The Beat Match

Showmen #3

by Kelly Siskind

Treat yourself to this friends-to-lovers romance reviewers are calling "heart-melting" and "swoony" and "packed with heat and chemistry."

Weston Aldrich is known for his devastating looks and crisp Italian suits. He's been groomed to take over his family business and is on the brink of closing a massive merger. Only two wild cards can derail him.

Wild Card One: If anyone learns he moonlights as a masked DJ, his credibility will be toast.
Wild Card Two: Annie can’t-hold-a-job Ward.

The Annie Ward he promised to help raise after her brother died. The scatterbrained girl who makes it her mission in life to drive him crazy. The gorgeous woman he’s not supposed to fantasize about, let alone kiss.

Annie hates Wes’s insanely overprotective nature, and how his ridiculous bone structure makes him look like a Greek god. His jokes about her plethora of jobs are beyond irksome. She has no plans to tell him about her latest aspiration, to match beats as a budding DJ. Until she learns what Wes does at night. Now she plans to prove Weston Aldrich has met his match.

Praise for THE BEAT MATCH

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "A friends-to-lovers and older-brother's-best-friend book that will blow you away." ~ Reads and Reviews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "The friendship and history between the characters was so deep and heart-tugging. A memorable and page-turning romance!” ~ author Michelle Hazen

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "The writing is delicious and Kelly's voice is vibrant." ~ author Mary Ann Marlowe

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Fiction

318 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2020

About the author

Kelly Siskind lives in the wilds of British Columbia. When she’s not out hiking or skiing, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She loves singing while driving, looks awful in yellow, and is known for spilling wine at parties. Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at www.kellysiskind.com and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books. And connect with her on Twitter and Instagram (@kellysiskind) or on Facebook and TikTok (@authorkellysiskind).

Golden Heart® Finalist
Amazon Best Seller
Featured on the Apple Books Best Books of the Month list.


Where to find me:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Siskind/...

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorKellyS...

Join Kelly's Gang on Facebook for exclusive giveaways and laughs: https://www.facebook.com/authorKellyS...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellysiskind/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellySiskind?lang=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/kellysiskind/

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell yeah! Sweet, entertaining, slow burn romance with lots of tragic events, deep family issues and eventually the healing power of music that brings the true lovers together!

I love the author’s works. This series started with beautiful, magical New Orleans story and continued with a dazzling, clever woman thief’s alluring love story and finally at the third book: we’re introduced to aspiring music lovers and their rhythmic, energetic, powerful world!

What a beautiful friends to lovers story! Wes is real sweet pie, ideal book boyfriend, protective, kind, smart and absolutely charming! And definitely quirky, clever, sassy, straightforward, bold Annie was not ideal but still likable kind of heroine!

Annie already lost her mother because of drug overdose and after her brother died, she felt lost, all alone, depressed. Thankfully her brother’s best friend Wes is always there for you when she needs a shoulder to cry on but his overprotectiveness is so irritating and suffocating.

Wes also deals with his own demons, as his family pushes pressure on him to take over their family business which is on the brink of a closing grandiose merger. Even though he kills it when he wears those Italian suits, his undeniable charisma is definitely pant melting strength that the women around her cannot resist, at the end of the day he turns into something different( nope, not a werewolf of vampire, this is not Charlaine Harris book!) he also doesn’t wear a suit with bat logo or changing his daily clothes in a phone booth (pay attention! This story does not take place in DC universe!), he just wears a mask without green hoodie( he’s charismatic and handsome but he’s not also Oliver Queen) and he turns into a DJ and guess what Annie who cannot work at a proper job, finds her passion at music and as soon as she learns Wes’ secret, their common interest to become a DJ and realize the dream of Annie’s death brother who was also passionate about music, help them form a deep friendship bound.

And they realize they start to fall hard for each other. But Wes gave his word to Annie’s brother before he died. He will always take care of her and he keeps this as secret which can also destroy everything about their blooming relationship.

Overall: I enjoyed this book more than the other two books of the series. Especially hero stole my heart. Oh Wes, you’re definition of lovable book boyfriend! Emotions are everywhere. It’s poetic, lyrical tear jerker, unique love story that I highly recommend!

Special thanks to NetGalley for sharing this enjoyable ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions and extra thanks to Kelly Siskind for writing this sweet, sassy, feel-good story.

blog
instagram
facebook
twitter

[Joshita ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing the arc for this book.*

My rating: 4.5★

“I guess you have to decide which you'll regret more, missing the world you know or never exploring the one that scares you.”

What can I say! I loved this book so so much THAT I COMPLETED IT IN A DAY. I can't stop smiling and it is Kelly Siskind's fault!


The Beat Match is an incredible story about two childhood best friends, Wes and Annie. Weston Aldrich is the leading face for Aldrich Pharma, always there with a plan and a stuck up and professional suit. But what the world doesn't know is he is a DJ after hours, playing at clubs and brooding a growing fandom. After Annie's brother and Wes's best friend Leo died, Weston has always been there to help Annie, despite her driving him at the edge of insanity. As her best-friends little sister, she has always been off-limits. But after the not very accidental kiss, he can't stop thinking about her.
Annie herself wants to be a budding DJ and play with the beats. But there is no way in hell she will tell that to the over-protective-greek-god-irritating-hot Weston—well until she learns what he does at nights. Because now she has found her match.

