The Match

It Happened in Charleston, Book 1

De: Sarah Adams

Narrado por: Rusty Mewha, Leanne Woodward

From the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect comes an expanded edition of The Match—a charming romance novel about second chances and the healing power of love, with a never-before-seen chapter.

Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it.

Evie Jones has dedicated her life and very limited funds working for Southern Service Paws, the company that matched her with the love of her life: Charlie, a service dog trained to assist with her epilepsy. But it’s no secret that the company has been struggling to make ends meet. It’s up to her and her longtime mentor and boss to throw the fundraiser of the century to keep the doors open.

Then, Evie meets Jacob Broaden at a client consultation meeting. There are instant sparks—but not the good kind, because Jacob’s daughter set up the meeting without his knowledge. Ten-year-old Sam has been recently diagnosed with epilepsy and has wanted a service animal ever since. While he has hesitations at first, it doesn’t take long for Jacob to be convinced that a service dog and possibly Evie, with her magical, woodland-green eyes, might just be the best thing for him and his daughter.

As Evie spends more time with Jacob and helps Sam find her perfect match with a lovable golden retriever named Daisy, she starts longing for something she’s never had before—a loving family. For Jacob, falling in love with Evie is the last thing he should be doing, but love has a way of finding those who need it most.

©2020 Sarah Adams (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

The Match Audiobook Review

The Match – Audiobook Review 🎧💛

This book felt like a warm hug and a quiet kind of hope. The Match is a swoony, small-town romance with a big heart—and one of the most tender portrayals of chronic illness I’ve read. Evie, a bubbly service dog trainer with epilepsy, lives with strength and joy despite her challenges. Her journey isn’t about being “fixed,” but about being fully seen—and loved—for exactly who she is.

Jake, the grumpy single dad, is the kind of dashing hero who listens, supports, and falls for every part of her. Their love story is soft, intentional, and full of heart. I especially loved Evie’s bond with his daughter, Samantha, who also lives with epilepsy. Watching their connection grow was emotional, sweet, and deeply validating, and how they handled their disabilities with such grace was truly inspiring to me.

The dogs added the perfect playful touch (I mean, training rescue pups and falling in love? Yes, please! And now I need my own service dog! 🥹❤️). As someone with chronic illness, I felt incredibly seen by this book. It reminded me that love doesn’t require perfection—just presence, patience, and a little faith.

Sarah Adams’ books have become such a comfort read for me. There’s something so soothing about the way she writes love—with warmth, genuine laugh-out-loud humor, and just the right amount of swoon. Her stories always feel like a soft place to land, especially on the hard days. Whenever I need something sweet, uplifting, and full of heart, I know I can count on her books to wrap me up in cozy, hopeful joy.

An absolute gem and clean romance read. Easily a 5 ⭐️ and possibly my new favorite Sarah Adams romance. 💫

A Favorite quote:

“She wasn’t broken. She wasn’t fragile. She was strong in ways the world didn’t always see—and he saw every bit of it. Her illness didn’t make her less lovable. It just made loving her more intentional, more tender, more real.”

— The Match by Sarah Adams 💛

The Match Thoughts

⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️

Classic Sarah Adams! So fun and cute! The story was so unique to anything else I have read. The disability representation was executed wonderfully. A must read!

Tropes:
- single dad
- dislike to love
- forced proximity
- disability rep

Super Cute Rom-Com Book

Such an easy fun flirty read. I like that incorporated independent living as an adult with epilepsy and how the challenge can present when late ring a child with epilepsy and navigating how much independence to allow. The love story ties it all together well :)

Such a sweet love story

Loved this book, different from the usual romance I read. I loved the cliffhangers when things started to heat up. It was a great quick listen and read.

re-release with different narrators from 2020

this is a good clean romance and I absolutely loved it. I have listened to many of the other authors books and when this showed that it was a new book coming out July 2nd of 24 I scooped it up but as I listen to the book it sounded familiar. checking my archives I realize that I had already downloaded and listen to this book in 2020 or 2021 so just be sure you check to make sure but it is a very cute story some laugh out loud moments and a good clean romance I hardly recommend

Mismatched Meet Cute

Enjoyed the story. Showcasing a disability and the ability of the individuals impacted was down in a well-thought manner. The narrators opting to voice each-others parts instead of sticking to their own was off-putting.

Super Cute Dual POV

Narrated in a dual point of view. Very cute story line. Wholesome Romance storyline. Hallmark Movie-ish.

Simply amazing

This was my first Sarah Adam’s and it was so beautifully written I am now obsessed with her

Good book

Best book I’ve read in awhile and really enjoyed the way it made me laugh and get excited

This book is ok, but not great imo

3.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐💫
1 / 5 🌶️
Spicy chapters: None

First Person, Dual POV 🫶🏻

Jake (MMC) and Evie (FMC's)

Pros:
This book is full of humor, and some of the dialogs are hilarious 😁.

I appreciate that the FMC has a backbone and stands up for herself to her parents 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

Finding out how the business of training and breeding service dogs was insightful and interesting.


Cons:
I find it a bit ridiculous that Evie can hardly afford food, even though she essentially had two jobs. You'd think that someone who's a responsible adult with a degree would be able to budget better from her main job and her side hustle - even if she focused most of her efforts on her main passion project of training service dogs 😩🙄.

Why doesn't Evie have more friends or love interests, despite being beautiful, kind, and an almost Saint?? 🤨🤦🏼‍♀️.

I found it annoying that Evie considers Jake to be "too good for her" when he's a single dad with a ton of baggage 🧳? 🤨🤔.

Evie's parents are so superficial, evil, and two dimensional that it was not just unbelievable but borderline cartoonish.

Evie was asking/demanding relationship definition (sounding rather desperate to me) on her first date with Jake. Before anything physical had happened between them. Like... wtf lady? Slow your horses 🐎 😩.


Final thoughts: This is a cute, low stakes book. The best thing in the story were the dogs and the relationship they have with their owners.

Happy reading! 📚