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Imperfect Match
A man whose future is assigned - A heart that yearns to be free.
Lee Kennedy’s destiny is controlled by the Algorithm. It’s the reason he’s still in college, regardless of his good academic performance. He’s switched his major repeatedly and stalled on his Master’s thesis, but there’s only so much longer he can hold out. Because once he graduates, the Algorithm must be triggered.
Everyone in Lee’s family has allowed the Algorithm to match them with a spouse. As has everyone on his block. His neighborhood. In fact, everyone he’s ever known. Pairing with his own chosen match seems inevitable…until, at his sister’s wedding, he meets Roman.
The waiter lives in the Taxable District, a run-down neighborhood that’s only a brief train ride away, but feels like another world. The seedy District is governed by different standards—different expectations—so it’s not exactly a surprise that Roman isn’t married. But it’s definitely a shock to taste his lips.
One forbidden encounter has Lee reeling. He questions everything. His past. His future. And especially the Algorithm. He longs for the freedom to choose not only his own partner, but his own destiny.
When defying the Algorithm will cost everything—family, home, and even livelihood—is Lee strong enough to take another path?
If you enjoy journeys of self-discovery with a futuristic bent, you'll love this standalone character-driven adventure.
Lee Kennedy’s destiny is controlled by the Algorithm. It’s the reason he’s still in college, regardless of his good academic performance. He’s switched his major repeatedly and stalled on his Master’s thesis, but there’s only so much longer he can hold out. Because once he graduates, the Algorithm must be triggered.
Everyone in Lee’s family has allowed the Algorithm to match them with a spouse. As has everyone on his block. His neighborhood. In fact, everyone he’s ever known. Pairing with his own chosen match seems inevitable…until, at his sister’s wedding, he meets Roman.
The waiter lives in the Taxable District, a run-down neighborhood that’s only a brief train ride away, but feels like another world. The seedy District is governed by different standards—different expectations—so it’s not exactly a surprise that Roman isn’t married. But it’s definitely a shock to taste his lips.
One forbidden encounter has Lee reeling. He questions everything. His past. His future. And especially the Algorithm. He longs for the freedom to choose not only his own partner, but his own destiny.
When defying the Algorithm will cost everything—family, home, and even livelihood—is Lee strong enough to take another path?
If you enjoy journeys of self-discovery with a futuristic bent, you'll love this standalone character-driven adventure.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2018
33 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Castillo Price
138 books2,129 followersAuthor and artist Jordan Castillo Price writes paranormal sci-fi thrillers colored by her time in the Midwest, from inner city Chicago, to various cities across southern Wisconsin. She’s settled in a 1910 Cape Cod near Lake Michigan with tons of character and a plethora of bizarre spiders. Any disembodied noises, she’s decided, will be blamed on the ice maker.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
January 27, 2019
So ... I’m a proud and out geek. 😂 And it’s no wonder that I have always found the future equally fascinating and terrifying. With the rate we are advancing in 21st century, I can’t imagine how advanced we will be in 50 years. And I’m so grateful that Jordan Castillo Price has helped me along with this fascinating and entrancing sci-fi tale. A future when people will be matched with each other by an Algorithm? 😱 Sign me up for this baby! 😁
Lee is a rebel for the lack of a better word. 😁 He’s almost 30 and still in school and unmarried. And that is, well, simply unheard of for a Boomer. Lee can’t come to terms with an idea that the person Algorithm chooses for is his perfect match. And then he met Roman. Roman from taxable district who is wild, free and tempting as F. Roman is everything that Lee isn’t and he longs to taste those lips for just once. But escaping the Algorithm is easier said than done. And it’s even more difficult to follow your heart rather than listening to your brain. Lee has to be braver than ever if he wants a happily ever after with his perfectly imperfect match, Roman. 😌
I truly think Jordan Castillo Price writes one of the best sci-fi books out there mainstream or gay. The ideas are just refreshing and enthralling. I love Lee simply because he’s the blacksheep of the Boomer society. He doesn’t blindly follow rules just because he was told to since he was born. He questions, he finds out the truth for him and he doesn’t let anyone and anything dictates his life. I believe he and the Algorithm truly reflects our current society. It’s always good to have people who rebel just a bit. 😉 This is a slow burn, soul-searching romance that is a bit heavier on self-discovery and sci-fi aspect. And I loved how Lee evolved from a shy little caterpillar to a full-grown out and proud college professor who’s in love with Roman. ❤️ As always, Joel Leslie did an excellent job narrating this story and I was entranced from the very beginning. I recommend this audio to all the nerds and geeks out there who’s still looking for their perfect or imperfect matches. 😉 Loved it! 😘
4.5 my life, my choice, my match stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Audio rating
Story - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance- 4.25 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Overall- 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Disclaimer: An audio copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest and unbiased review.
Lee is a rebel for the lack of a better word. 😁 He’s almost 30 and still in school and unmarried. And that is, well, simply unheard of for a Boomer. Lee can’t come to terms with an idea that the person Algorithm chooses for is his perfect match. And then he met Roman. Roman from taxable district who is wild, free and tempting as F. Roman is everything that Lee isn’t and he longs to taste those lips for just once. But escaping the Algorithm is easier said than done. And it’s even more difficult to follow your heart rather than listening to your brain. Lee has to be braver than ever if he wants a happily ever after with his perfectly imperfect match, Roman. 😌
I truly think Jordan Castillo Price writes one of the best sci-fi books out there mainstream or gay. The ideas are just refreshing and enthralling. I love Lee simply because he’s the blacksheep of the Boomer society. He doesn’t blindly follow rules just because he was told to since he was born. He questions, he finds out the truth for him and he doesn’t let anyone and anything dictates his life. I believe he and the Algorithm truly reflects our current society. It’s always good to have people who rebel just a bit. 😉 This is a slow burn, soul-searching romance that is a bit heavier on self-discovery and sci-fi aspect. And I loved how Lee evolved from a shy little caterpillar to a full-grown out and proud college professor who’s in love with Roman. ❤️ As always, Joel Leslie did an excellent job narrating this story and I was entranced from the very beginning. I recommend this audio to all the nerds and geeks out there who’s still looking for their perfect or imperfect matches. 😉 Loved it! 😘
4.5 my life, my choice, my match stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Audio rating
Story - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance- 4.25 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Overall- 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Disclaimer: An audio copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest and unbiased review.
tbr-mm-own
March 16, 2018Every time an arc review of this comes across my feed I feel jealous & bitter. 0_o
March 11, 2020
Audiobook, March 2020. 4.5 stars!
This is my second go at this story—the first being an ebook—and Joel Leslie’s narration made the dystopian world JUMP cristal clear into my brain!
Where before I found the world building a bit weak and reliant on our own notions of what a super-controlling and divided dystopian world might look like; here I saw it all with the help of Joel Leslie.
And I’m not discrediting JCP’s writing because it ROCKED! In fact, I’d love to have more stories staged in this world.
ARE YOU LISTENING JORDAN CASTILLO PRICE?? More books in this world!!!
Original ebook review, September 2018:
What a great, sci-fi novella from the always fabulous JCP! This was so much fun to read and slowly pick up on the interesting world-building she created for us in this futuristic, dystopianesque romance!
It’s a classic divide of the haves and the have-nots. Yet it’s the have-nots who have freedom; the haves live a life dictated by the almighty Algorithm. Although JCP doesn’t truly flesh world out, she relies on reader’s pre-conceived ideas of what living in a completely predetermined society would look like. I’ll give her a pass on this one....but I would have liked more detail in this and of both our MC’s families, since they came from the opposite sides of the tracks, so to speak.
Still, JCP showed us the two worlds rather than telling us about them—something which kept the pacing of the story clipping along.
This work proved fun and light despite the dystopian type setting. We got some heat between our MCs and got to see our Boomer (the haves) lose his V-card quite happily.....although it felt somewhat rushed.
Still, JCP is one of my favorite authors in MM romance and I’ll happily read anything she writes!
Enjoy....I sure did!
What a great, sci-fi novella from the always fabulous JCP! This was so much fun to read and slowly pick up on the interesting world-building she created for us in this futuristic, dystopianesque romance!
It’s a classic divide of the haves and the have-nots. Yet it’s the have-nots who have freedom; the haves live a life dictated by the almighty Algorithm. Although JCP doesn’t truly flesh world out, she relies on reader’s pre-conceived ideas of what living in a completely predetermined society would look like. I’ll give her a pass on this one....but I would have liked more detail in this and of both our MC’s families, since they came from the opposite sides of the tracks, so to speak.
Still, JCP showed us the two worlds rather than telling us about them—something which kept the pacing of the story clipping along.
Not her best work, but fun and light despite the dystopian type setting. We got some heat between our MCs and got to see our Boomer (the haves) lose his V-card quite happily.....although it felt somewhat rushed.
Still, JCP is one of my favorite authors in MM romance and I’ll happily read anything she writes!
Enjoy....I sure did!
This is my second go at this story—the first being an ebook—and Joel Leslie’s narration made the dystopian world JUMP cristal clear into my brain!
Where before I found the world building a bit weak and reliant on our own notions of what a super-controlling and divided dystopian world might look like; here I saw it all with the help of Joel Leslie.
And I’m not discrediting JCP’s writing because it ROCKED! In fact, I’d love to have more stories staged in this world.
ARE YOU LISTENING JORDAN CASTILLO PRICE?? More books in this world!!!
Original ebook review, September 2018:
What a great, sci-fi novella from the always fabulous JCP! This was so much fun to read and slowly pick up on the interesting world-building she created for us in this futuristic, dystopianesque romance!
It’s a classic divide of the haves and the have-nots. Yet it’s the have-nots who have freedom; the haves live a life dictated by the almighty Algorithm. Although JCP doesn’t truly flesh world out, she relies on reader’s pre-conceived ideas of what living in a completely predetermined society would look like. I’ll give her a pass on this one....but I would have liked more detail in this and of both our MC’s families, since they came from the opposite sides of the tracks, so to speak.
Still, JCP showed us the two worlds rather than telling us about them—something which kept the pacing of the story clipping along.
This work proved fun and light despite the dystopian type setting. We got some heat between our MCs and got to see our Boomer (the haves) lose his V-card quite happily.....although it felt somewhat rushed.
Still, JCP is one of my favorite authors in MM romance and I’ll happily read anything she writes!
Enjoy....I sure did!
What a great, sci-fi novella from the always fabulous JCP! This was so much fun to read and slowly pick up on the interesting world-building she created for us in this futuristic, dystopianesque romance!
It’s a classic divide of the haves and the have-nots. Yet it’s the have-nots who have freedom; the haves live a life dictated by the almighty Algorithm. Although JCP doesn’t truly flesh world out, she relies on reader’s pre-conceived ideas of what living in a completely predetermined society would look like. I’ll give her a pass on this one....but I would have liked more detail in this and of both our MC’s families, since they came from the opposite sides of the tracks, so to speak.
Still, JCP showed us the two worlds rather than telling us about them—something which kept the pacing of the story clipping along.
Not her best work, but fun and light despite the dystopian type setting. We got some heat between our MCs and got to see our Boomer (the haves) lose his V-card quite happily.....although it felt somewhat rushed.
Still, JCP is one of my favorite authors in MM romance and I’ll happily read anything she writes!
Enjoy....I sure did!
October 4, 2019
Jordan Castillo Price always finds a way to put a unique spin on dystopian society, and her Imperfect Match is a clever take on predestined mates. There’s wonderful world building in this one, which is no surprise to fans of Price’s other wonderful novels. Imperfect Match stands alone, and makes a fantastic audiobook.
The audio edition is narrated by Joel Leslie, who makes full use of his extensive range of voices. There's a diverse group of characters in Imperfect Match which varies between the highly educated folks of the Benefit Sector and the low income residents of the Taxable District. I enjoyed the snark he infuses in the discourse between the two groups. It made for some terrific scenes, and Mr. Leslie makes the most of Price’s quick-witted dialogue.
There’s a fair bit of tongue in cheek humor centering around the main character, Lee, and his excessive reluctance to committing to a loveless marriage. I enjoyed watching him step outside his cloistered world and find a way out of his predestined future. It takes some real courage, but Lee seizes control of his life and works hard to find his happily-ever-after.
Beautifully written, with interesting characters, and some fantastic love scenes, Jordan Castillo Price’s Imperfect Match is a winner!
an audiobook copy of Imperfect Match was provided to me by the author for the purpose of my review
The audio edition is narrated by Joel Leslie, who makes full use of his extensive range of voices. There's a diverse group of characters in Imperfect Match which varies between the highly educated folks of the Benefit Sector and the low income residents of the Taxable District. I enjoyed the snark he infuses in the discourse between the two groups. It made for some terrific scenes, and Mr. Leslie makes the most of Price’s quick-witted dialogue.
There’s a fair bit of tongue in cheek humor centering around the main character, Lee, and his excessive reluctance to committing to a loveless marriage. I enjoyed watching him step outside his cloistered world and find a way out of his predestined future. It takes some real courage, but Lee seizes control of his life and works hard to find his happily-ever-after.
Beautifully written, with interesting characters, and some fantastic love scenes, Jordan Castillo Price’s Imperfect Match is a winner!
an audiobook copy of Imperfect Match was provided to me by the author for the purpose of my review
July 19, 2018
I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. And that’s because it suffers from almost every single pet peeve of mine: underdeveloped world building, scarce romance, limited on page interaction between the MCs... and yet this book was sweet, funny, the main character lovable, and it features real and flawed family relationships.
This was a very much welcomed new JCP book for me after not having loved the last of the Psy Cop volumes. I read it during a tedious flight and it was the perfect entertainment for me. Five stars isn’t a rating that I would normally give a book like this one, but it caught me in a good mood.
This was a very much welcomed new JCP book for me after not having loved the last of the Psy Cop volumes. I read it during a tedious flight and it was the perfect entertainment for me. Five stars isn’t a rating that I would normally give a book like this one, but it caught me in a good mood.
December 18, 2018
ARC provided with the understanding a review would be written.
There is so much that I could say about this book, and, given that it isn't terribly long, I still feel like I could write a pages long review. I'll try not to do that.
I have to say that although this is a romance in some sense, it is not the main purpose of this book, and while there is a definite HEA, in some ways Lee finding himself is much more important than his relationship with Roman. The story is about so much that I find it hard to put it all into words. There is the obvious, but not heavy handed, commentary on today's society. There is the importance placed on being able to be one's self, without hurting others, but also not hurting yourself. There is a focus on the need to look beyond the obvious, to see the subtext and nuances in life. There is also the importance of communication and how difficult that can be for so many reasons, from the limitations of language to the limitations we put on ourselves and others.
I love that all of these things are handled so delicately and with equality, there isn't any, "This way is the right way." or the sense that either the Boomer or the Tax Rat way is clearly better, each has their problems and positives, and each person is allowed to make the decisions that are best for them. Emma, Lee's sister chooses the Boomer way for her reasons, and is shown to be happy with that decision. Lee chooses the Tax Rat way, and is obviously, finally, who he was meant to be. But they are still family, and they still care for each other, and they still have a relationship, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and that is wonderful because that is life. Of course, the Tax Rat life is more free and open and presented as more positive, and that makes sense too because living life to fit in rather than living your authentic life is so limiting, and really isn't any easier, it's just a different set of challenges. The importance of communication, the importance of paying attention to more than what is obvious, the need to allow people to be themselves, are all things that run through this book in a beautiful rhythm that left me feeling slightly unsettled, but happy all the same. Plus there is just some beautiful language in this book. I love JCP's books, but this is the first one by her that I found myself paying close attention to the words and the way they are strung together.
I read this twice because I was facing some personal things the first time I read it and I didn't feel like I could competently review it, but I will be reading this again and again. It's the kind of story that I will always find new layers and ideas to explore. I will say the first read I was confused, I felt very much like there were things I was missing, but I believe that is because we are experiencing all of this with Lee, and he was very confused. The second read made me realize just how well that worked.
Read this book, you will be glad you did. I think it might not work as a romance for some people, but if you want to read about a person finding out they aren't who they expected, and being happier being the person they've found, you will love this book.
I'd love more books in this World. I'm fascinated by the society JCP created here, and I would love to see her explore it in future books.
Audio: Wonderful and I caught things I hadn't even though I'd read the book twice. I really enjoyed the voices that Lesley created for the main characters.
There is so much that I could say about this book, and, given that it isn't terribly long, I still feel like I could write a pages long review. I'll try not to do that.
I have to say that although this is a romance in some sense, it is not the main purpose of this book, and while there is a definite HEA, in some ways Lee finding himself is much more important than his relationship with Roman. The story is about so much that I find it hard to put it all into words. There is the obvious, but not heavy handed, commentary on today's society. There is the importance placed on being able to be one's self, without hurting others, but also not hurting yourself. There is a focus on the need to look beyond the obvious, to see the subtext and nuances in life. There is also the importance of communication and how difficult that can be for so many reasons, from the limitations of language to the limitations we put on ourselves and others.
I love that all of these things are handled so delicately and with equality, there isn't any, "This way is the right way." or the sense that either the Boomer or the Tax Rat way is clearly better, each has their problems and positives, and each person is allowed to make the decisions that are best for them. Emma, Lee's sister chooses the Boomer way for her reasons, and is shown to be happy with that decision. Lee chooses the Tax Rat way, and is obviously, finally, who he was meant to be. But they are still family, and they still care for each other, and they still have a relationship, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and that is wonderful because that is life. Of course, the Tax Rat life is more free and open and presented as more positive, and that makes sense too because living life to fit in rather than living your authentic life is so limiting, and really isn't any easier, it's just a different set of challenges. The importance of communication, the importance of paying attention to more than what is obvious, the need to allow people to be themselves, are all things that run through this book in a beautiful rhythm that left me feeling slightly unsettled, but happy all the same. Plus there is just some beautiful language in this book. I love JCP's books, but this is the first one by her that I found myself paying close attention to the words and the way they are strung together.
I read this twice because I was facing some personal things the first time I read it and I didn't feel like I could competently review it, but I will be reading this again and again. It's the kind of story that I will always find new layers and ideas to explore. I will say the first read I was confused, I felt very much like there were things I was missing, but I believe that is because we are experiencing all of this with Lee, and he was very confused. The second read made me realize just how well that worked.