This is the first book I read of Kelly and I loved it! I knew I made the right decision picking this up! This book was laugh-out-loud funny, non-problematic, grin-inducing, a heartfelt love story. Now without me babbling like an idiot, here... I present to you why you should read this book:

THE WRITING AND PLOT:
This book had me gripped from chapter one. We follow both Annie and Wes's POVs and the book is written in 3rd person. You can see that the writer put in effort in carving these characters and every detail felt real. I enjoyed myself from start to end—no exception.
Let me also make it clear that this book explores so much more than the romance. It deals with grief, guilt, recovery, social issues in a way that you know and feel the emotions. And I love a book that deals with problems and tries to bring something important in the limelight while holding the romance strong. It also traverses the healing power of music and everything is executed very well. The atmosphere surrounding this book is so different. It feels fun but dark at the same time (in a good way)...just like clubs. It is a feel-good story that had me on my toes.

CHARACTERS:

"Everything with Annie was an emergency...The time she spotted a vintage purse she just had to have and bolted from his still-moving car had been stroke inducing."

Annie~ There are rare instances when I can say that I loved the MC of a romance novel more than the hot male counterpart. Usually, the female makes very idiotic choices throughout the book that makes me wanna slit her throat but not Annie. She is by far one of the best female MC I have read about so far. She is witty, funny, bold, honest, one of a kind, brutal, and amazing! She straight-up speaks what she thinks and does not create unnecessary problems for the sake of inventing unnecessary problems. She is a girl who would wanna clear things up and get them out of the way before they mess up her life or relationship. Sarcasm runs in her veins and there was not a single moment where I thought I wanted to kill her. She is a goddess and every MC in a romance novel should learn from her, how to be authentic and real—and not a stuck up bitch.

“He was so textbook, the textbooks were jealous of him.”

Weston~ He was HOT!
I mean a very stiff, laborious and professional man by day and a popular, free, carefree DJ by night—WHAT MORE CAN I ASK!
As I said, his stiff outer demeanor was such a turn on (obviously for Annie...not me). He was smart and sensible but I gotta admit he was irritating at times and made stupid decisions. I mean you gotta fill the stupidity meter somehow in a novel. But man he was compassionate and lovable, quite as witty and sweet as Annie..just a little annoying. I loved him nonetheless.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Wes and Annie had such a natural, non-toxic, sweet relationship. I was rooting for them from the very start! The 'shift' from friends to having feelings for each other felt a little off but that is the extent of my critique. The slow-burn romance was killing me! Just the anticipation to see them together had me skipping everything I had to do in a day and just READ. The obstacles in their relationship felt so real and natural, their relationship, in general, seemed genuine. There wasn't a "forced" moment between them and these two truly understood each other, they had such great chemistry, it was almost as they were made for each other. They were so adorable, they had me screaming XD
Their banter, their fights, love confessions...everything was so perfect!
They completed each other. Both of them had their struggles and they tried to help each other out and solve their problems—and that I what I call an authentic relationship!

The friendships in this book were super enjoyable too. This book was written in a way that I cared for the side characters like they were my baby. OR. I was so smitten with the story that I started loving everything and everyone.

All in all, this was such a feel-good book, it might not be perfect but I am so smitten after reading it that I can only see perfection. I was genuinely happy for the characters and cant wait to read more from the author. I really think you should give this book a chance...

SO WHAT I AM SAYING IS—READ THE GODDAMN BOOK!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think Kelly could write another book that’d I’d love as much as I loved her New Orleans Rush (Showman Book 1). But she did! I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED The Beat Match! This book was so beautifully written. I chuckled many times reading the sassy banter between Annie and Wes which countered the few times I cried during the scenes they struggled with their fears of loss and commitment.

Seriously, do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

Thanks to the author for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Fawnia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love 💘
This book is everything I've come to expect from Kelly and more!! It's a slowburn between friends THAT YOU JUST CAN NOT PUT DOWN!
The banter between Wes and Annie is so damn adorable and delicious, I loved EVERY minute of it! Every romantic gesture as well as every steamy detail is perfection (hello new book boyfriend). If you love a perfectly sweet, sassy and quirky romance this book is definitely for you!

[Addie · Rating 1 out of 5]

NB: Spoiler free ARC review – expected publication Sep 16th 2020

(Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Brother’s Best Friend, Mistaken Identity, Love Triangle-ish)



I found this off putting.

Wes/Falcon treats Annie like a child, as he has taken care of her since a young age. He orders, berates, scolds and judges. She is 27.



Annie on the other hand admits to and behaves so self-serving it is very unlikable. But most importantly she is a creep! Had any guy chased after a woman and behaved in the way she does towards Falcon/Wes, most of us would highly object.



I found all the characters disturbing and immature.



1 star.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Syndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am at dilemma. The Beat Match is a book where everything stalled/ stuck. The concept of the story is good. Really promising. Miss Siskind need to add more drama/ twisted plot into the story. While listening to the book, I am sort of hoping for more, but not get it.

