A teen social media star learns he can’t control everything in this delicious, queer graphic novel adaptation that relocates Jane Austen’s Emma to a modern-day high school in Queens, New York.

Evan Horowitz has it all: beauty, brains, and a not-so-secret flair for matchmaking! An Insta influencer with a talent for makeup and a taste for romance, he’s no stranger to playing cupid for those hopelessly clueless in finding love.

So when shy transfer student Natalia shuffles into school one day, Evan can’t help but get his hands messy! With so many matches to choose from, it’s not long before he sets a plan in motion for Natalia—much against the better judgement of his level-headed best friend, Davi.

But he takes things too far, creating a web of drama that spirals out of his control. Can Evan learn to put the people closest to him before his misguided ambition? Or will he lose them and his own chance at romance, too? 

Mismatched, Anne Camlin
Pub 03 September, 2024

Just like the tagline says Mismatched by Anne Camlin is a “modern graphic retelling of Emma.” Evan, like Austen’s Emma, is vain and ready to set up all of his friends (in matches that may or may not actually be good for them.)

I really enjoyed the similarities between Mismatched and Emma, and I think the modernization of it works well, but I wish certain modern elements had more of a role to play.

For example: Evan is a social media make up influencer, but there isn’t really a lot of make up scenes. Minus one in the beginning when oops, Natalia is very allergic to it. It struck me as odd, that someone who had cultivated their identity around makeup didn’t think to test any on his friend’s hands or arms before diving directly into her face with something she outright says she never wears.

And while there are a few instagram posts and images, I wish there had been more or that Evan’s internals had been displayed in such a medium. I feel like that was a lost opportunity to really play with format.

Overall, Mismatched is a very quick read but cute and to the point. I recommend it for everyone especially for those with a soft spot for LGBTQIA+ retllings of their favorite regency novels.