I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young woman pursuing her dreams and a young man hiding from his family obligations find themselves forced to live together, and soon a prank war may ignite a passion within them both neither saw coming in author Rachel Holm’s “Capitally Matched”, the first book in the Brandt Brothers Contemporary Romance series.

The Synopsis

This condo may not be big enough for the both of them…

Charlotte Reid has always put her family first. Their bookstore was her whole life, but it’s never really felt like hers. Now, Charlotte’s left her small town behind for the chance to do something on her own terms. She needs to stay focused and make the best impression she can; this might be her one shot to change her life. That is, until the borrowed Washington D.C. condo she’s living in just added a distracting new amenity that wasn’t on the list: Hayden Brandt.

It’s always been the plan that Hayden would take the CIO job at his brother’s company when offered it. Unfortunately, Hayden feels stifled by the sense of obligation and worse, now needs to rely on him for a place to live, too. Looking forward to some space of his own, Hayden’s surprised to find Charlotte already settled into the guest room of his brother’s condo. He figures his unexpected roommate will be easy to ignore, no matter how much her hair shines and her eyes shimmer. But then, the pranks start.

Hayden’s stuck in the past while Charlotte’s looking towards the future. Are these roommates all wrong for each other or might they be capitally matched?

Capitally Matched is the first book in the Brandt Brothers novels, a series of interconnected standalones about five brothers.

In these pages you’ll find forced proximity, a prank war, DC references, gossipy brothers, fabulous friends, a few open-door steamy scenes, lots of laughs, and even more heart. Happily ever after guaranteed!

The Review

What a compelling and heated romance! The antagonistic start to the main characters and their relationship was the perfect way to highlight their heat. The author put a remarkable amount of detail and heart into each main character and their background, allowing the reader to connect with each of them instantly. The imagery in the author’s writing brought the city to life and elevated the passion of the romance between them both.

The central theme connecting Charlotte and Hayden was family obligations. While both come from very different backgrounds, they feel obligated to their families. Hayden feels less than enthused at his job working for his brother, and Charlotte feels pressure to leave behind her dreams to help run her parents’ bookstore. This allowed the bond that formed between both main characters to feel more alive and engaging on the page. 

The Verdict

Steamy, heartfelt, and entertaining author Rachel Holm’s “Capitally Matched” is a must-read contemporary romance and the perfect first entry in the Brandt Brothers series. The book earns its “swoon-worthy” reputation, highlighting the relatable family drama and relationships they have with one another and the passion between the two main characters that will keep readers eager for more from this fantastic author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Rachel grew up in Western PA and found her love of reading early in life, supported by her parents with frequent trips to the library and local bookstores. She stumbled into the bookish world in late 2020 and has embraced the bookish lifestyle whole-heartedly, diving headfirst into the Romance genre, becoming a book reviewer and Bookstagrammer. In 2021, she changed careers, taking a job at an indie bookstore and starting her first official novel-length writing project.

Now Rachel is getting an MFA in Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University and juggling too many story ideas for one brain to handle. She’s excited to continue to share Happily Ever Afters with you that bring the swoons, the spice, and the humor.

When not immersed in her bookish world, you can find Rachel hanging out with her husband and two cats, spending time with friends in the Washington DC area, and rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams.

https://www.rachelwholm.com