Annie the heroine is OTT dramatic. Not in stupid kind of way, she is very immature. She yelled, screamed at Wes who clearly tries to protect her. I want my hero and heroine in an equal ground. The banter is flat. Like I said, I keep waiting for something to happen, but not getting it. Dealing with Annie drama, I wish that Wes get his equal heroine who loves him in equal measure.

At the end, I got this feeling that Wes ends up with Annie because of guilt.
Overall, the story is promising. I still enjoy the book OK.

3 stars

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the supreme pleasure of getting my hands on a very early copy of this book.

That sounds like I'm being a little hyperbolic, but let's just say that my immediate response after finishing the book looked like this:

LOVED.
LOVED.
LOVED.
LOVED.

SO MUCH.

I've been a fan of Kelly Siskind's since she released her first book (Chasing Crazy still holds a special place in my heart). But this one? This one might be my very favorite one yet. And that's saying something considering all the ways I've loved every single previous book.

But Wes and Annie are...everything. The Beat Match was the perfect balance of sensual, sweet, and sassy. It was fun to read, while also delivering a satisfying, sometimes tear-inducing, and heartfelt love story. The flavor of the story has that sort of quirky vibe that I can't seem to get enough of. It somehow immediately captures my heart, delivers a giant smile to my face, and keeps me reading for more of that sweet, swoony goodness. I'm an addict for these sort of off-beat love stories, and this is one of the best.

On top of all that - Annie and Wes are just wonderful. Multidimensional, complicated, authentic, and completely lovable. The banter between them was utterly adorable and the burn - though slow - was packed with heat and chemistry. They crackled to life on these pages, and left me completely smitten with both of them - separately, and (especially) together.

I cannot say enough good things. I loved every minute. Consider this me, shouting from the rooftops at you, do yourself a fever and read this book ! ~ Shelly, 5 Stars

[Micheline Ryckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A secret identity, big business espionage, a loveable pet bunny, glitter and glue... Only Kelly Siskind can put these sorts of things together and make them shine (yes, like glitter). If you like contemporary romance then don't miss out on this book or the two previous books in this SHOWMEN series, they are just so stinking fun!

Also gotta add a few quotes from this book because Kelly's writing gets me every time:

"He was so textbook the textbooks were jealous of him."

"I guess you have to decide which you'll regret more, missing the world you know or never exploring the one that scares you."

"If nuclear testing wipes out humankind and vampires take over the earth after battling an army of mangy werewolves, and we're the only hope for repopulation, the answer would still be a resounding no."

"She walked past an abstract painting that oozed wealth, the grotesquely simple kind with the white line drawn on a black canvas, as though saying: we're so powerful we pay millions for the mundane."

Anyway--go order this book! And order the companions, New Orleans Rush and Don't Go Stealing My Heart as well, you won't be disappointed!!!

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Beat Match
Series: Showmen #3
Author: Kelly Siskind
Release date: September 16, 2020
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: contemporary romance

After reading and loving the first book in this series, New Orleans Rush, I've been eager to read another book by Kelly Siskind. This synopsis grabbed my attention immediately. I loved how different the plot was-the hero is a wealthy businessman who has a secret double life as a DJ by night. I can confidently say that I've never come across another character like this before. Bonus points for originality right off the bat. Weston was not only unique, but he was the perfect foil for free-spirited Annie. Weston is a little bit stuffy. He's not uptight, just tends to be more formal, focused, and responsible in general. He's a problem solver in both his personal and professional life. Annie is more of a...problem maker. In a lovable way of course.

Anthea— Annie— Ward had the attention span of a fruit fly and was as organized as a Black Friday sale.

Weston and Annie have a special kind of relationship. They've known each other since childhood and have morphed into a brother-sister ish dynamic. He used to be best friends with her brother before he tragically passed away and ever since, Weston feels obligated to take care of her. He secretly holds onto a lot of guilt over the circumstances of his friend's death, and that guilt is exacerbated by the fact that he can't be honest with Annie. He's never been able to tell her the full truth of what happened that horrible night.

The feelings these two have for each other are like those of family. While they're exasperated with each other almost on a daily basis, there is a deep understanding and affection that you can only have when you've spent almost your whole lifetime around each other. You know each other's faults, idiosyncrasies, and weaknesses. Though, everyone has secrets, and Weston is no exception. He's secretly been nights as a DJ called "The Falcon" in order to relieve stress and feel closer to the friend that he lost. If his strait-laced father knew what he was doing, he could be fired from the family corporation in a heartbeat. (Yes, he's really that heartless.)

You really feel for Weston having to deal with so much stress at work, and having no one that can commiserate and give him a boost. After his mother passed away, his father became closed off and cold towards him. It's really infuriating at times how he takes Weston for granted and doesn't cherish the family that he has left. In the beginning of the book, he pressures his son into dating the socialite daughter of the owner of Biotrell for business reasons. That goes to show you how appreciated and valued Weston must feel.

