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Matched Up
The third book from Branford Boase award nominated author, Jenny Ireland. This YA sport romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Emily Henry!
When Lexie sees Shane for the first time, she’s blown away. Not only by the way he plays football (although that is great), but by his looks, and how he’s not like the other boys. Best of all, he feels the same way about her. Electricity at first sight.
But there's a problem.
New in town, Shane has taken the position in Westing FC's starting 11 that Lexie’s brother, Niall, had set his sights on. Now, they must be each other's biggest secret. Shane's family situation is complicated, so there isn't much space for a girlfriend... or is there?
At first, the sneaking around is after practice, meeting on the beach, hiding from Niall. But things are about to get complicated...
Also by Jenny
THE FIRST MOVE
"I LOVED IT!! Amazing disability representation. Incredible character development. Gripping, fast-paced plot. This is YA romance at its finest!!" – Goodreads reader
THE BOY NEXT DOOR
"This book made me cry, laugh and also look at life slightly differently" – Goodreads reader
When Lexie sees Shane for the first time, she’s blown away. Not only by the way he plays football (although that is great), but by his looks, and how he’s not like the other boys. Best of all, he feels the same way about her. Electricity at first sight.
But there's a problem.
New in town, Shane has taken the position in Westing FC's starting 11 that Lexie’s brother, Niall, had set his sights on. Now, they must be each other's biggest secret. Shane's family situation is complicated, so there isn't much space for a girlfriend... or is there?
At first, the sneaking around is after practice, meeting on the beach, hiding from Niall. But things are about to get complicated...
Also by Jenny
THE FIRST MOVE
"I LOVED IT!! Amazing disability representation. Incredible character development. Gripping, fast-paced plot. This is YA romance at its finest!!" – Goodreads reader
THE BOY NEXT DOOR
"This book made me cry, laugh and also look at life slightly differently" – Goodreads reader
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2025
10 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 25, 2025
3.5 or 4 I can’t decide. At the start I didn’t think I was going to like it as much as her other books and it’s not my favourite of hers. I did however really enjoy it and I really like the characters. It was quite instalovey which isn’t my favourite I definitely prefer more of a slow burn and I did get a little bit cringed out at times. I was also low-key more interested with her resolving things with her brother than the romance but I still thought Lexie and Shane were very cute. Her brother pissed me off and was very mean at times but he redeemed himself and I think he might be my favourite character. Tehe.
It was very cute and just what I needed after reading fearless, I think that may also be why I read it so quickly because it stopped me thinking about the ending and distracted me. Still recovering.
It was very cute and just what I needed after reading fearless, I think that may also be why I read it so quickly because it stopped me thinking about the ending and distracted me. Still recovering.
March 19, 2025
Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for approvinf me to read this book, I’m rating it 5 stars.
The vibes were immaculate.
There’s something so special about YA Romance, it’s all those first big emotions and tough talks that really get me in my feels. Jenny Ireland is a recent favourite author of mine for this genre because of a previous read so I had been overjoyed to be approved for this new book. I will literally read anything by this author now.
This book sucked me in and I feel like I felt every emotion alongside the FMC, it was a fantastic read. I will recommend this to everyone!
The vibes were immaculate.
There’s something so special about YA Romance, it’s all those first big emotions and tough talks that really get me in my feels. Jenny Ireland is a recent favourite author of mine for this genre because of a previous read so I had been overjoyed to be approved for this new book. I will literally read anything by this author now.
This book sucked me in and I feel like I felt every emotion alongside the FMC, it was a fantastic read. I will recommend this to everyone!
May 3, 2025
3.5 stars
When I went into the book I didn‘t know what I was getting into. And I liked it more than I thought I would. In the beginning almost every character seemed completely annoying. But in the end it was actually okay. I need to say the romance felt kinda rushed in the beginning so it definitely was not a slow burn I was hoping for. But that is more my fault bcs the book is pretty short.