Read this book, you will be glad you did. I think it might not work as a romance for some people, but if you want to read about a person finding out they aren't who they expected, and being happier being the person they've found, you will love this book.
I'd love more books in this World. I'm fascinated by the society JCP created here, and I would love to see her explore it in future books.
Audio: Wonderful and I caught things I hadn't even though I'd read the book twice. I really enjoyed the voices that Lesley created for the main characters.
July 7, 2018
2.5 stars
Had a falling out with JCP after her PsyCop series no longer satisfy me and I stopped reading it. Gave this one a try because it was a novella, and I wanted to check whether I gave up on her so soon. Turns out that, yes, I think JCP and I are no longer compatible. This one was a meh/blah read for me.
I didn't find this story to be interesting enough to warm up to the relationship. Plus as a lazy reader, I struggled to figure out the world building and spent all those pages wondering what a Boomer was. Had vague idea, but I disliked reading dystopia/futuristic setting with only fuzzy understanding *shrugs*.
Had a falling out with JCP after her PsyCop series no longer satisfy me and I stopped reading it. Gave this one a try because it was a novella, and I wanted to check whether I gave up on her so soon. Turns out that, yes, I think JCP and I are no longer compatible. This one was a meh/blah read for me.
I didn't find this story to be interesting enough to warm up to the relationship. Plus as a lazy reader, I struggled to figure out the world building and spent all those pages wondering what a Boomer was. Had vague idea, but I disliked reading dystopia/futuristic setting with only fuzzy understanding *shrugs*.
April 26, 2018
Fantastic. I absolutely loved this. It's so engaging and I had a hard time putting it down. JCP is a master of creating vivid, nuanced, relatable characters that are completely captivating. I clicked with Lee straightaway and enjoyed reading his journey so much. JCP has often written about outsiders finding their place in the world and this story is basically about that. It's more of a coming-of-age-type story, though the romance is central and lovely. Roman is a wonderful character. Another winner from one of my favourite authors.
July 1, 2020
This book was not what I expected - in a good way. Considering it was written by JCP I should have expected that lol
At the bottom of the blurb it says "If you enjoy journeys of self-discovery with a futuristic bent, you'll love this standalone character-driven adventure.", and this is exactly what the story is - a journey of self-discovery in a dystopian setting, with a side of romance. The MC whose POV we're in throughout the book - Lee, is an easy person to like - naive, a bit spacey, and naturally good. He's privileged and mostly blind to it, but meeting Roman and getting his first kiss from him gives Lee a nudge in the right direction. We follow Lee through his realization of who he is and what he wants in life, and also through realization of his own privilege and the inherent unfairness of the system he lives in.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and read it in one sitting. I love it when that happens!
At the bottom of the blurb it says "If you enjoy journeys of self-discovery with a futuristic bent, you'll love this standalone character-driven adventure.", and this is exactly what the story is - a journey of self-discovery in a dystopian setting, with a side of romance. The MC whose POV we're in throughout the book - Lee, is an easy person to like - naive, a bit spacey, and naturally good. He's privileged and mostly blind to it, but meeting Roman and getting his first kiss from him gives Lee a nudge in the right direction. We follow Lee through his realization of who he is and what he wants in life, and also through realization of his own privilege and the inherent unfairness of the system he lives in.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and read it in one sitting. I love it when that happens!
May 26, 2018
The only thing that prevents this story from being five stars is simply the length. This story was great--but the selfish reader in me feels it would be *even better* if it was a longer!
I'm a huge fan of JCP. Her Psycop series, in particular, is fantastic. But I honestly can't recall a book of hers that I didn't like. This one is no different. It will likely take you 10-15 pages to get a handle on the world built for this story, but once you do, I have a feeling you'll get sucked in. Lee is a charming, if somewhat naive character. Roman, on the other hand, is sexy and sees far more than most. Together, the two characters work.
In some ways, this story is more about Lee's journey of self discovery about himself and his path, but the romance between him and Roman is still ever present. All in all, it was a memorable and fun story to read. I enjoyed the "opposite side of the tracks" story line, Lee and Roman--both individually and as a couple, learning about the world they inhabit, and the underlining tone of hope (and happiness!) that JCP weaved throughout. It's a fun read and well worth checking out.
5.26.18 Update: I guess this story stuck with me more than I realized because I decided to re-read it the very next day. The second time was even better than the 1st. I'm up-ing my rating to 4.5. :)
I'm a huge fan of JCP. Her Psycop series, in particular, is fantastic. But I honestly can't recall a book of hers that I didn't like. This one is no different. It will likely take you 10-15 pages to get a handle on the world built for this story, but once you do, I have a feeling you'll get sucked in. Lee is a charming, if somewhat naive character. Roman, on the other hand, is sexy and sees far more than most. Together, the two characters work.
In some ways, this story is more about Lee's journey of self discovery about himself and his path, but the romance between him and Roman is still ever present. All in all, it was a memorable and fun story to read. I enjoyed the "opposite side of the tracks" story line, Lee and Roman--both individually and as a couple, learning about the world they inhabit, and the underlining tone of hope (and happiness!) that JCP weaved throughout. It's a fun read and well worth checking out.
5.26.18 Update: I guess this story stuck with me more than I realized because I decided to re-read it the very next day. The second time was even better than the 1st. I'm up-ing my rating to 4.5. :)
February 11, 2024
4.5⭐
This story delves right into a sci-fi future wihtout huge explanations, but I feel like that's a plus, not a flaw. The world opens up to me and so does Lee. This is not so much a love story than a story about confines of society, but the romance is there. Though I might give this one 5 stars if there was more of it.
This story delves right into a sci-fi future wihtout huge explanations, but I feel like that's a plus, not a flaw. The world opens up to me and so does Lee. This is not so much a love story than a story about confines of society, but the romance is there. Though I might give this one 5 stars if there was more of it.
September 7, 2018
SPOILERS LOTS OF SPOILERS.
So this was a painful review to write because literally ALL books by JCP that I have read so far worked for me - not just Psycop series but several of her stand alone. I love her writing, the complex plots she does in her books and romantic stories too. This one though? I want to assume that the writer should have made it a longer story, although really I am not sure if the issues were only due to the page space ( and considering that JCP self publishes, I am not sure why she would feel constrained not to write longer book so maybe this was all intentional).
We meet Lee at his sister's wedding or actually days before the wedding when he is trying to compose a wedding speech and hot waiter interrupts him and I guess they have a meet cute moment. Apparently Lee is struggling so much with the speech and his overall unhappiness because in his world algorithm matches two compatible people together right after college and you have to get married to this person or so Lee thinks. If you won't get married you will definitely lose some tax privileges ( or all of them I am not sure) and people will look down at you or something.
There is a reason why I wrote "or something" because this is how I felt when I was reading . I usually love when the writer drops me in her world and lets me get acquainted with the world without dropping massive info dump on me first, but you know what? When I finished the story I would like to if not know all the details of how the world works then at least understand major rules and powers and whats going on and how the supposition that drives the story's conflict came to be.
I still have no clue how such major loss of human freedom, freedom to choose their own partner ( or so Lee thinks) came to be. We know that there is no algorithm where Roman lives in the Taxable district where poor (poorer?) people live, and economical situation is much worse there, but why did this happen? War? Epidemic of deadly virus? In the beginning the word "plague carrier" is used, but it is used in the completely different context ( the guys shortly after they meet discuss how when they were kids it was okay to say how are you and now it is not. "Lately people act like you're calling them a plague-carrier if you imply they're anything less than fantastic".
So was this is the hint as to what took place? if so that's a vague one for me I have to say.
After meeting with Roman who invites him to come to the District Lee decides to start making some changes in his life - first by coming to the District and hooking up with Roman and then further figuring out what he wants to do with his life.
I know that from this writer we often get the story where love story is sharing the spot line with mystery or science fiction or in this one it is journey of self discovery for Lee. But Jesus, to me the development of the relationship was non existent and the middle part of it was simply missing. They meet, soon they meet again, hook up, go their own ways and for the most of the story they are apart and at the end boom we belong together.
And the weirdest thing to me is that the urgency of algorithm all this ingesting Lee goes through was if not for nothing ( he certainly changes his life to be true to himself and hoping to be with Roman), it kind of fizzled out for me, kind of lost emotional urgency with some revelations Lee learns.
Grade D. Of course I acknowledge good writing, but the story was a massive disappointment overall for me.
So this was a painful review to write because literally ALL books by JCP that I have read so far worked for me - not just Psycop series but several of her stand alone. I love her writing, the complex plots she does in her books and romantic stories too. This one though? I want to assume that the writer should have made it a longer story, although really I am not sure if the issues were only due to the page space ( and considering that JCP self publishes, I am not sure why she would feel constrained not to write longer book so maybe this was all intentional).
We meet Lee at his sister's wedding or actually days before the wedding when he is trying to compose a wedding speech and hot waiter interrupts him and I guess they have a meet cute moment. Apparently Lee is struggling so much with the speech and his overall unhappiness because in his world algorithm matches two compatible people together right after college and you have to get married to this person or so Lee thinks. If you won't get married you will definitely lose some tax privileges ( or all of them I am not sure) and people will look down at you or something.
