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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.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
kryan1's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Car accident, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Body shaming, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders
hannahniles's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think the story is good on its surface but it the details are what soured it for me.
* My criticisms contain minor spoilers and make better sense if you've read. *
My main criticism is that there's too much going on. The sideplots with daisy's job and with Liam's distillery were uninteresting and as the book went on felt less important; the endings for both were rushed and unsatisfying.
Second main criticism is that ever single character seems to lack inhibition. Coworkers and aunties say incredibly bold/rude/insensitive things right to Daisy/Liam's face. Liam flirts with Daisy even after she boldly tells him she hates his guts and that he should fuck off. Daisy and Liam hook up in the bathroom of a bar while her coworkers are there. Then meanwhile characters can hardly seen to communicate like adults about actually important stuff. Liam and his brother apparently can't come up with a solution to their issue (though a 5 year old named Jaxon can).
Third- the amount of sex forced into this reminded me of a porno. Like people are hooking up in the bathroom of a work conference, not just once but twice.II like a good steamy scene but some of it was out of place.
Lots of other things I could've done without. The constant marvel references were annoying and felt forced. The shark stew thing was gross and unnecessary.
* My criticisms contain minor spoilers and make better sense if you've read. *
My main criticism is that there's too much going on. The sideplots with daisy's job and with Liam's distillery were uninteresting and as the book went on felt less important; the endings for both were rushed and unsatisfying.
Second main criticism is that ever single character seems to lack inhibition. Coworkers and aunties say incredibly bold/rude/insensitive things right to Daisy/Liam's face. Liam flirts with Daisy even after she boldly tells him she hates his guts and that he should fuck off. Daisy and Liam hook up in the bathroom of a bar while her coworkers are there. Then meanwhile characters can hardly seen to communicate like adults about actually important stuff. Liam and his brother apparently can't come up with a solution to their issue (though a 5 year old named Jaxon can).
Third- the amount of sex forced into this reminded me of a porno. Like people are hooking up in the bathroom of a work conference, not just once but twice.II like a good steamy scene but some of it was out of place.
Lots of other things I could've done without. The constant marvel references were annoying and felt forced. The shark stew thing was gross and unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
teamoxfordcomma's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I waffle between giving this a 3.75 and a 4.
This was sweet. I liked the vibrant cultural representation a lot – it's perhaps my favorite part of these books, seeing the Patel family unit (and, by proxy, the Indian culture) operate, since it is so markedly different than my own culture/family/experience.
Too, the characters were funny, memorable, and openly flawed. There were definitely some times I was groaning in frustration at them, but if I didn't, they'd be boring. (I was a little peeved throughout, though, with Layla, the protagonist of the first novel, for being so vehemently unsupportive. I understand why she acted that way given their history with Liam, but still. At a certain point, it felt more like stubbornness than looking-out-for-you-ness.)
In the simplest of terms, I liked it. Not something I am going to be screaming about from the rooftops, but for sure a sweet romance that was easy to read and made me smile.
This was sweet. I liked the vibrant cultural representation a lot – it's perhaps my favorite part of these books, seeing the Patel family unit (and, by proxy, the Indian culture) operate, since it is so markedly different than my own culture/family/experience.
Too, the characters were funny, memorable, and openly flawed. There were definitely some times I was groaning in frustration at them, but if I didn't, they'd be boring. (I was a little peeved throughout, though, with Layla, the protagonist of the first novel, for being so vehemently unsupportive. I understand why she acted that way given their history with Liam, but still. At a certain point, it felt more like stubbornness than looking-out-for-you-ness.)
In the simplest of terms, I liked it. Not something I am going to be screaming about from the rooftops, but for sure a sweet romance that was easy to read and made me smile.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
fallingforbooks_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Physical abuse
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