Overall I would recommend it as an easy read cause I read it one sitting after being completely confused by this book called We were liars.
And btw I pictured the whole time Niall Horan from 1d as the fmc brother cause of the name.
When I went into the book I didn‘t know what I was getting into. And I liked it more than I thought I would. In the beginning almost every character seemed completely annoying. But in the end it was actually okay. I need to say the romance felt kinda rushed in the beginning so it definitely was not a slow burn I was hoping for. But that is more my fault bcs the book is pretty short.
Overall I would recommend it as an easy read cause I read it one sitting after being completely confused by this book called We were liars.
And btw I pictured the whole time Niall Horan from 1d as the fmc brother cause of the name.
June 20, 2025
A football pitch in the garden . . . seriously?!!
June 9, 2025
Shane only wearing tracksuits is the most Belfast thing about this book
April 22, 2025
Okay, I never thought I’d see the day where I read a football book ⚽📖. Like, me?? Reading about football?? But here we are. And to be fair, it wasn’t bad! The book was super easy to read and I flew through it – no complaints there ⏩.
BUT (and it’s a big but)… what even was the relationship between Lexi and Shane?? I don’t understand how they supposedly like each other🫂?? They had like two training sessions mostly spent kissing💋. Where was the buildup? The tension? The actual talking?? Their “bond” just felt surface-level, like they were thrown together and the plot was like yep, that’s enough.
It honestly felt like they knew each other for three days MAX ⏳. And Lexi’s already demanding full transparency from Shane?? Girl be for real. You’ve known him for 72 hours. Relax. Let the boy breathe 🧍♂️💨. Yes, communication is great—but she was acting like he betrayed her after one vague answer. Come on now.
Also, the timeline🗓️?? I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Everything just kind of happened out of nowhere.
Can we talk about that moment when Shane says Lexi’s funny🤣? LIKE WHERE. When??? What joke did I miss🤡?? I felt like the book told me they were into each other, but never really showed me why.
One second they’re strangers, the next they’re soulmates🌹. It needed more breathing🗣️ room, more scenes where we actually see their connection grow. I have to give it 2 stars ✨ because I just don't think it reaches the expectation that my 3 stars have.
BUT—I will say—the cover is adorable. Like, seriously cute. 10/10 for vibes and aesthetic ✨.
Thanks Netgalley and the author for the ARC 👏🏻🎯💫
BUT (and it’s a big but)… what even was the relationship between Lexi and Shane?? I don’t understand how they supposedly like each other🫂?? They had like two training sessions mostly spent kissing💋. Where was the buildup? The tension? The actual talking?? Their “bond” just felt surface-level, like they were thrown together and the plot was like yep, that’s enough.
It honestly felt like they knew each other for three days MAX ⏳. And Lexi’s already demanding full transparency from Shane?? Girl be for real. You’ve known him for 72 hours. Relax. Let the boy breathe 🧍♂️💨. Yes, communication is great—but she was acting like he betrayed her after one vague answer. Come on now.
Also, the timeline🗓️?? I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Everything just kind of happened out of nowhere.
Can we talk about that moment when Shane says Lexi’s funny🤣? LIKE WHERE. When??? What joke did I miss🤡?? I felt like the book told me they were into each other, but never really showed me why.
One second they’re strangers, the next they’re soulmates🌹. It needed more breathing🗣️ room, more scenes where we actually see their connection grow. I have to give it 2 stars ✨ because I just don't think it reaches the expectation that my 3 stars have.
BUT—I will say—the cover is adorable. Like, seriously cute. 10/10 for vibes and aesthetic ✨.
Thanks Netgalley and the author for the ARC 👏🏻🎯💫
July 21, 2025
okay that was not a slay.
i was excited for this book cause I really enjoyed 'the first move' and 'The boy next door' but im low-key disappointed. compared to the other two books it was kinda flat, the main character was annoying (yes I know she's a teenager) and the insta love threw me off. the conflict was silly, I hate the 'oh you should tell your partner everything, you shouldn't have any secrets'. like babe you are 17 and you've known this boy for 3 days, what are you on about?
i was excited for this book cause I really enjoyed 'the first move' and 'The boy next door' but im low-key disappointed. compared to the other two books it was kinda flat, the main character was annoying (yes I know she's a teenager) and the insta love threw me off. the conflict was silly, I hate the 'oh you should tell your partner everything, you shouldn't have any secrets'. like babe you are 17 and you've known this boy for 3 days, what are you on about?
July 28, 2025
ok firstly loved the finbar and molly/michael and jules cameos. they gave me life.
this one was odd, like they were so rich and privileged which was an interesting plot point for sure, as well as the whole hating thing where lexie basically hated on everyone through the book.
i enjoyed the romance, it was cute, but like most of this book just felt unbelievable in way. idk, like its still jenny ireland so its quality writing, but it didnt really do it for me as much as her other books.
this one was odd, like they were so rich and privileged which was an interesting plot point for sure, as well as the whole hating thing where lexie basically hated on everyone through the book.
i enjoyed the romance, it was cute, but like most of this book just felt unbelievable in way. idk, like its still jenny ireland so its quality writing, but it didnt really do it for me as much as her other books.
May 21, 2025
Jenny Ireland just knows how to write 😭 I always love her characters so much and this time, in this book, everything happened so fast and I absolutely loved it. Such a cute, entertaining story and again the male characters were just chefs kiss
dnf
July 16, 2025I JUST WANNA PICK UP A GOOD BOOK IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
this is a bad book. I kinda wanna finish it so I can write a rant review, but I also can't be bothered.
this is a bad book. I kinda wanna finish it so I can write a rant review, but I also can't be bothered.
September 7, 2025
3.5 so cute!
April 23, 2025
I loved this book!
May 13, 2025
I utterly love Jenny Ireland's writing style - the way she creates a world with words, her wit, her representation. I just wasn't invested in this novel as I was in her first two, though I can't exactly say why.
There was a lot of kissing and fooling around pretty early in the novel, and the problems the main characters had with each other (twins) just felt a little bit flat. Though I loved the posh girl vibes Lexie's family oozed, I maybe expected the secretive way Shane acted to have more depth I guess. The tension in the novel around what was 'secret' about him was not something that kept me glued to the pages, unfortunately. Though at the same times love that her storylines are never toxic, damaging or unhealthy.
But again, such a lovely young teenager/adult novel about finding your true self, very lovely parents and healthy family bonds and friendships.
I will read anything Jenny writes and I hope she knows it. Please let it be translated to Dutch, because I'd know a lot of readers who'd appreciate her novels.
---
Tijdens het lezen
33
Finbar..! 🤩
---
Hyped up!
There was a lot of kissing and fooling around pretty early in the novel, and the problems the main characters had with each other (twins) just felt a little bit flat. Though I loved the posh girl vibes Lexie's family oozed, I maybe expected the secretive way Shane acted to have more depth I guess. The tension in the novel around what was 'secret' about him was not something that kept me glued to the pages, unfortunately. Though at the same times love that her storylines are never toxic, damaging or unhealthy.
But again, such a lovely young teenager/adult novel about finding your true self, very lovely parents and healthy family bonds and friendships.
I will read anything Jenny writes and I hope she knows it. Please let it be translated to Dutch, because I'd know a lot of readers who'd appreciate her novels.
---
Tijdens het lezen
33
Finbar..! 🤩
---
Hyped up!
August 1, 2025
After reading 'The FIrst Move' and 'The Boy Next Door' choosing 'Matched Up' for my next read (by the same author) was a rather obvious choice.
Although I enjoyed first two books by Jenny Ireland with the third one I feel that there's a pattern in her novels - there's always a rich girl and a troubled boy.
The girl Lexie is a wannabe football player from a rather wealthy family who meets Shane a poor boy with an incredible football skills. They meet at Lexie's football club and they start to hit it off, but at some point Lexie feels unsure in this relationship because of things Shane keeps away from her. After some ups and downs Lexie learns to understand Shane's situation and they live happily ever after.