Annie was a quirky ray of sunshine. I thought she had a hilarious sense of humor that would make an appearance in almost any situation. She was good at finding the positive side when things weren't going her way. She was also impulsive, and a bit of a scatter-brain. While she didn't abuse Weston's generosity, she often got herself into financial jams with unconcern, knowing that he would be there to save her if things went awry. In the beginning, it did feel like she was taking from their relationship and not giving equally back. That bothered me because I felt as if she didn't appreciate and support him in the manner that he deserved. She did see the error of her ways eventually as her feelings started to develop past friendship.

As with any friends to lovers romance, there's going to be some push and pull as they struggle to accept deepening emotions.

He wasn’t sure when the change had fully struck him. It felt gradual, yet sudden. Expected, yet feared. Forward momentum he was powerless to control.

All of a sudden, he's unable to tear his eyes off of her. His internal dialogue really shows his struggle and discomfort as he's bombarded with all of his new feelings. Not only does he not want to risk losing her, he's scared that he wouldn't be able to treat her right in a romantic relationship. Weston is a commitment phobe. While he would never want to disrespect Annie, he just doesn't know how a long term relationship works. He's spent his whole life distancing himself out of fear that he would only lose another loved one in the end. Enter the fake relationship with Rosanna that becomes his shield. That should provide an effective barrier...right? What ensues is some satisfying mild angst between the two of them that's expected in this trope. I really loved the back and forth between the two of them, especially when Weston he was in unrequited love with her. Unbeknownst to him, she had been dealing with some confusion of her own.

I loved how different the two of these characters were, yet at the same time, so very right together. Once Annie discovers Weston's secret, they have something special to bond over. Annie has secretly found a passion in music recently, and they have more in common than they know. One of the conflicts of the book is whether or not Weston's secret life will be outed to his father somehow. You get the feeling that it's inevitable, but in the back of my mind I was wondering what the consequences would be. There's also a bit of a mystery with someone leaking information at work, but I guessed early on who the culprit was. While it didn't take me off guard, it added another layer to the story.

I really enjoyed The Beat Match! I recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining, funny read with some mild angst. Annie and Weston were the cutest couple once they let go of their fears and went for it with their whole hearts. You can imagine them 50 years in the future sitting on the porch together, bickering and busting each other's chops between kisses. If you like the friends to lovers or brother's best friend tropes, give this one a try! You'll be pleasantly surprised.

A seamless beat match. Exactly how Wes and she had melded their lives: perfectly synchronized, stretching and adjusting to fit into each other’s worlds, whether bickering or laughing or making love. A harmonious relationship built on years of friendship.

FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:

[Ilaria 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so sweet and well well written
Nice subplot that do not kill main plots or gets boring
The main characters are well designed and balanced she is sweet but not barbie girl he is alpha but not jerkish
Nice really nice
Recommended
4 stars well deserved
The Beat Match by Kelly Siskind. #TheBeatMatch #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

[Caryn - iam.caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my sixth time reading Kelly Siskind. Out of the five previous books I’ve read, I was never able to say I had a favourite book by her. That’s no longer the case.

The Beat Match captured my entire soul and being. I can’t put into words to express my need for you to all read this book.

It has the most brilliant banter I’ve ever read. I made the mistake of drinking a cup of tea when I started reading. Needless to say there was a spit take mess that needed cleaning. I love Annie and Wes so much.

I’ve said it before when it comes to Siskind’s books; she writes more than a “romance” - she tells a story. She’s an incredibly clever writer who puts so many layers into the stories she’s crafting.

Her books are a gift.

And if you’ve read Don’t Go Stealing My Heart, have some tissues handy when reading that epilogue. I was ugly crying.

[mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received a Netgalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely perfect! I can’t stress enough as to how much I absolutely adored this book!

The Beat Match follows our 2 main characters: Annie Ward and Weston Aldrich. Annie’s deceased brother, Leo, was Wes’s best friend and after Leo passed away Weston continued to take care of Annie. Wes and Annie are best friends but after one kiss, they start to question their feelings for one another. OH! And Wes is a DJ at night!

Now, my thoughts

What I didn’t like:

➵ NOTHING! This book was everything. I can’t for the life of me mention one thing I didn’t like.

What I liked:

➵ The relationship: Weston and Annie’s relationship felt so natural and pure. Their banter was amazing and their scenes were so soft I wanted to cry. I practically highlighted the entire book.

➵ The writing style: This book was so easy to read. I especially loved how it was a dual POV - because we hardly see that in romance books. Also, some of the character’s thought were hilarious.

➵ The side characters: I adored them! They were really fun to read about and, where I would usually find myself extremely bored while reading a scene without both the main characters, this was not the case with The Beat Match. All of them were so funny and interesting.

➵ Pretty much everything:

Have I mentioned before how perfect this book is??? I can’t explain it. I would 10/5 recommend this book!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

The Beat Match was just delightful! Although I did shed a few tears, it's mostly a sweet, swoony, slow burn romance. There are a few angsty moments, and some family drama, but that just made for all around entertaining read.
Wes and Annie's friendship goes back years, but they're just now realizing that what they feel for each other is so much more than friendship. And it was so fun to be there as they figured out what was right in front of them all along.
They're both so charming in their own ways- Wes is a dominate alpha with a soft heart, and Annie is a free-spirit with a huge heart. I loved how Annie pushed all Wes's buttons, and the way he just fell into line when it came to her. I really enjoyed their banter and the back and forth, you could feel how comfortable they were with each other.

There's a heavier storyline woven throughout this book, moreso than in any other of Kelly Siskind's novels I think. It was well done and heartfelt. And, as tragic as it was, it didn't weigh the story down, but it also didn't make light of the subject either. I think there's a great balancing act when it comes to the inclusion of a tragedy into what is otherwise a light, easy read, and I really appreciated the way Ms. Siskind handled that part of the story. She makes the reader think, without being preachy.

While this is book 3 in the Showmen series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. But if you've read the previous 2 books you'll enjoy the the little glimpses of past characters! One that was cause of some of my tears!

[Marilisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is exactly what I needed right now... up to a certain degree. 3.5/5 stars for me
The first 60% of this book was pure gold. I loved every second of it: the banter, the growing feelings, how different yet perfect for each other Annie and Wes are, her quirks, his struggling with emotions, his surprisingly multilayered personality. My heart ached so many times and I loved it. I loved the tension building between them, the typical misunderstandings, the 'is this love I'm feeling?' 'does she feel the same?'
I usually fall hard for damaged heroes with a difficult past that makes them distant and afraid to open up. That is my thing.
However, once they got together I started to change opinion and enjoyed it way less. I understand the reasoning behind it, but Wes' possessiveness and need to control Annie was too much. I would understand it to a certain degree, but it made me feel uncomfortable and rethink their whole relationship.
Later on it got better and at the end of the day it didn't dampen my enjoyment of the book for too long, but I did not appreciate it and I hope it is not considered an example of a good, respectful relationship. It is not.
Overall I really enjoyed my reading experience and will definitely catch up on some of Kelly's backlist.
I'd like to say a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an e-arc in exchange for an honest. review. #TheBeatMatch #NetGalley

[Kelly]

I'm so excited for everyone to fall in love with Wes and Annie! Even better, check out this fanart of them created by Micheline of Whimsical Illustration. I just about DIED when I saw it.

image:

Sending hugs and romance to you all!

[Arena♡]

Received an arc, sooooooo excited!!!!!

[Leanne | Read Sweetly to Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

{Many thanks to NetGalley for an early arc in exchange for an honest review.}

Well this was a lot of fun! Full of lots of entertaining moments, this book was a lovely best friend's little sister romance with a lot of side pining and a slow, slow burn romance.

Wes made a promise to help his best friend's little sister. After his passing Wes is determined to keep that promise, and ignore his burgeoning feelings towards her. Annie, for her part, hates how overbearing Wes is. Yes, her life is a bit of a mess but Annie has plan, to match beats as a new DJ. She just never realised that the secret Wes keeps will bring them closer than ever before...

This is my first book by Kelly Siskind, and now I really need to read the other two books in this series because this one was just so charming! It's got the friends to lovers trope which I adore. Our hero, Wes, is such an overbearing stick-in-the-mud, constantly berating Annie's choice of jobs but only because he wants the best for her. He is so protective and kind towards Annie, some of his actions made me swoon!

I adored Annie from the moment she leapt onto the page, short skirt and all. She's 27, she hasn't quite figured out her life yet but she refuses to settle for doing anything but what she loves. She is quirky (I loved that she scrapbooks everything), and just a little sassbot, particularly when Wes is trying to boss her around. She was having none of it. I will say Wes' over protectiveness did get annoying at times and I cheered when Annie shot him down.

Both of our main characters are dealing with their own issues. Annie has a lot of grief and loss in her past, not just with her brother, and its affected how she is now. Wes has pressure from his family over a business merger, his father forcing him to do things he is not comfortable. The way Siskind dealt with these issues was both emotional and heart-breaking, I felt so sad about what they both went through and I love how they found each comfort in each other. The way the two bonded over memories of her brother and music was just so lovely.

Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by Kelly Siskind. There are fun moments, and sad ones and it all makes for one very enjoyable romantic read.

[Tahira Tahsin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book : The Beat Match
Author: Kelly Siskind
Rating: 5/5⭐️

Another five star read! I think I was wise enough to request the perfect books, I mean reading five star worthy books consecutively helped me to relieve stress.Swipe right to see the blurb.

•Wes and Annie’s relationship was so sensual and sweet. The banter between them was extremely sassy. The storyline had the perfect balance between cheesy romance and tear inducing emotions. The multidimensional characters were ideal and ohhhhhhh! Wes in crisp Italian Suits definitely instigated me to imagine a fine well dressed man ( like Tom Ellis aka Lucifer and Gabriel Macht aka Harvey Specter). I was completely smitten.

•Favourite quotes:
“He was so textbook the textbooks were jealous of him”

“She walked past an abstract painting that oozed wealth, the grotesquely simple kind with the white line drawn on a black canvas,as though saying:we’re so powerful we pay millions for the mundane”

This book is the third book in the SHOWMEN series. You can also try this book as a stand alone. I’m definitely gonna read the companions of this book - New Orleans Rush and Don’t Go Stealing My Heart.

