6.6.2025 | Friday

The Match

Item: The Match
Rating: 4
Author: Kim

category: Book Reviews
tag(s): adult
0 Comments

title: The Match
author: Layla Hagen
series: The Leblanc Brothers #4
published: 6.6.2025
publisher: self-published
genre(s): romance
pages: 257
source: client
format: manuscript
buy/shelve it: Amazon | BookBub | BookHype | StoryGraph | Goodreads
rating:

| series rating:

the blurb

Confronting my family’s nemesis wasn’t on my to-do list. Neither was falling for him.

After my difficult divorce, I thought my life was over. But now, I’m happier and more successful than I could’ve ever imagined. My cosmetics business is thriving and I’m almost ready to get back out there and find Mr. Right. Almost.
When I hear that a therapy ranch on the Bayou is seeking an investor, I jump at the opportunity. I know only too well that spending time with animals is healing.When I visit the owners to ask for details, I find out I’m not the only one interested. Zachary LeBlanc is also there to make an offer. Why is that a problem? His family ruined my family’s reputation. He immediately tries to discredit me in front of the owners. Needless to say, I’m ready to give Zachary LeBlanc a piece of my mind.
Days later, I spot Zachary in the French Quarter, at the edge of the Mississippi River. As I hurry over to give it to him good, the unthinkable happens and I fall into the river! I’m certain I’ll drown, but he somehow pulls me out. That’s when I see an entirely new side to this man — though maybe I’m still in shock from the trauma. Zachary is kind and patient, but before long, we’re back to arguing again.And that’s when he kisses me! After he pulls back, I wonder if his intention was to shut me up, or if he’s truly attracted to me.One thing I know for sure; I've met my match in Zachary Leblanc. Because I'm not going down without a fight, and neither is he.
There are so many reasons why we can’t be together. So why am I ignoring all of them?

a few notes
my review
the good & the bad

POV: 1st person, dual
setting: New Orleans, LA
keywords/phrases: divorce, trust issues
tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unexpected love interest, the misunderstanding
spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
language: 🤬🤬🤬

read this if… you love emotional romance stories with supportive MMCs and strong FMCs.

the good

I love that Grace owns her feelings and flaws, and that she doesn’t shy away from admitting she’s wrong.
Zachary is a great MMC. He’s the perfect blend of a little bit alpha without moving into being a misogynist, staying solely in the protective zone. He’s also vulnerable and open to Grace, supportive.

the bad

no notes

I love a story with characters I can really relate to, and Grace Devereaux is that character for me. On the surface, she’s highly privileged. She comes from a wealthy family, and she owns a skincare company that is in the black and successful after only a handful of months. But beneath that shiny surface, things are very different. Her brothers have left the family disgraced, which makes navigating in the business world of New Orleans difficult for her, even if she herself had nothing to do with their misdeeds. Just having the same last name is enough to cast shadows on her own character. If that weren’t enough, she’s still healing from a bad marriage and an equally bad divorce. But she owns all of it and perseveres, and that’s what makes her such a great FMC.

I also really enjoy Zachary. He’s got the alpha vibes that make for a great Book Boyfriend. But there can be a fine line between alpha-protective and alpha-misogynist, and I love that he does NOT cross that line. Instead, he appreciates and celebrates her strength. And he’s got a gooey middle that I love. Every Book Boyfriend should be so supportive and kind.