It's third book in a row with more less the same dynamics but it's way less emotionally engaging. Lexie seems to be a real to life rich spoilt brat, who thinks that the world revolves around her. I felt a dislike towards her character from the beginning. Shane on the other hand lacked dept. You would expect someone more emotionally complicated with the background like his.
Thank you NetGalley for a free arc of the book.
Although I enjoyed first two books by Jenny Ireland with the third one I feel that there's a pattern in her novels - there's always a rich girl and a troubled boy.
The girl Lexie is a wannabe football player from a rather wealthy family who meets Shane a poor boy with an incredible football skills. They meet at Lexie's football club and they start to hit it off, but at some point Lexie feels unsure in this relationship because of things Shane keeps away from her. After some ups and downs Lexie learns to understand Shane's situation and they live happily ever after.
It's third book in a row with more less the same dynamics but it's way less emotionally engaging. Lexie seems to be a real to life rich spoilt brat, who thinks that the world revolves around her. I felt a dislike towards her character from the beginning. Shane on the other hand lacked dept. You would expect someone more emotionally complicated with the background like his.
Thank you NetGalley for a free arc of the book.
April 2, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for approving me to read this book!
This was such a fun YA romance that I absolutely devoured! As someone who played football as a teenager I really enjoyed the football team setting and Lexi’s determination to be best as it’s so easy to compare your skills to others in such a sport.
Lexis character growth is admirable as she self reflects and grows from her mistakes. I think that this makes a perfect teenage first love/ coming of age story.
The relationship between Lexi and Shane is so so so cute! I love reading about teenagers falling in love for the first time and navigating a romantic relationship.
This is the first book I have read by Jenny Ireland and it definitely won’t be the last!
This was such a fun YA romance that I absolutely devoured! As someone who played football as a teenager I really enjoyed the football team setting and Lexi’s determination to be best as it’s so easy to compare your skills to others in such a sport.
Lexis character growth is admirable as she self reflects and grows from her mistakes. I think that this makes a perfect teenage first love/ coming of age story.
The relationship between Lexi and Shane is so so so cute! I love reading about teenagers falling in love for the first time and navigating a romantic relationship.
This is the first book I have read by Jenny Ireland and it definitely won’t be the last!
April 3, 2025
Matched up ⚽️
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Children’s for sending me this ARC!
This book is so freaking adorable 😭
It’s a YA romance based on 17 year old twins Lexie and Niall who love football. We follow their clubs friendship group and get an insight into all the teen’s friendships, home lives and relationships.
As an 18 year old who missed a lot of school due to Covid, this felt like such a comforting read 🥰
I really loved the characters and their unique personalities, yes some of them REALLY got on my nerves but that’s teens for you I guess 🫠
I loved that each one had their own flaws and slowly over came them, especially Lexie and Shane 🥹
Thank you again for this ARC I loved it so much!
I will definitely be trying more of Jenny’s writing 🫶🏻
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Children’s for sending me this ARC!
This book is so freaking adorable 😭
It’s a YA romance based on 17 year old twins Lexie and Niall who love football. We follow their clubs friendship group and get an insight into all the teen’s friendships, home lives and relationships.
As an 18 year old who missed a lot of school due to Covid, this felt like such a comforting read 🥰
I really loved the characters and their unique personalities, yes some of them REALLY got on my nerves but that’s teens for you I guess 🫠
I loved that each one had their own flaws and slowly over came them, especially Lexie and Shane 🥹
Thank you again for this ARC I loved it so much!
I will definitely be trying more of Jenny’s writing 🫶🏻
July 30, 2025
I loved this book so much, it did not disappoint. The characters were very well written, and I like how Shane's secret wasn't revealed until the last 50ish pages of the book.
