath Champion was the best in his field. Nickname "The Python" didn't come to him from a lucky draw; dude's a top sport agent everyone wanted to work with. So why a guy like him needs a matchmaker at all? Why did he even need a person like an amateurish Annabelle in his life? More importantly, why did it seem he couldn't get rid of her, even if he tried?

I love the characters in this book; Annabelle was genuinely a great person; funny, independent and hardworking. Heath, on the surface, might be a selfish douchbag, but there was something more behind the whole douchbagery vibes that quite made sense. The relationship between characters were great. Annabelle's book club (featuring the girls from the past 5 books) was amazing, though somewhat unreal (the gathering of all successful, happily married (with kids), sexy and smart women? All 8 of them? gimme a break).

And for some characters I didn't like at first (try Portia and Phoebe), to my surprise I ended up liking them a lot in the end/ Why? because the character development game was really on point in this book. Each character has his/her own past, like cause and effect of how one choose to act the way we saw. I'm super impressed!!

So this book was like a one big package of surprise. It's sexy, unpredictable and sexy as hell. Man, the sexual tension between Heath and Annabelle was real and intense. I also love the subplots (e.g. introduction to Dean (book #7), Portia Powers and SHHHH secret!). Your stomach will churn, and you won't be able to stop smiling to yourself like a lunatic. Please consider yourself warned.

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Match me if you can

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