Scan barcode
lsvctria's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
it was a good cheesy read. cute and does read like a nerdy teenager’s fantasy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Car accident
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
allyhoo811's review against another edition
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
4.0
I am not usually much of a contemporary romance reader; however, I choose this book earlier this year a my Book of the Month pick. Prior to reading I learned that it was the second book in a series, so I proceeded to read the book "The Marriage Game" before picking up this one. "The Marriage Game" (the author's debut) was quite a disappointment to me (2.5 stars), but I saw potential in the author's humor and writing style -- so I decided to give this one a chance.
I was NOT disappointed. This book was such a treat. The humor and writing style that I loved from the author's debut were on full display, and most of the problems I had were much improved. This was leaps and bounds better!
What I liked:
1) No insta-love: This was a contemporary romance where the characters actually had a history together. It wasn't just boom meet cute and married a few weeks later.
2) The friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers combo tropes: You will understand if you read.
3) No ridiculous miscommunications: Sure there was some miscommunication (mainly from their past as teenagers); however, it wasn't overdone. For the most part the two main characters would talk out their problems and not let things fester.
4) The male lead wasn't crazy possessive: Sure Liam felt jealousy when other men flirted with the girl he liked, but he didn't immediately jump to wanting to pummel them into oblivion.
5) The family interactions: These are some of my favorite parts of Desai's novels.
What kept it from being a five star read?
1) Both books in the series seem to be trying to get away from the typical romance heroine "type", while appreciating diversity in women. This is great and one of the things that drew me to the series in the first place. However, I'm noticing a trend where in order to accomplish this goal women who would be considered conventionally attractive (blonde, blue-eyed, thin, etc.) are being portrayed in a very negative light (vapid, sexually inappropriate, petty, cruel). The overall vibe given is that women who look like this are bad people, who can't be trusted. We shouldn't have to build people up, by pushing others down.
2) Interestingly, the male protagonists in the novels are very much the traditional perfect male leads (tall, handsome, intelligent, wealthy, chiseled abs, etc.), and the female characters put down other less perfect men for their looks as not good enough.
Neither of these things are a good look when you are celebrating diversity in your characters.
Hope this changes in future books.
*********************************
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I hope this author keeps improving. Will read more.
I was NOT disappointed. This book was such a treat. The humor and writing style that I loved from the author's debut were on full display, and most of the problems I had were much improved. This was leaps and bounds better!
What I liked:
1) No insta-love: This was a contemporary romance where the characters actually had a history together. It wasn't just boom meet cute and married a few weeks later.
2) The friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers combo tropes: You will understand if you read.
3) No ridiculous miscommunications: Sure there was some miscommunication (mainly from their past as teenagers); however, it wasn't overdone. For the most part the two main characters would talk out their problems and not let things fester.
4) The male lead wasn't crazy possessive: Sure Liam felt jealousy when other men flirted with the girl he liked, but he didn't immediately jump to wanting to pummel them into oblivion.
5) The family interactions: These are some of my favorite parts of Desai's novels.
What kept it from being a five star read?
1) Both books in the series seem to be trying to get away from the typical romance heroine "type", while appreciating diversity in women. This is great and one of the things that drew me to the series in the first place. However, I'm noticing a trend where in order to accomplish this goal women who would be considered conventionally attractive (blonde, blue-eyed, thin, etc.) are being portrayed in a very negative light (vapid, sexually inappropriate, petty, cruel). The overall vibe given is that women who look like this are bad people, who can't be trusted. We shouldn't have to build people up, by pushing others down.
2) Interestingly, the male protagonists in the novels are very much the traditional perfect male leads (tall, handsome, intelligent, wealthy, chiseled abs, etc.), and the female characters put down other less perfect men for their looks as not good enough.
Neither of these things are a good look when you are celebrating diversity in your characters.
Hope this changes in future books.
