Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available June 9th 2020

What a fun, sexy and addicting read! I couldn't put down Sara Desai's The Marriage Game, the irrepressible romance between lovelorn Layla Patel and the solemn manly Sam Mehta. When Layla moves back to her family home, she discovers her father has put her bio on "desilovematch.com". Lucky for her, her new office partner, the handsome Sam Mehta, is willing to help her, for a price of course. And so unfolds a story of Bollywood-like epicness in its ever expanding roll of comedic caricatures including a pop punk social media detective cousin, a CIA agent and a movie loving gangster, an endless delicious Indian cuisine and witty banter. I don't think I've laughed this much in a while.

While this had all the makings of a good romcom, it was kind of forgettable. I adore hate to love romance and this premise was similar to one of my favorite reads last year, Ten Blind Dates. However, the characters weren't strong enough for me. I didn't connect to them in a way I had hoped. I think this is a cute and well put together read but it's just not something I would go out of my way to read. It was still a cute, diverse read.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

If you are a fan of rom-coms and the hate to love you trope this may be for you. Personally,I like romances that have less of a lusty, sexual feel to them but I can definitely picture myself recommending this to some friends that like their romance with more sex than I do. I thinks there is good charcacter development. I found myself getting so angry with some characters I wanted to yell at them. That's good right? It means you are invested in them. If I was to do a book talk on rom-coms to add to your TBR list for 20202 this title would be included on that list.

I loved the hook of this story! The family dynamics and the secrets between the main characters were wonderful. Also appreciated the cultural specificities around each character. This was such a wonderful, dynamic read that I needed right now!

I started out 2020 reading an explosion of books. And then this global pandemic hit and I simply stopped. I couldn't seem to pick up a book and when I did, I couldn't seem to focus on it. But then I started reading The Marriage Game by Sara Desai just a couple of short days ago and I'm already finished! That right there should tell you just how captivating this sweet (and spicy!) RomCom is. The premise of the book is Layla, the prodigal daughter returned home, to find love and marriage with the help of a dating app and profile her father put up for her. The process she goes through is hysterical, especially since it hits so close to the mark! The banter between Layla and all the characters is delightful and charming, especially with Sam, and had me laughing out loud often! And an added bonus for me was learning more about desi (Indian) culture, terms, food and more. This book was a true escape and I want to thank Berkeley Publishing for giving me and advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pub Date: 09 Jun 2020
#TheMarriageGame #NetGalley

I really liked the descriptions of food and the family dynamics in this book. Layla and Sam had some witty back-and-forth, and the dates with the suitors were funny as well (if a little over the top). I thought Sam and Layla had decent chemistry on the surface but not that much in the plot to back it up, and I found their lack of communication to be pretty frustrating at times. The ending was really cute, and it wrapped up the different threads of the book pretty nicely.

This is the first book that I have read by author Sara Desai and I loved it.

This book is HILARIOUS!! I was literally LOL-ing throughout the entirety of this novel. Desai gives many witty repartees and it’s just perfect. Layla is such an incredibly relatable character, because I mean honestly who doesn’t drown their sorrows and stress in food. Her chemistry with Sam was very well portrayed as well.

The biggest issue I had with the novel is just how it ended, it was very anticlimactic. It felt stilted and forced at the end. But overall it was a book that I enjoyed reading

I adored Layla and Sam. Their dynamic was so fresh and fun. Their interactions seemed authentic with each other and those around them. Reading The Marriage Game you felt like part of their world and included in all the family and food.

I enjoyed every one of Layla’s blind dates. Sam’s commentary while chaperoning these dates created genuine laugh out loud moments. The date with the “spy” was my favorite. Even the date in which Sam was just in her head was funny. As they begin to fall in love, these dates get more amusing and more sexually charged.

The premise of why they are thrown together and why they continue sharing their office seems valid and well thought through. Their past hurts, disappointments and guilt are relatable.

From what I can tell, this is a debut novel. It was impressive. I look forward to more from Sara Desai.


Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC

This is an absolutely amazing romance! I felt like they were being absolutely unnecessarily stubborn at times, and their love was passionate and sweet but, it works. I'm looking forward to adding this author to my list anticipated reads.

Good chemistry between the main characters, but the rest of the story didn't feel strong enough to support them. I didn't ever feel sympathetic towards each characters' conflicts and Sam's backstory seemed the weaker of the two. Nevertheless, it was interesting peek into the culture and the food descriptions were amazing: definitely get some cookbooks ordered from the library after this read.

What a READ this was. Quarantine really has ruined my motivation to do anything and this book pulled me right out of my reading rut.

Layla and Sam have an interesting set up going on after Layla's father falls ill suddenly, after promising both an office space without letting the other know they were no longer going to be renting the space out to them. While they learn to coexist, Layla's father also had a project up his sleeve in which he was going to find his daughter a suitable husband. When Sam senses the danger, he agrees to accompany her on these date/interviews, and thus begins the forming of a unique and exciting friendship... although they may not know it yet.

These two were funny and super entertaining. I was intrigued and delighted the entire time. I hope this book sees all the greatest things and does well because it is wonderful and deserves just as much.

At one point I was fine with this book. I wasn't in love but I was enjoying it, nonetheless. The bad suitors were really humorous to read about. Then the main guy, Sam, does something so cringe worthy, so head-desk worthy that any goodwill I had for him evaporated. How the main lady, Layla, even forgave him for that blunder, I don't know.

I have been having trouble reading lately, but as soon as I picked up The Marriage Game I flew through it. This book was so much fun, I loved it. Layla Patel is back home after having lost both her job and her boyfriend. Her father, worried about his daughter and wanting her to be happy, creates a profile for her on desilovematch.com to facilitate an arranged marriage. Layla, meanwhile, is busy trying to start her own company and fighting over office space with her father's new tenant Sam. I really liked Layla and Sam - they were both complicated people who don't always do the right thing (Sam, especially), but they were trying to redeem themselves for past mistakes. I especially liked that I wasn't sure how it would all work out for them - they had serious obstacles to overcome. At the same time, this book was hilarious. Layla's suitors, in particular, were really funny, as was her family. I'm really hoping this is the start to a series, as I'd love to join this world again. Highly recommended!

The Marriage Game would make a great romantic comedy film. It's got all the staples- love hate romance, steamy scenes, a young woman whose trying to go on dates with the 10 men her now hospital bound father tried to help her get into an arranged marriage with....Its really something. Like the "7 evil ex boyfriends", Layla's suitors are absolutely bonkers- from delusional CIA ehnthusiastics to gym rats and traditional Indian bachelors. Get ready for a goofy and strange trip.

This is Layla Patel's story about finding love.

And the story of her lovable restaurant owning family family.

This is also a story about Sam, the big shot with a heart of gold, who aids Layla on her quest to find a husband while also argue- flirting with her non stop.

And his wheelchair bound sister whose fate pushed Sam into rejecting his heritage.

The beautiful part about The Marriage Game is the deep love of Indian-American culture that is dropping in this story, and the way it's presented in a way that can be palatable to Desi folks and people with no understanding of what Indian culture is at all. Its the Big Fat Greek Wedding of it's kind. This was one of the aspects that engaged me so much. Whether it was a family cooking, Layla navigating the concept of arrange marriage, or characters chatting about their favorite Bollywood films, this book feels like a true love the author wrote to her culture.

Some issues I had were some of the tone/story shift, I often felt like there were too many storylines juggled in one, but none of them bored me.

I don't love romance, but I was absolutely charmed by The Marriage Game and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, quick read.

This contemporary romance/rom-com was so entertaining. I couldn’t get enough of Sam and Layla who start as adversaries but get to know each other as he chaperones dates with her and 10 potential husbands that her father has arranged for her. What could do wrong? Or in this case- what could go so very right?

WHAT I LOVED:

Strong, independent, fiesty & flawed characters to root for.

Fast moving and well written.

Sexy, funny banter. I chortled more than once.

A strong supporting cast including a loud, loving set of Aunties.

So.much.Indian food. But where are the recipes? I’m hungry here :)

It has some sizzle.

This book was an utter delight! I loved the characters, Layla's fabulous family, and the whole concept of the "game" between Layla and Sam. The food descriptions made me SO hungry, too. By far, my favorite scene was the one about shapewear. I laughed so hard. Too often while reading romance, I always think, "Isn't it convenient she's wearing cute underwear and never anything with tummy control, etc." And this book delivered both ratty, plain cotton undies AND shapewear, and the most fabulously accurate description of what's involved in taking it off.

These are just two examples of how hilarious this book is, and that it treats sex and romance in a way that is both fun and relatable, two things I love finding in a great romance. I absolutely adored this one and can't sing its praises enough. All the stars!

So fun and such a sexy read! I love the playfulness and dialogue between our two protagonists. Layla is a spitfire and such a gem to read. The book is perfectly funny, witty and clever in terms of its dialogue and the writing. I'm so excited to see more from this author in the future.

An amusing romance set with the usual characters - asshole friend, invasive family, spunky sidekick and levels of miscommunication. Enjoyable surface read to while away the social distancing episode in our lives.

Sara Desai’s The Marriage game is a fabulous diverse, sexy romcom full of sweet and sexy banter, drool-worthy food descriptions, quirky family members, and fun Bollywood references.

Layla is moving home after a disastrous breakup and subsequent firing. Her dad has said she can use the office above the family’s Indian restaurant for her new recruitment business. Unfortunately for her, her father has already rented the office. Falling ill. Her father hasn't had the chance to talk to Sam, the serious, corporate hatchet man who’s already signed the lease. The two can’t agree who gets the office space so they engage in a wager.

Layla will go on ten dates with men her father chose as potential husbands for her. If she accepts one of the proposed arranged marriages, Sam gets the office. If she doesn’t agree to a marriage, she keeps the office.

What follows is a steamy enemies to lovers romance. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Wow. All the steam, comedy, and swoon-worthy romance. While I would leave liked the graphic sex scene to not be there, I loved this book. It was laugh-out-loud hilarious and full of wit. Some of the antics of the characters were so comedic and I didn’t want to stop reading. I highly recommend this book!!