 Author: Sarah Monzon Genre: Contemporary Romance Series: Checking Out Love #1 Pages: 320 Release Date: February 18, 2025 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Can a librarian's matchmaking mischief lead to a love that rewrites their stories? If the covers of every romance book ever published didn't convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn't heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what's a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that's what. Armed with library patrons' check-out histories, she's determined to make at least one love connection--even if it's not her own. Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn't surprise him when the town's quirky new librarian believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can't help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline's secret matchmaking scheme, he's not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can't judge a book--or each other--by the cover.
 Reviewer: Billi Varela Tai’s character was my favorite! I loved how he pursued Evangeline. His type of character is what I look for in a main male character. Tai appears to be the bad boy that everyone thinks he is, but nothing could be further from the truth. His character, at times, reminded me of Jesus. How He loves no matter what. I relate so much to Evangeline’s character in how she tried to fit into the box of what was “normal.” But we are all beautiful and different. That’s what I liked so much about this book. Tai could not emphasize that enough. I also liked Hayley. Her banter and relationship with Tai made this feel more authentic. No, for those wondering, this isn’t a love triangle. This is the first book in the series, and I can’t wait to see where Sarah Monzon takes the next book! This is a clean book free from language and spice. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. Reviewer: Kimberlee Sams An Overdue Match is a delightful, realistic, funny Christian romance. However, it’s also so much more! The book tells the story of Evangeline, a librarian with alopecia (complete hair loss) and Tai, a tattoo artist with a “bad boy” reputation. The romance is beautifully written and rings true. Evangeline feels unworthy of love due to her condition and focuses her romantic inclinations on match-making for others instead of finding someone for herself. Tai is used to being judged for the way he looks, which makes him the perfect man to show Evangeline that what really matters is who a person is, not what they look like. For me, the best part of the book was Tai’s efforts to help Evangeline see herself the way he sees her...as a beautiful woman worthy of love. His interactions with her also help remind her that God has always seen her as special and deserving. This story had me laughing out loud at times, but also crying at certain moments. The author has written a story that truly made me feel a wide range of emotions, and I came to care deeply for the characters. Bonus points for the library setting, the realistic portrayal of a little-known medical condition, and the positive messaging that everyone deserves love, and that God loves all of us. 5 stars! I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Tammy Lunsford It’s easy for book lovers to fall in love with characters in their book and live vicariously through their perfect lives. This is especially true for Evangeline Kelly. She would rather have her head stuck in a book than to have a conversation. For her, relationships are out of the question after the deep hurt she suffered from her last one after he called off their engagement. Evangeline suffers from alopecia and once she lost her shimmering locks, he broke their engagement and her heart. I wanted to reach into the book and give this guy a piece of my mind. Evangeline is an outstanding librarian who loves books and hates for people to dogear pages, spill food or drink, etc. The beginning scene was quite humorous. Tai Davis is a tattoo artist. He knows people look at him differently, as most people only see things skin deep. Tai decided a long time ago to live his life the way he wants. He knows what type of person he is. Once he realizes Evangeline is trying to play matchmaker with the library patrons, he sees a chance to get to know this mysterious, beautiful woman, so he makes an agreement with her. The story rides on from that point with emotional highs and emotional lows, some of which made me a little teary, and some made me angry. I also laughed a lot. Sarah Monzon knows how to pull on your emotions and draw you into the story so that you feel as if you are right beside them. She does not hold back with the realism that is society and how people judge people based solely on first looks alone without seeing what is beneath the skin. I fell a little in love with both characters. Their struggles were real. The pain that Evangeline suffered was devastating, but so true to real life. However, she was so much stronger than she realized. It seemed this was an opposites attract romance, but nothing could be further from the truth. This was a romantic comedy, but it also had a deep message of meaning that spoke to my heart. Prepare to laugh a little, cry a little and cheer a little, as this story will touch every emotion you can think of. Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a complimentary copy through Interviews & Reviews. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Reviewer: Laura J. Davis An Overdue Match, by Sarah Monson, is a light-hearted look at how not to judge a book by its cover. Evangeline Kelly is a librarian with an autoimmune disease that has caused her hair to fall out and her self-esteem to plummet. Because of the actions of her ex-fiancé, who called off their wedding when she went completely bald, Evangeline believes no one could ever love her. So she swears off love and takes up matchmaking instead, basing it on the books people read. The result is, of course, a disaster. Then she meets the tattoo artist Tai Davis. Tai may look like a bad boy with all his tattoos, but he is the exact opposite. He realizes Evangeline has a secret and low self-esteem. When he figures out her secret, he is determined to make her realize she is worthy of love. His love and God’s. At first, I thought I would hate this book because I dislike first-person POV, but thankfully I kept reading and was delighted by the humour, the quirks of Evangeline and Tai’s genuineness. He is the type of guy every girl longs for. The faith element was also good, and I loved how Tai showed God’s love through his words and actions to someone who felt so unworthy of love. The sensitivity to the subject of alopecia was especially moving after discovering the author’s mother suffers from it. If you like Contemporary Romances, I highly recommend An Overdue Match. I received a complimentary eBook courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via Net Galley for my honest review. Reviewer: Raechel Helwig This was such a cute and meaningful story! The cover itself is enough to warrant all the happy sighs, but the inside story is equally (I even dare to say more) enchanting. As I’m sure is relatable, being an avid reader, I love books about books and book lovers. So the fact that Evangeline is a librarian and passionate romance-story lover as well was so fun. I also loved the fact that Evangeline had alopecia. I wasn’t familiar with this autoimmune disease before reading this book, but I appreciated getting to know more about it, and it was handled in such a good light. That’s one reason I love fiction - we as the reader get to learn more about people and personalities. Even if these people are fictional, they still represent very real qualities, and I love that in reading. An Overdue Match is full of heart. It’s on every page. And I loved Evangeline and Tai so much! Their banter and budding relationship were priceless. As was the lesson Evangeline learned about unconditional love. That was beautiful, and I loved how it was included throughout the story. The matchmaking endeavors were amusing as well. The side characters were all well written, and I am excited about the next book in this series. A truly delightful read! And again, I am utterly in love with the cover! This book was provided courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own. Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer A library and romance my two favorite things! This story couldn’t be more fun! It was right up my alley. I can’t even count the amount of times I actually laughed out loud. Evangeline is a librarian who moved to a small town in Tennessee. She left behind her ex-boyfriend, who broke up with her when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called alopecia. It causes all your hair to fall out. Now guarded, she promises to give up love for a lifetime. Tsi grew up in this small town with an overbearing mom because of his childhood asthma. It caused him to rebel and make trouble to get out of her grasp. Years later, he comes back and opens a tattoo parlor. Both characters have to let go of judgment and stigma. When Tsi meets Evangeline, he realizes he found the love of his life. He also realizes it’s going to take a lot of effort to get through her walls. This story is so sweet and funny. It was exactly the story I was hoping for. I highly recommend it. Bethany House Publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone. Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt
I don’t often read Rom-Com fiction, but I have enjoyed other titles by Sarah Monzon, so I gave this one a chance. The premise intrigued me enough to make me want to know Tai and Evangeline’s love story. First off, this hit very close to home with me because my mom developed alopecia later in her life. I know the stigma of those who suffer from this autoimmune disease: the pity in people’s eyes, the whispers behind their backs, and what the loss of hair can do to a person’s self-esteem. It can be very debilitating and hinder an otherwise fulfilling life. I was curious to know how the author handled this…then to find out in the reader’s note, her mom suffered from this disorder. So, I knew she wrote from personal knowledge and with grace and compassion. Let’s talk about the characters. Tai is our local “bad boy”. You know the kind…tattoos, dark clothing and a supposed reputation for being a ladies’ man—the “love-em-and-leave-em” kind. He’s about to shatter Evangeline’s world and blow her preconceptions out of the water! As the story developed, he began to break down her wall of self-preservation and self-defense. What I admired the most was when he helped her remember the truth of how God sees her, has always pursued her, and has never stopped loving her. I call that a true hero! One who can speak life and truth into a broken heart and restore the faith they have in our ever-faithful God. Evangeline has been torn apart by her ex-fiancé when he left her after she lost her hair. She’s put up solid walls to protect her heart from further hurt. Determined to give other people their happily-ever-after, she turns to matchmaking with disastrous (and hilarious) results. Then along comes Tai, who completely ignores those lines she’s drawn in the sand. I’d say this was one book that really shatters stereotypes and looks at the heart and soul of a person. One where the love of God can shine in broken lives, and down-trodden hearts and speak life to dispel those lies we think of ourselves sometimes. I loved the lessons and reminders the author included. They certainly helped me. If you like humor, witty banter, an opposites attract trope, wonderful supporting characters, faith-filled fiction and are an avid book lover and devourer of happily-ever-after stories, I’d say this is one you must-read! I received a complimentary copy through Bethany House via NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. Leave a Reply. |
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