Made for Me

Made for Me #1

by Pamela Schloesser Canepa

What will the search for love be like in the future? The year is 2032, and Abrielle is looking for true love. In a world ruled by technology, where computers make much of our decisions for us, Abrielle is about to meet the man of her dreams, thanks to a guaranteed matchmaker website. What she encounters on that first date will be a tale to rival any first date story you've ever heard.
Sampson is also looking for love. Open-minded, spontaneous, and financially stable, he seems to be the perfect man. Yet, underneath it all, he harbors a glaring secret. Sampson has spent his lifetime passing for something that he is not, yet his love surpasses that of any human Abrielle has known. Though they seem to be a match made in heaven, Abrielle and Sampson are breaking many rules and will certainly face some unique challenges. In order to live a life with him, Abrielle must decide which rules are actually worth breaking, and in the process, learn a lot about herself.
Now available on other book retailers at https://www.books2read.com/u/4Xo50v
*Alternate cover edition.
ASIN# B01DZ5230G

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2016

About the author

By day, Pamela teaches Middle School English. By night, she travels to other worlds and times, placing herself in the persona of her characters, all while sitting in her favorite chair! She has enjoyed writing for various reasons ever since childhood, when she realized writing and making up stories would provide entertainment for long trips and keep her company. Her tendency toward fantastic stories was reflected in tales of discovering modern day dinosaurs and talking horses that would give her advice. The writing of poetry provided an outlet for private thoughts and emotions for years until she decided to self-publish fiction in 2016.

Pamela's genres include science fiction, paranormal fiction, and poetry of all types. The Made for Me series is Pamela's first published fiction series. She released her first full-length novel, Detours in Time, in the summer of 2017 and the sequel in 2018. Pamela currently juggles her day job with writing further novels in the Detours in Time world while cooking up more ideas for the character of Norrie from her Made for Me series.
Please also check my alternate site, http://pamscanepa1.allauthor.com/

Reviews

[M.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made for Me is a short novella about Abrielle and Sampson’s quest for love. The book was easy to follow, and read like a snippet of life in 2032 onwards. Though the book deals with loss, the prose itself is light and happy. There wasn’t a huge amount of romantic tension, possibly lost through the POV hops between the two M/Cs, and the dialogue could have been smoother. The ‘major twist’ happened pretty early on in the book and wasn’t as much of a stumbling block for the characters as intended.

This book was an enjoyable, light and quick read with some interesting aspects to it. Though there was little mention of the climate, a few small details such as the lack and cost of cars were engaging. Though each character had their own ‘flaw’, neither was explored in a way that had much impact on the narrative, which is why I'm giving it three stars. Overall the prose was interesting to read and was generally well written.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the author for sharing a copy of the book with me.

[David Hambling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and unusual love story: when Abrielle finally meets what seems to be the perfect match, she is thrown when she discovers her new love Sampson is an android. The big question is, does it really matter...? As a side issue, Abrielle herself is far from perfect, whereas Sampson is clever, good-looking and (seemingly) caring, so who is really the better catch?

The chapters are related alternately by the two protagonists, with a third character chiming in later as things get more complicated, and each has their own distinct voice. Sampson in particular is nicely handled, on the fine edge between quirky and strange, he is likeable but still leaves a lingering sense of not-quite-human.

The world of the future is sketched deftly but surely with plenty of neat touches. You really know you're not in the present day, and the changes affect every aspect of our characters lives.

Love may conquer all -- but can androids even love? The answer here may not be definitive, but it's an intriguing exploration of a truly 21st century romance.

[Ellie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made For Me, by Pamela Schloesser Canepa is a futuristic romance that demonstrates the true strength of love. When Abrielle finds Sampson via a dating website (yes, they still use them in 2032), she is surprised to learn that he holds a secret that will impact them both.

I got a certain love conquers all type feeling from this tale. Not in a cliché way, but in a tender way that spoke to my heart. The relationship between the two main characters showed a charming and at times cheeky bond that blossoms into life.

