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readwithde's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
There are honestly very few positive things I have to say about The Marriage Game: it shown a spotlight on how death, tragedy, and abuse affect people, including years of bad decisions, failure to move forward, and crippling emotional ruin. It also had a clear through-line of relying on family/friends/a support system to get through tough times versus toughing it out alone.
These few positives count for next to nothing against the wave of messed up relationship drama that is supposed to showcase a real love and bond, strong enough to build a marriage and family. The majority of the book focuses on Sam and Layla's personal goals: Sam, to avenge his sister's injury and abuse by publicly outing her abuser, while Layla wants stability, through running her own business with the option to find a husband via arranged marriage (since she only chooses losers, a point repeated in the book).
They meet, they fight, they come up with a wager over the office they both have claim to: if Sam can help get Layla a husband, he can keep the office; if not, he leaves. At this point, there was so much potential for a solidly built romance, but the two continue to fight and bicker, judge each other, assume the worst repeatedly, and (in Sam's case) act possessively and violently towards every suitor; he literally gets into a massive bar fight with one of his friends over her, for no good reason. The couple jumps in and out of bed, based on the random fight of the day (or lack thereof) before Sam finally goes out on a limb and states he wants to be with Layla. This means they should start growing up, right?
With 30% of the book left, Sam instead torpedos his growth and chance to be with Layla so he can try to fire and out his sister's abuser (through a DIY strip club, complete with drugs, alcohol, and trashing their joint office). When Layla finds him there, he's alone in a room with a handsy stripper and fully disheveled, but two chapters later were supposed to believe he only wants to be with Layla? He never explains, never even pushes the woman off of him, but instead expects Layla to understand this is a necessary part of his job so he can enact his revenge. But two days later, he never wants any woman except Layla?
In under a week, we're lead to believe he's a different man with different priorities, that he's changed and will be a good man and husband, and somehow (off page) got the approval of her entire family? That all his years of trauma and vengeance can be healed and dismissed within a week because he lost her and missed her?
It takes until the end of the book for Layla to develop any backbone and personal growth, but NOW everyone trusts that she can choose a proper man? That she is "saving herself" by marrying Sam? Even when they have separated, she still plays games to make him jealous, and he still reacts with anger.
It's an emotional train wreck, their personalities flip and change on a whim, even the side characters change their minds based on whatever emotions fit that day. (Royce is a sociopathic jerk, until he randomly cares? Daisy hates Sam until he spends 2 days trying to undo the mess he made?) There is nothing real or meaningful, despite the characters repeating it. IMO, it's not worth the read.
These few positives count for next to nothing against the wave of messed up relationship drama that is supposed to showcase a real love and bond, strong enough to build a marriage and family. The majority of the book focuses on Sam and Layla's personal goals: Sam, to avenge his sister's injury and abuse by publicly outing her abuser, while Layla wants stability, through running her own business with the option to find a husband via arranged marriage (since she only chooses losers, a point repeated in the book).
They meet, they fight, they come up with a wager over the office they both have claim to: if Sam can help get Layla a husband, he can keep the office; if not, he leaves.
With 30% of the book left, Sam instead torpedos his growth
In under a week, we're lead to believe he's a different man with different priorities, that he's changed and will be a good man and husband, and somehow (off page) got the approval of her entire family? That all his years of trauma and vengeance can be healed and dismissed within a week
It takes until the end of the book for Layla to develop any backbone and personal growth, but NOW everyone trusts that she can choose a proper man? That she is "saving herself" by marrying Sam? Even when they have separated, she still plays games to make him jealous, and he still reacts with anger.
It's an emotional train wreck, their personalities flip and change on a whim, even the side characters change their minds based on whatever emotions fit that day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, and Violence
plumpaperbacks's review
lighthearted
medium-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
2.5
The two worst things about this book were the overwhelming number of sexual jokes in the first half and the love interest Sam. The former is simply not something I enjoy, and the latter was unexpectedly obnoxious and equally off-putting. I didn’t think it was possible for a man to be so arrogant or obtuse.
My favorite characters were Layla, Daisy, Nisha, and Max. John also ended up being a good guy. My least favorite characters were Sam and Royce. I won’t even get into how much of an awful person Royce was, or Sam’s tendency to threaten Layla’s other potential suitors. More on that in a minute.
I feel like Layla and Sam had no chemistry. They thought the other person was hot, and that’s about it. I kept reading in hopes that I’d end up invested in their relationship, but that unfortunately didn’t happen. I wasn’t really invested in any part of this book; I just kept reading because I was curious and didn’t have anything better to do.
Honestly, I think that some of the guys Layla went on blind dates with would’ve been better for her than Sam. Sunny seemed decent, as did one or two others whose names I can’t remember. Only a couple of them were actually bad. All the others, in my opinion, had one trait or hobby that was overly exaggerated, likely to try and make sure you know that Layla is *only* compatible with Sam. Can’t have anyone outshining the love interest. Gotta make them weirdos to make sure that doesn’t happen, because it would be too easy otherwise.
I thought about giving this two stars, but decided on two and a half because of the few characters I did like. I liked the scenes in the Patel family restaurant, and when Layla and Nisha went clothes shopping. Oh, and the adorable little doggo, Max. What a good boy.
The Marriage Game definitely wasn’t my cup of tea, but I didn’t hate it and I do think some people might enjoy it. I eventually plan to read another book from Desai, which will hopefully be more enjoyable and less frustrating than this one.
Representation
My favorite characters were Layla, Daisy, Nisha, and Max. John also ended up being a good guy. My least favorite characters were Sam and Royce. I won’t even get into how much of an awful person Royce was, or Sam’s tendency to threaten Layla’s other potential suitors. More on that in a minute.
I feel like Layla and Sam had no chemistry. They thought the other person was hot, and that’s about it. I kept reading in hopes that I’d end up invested in their relationship, but that unfortunately didn’t happen. I wasn’t really invested in any part of this book; I just kept reading because I was curious and didn’t have anything better to do.
Honestly, I think that some of the guys Layla went on blind dates with would’ve been better for her than Sam. Sunny seemed decent, as did one or two others whose names I can’t remember. Only a couple of them were actually bad. All the others, in my opinion, had one trait or hobby that was overly exaggerated, likely to try and make sure you know that Layla is *only* compatible with Sam. Can’t have anyone outshining the love interest. Gotta make them weirdos to make sure that doesn’t happen, because it would be too easy otherwise.
I thought about giving this two stars, but decided on two and a half because of the few characters I did like. I liked the scenes in the Patel family restaurant, and when Layla and Nisha went clothes shopping. Oh, and the adorable little doggo, Max. What a good boy.
The Marriage Game definitely wasn’t my cup of tea, but I didn’t hate it and I do think some people might enjoy it. I eventually plan to read another book from Desai, which will hopefully be more enjoyable and less frustrating than this one.
Representation
- Indian protagonist, love interest, and side characters
- Indian side character in a wheelchair
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Grief
Minor: Death, Car accident, Violence, and Body shaming
The abuse, alcoholism, toxic relationship, violence, and death are referring to incidents that occurred prior to the story and are mentioned on-page.madamepincers's review
challenging
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Car accident, and Grief
Minor: Death
Male MC has a tendency towards physical violence and gets in physical altercations multiple times. Side character unable to walk after falling/being pushed down stairs.itisallmydoing's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A+ premise, C- characters. Our hero's only defining quality is that he's hot (and how often he lets us know he's good in bed) and our heroine is... curvy? passionate? I'm not really sure. The secondary characters stole the show except for two of the three closest associates of the hero, who are assholes. I have some complicated feelings and can't get over the fact that the food was more compelling than the romance.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Violence
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