*********************************
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I hope this author keeps improving. Will read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Infidelity
rcpope's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
sofiya's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
2.5
I would like to start by saying that I love a well-written cheesy romcom. However, I didn’t like this one. It felt like I was watching a bad Lifetime movie where the characters tell you everything they’re feeling rather than show you. A lot of the references felt forced and the “plot twists” were so tropey and unnecessary that I kept rolling my eyes. Did not enjoy unfortunetly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
I’ve done nothing today except read this book, and it was exactly what I needed right now. The Dating Plan is a fun, lighthearted romance that touches on themes of abuse and self-worth in a very respectful way. Both Daisy and Liam are well-written protagonists, and their romance is one both sweet and steamy that I rooted for from the beginning. I loved it, as well as the side characters, the various friendships, and Daisy’s well-intentioned but chaotic family. This is definitely a book I’ll buy, and likely one I’ll eventually reread. It’s gotten me interested in the marriage of convenience trope, and marked Desai as an author I want to follow.
“‘We fell in love because it was meant to be. And you became mine at a bus stop in the rain.’”
How cute, am I right?!
Representation
- Indian-American protagonist and side characters
- minor bisexual side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Body shaming, Medical content, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Addiction
There’s a brief mention of a car accident that killed Liam’s father, prior to the story, and a motorcycle accident which occurs a little over halfway through the book. Daisy is hospitalized, but neither she nor Liam are seriously injured.kenziewol's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a fun light read. I’m a sucker for a fake dating trope so of course I loved that aspect. I loved the banter between Liam & Daisy. And I loved Daisys big crazy family! I genuinely enjoyed this book but there were a couple things that were off putting.
I don’t mind pop culture references, and for the most part I liked the ones included. But I just could not with the marvel hulk Ironman & captain America bras. It was so cringey and I just absolutely hated it and one of the main reasons I’d docked it half a star. Like I got secondhand embarrassment every time they made their appearance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Car accident
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
simpleexplorations's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Addiction, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Medical content
coolbeans's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This quirky, fast-paced romance brought everything it advertised and grew into a comfort read for me. It didn't blow my expectations away and probably won't be a reread for me in the future, but the warm, comfortable confines of the contents were like a nice piece of pizza or favorite scoop of ice cream. Familiar and a nice spot of fun for a little while.
Daisy Patel, the main character, brought the quirkiness and quite a love of Marvel superheroes and software engineering. She fit the story well for me and for the most part her love interest, Liam Murphy, did as well. I didn't play into his charm as much as Daisy seemed to at times. I understand that this story was an "opposites attract" kind of deal, but I was still wondering why these two were so taken by each other at times. Ultimately, the fake dating trope, the high jinks that ensues on their various planned dates, and the sad backstory of both characters pumped energy and life into this story. The backstory of the characters does take a more tragic, deeper dive beyond the surface of the story, but doesn't usually stay there for long. Just long enough for you to glimpse more of an understanding of why these main characters chose to take the paths that they did.
I gave this comforting contemporary romance a solid, comfortable 3 out of 5 stars. It was a good read. I didn't read this book for hard-hitting storylines or deep philosophical questioning, but a cute, fun read to take me away from reality for a few hours. Mission accomplished. Also, I love the Patel family. If I was Liam, I would have much rather been over at their house all the time as well.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this title.
Daisy Patel, the main character, brought the quirkiness and quite a love of Marvel superheroes and software engineering. She fit the story well for me and for the most part her love interest, Liam Murphy, did as well. I didn't play into his charm as much as Daisy seemed to at times. I understand that this story was an "opposites attract" kind of deal, but I was still wondering why these two were so taken by each other at times. Ultimately, the fake dating trope, the high jinks that ensues on their various planned dates, and the sad backstory of both characters pumped energy and life into this story. The backstory of the characters does take a more tragic, deeper dive beyond the surface of the story, but doesn't usually stay there for long. Just long enough for you to glimpse more of an understanding of why these main characters chose to take the paths that they did.
I gave this comforting contemporary romance a solid, comfortable 3 out of 5 stars. It was a good read. I didn't read this book for hard-hitting storylines or deep philosophical questioning, but a cute, fun read to take me away from reality for a few hours. Mission accomplished. Also, I love the Patel family. If I was Liam, I would have much rather been over at their house all the time as well.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this title.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
onarosebeam's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Car accident
regan_murf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Daisy and Liam's story was beautiful and a definite second chance/friends to lovers/enemies to lovers story. I think Daisy is such a strong character and I adore her and of course Liam is the emotional/softie bad boy with a motorcycle. This book had me hooked and I enjoyed reading it as a light read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse