Book Review: The Dating Plan (Marriage Game #2) by Sara Desai

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Sara Desai
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 16th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Daisy Patel is a software engineer who understands lists and logic better than bosses and boyfriends. With her life all planned out, and no interest in love, the one thing she can’t give her family is the marriage they expect. Left with few options, she asks her childhood crush to be her decoy fiance.

Liam Murphy is a venture capitalist with something to prove. When he learns that his inheritance is contingent on being married, he realizes his best friend’s little sister has the perfect solution to his problem. A marriage of convenience will get Daisy’s matchmaking relatives off her back and fulfill the terms of his late grandfather’s will. If only he hadn’t broken her tender teenage heart nine years ago…

Sparks fly when Daisy and Liam go on a series of dates to legitimize their fake relationship. Too late, they realize that very little is convenient about their arrangement. History and chemistry aren’t about to follow the rules of this engagement.

YAY FOR FAKE DATING.

This was a charming read!! With one of my favorite tropes: fake dating/fake fiance I was charmed from the beginning. I listened to it on audio too and really enjoyed that format.

I don’t think this was anything ground-breaking in the contemporary romance department but I found it an easy, entertaining read that flew by. I had a hard time putting it down and found myself smitten with Liam. His antics had me bursting out with laughter (especially playing with a sword, NOT a euphemism haha). I loved his story and learning everything about him and his family. His connection with Daisy was instantaneous and the fire was immediately lit again. I adored the banter and romance between them.

What I did not love were the very cringey love scenes. Something about the dialogue and the way it was written did not mesh well with me. It was like the initial banter and flow went out the door to try and add steam when I think it could have been directed in a better manner.

I also haaaated the conflict/resolution. It was roll my eyes, bad Hallmark movie worthy. I couldn’t believe how Liam handled it and everything that went along just to stretch out the story. I wish something else would have been used to further the plot rather than this gross miscommunication.

I love that Daisy was an engineer and found her niche among her friends and her job. It was an aspect I always appreciate in a story. It was nice to get both points-of-view between Liam and Daisy to get the full scoop from both sides.

Overall audiece notes: