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Unmatched
UNMATCHED
If you find your husband on a cheating app, don’t get mad—schedule a hookup.
When Lydia Richie discovers her husband's profile on Unmatched—a "dating" app for married people—her world comes crashing down. Seven years in, their commitment to one another has never wavered, but maybe a few other things have... including the amount of time they spend in the bedroom.
All Anton wants is for Lydia to make as much time for them as she does for her job, but when his efforts to rekindle their romance are met with apathy and outright rejection, he turns to Unmatched hoping someone out there wants him. And it seems like someone does when a sexy stranger proposes an illicit hookup...
Little does Anton know Lydia is behind the profile he's been messaging, and when they finally meet at a hotel, things definitely heat up—just not the way either of them expects. Will this hookup be the end of their marriage, or could it mean a second chance?
When Lydia Richie discovers her husband's profile on Unmatched—a "dating" app for married people—her world comes crashing down. Seven years in, their commitment to one another has never wavered, but maybe a few other things have... including the amount of time they spend in the bedroom.
All Anton wants is for Lydia to make as much time for them as she does for her job, but when his efforts to rekindle their romance are met with apathy and outright rejection, he turns to Unmatched hoping someone out there wants him. And it seems like someone does when a sexy stranger proposes an illicit hookup...
Little does Anton know Lydia is behind the profile he's been messaging, and when they finally meet at a hotel, things definitely heat up—just not the way either of them expects. Will this hookup be the end of their marriage, or could it mean a second chance?
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Published October 17, 2023
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About the author
Emilia Reed
3 books28 followersEmilia Reed was raised in Upstate New York until she fell in love and fled its gray skies for the sunny Rocky Mountains. When she is not attempting to substitute couples therapy with romance novels, she spends her time obsessing over dogs and searching for the perfect coffee and ice cream pairing. Emilia lives in Colorado with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
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August 31, 2024The blurb caught my attention but after reading the excellent review below, I knew that there is no way I can stomach reading this but I wanted to see how bad it was so I got to 50% or so before DNF'g.
This is a cheater MMC who has no remorse or grovel and is portrayed as the injured party and gets a HEA in the end. Nope. Not a romance at all.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a cheater MMC who has no remorse or grovel and is portrayed as the injured party and gets a HEA in the end. Nope. Not a romance at all.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 18, 2024
did lydia work a lot? yes. BUT anton never communicated his unhappiness. it’s like he only ever cared about her tits and sex. he treated her like shit the entire book.
he lied about a work trip to cheat on her. talked shit about her to the “ow” (which was actually his wife)… watched porn, had a bank of photos, stared at another girl’s boobs… like was i supposed to empathize or pity this man bc i fucking don’t. he gave up and walked out any chance he got. he contacted a divorce lawyer after AGREEING to give their relationship 30 days to try and fix/change things for the better
i felt so bad for lydia the whole time. he was so mean to her and she was so scared and shy and was really trying to fix her marriage
THIS MAN DID NOT APOLOGIZE ENOUGH (did he even actually apologize at all??? i can’t remember) NOR DID HE HAVE A BIG GESTURE OR GROVEL IN ANY WAY. so terribly disappointing. trash trash trash man
the writing isn’t bad but it wasn’t angsty or super engaging. i just hated anton the whole time bc he was a massive dick and totally unredeemable :/
he lied about a work trip to cheat on her. talked shit about her to the “ow” (which was actually his wife)… watched porn, had a bank of photos, stared at another girl’s boobs… like was i supposed to empathize or pity this man bc i fucking don’t. he gave up and walked out any chance he got. he contacted a divorce lawyer after AGREEING to give their relationship 30 days to try and fix/change things for the better
i felt so bad for lydia the whole time. he was so mean to her and she was so scared and shy and was really trying to fix her marriage
THIS MAN DID NOT APOLOGIZE ENOUGH (did he even actually apologize at all??? i can’t remember) NOR DID HE HAVE A BIG GESTURE OR GROVEL IN ANY WAY. so terribly disappointing. trash trash trash man
the writing isn’t bad but it wasn’t angsty or super engaging. i just hated anton the whole time bc he was a massive dick and totally unredeemable :/
March 8, 2024
Re read 2\6
Marriage in peril notable as couple live like roommates within a terribly sexless existence .Well penned, one can feel the H 's yearning and desperation seep from its pages as he craves intimacy while the wife remains utterly closed off.A crack forms in her facade when it is brought to her attention that H is seeking an interlude via an online group specifically for meant for hook ups of those who are married and or in "committed" relationships.
Following a brief period of separation (he is visiting a his terminally ill mother)where the H acts out in what might be perceived as cruelty but yet is simply him fearing that he will not survive the rug will be pulled out from under him,once again,we do experience with them a somewhat superficial resolution. They finally reach consensus to delve into to a physical relationship and achieve mutual satisfaction.H is still fearful,but h's behaviors truly begin to trumpet that their marriage is finally her priority !
Although I enjoyed this it never delved too deeply into rationales or psycho sexual evaluations to determine root causes..They discuss therapy,so hopefully this occurs in book 2? Author needs to give us more to work with to understand and emphasize w h! I need to feel her angst too!
Marriage in peril notable as couple live like roommates within a terribly sexless existence .Well penned, one can feel the H 's yearning and desperation seep from its pages as he craves intimacy while the wife remains utterly closed off.A crack forms in her facade when it is brought to her attention that H is seeking an interlude via an online group specifically for meant for hook ups of those who are married and or in "committed" relationships.
