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Match me if you can

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

First published 2005 · 402 pages

A sparkling, banter-filled battle of wills where a chaotic underdog goes toe-to-toe with a ruthless perfectionist.

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What it feels like

Reading this book feels like stepping into the golden era of early-2000s romantic comedies. It is a masterclass in the opposites-attract dynamic, pitting a delightfully chaotic, underdog heroine against a fiercely driven, perfectionist hero. The pace is brisk and energetic, propelled by razor-sharp banter and a playful, sassy tone that never loses its underlying warmth. Underneath the sparkling comedic set-pieces and workplace rivalry, there is a deeply satisfying emotional texture about shedding the burden of expectations and finding true self-worth. The prose is snappy and dialogue-heavy, creating an upbeat, swoony atmosphere that keeps the pages turning. It will thoroughly delight readers who crave classic, laugh-out-loud romance where the arrogant alpha is ultimately brought to his knees by a woman who refuses to play by his rules.

Mood
  • upbeat
  • energetic
  • swoony
  • breezy
Tone
  • playful
  • wry
  • sassy
  • heartfelt
Pace
brisk
Themes
opposites attract · underdog triumph · facade of perfection · finding self-worth
The writing
Snappy and dialogue-driven, the writing crackles with sharp comedic timing while maintaining a warm, empathetic undercurrent.
The arc
The journey shifts from chaotic, defensive banter to vulnerable self-acceptance and deeply satisfying devotion.
Who it's for
Fans of classic, banter-heavy rom-coms who adore chaotic, underdog heroines going toe-to-toe with hyper-competent, arrogant heroes.
Content notes
  • mild sexual content
  • grief
  • early 2000s gender tropes

About the book

Annabelle is tired of being the lone failure in a family of overachievers. She's endured dead-end jobs and 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. Nothing is going to stand in her way -- not the drunk lying comatose under her car, not her family's disapproval, and certainly not the lingering effects of a broken heart.With his money green eyes and calculated charm, Heath Champion is the best sports agent in the country. He's wealthy, driven, and gorgeous, so why does he 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 his success -- the perfect wife. And to make an extraordinary match, he needs an extraordinary matchmaker, right?Thin, rich, utterly fabulous Portia Powers has spent her career making matches for everyone but herself. Her take-no-prisoners attitude has built Power Matches into the top matchmaking agency in Chicago. So what if she has more enemies than friends and she's one breath away from a nervous breakdown? Neither an upstart like Annabelle Granger nor Heath Champion's menacing, but oddly intriguing, bodyguard, will keep her from getting what she wants -- a Power Match for Heath... the city's very own Jerry Maguire.Soon everyone in Chicago has a stake in the outcome, right down to Annabelle's overprotective book club. When the matchmaker promises she'll do anything to keep her star client happy... does she mean anything? If Annabelle isn't careful, she just might find herself going heart-to-heart with the toughest negotiator in town -- a man who's beginning to ask himself: Exactly how perfect does perfect have to be?

Description from Open Library.

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