There is a reason why I wrote "or something" because this is how I felt when I was reading . I usually love when the writer drops me in her world and lets me get acquainted with the world without dropping massive info dump on me first, but you know what? When I finished the story I would like to if not know all the details of how the world works then at least understand major rules and powers and whats going on and how the supposition that drives the story's conflict came to be.
I still have no clue how such major loss of human freedom, freedom to choose their own partner ( or so Lee thinks) came to be. We know that there is no algorithm where Roman lives in the Taxable district where poor (poorer?) people live, and economical situation is much worse there, but why did this happen? War? Epidemic of deadly virus? In the beginning the word "plague carrier" is used, but it is used in the completely different context ( the guys shortly after they meet discuss how when they were kids it was okay to say how are you and now it is not. "Lately people act like you're calling them a plague-carrier if you imply they're anything less than fantastic".
So was this is the hint as to what took place? if so that's a vague one for me I have to say.
After meeting with Roman who invites him to come to the District Lee decides to start making some changes in his life - first by coming to the District and hooking up with Roman and then further figuring out what he wants to do with his life.
I know that from this writer we often get the story where love story is sharing the spot line with mystery or science fiction or in this one it is journey of self discovery for Lee. But Jesus, to me the development of the relationship was non existent and the middle part of it was simply missing. They meet, soon they meet again, hook up, go their own ways and for the most of the story they are apart and at the end boom we belong together.
And the weirdest thing to me is that the urgency of algorithm all this ingesting Lee goes through was if not for nothing ( he certainly changes his life to be true to himself and hoping to be with Roman), it kind of fizzled out for me, kind of lost emotional urgency with some revelations Lee learns.
Grade D. Of course I acknowledge good writing, but the story was a massive disappointment overall for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2018
Well this was a nice little surprise from JCP -- a journey of self discovery, a burgeoning romance and a new world of hers to explore. This one is very divided, there are the Boomers who live in the Benefit District where everything is decided for you, right down to the person you'll marry. The other side is run down Taxation District where you have more choices but life is much more difficult.
Lee has grown up in the Benefit district and he's put off letting the algorithm make his perfect match for as long as he can; he knows it not the right thing for him but what other choice does he have? And then he meets Roman. Roman is from the taxation district and he fascinates Lee in a way no one has before and they share a kiss and then Lee knows he needs to find an alternative to the algorithm, because no matter what woman is chosen for him, she won't be the right person because she's a woman.
The story is really about Lee's journey of self-discovery more so than the romance between Lee and Roman, though Roman was definitely the catalyst to set Lee on his journey. I loved getting to see how Lee was able to find his way to being happy with himself and with Roman. I'd love more stories set it this world because I still have so many questions about how the world came to be like this.
Lee has grown up in the Benefit district and he's put off letting the algorithm make his perfect match for as long as he can; he knows it not the right thing for him but what other choice does he have? And then he meets Roman. Roman is from the taxation district and he fascinates Lee in a way no one has before and they share a kiss and then Lee knows he needs to find an alternative to the algorithm, because no matter what woman is chosen for him, she won't be the right person because she's a woman.
The story is really about Lee's journey of self-discovery more so than the romance between Lee and Roman, though Roman was definitely the catalyst to set Lee on his journey. I loved getting to see how Lee was able to find his way to being happy with himself and with Roman. I'd love more stories set it this world because I still have so many questions about how the world came to be like this.
April 4, 2018
4.5
Excellent writing and world building for a dystopia-light. In fact it is a sweet story. I liked the differences between Benefit Sector and Taxable District, the author inserts lots of interesting details (no money!). The fact that Lee's parents are happy together is a nice touch, and is one of the facts that contributes to give a nuanced vision of the Benefit Sector: not everything is bad there, even though I'd choose to live in the Taxable District. I appreciated the fact that there is no instant love and even in the end there is no rush . In my opinion it is a coming-of-age story, even though Lee is almost 30, his character development is totally believable. Also the secondary characters are well developed (and likable).
My only issue, and that's the half star missing, was that we were on the brink of a kind of «Big Misunderstanding» because a brilliant person like Lee had not sought information about the working of the Algorithm, and had to seek explanations from a drunken Notary. That was a bit difficult to believe for me. Still, a minor quibble in an absolutely wonderful read. Warmly recommended.
Excellent writing and world building for a dystopia-light. In fact it is a sweet story. I liked the differences between Benefit Sector and Taxable District, the author inserts lots of interesting details (no money!). The fact that Lee's parents are happy together is a nice touch, and is one of the facts that contributes to give a nuanced vision of the Benefit Sector: not everything is bad there, even though I'd choose to live in the Taxable District. I appreciated the fact that there is no instant love and even in the end there is no rush . In my opinion it is a coming-of-age story, even though Lee is almost 30, his character development is totally believable. Also the secondary characters are well developed (and likable).
My only issue, and that's the half star missing, was that we were on the brink of a kind of «Big Misunderstanding» because a brilliant person like Lee had not sought information about the working of the Algorithm, and had to seek explanations from a drunken Notary. That was a bit difficult to believe for me. Still, a minor quibble in an absolutely wonderful read. Warmly recommended.
April 8, 2018
In the wake of edgy dystopian sci-fi that wants to make a point, futile bc it's seen that as a collective said messages go over our heads and never learn anything from history neither fiction (sorry for the rambling)... i wasn't so sure about reading this one although it's from one of my favorite authors.
But i couldn't sleep and needed something short to calm myself, this one was accesible so i said why not?. Ended up at ungodly hours finishing this in one sitting.
Despite an overused concept I found this story full on the ever present nuance JCP's always puts on her storytelling and world building. She managed to, in under 200 pages, make yourself drawn to Lee's journey and be as eager as he was to discover a new reality behind the sterile perfect world he grew up in. There's also the constant portrayal of the punk subculture i got fond of in her work.
Great characters, and as she said, this is a story about someone being content with his true self and finding a fitting future. No big revolutions, not fixing problematic stuff going on in this world. Just a personal journey that if you collect many stories like Lee's could actually lead to a social change.
But i couldn't sleep and needed something short to calm myself, this one was accesible so i said why not?. Ended up at ungodly hours finishing this in one sitting.
Despite an overused concept I found this story full on the ever present nuance JCP's always puts on her storytelling and world building. She managed to, in under 200 pages, make yourself drawn to Lee's journey and be as eager as he was to discover a new reality behind the sterile perfect world he grew up in. There's also the constant portrayal of the punk subculture i got fond of in her work.
Great characters, and as she said, this is a story about someone being content with his true self and finding a fitting future. No big revolutions, not fixing problematic stuff going on in this world. Just a personal journey that if you collect many stories like Lee's could actually lead to a social change.
March 27, 2018
I'm super fond of JCP.
It's short, right, but I didn't feel it was incomplete.
She managed to build intriguing characters and world in less than 200 pages. Despite what JCP's
writing about, she somehow always makes the stories so psychological...
Roman stole my heart, of course, I wish I could see more of him, but I am not sure there'll be a sequel.
P.S- kind of off topic, maybe, but the world kind of reminded me of one of black Mirror's episodes, where people found their "perfect" mates, thanks to an APP.
It's short, right, but I didn't feel it was incomplete.
She managed to build intriguing characters and world in less than 200 pages. Despite what JCP's
writing about, she somehow always makes the stories so psychological...
Roman stole my heart, of course, I wish I could see more of him, but I am not sure there'll be a sequel.
P.S- kind of off topic, maybe, but the world kind of reminded me of one of black Mirror's episodes, where people found their "perfect" mates, thanks to an APP.
January 1, 2019
JCP is absolutely one of my favourite writers but she dropped the ball on the world-building with this one. I think it's just too short, or maybe, maybe the main premise is just not strong enough.
Anyhow, a mediocre book by JCP is still a class above about a lot of other books, hence three stars.
Anyhow, a mediocre book by JCP is still a class above about a lot of other books, hence three stars.
April 21, 2018
A thought-provoking little gem of a dystopian story by one of my favourite authors.
Wonderful worldbuilding!
Wonderful worldbuilding!
March 20, 2018
I was blown away by Imperfect Match, partially because I resonated so much with the character of Lee. It would be nice to say that I identified more with Roman, since he’s the one with most everything all figured out, but the parallels between my life and Lee’s (except that career-wise I still have never figured anything out)—my family joked that I was a career student, and unfortunately I didn’t need an algorithm to do what I thought was expected of me by “society.” (That didn’t last). Lee at least has it figured out there. It completely drew me in, and I read it in one sitting.
But then again, it’s the 23rd Century, and the Boomers remind me of the 1950s American Dream (nightmare) whereas the Tax District struck me as being bright and vibrant like the original Bohemians. Well, the colors and the baubles—rhinestones instead of diamonds and it not mattering because they sparkle and they’re beautiful. (Bohemia is somewhat associated with pressed glass beads, but many of the glass making families in the old Czech Republic were relocated during World War II). Relocation of undesirables is an ancient practice, unfortunately.