The words flowed well and made for a delightful read that unfolds naturally.

Can Abrielle and Sampson keep their secret? I recommend that you give this a read and find out.
Rated 5/5 stars.

[J. Giresi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Tale of Love, Life & Living

There's an old saying: you love whom you love. I admit it I'm a sucker for a good romance. This story is no exception to the rule. Can we control who we fall in love with? That's s great question, but when we do, can we envision how our lives are to bee?
This story weaves well. It is a tender love story that reminds us all to cherish each day with our loved ones because it will never come again. At the heart of this book is a tender story of family and love, and by passing on gifts that can benefit others. I very much enjoyed it and will be looking forward to the third book in the series.
I think if I had read this first and then read, "Seeing Through Sampson's Eyes" I would have rated that book higher than I did previously.
Wonderful job on this. I admit I got teary-eyed several times.

[Joy Lo-Bamijoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story, but riddled with editing problems. I wish the author will put it through a professional editor. It is a pity that such a good story should be stifled by such glaring editing issues.

Having said that, this is a fascinating story of a time projected far into the future when the world will become almost fully mechanized. It was interesting to see how Abrielle, a human, and Sampson, an Android, met, fell in love, and finally married. They adopted their daughter, Norrie and lived a “normal human” existence. Both Abrielle and Sampson succeeded in keeping secret the real nature of Samson from their friends, family, and even daughter, Norrie until it was necessary for Norrie to be told. Very interesting!

[Margaret Standafer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made for Me, by Pamela Schloesser Canepa, is based on an interesting premise. In the future envisioned by the author, machines are capable of making most of our decisions for us…from what to wear, to what to have for dinner, to choosing the perfect mate. When Abrielle, a woman with a history of struggling with even the simplest decisions, decides to submit her profile to a guaranteed matchmaking website, she is paired with Sampson, an android. Bucking accepted norms, Abrielle and Sampson begin a romance followed soon by their marriage. The two are forced to keep Sampson’s real identity a secret from everyone, including their adopted daughter.

While reading the book, I found myself considering a future where machines are so sophisticated that it’s impossible to differentiate between an android and a human. I came to the conclusion that I hope such a day is much further into the future than 2032! I give the author credit for a unique idea and for making me believe such a thing as love between a human and a machine is possible.

I would have liked to see a little more detail, a little more explanation…just a little more. It seemed that the story rushed from the meeting and marriage of the main characters through to the end and that not much happened in between. Some more content about issues they faced or some sort of conflict that needed resolution would have been welcomed. The reader is made aware of the eventual outcome early on in the story so I was left feeling as though there wasn’t much that kept me turning the pages. However, there is a question posed at the end and the author has written a sequel that I plan to check out because she has me curious!

Overall, this is a charming story with an interesting and unique premise and should appeal to fans of clean romance and science fiction.

At the time of my reading and review, this book was enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. I read the book through Kindle Unlimited.

[TDCbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a cute short story about a girl in the future that marries an Android. The story is really brief but it goes over their entire life together. I would definitely recommend this as an easy read to pass the time.

Blurb:
A modern love story with a twist. Abrielle gets her dream date through a dating site that promises to find exactly what you wish for, and is 100% guaranteed. How can they truly guarantee happiness for Abrielle, who can't even decide what she wants for dinner? Meet Sampson, open-minded, spontaneous, and financially stable. All of the elements seem to come together for a perfect match. Yet, it becomes apparent there's been a website glitch! Sampson is even more unique than Abrielle thought. For this to work, Abrielle must accept the truth behind Sampson's perfect skin, buff physique, and welcoming smile.

[Mary Kincaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made For Me by Pamela Schloesser Canepa is about two people who are looking for a relationship. This is the story of their courtship and the relationship that follows. In this futuristic story, the relationships are complicated by society's prejudices and conceptions. This is one vision of the future.

