Gen Z Parent Trap? You Have A Match by Emma Lord

clsimpson430
Aug 20, 2023
3 min read

My Rating: 3 Stars

What do you get when you mix the Parent Trap with Gen-Z angst and wokeness? You Have A Match!

Emma Lord's You Have A Match tries hard to parallel Nora Ephron's summer camp vibes, but sadly derails into annoyingly Gen Z territory...or rather a millenial trying to portray Gen Z’s. Although the romance and outdoorsy vibes in the book are cute, the overall appeal declines after the characters mention Instagram one too many times and the protagonist drops the F-bomb on her parents.

Starting this book, I figured it include would a lot of Nancy Drew-ish hijinks while the sisters search for hidden clues about their parents' relationship. But instead, they only hang out at camp talking about Instagram way too much while the secret of their parents' past is clumsily unfolded with no help from the girls themselves.

While Emma Lord's writing is undoubtedly good and the premise is interesting, the plot is a flop. Characters weave in and out too much, the camp setting isn’t used to its full fun potential, and each character is unrealistically set up for vocational success (via viral Instagram posts) to the point that it just screams unrealistic L.A. behavior.

With a "secret sister" storyline like this one, the author has the option to either give it the Disney Parent Trap treatment--unrealistic with all fun and games--or treat it realistically--without shallow Gen Z dialogue in the most important moments. This one falls somewhere weirdly in the middle that doesn’t allow the audience to become very emotionally invested. Not to mention both Abby and Savannah‘s parents being overall idiots.

However, the romance is cute with a few moments even enciting those book-boyfriend-butterflies. The two primary issues that bring the book down to 3 stars are the heavy parental storyline being treated with the same emotional depth as the teenagers' and the lack of fun camp activities.

In conclusion: You Have A Match is cute, but nothing special. It has potential but leaves it's characters, setting, and storyline not fully developed. I would skip out and stick with Sarah Dessen this summer.

Synopsis:

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.