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 … 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.
One-click this sassy and sexy romance today!
Each book in the Showmen series is STANDALONE:
New Orleans Rush
Don’t Go Stealing My Heart
The Beat Match
The Knockout Rule
more
A few months before COVID took over the world, I wandered the aisles in my local library for a good book. I stumbled across Kelly Siskind’s book New Orleans Rush. When I saw the third book in her Showmen series on Goodreads I was so excited! I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since I was approved but unfortunately I hit a major reader’s block. I started back at work this week and have been stressed to the MAX. I wish I was someone who can find reading while stressed possible, but I re-read the first chapter of this book three times. It took me a week to read this and most of it was read today in one sitting. I refused to move on to a different book because I knew it was me. Of course after a long weekend of naps and hiking I sat down and instantly got sucked into Wes and Annie’s world.
I didn’t get to read book #2 in the series and this is only my second book of Kelly Siskind’s I’ve read, but I can already tell its going to be one of my favorites! This was a slow burn, friends to lovers romance with a hint of forbidden love and a splash of office drama. There really was something for everyone in this book, but Kelly Siskind managed to keep things from getting unrealistically messy.
BOTH main characters are so genuine and relatable that by the end of the book you’ll be left wishing you could be their friend. I wanna double date with those two. Their energy reminds me so much of my own relationship with my boyfriend. A relationship that starts as best friends is a deeper kind of love. Also shout out to two ADULT characters acting like ADULTS without being boring or cliche. It was nice to read characters in the upper twenties/low thirties who actually acted like people I know that age. Both characters were flawed, vulnerable and grew both separately and together throughout.
If you’re in the mood for a good romance that will leave you craving a night out with your girlfriends, this is the one!
4 1/2 stars!
Okay. I’ve read a few books with the “I promised my best friend that I would take of their younger sister, but now I find myself extremely attracted to her and I don’t know what to do about it” storyline and this one might be my favorite!
I freaking LOVED Wes and Annie!! You could also say that this book also falls under the opposites attract trope because these two lead VERY different lives. While Annie goes from job to job, Wes pretty much eats, sleeps and breathes his job at the family pharmaceutical business. Their personalities were so different that many times I thought “Oh, these two will NEVER be able to make things work!” BUT they have a history (see my first paragraph) and it is that history that keeps them in each other’s lives.
This book is sweet and very funny at times. Once again the author gives an unconventional career for one of her characters. I absolutely loved the fact that Wes moonlighted as a DJ. I can’t remember ever reading a book about a DJ, male or female. I’m sure they are out there, but I can’t think of any . While I was reading those scenes I could see them playing out in a movie or tv show.
This book was a lot of fun to read. It had so many different emotions and concepts but was a great wrap around. I was so absorbed in this book that I barely realized time passing by. I liked how each character was easy to imagine and understand. One thing I noted was that the book was a bit long and there were sections that seemed a bit slow. Other than that this was a fast-moving book with occasional witty banter and hilarious themes.
I wrote this voluntary review in exchange for an ARC copy.
“If there was a boyfriend contest judged by attentiveness, thoughtfulness, and bedroom prowess, Wes would win gold with his hands tied behind his back, or her hands, as was the case that one time.”
(If all I knew about this book was this quote, I’d buy it twice just based on that!)
I’ve come to expect certain things from a Kelly Siskind book: wit, banter, quirky and interesting characters, and memorable romantic gestures. This book delivers and then some! From the glorious cover to the trance like scenes of DJing in a dance club, I loved everything about this one. The sexy times were extra steamy, the friendship and history between the characters was so deep and heart-tugging, and I loved all the delicious details of what goes into DJ life.
A memorable and page-turning romance!
This story is complex, sweet, romantic and fun…and it’s my favorite book in this series so far. As I’ve come to expect from Ms. Siskind’s books, the characters have depth to them and the storyline is unique. This author has a way with putting in just the right amount of comedy in what in reality is a fairly serious story. These characters have experienced loss and, because of that, are cautious. Yet, their hearts are willing to take a chance. There’s healing and hope in every chapter.
I will admit that I didn’t relate to Annie in the beginning and it took me a little while to warm up to her. But, as I learned about her past and the reasons she is who she is, it all became much clearer and I empathized with her story. I might have even come to like her…quite a bit. Wes was sexy and swoony. And the fact that he hid his wild side was very enticing. Together these two had to overcome the challenges of their past, and their own preconceived notions about what was possible, on their road to happiness. I, for one, am glad they did.
In this series, Ms. Siskind has taught me a little about magic, a bit about theft, and now a smidgen about DJing (ya…I know that’s not really a word, just go with it). Her stories are set in unusual locations and her characters aren’t your typical office workers, and I really like that. She takes me behind the scenes in worlds I may not ever see in real life and it makes the stories all that much more enjoyable. This is another great addition to the series and I look forward to whatever the author has up her sleeve next!
ARC Review of The Beat Match by Kelly Siskind : 5/5
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I have to say congrats to the Beat Match for making 5 stars! I am so strict with my ratings especially for 5 stars that this the 3rd book to make the list and the first rom-com to make it here out of all the books I’ve read so far! (Don’t worry give a round up for public ratings on various platforms so no author will suffer from my high standards )
I have to say that this means a lot to me as well as this is the first ARC I received as a bookstagrammer! Thank you Kelly Siskind for sending it to me!!!!
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I loved Annie! I love how she is a survivor, a fighter, a witty gal that would put so many standup comedians out of business! Annie is one of the most sarcastically humorous heroines ! She is so brave and straight forward and likable you have cannot find one single reason why you shouldn’t love her more! And I can’t with her rabbit-squirrel jokes
I love how Wes is so alpha as the one always in control and that Annie is his relax and laugh ur pancreas out button! I love the bantering, the jokes and the heart melting chemistry! I also have to give a round of applause for how brave they both are! Loved how the ending & the epilogue was also very good!
For my friends/ family to lovers peeps & Darlings out there, this is major Lila and Nova Vibes (if they were in a romcom and new adult haha) I love how they had already known each other for 14 years and that they are best friends and just the most important person in each other’s lives before the romance started! This is a story about healing, about personal growth and ultimately a story about not letting fear haunt you from believing that you are worthy of being loved and loving someone else. Honestly a more realistic and healthy relationship goal than a lot of other books!
Okay I now need to sit my behind down and wait for The Knockout Rule coming 2.24.21 Also I have a feeling Rosanna is getting her own Showmen book! Fingers crossed mah dudes
Really enjoyed this laugh out loud, sexy, fun and action packed adventure for two childhood friends that were so sure they know everything about each other. This journey has so many heart racing and memorable moments, was a great read from beginning to end and so hard to put down.
Wow!!!
I absolutely adored THE BEAT MATCH!
This was my first time reading one of Kelly Siskind’s books, so I can totally confirm that this is a series that it’s okay to read out of order because I wasn’t lost at all. I’m definitely eager to read more of her books though, so I can’t wait to go back to read the first two Showmen books! Back to THE BEAT MATCH though, I thought that it was funny, sweet, sexy, and it totally pulled on my heartstrings!!!
I loved Wes and Annie so, so much! Wes was broody, but super thoughtful and Annie was so feisty and funny!!! Their banter had me laughing constantly, and I really loved how you could truly feel their friendship and how close they were to each other. Wes and Annie were fantastic apart, but together they were even better! This is probably my favourite friends-to-lovers romance that I’ve ever read and I thought Kelly did a wonderful job balancing the friendship part of the story with the budding romance. It was so easy to feel their strong friendship and bond, and also feel their growing attraction and the subtle shift in their relationship towards romance! The story was quick-paced and riveting, and the music elements of the story were amazing too!!!
Overall, I thought that THE BEAT MATCH was amazing! It was full of wonderful characters, the romance was fantastic, the writing was superb, and the story was so unique and fun! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves friends-to-lovers romances, broody heroes, feisty heroines, and unique storylines!
This is the third book in the Showmen series by Kelly Siskind and it does not disappoint. As someone who has read almost everything Kelly has written, I started this book with certain expectations and it far surpassed those 🙂 This is the story of Annie and Wes…Annie is the younger sister of Leo, who was best friends with Wes until he was killed during a fight in a club many years prior. Since that time, Wes has taken it upon himself to look after Annie. They are polar opposites – he’s an executive in his family’s business, wealthy,serious, suit-and-ties and is all business; she’s fun and flirty, bounces from job to job, barely lives paycheck to paycheck and doesn’t seem to have a serious bone in her body. They are friends and bicker like siblings but then things change and they both start to see each other in a “new” light. Wes is dealing with stress from his job and family and Annie has decided she wants to become a club DJ and puts all her focus in getting a mysterious DJ to allow her to learn from him. It’s a great story that is full of secrets, twists, turns, lots of laughs, some tears, a little mystery and so much more! I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Wes and Annie’s relationship evolves and how they each react to all the new bits of information they learn as the layers of the onion are peeled and their “true selves” are finally revealed to each other. A great read….highly recommend.
4.5 stars
I was lucky to get an ARC of this book to keep me entertained during quarantine. I don’t know how Kelly Siskind does it but she continually writes books that I love. This series is one of my favorites. It doesn’t quite beat out the first book but it’s pretty dang close.
I don’t know much about DJing so I liked reading about it. It’s really fun to read something that’s a little different than what you’d normally read.
Weston is total book boyfriend material and Annie is a great heroine. If you like the friends to lovers trope you’ll like this book.
I started this book a little ignorant about anything DJing and, even after learning some basics, couldn’t figure how this story was really going to work. Even if it did work, I was skeptical about it coming together with the same rich satisfying ending I’ve come to expect from a Siskind book. I continued to laugh my way through each chapter allowing the characters to endear themselves to me. The life lessons with a twist of humor were jumping off the page. Before I realized what was happening, I found myself reading the Epilogue with a huge smile on my face. I had completely missed the blending, creating, and melding of the storyline that – BAM—leaves a reader not wanting to turn the last page. Another unique and clever masterpiece.
I love a sassy, bold, quirky and loving heroine. Annie is just that. She was dealt a crappy hand early in her life, her mother overdosed and left her and her brother to take care of each other. But then her brother Leo is killed , leaving her alone. Wes, Leo’s best friend, promises him he will take care of Annie and he does just that but his keeping a secret from her. But when their feelings for each other grow stronger can that secret ruin it all. Loved this book and highly recommend it.
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 booked 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 and 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.
Happy reading!
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 favor and read this book !
The unfolding of this beautiful story is like a complex painting, the more time you spend with it, the more there is to love and be in awe of! The characters learn about themselves, grow, and learn to expand their own worlds. Complex and layered characters are one of my favorite things about everything Kelly writes; she always takes you to a unique place to let you learn about the characters that you are going to fall in love with, so you can get the best sense of who they are and what their motivations are. Enjoy this beautiful story!
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!
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.
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!
Another great book by Ms. Siskind! I love the friends to lovers trope, and this one was great as it not only included this trope but also the brother’s best friend trope. Annie was a quirky main character, who was hilarious, and I enjoyed her and Weston’s relationship as it progressed from a friendship to a romance. The DJing part of the story was also very cool, and unlike what I’ve usually read before in a book. Overall a very heartfelt and emotional read. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC!
Kelly Siskind has outdone herself with The Beat Match. This friend-to-lovers read is so full of emotion, that you will be laughing one minute and then could be tearing up the next from an emotional moment one of the characters could be having. Annie is a girl trying to find her way in life, moving from one thing to the next, looking for the one thing that she will connect with and give her meaning. While Wes has always been there for Annie, he is burning the candle at both ends between his day job, his night job, and trying to keep an eye on Annie. These two have been friends for awhile and their connection is like no other. To watch their story develop and grow and unfold during this beautifully story is just fantastic. Well done!