Personally, I think Jenny is a very underrated author, and she deserves more recognition than she gets. She writes about themes that young adults and teenagers like me struggle with (mental health, family situation, school, drug abuse, relationships and how they work, and much more).
She's my favourite author and she wrote the very first book I read (The Boy Next Door), she made me obsessed to reading.
(English isn't my first language, sorry for the mistakes in my grammar or spelling!)
Personally, I think Jenny is a very underrated author, and she deserves more recognition than she gets. She writes about themes that young adults and teenagers like me struggle with (mental health, family situation, school, drug abuse, relationships and how they work, and much more).
She's my favourite author and she wrote the very first book I read (The Boy Next Door), she made me obsessed to reading.
(English isn't my first language, sorry for the mistakes in my grammar or spelling!)
Want to read
March 9, 2025"A YA sport romance perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Emily Henry!"
June 11, 2025
3.5 fun ya sports romance :))
June 13, 2025
Quick read, nice message
June 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
July 2, 2025
spoko.
August 4, 2025
Some nice, light reading. Wholesome, fun, heart-warming. This novel doesn't disappoint, but it's not anything particularly memorable, either.
August 12, 2025
Such an enjoyable read, I wish it was dual pov though
August 20, 2025
perfect introduction to romance books for this target audience
storyline was relatable in every aspect, and kept the plot twists intriguing and reader captured throughout
storyline was relatable in every aspect, and kept the plot twists intriguing and reader captured throughout
August 9, 2025
3.75- liked it. didn't quite feel like a 3.5 but wasn't a 4 star book either. the writing was... interesting. not my favorite. still a good book. the last 100 pages were definitely the best. Shane is such a good guy but their relationship at the beginning felt a bit insta love for me and rushed. I would recommend if you want a quick, short ya romance
June 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️
Lexie loves football and all she wants is to get on her clubs first team. Shane is new to the club and a new star player, only problem is that he has taken Lexie’s brother’s starting position. So any relationship between them must remain a secret.
While I really enjoyed ‘The First Move’, I haven’t felt that Jenny Ireland’s newer novels have been as good. ‘The boy next door’ while a nice story, didn’t reach the same heights and now ‘Matched up’ has made me question whether I should continue to buy her books.
My main gripe is the pace of the story, while I don’t mind a fast paced novel, the speed of this felt more unrealistic than fast moving. For example,(if my memory serves me correct) Lexi sees Shane once at training, they then chat a bit at a party then, next training session they are eating the faces off each other behind the clubhouse. I swear I can count on one hand the amount of words exchanged before this interaction.
Stemming from that, they have nothing in common bar soccer. Their relationship doesn’t capture the imagination, let’s just say. It doesn’t feel like there is much chemistry between the two.
So to be honest, I’d give this one a miss. Just read a different Jenny Ireland book.
Lexie loves football and all she wants is to get on her clubs first team. Shane is new to the club and a new star player, only problem is that he has taken Lexie’s brother’s starting position. So any relationship between them must remain a secret.
While I really enjoyed ‘The First Move’, I haven’t felt that Jenny Ireland’s newer novels have been as good. ‘The boy next door’ while a nice story, didn’t reach the same heights and now ‘Matched up’ has made me question whether I should continue to buy her books.
My main gripe is the pace of the story, while I don’t mind a fast paced novel, the speed of this felt more unrealistic than fast moving. For example,(if my memory serves me correct) Lexi sees Shane once at training, they then chat a bit at a party then, next training session they are eating the faces off each other behind the clubhouse. I swear I can count on one hand the amount of words exchanged before this interaction.
Stemming from that, they have nothing in common bar soccer. Their relationship doesn’t capture the imagination, let’s just say. It doesn’t feel like there is much chemistry between the two.
So to be honest, I’d give this one a miss. Just read a different Jenny Ireland book.
September 2, 2025
I actually liked it. It was a short book without much story but good to get your head free. The storyline was pretty good for such a small book. Everything written very short and fast but still good. Just a good, small, teenage story. Cute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews