The Dating Plan
(Marriage Game #2)
by Sara Desai
Publisher: Berkley romance
Publication date: March 16, 2021
Genre: Romance
Rating:
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.
My thoughts…
When Daisy bumps into her childhood crush, the last thing she expects is to end up engaged to him, but that’s exactly what happens. With Daisy’s family pestering her to get married, and bringing random guys over to meet her, she’d do anything to make them stop. So, when Liam pops back in the picture, she makes up a bogus story that he’s her fiancee so that her aunts will stop the match making. However, when Liam’s grandfather passes away and the will states he has to be married by his birthday in order to inherit the distillery, he realizes he has only a couple months to find a bride. So, when Daisy plays him off as her fiancee, they decide to strike up a deal. They will go through the motions of getting married so that her family will leave her alone, and Liam can get the distillery. However, what started off as fake, soon becomes real as they spend time together.
This was a cute story. I really liked that these two knew each other as kids. Liam was Daisy’s brother’s best friend. He was always around the house and she had the hugest crush on him. However, on the night of her prom, Liam stood her up as her date and the family never heard from him again. He just disappeared without a word. So, to say things are a little rocky when Liam pops back into the picture would be putting it mildly. The entire family felt betrayed by Liam because he was one of them and then just left without word. Liam was just such a sweet and kindhearted character, though, that you couldn’t help but love him. He did whatever he had to do to win over Daisy and her family. If it meant eating some disgusting concoction that her aunt created so that he didn’t hurt her feelings, then he did it. Honestly, Liam was by far the best character in this story.
I also enjoyed the fact that we got a lot of behind the scenes footage of Liam and Daisy’s job. Whether it was being on a sinking ship and watching your friends get laid off, or sitting in a conference room having someone pitch you the idea of kombucha scoby sex toys, the readers were given a look in both Liam and Daisy’s lives. I really appreciated the fact that the author took the time to give us that instead of only showing us the moments when these two were together. Not only did it make for entertaining reading, but it allowed me to get a feel for the characters and connect with them a bit more on a personal level.
The Dating Plan is a cute romantic read. It’s also great as a stand-alone. I didn’t read the previous book in the series, and I never felt like I was missing something. The author has a great way of tying the last book with this one without making you feel like you missed something or making it feel like a recap. I loved the culture the author included in this story as well as the behind the scenes stuff with the characters at work. If you’re looking for a cute romantic read about two childhood crushes meeting up decades later, then give this a read.
That sounds like a good book. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews for this one, which is why I’ve put off reading it. I feel like I should start it sooner rather than later, or I might not start it at all. I’m glad you were still able to find things to like about the book!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?