What on earth does this any of this have to do with Imperfect Match? Beauty is relative. What determines wealth is relative. Is wealth worth it if you don’t have true freedom?
Stark, sanitary, similarities indicate wealth. Riotous colors and stickers rule the Tax District. All of the weddings are the same in Lee’s world. The rehearsal dinner for his sister’s dinner is hilarious and simultaneously obscene, but it seems Lee, with his suddenly new confusion and questioning of his world, is the only one who questions anything other than proper use of the cutlery.
Roman’s character isn’t as deep to me as Lee’s—I think it’s because Roman, while still unsure of some things, has a better sense of himself, though not still not necessarily about relationships. He is the base upon which Lee begins to question his entire reality. All Lee has really thought about is that he wants to stay in school and doesn’t want to trigger the algorithm. Meeting Roman blows up all of Lee’s hidden thoughts about _why_ he’s doing what he’s doing, and forces him to face what he really wants out of life.
Real and stark differences emerge between the Districts, as Lee learns the stickers all over businesses in the Tax District aren’t meaningless, and when he interviews for a job at his university in the Benefit Sector when he is at first practically guaranteed a job until it’s discovered he’s not married and isn’t planning on it, doors slam shut in his face. Go against the grain and you’ll be punished.
It may be the Boomers who are germaphobes, but the people living in the Tax District have bonfires, and what is more purifying than fire? (Just don’t tell that to the ghost of someone burned as a witch).
If I had to choose, I’d do what Lee does as well, and I love that his mom teaches him embroidery stitches. I really liked his family. I loved Emma and Howard’s visit to him at the end, and that they seemed content.
Imperfect Match presents different ways to live your life, and how, even in a future different from our own, human nature perseveres. Some are willing to go along with the status quo with their blinders on, especially when they have nothing to lose. Other people, like Lee, have the blinders prised off, and can’t put them on again, because what they’ve seen is too beguiling to return to the flat ordinariness of life as they have known it. Roman took the little crack already started by Lee and Emma’s visits to the Cat and Canary and broke it wide open. I would so eat pancakes and eggs at the Sugar Bowl. I think I’d want to live there. I’ve been wanting pancakes ever since.
The two different worlds are so richly drawn—the description of Lee’s room at the school in the Tax District is wonderful. How he gets his ceiling fixed is both hysterical and touching.
As this is a stand-alone novel, I would very highly recommend it, especially if you’re interested in checking out Jordan Castillo Price’s writing. She has a very distinctive voice and style, and a wonderful sense of humor.
Ironically, I just read an article (before reading the novel) in The Guardian about how algorithms and a program in which they are being used in China for “social credit.” It’s a little frightening, and it’s happening now. It makes the world of the novel seem not so far fetched.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...
ARC provided by author. Opinions are entirely my own.
But then again, it’s the 23rd Century, and the Boomers remind me of the 1950s American Dream (nightmare) whereas the Tax District struck me as being bright and vibrant like the original Bohemians. Well, the colors and the baubles—rhinestones instead of diamonds and it not mattering because they sparkle and they’re beautiful. (Bohemia is somewhat associated with pressed glass beads, but many of the glass making families in the old Czech Republic were relocated during World War II). Relocation of undesirables is an ancient practice, unfortunately.
What on earth does this any of this have to do with Imperfect Match? Beauty is relative. What determines wealth is relative. Is wealth worth it if you don’t have true freedom?
Stark, sanitary, similarities indicate wealth. Riotous colors and stickers rule the Tax District. All of the weddings are the same in Lee’s world. The rehearsal dinner for his sister’s dinner is hilarious and simultaneously obscene, but it seems Lee, with his suddenly new confusion and questioning of his world, is the only one who questions anything other than proper use of the cutlery.
Roman’s character isn’t as deep to me as Lee’s—I think it’s because Roman, while still unsure of some things, has a better sense of himself, though not still not necessarily about relationships. He is the base upon which Lee begins to question his entire reality. All Lee has really thought about is that he wants to stay in school and doesn’t want to trigger the algorithm. Meeting Roman blows up all of Lee’s hidden thoughts about _why_ he’s doing what he’s doing, and forces him to face what he really wants out of life.
Real and stark differences emerge between the Districts, as Lee learns the stickers all over businesses in the Tax District aren’t meaningless, and when he interviews for a job at his university in the Benefit Sector when he is at first practically guaranteed a job until it’s discovered he’s not married and isn’t planning on it, doors slam shut in his face. Go against the grain and you’ll be punished.
It may be the Boomers who are germaphobes, but the people living in the Tax District have bonfires, and what is more purifying than fire? (Just don’t tell that to the ghost of someone burned as a witch).
If I had to choose, I’d do what Lee does as well, and I love that his mom teaches him embroidery stitches. I really liked his family. I loved Emma and Howard’s visit to him at the end, and that they seemed content.
Imperfect Match presents different ways to live your life, and how, even in a future different from our own, human nature perseveres. Some are willing to go along with the status quo with their blinders on, especially when they have nothing to lose. Other people, like Lee, have the blinders prised off, and can’t put them on again, because what they’ve seen is too beguiling to return to the flat ordinariness of life as they have known it. Roman took the little crack already started by Lee and Emma’s visits to the Cat and Canary and broke it wide open. I would so eat pancakes and eggs at the Sugar Bowl. I think I’d want to live there. I’ve been wanting pancakes ever since.
The two different worlds are so richly drawn—the description of Lee’s room at the school in the Tax District is wonderful. How he gets his ceiling fixed is both hysterical and touching.
As this is a stand-alone novel, I would very highly recommend it, especially if you’re interested in checking out Jordan Castillo Price’s writing. She has a very distinctive voice and style, and a wonderful sense of humor.
Ironically, I just read an article (before reading the novel) in The Guardian about how algorithms and a program in which they are being used in China for “social credit.” It’s a little frightening, and it’s happening now. It makes the world of the novel seem not so far fetched.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...
ARC provided by author. Opinions are entirely my own.
March 26, 2018
In less than 24 hours, Lee Kennedy will have to speak the most important words in his life to date — the official toast at his sister’s wedding. And he has none to say, not a single one, let alone enough to form a complete sentence. Considering that his Master’s Degree major is Language and Linguistics, this is an absolutely unheard of problem for him.
Now, he knows the first words of the toast should be the state approved intro of “Happiness and Hope.” That’s how people raised in the Benefit Sector of his post-pandemic city are encouraged to greet each other. However, he does not know how anyone can be “happy” about being forced into a marriage arranged by a government supercomputer simply because the two parties, who have never met, are perfectly matched genetically for childbearing. And he does not know how to express any “hope” that this arrangement will succeed.
As he stumbles over his words, time and again, practicing in what he thinks is an empty banquet hall, he hears a voice calling to him from behind. Turning, he comes face to face with Roman Sharp, a caterer’s assistant who is clearly not a member of the privileged Benefit Sector. He is a resident of the Taxable District, a group of people who are, beneath their polite surface, considered to be thugs and other forms of disreputable trash. At least that’s what the Benefit Sector teachers and news media have been telling him since he was a child.
Within 15 minutes of meeting Roman, Lee knows that his life will never be the same, not personally, not socially, not anything. For how can he have any Hope that the Algorithm can bring him Happiness when the only life partner he could ever want would be an "imperfect match" with another male?
Resistance to the Algorithm in this dystopian society will not trigger the violence of “Hunger Games” or “Divergence.” Failure to trigger the Algorithm in the Benefits Sector will cause total and absolute financial destruction, and not only for Lee. As part of the penalty, his parents will lose everything and find themselves essentially out on the street.
Lee really does have some hard decisions to make. He has to find a way OUT of the system for himself. He has to find a way to keep his parents IN the system unpenalized. And he has to find a way that will take him back to Roman.
Ms. Price has not written the typical coming-of-age tale here. The characters, both main and secondary, are not precocious teenagers, nor are they pampered and affluent twenty-somethings. They are just regular people, like you and me, that are caught up in a govenment’s subtle web of multi-generational brainwashing. They are people who have already learned or will soon learn, in fits and bursts, that neither Freedom, nor Happiness, nor Hope, can be given to you by a government, but are found and nurtured in the still, small quietness of one’s own mind.
Ms. Price has not written a steamy, erotic romance here either. Certainly, there are several sexual scenarios within the story, but they are neither gratuitious in nature nor overly plentiful. In fact, their placement and content actually serve to advance the plotline more than titilate one’s senses. They simply fit.
I have only one concern about the narrative of this novella. I feel that it takes Ms. Price far too long to give the reader the answer to the basic question of “Where in the world is Waldo?” It took almost five chapters for all her hints — a word here, a phrase there — to fall into place, establishing some sense of a demographic baseline.
I realize that by the very definition of the word “novella,” that the word count is limited. However, for a reader to become truly invested in any storyline, long or short, genre, physical location and timeline really need to be made clear in relatively short order.
It simply took too long to figure out the basics: that this story is taking place several centuries into the future, that our characters are living in a pandemic-caused dystopian America, and that American society has become dependent physically, financially and emotionally on a supercomputer technology.
However, once I got past that one issue, the rest of the story was a non-stop read, a gotta-know-how-this-all-works-out adventure.
