Delightfully Entertaining and Heartwarming!

The Dating Plan* by Sara Desai is a delightful rom-com that delivers a perfect blend of humor, heart, and cultural richness. The chemistry between Daisy Patel and Liam Murphy felt electric, and their fake engagement-to-real-love journey is filled with witty banter, charming mishaps, and genuinely tender moments. Desai does an excellent job of weaving in themes of family expectations, career aspirations, and cultural identity without making the story feel heavy. The characters are well-developed, and Daisy’s quirky, strong-willed personality makes her a relatable and endearing protagonist. Liam’s evolution from the bad-boy stereotype to a loving, responsible partner is both satisfying and believable. The plot, while somewhat predictable in its romantic tropes, is executed with such warmth and humor that it doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, *The Dating Plan* is a charming, feel-good read that leaves you with a smile.

Loved the story and the way the characters are developed. Sara Desai stories are always enjoyable. They always leave a smile on your face.

I would recommend it to all readers.

This one wasnt cor me. The concept was there and i was super intrigued, but it just didnt grip my attention the way i wanted it too.

"The Dating Plan" by Sara Desai is quite the mixed bag. It’s a light-hearted romance with a fun fake dating trope that fans of the genre will recognize and enjoy. Desai’s writing style is easy and engaging, making it a breezy read. However, the plot does feel a bit predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. It’s like that cute rom-com you watch on a lazy Sunday – enjoyable but not particularly memorable. I’m giving it a solid 3 stars. It’s good for a few laughs and some sweet moments, but it doesn't quite leave a lasting impression. Perfect for a quick, feel-good read!

The Dating Plan is the second book that I’ve read from author Sara Desai. This one was a little better than Marriage Game, where I actually enjoyed it, but it still wasn’t a favorite. I’m hoping I will find one book from Sara Desai that I’m going to love. I’m not giving up because I do find Sara Desai’s stories adorable and humorous.

The Dating Plan includes the following tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating/Engagement, Brother’s Best Friend (only mentioned), and a Slow Burn Romance. I liked the idea of the plot behind this book, where the two characters are enemies that turn into lovers who knew each other years ago. Liam (MMC) needs Daisy’s (FMC) help to gain the inheritance that his grandfather left them, but it involves getting married. The issue is Liam broke Daisy’s heart nine years ago when he never showed up to take her to her prom, and he left without explanation. She never got over it and is hesitant to help him, especially when he won’t tell her why he never took her to prom. The reason, in my opinion, could have easily been addressed nine years ago if he had told her.

I thought it was silly that Daisy still hadn’t gotten over what happened at prom, but she was a teenager at the time, and prom was a big deal, and she had feelings for Liam during that time. She didn’t get to experience prom, and it broke my heart for her. I found it even more ridiculous that Liam wouldn’t tell her the truth, and it took forever for him to admit it to her, even after they had arranged to have a fake engagement.

I’ve found that I like the FMCs more than the MMCs in Sara Desai’s books, which was the case in the previous book and this one. Daisy’s character is quirky and adorable, and she reminded me so much of someone I know in real life, which is why I liked her character. It was also refreshing to read a character who is a Software Engineer. I’m tired of reading books where the characters are influences of some kind.

It did take me a bit to like Liam, and it was all due to what he did to Daisy years ago and him not telling her the truth. Once I read his POV and how he felt for Daisy, he eventually redeemed himself. Both characters were complex and had some things to work out, not only with the past but also with their families. Poor Daisy was having her Aunts try to hook her up with other men while she tried to make them believe she was with Liam, even though it was fake. Then there was Liam and his family and how he grew up. No wonder why he left.

Overall, this was an okay book, and I’m hoping the next book in this series I will enjoy more.

Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5

Steam/Spice: 🌶.5

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Marriage Game series, but could be read as a standalone.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy a lighthearted Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy.

Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Contemporary Romance | Romantic Comedy

Trope(s)/Element(s): Enemies to Lovers | Fake Relationship | Brother’s Best Friend | Second Chances | Slow Burn

I love a good fake dating trope and The Dating Plan was amazing! It was so easy to come to love the main characters, Daisy and Liam. I didn't realize this book was part of a series so I will definitely be looking for more! Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Fake dating is usually a solid 4-stars for me but this one fell flat.

