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megnut's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism
ladythana's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity
kdailyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Bullying
hazelgirl21's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
dogbuttsandbooks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Our MCs, Meghna and Karthik are Indian Americans both struggling to find themselves pressure about their personal and professional lives from their families. They are introduced by their parents as potential matches for an arranged marriage. After meeting, they decide to be fake engaged so Karthik can impress the people who will decide if he gets a big promotion at work and so Meghna can have a date to her college ex turned best friend and writing partner’s wedding at which she’ll be the best man (you read that right). And so both of them can get a little breathing room from their meddling and oftentimes disapproving parents.
Meghna and Karthik are both really layered, sympathetic characters who kept me engaged while reading, but ultimately I felt like this book was less about the MCs’ romance and more about personal growth — which just wasn’t what I was in the mood for having just finished another fake dating to attend the wedding of an ex turned best friend who the FMC has never gotten over (spoiler alert, I liked the other one much better). Also I just needed these two to bang and get it out of their systems SO MUCH EARLIER. And also go to therapy. That being said, while I felt like both MCs were intentionally making their lives harder and putting up with a lot of toxic behaviors, and also sometimes being toxic themselves, I did appreciate the full circle character arcs.
I also enjoyed the struggle with trying to push against and also fit in familial expectations, but felt a bit like the author was trying to shoehorn heavy issues in with a chaotic fake engagement storyline.
I thought this was a well written debut that kept my interest and I enjoyed reading, but all in all, as is often my critique of fake engagement — the stakes did not feel high enough to warrant this faux relationship. And a note, if you don’t like MCs who aren’t good at communicating, this will not be your cup of tea.
If you’re looking for a Desi romance that doesn’t have a ton of spice, but has solid character development and one that will have you shouting “will you two just kiss already?!” Say You’ll Be Mine is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual harassment
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