I received an ARC of this work free from the author, at my request. The ideas and opinions expressed above are my own.
Now, he knows the first words of the toast should be the state approved intro of “Happiness and Hope.” That’s how people raised in the Benefit Sector of his post-pandemic city are encouraged to greet each other. However, he does not know how anyone can be “happy” about being forced into a marriage arranged by a government supercomputer simply because the two parties, who have never met, are perfectly matched genetically for childbearing. And he does not know how to express any “hope” that this arrangement will succeed.
As he stumbles over his words, time and again, practicing in what he thinks is an empty banquet hall, he hears a voice calling to him from behind. Turning, he comes face to face with Roman Sharp, a caterer’s assistant who is clearly not a member of the privileged Benefit Sector. He is a resident of the Taxable District, a group of people who are, beneath their polite surface, considered to be thugs and other forms of disreputable trash. At least that’s what the Benefit Sector teachers and news media have been telling him since he was a child.
Within 15 minutes of meeting Roman, Lee knows that his life will never be the same, not personally, not socially, not anything. For how can he have any Hope that the Algorithm can bring him Happiness when the only life partner he could ever want would be an "imperfect match" with another male?
Resistance to the Algorithm in this dystopian society will not trigger the violence of “Hunger Games” or “Divergence.” Failure to trigger the Algorithm in the Benefits Sector will cause total and absolute financial destruction, and not only for Lee. As part of the penalty, his parents will lose everything and find themselves essentially out on the street.
Lee really does have some hard decisions to make. He has to find a way OUT of the system for himself. He has to find a way to keep his parents IN the system unpenalized. And he has to find a way that will take him back to Roman.
Ms. Price has not written the typical coming-of-age tale here. The characters, both main and secondary, are not precocious teenagers, nor are they pampered and affluent twenty-somethings. They are just regular people, like you and me, that are caught up in a govenment’s subtle web of multi-generational brainwashing. They are people who have already learned or will soon learn, in fits and bursts, that neither Freedom, nor Happiness, nor Hope, can be given to you by a government, but are found and nurtured in the still, small quietness of one’s own mind.
Ms. Price has not written a steamy, erotic romance here either. Certainly, there are several sexual scenarios within the story, but they are neither gratuitious in nature nor overly plentiful. In fact, their placement and content actually serve to advance the plotline more than titilate one’s senses. They simply fit.
I have only one concern about the narrative of this novella. I feel that it takes Ms. Price far too long to give the reader the answer to the basic question of “Where in the world is Waldo?” It took almost five chapters for all her hints — a word here, a phrase there — to fall into place, establishing some sense of a demographic baseline.
I realize that by the very definition of the word “novella,” that the word count is limited. However, for a reader to become truly invested in any storyline, long or short, genre, physical location and timeline really need to be made clear in relatively short order.
It simply took too long to figure out the basics: that this story is taking place several centuries into the future, that our characters are living in a pandemic-caused dystopian America, and that American society has become dependent physically, financially and emotionally on a supercomputer technology.
However, once I got past that one issue, the rest of the story was a non-stop read, a gotta-know-how-this-all-works-out adventure.
I received an ARC of this work free from the author, at my request. The ideas and opinions expressed above are my own.
August 25, 2018
I've been a Jordan Castillo Price fan for years (Vic and Jacob forever!) but due to time constraints, I simply don't get to sit down and read like I used to, so hadn't read any of Jordan's latest works.
Then I discovered audio books, perfect for my three-hour daily commute, and started hunting for any and all narrated books by my favorite authors. Which is how I found Imperfect Match.
Great world building, with an ever-widening class divide, and diverse expectations on either side. At first glance, those of Lee's place in society seemed privileged and elite, with reasonable creature comforts and an air of superiority. But there's one thing they don't have: freedom. Freedom to choose how to live their lives, choose whom to love, where to work, etc.
On the surface, Roman's world seems less stable, a series of multiple jobs to make ends meet, relying on self and community, and making an art of bartering because those in the "tax district" have no need of cash. Money is for the privileged folks who, incidentally, the "tax rats" pity and look down on.
While Roman's world might look less comfortable, he comes and goes as he pleases, lives and loves, and one night with him has Lee examining his whole worldview.
A battle of the bands, more or less, complete with bonfire, an intriguing man who bestows his first kiss, and homemade booze opens Lee's eyes to how the news portrays those of Roman's status as criminal elements, and the tax district as unsafe. Yes, keep the younger generation obedient and prejudiced so they won't try to see how the other half lives.
Lee's fascination with Roman and his lifestyle cracks open the safe cocoon he's swaddled himself in, and he discovers that, in order to grasp what you want, sometimes you have to let go of what you have.
Then I discovered audio books, perfect for my three-hour daily commute, and started hunting for any and all narrated books by my favorite authors. Which is how I found Imperfect Match.
Great world building, with an ever-widening class divide, and diverse expectations on either side. At first glance, those of Lee's place in society seemed privileged and elite, with reasonable creature comforts and an air of superiority. But there's one thing they don't have: freedom. Freedom to choose how to live their lives, choose whom to love, where to work, etc.
On the surface, Roman's world seems less stable, a series of multiple jobs to make ends meet, relying on self and community, and making an art of bartering because those in the "tax district" have no need of cash. Money is for the privileged folks who, incidentally, the "tax rats" pity and look down on.
While Roman's world might look less comfortable, he comes and goes as he pleases, lives and loves, and one night with him has Lee examining his whole worldview.
A battle of the bands, more or less, complete with bonfire, an intriguing man who bestows his first kiss, and homemade booze opens Lee's eyes to how the news portrays those of Roman's status as criminal elements, and the tax district as unsafe. Yes, keep the younger generation obedient and prejudiced so they won't try to see how the other half lives.
Lee's fascination with Roman and his lifestyle cracks open the safe cocoon he's swaddled himself in, and he discovers that, in order to grasp what you want, sometimes you have to let go of what you have.
Read
January 9, 2019Audio DNF around Chapter 9. This is the first audio by Joel that I didn't enjoy.
I am going to read the eBook instead and hope for the better
I am going to read the eBook instead and hope for the better
March 20, 2018
Amazing! I can always count on JCP to come through when it comes to unique, edgy, quirky and a whole lot of WTF. An excellent mix in my opinion.
Imperfect Match is a futuristic dystopianish story set in a society of two distinct classes. There are Boomers who receive all the Benefits that society has to offer: health care, higher education, good paying jobs, decent housing, etc. And then there are the so called Tax Rats who live in the District and barely scrape out a living in their slums and from what I gathered seem to subsidize the Boomers lifestyles by paying an ungodly high tax on everything. The haves and have nots. The burbs and those who live on the wrong side of the tracks.
One thing I found interesting (besides the whole book, lol) is that real freedom belongs to those in the District. For one ginormous thing, the District isn’t governed by the Algorithm. This Algorithm does everything for the Boomers from driving their cars to picking out their spouse. It rules the Boomers lives. Creepy!
So this brings us to Lee, a Boomer and 29 year old perennial student. By 30 he’ll be matched up with a wife that the Algorithm has already picked out for him. It’s something he’s been putting off, mainly because he’s not interested in marriage, but time is running out for him. Which bring us to Roman who’s working as a caterer at Lee’s sisters prenuptial rehearsal dinner, and you guessed it...he’s from the District. Their two worlds collide. Kind of like Pygmalion in reverse. Think about it....
Let the fun and games begin. And it begins in the District. There’s a Bonfire. There’s bartering. There’s sugar packets and bus tokens. If this doesn’t make sense then you’ll just have to read the book. I enjoyed it so much that I’m rating it five bus tokens and a bucket full of sugar packets.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
Imperfect Match is a futuristic dystopianish story set in a society of two distinct classes. There are Boomers who receive all the Benefits that society has to offer: health care, higher education, good paying jobs, decent housing, etc. And then there are the so called Tax Rats who live in the District and barely scrape out a living in their slums and from what I gathered seem to subsidize the Boomers lifestyles by paying an ungodly high tax on everything. The haves and have nots. The burbs and those who live on the wrong side of the tracks.
One thing I found interesting (besides the whole book, lol) is that real freedom belongs to those in the District. For one ginormous thing, the District isn’t governed by the Algorithm. This Algorithm does everything for the Boomers from driving their cars to picking out their spouse. It rules the Boomers lives. Creepy!
So this brings us to Lee, a Boomer and 29 year old perennial student. By 30 he’ll be matched up with a wife that the Algorithm has already picked out for him. It’s something he’s been putting off, mainly because he’s not interested in marriage, but time is running out for him. Which bring us to Roman who’s working as a caterer at Lee’s sisters prenuptial rehearsal dinner, and you guessed it...he’s from the District. Their two worlds collide. Kind of like Pygmalion in reverse. Think about it....
Let the fun and games begin. And it begins in the District. There’s a Bonfire. There’s bartering. There’s sugar packets and bus tokens. If this doesn’t make sense then you’ll just have to read the book. I enjoyed it so much that I’m rating it five bus tokens and a bucket full of sugar packets.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
August 9, 2020
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2018/09/21/...
Rating: 2.5 Stars - far from hate but not quite a like
Rating: 2.5 Stars - far from hate but not quite a like
March 20, 2018
~ 4.5 Stars ~
One thing author Jordan Castillo Price delivers on in a consistent basis is a story where the relationship of the characters to their settings and, conversely, the relationship of the settings to the characters is as integral as the plots themselves. Whether it’s a medium in ghost-ridden Chicago, a drifter vampire and his moody lover who’d meant to hunt and stake him, or a reality show about magicians staged in a mansion, there’s always an extra layer of something just that little bit different that elevates Price’s books above their romantic elements. In the case of this latest novella, Imperfect Match, it’s the post-plague, distant futuristic setting which is integral to the division between Lee Kennedy and Roman Sharp and also makes a few relatable statements that coincide with their opposite side of the tracks relationship.
Lee has made a professional student of himself at nearly thirty-years-old, not because he is addicted to studying and furthering his education but to avoid the inevitable consequence of graduating. Lee will be forced to trigger the Algorithm that will introduce his destined mate. His destined female mate. Which is a problem because Lee is gay, and being gay in the Benefits Sector where the default heteronormative married, 2.2 kids and the white picket fence composite house leaves him an outlier, not to mention fearful of his future, and meeting Roman was, by turns, one of the best and worst things to happen to him. I love the subtle nuances imparted on Lee—the fact that he’s a student of language but often finds himself without the right words; the fact that he’s a student of language who often manages to say the wrong thing; the fact that he has a tendency to apologize for lack of anything better to say; the fact that he’s a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. How much he cares that his sister is about to marry a stranger. It’s the little things which stand out in that they aren’t glaring and yet are recognizable as part of his characterization.
Roman, on the other hand, is the guy from the wrong side of the tracks who knows exactly who he is and is entirely comfortable in his own skin. Less flatteringly coined a Tax Rat, Roman is a cater waiter from the Taxable District, which, in more relatable terms, would be the seedier part of town where the working poor struggle to get by and are virtually ignored. The difference in his and Lee's lives is quantified by so much more than a simple cross street that divides Sector from District; they’re separated by privilege, by opportunity, by Lee’s ignorance of what life in the District is truly like for its residents—a place where currency comes in the form of contraband not coin. Their initial meeting isn’t as antagonistic as it could have been, but it isn’t simple either. Lee's fears and insecurities and awkwardness as well as the fact that he can't mask the obvious markers which identify him as a Boomer, much to his embarrassment, make their first attempt at intimacy a bit of a disaster. But it also triggers a longing in Lee, one that he can’t allow himself to hope for, because to hope would be to do harm to someone he doesn't even know.
For an opposites attract story to work, the characters must be either complementary opposites, or they have to find a way to meet somewhere in the middle—to reach a compromise without compromising who they are—and I love the way Lee evolved in this story. Lee didn’t change who he was, he just became who he was always meant to be, and it works perfectly. This isn’t a story of two people building a relationship, so don't go into it looking for romance. This is the story of a man who is offered an unexpected gift, that of realizing he’s not imprisoned by circumstance, and then he goes about constructing a new life in which the potential now exists for the relationship he wants. Not with his assigned wife but with a man he could definitely love, someone Lee chooses, someone who may not be perfect but who is a perfect match for Lee.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Appraoch
One thing author Jordan Castillo Price delivers on in a consistent basis is a story where the relationship of the characters to their settings and, conversely, the relationship of the settings to the characters is as integral as the plots themselves. Whether it’s a medium in ghost-ridden Chicago, a drifter vampire and his moody lover who’d meant to hunt and stake him, or a reality show about magicians staged in a mansion, there’s always an extra layer of something just that little bit different that elevates Price’s books above their romantic elements. In the case of this latest novella, Imperfect Match, it’s the post-plague, distant futuristic setting which is integral to the division between Lee Kennedy and Roman Sharp and also makes a few relatable statements that coincide with their opposite side of the tracks relationship.
Lee has made a professional student of himself at nearly thirty-years-old, not because he is addicted to studying and furthering his education but to avoid the inevitable consequence of graduating. Lee will be forced to trigger the Algorithm that will introduce his destined mate. His destined female mate. Which is a problem because Lee is gay, and being gay in the Benefits Sector where the default heteronormative married, 2.2 kids and the white picket fence composite house leaves him an outlier, not to mention fearful of his future, and meeting Roman was, by turns, one of the best and worst things to happen to him. I love the subtle nuances imparted on Lee—the fact that he’s a student of language but often finds himself without the right words; the fact that he’s a student of language who often manages to say the wrong thing; the fact that he has a tendency to apologize for lack of anything better to say; the fact that he’s a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. How much he cares that his sister is about to marry a stranger. It’s the little things which stand out in that they aren’t glaring and yet are recognizable as part of his characterization.
Roman, on the other hand, is the guy from the wrong side of the tracks who knows exactly who he is and is entirely comfortable in his own skin. Less flatteringly coined a Tax Rat, Roman is a cater waiter from the Taxable District, which, in more relatable terms, would be the seedier part of town where the working poor struggle to get by and are virtually ignored. The difference in his and Lee's lives is quantified by so much more than a simple cross street that divides Sector from District; they’re separated by privilege, by opportunity, by Lee’s ignorance of what life in the District is truly like for its residents—a place where currency comes in the form of contraband not coin. Their initial meeting isn’t as antagonistic as it could have been, but it isn’t simple either. Lee's fears and insecurities and awkwardness as well as the fact that he can't mask the obvious markers which identify him as a Boomer, much to his embarrassment, make their first attempt at intimacy a bit of a disaster. But it also triggers a longing in Lee, one that he can’t allow himself to hope for, because to hope would be to do harm to someone he doesn't even know.
For an opposites attract story to work, the characters must be either complementary opposites, or they have to find a way to meet somewhere in the middle—to reach a compromise without compromising who they are—and I love the way Lee evolved in this story. Lee didn’t change who he was, he just became who he was always meant to be, and it works perfectly. This isn’t a story of two people building a relationship, so don't go into it looking for romance. This is the story of a man who is offered an unexpected gift, that of realizing he’s not imprisoned by circumstance, and then he goes about constructing a new life in which the potential now exists for the relationship he wants. Not with his assigned wife but with a man he could definitely love, someone Lee chooses, someone who may not be perfect but who is a perfect match for Lee.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Appraoch
July 11, 2018
Loved this. World-building the way only JCP can do. How she manages to dole out the information in dribs and drabs without frustrating the heck out of me, I'll never know. This is like some kind of reverse-Cinderella story, and it's fantastic.
This may be the first time, though, that I wasn't blown away by an audio performance by Joel Leslie. It may be a little thing, and there may be some reason for it that I just haven't considered yet, but . . . There was a lot of talk about accents in this book. The fact that the District folks all had a significantly different accent than those in the Benefit Sector was mentioned many times in many different ways, and I know Joel Leslie can do accents, so . . . Why the choice to have everyone speak in a standard American accent? I just don't get it.
This may be the first time, though, that I wasn't blown away by an audio performance by Joel Leslie. It may be a little thing, and there may be some reason for it that I just haven't considered yet, but . . . There was a lot of talk about accents in this book. The fact that the District folks all had a significantly different accent than those in the Benefit Sector was mentioned many times in many different ways, and I know Joel Leslie can do accents, so . . . Why the choice to have everyone speak in a standard American accent? I just don't get it.
May 30, 2024
Lee and Roman are quite the pair. It’s almost a west side futuristic story. Lee has it all but in order to have it all he has to follow the dictates of the algorithm. He has to marry who it chooses regardless of his own feelings on the matter. Then he meets Lee and gets to see how the other half live, the freedoms that they have that he does not. I wish there had been more world building (I find the world fascinating)but the story held its own and the characters interactions kept me invested.
March 1, 2025
I thoroughly loved this book. I must admit I didn’t really know what to expect, but as I kept reading, I smile crept over my face and didn’t leave. It’s not really a fast-paced-action packed novella, but I found this book really sweet, endearing and relatable in so many ways, and I seriously needed that kind of reading right now. (I even procrastinated work to finish the book, and yeah I’m going to be up late catching up, but who cares XD)
First off, let me point out that the blurb is also kind of a preface, so remember that when reading the book, it will help you with the story because it’s also a dystopian setting, but we’ll get to that later.
I was afraid, with how short the book was, that it would be an insta-love romance. (I usually stay clear of those) Don’t worry, it’s not! (Phew) The trigger is an encounter all right, when trying to write the speech for his sister’s wedding, but it makes Lee really think about his situation and what really is “happiness and hope” (which it’s also the new way to say “hello, how are you?”)
Lee is someone who doesn’t want to marry, for a number of reasons, the first and most important for him that he’s unable to see himself being happy with someone chosen out of thin air because supposedly the Algorithm said she’s the “perfect match” for him. The encounter with Roman makes him understand that he won’t ever find his perfect match through the Algorithm, since he realises he’s gay.
Being almost thirty, he is still studying in order to avoid marriage, but his time is almost up: he must make a series of choices and the consequences will not only affect him but also his family, and one thing it’s clear: in a society where marrying is an obligation, not going through with it can have serious consequences for everyone. So, what can he do?
