Book Chat - An Unlikely Match

[Kathy]

Hello All,
We are planning on opening the official discussion of An Unlikely Match in a couple days, Oct 20. We will be holding our discussion under this thread. Thanks!

[Kathy]

I admit, I was a bit nervous to start this one. I know I would like it, I like anything Ms. Eden writes, but I wasn’t sure about a ghost love story. How would that ever work out? I was pleasantly surprised though that I ended up enjoying it as much as I did. Gwen was very likable and felt real to me. I felt bad for her, she had been “alive” for over four hundred years, yet no one really knew her or cared about her. They just sort of put up with her. I think that’s why I loved her relationship with Nickolas so much; he actually treated her like she was real. I liked Nickolas quite a bit; I’m a sucker for a guy with an upbeat personality. Maybe it was a defense mechanism in a way, having grown up all alone himself, being handed off to one family member after another. I liked that he looked for the positive in not only his situations, but in people as well.

I knew something had to happen for them to be together, but I had no idea what. I liked how Ms. Eden explained Gwen’s being a ghost and how Nickolas was able to break the spell. Overall, I thought it was a fun read and great for Halloween. I also think it’d make a cute movie!

What did you think of the cover? I wasn't a fan...

So, what did y’all think of it?

[Sharon]

When I read it I cried and I laughed. I love when a book makes me do both within just a few pages. I loved Nickolas I thought it was great he was not your usual regency era hero. He understood what his position in life was on both sides of the fence. I also loved Mr. Evans charater. He was a great best friend.

I have to say I thought Gwen was an interesting twist. I liked the fact she was so down to earth and caring for a ghost. I loved her heart especially when Nickolas had to spend a night in the tower. And I so agree, no one should have to go through tough experiences alone.

I loved the HEA in this book I am so glad everything worked out for both of them.

Great read thanks for picking this one.

[Chantele]

I really liked it as well. I loved Gwen. How scary everyone thought she was, but deep down she was very protective of the people she loved. I also enjoyed her relationship with Nickolas. They were really cute together and their banter was great! The tower part when she spent the night with Nickolas was one of my favorites. She really cared for him and he realized that as well. And YAY for the happy ending! I sort of figured it out, but the whole "play by play" she had to do on Halloween every year surprised me. :)

Also, not a huge fan of the cover. I wish it would have been a little more ghostly or something.

[Donna R.]

I enjoyed this book too. I thought it was really cute how Gwen was able to get the bedroom of her dreams after centuries of "convincing" the inhabitants to give her what she wanted. I didn't expect the yearly ritual she had to endure to be so creepy but I was relieved that Nickolas was brave enough to reign triumphant and rescue her from such injustice. And, the ending was lovely!

[Natalie]

I really enjoyed this too. I liked how we slowly got more information about Gwen. We got a bunch of the story from her point of view, but it wasn't until the end that we got the whole story. I like how they were able to get together in the end. Nickolas's personality was great. I love a hero that has an attractive personality. Over all this was a great book.

Oh, I didn't really like the cover either Kathy. . . It could have been much better.

[Kathy Jo]

I, too, really enjoyed this book! I loved watching how Gwen and Nickolas' relationship evolved. It didn't just happen overnight like a lot of books seem to do... it was believable and down right HILARIOUS at times!!

I LOVED how she declared war on him and his household! I busted up laughing when I got to that part. I loved the part where Nickolas goes to her room to make sure everything is put back to rights and when the curtains still have all the knots in them, he takes it upon himself to untie them. My respect and love for him grew so much in that particular part. And when Gwen spent the night in the tower with him because no one should have to face that alone... *tear* My heart was breaking for them because I just couldn't figure out how in the world they were actually going to end up together! I love the courage and strength that they both had to help each other out when times got tough. Truly an amazing couple! :o)

Overall I loved this book and will definitely be reading it every year!

I also didn't like the cover... doesn't really go along with the story at all. And I agree that this would definitely make a cute movie! I'd go see it for sure! :o)

[Katie]

I agree--the cover didn't match the book, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story!!! Unlike some of you, I could not figure out how they could ever be together and how there could be a HEA.

I never imagined what horrors Gwen had to live through year after year and when it was revealed, I understood her reaction to Nickolas sleeping in the tower, which by the way, was one of my favorite parts.

I loved how Gwen decided to hate him because of his family's decision to change the spelling and how she slowly started to melt towards him. I think it's easier said than done to make lemonade when life hands you lemons, but Nickolas definitely was able to do that. He was so positive and funny and truly cared about and loved Gwen. Their banter made me smile.

I loved this book and will definitely read it again. Good job in choosing it!!

[Pamela]

I really enjoyed this book although I'm not a big fan of paranormal romance, somehow this book made it all work. I loved Nickolas and his personality. I liked how he was very skeptical about Gwen's existence and his reaction when he saw her. I really enjoyed to see how their friendship and feelings for each other evolved but I just couldn't manage to see how they could be together.

At one point I thought that maybe he would die and then they would be together. I was pleasantly surprised with how it all worked at the end. I didn't like the cover either. It just didn't go with the book.

[Kathy]

I also loved the tower scene. I liked it because at that point Gwen was still kinda deciding about Nickolas, but was still willing to stay the night to keep him company. I also liked it because it was clearly a sad place for her and again she was still willing to stay for him. It shows her kind heart and bravery as well.

Gwen’s history is pretty sad; I can’t imagine having to relive that horrible memory over and over each year. So glad Nickolas was able to put a stop to all that nonsense!

Donna- I also loved that she finally got her bedroom just perfect. I liked that Nickolas (eventually) recognized what a special place it was for her and started to honor it as well.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like the cover. If I didn’t know Ms. Eden’s books are awesome, I may have passed it by. It certainly doesn’t scream ghost story, I never would have suspected that if I didn’t know ahead of time.

[Sharon]

I also did not like the cover. But I have to say this is a great story. I wish if she was going to use this kind of cover she would have at least found someone with very red hair. Or someone more ghost like. I love Sara Eden's work so she is one of the very few authors I buy without regard to the storyline or the front cover.

[Heidi]

Kathy wrote: "I admit, I was a bit nervous to start this one. I know I would like it, I like anything Ms. Eden writes, but I wasn’t sure about a ghost love story. How would that ever work out? I was pleasantly s..."

I'm not going to read your comments just yet because my order was delayed and I'm STILL WAITING FOR MY BOOK!!!! Just from a glance it sounds like you all enjoyed it though and I'm excited to FINALLY get mine this week. (HOPEFULLY!) Oh and I wasn't a huge fan of the cover either Kathy...though, other then Kiss of a Stranger, I've really disliked all the new covers of Miss Eden's. I love ALL her work despite it...but I do HATE how hard it is for me to get over picturing the characters in the book to NOT look like they do on the cover.

[Chrissy]

Ha, ha! Yes! I feel the same way about her covers. But like you guys, I love her stories so I always buy and love them.

[Erika]

So far I'm a bit bored...does it pick up anytime soon? I'm on page 100! :D

[Deborah]

This book really did fit the month that we are in. I enjoyed it. I thought it was fun and I really liked Nicholas and Gwen. There was a great chemistry with the two of them. I like how it all ended and of course you always get me with a happily ever after. Wink wink.

I will say however that I did not love the book. I found parts of it just too sad. How horrible was it what her Dad and that Priest did. I was horrified and it just put a dark shadow over the book for me. I love this authors books, but I think this one has been my least favorite.

I would still recommend it. It really was a fun ghost story. ;-)

Also, I agree with those of you who said the cover was lame. It just didn't go with the book at all.

[Deborah]

BTW, I really enjoy all of your comments!!

[Kathy]

I have enjoyed everyones comments as well. While I did like the book, it is not a favorite Eden book for me. I think I've loved her other books a little more. I did think it was a good one for Halloween though.

[Kathy Jo]

Erika... the book started out slow for me as well and I was really struggling with getting through it. Yes... it does pick up and get better. I have tried to figure out where you are in the book but my Kindle gives me "locations" not pages so I can't let you know when it picks up! Wish I could be more help! :o)