Following a brief period of separation (he is visiting a his terminally ill mother)where the H acts out in what might be perceived as cruelty but yet is simply him fearing that he will not survive the rug will be pulled out from under him,once again,we do experience with them a somewhat superficial resolution. They finally reach consensus to delve into to a physical relationship and achieve mutual satisfaction.H is still fearful,but h's behaviors truly begin to trumpet that their marriage is finally her priority !
Although I enjoyed this it never delved too deeply into rationales or psycho sexual evaluations to determine root causes..They discuss therapy,so hopefully this occurs in book 2? Author needs to give us more to work with to understand and emphasize w h! I need to feel her angst too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2024
3.5/4 ⭐️
this book takes you through lydia and antons extremely toxic marriage. there isn't much emotional depth but, if you're looking for some messy drama this is the book for you.
this book takes you through lydia and antons extremely toxic marriage. there isn't much emotional depth but, if you're looking for some messy drama this is the book for you.
September 1, 2024
DNF@53%.
The plot(marriage in trouble and cheating/almost cheating depending on how you look at it)interested me but didn’t care about the characters/couple.
The plot(marriage in trouble and cheating/almost cheating depending on how you look at it)interested me but didn’t care about the characters/couple.
October 31, 2023
This was really different than my usual reads in that it was HARD to read. This is not a happy book, even if the ending is satisfying. The problems Anton and Lydia faced were really raw and sad and difficult. No one wants a marriage to fail, no one wants sparks to dim, no one wants to become so busy in your life that your partner takes a backseat to your worklife, but that's what our main characters are facing. At the end of the day the inability to communicate was the silent killer of their marriage, and something that took them what felt like forever to figure out how to do. It also made their interactions incredibly awkward. Which was painful to read about. After the third instance of not voicing their feelings (both of them!) I wanted to reach through the page and shake them. It was also really strange to me that after being together for 10 years, married for 7 years, they don't know how to express needs or be affectionate or even know what makes themselves feel good. But I definitely appreciate that this book shows the lows and realness of marriage and doesn't just cut to a simple resolution. Thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
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October 25, 2023I won't rate because I skimmed but...
Honestly, I thought Anton was a dick and I don't think he deserved any chances after all this shit he pulled. Yes, it was partly the h's fault, but damn he was just mean to her, and whenever she tried, he threw it in her face and embarrassed her or made her heel uncomfortable.
Honestly, I thought Anton was a dick and I don't think he deserved any chances after all this shit he pulled. Yes, it was partly the h's fault, but damn he was just mean to her, and whenever she tried, he threw it in her face and embarrassed her or made her heel uncomfortable.
November 4, 2023
The characters were like white rice or vanilla icecream, incredibly dull and boring. They were very flat, seemingly lacked a past or background and I snoozed at their interactions.
August 20, 2024
This is a tough one!
So Lydia is completely insufferable for the majority of the book. Which I hate because I always wanted side with the FMC!!! But my god! The communication between these two are painful! Anton clearly was wrong but the way the story is told, it seemed like the only option. Though again, they should've just had a conversation about it. Anton's choices were always understandable even if inherently wrong whereas Lydia's actions and reasonings never made sense. Even from her POV some of the choices were bad and annoying.
Both were victims, both were villains. It was a hard read because they just kept making the wrong choices. I'm glad they eventually figured it out cause you could tell that they really loved each other.
So Lydia is completely insufferable for the majority of the book. Which I hate because I always wanted side with the FMC!!! But my god! The communication between these two are painful! Anton clearly was wrong but the way the story is told, it seemed like the only option. Though again, they should've just had a conversation about it. Anton's choices were always understandable even if inherently wrong whereas Lydia's actions and reasonings never made sense. Even from her POV some of the choices were bad and annoying.
Both were victims, both were villains. It was a hard read because they just kept making the wrong choices. I'm glad they eventually figured it out cause you could tell that they really loved each other.
October 17, 2023
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems..
This book had me going through ALL of the emotions and feels!! I could sympathize with both the FMC and MMC but would equally become frustrated with both Anton and Lydia because of the lack of communication!!! But was I feeling what they felt? yep sure was. And even when I wanted Lydia to walk away I was still secretly rooting for them to work out and when I say I was a sucker for the "happy ending"....total simp.
I really like that the author tackled very real issues that happens not just in many marriages, but relationships. And the spice wasn't exaggerated or extreme (don't get me wrong!! I like all the red flags in my book men(: but this book isn't meant for that) and I appreciated the realism in their sexual journeys and explorations, together and individually.
This book had me going through ALL of the emotions and feels!! I could sympathize with both the FMC and MMC but would equally become frustrated with both Anton and Lydia because of the lack of communication!!! But was I feeling what they felt? yep sure was. And even when I wanted Lydia to walk away I was still secretly rooting for them to work out and when I say I was a sucker for the "happy ending"....total simp.
I really like that the author tackled very real issues that happens not just in many marriages, but relationships. And the spice wasn't exaggerated or extreme (don't get me wrong!! I like all the red flags in my book men(: but this book isn't meant for that) and I appreciated the realism in their sexual journeys and explorations, together and individually.
October 14, 2023
These 2, I just loved their story.
It was refreshing to see a marriage in trouble from the opposite way. Many times, it's the husband creating the 'problems'. Although I loved that she's a strong, successful businesswoman.
This book took me on a journey of wanting to shout at Lydia to open her eyes to sympathising with her. The problems aren't always as easy to fix as they seem.
I really enjoyed her journey not only finding herself but her sexual journey.
