And a comedy of errors so divine, it might all work out anyway.
James Durant considers himself a great dad. His teenaged daughter, Mia, is his entire world and he will do almost anything to help her achieve her dreams. Somehow, that includes asking his best friend to be his pretend fiancé to boost her chances at getting into an exclusive private school and the drama program she so desperately wants to enrol in.
No, he’s still not sure he follows that logic himself, but he’ll do it for Mia.
Unfortunately, James underestimates just how much work is involved in maintaining a fake relationship…or that it might bring up old feelings he buried long ago.
Having known James since they were kids, Evan Bernardi will do almost anything for him. So, pretending to be in a relationship isn’t a hardship. After all, they’re so close that there’s very little pretending involved. They’re well matched as best friends, and they know each other inside and out.
But when one thing leads to another, and their fake relationship begins to feel more real than pretend, Evan and James have some choices to make.
If only life would stop throwing them curve balls…
A Match Made In Evan is a ridiculously sweet friends-to-lovers, double bi-awakening, fake dating m/m romance. In it you will find two oblivious --but loveable-- idiots, teenagers wreaking havoc, and probably too many soccer references for a non-sport-themed novel. That said, while it is low-angst (with zero miscommunication), this book does also touch on some potentially triggeringtopics. These include: problematic behaviour and lying, traffic accidents, internalised homophobia, teen pregnancy, anxiety and self-doubt.
3.5 rounded up. This was cute, I liked the couple even if one was more oblivious than the other. However, I didn't care for any of the times that the secondary characters who have their own stories were on page and I wanted a little more from the epilogue(s)?
And there's more than one occasion where it's pointed out that Evan is bald but then at 79% James is running his fingers through Evan's hair?!?!?! 🤔🤔🤔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Welp we didn’t make it far. Loved the blurb, but the reason for needing a fake fiancé is really messed up and gross. You are pretty much teaching ur kid that it’s ok to cheat at the expense of minorities. I don’t care how good the school is or why the school is doing it. Not cool.
This is a case of you probably needed some sensitivity readers to tell you that this was not a good idea cause why would you do that? Especially in the climate where they’re trying to not let queer families into places.
I love this author, and everything she writes, and I also loved this book. No weird time skips, no awkward moments, and mc’s with flaws who are still very lovable. The way of writing feels like someone telling me about real life event without making it seem it’s a discussion. The only complaint I have is that it sometimes feels too quick, where weeks are suppressed to a few sentences. I can always use more of what happened in detail 😄 So definitely recommend and will reread
evan & james are cute however the first plot twist i almost sent this book back to ku lol but THEN the second plot twist had me kind of scratching my head like i guess we haven’t been through enough??
the first epilogue was :chefs kiss: and i will happily wait for neville’s book
jack’s book is still the best of this series so far imo
James Durant considers himself a great dad. His teenaged daughter, Mia, is his entire world and he will do almost anything to help her achieve her dreams. Somehow, that includes asking his best friend to be his pretend fiancé to boost her chances at getting into an exclusive private school and the drama program she so desperately wants to enrol in. No, he’s still not sure he follows that logic himself, but he’ll do it for Mia. Unfortunately, James underestimates just how much work is involved in maintaining a fake relationship…or that it might bring up old feelings he buried long ago. Having known James since they were kids, Evan Bernardi will do almost anything for him. So, pretending to be in a relationship isn’t a hardship. After all, they’re so close that there’s very little pretending involved. They’re well matched as best friends, and they know each other inside and out. But when one thing leads to another, and their fake relationship begins to feel more real than pretend, Evan and James have some choices to make. If only life would stop throwing them curve balls.
This was a sweet story that had some amusing moments which verged on being crazy at times. I loved Mia and Evan was fun at times but I did find James annoying most of the time. Easy to read and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
I loved this 💕 I loved Evan and James so much and Mia was a great kid (teenager). I always enjoy a best friends to lovers story and this one was super sweet. They made such a great couple. I loved how much support they gave Mia and her friends, especially Joey. It was great to see the guys from previous books featuring as side characters.
4.5 stars This was a very adorable best friends to lovers with double awakening romance No miscommunication, no unnecessary drama, just two men who have been inseparable their whole lives who are not afraid now to take a chance to be together in a romantic way. I liked how they completed each other, Evan more straightforward and steady while James more reserved and a bit chaotic. I adored how they basically raised Mia together and how they took care of Joey too. Their banter is amazing and they're the perfect representation of two people who have known each other since forever: they are very much in tune and their chemistry is undeniable. I appreciated a lot that the physical side of their relationship had a slow pace.
What prevented me from giving 5 full stars: I didn't like very much Mia's attitude whan all was resolved and Evan made his suggestion. I also didn't like that James didn't back Evan up.
I adored seeing the MCs from the previous book again! (Will is still my favourite and I love him) I hope the author will give us more stories in this series.
Note to the readers: the events of this book evolve in the same timeline as the events in book 2, You Don't Know Jack.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
A match made in Even has all my favourite tropes single dad, childhood best-friend to lovers, fake dating/fiancé and a double bi-awakening!! I absolutely love the trope fake dating that helps two MCs realise their love for each other as friends is way more than just friendship. And Anna has just done this so perfectly. Evan and James have been best friends since they were kids and the watching their love bloom and grow into more is just so much fun! Anna’s writing, story line and character development are all extremely well done, I find I get drawn in to every one of her books! This can be read as a stand alone or in the same series! Highly recommend starting with where there is a will! You will love it! This series is set in Australia so my home country and in areas I have lived which I love. But i absolutely love Anna’s books! Cannot wait till the next one
This book is an absolute delight. James and Evan’s journey from best friends to something more is filled with humor and warmth. The fake engagement premise is charming and unconventional, made even better by James’ devotion to his daughter and Evan’s unwavering support. Their evolving relationship feels natural, with every moment pulling you further into their story.
The slow-burn romance has both characters navigating their feelings meaningfully. The exploration is handled with care, adding depth without ever seeming forced. Anna expertly balances humor and addresses themes of self-discovery. This book is a must-read if you enjoy friends-to-lovers, fake dating, or simply an incredibly well-written romance.
Anna Sparrows does it again! She is a master when it comes to sweet, happy and lovely relationships. If you want a story of best friends who fall in love, this is it! The strength of the friendship shows through with the building of a strong romantic relationship. James and Evan are now up toward the top of my list of favorite romance book couples. Swoon worthy and sweet!
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
4.5/5 This was so much fun! Evan and James are amazing best friends—and amazingly clueless about their feelings for one another, lol. Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes, and thanks to James’s daughter Mia, their fake engagement finally allows them to realise/admit how they really feel.
They’re both great people, and I love the way they both care about and care for Mia (and her friends at school). They have such a solid and dependable friendship, it’s really awesome to see it deepen into more (and it’s funny seeing their families’ reactions to it).
This is nice and low-angst except for a couple moments of external tensions and suspense.
Can’t wait for the next book with Neville and Pete!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
This is a modern queer romance, the third book in the “Dads & Adages” series which should be read in order. Two best friends pretend to be engaged to get a child into an elite school. Things hilariously take a turn for the best in their relationship and they realize that they are in love with each other. I loved the writing is from an Australian author which gives the story a unique pov!
Friends to Lovers AND Fake Dating done so so well.
This series, like all of Anna’s works, just keeps getting better and better (impossible I know). In this fun, witty, steamy rom-com we find two (straight) best friends who end up fake engaged and the wild ride that ensues.
Evan and James had chemistry in spades, the most lovely lifelong friendship, and were both subsequently BLIND. But we love a bit of delusion in our book boyfriends and it sure did make for some great scenes and laughs along the way.
If you love:
Single Dad Besties to lovers Fake relationship
All wrapped up in a sweet, steamy romance that could give any rom-com a run for its money than you’ll love this one.
I got to the halfway point and was invested, but confused as to where the story would go and let me tell you the gasp I gusped. The latter 50% of this book was a ride.
The support characters in this one were 10/10 as well, including the teenage daughter and her theater kid besties.
This one was so sweet! Their friendship so strong that they were able to seamlessly fall into the Riley’s of engaged parents of Mia in order for her to get into school of her dreams. What started as a white lie turned more real when the friendship grew. These two mulled their growing feelings over and then did the grown up thing and they communicated with each other. Through some tough times, they stick together and become stronger. I love that they never lost their friendship and maintained the banter and support they’ve always had.
James & Evan This story was incredible and a ton of fun to read! I loved the supportive understanding that each character goes through, and I love that they received support on all ends of things and could be a positive role model for others, especially Mia's classmates. The found family elements in the story are super sweet too. I loved the short interactive dynamic we get between Evan's and James' parents. They knew they were all meant to be family, and always treated their relationship as such, even if the guys were still a bit oblivious.
The double bi-awakening in this story was done very well and never got as stressful for the guys because they already genuinely loved each other, but were simply exploring those feelings in a physical sense.
A Match Made in Evan is a wonderful new story in the Dads & Adages series. I need to go back and read books 1 & 2 because the MCs in those stories were so fun to catch up with in this one.
I received an advance copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
Evan and James were wonderfully sweet and steam AF together. These two have been best mates all of their lives, they have been there for each other through everything but now James’ daughter, Mia, says things that makes James and Evan questions their relationship as mates to maybe more. This was funny, sweet, steamy, intriguing, heartwarming, it did have a little bit of drama but it brought everyone closers together, and a wonderfully sweet HEA. I did really love Joey, btw! I can’t wait to see what happens next in this world.
I received an e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
James needs his BF since 4th grade, Evan to pretend to be his fiancé. Soon all pretense is gone. This one made me cry at one part but, as usual, is full of humor and love. I enjoyed Connor, Will , Leo and Jack are all in here with interchanges and James and Evan's parents are hilarious. I totally loved the kids in here- Mia and especially Joey. James and Evan have such passion and joy and a smoking level of hotness. I could read Anna's books all day long! I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion.
This book is adorable. I love friends to lovers trope and this one hits the nail right on the head. Evan and James together just work. They’re fumbling and uneasiness at first is adorable and the way they evolve together is totally sigh worthy. I love that Evan steps up so completely into Mia’s life as well. And the way I giggled at some of their antics together…
I absolutely loved this story. This was such a great story. Friends to fake fiancé to lovers. These guys were so clueless and yet their story was so heartwarming and inspiring and funny. From the real life drama to the unexpected this story was truly amazing.
A Match Made in Evan is the third book in the Dads & Adages series by Anna Sparrows. This is the story of best friends Evan and James. I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
A Match Made in Evan is another winner from Anna Sparrows! I am a fan of all of her work and this one does not disappoint. One of my favorite tropes is friends to lovers and these two are very cute and their connection is very steamy. There are also serious topics addressed and they are also done with respect and help the story progress. I love Evan and James so much and I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
James and Evan… Jay and Ev. I’ve always loved friends to lovers and this book is exactly why. They had such a strong friendship to base their romance on, and as things changed that’s what kept them steady. It’s low angst, it’s sexy as hell, and it’s a sweet and gentle love. When they finally confess how they feel about each other, it was so beautiful and understated because falling in love was so easy and gently for them. I just loved this so much and I’m so excited for the next book (there’s a teaser at the end). Getting little glimpses of Will and Connor, and Jack and Leo was great as well. I would be remiss to not mention Joey, because he had me cackling whenever he showed up!
Thank you Anna Sparrows for the ARC. This review is entirely my own.