This book will be published on 16th September,2020. I’m super excited after reading the ARC and I guess I sound hyperbolic. But I SWEAR, if you love reading CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE,SECRET IDENTITY then what’re you waiting for? Add this to your September tbr list!

[Jemi Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Siskind has a talent for creating characters with unique jobs and interests and bringing them to life filled to the brim with strong emotions!

Annie and Wes have been important parts of each others' lives since they met while Annie was living in a shelter with her brother. Leo and Wes form an unlikely friendship that lasts for years - until tragedy strikes.

Annie and Wes continue to be close despite their obvious differences. He's a Suit, she's a free-spirit looking for her passion.

I loved the parts of the story devoted to DJing - something I knew very little about.
This book is full of heart and love and second chances - along with a good dose of humour. A fabulous read!

[Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Aww, this was a cute book! Wes was Annie's brother, Leo's, best friend before he tragically died when Annie was a young teen. He told Leo he would look after her and he has supported her as a best friend and an older brother figure through the years. Annie is a sweet, slightly flighty woman who changes jobs all the time and is just trying to find her place in the world. Wes is more buttoned up, serious and often stressed by his job helping run the family business. Both have an attraction to each other that they have fought and kept to themselves. Annie's brother, Leo, was a DJ at clubs. One night while out with friends, she sees a mysterious masked DJ perform and is mesmerized by him. Annie decides to become a DJ herself as a tribute to Leo. Imagine her surprise when Annie finds out that Wes is doing the same thing and is the masked DJ. Annie and Wes fall in love and are a match made in music heaven.

I found this book to be really sweet and charming. It was romantic, emotional. and sexy. The characters were interesting, quirky and had great depth and chemistry. The DJ aspect was fun and different. I really liked Wes and Annie. They were perfect together with a deep best friend and soulmate connection. I did think there was a little too much back and forth between them at the end, or I would have rated it even higher. Still, I wasn't too bothered. This was a great book!

*arc provided i exchange for an honest review*

[Randi (randi_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet romance between Annie and Wes. Wes is Annie's deceased brother's best friend, and with him gone, Wes is her protector. He took that to heart and then some. The whole pet rabbit part was pretty funny coming from a guy like Wes.
Annie is fun and quirky. She has her own style. She is the total opposite of suit-wearing business man, Wes. She also has an obsession with scrapbooking and she gets really into it where Wes is concerned.
This is a slower burn friends to lovers romance. Wes is under a lot of stress at work with his father. Annie has had a lot of hardship in her life...period. She also knows that Wes' father does not like her. Wes' father, also, does not know that he is a club DJ at night known as "Falcon." One night, the two of them kiss and start to see each other in a different light. But, can they go down that road or stay friends? It was both entertaining and frustrating seeing the push and pull of what Wes and Annie go through. They had amazing chemistry, though, and their banter together was so fun.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Reads & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Siskind never fails to amaze me with her writing and the stories she tells. More often than not, Siskind centers her plot around something unique, like magic or being an Elvis impersonator. In THE BEAT MATCH, the third book in Siskind's Showmen series, she does it again, drawing readers into the world of professional DJing.

There is so much to love about THE BEAT MATCH. As always, the characters are real and relatable, people you would want as friends. The plot is realistic and, in the case of THE BEAT MATCH, a bit heavier than usual as it's driven by grief that both main characters, Wes and Annie, are dealing with. More so, Siskind tackles current issues with grace without being preachy. And, of course, there's her trademark comedic moments that left me laughing out loud.

Wes Aldrich and Annie Ward are welcome additions to the Showmen series. Used to Siskind's delicious "gamma males", I was delighted to meet Wes who wore his alpha-ness on his sleeve. He was bossy and stern and only Annie could snap him out of that. Annie is Wes’s complete opposite; she’s flighty and disorganized and easily earned the nickname of “squirrel” from Wes. She’s also sweet and sexy and everything Wes needs in his life.

At the heart of THE BEAT MATCH is grief. Annie’s brother Leo died as a victim of a violent crime seven years ago and left her and Wes (Leo’s best friend) in a well of grief. While their friendship remained strong, they never discussed Leo even as both turned to DJing in order to honor his memory. I loved that it was Leo’s love of music that set Wes and Annie down a road they weren’t expecting, as if it was one last thing he could give the two people he loved.

Like the music she’s writing about, Siskind’s voice is seductive as she draws readers into the world of electronic music and DJing. There were moments that her words just flowed over me, putting me right into the scene-which is the best thing a reader can hope for. Siskind also writes comedy that never fails to make me laugh. From “stress sweat” to Annie’s acknowledgement of Wes’s girth, I appreciated the light moments that helped balance out their grief.

THE BEAT MATCH is a slow burn, a characteristic of the Showmen series as well as the touch of romantic suspense that I’ve come to expect. There are also some wonderful secondary characters that I’d love to know more about and the club setting is invigorating! 5 stars for THE BEAT MATCH. Heat level: 3

I received an early copy of THE BEAT MATCH in exchange for a honest review.

[Tabassum Irin (whatirinreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books which can make you laugh your heart out while simultaneously making tears fall down from your face – you know, my favorite kind of books. The Beat Match has definitely taken one of the top places in that compartment. From having a swoon-worthy couple to having chapters filled with emotional moments, the book ticked off all the things that I want in a romance novel.

Wes and Annie were the perfect match for each other. I loved seeing their friendship bloom into a heart-warming romance. The banter, chemistry and the endless bickering sessions between them made their relationship so wholesome to read about! I really appreciated how the author made sure that Wes and Annie’s relationship wasn’t all about rainbows and butterflies, and that added more depth to the storyline. They were two broken pieces of a puzzle, and by choosing to be together, they became the best versions of themselves.

Wes and Annie were wonderfully written as individual characters too. Annie has become one of my favorite female leads from romance novels. She is a complete package of all things awesome. I loved how she had a strong opinion about her life and didn’t let her past define her at all. I hope to see more characters like Annie in romance novels, to be honest. (I’m truly over heroines of the “damsel in distress” kind in books, lol)

And you guys might have guessed it already, but yeah – Wes is my newest book boyfriend. I love him with my entire heart. His protective and caring nature towards Annie made me scream out “AWWWW” multiple times throughout the story.

The Beat Match also shed light on one of the most prevalent social issues out there – the strict enforcement of gun laws. I also got to know a lot about DJ-ing as a profession too, which I really loved! I regret not picking up Kelly Siskind’s books sooner, since her writing style is so charming and beautiful! I’m definitely going to read her other books soon!

The Beat Match comes out today, and I highly recommend ordering it asap.

[Stephanie (read_with_steph) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had been looking forward to reading a Kelly Siskind book for a while, especially the Showman series--I loved the blurbs for the first two books--so when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of her third book I was so excited. However, the novel fell a bit short for me.

This book had so many layers, and I think it could have cut back a little. There's a fun premise of a popular club DJ with a secret identity, and an up-and-coming DJ trying to meet her hero, without realizing he's actually a close friend. That would have been a great book, if the plot thread had stopped there. But on top of the secret identity trope, we thrown in "He's a billionaire!" "And she's his best friend's sister!" "But the best friend is actually dead!" "And the male MC blames himself for his death!" "And, oh wait, did I mention there's forced fake dating to secure a business deal?" Yeah... there's a lot. Unfortunately, all these additions cheapened the story to the point it felt completely unoriginal and a parody. Secret identities, forbidden romance, billionaires, and fake dating all in one book feels like the author just tried to cram as many tropes in as she could until she met the page requirements for a novel.

It's a shame, because I really like the DJ idea. I'm not much for the club scene and know nothing about DJing, but it was such a unique element for the story that really shown through. When the characters talked about matching beats and the club life was really when the writing came alive and I wish the story would have focused on that instead of trying to be something else. Siskand is an excellent writer, and her words have a lovely voice (and she does a great job with intimacy), the story just wasn't there for me on this one.Love the idea, love the cover, but it ultimately wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I'm the older sister that I typically don't go for the "I fell for my older brother's best friend" trope. Despite this lack of empathy for the situation, The Beat Match has recruited me to the cause.

Annie grew up a homeless orphan with her brother, Leo. He was killed in a club shooting over ten years ago when out with his best friend, Wes. Wes has been fulfilling Leo's dying wish by looking out for Annie ever since. She's a scrapbooker with a short attention span and a quick wit. He's the hyper focused, tight-laced businessman who moonlights as a masked DJ. When Annie is inspired to take up DJing herself to honor her brother's memory and find her own rhythm in life, she becomes enamored with the elusive DJ Falcon even as she starts to wonder if she's interested in Wes as more than a friend.

This book ticks all the boxes of what I'm looking for in a romance novel: witty banter, deep emotional connection, personal battles fought and won, layered backstory, and an entire cast of interesting characters to back up our intrepid love interests. Last but definitely not least, it's hot as hell 🔥. This is one of my favorite romances of the year, so do yourself a favor and pick it up!

Thank you to the author for this eARC to rate and review. The book comes out next month on 9/15!

[Peggy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review”

‘The beat match’ is the third book in the ‘Showmen’ series but each book in the series can be read as a standalone, so it’s not necessary to read the previous two books first, to read this one. However, I have read them and I enjoyed the stories very much, so I would recommend that you read them too.

If you are in the mood for something fun, sweet, light but still emotional and a bit of a slow burn romance story than I would recommend this book. However, if you’re looking for a story with lots of drama, fights, suspense, real enemies then don’t read it because you won’t find that in this story. But I think in these ‘crazy’ times we all need something light and fun to distract us and this book is perfect for that.

‘The beat match’ is about Weston (Wes) Aldrich, who grew up rich but his mother made sure that he didn’t end up as a spoiled guy. She did this by making him do volunteering work (from a young age) in a shelter, she made sure that he knew that not everyone is rich. That some people struggle and need help to survive the hard world we live in. And it’s in the shelter that he met Leo and his sister Anthea (Annie). Leo became his best friend and through him, Wes discovered many things, one of them was making music (as a DJ). And when Leo died, it didn’t only break Wes’s heart but also Annie’s heart. Wes felt responsible for her and during the following years, he has taking that responsibility very seriously. But things are changing between him and Annie. Can they have more than friendship or is it better to not cross that line?