Many of the problems in this book are quite common for many couples, and it's nice to see them written maturely with a bit of spice.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
*Honestly reviewing after being given an ARC copy via NetGalley*
It was refreshing to see a marriage in trouble from the opposite way. Many times, it's the husband creating the 'problems'. Although I loved that she's a strong, successful businesswoman.
This book took me on a journey of wanting to shout at Lydia to open her eyes to sympathising with her. The problems aren't always as easy to fix as they seem.
I really enjoyed her journey not only finding herself but her sexual journey.
Many of the problems in this book are quite common for many couples, and it's nice to see them written maturely with a bit of spice.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
*Honestly reviewing after being given an ARC copy via NetGalley*
November 12, 2023
The cheating trope is alive and kicking in this book so don’t read it if you’re not a fan. Admittedly I’m not a fan myself but I love a marriage in trouble. The whole issue with this couple stemmed from sex and miscommunication about it. There was a part of me that thought this couple had been together 10 years; why couldn’t they just talk to each other? Then I thought of my own relationship, and even years later misunderstandings occur.
Ultimately this story was very realistic which made it hard to read, especially because I think the moment Anton text back through the app showed how clear his intentions were. Unlike what a lot of characters thought I did not buy into Anton and Lydia being a forever couple. I think they should have separated.
Thank you Voracious readers only for the arc and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Ultimately this story was very realistic which made it hard to read, especially because I think the moment Anton text back through the app showed how clear his intentions were. Unlike what a lot of characters thought I did not buy into Anton and Lydia being a forever couple. I think they should have separated.
Thank you Voracious readers only for the arc and I am voluntarily reviewing.
November 14, 2023
Two wrongs don't make a right
And marriage requires lots of hard-work and compromise from both sides
This book is what King of Greed tried to be but was too chicken to actually deal with real issues (I'm sorry but this is my opinion)
The author doesn't shy away from difficult topics that happen in real life
This feels like a journey and doesn't at all feel like fiction
It seems like a safe space to explore the question "what happens after happily ever after?"
Let's discuss the plot
Anton Richie is unhappy with his life.
His wife doesn't seem to want or have time for him.
They were married for seven years already and he feels incredibly lonely
When the people, at his workplace started discussing about an app called Unmatched, he thought it was a p*rn site where he would hopefully find inspiration to do his business
But then he found it it's a site for married people to date
Yes people, it's a cheating site
But as his marriage seems to going down the drain, Anton wondered if this could be the best solution for all
Lydia Richie live to work
Literally
She has a thriving pet grooming and day-care business called Oh La Pooch and Pooch Park
From sick employees, to opening a new branch, it seems like she's always putting off one fire to the other
And then there's also the subject of her marriage
Anton expected sex, she knew that, but she also never found herself enjoying it
She just wanted it over with
And she's been so tired with work, she knew once the second Pooch Park is opened, she would have time for her husband once more
But when her best friend told her she found Anton's profile on a dating site
Her world was turned upside down
What should she do?
And she found herself scheduling a hook-up with him on the app
Anonymously of course
The plot is hella interesting
It doesn't follow the usual casual-sex then realize they're in love, the marriage of connivence or the oh-so-popular enemies-to-lovers
This is a crumbling marriage of two people who loves each other
Yet doubts, miscommunication and priorities seem to hinder their relationship at every corner
The story deals with difficult topics; about the decline of sex in a marriage, about priorities, work-life balance, about infidelity, about exploring one's sexuality
About working and focusing on your marriage daily
The angst was good too even though at times I find myself wanting to smack both Anton and Lydia in the head
But it what makes the story so good
How real it is
It's not some placate of how sex fixes everything
It raises the question of accountability
And of prioritizing one's happiness over comfort
I love this book
I think couples should read this and discuss these difficult topics
I feel like this could be a great book-club book so there could be a good discussion afterwards
I give this five stars, my first five-stars net galley review
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review
And marriage requires lots of hard-work and compromise from both sides
This book is what King of Greed tried to be but was too chicken to actually deal with real issues (I'm sorry but this is my opinion)
The author doesn't shy away from difficult topics that happen in real life
This feels like a journey and doesn't at all feel like fiction
It seems like a safe space to explore the question "what happens after happily ever after?"
Let's discuss the plot
Anton Richie is unhappy with his life.
His wife doesn't seem to want or have time for him.
They were married for seven years already and he feels incredibly lonely
When the people, at his workplace started discussing about an app called Unmatched, he thought it was a p*rn site where he would hopefully find inspiration to do his business
But then he found it it's a site for married people to date
Yes people, it's a cheating site
But as his marriage seems to going down the drain, Anton wondered if this could be the best solution for all
Lydia Richie live to work
Literally
She has a thriving pet grooming and day-care business called Oh La Pooch and Pooch Park
From sick employees, to opening a new branch, it seems like she's always putting off one fire to the other
And then there's also the subject of her marriage
Anton expected sex, she knew that, but she also never found herself enjoying it
She just wanted it over with
And she's been so tired with work, she knew once the second Pooch Park is opened, she would have time for her husband once more
But when her best friend told her she found Anton's profile on a dating site
Her world was turned upside down
What should she do?
And she found herself scheduling a hook-up with him on the app
Anonymously of course
The plot is hella interesting
It doesn't follow the usual casual-sex then realize they're in love, the marriage of connivence or the oh-so-popular enemies-to-lovers
This is a crumbling marriage of two people who loves each other
Yet doubts, miscommunication and priorities seem to hinder their relationship at every corner
The story deals with difficult topics; about the decline of sex in a marriage, about priorities, work-life balance, about infidelity, about exploring one's sexuality
About working and focusing on your marriage daily
The angst was good too even though at times I find myself wanting to smack both Anton and Lydia in the head
But it what makes the story so good
How real it is
It's not some placate of how sex fixes everything
It raises the question of accountability
And of prioritizing one's happiness over comfort
I love this book
I think couples should read this and discuss these difficult topics
I feel like this could be a great book-club book so there could be a good discussion afterwards
I give this five stars, my first five-stars net galley review
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review
February 20, 2024
This was such an interesting turnaround of a classic trope. In this book, the wife is the workaholic and the husband is the neglected one!
The biggest struggle the reader has (women readers at least) is to try to not turn everything around and make it his fault, because as women that's what we try to do. (admit it ladies, it's part of our nature) If the situation were reversed we would be totally on the neglected wife's side, as we have in countless other romances. She neglected him for years!
That being said, I think the author let the hubby off a little too easily. He cheated on her, tried to have an affair. And, though it isn't fair to place this on the guy's shoulders all the time, a lot of the reason their sex life was lacking was because of him. Yes she was wrong to rebuff him and be sexless, but his way of going about trying to get sex was ridiculous! He'd reach over, grope a body part, and if she wasn't immediately turned on he'd give up and turn away. After 10 years of marriage he was still making teenage moves on her. Literally one of the biggest things he learned in the book was that women are more complicated to arouse desire in and it doesn't just happen automatically... I mean, seriously? What am I supposed to think about a guy who doesn't know that at least intellectually. For context, the book does NOT take place in the 1900's.
Their biggest issue is that they were both virgins, each other's first and only, and they never got sexually experience to know how to do it well. So she comes off as frigid when she's really just unawakened.
I'm gonna be honest, I kinda feel like that's both their faults, but like, 65%-35% more his fault than hers. He was just so clueless and willfully oblivious, like, has it NEVER occurred to you to try and learn sex moves to get her off? NEVER occurred to you to try and get her in the mood before grabbing her tit?
How much of "doh I'm just a stupid man and you should have explained it to me in crayon" when it's really just lazy thoughtlessness are we supposed to forgive?
OK with that being out of the way, she bears a lot of blame for their problems. Takes her a while to pull her head out of her ass, but to be fair, her husband was acting like a jerk about the whole thing. She tried several times and he shut down her gestures HARD but he didn't make any gestures at all. And he cheated on her (it counts!!!!), which got moved on from overly quickly imo.
I would definitely recommend this book overall, very good read!
The biggest struggle the reader has (women readers at least) is to try to not turn everything around and make it his fault, because as women that's what we try to do. (admit it ladies, it's part of our nature) If the situation were reversed we would be totally on the neglected wife's side, as we have in countless other romances. She neglected him for years!
That being said, I think the author let the hubby off a little too easily. He cheated on her, tried to have an affair. And, though it isn't fair to place this on the guy's shoulders all the time, a lot of the reason their sex life was lacking was because of him. Yes she was wrong to rebuff him and be sexless, but his way of going about trying to get sex was ridiculous! He'd reach over, grope a body part, and if she wasn't immediately turned on he'd give up and turn away. After 10 years of marriage he was still making teenage moves on her. Literally one of the biggest things he learned in the book was that women are more complicated to arouse desire in and it doesn't just happen automatically... I mean, seriously? What am I supposed to think about a guy who doesn't know that at least intellectually. For context, the book does NOT take place in the 1900's.
Their biggest issue is that they were both virgins, each other's first and only, and they never got sexually experience to know how to do it well. So she comes off as frigid when she's really just unawakened.
I'm gonna be honest, I kinda feel like that's both their faults, but like, 65%-35% more his fault than hers. He was just so clueless and willfully oblivious, like, has it NEVER occurred to you to try and learn sex moves to get her off? NEVER occurred to you to try and get her in the mood before grabbing her tit?
How much of "doh I'm just a stupid man and you should have explained it to me in crayon" when it's really just lazy thoughtlessness are we supposed to forgive?
OK with that being out of the way, she bears a lot of blame for their problems. Takes her a while to pull her head out of her ass, but to be fair, her husband was acting like a jerk about the whole thing. She tried several times and he shut down her gestures HARD but he didn't make any gestures at all. And he cheated on her (it counts!!!!), which got moved on from overly quickly imo.
I would definitely recommend this book overall, very good read!
March 5, 2024
As someone who doesn't normally enjoy cheating romance novels, I was hesitant to give this one a try. However, the author promised a realistic portrayal of tough subject matter and a satisfying ending, so I decided to give it a chance. And I'm glad I did.
The story follows the marriage of Anton and Lydia, both of whom are at fault for the issues in their relationship. Lydia is consumed with her dog businesses, leaving no time for her husband. Anton is struggling with sexual frustration and is unable to communicate his feelings to his wife. When Anton decides to cheat on Lydia, it seems like their marriage is doomed to fail.
It's frustrating to watch Anton and Lydia make one bad decision after another, pushing each other further away. There were times when I wanted to shake them both and tell them to just talk to each other. But that's what makes this book so relatable. The characters feel like real people with real problems.
Even though there is heavy subject matter, there is a sense of hope throughout the book. Anton and Lydia both realize that they need to change in order to save their marriage. They agree to give it one last shot and commit to thirty days of trying to make things work. It's rewarding watching the characters grow and learn from their mistakes.
Oh, the desperate things we do for love and in spite of love. Unfortunately, this book hits too close to home for me. I learned long ago that communication is key to a happy marriage and Emilia Reed bares all the guilt and resentment that builds when two people don't express themselves verbally and physically.
I highly recommend this book to anyone in a relationship, good or bad. The writing is excellent and the characters are realistic and relatable. It's a candid and emotionally-challenging story that will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished reading.
Thank you to Ms. Reed for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
The story follows the marriage of Anton and Lydia, both of whom are at fault for the issues in their relationship. Lydia is consumed with her dog businesses, leaving no time for her husband. Anton is struggling with sexual frustration and is unable to communicate his feelings to his wife. When Anton decides to cheat on Lydia, it seems like their marriage is doomed to fail.
It's frustrating to watch Anton and Lydia make one bad decision after another, pushing each other further away. There were times when I wanted to shake them both and tell them to just talk to each other. But that's what makes this book so relatable. The characters feel like real people with real problems.
Even though there is heavy subject matter, there is a sense of hope throughout the book. Anton and Lydia both realize that they need to change in order to save their marriage. They agree to give it one last shot and commit to thirty days of trying to make things work. It's rewarding watching the characters grow and learn from their mistakes.
Oh, the desperate things we do for love and in spite of love. Unfortunately, this book hits too close to home for me. I learned long ago that communication is key to a happy marriage and Emilia Reed bares all the guilt and resentment that builds when two people don't express themselves verbally and physically.
I highly recommend this book to anyone in a relationship, good or bad. The writing is excellent and the characters are realistic and relatable. It's a candid and emotionally-challenging story that will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished reading.
Thank you to Ms. Reed for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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October 26, 2023I’m very unsure of how to rate this book, to be quite honest.
Firstly, I’ll say that I did quickly read the prequel before beginning this book, which helped me get at least a brief glimpse of the main characters’ relationship six years before this book begins.
My main issue with the story is that our female main character is the white bread of FMC’s.
There’s nothing distinguishable about her personality, or appearance, other than a few mentions of big boobs, and that she’s extremely frigid… in all aspects of her life.
I wish more of her childhood and background would have been explored and detailed so that we,the readers could’ve gotten a good idea of what made her so reluctant to have healthy communication, and any sort of physical relationship with her husband. I mean, we’re supposed to believe that this buff/ gym rat ,31-year-old male ADONIS, who is attracted to his wife is perfectly capable of going thru a relationship of 10 years with her without sex,or any sort of physical affection?
I mean, the woman didn’t even hug him,talk to him,or so much as shoot a lingering glance at him.
I’m definitely not a proponent of cheating or being unfaithful in your marriage, but what we have here, (& what we were still pretty much left with at the end of this book ) is a couple who were barely friends and roommates, much less a committed married couple with a healthy relationship/love life.
They didn’t even hug until the 93% mark of this book.
The communication was nonexistent, and I just found her to be selfish, and immovable, reluctant, and clearly unmotivated to make her marriage better than it was, which ruined the whole concept of the book for me.
Firstly, I’ll say that I did quickly read the prequel before beginning this book, which helped me get at least a brief glimpse of the main characters’ relationship six years before this book begins.
My main issue with the story is that our female main character is the white bread of FMC’s.
There’s nothing distinguishable about her personality, or appearance, other than a few mentions of big boobs, and that she’s extremely frigid… in all aspects of her life.
I wish more of her childhood and background would have been explored and detailed so that we,the readers could’ve gotten a good idea of what made her so reluctant to have healthy communication, and any sort of physical relationship with her husband. I mean, we’re supposed to believe that this buff/ gym rat ,31-year-old male ADONIS, who is attracted to his wife is perfectly capable of going thru a relationship of 10 years with her without sex,or any sort of physical affection?
I mean, the woman didn’t even hug him,talk to him,or so much as shoot a lingering glance at him.
I’m definitely not a proponent of cheating or being unfaithful in your marriage, but what we have here, (& what we were still pretty much left with at the end of this book ) is a couple who were barely friends and roommates, much less a committed married couple with a healthy relationship/love life.
They didn’t even hug until the 93% mark of this book.
The communication was nonexistent, and I just found her to be selfish, and immovable, reluctant, and clearly unmotivated to make her marriage better than it was, which ruined the whole concept of the book for me.
November 11, 2023
I received this ebook version of this book from Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.
First off, again this is not the usual genre of books I tend to read but decided to give it a go. The main characters, Lydia and Anton’s marriage is suffering mainly due to lack of communication from both parties. Lydia is a workaholic and honestly I don’t recall if there was mention of what Anton does. Lydia is a strong business woman who is working on opening a third business that connects with her two other ones but is weak in the marriage field. She really makes no time for Anton or their marriage especially when it comes to sex and Anton is ready for change. Lydia doesn’t enjoy sex and acts as if it is a chore. All Anton wants is for Lydia to spend as much time on their marriage as she does her businesses. Again, no communication in the marriage leads to trouble.
When Anton makes a choice to download a dating app for unhappy married men/women, Lydia finds out and gets on the app as well. What Anton doesn’t realize is the person behind the messages he starts receiving are actually his wife.
I have to be honest, I was so frustrated with both characters throughout the book but Anton really started to grind on my nerves. Everything for him was sex, never the throughly of communication with Lydia. Even after Lydia makes her choices and goes to let him know all he could think about was sex. I hated that and felt the book ended without any real fix other than the possibility of sex therapy.
I would have to say I’m not seeing myself reading any more of the books in this series.
First off, again this is not the usual genre of books I tend to read but decided to give it a go. The main characters, Lydia and Anton’s marriage is suffering mainly due to lack of communication from both parties. Lydia is a workaholic and honestly I don’t recall if there was mention of what Anton does. Lydia is a strong business woman who is working on opening a third business that connects with her two other ones but is weak in the marriage field. She really makes no time for Anton or their marriage especially when it comes to sex and Anton is ready for change. Lydia doesn’t enjoy sex and acts as if it is a chore. All Anton wants is for Lydia to spend as much time on their marriage as she does her businesses. Again, no communication in the marriage leads to trouble.
When Anton makes a choice to download a dating app for unhappy married men/women, Lydia finds out and gets on the app as well. What Anton doesn’t realize is the person behind the messages he starts receiving are actually his wife.
I have to be honest, I was so frustrated with both characters throughout the book but Anton really started to grind on my nerves. Everything for him was sex, never the throughly of communication with Lydia. Even after Lydia makes her choices and goes to let him know all he could think about was sex. I hated that and felt the book ended without any real fix other than the possibility of sex therapy.
I would have to say I’m not seeing myself reading any more of the books in this series.
April 9, 2025
I absolutely Lovvvved this book.
I found this book by luck, while searching for marriahe on the rocks "cheating" books. Cause Ive been on a HuGE kick of those because I need the rip my heart angst books. In my search and reading Ive found some good books and not some good books... but this one.... blew me away and not the way I expected. Did it have the angst I wanted... heck yeah.
But what sold me was the Realness and the rawness of this plot and the characters.
I felt this author was writing about my life (sans u know the unmatched thing lol) but what the couple was going through, what Lydia was going through.
I stopped many times and read lines to my husband, and was like remember these days.
At one point I was in tears, it was so real. And this was a romance book, but I never read one where $ex wasn't magical and the MCs are all wanting to rip clothes off.
I wished there was more conversation about him going on Unmatched, because if he wasnt "caught" would he have done it. I felt that was left out. And how long between none, the MMC had more growth in book 2 (which Ill get to) but none the less. This book I think covered more of two sides of a couple, that get to a time in life, comfortable, forget to talk, and also need to learn about themselves in the bedroom because they never did because the assumed especially the male.
5 stars, highly recommend, i say read even if your on the fence with the cheating elements. Read if you like angst, personal growth, doggies, steam,
I found this book by luck, while searching for marriahe on the rocks "cheating" books. Cause Ive been on a HuGE kick of those because I need the rip my heart angst books. In my search and reading Ive found some good books and not some good books... but this one.... blew me away and not the way I expected. Did it have the angst I wanted... heck yeah.
But what sold me was the Realness and the rawness of this plot and the characters.
I felt this author was writing about my life (sans u know the unmatched thing lol) but what the couple was going through, what Lydia was going through.
I stopped many times and read lines to my husband, and was like remember these days.
At one point I was in tears, it was so real. And this was a romance book, but I never read one where $ex wasn't magical and the MCs are all wanting to rip clothes off.
I wished there was more conversation about him going on Unmatched, because if he wasnt "caught" would he have done it. I felt that was left out. And how long between none, the MMC had more growth in book 2 (which Ill get to) but none the less. This book I think covered more of two sides of a couple, that get to a time in life, comfortable, forget to talk, and also need to learn about themselves in the bedroom because they never did because the assumed especially the male.
5 stars, highly recommend, i say read even if your on the fence with the cheating elements. Read if you like angst, personal growth, doggies, steam,
December 30, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
All right, so this was honestly a little hard to rate.
On the one hand, it was interesting. Lydia and Anton go through some very real issues and the lack of communication / intimacy between them is something I’ve personally seen end relationships / cause even bigger issues. I thought the author portrayed them in a real, sensitive way, and it was actually kind of refreshing to see how both parties have their own insecurities to deal with. Now for that *other* hand.
Ten years.
Ten years together and they’re still having trouble communicating? Really? How is it possible they lasted a whole 7 years of marriage without properly being able to speak to one another, or with such a lack of intimacy? And then things are basically solved in one month? I have to say that I was remarkably frustrated at the two main characters and how they practically say nothing to each other nearly the entire book. But, it was nice to see some character development, even if it felt pretty rushed for her to ‘overcome’ her coldness towards her husband.
Overall, a decent read. It has a promising premise, but for me, definitely lacking in some of the execution.
Thank you Voracious Readers and Emilia Reed for my copy. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
All right, so this was honestly a little hard to rate.
On the one hand, it was interesting. Lydia and Anton go through some very real issues and the lack of communication / intimacy between them is something I’ve personally seen end relationships / cause even bigger issues. I thought the author portrayed them in a real, sensitive way, and it was actually kind of refreshing to see how both parties have their own insecurities to deal with. Now for that *other* hand.
Ten years.
Ten years together and they’re still having trouble communicating? Really? How is it possible they lasted a whole 7 years of marriage without properly being able to speak to one another, or with such a lack of intimacy? And then things are basically solved in one month? I have to say that I was remarkably frustrated at the two main characters and how they practically say nothing to each other nearly the entire book. But, it was nice to see some character development, even if it felt pretty rushed for her to ‘overcome’ her coldness towards her husband.
Overall, a decent read. It has a promising premise, but for me, definitely lacking in some of the execution.
Thank you Voracious Readers and Emilia Reed for my copy. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 20, 2023
Filled with revenge, drama and some super spicy bits, this novel was a joy to read and kept my attention from the very beginning, up until the very end.
I loved the story here — a woman busy making dreams happen while the void and gross amount of miscommunication takes its toll. Anton, after pleading to spend time together, ends up turning to this app where married folk can come together and find affairs and flings.
When Lydia’s friend, Caprice, finds her husbands profile it seems like her whole world is crumbling. However when she has the idea to actually pursue him through the app as well, the tables turn.
I really enjoyed this novel. The characters were great and the turmoil between Lydia and Anton feels heavy and realistic in nature very much like how we would in real life. I loved Lydia’s businesswoman persona and doing all the things with the cute pooches? Sold.
The plot was rock solid and the flow was pristine and easy. This novel does portray a little of a cheating trope. If that is your ick, this might not be the book for you. The characters as a whole were very likable and the slow burn, second chance romance swooped me up. By the end — that cheating trope really didn’t bother me so much.
I loved the story here — a woman busy making dreams happen while the void and gross amount of miscommunication takes its toll. Anton, after pleading to spend time together, ends up turning to this app where married folk can come together and find affairs and flings.
When Lydia’s friend, Caprice, finds her husbands profile it seems like her whole world is crumbling. However when she has the idea to actually pursue him through the app as well, the tables turn.
I really enjoyed this novel. The characters were great and the turmoil between Lydia and Anton feels heavy and realistic in nature very much like how we would in real life. I loved Lydia’s businesswoman persona and doing all the things with the cute pooches? Sold.
The plot was rock solid and the flow was pristine and easy. This novel does portray a little of a cheating trope. If that is your ick, this might not be the book for you. The characters as a whole were very likable and the slow burn, second chance romance swooped me up. By the end — that cheating trope really didn’t bother me so much.
October 29, 2023
Unmatched does a great job showing how marriage is a work in progress and how communicarion is key.
Anton & Lydia are our main characters, this story is about their marriage and how it has fallen into disarray. Both are career driven, Lydia being the owner of two highly successful businesses which consume all her attention and energy.
The book overview caught my attention, after the cover of course.
I expected the story to be about a cheating husband but it turned out to be so much more. I became so emotionally involved, rooting for Lydia and Anton to reconcile and find a way to save their marriage.
Emilia Reed did such a great job showing each characters point of view, what was driving them to take the actions they did and how they both played a part in their current situation.
As a reader I found myself putting blame on one particular character but as I continued reading I found myself sympathizing with both of them.
Unmatched is a true story of romance and how if two people truly love each other they can overcome anything that comes their way.
This was hard to read at times but the outcome was worth the roller coaster of emotions.
Anton & Lydia are our main characters, this story is about their marriage and how it has fallen into disarray. Both are career driven, Lydia being the owner of two highly successful businesses which consume all her attention and energy.
The book overview caught my attention, after the cover of course.
I expected the story to be about a cheating husband but it turned out to be so much more. I became so emotionally involved, rooting for Lydia and Anton to reconcile and find a way to save their marriage.
Emilia Reed did such a great job showing each characters point of view, what was driving them to take the actions they did and how they both played a part in their current situation.
As a reader I found myself putting blame on one particular character but as I continued reading I found myself sympathizing with both of them.
Unmatched is a true story of romance and how if two people truly love each other they can overcome anything that comes their way.
This was hard to read at times but the outcome was worth the roller coaster of emotions.
October 18, 2023
A dear friend of mine steps into a new arena with this slow-burn, second-chance romance that explores what it is like to marry young and experience that strange push and pull of evolving wants and needs, and how much the process of discovery remains an integral part of successfully growing with someone in a relationship. Anton and Lydia must understand what and where their individual desires are pointing them to, and if the cost of their happiness will be their marriage. Reed has angled this as a 'cheating' novel unlike any out there, and while the general category isn't my typical, it feels like a fair assessment! It's a really nuanced and empathetic take on how failing to live up to ideas and expectations of toxic 'norms' and standards leaves people feeling desperate enough to believe blowing up their lives is the easier option. The cheating is a small yet very clever framework to emphasize the importance of communication and listening--both in and out of the bedroom. And hell yeah, it's a spicy book too, for everyone who enjoys novels with heat. 🔥
November 11, 2023
I appreciated the realistic feel of a marriage in trouble.
The book handles the subject with candour and empathy. However, I found the characters unlikable at times - which I suppose is the point. But the book was a tad tedious for me, sometimes I just wished they would talk to each other and communicate! So many of their issues would have been solved with good communication. I left feeling the characters probably aren’t compatible, and are instead staying together because it’s what they know.
This being said, the writing was excellent, I fear the crops in the book may just not have clicked for me on this occasion. I will definitely read books written by Emilia Reed again.
Overall: mixed feelings about this book.
The book handles the subject with candour and empathy. However, I found the characters unlikable at times - which I suppose is the point. But the book was a tad tedious for me, sometimes I just wished they would talk to each other and communicate! So many of their issues would have been solved with good communication. I left feeling the characters probably aren’t compatible, and are instead staying together because it’s what they know.
This being said, the writing was excellent, I fear the crops in the book may just not have clicked for me on this occasion. I will definitely read books written by Emilia Reed again.
Overall: mixed feelings about this book.
December 14, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing and Emilia Reed for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Unmatched. I was hooked from the first chapter and I couldn't put it down.
I loved the relationship between Anton and Lydia, it felt realistic, unlike a lot of others in the same genre. I really felt like I could relate to them being a married woman myself. Sometimes we let everyday things get in the way of spending time together.