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

It always surprises me when I pick up a romance and it's so good that I can't stop reading it. This was definitely the case for The Dating Plan.

I didn't realize this book is the second in the series, but I had no problems with context. It was only halfway through that I realized Layla and Sam were the subjects of the first book, so you can definitely read this alone.

The story follows Daisy and Liam, two very broken people with their own separate baggage who knew each other from their youth and then come together in their adulthood to dupe their families into believing that they are getting married. Wow, that was an elevator pitch. Daisy hates Liam for leaving her high and dry on prom night. Liam has a secret past with reasons for not being there, but he's always had a special place in his heart for Daisy. And when the two meet again at a tech conference, Daisy immediately recruits him as her fake fiance sparking the idea to dupe both of their families to believing they're engaged.

I really loved the use of second chance/fake dating in this one. The story was consistent throughout (I hate it when a romance drops off the original premise halfway through) and I really fell in love with the characters. Daisy reminded me so much of myself, except maybe I don't have Avengers underwear. Liam is the reformed bad boy that everyone wants too and the fact that Liam wanted Daisy was just icing on the cake.

The ending was where it kind of fell off for me. I thought it dragged a bit trying to wrap things up, but it was still entertaining all the way to the end. There was definitely more than just the romance going for this one, so it kept me intrigued throughout.

I enjoyed this story. It had some great moments. Fake fiancees falling for each other..who knew!! A fun, lighthearted read. Now to go back and read the rest of this series!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm a sucker for the #fakedating trope and the #MarriageGame series by #SaraDesai is just something else, because of all the aunties that want to marry you off to a suitor and all the chaotic family happenings.😂

These books just made me laugh and giggle so much. They simply make me happy and are such #feelgood books!! So The Dating Plan really wasn't any different.❤️

Daisy and Liam were fun, both have amazing personalities (I especially admire Daisy for being so successful and down to earth and I love her love for planing and her humour and just everything about her!!) and they are so so good together!! 😍

Of course they both have their package to carry, especially Liam with the distillery, but the support they gave each other (even if it started with Daisy hating Liam 🤪) was wonderful.🙌🏻
Their relationship went from in love way back in the past, to hate, to allies, to friends to lovers and the entire development was so nice to witness.💕

I don't want to say too much, because I feel like there's a lot of potential for spoilers, but let me say this: If you like fake dating and fake engagement, sweet and spicy scenes, chaotic family bonds and a good anount of humour? This book or rather the entire series will surely be your cup of tea.🥰

A wonderful feel good and heartwarming book! Such a fun romance read full of fake fiances and marriages! Sara Desai knows how to create the perfect sassy, adorable and sexy characters.

Dating Plan is a feel good, funny rom com. It has a fake dating trope which I tend to enjoy. I also loved the diversity and cultural background of the characters- it is always refreshing to have this!

Desai's novels are excellent romance reads, with plenty of humor and emotion. I always enjoy a marriage of convenience plot, and Desai does an excellent job updating it for modern times!

This book was the perfect choice for a summer weekend getaway by the pool. The chemistry between Liam and Daisy was scorching! It has just enough laughter, romance, angst and drama to keep me entertained and engrossed. I really enjoyed this book and have recommended it to all of my book friends!

I did not realize this was a sequel and felt a little lost with the story. Had to DNF this one. Will update my review if I ever pick this one up again.

Not my favorite, but I should've expected that with this genre trope! Fake dating can go awry quickly.

These characters are strangely underdeveloped and a fairly scattered plot keeps this book from being a slam-dunk romance.

What a cute, feel-good story! I love a fake dating trope, and THE DATING PLAN featured such a great cast of loveable and quirky characters.

I loved the chemistry between Daisy and Liam, and author Sara Desai brought the drama and the laughs.

*many thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I started this one and I had a hard time getting into the book. It just wasn't grabbing me at the time, so I did not finish... I appreciate the consideration!