This is a friends (who love to bicker with each other) to lovers story. I loved the both main characters very much. On first sight, Wes and Annie were complete opposite of each other. Wes was intelligent, bossy, very neat and organised and he loved to plan things, he’s a real thinker with a great eye for details. Where Annie was very impulsive, chaotic, creative and funny, she followed her heart in everything. So these two couldn’t be more opposite of each other but in some way that just made them perfect for each other. And if you looked really close, you discovered that they did have things in common, they were both very attentive, had a soft heart and were loyal to the other. They also had both lost someone important and they reacted each in their own way on this trauma. It was wonderful to see how they both healed from that. And the banter between them was funny and entertaining.

Just like in her previous books, the writer also wrote about some serious and sensitive subjects in the story. But she did this in a drama free, light but still emotional way. I liked that very much.

The story was told in both POV’s. And the secondary characters also brought fun in the story. But the focus was mostly on Wes and Annie, both lived very solitary so they didn’t have many friends.

The writer Kelly Siskind created in her own writing style, a fun, sweet and entertaining series and I’m looking forward to reading future stories in it.

[Moony (Captain Mischief) MeowPoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this eARC from Netgalley in exhange for a honest review
This was a really boring one, i did not care about the story and the characters were boring and just plain, not interesting.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beat Match is super cute with a sigh/swoon-worthy HEA. This was my first book by the author and I am so excited to read more of her books!

Annie and Wes share a long, sad backstory connection that ended with Wes promising to take care of Annie when her older brother, Leo, passed away tragically. We meet our two MC's as Annie is finally taking steps out of her denial of music because it reminds her too much of her older brother. Wes is struggling to meet the demands of his daytime high profile corporate job and his super-secret nighttime persona the Falcon.

The Beat Match turned into a sweet and entertaining story of two people that have evolved and revolved around each other for so long trying to deny their untenable attraction while growing up and trying to survive the massive loss of their best friend, Leo. The attraction between Annie and Wes is really fun and seeing them work for so long and fighting it was quite equally frustrating and entertaining. I enjoyed the push/pull, how Annie just got Wes is ways most couldn't as well as the secondary storyline of the merger and the company mole. Plus, ya know, all the DJ fun! Gives me flashbacks of fun times from my wilder days. = )

I loved Annie's quirkiness and her hobby. I love how both Annie and Wes worked together and were able to create something positive from the tragic death of Leo.

All in all, Beat Match is fun and cute with a swoon-worthy HEA!

I'm off to stalk the author's backlog!


*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.* 

[Tina V · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this story! I loved the banter between Wes and Annie. I also loved seeing their relationship develop from friends to more. Great writing with an engaging storyline and characters. This story is a winner!

[Patricia Noblet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like good music THE BEAT MATCH will make your heart beat stronger and faster, make your heart sing sadness and happiness.
From the very first page to the perfect epilogue i lived with the characters, i loved them, i couldn't leave them. I spent my time crying and laughing, sometimes doing both with the same sentence.
Kelly Siskind's words are powerful, full of sensitivity. She has a vivid imagination, a great sense of humor, a romantic spirit, a heart of gold, a smart boldness, a beautiful and inspirational writing and so much creativity.

Wes struggles with his feelings for Annie, his late best friend's sister, for different reasons making him touching even if he's a tyrant with her. He's overprotective and bossy with Annie but with her, and only her, he can be his true self. I dare you not to fall in love with him ! I loved everything about him, his motivations, his beliefs, his intentions, his need to protect, his passion, his selflessness, his heart...
Annie is honest about her feelings, about everything. She's so brave and admirable. She's also sassy and have a beautiful imagination. Her banter with Wes is just funny and addictive. She's not impressed by his tailor suits and his bossy attitude. I loved everything about her, her habits, her hobbies, her clothes, her honesty, her strengh, her heart...
Their love is deep and true, they're lovers and best friends.
« Exactly how Wes and she had melded their lives : perfectly synchronized, stretching and adjusting to fit into each other's worlds, whether bickering or laughing or making love. A harmonious relationship built on years of friendship. »

This novel is not just a romance, it's so much more!
Dealing everyday with grief, communication issues caused by deeply rooted fears, the benefits and the importance of music, a strong lesson of generosity and selflessness and bravery, the tough reality of loneliness and poverty, a bit of treason, new friendships, some big difficulties at work for Wes, Love of course and... the utility of an anxious rabbit.
The author also touched a tough topic with cleverness and sensitivity... and again she used the perfect words. « Your voice matters .»

The epilogue is perfect and so romantic, a beautiful gift from Kelly Siskind to her readers. I won't spoil but there is a fabulous surprise that made me soooo happy!

The Beat Match is book 3 in the Showmen series (and now my favorite), it's a standalone but it would be a shame not to read « New Orleans Rush » and « Don't go stealing my heart ». They're so good ! Now i can't wait for book 4

« This was the definition of music. Inspiring. Empowering. Raw and honest. […] It was a partnership. Transactions traded in spirit, rising up, up, up until their joy punched through the ceiling. »

Thank you so much Kelly Siskind for the ARC.

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book as provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.