The overall love and chemistry Anton and Lydia had was translated really well. I liked that like most normal married couples, they had their issues and had to come up with solutions to keep their marriage going.
I highly recommend and look forward to reading the next installment.
5 stars from me.
I really enjoyed Unmatched. I was hooked from the first chapter and I couldn't put it down.
I loved the relationship between Anton and Lydia, it felt realistic, unlike a lot of others in the same genre. I really felt like I could relate to them being a married woman myself. Sometimes we let everyday things get in the way of spending time together.
The overall love and chemistry Anton and Lydia had was translated really well. I liked that like most normal married couples, they had their issues and had to come up with solutions to keep their marriage going.
I highly recommend and look forward to reading the next installment.
5 stars from me.
September 18, 2024
I enjoyed the book, it's part 2 of this couple's story. I recommend reading the first book to better understand the dynamics of the couple's marriage. They love each other deeply. I loved Anton, but felt Lydia went back and forth, stressing and agonizing that the decisions she was making were to please him more than what she wanted. I felt a lot of what she was experiencing was from her upbringing, her mother was a real tool. I was happy that through an almost tragic situation she realized Anton was her love and life and everything else was a bonus in her life. I think this story is a realty in many marriages, it was well written.
October 27, 2024
this was so hard to read
I experienced every single emotion reading this book, which is good but OMG I hated both the fmc and mmc up until the last couple of chapters. I can relate to both characters at various points through the book. I never will condone cheating but holy hell I could understand why he’d want to. I mean, I’d leave before getting to that point but who wants to be in a relationship where the other person doesn’t even try. I was so frustrated for him and wanted to smack her for being so lazy with her marriage. It makes me sad that there are probably thousands of relationships just like this. I may need a pallet cleanser before reading the next one
I experienced every single emotion reading this book, which is good but OMG I hated both the fmc and mmc up until the last couple of chapters. I can relate to both characters at various points through the book. I never will condone cheating but holy hell I could understand why he’d want to. I mean, I’d leave before getting to that point but who wants to be in a relationship where the other person doesn’t even try. I was so frustrated for him and wanted to smack her for being so lazy with her marriage. It makes me sad that there are probably thousands of relationships just like this. I may need a pallet cleanser before reading the next one
May 9, 2025
This is by far the worst book of my 2025.
Like this, woman is a rock star turned nothing into an almost three location business. the husband decides he's lonely starts trolling dating apps, she finds out creates a profile and lures him into a hotel. He's mad.
And she begs him to stay. what in the absolute fks is this. And then get this. She makes all the moves to him. She makes all the advances. She does all the work
And he doesn't deserve her, this was honestly a trash book.
She's super uncomfortable with sex and I love a good, it's sexually immature to vixen's story, but this was not that.
He complained about a blow job....
WORST BOOK
Like this, woman is a rock star turned nothing into an almost three location business. the husband decides he's lonely starts trolling dating apps, she finds out creates a profile and lures him into a hotel. He's mad.
And she begs him to stay. what in the absolute fks is this. And then get this. She makes all the moves to him. She makes all the advances. She does all the work
And he doesn't deserve her, this was honestly a trash book.
She's super uncomfortable with sex and I love a good, it's sexually immature to vixen's story, but this was not that.
He complained about a blow job....
WORST BOOK
January 4, 2024
This one was not what I was expecting and I mean that in the best way possible. I have dealt with similar shenanigans before, so I was a bit apprehensive when I requested this one, but I am so glad I did. Everything about this was handled really well and didn't make me feel icky, which almost always happens where there is cheating/almost cheating. Spice, miscommunications, dual pov, if you're looking for something spicy to dive into over the weekend, this is your book. Thank you NetGalley for letting me read Unmatched early!
January 7, 2024
I received a free review copy of this novel through voracious readers, and I absolutely loved it! All the characters were well written, especially Anton and Lydia. I could definitely see myself in Lydia, and it helped me see how things could be viewed from a male perspective as well. I liked how they both learned to communicate their needs and desires, but also how they both kept doubting their true feelings. This alone made the characters seem real and not just figments of someone’s imagination. I cannot wait for the release of the next two books this year!
October 17, 2023
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.
It is a good second chance romance. Anton and Lydia have been together for 10 years. They love each other very much, but life has gotten in the way. Lydia has been focused on her growing business that she has forgotten to have a balance between personal and business life. Anton feels forgotten or unseen. He has tried subtle ways to let Lydia know he feels unseen, but she misses the signs. Anton tries to voice his feelings but ends up giving into Lydia's needs to avoid arguments. Things change when Lydia's friend finds Anton's profile on Unmatched, a dating website for married individuals. Lydia pretends to be a potential hookup. This leads to the first real conversation between Anton and Lydia about ways to save their marriage.
Many marriages face the challenges presented in this book. The author does not cover up anything with cheeiness but presents the characters with hard decisions.
It is a good second chance romance. Anton and Lydia have been together for 10 years. They love each other very much, but life has gotten in the way. Lydia has been focused on her growing business that she has forgotten to have a balance between personal and business life. Anton feels forgotten or unseen. He has tried subtle ways to let Lydia know he feels unseen, but she misses the signs. Anton tries to voice his feelings but ends up giving into Lydia's needs to avoid arguments. Things change when Lydia's friend finds Anton's profile on Unmatched, a dating website for married individuals. Lydia pretends to be a potential hookup. This leads to the first real conversation between Anton and Lydia about ways to save their marriage.
Many marriages face the challenges presented in this book. The author does not cover up anything with cheeiness but presents the characters with hard decisions.
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