I found him quite the incredible character, really, because he is genuinely a good person and someone who tries to see things without judging first, so much so that he is actually pretty naïve for a twenty-nine year-old. I found most of the choices he makes through the story to be quite sound for each moment, with a goal in mind (getting out of the system completely). In this case, Roman is someone who inspires him to reach the place in his life where he can say “yes, I’m not married and I won’t because I’m gay”.
All characters, main and secondary were really well portrayed: everyday people that have adapted to a society and a government that decide how you are going to live and with whom. Oh, and also, I appreciated the epilogue (I love epilogues) because I could see Lee and Roman’s relationship after some time has passed.
The main issue I had was the setting at the beginning, it kept bugging me. Since this book is a dystopia I would have liked a little more information on how it came to be, it was a bit too vague for my liking. It wasn’t until later that I fully understood that the setting was a futuristic USA that had survived a time similar to the Black Plague (if not a repeat of it), and I know that that it’s not really all that can be said about the setting: government, education, relationships, all of that has changed and we only get a glimpse, which it’s a pity because it has such potential. I wouldn’t have minded reading a bit more on that on the book, but I think it also related to the fact that it’s a novella (word count and that).
All in all, I loved how Lee faced discrimination, thought of class segregation and in general and ultimately matured and chose how to live his life, Price has done an excellent job with this story, so if you are searching for a sweet story, engaging, HEA, and with a bit of dystopia thrown in the mix, I recommend you read it ;)
*A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
First off, let me point out that the blurb is also kind of a preface, so remember that when reading the book, it will help you with the story because it’s also a dystopian setting, but we’ll get to that later.
I was afraid, with how short the book was, that it would be an insta-love romance. (I usually stay clear of those) Don’t worry, it’s not! (Phew) The trigger is an encounter all right, when trying to write the speech for his sister’s wedding, but it makes Lee really think about his situation and what really is “happiness and hope” (which it’s also the new way to say “hello, how are you?”)
Lee is someone who doesn’t want to marry, for a number of reasons, the first and most important for him that he’s unable to see himself being happy with someone chosen out of thin air because supposedly the Algorithm said she’s the “perfect match” for him. The encounter with Roman makes him understand that he won’t ever find his perfect match through the Algorithm, since he realises he’s gay.
Being almost thirty, he is still studying in order to avoid marriage, but his time is almost up: he must make a series of choices and the consequences will not only affect him but also his family, and one thing it’s clear: in a society where marrying is an obligation, not going through with it can have serious consequences for everyone. So, what can he do?
I found him quite the incredible character, really, because he is genuinely a good person and someone who tries to see things without judging first, so much so that he is actually pretty naïve for a twenty-nine year-old. I found most of the choices he makes through the story to be quite sound for each moment, with a goal in mind (getting out of the system completely). In this case, Roman is someone who inspires him to reach the place in his life where he can say “yes, I’m not married and I won’t because I’m gay”.
All characters, main and secondary were really well portrayed: everyday people that have adapted to a society and a government that decide how you are going to live and with whom. Oh, and also, I appreciated the epilogue (I love epilogues) because I could see Lee and Roman’s relationship after some time has passed.
The main issue I had was the setting at the beginning, it kept bugging me. Since this book is a dystopia I would have liked a little more information on how it came to be, it was a bit too vague for my liking. It wasn’t until later that I fully understood that the setting was a futuristic USA that had survived a time similar to the Black Plague (if not a repeat of it), and I know that that it’s not really all that can be said about the setting: government, education, relationships, all of that has changed and we only get a glimpse, which it’s a pity because it has such potential. I wouldn’t have minded reading a bit more on that on the book, but I think it also related to the fact that it’s a novella (word count and that).
All in all, I loved how Lee faced discrimination, thought of class segregation and in general and ultimately matured and chose how to live his life, Price has done an excellent job with this story, so if you are searching for a sweet story, engaging, HEA, and with a bit of dystopia thrown in the mix, I recommend you read it ;)
*A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
March 21, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Imperfect Match is a really engaging story that follows Lee on his journey of self awareness and discovery. Lee’s life is filled with rigid expectations, the biggest being that he will trigger the Algorithm and marry the woman the system chooses as the best match. He has been stalling as long as possible, but time is running out. Meeting Roman suddenly gives Lee a glimpse of the life he could have. No, living in the Taxable District isn’t easy. People are poor and life is hard. But they have a freedom to choose so far beyond anything Lee could even hope for in his own life. I really enjoyed seeing Lee open his eyes to this other part of his world, a part that he has mostly ignored but now sees could be the way to happiness for him if only he is brave enough to grab it. So I really liked Lee’s journey and the message that goes along with it.
I think Castillo Price has created a really interesting world here and there are a lot of clever details that I liked. My biggest struggle with the book, however, is that I feel so much is still left unexplained. It is like we get the outline of the world building, but not enough filled in to really understand it all. I got that the story takes place in the future, but when exactly is unclear. Something bad has happened, a plague of some sort I think, and governments have sort of fallen apart. But I had no clarity as to what happened or what political system there is now. And most importantly, I never really understood the structure of the Taxable District and the Benefit District. We know they are the two sides of the tracks, but why are people divided that way? How do they end up in one or the other? And what are all these rules that go along with life in these two regions? I just never quite got a handle on the world building, so I found myself with constant questions and I could have used more here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Imperfect Match is a really engaging story that follows Lee on his journey of self awareness and discovery. Lee’s life is filled with rigid expectations, the biggest being that he will trigger the Algorithm and marry the woman the system chooses as the best match. He has been stalling as long as possible, but time is running out. Meeting Roman suddenly gives Lee a glimpse of the life he could have. No, living in the Taxable District isn’t easy. People are poor and life is hard. But they have a freedom to choose so far beyond anything Lee could even hope for in his own life. I really enjoyed seeing Lee open his eyes to this other part of his world, a part that he has mostly ignored but now sees could be the way to happiness for him if only he is brave enough to grab it. So I really liked Lee’s journey and the message that goes along with it.
I think Castillo Price has created a really interesting world here and there are a lot of clever details that I liked. My biggest struggle with the book, however, is that I feel so much is still left unexplained. It is like we get the outline of the world building, but not enough filled in to really understand it all. I got that the story takes place in the future, but when exactly is unclear. Something bad has happened, a plague of some sort I think, and governments have sort of fallen apart. But I had no clarity as to what happened or what political system there is now. And most importantly, I never really understood the structure of the Taxable District and the Benefit District. We know they are the two sides of the tracks, but why are people divided that way? How do they end up in one or the other? And what are all these rules that go along with life in these two regions? I just never quite got a handle on the world building, so I found myself with constant questions and I could have used more here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
December 4, 2019
Nah I'm done. DNF after 38 awful minutes.
-Want to know what killed it for me? The SEVERAL minutes of gratuitous description about a Squab (small chicken bird) for dinner, interspersed with memories of his 'sex ed' experience (where apparently he was supposed to fuck his teacher?) . This main character is an absolute pervert. Normally I don't judge, but dude... you are sitting a wedding dining table and basically having sexual relations with your entree. All because you kissed a waiter not long before the wedding?
-And in the first 7 minutes of this book, the MC swooned. Literally swooned. Because the second MC had the audacity to speak to him.
- The overuse of the word Boomer. Had I attempted to listen to this book a month ago, I would have still been annoyed by the other things, but I wouldn't roll my eyes every single time. "Ok Boomer" has literally just started. (if you are reading this in the future, google Ok Boomer and you'll understand. Here, I'll give you a link instead: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK_Boomer)
- The narrator is absolute shit. He sounds like a cliche wobbly frail gay man in his 60s attempting to do the posh uppercrust accent that you find in episodes of The Family Guy. https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Jam...
Nope, I'm done, and I think I'm just never going to attempt this author again.. I've not been impressed with anything I've read previously.
Wish I could give it Zero stars without it just saying 'unrated' . No I'm rating it, I'm rating it zero stars. So 1 star will have to do.
-Want to know what killed it for me? The SEVERAL minutes of gratuitous description about a Squab (small chicken bird) for dinner, interspersed with memories of his 'sex ed' experience (where apparently he was supposed to fuck his teacher?) . This main character is an absolute pervert. Normally I don't judge, but dude... you are sitting a wedding dining table and basically having sexual relations with your entree. All because you kissed a waiter not long before the wedding?
-And in the first 7 minutes of this book, the MC swooned. Literally swooned. Because the second MC had the audacity to speak to him.
- The overuse of the word Boomer. Had I attempted to listen to this book a month ago, I would have still been annoyed by the other things, but I wouldn't roll my eyes every single time. "Ok Boomer" has literally just started. (if you are reading this in the future, google Ok Boomer and you'll understand. Here, I'll give you a link instead: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK_Boomer)
- The narrator is absolute shit. He sounds like a cliche wobbly frail gay man in his 60s attempting to do the posh uppercrust accent that you find in episodes of The Family Guy. https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Jam...
Nope, I'm done, and I think I'm just never going to attempt this author again.. I've not been impressed with anything I've read previously.
Wish I could give it Zero stars without it just saying 'unrated' . No I'm rating it, I'm rating it zero stars. So 1 star will have to do.
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