This set up was perfect. Fake dating is always a hit but this one was just so good. I adored the way these two were with one another even before the fake dating set up. Mia was hilarious and I do love the level of fleshed out she was for a side character. Also I adore Joey and I hope he will get a book.
If you’re looking for a super sweet romcom book you need to pick this one up. There is zero angst super cute friends to lovers. You won’t wanna miss it. Be sure to read the first two books also.
In order for his daughter to get the best that life can offer, James plots an elaborate scheme and will need the help of his best friend Evan to accomplish it. When Evan agrees their fake relationship doesn’t really feel,so fake as they are so well balanced and entwined in each other’s lives.
A low angst, friends to lovers read that has a smooth progression into love with great character development and a lovely ending. A delightful read overall.
{I wonder if he was as moved by the experience as I was.}
I've been waiting anxiously for this book since it was announced, and I was not disappointed. As a fan of every other book written by Anna Sparrows, I had high expectations and this exceeded every single one.
A Match Made In Evan: An MM Friends-To-Lovers Romance is the kind of book that wraps itself around your heart before you even realize it. James and Evan will take you on the sweetest journey as they go from best friends to something more, and it is the perfect mix of sweetness, humor, and emotion that make you want to read it all in one sitting.
James and Evan stole my heart from the first page. James' devotion to his daughter, Mia, is heartwarming, even as he makes the hilariously questionable decision to ask his best friend to fake an engagement with him. It's a charming premise - pretend to be engaged to help James' daughter, Mia, get into an exclusive school that is trying to become more inclusive. The fact that both of them are straight is just a minor problem. Unconventional? Sure. But, Evan's willingness to step into such a complicated role without question is a testament to their friendship, and sets the stage for heartfelt exploration into what family really means.
James is an endearing mix of devoted dad and chaotic mess, while Evan’s steadfast support and quiet yearning make him impossible not to root for. Together, they’re pure magic, their chemistry leaping off the page as they navigate fake dating and all the messy emotions that come with it. The slow unraveling of their feelings is sweet and swoon-worthy. The double sexuality-awakening was written beautifully and carefully, with an authenticity that made their self-revelations even more meaningful.
There was no rush to label themselves, no rush to act as though this was a just expected - there was inner turmoil from both sides, which is often missing in books with similar themes. As always, Anna found the perfect balance between humor and the deeper, more emotional elements. Heavier topics like internalized homophobia, self-doubt, and anxiety were handled with sensitivity and respect, and added depth without overshadowing the overall warmth of the story.
If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers, fake dating, or just really well-written romance, this book is a must-read. It’s low-angst without ever feeling shallow, and the lack of miscommunication is a refreshing change. It's got loveable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and very tender realizations. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
This was an enjoyable friends to lovers story, twenty years in the making. Evan and James have been best friends for over 20 years. James is a single father of a 16 year old girl, Mia, and he gets drawn into a fake engagement with Evan when Mia claims her dad is gay and engaged while trying to use the diversity card to get into an exclusive high school with a drama program she wants. Stunned, James doesn’t know what to say or do, but decides to go along with it for Mia’s sake, since the principal makes it sound like that is a requirement for her enrollment (the school is pushing the adversity angle in their brochures). Next, James goes to Evan to be his gay fiance, and to help him out, Evan agrees. As part of Mia’s enrolling in this new school, Evan and James will need to “volunteer” time for some events, and at one of them, things go beyond the boundary they had set. Realizing an attraction between them, things continue to push the boundaries further as the arrangement turns into a relationship, which turns into more. A cute story of things just getting more complicated as time goes on. Lots of humor, a couple of events that cause concern, but all working toward the HEA for these two bi-awakening best friends, realizing things about their relationship over the years that they never knew. Great characters all around, the teenagers kept them on their toes, and the story flowed naturally and realistically. An entertaining and interesting read I would recommend. I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.