Scan barcode
A review by thekatrinachapters
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“the dating plan” was a cute and steamy romance with some refreshing representation.
daisy patel is a software engineer who runs into her brother’s ex-best friend who broke her heart 10 years ago. during their reunion at a conference, they fake-kiss and tell her pestering aunties that they’re engaged. “the dating plan” follows them through this fake engagement.
let’s start with the bad news first - this book plays so heavily into stereotypes. it’s all i could think about as i read. of COURSE the software engineer is anti-social, loves the marvel universe, and is super organized and quirky. and of COURSE the “bad boy” drives a motorcycle and has a short temper paired with a traumatic past. i understand sometimes stereotypes are a bit unavoidable, but this one was chock-full of them.
there were also a LOT of events in the book that just felt dramatic or downright unrealistic. i know it’s fiction but i like to walk that fine line in romances to where something like this MIGHT happen to someone, you know?
on the other hand, i LOVED the representation in this book - i feel like software engineers and venture capitalists aren’t usually the type of characters we usually see in books to begin with, and i loved that daisy was a woman of color. reading about her family and her culture added to the reading experience for sure.
i also really enjoyed the themes that were explored in this novel. from exploring the effects of childhood trauma, to how your career should (and shouldn’t) dominate your life, and the importance of accepting yourself and your worth, i think there was a lot of good stuff packed into this one.
overall, i think this one is worth the read if you’re into the fake-dating trope and steamy romances.
cw: anxiety attacks, violence, domestic abuse, maternal abandonment, car crash, violence
daisy patel is a software engineer who runs into her brother’s ex-best friend who broke her heart 10 years ago. during their reunion at a conference, they fake-kiss and tell her pestering aunties that they’re engaged. “the dating plan” follows them through this fake engagement.
let’s start with the bad news first - this book plays so heavily into stereotypes. it’s all i could think about as i read. of COURSE the software engineer is anti-social, loves the marvel universe, and is super organized and quirky. and of COURSE the “bad boy” drives a motorcycle and has a short temper paired with a traumatic past. i understand sometimes stereotypes are a bit unavoidable, but this one was chock-full of them.
there were also a LOT of events in the book that just felt dramatic or downright unrealistic. i know it’s fiction but i like to walk that fine line in romances to where something like this MIGHT happen to someone, you know?
on the other hand, i LOVED the representation in this book - i feel like software engineers and venture capitalists aren’t usually the type of characters we usually see in books to begin with, and i loved that daisy was a woman of color. reading about her family and her culture added to the reading experience for sure.
i also really enjoyed the themes that were explored in this novel. from exploring the effects of childhood trauma, to how your career should (and shouldn’t) dominate your life, and the importance of accepting yourself and your worth, i think there was a lot of good stuff packed into this one.
overall, i think this one is worth the read if you’re into the fake-dating trope and steamy romances.
cw: anxiety attacks, violence, domestic abuse, maternal abandonment, car crash, violence
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Domestic abuse
Minor: Car accident and Panic attacks/disorders