Reviews

The Marriage Game: Enemies-To-lovers Like You've Never Seen Before by Sara Desai

cristinethebookqueen's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

adventuresinfictionland's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ctg424's review against another edition

3.5

I enjoyed this book as a fun, light read, but there were a number of times I had to suspend my disbelief to accept what the plot was saying. As much as I love a grumpy X sunshine dynamic, the miscommunication tropes were a bit hard to stomach in this one. 

A fun read that I’d recommend, but not my favorite rom com. 

brittnijenhuis's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Layla and Sam have a slow story, but that doesn’t make it less good. The buildup takes a looong time and then the resolution after the climax lacks a bit

danikajoan's review against another edition

1.0

She has sex with him the same day he says he doesn’t think she should drive because she’s a woman????

mokelly18's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

whatshaileyreading's review against another edition

5.0

I like this Sara's writing style a lot. I love being able to learn a bit about the Indian culture while reading a cute romance. I will be listening or reading more of her work!!

madiandthat's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

illusie's review against another edition

4.0

This was cute and funny, though I liked the 2nd book more. At first I hated Sam. So cocky and he acted as if Layla should throwherself at his feet. Just hated that. I was seriously thinking about not finished the book, but they we got to know Sam better and I started to like him more. I am glad he was more than the cocky sterotype. There was real chemistry in this book. The family members made the book more funny. For me this was an enjoyable read.

loveambreen's review against another edition

2.0

DNF @ 75%. And I tried so hard to finish.

Boy was this book a let down. From the bad Indian politics (she supports actors who support fascism and genocide), to the dated Bollywood references, to the unlikeable hero and stereotypical villains, this book was nothing but disappointment after disappointment.

There seems to be this ongoing trend of western neoliberal brown women writing books that always center around arranged marriages and being torn on how tied they want to be with their community. It's boring and cliche and usually filled with bad stereotypes for non-desis to eat up.

That said, even if this book didn't also fall into that trend, it just wasn't enjoyable. I kept waiting to get invested in anything but I couldn't. Plots and politics aside, the writing isn't very good and the characters have little actual depth and nuance.