This story is about the relationships among the lovers, and their child. I give it three stars because it is a very quiet story focused on the three characters in the story.

[Karen Schloesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun and imaginative very futuristic! It has romance, intrigue, mystery and you are hoping no one discovers the truth about a main character!

[Scott Skipper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abrielle has trouble making decisions. She relies on her personal computer to make them for her, even to the extent of what to order for dinner on her first date with Sampson. Sampson was less than forthcoming when he completed the online dating questionnaire. Being an android didn’t seem like essential information. He was also a little careless when he decided to join Abrielle in a glass of wine, because alcohol shorted his circuits, but he was able to tell her how to reboot him and the rest of dinner went well. Sampson was commissioned by an elderly ballet dancer for companionship. She emancipated him in her will, but he had developed a taste for human females. Abrielle was liberal enough in her thinking to not be prejudiced toward androids. This unlikely couple became an item, and due to a glitch at the fertility clinic, find themselves in a position to adopt a child. Life would seem to be idyllic except for the fact that androids have an expiration date.

Made for Me starts well. The reader is attracted to the somewhat ditzy idiosyncrasies of Abrielle, and the voice of her character shows the first few scenes in an engaging way. Then Sampson takes the viewpoint, and he reveals his doubts and worries, again in a convincing way. However, the narration fails to remain consistent and turns into telling the story in place of showing it. There is very little dialogue that might allow the characters to present the story in their own words. What the reader gets instead is a recitation of often sterile facts. When the adopted child, Norrie, takes a turn with the narration, her voice is anything but child-like.

Ms. Schloesser Canepa has created some interesting concepts in this futuristic tale. One that I liked was the idea that Abrielle is working in a fertility clinic at the start of the book. After she and Sampson agree to adopt a ‘mistake’ that the clinic made, she goes to work for a cemetery that specializes in biodegradable ‘burial pods’ that sprout into apple trees. A story about the marriage of an android and a human has great potential. It might resume where Blade Runner ended. Made for Me didn’t satisfy me in that regard. Sampson and Abrielle’s life together was just too mundane. This is petty, and I know it, but I couldn’t shake the idea that Sampson (with a ‘P’) was supposed to be Samson. Made for Me is a quick and breezy read. Don’t let the ranting of one cranky old man dissuade you. See for yourself.

[Lisa Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made for me explores some really deep concepts. When the story begins, we meet our main characters: your average girl, and a seemingly normal man. As the story develops, we discover that Sampson is anything but normal. In our current climate of us and them, Made for Me forces readers to look deeper than the skin, and deeper than the inner workings of us as people, and get down to the soul of the matter.

[P.T.L. Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tender love story with a difference

I’ve always enjoyed reading stories set in the future, and this one presents a more positive future than most. The love between Abrielle and Samson should never have happened. Despite their differences, and the fact that he wasn’t, technically, human, could they make a life together? The story takes the reader through several phases of their life in an engaging and heartwarming plot. There’s little conflict, but plenty of emotion. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes an out-of-the-box, sweet love story. I look forward to reading the sequel.

[Kester Nucum · Rating 4 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: I have received a free electronic copy of this book from the author herself in exchange for an honest review. In no way will this affect my review.

Made for Me outlines the unique love story of Abrielle, a woman in looking of the perfect guy, and Sampson, a guy looking for love. After being paired with each other on a dating website, they instantly fall in love, but Sampson holds a secret that he has been concealing for many years. Concealing this secret for Abrielle means that they will have to go against society’s norms and rules, but she asks herself if it’s all worth it for the love of her life.

Rating: 8/10 stars

This review is going to be written a little differently than a normal review because I have two different feelings for the beginning half of this book and the ending half of this book. As I started this book, there were some things that bugged me as I read on, but once it reached the midpoint, I started to love it! That’s why this review is different from all the others. It’s still going to have 2-4 paragraphs depending on how much I want to write, but in a different order!

