The Beat Match

The Beat Match is an older brother’s best friend romance with a twist - the brother has been dead for nearly fourteen years. And it’s also a frenemies to lovers story as the pair have a “love-hate” vibe; they have bickered and teased one another for all the years that Wes has looked after his late best friend’s sister. Anyway you label it, the story has a familiar vibe, yet is unique in its execution. The main couple must deal with a tremendous amount of baggage, fears, and history to get to their HEA.

Wes and Annie have a complex relationship going into the story, which allows both to have deep and tangled feelings for one another right from the get go. He is wracked with guilt over the death of Leo, a plotline that unfolds in the book, and he promised his best friend he’d look after Annie since they had no parents in the picture. And Leo did look after her, trying to protect her, but allowing her the freedom to become the woman she wanted to be. Luckily, many years have past since Annie thought of Wes as a surrogate brother, so there isn’t really an “ick factor” the reader needs to get past. They are best friends in many ways, but they also keep big secrets from the other - Wes, because of his guilt and Annie because she doesn’t want to disappoint Wes.

I love that Annie, and to a lesser degree Wes, is able to push past her fears and admit her feelings out loud. The scene when she first lets Wes know how deeply she cares for him is emotionally charged and the tension is tangible. “He released her hand, rubbed his palms down his thighs. Rubbed her hope away.” There is just so much emotion in this simple statement - the visual is perfect and hit me right in the heart. I love how self-aware Annie is and that she knows HOW MUCH she’s risking by telling him that she has feelings for him. She is so vulnerable. She is SOOOO open. I just admire her.

The Beat Match is another delightful romance in the Showmen series. Ms. Siskind has mastered the rom-com with heart storytelling - adding just enough seriousness and pain to create deeper emotions without giving up the humor and fluff. Each story is standalone, with loose ties to the other books. I highly recommend each and all for your reading pleasure!

My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot
Review copy provided by author

I loved the book! It made me laugh, cry and get mad at the characters! The story pulled me in and kept me inside! A must read!

Huge thank you to Kelly Siskind for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a cute and fast paced read about finding your place in the world from work to relationships.

Annie and Wes each have their share of drama and family issues to work through, but you'll root for them to figure them out. Fans of the friends to lovers trope and brother's best friend trope will enjoy their evolving relationship.

I didn't love this one as much as New Orleans Rush, but it was sweet. Annie was a bit too immature for me. She claimed to be an adult, but a lot of her choices made her seem much younger than 27. Wes also took a bit too long to open up, so I still felt sort of closed off from him. I liked all of the DJ scenes and could feel the club atmosphere. Getting to view Wes through that lens was helpful.