Evangeline Brogan grew up Broadway royalty. She commands the stage until one night, everything changes. With lifelong secrets revealed, she’s determined to find out the full story.Even if that means leaving everything she knows behind.Arrogant and protective, Montague Parrish needs to be strong enough for his mother and stepfather as a family crisis comes to a head. He’s wary when fate brings … when fate brings Linnie into their lives at a critical moment.
Over time their relationship changes; offering light when fear is ready to consume them both. And then reality intrudes, threatening their need to survive each other.
After all, life can bring a close match, but it takes love to make it a perfect one.
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This was my first Tracey Jerald read and wow! Linnie and Monty’s story is so full of tragedy but is so beautiful at the same time. I loved the way the beginning chapters gave us insight into their lives before they met. Close Match’s characters are strong and determined to overcome all that life throws at them. This story deals with some pretty heavy life issues and is pretty emotional. Really loved Close Match and looking forward to reading more of Tracey’s work.
Break out the tissues, because you definitely are going to want to ugly cry at some points when reading Close Match. Linnie and Monty both have lives through some very rough times, and both have struggled with their own self-worth. Their journey is sweet and painful; sometimes the joy and happiness you find is clearer because of the hurt and demons you have fought to get there.
I fell in love with Tracey’s stories in the Amaryllis Series and she’s given us another fantastic story. Close Match is a beautiful,heartfelt story, that many people can relate too. You will definitely need tissues as you read Linnie and Monty’s journey. They both have demons to deal with. You will be sucked in and go through a roller coaster ride of emotions. This book is everything I expected of this author and more. A 5++ Star Read.
This is how slow burn reads should be done, it keeps you captivated, makes you keep turning the page as well as imagining what it will be like when Montague and Evangeline finally act on things. But this isn’t just a simple love story, there is pain, loss and tragedy along with hope, opportunity and emotions that draw you in along with characters both main and secondary who you connect with.
Tracey Jerald definitely takes us on another emotional roller coaster ride with her newest book, Close Match. Like in the previous series with the Freemans, family is a huge part of Linnie and Monty’s story. The loss and fear of loss that these two go through just gutted me to the core.
Soon after a tragic loss, Linnie is further put through the wringer after secrets are revealed. In her quest to find answers she is put in the path of Monty, a man who is battling demons of his own. Adding on, a family crisis is looming, he had to stay strong for his mother and step-father’s sake. So with the appearance of Linnie, she could potentially be a blessing but he is still so very wary, especially when his own heart comes into play.
Linnie and Monty’s story is full of emotional upheaval, especially when Monty’s demons come to the forefront. The anticipation on what could happen, and then what did happen, had me holding my breath. But with the love of each other and family, they pull through to a beautiful happily ever after.
However, I did feel that Linnie fought harder for their HEA than Monty did. His demon’s were bad and caused a lot of pain and he knew it. This resulted in him pretty much giving up, but I felt it was Linnie’s actions (multiple actions) that really pulled him out of that dark place and made him want to fight for them.
Overall, another fantastic story by one my go-to authors. I definitely recommend it.
OMG! This book has all the feels that will tear you up and put you back together again. There are multiple different/hard subjects that are in the book that people deal with daily. As with all of Tracey’s books have tissues ready when reading.
I have learned that with this author comes very real very emotional deep reading. Every book she’s written I have now read, and done so with ugly tears running down my face. But with those ugly tears I’ve also laughed and found books with deep content.
Close Match is a book with a heroine that loses so much but also finds new things in her life. Only her new findings are also on the edge of being taken, for different reasons.
In her romantic life the love she’s growing just might be too much of a risk to continue. As much as her heart might want him she needs to listen to her head as well as past experiences. It seems everytime things are going in the right direction for her she’s pulled down with bad news and can’t catch a break.
As far as the books hero goes, let’s call him a work in progress. I found him swoonworthy but a bit of a jerk. He’s battling some inner demons along with some family stuff but he’s totally a guy you could fall for! His attitude is pretty much overlooked because of the reasons behind it.
Now they have this great connection and chemistry, but they also have something else tying them together…..
Secondary characters– I love them and look forward to them in all books I read! And this book provided a handful of really great secondary characters! All of which that had wonderful interaction with each other and with the main characters! I can’t really say I loved any one above the rest ( they are all great) but the banter between the heroine and her on stage Co- star and their antics are historical! ( I loved these pages). Together the pages, with all the interaction, fit so well it was like someone telling you a story, an event almost.
I’m REALLY hoping that more comes from these characters in the future because they were all characters that were book worthy!!!
To be honest, the Amaryllis series is one of my all time favorite series ever. When it ended, I was worried that no future books would be able to live up to the very high expectations that I had after that series. I don’t know why I was worried because Close Match is amazing!! A fantastic read that will suck you in and take your emotions on a wild roller coaster ride. It is well written with characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. I loved this book.
Tracey has proven herself time and again to be an amazing author. I wasn’t sure what to expect from her after finishing the Amaryllis Series but she certainly doesn’t disappoint. Tracey has a knack for touching on difficult issues. In Close Match, she dives into cancer, PTSD and alcoholism. Tracey always manages to touch on important issues like these and still manage to have family, humor and romance thrown in the mix. Close Match follows Evangeline Brogan on her path to finding family and Montague Parrish on his path to healing. As always with Tracey’s books, make sure you have some tissues handy!!
Oh my godddd. The feels in this book were so good. If you thought she was going to lighten up on that after her Amaryllis series you were wrong and should be prepared! I loved the character’s names. Montague and Evangeline Montague reminds me of Shakespeare This was a beautiful book i can’t wait to have this book on my shelf!
I have read several books written by Tracey Jerald but book definitely pulled on my emotional heart strings. You think you know what will happen but this author’s words has you drawn into an emotional whirlpool. Once you start this story, you are completely committed to it like a binding contract. You can not walk away; it was so good!!! Evangeline “Linny” Brogan’s life as a actress was not all glitzy and glamorous as it seems. When internal family conflicts and secrets are revealed; Linny must find her own “truth”. She meets the devilishly handsome ex-military agent Montague “Monty” Parrish along her journey. Monty is finding his own “truths” while trying to battle his own inner demons from the past and present . There is some uncertainty and shielded emotions during their first encounter but the immediate attraction is there. Together, they have the strength to help each other battle the conflicts that lie ahead. Somewhere along the way they find a deeper connection emotionally and physically. Life is complicated but love is more complex. Monty and Linny will both find out love is the greatest addiction of all! My emotions was all over the place while reading this story. Definitely worth the book hangover and looking forward to the next book!!!
Close Match… Where to start? Okay firstly, I have to give this author major props. She can take a story- line such as Close Match and turn it into the most unimaginable cathartic experience of your life. Close Match came NO where near what I had drummed up in this head of mine. I know I can count on this author to bring such a wide array of emotion, which is what I prefer when I am residing in a different world, but jeez oh peeps Evangeline and Montague’s story is on a whole’nother spectrum. Tracey Jerald’s writing is some of the best of the best. I felt so closely to this story, because her writing is that impeccable. The way she wove the tell of Evangeline and Montague, made me feel as if I was living it. Their journey was not easy, in the slightest; but the brilliance of this author was showcased easily through the development throughout the entirety of it. The characters portrayed themselves in such a way, a realistic way that it was hard to remember that this is a work of fiction. They were validated, warranted, but most of all persons with life like feelings. Overall, this was a fantastic read that requires a tissue or two, but oh so worth it.
I feel like I need to shut up, before I blow the story. So, just one more thing.
Thank You to this author for tackling such profound moments, that we humans face on the daily. That takes courage and strength, because I know how I felt reading this, I couldn’t imagine putting thoughts into words like you have.
*I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
Heartbreaking and heartwarming
I’ve been a fan of this author since book 1 of the Amaryllis series, and all the things I loved in that series are here in this new standalone. Great characters of course, but not just Linnie and Monty, who are a very human mix of strong and vulnerable, talented and tortured, but amazing secondary characters as well. A slow burn story (there are plenty of sparks between Monty and Linnie from their first meeting), it’s the relationships between all those characters that really drive the story, with a mix of love, laughter (the cilantro wars! ), tears (Monty’s letter ) and tension.
There is some secret keeping, something that normally drives me a little crazy, but worked well here for a mix of reasons. Some of it was everyone was keeping some secrets to start with (and keeping those secrets made complete sense to me instead of feeling like a plot device), some secrets we learn a little at time, and for one big secret, because it was someone else’s secret to share. I kept turning those pages because the author does a great job foreshadowing, and I HAD to get to those shoe drops I was sure were coming. If occasionally, parts of the plot went in a direction I expected, it didn’t lessen the impact or the emotion, and the exact form was always surprising.
Sweet, funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming, this was everything I’ve come to expect from this author and more. 5 stars
B2B Kelly
Close Match is one of my favorite books this year. I cannot say enough words that describe the wonderful job the author did in researching the storyline. It is a beautifully written book with amazing characters.
was worried going in to this book. Close Match is the first non-Freeman Family story and I wasn’t sure how I would do without my beloved family. As usual, my worries were unfounded. Close Match blew any and all expectations I had about this story out of the proverbial water. Linnie and Monty’s story was beautiful and unexpected.
While I was expecting an amazing love story, I wasn’t expecting it to be on as many levels as it turned out to be. I refuse to give spoilers as usual but I will say I was surprised again and again throughout the book. As usual, the attention to research and detail was outstanding. Sometimes, statistics in a book can come off as too clinical but the manner in which absolute facts were incorporated into the story appeared flawless and appropriate. Each twist and turn the plot took brought me deeper into a world that I had a hard time leaving. Everything Monty and Linnie faced was 100% relatable and each challenge endeared the couple to me again and again.
Close Match has stayed with me since I was lucky enough to read the ARC (thank you to the author and her publicist for that lovely birthday gift). It is not a story I will easily forget.
I fell in love with this author with the Freeman’s series and can’t say enough about her style and skill that was witnessed while enjoying it. In this case the author takes it up a notch and gives us a peak behind close doors without letting it take over and cloud the depth of the story. Linnie has the perfect life and she’s happy and secure with it. Her family means everything to her but that changes due to a tragedy that does more than take someone she cherished away, it shakes the very foundation her happiness and security was based on. Now she starts from scratch, finding out who she is and how her world has changed. Monty is hiding from a past he has yet to recover from. These two are drawn to each other even through their suspicion.
This author takes the subject of alcoholism, the impact it can have on family and turns it into an emotional story that has no limits. It isn’t a quick read that gives you an ez pz hea and resolution no that would be too easy. It’s a heartfelt read that will have you laughing and hurting as it navigates through the pain and strain this disease can inflict. But this author doesn’t stop there, nope no way. It’s a read you will bury yourself in and feel every emotion while hoping beyond hope that it all works out. It will make you hope that being a close match will be enough to fill the emptiness left by loss, lies and deception.
I am not sure I can sum up how I feel about this book because I loved it so much. This story has so many layers. Linnie finds that all she thought she knew about herself was just an illusion. Those around her were great stage players in hiding their own demons, while she felt the weight on her shoulders to be what everyone needed. When the time comes for her to grab a hold of her own destiny will she be strong enough to walk away if necessary.
Linnie and Monty are destined for a great love but there are many obstacles in their way. With the support for family and close friends, they eventually find their way but is the damage to their hearts reversible. This story has high, highs and low, lows with the right amount of angst to keep you sucked in consuming page after page. An amazing inspiring story of redemption and forgiveness.
“I likely can’t see the stars because she’s dulled them out.” “She’s the only star I’ve genuinely wished upon.” ~ Montague