The novella didn’t start off strongly in my opinion. Yes, I was hooked from the beginning, but there’s two things that bugged me. First was the writing style. At some points it felt basic, as in that it was more of telling than showing. That’s actually something I learned in a creative writing class I took: show, not tell. The start did a lot of telling, and it made the events so concise that I was like “I need more description.” Although this is a novella, it could have been lengthened into a short novel (longer than a novella), which would have made more showing.

The other thing was the dual-POV at the beginning. It did not work at some points. Especially in parts where Abrielle and Sampson were together. Because the author didn’t expand or tapped into their emotions, it could’ve gone either ways for me. It did not matter at some points who was telling the story- I forget who the narrator was. A POV should either bring about different perspectives of the same event or focus on something where other characters are not present. Jennifer Brody’s The Continuum Trilogy does an amazing job with this. She uses the characters to show the entire story from everyone’s point of view. At the beginning of Made for Me, it felt like as if a third-person omniscient narrator could have narrated the story.

Now, the ending- oh it was great! I was in the dentist’s office when I read this, and I was about to cry. I think the author did a great job tapping into Norrie’s POV (I’m not going to spoil who she is). She definitely turned something that seemed so simple, like a regular romance, into a book that touches on a serious topic: death. The mentioning of how death will affect a family definitely tugged at my heartstrings and almost made me cry! Good stories will definitely make you feel the same feelings as the characters at times.

Although the plot seemed basic at times, the setting and backstory- as in what was going on in the world around them- fascinated me. The author hinted at what happened during the future where Sampson and Abrielle lived in, yet I was so obsessed with it. What was going on? What exactly is this society? What happened during these time skips? I WANT TO KNOW!!! I love how dystopians make you so interested in how society “devolved” or “evolved” into the setting of the story.

If the author could just lengthen this novel and add maybe another subplot, more backstory, etc. probably this book will be a 9 or even a 10! But because it didn’t start off so strong, but ended greatly, I would rate it a 4/5 on Goodreads, so a 8 out of 10. I liked this book, and the ending made me love it, but from a technical standpoint, there was some room for improvement.
Recommendation: Sure! Maybe this novella was “made for you,” get it?

[D.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a futuristic tale of an unusual romance. In a world where you can let technology make even the most basic decisions for you – such as what meal to order in a restaurant – Abrielle is happy to put her choice of romantic partner in the hands of a dating website. Sampson seems too good to be true, he really does seem to be her ideal match. But he isn’t exactly what he appears.

This was a quick and easy read, sometimes the story didn’t quite flow as well as it might and the dialogue occasionally felt a little jarring and not quite how I would expect real people to talk. Some of the story moved along a little too quickly for my liking – I think it would have been better if Sampson’s secret (which I will not reveal) was not exposed so quickly and Abrielle had time to really fall for the man before she discovered what he was hiding.

Overall it was a cute and fun read with an imaginative idea which, with a little more work and polish, could easily earn an additional star or two:)

[Loralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made for Me was a sweet romance, albeit a little bitter sweet for me, since I’ve already read its sequel, and know what happens. Abrielle adores Sampson from the moment they first meet. But quickly, she learnes something about him that is startling, shocking, and altogether unexpected. Yet, she chooses to look past that, and through their life together, she’s glad she did. Told, alternatingly from Abrielle’s, Sampson’s, and eventually their daughter Norrie’s points of view, Made for Me is a sweet, painful story that I enjoyed reading, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a sweet, clean romance. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chrys Cymri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short read about a romance between a human woman and--but you’ll have to read the story to find out more.

The romance is bitter-sweet, and told from alternating points of view between the main characters. The dialogue sometimes doesn’t sound real (particularly from the teenager) and I felt there was a lack of real conflict. Yes, there is tragedy looming, but we are reminded of this at regular intervals, so the ending is not unexpected.

A good read with interesting glimpses into a world not that far removed from our own.