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A review by ame_lepage
The Marriage Game by Sara Desai
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Wow. This was probably the worst romance I have ever read.
Let's just get the few positives out of the way.
First, I liked Sam's sister, John and Layla's father. That's pretty much it.
Second, I did enjoy the cultural aspect of the story, with the restaurant and everything that surrounded it.
But oh man the rest...
This book was filled with unlikeable characters, full of stereotypes and misogyny. I initially thought that the author would seize the opportunity to strongly criticize toxic masculinity, hypersexualisation and just sexism in general. But she just gave us mixed signals.
Layla was constantly saying people were sexist and she was telling people they were sexist. But then? She tolerated similar things from other people and it infuriated me.
Sam was sexist. At many occasions, he objectified Layla and he pulled misogynistic comments. I understand physical attraction, but I just felt so uncomfortable. He talked about her as if she was his to look at how he wanted when he wanted.
All the female workers were portrayed as unprofessional and constantly trying to get laid. There was not one single female character who was not trying to get Sam to sleep with him.
Layla and Sam were most of the time horrible people. They were disrespectful and I sometimes thought they were alone, but realised they were saying these horrible things in front of the person in question. They annoyed the hell out of me.
Every single men Layla met were heavily stereotyped, no nuances or depth in their characters. Can someone explain to the author that not every single guy is an asshole.
Anyway, one of the worst books I have read this year. And the worst thing is that I might read the two other books in the series. We'll see.
Let's just get the few positives out of the way.
First, I liked Sam's sister, John and Layla's father. That's pretty much it.
Second, I did enjoy the cultural aspect of the story, with the restaurant and everything that surrounded it.
But oh man the rest...
This book was filled with unlikeable characters, full of stereotypes and misogyny. I initially thought that the author would seize the opportunity to strongly criticize toxic masculinity, hypersexualisation and just sexism in general. But she just gave us mixed signals.
Layla was constantly saying people were sexist and she was telling people they were sexist. But then? She tolerated similar things from other people and it infuriated me.
Sam was sexist. At many occasions, he objectified Layla and he pulled misogynistic comments. I understand physical attraction, but I just felt so uncomfortable. He talked about her as if she was his to look at how he wanted when he wanted.
All the female workers were portrayed as unprofessional and constantly trying to get laid. There was not one single female character who was not trying to get Sam to sleep with him.
Layla and Sam were most of the time horrible people. They were disrespectful and I sometimes thought they were alone, but realised they were saying these horrible things in front of the person in question. They annoyed the hell out of me.
Every single men Layla met were heavily stereotyped, no nuances or depth in their characters. Can someone explain to the author that not every single guy is an asshole.
Anyway, one of the worst books I have read this year. And the worst thing is that I might read the two other books in the series. We'll see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny