A fun rom com about two people circling one another while pretending to be engaged. Meghna's parents have left her alone about not being married- they've been more concerned with the fact that she's a teacher and not an engineer. Karthik's mother, however, is on a quest to see him engaged. Meghna's first meet turns out to be Karthik, who has no desire or intention to be married for reasons that won't be immediately clear. They make good friends and Meghna agrees when he proposes the fake engagement that will get everyone off their backs. Ah the trope! Turns out that little spark they felt grows and these two will discover they can be more than pals. I liked this for the characters and all their foibles. Kumar has a light hand with the humor and she's got good storytelling skills. Thank to Netgalley for the ARC. A nice engaging debut - hope to see more from Kumar.

If anyone is curious how arranged marriages are arranged, this is for you. Well, fake arranged marriage, anyway. Meghna and Karthik meet through parents. They decide that faking an engagement is beneficial to both of them. Meghna would have a date for her ex’s wedding and Karthik will get some relief from his mom’s matchmaking. This is entertaining read with tropes like fake relationship, single bed, long distance, opposites attract, sunshine/grumpy.

Meghna is just coasting through life waiting for the boy from college she's been in love with to realize he loves her back when an invitation to his wedding shows up at her door. Not only that but he has asked her to be his best person. It's a good thing she met Khartik on a date arranged by their parents, because they both are in need of a fake fiancé for just a little while. What could possibly go wrong?

Thank you Netgalley and Dell for an advanced copy of this book.

Tropes I love:
Fake dating
Arranged Marriage
He Fell First
He's a cinnamon roll but only for her

I mean there are more but these are the tropes that I go back to time and time again. Have you ever seen that show on netflix, Arranged? I love it. I am a glutton for arranged marriage shows like Arranged, and Married at First Sight. So when I heard that there was a book with a rishta (arranged date with the prospect of marriage) as the 'meet cute' for the main couple, I ran to Netgalley to request it.

This book had everything about my favorite tropes and the predictability I love when reading them. Khartik is a cinnamon roll who just hasn't realized it yet and Meghna lacks confidence in herself. I appreciate that this is one of those times where I didn't have to battle my irritation with the insta-love trope because M and K grow throughout the book because they have each other to rely on, without even realizing that the other person is bringing out all of the best in them.

Pros: Khartik is a consent man! We love a good hero who knows how to ask permission and not forgiveness.

Cons: Seth. I will leave it at that.

If you love a good arranged marriage trope with some fake dating/engagement I highly recommend Say You'll be Mine by Naina Kumar. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and if you want to pick up your own copy you can here. A little reminder that when you use our links to make your purchase we get a tiny bit back that we can put into buying more books to share with you!

*4.5 stars

I’m honestly so in awe of this book (especially because it’s a debut!). I was in a reading slump before this so when I started, I didn’t expect to read it so quickly. But Kumar made it so easy to immerse myself in this story with her beautiful writing and this quick momentum. It was so interesting to read a book with Indian main characters, Meghna and Karthik, navigating their expectations from their parents in both their romance life and career. Their relationships with their parents were explored so thoroughly in a way I could empathize with. This was really the first time I read a romance book that explored how family and culture could impact relationships, and it did it so well.

I was a bit worried this book would end with an unrealistic, too quick happy ending considering how much back and forth there was between the main characters, but it ended perfectly in a way that left me fulfilled. This book had everything I could want: a sweet romance, drama, realistic characters and development, and great writing. I finished this book sad to say goodbye to these characters, and wanting much more.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for a honest review!

A funny and bingeworthy debut novel about two strangers who decide to get fake engaged after being set up by their parents. Karthik wants to get his parents off his back while Meghna needs a plus one at her best friend’s wedding.

I loved the Indian representation and learning more about the culture, especially when it comes to matchmaking and wedding antics. Both main characters showed a lot of growth and I found their relationship to be believable. I will say there were a lot of side plots, and I am not sure if all of them were necessary to the story.

If you like audiobooks, Soneela Nankani was amazing and had me laughing out loud.

Read if you like:
-Grumpy/sunshine
-Wedding antics
-Fake engagement
-Indian rep and culture
-Meddling families

Thank you Random House and PRH Audio for the ARC/ALC. Pub Date 1/16

This surprisingly was a debut book! I have already added the author to my watch list. While I have read other fake engagement tropes this felt fun and fresh. Meghna and Karthik both have meddling Indian mothers trying to matchmake their children. Karthik who pledges never to marry due to his horrible father and the way he treats his mother "proposes" for a temporary engagement to bypass all the arranged dating. Meghna agrees since receiving a wedding invitation from her ex who wants her to be his "best man!" (Ugh! Seth is the worst!!)

I adored Karthik coming out of his grumpy shell and watching the two discover a real relationship through their "faking..." So many sweet, fun moments. Even though you know there will eventually be a happily ever after, I enjoyed the journey to getting there.

4.5 stars

This was a cute book but honestly seeing the blurb from Colleen Hoover really put me off it. It’s out of place and will probably make some people pass this cute rom com by in the store.

The characters were sweet and worked well together.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. DNF at 17%, This is too slow paced for me. I am incredibly bored and I don’t feel anything for the characters, so I stopped at 17%. If you like arranged marriages with Indian culture, this could be a great read for you. I’m rating this a 3 because it makes me, and I’m posting this so it doesn’t mess up my profile percentage.

4.5/5 I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book and omgg Im obsessed. The whole time I was kicking my feet and giggling. The romance was perfect and the character development was *chefs kiss*. It was a fun, fast paced, and easy read. I'll definitely be reading more books by this author <3 Ps. I still can’t believe this was a debut, I just want to keep reading more by this author!!!

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Naina Kumar really delivered on her debut novel. I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down and read it in a handful of hours!

Several tropes here but the main one being the fake engagement. I loved both main characters, Meghna & Karthik. Naina did a great job with character development and has a natural writing style that makes this a great, easy read.

This slow burn romance is a must read, especially for any fans of Sara Desai. Can’t wait to see what other books Naina blesses us with in the future!

Amazing debut!!! I highlighted so many precious moments throughout this. Okay let me tell you why I absolutely loved it:

-The FMC at the start per the premise is hung up on her newly engaged ex BUT unlike romances when the other man drama is too much or the FMC spends way too much time not with the MMC this does not happen. Meghna is very realistic about this and it is way more about her own self exploration journey as to why she has this reaction and how she treats her relationships. The ex in question is also a pretty one dimensional character (in a good way) and serves the plot in ways that make sense. I was absolutely rooting for the two love interested the whole time. She's also open with the MMC the whole time about holding a torch for the ex and yet he never really feels like a competing love interest. My fav!
-The two main characters have humor and personality. They also have so much character growth in ways I don't want to spoil. It is masterful how this author can balance an individual journey as well as develop their connection to each other.
-MMC Karthik gives major Darcy vibes!! I love when dual POV can serve a purpose. If we only had Meghna's POV he would seem so grumpy and cold the whole time, but because it flips we see his real thoughts and feelings in certain situations and it softs him and makes him so endearing. He's just a kind of awkward standoffish guy at first but there's so much more under the surface.
-Loved the side characters and side plot. They added drama, humor, and charm to this book.
-The cultural aspects of this were also great. I loved the side discussions on tradition and how their families balance what used to be done and how they do things now. They both agree to matchmaking attempts from their parents but they each still hold on to agency. There is absolutely nuance as well.

For readers curious there is open door spice, probably a 1.5-2 pepper rating, the scenes are only mildly descriptive and there are maybe 2-3.

I highly recommend this!! Thank you to Random House Ballantine/Dell for this eARC.

Fabulous debut from Naina Kumar! A cute romance with Indian culture representation with lots of tropes - friends to lovers, slow burn, close proximity, dual POV, and the biggest one of all, fake engagement. Meghna and Karthik use the fake engagement to survive an ex's wedding and the matchmaking pressures from their family members. Their relationship develops over time and I was excited to keep reading to see how the story would unfold. Both characters experience personal growth and I enjoyed learning more about Indian culture. Pick this one up when it publishes 1/16/24!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book, which is saying something since I've never truly liked romance books just have never been my favorite genre but there have been some books that almost swayed my opinion. This hadn't exactly made me suddenly appreciate romance books but it definitely was fun an refreshing to read.

Meghna and Karthik are in a fake engagement for each of their own reasons. Meghna needs a date for her ex's wedding, and Karthik needs to get his mother off his back from arranging more marriage meetings with potential brides. The friendship they develop is sweet to watch come together, and their relationship also develops nicely.

Be forewarned, this one is heavy on the miscommunication/lack of communication trope. The only reason it works, in my opinion, is because it's believable that two people who don't know each other very well despite jumping into a relationship would want to err on not communicating in order to not "rock the boat". If you absolutely despite this trope though, this may be a book you go into cautiously.

Overall, I was along for the ride on this one and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for this advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. Say You’ll Be Mine is a story that brings together Meghna and Karthik in a fake engagement, which for different reasons, serves a purpose for them both. However, what started out as fake becomes more than either could have guessed or bargained for.

This book was so cute and enjoyable! It is definitely a feel good romance so, you can likely predict how it ends but, that didn’t stop me from fully enjoying this comfort read. Meghna and Karthik both had their own issues that they had to confront as the book went on but, generally they were both very endearing and likable and I was rooting for them to get it together so they could have their happy ending. There were some elements of their backstories that felt a bit rushed but, I appreciated that it allowed us to dive right into the romance of focus instead. I also enjoyed the Indian cultural nuances, customs, and elements throughout the book and appreciated watching the characters embrace some aspects of this, while rejecting those that didn’t work for them.

This was most definitely a feel good romance and was a great page turner that left me with a smile and feeling refreshed. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to any romance or rom-com fiction lovers!

Adorable and endearing Indian romance, which is just as heartfelt for anyone who doesn't know all the Indian traditions. As a friends to lovers trope, this easily pulls you into Meghna & Karthik's story as they meet with the goal of an arranged marriage. Meghna desperately wants love and is stunned by her best friend and ex-boyfriend getting married to someone else. Karthik wants his mother to stop setting him up with meetings as he has no intention of ever getting married. A deal between the two is hatched, and an entertaining tale ensues. This was my first book by Naina Kumar, and I really loved how she blended the Indian customs with modern day stressors and dilemmas. You can't help but root for a happy ending, and this definitely leaves a smile on your face. Thanks so much to Naina, Kumar, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc!

Meghna, sunshine, middle school teacher, wants a love match, grumpy Karthik made a promise to his mom to entertain an arranged marriage, meeting possible matches for the next year (we're talking they're flying back and forth across the country every other weekend), even though he has no intentions of actually getting married. Karthik and his mom end up at Meghna's parents. Immediate mutual attraction between them but they agree that because they don't want the same things to continue on with their individual love (or lack there of) quests.
Fast forward to Karthik scheming that if he had a fiancé, his mom wouldn't push for more meet cutes and cross country trips. He calls and proposes to Meghna that they fake being engaged. Perfect timing for her once she actually considers it because she just got asked to be the best man in her friend Seth's wedding. The friend that she has been in love with since college.

What I think was supposed to be an enemies to lovers was more of fake engaged to friends to feelings and their friendship was just so so sweet (I mean, when Karthik went to see Les mis to connect to Meghna 🥰🥰 made my theatre loving heart positively meellllltt!) I loved their intentionality and growth throughout the book. It felt realistic and overall relatable, and the girl power moments were the icing on the cake. Hoping for a follow up book on her besties story!


Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review!

I picked Say You'll Be Mine because I really enjoy fake dating and arranged marriage books! I liked the characters a lot in this one but the romance didn't totally work for me.

I thought this story was well-written and the characters were interesting. I sympathized with Karthik's family situation and was interested in Meghna's relationship with Seth. Unfortunately, I wasn't super invested in Meghna and Karthik's relationship. I liked that they treated each other well but I felt like that was what bonded them. They were nice to each other and they hadn't experienced that much in relationships. I was happy for them but not super invested.

Interestingly, I was much more interested in the side relationship between Meghna's best friend and brother. I wish we had gotten their POV as well or that had been a sequel! It wasn't written in a way that lead me to believe it would be though.

Overall, I liked this story but didn't love it. I won't reread it but it may just not have been meant for me.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a cute love story! N. Kumar definitely follows the formula for how to write a feel-good romance, but also injects culture and honest dialogue about societal and familial expectations, as well as an individual’s expectations for themselves when feeling loneliness and wanting to feel love.

It was lovely to experience Meghna & Karthik as individual characters, but also to experience and have side stories about their family and friends surrounding them.

*Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5

First of all, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me of an ARC of Say You'll Be Mine. I wasn't expecting myself to be approved so I was surprised when the notification appeared on my phone, and I'm glad to say that I enjoyed every single second of me reading this.

Say You'll Be Mine follows Meghna and Karthik, who got introduced to each other by their mothers in hopes of a potential match. They both decided to fake an engagement to escape more matchmaking from their parents and to help Meghna survive an ex-wedding who she may/may not is still in love with.

I really loved this for numerous reasons. Say You'll Be Mine is a classic fake-dating rom-com - it has all the shenanigans that comes with fake dating and even though I probably have read a few similar ones, I had a blast reading it. And the characters too! I would say the characters felt a little stereotypical at times (Asian parents their children to be engineers instead of writers, etc) but I really loved Meghna and Karthik and enjoyed their character development so much. One thing I appreciated was that despite Karthik being described as a "robot" or rigid in the beginning, he wasn't an asshole to Meghna or the other characters as a lot of romance authors seem to confuse grumpy with being rude to everyone.

I also really loved the romance. Great development without rushing into the romance quickly (I would even say it's a little slow burn?) and I really just loved the moments we had of Meghna and Karthik together - of how they were there for each other, was not afraid to call each other out and seemed protective of each other. I also liked how they pushed each other to be their best despite not realizing it. There was some miscommunication I would say but it didn't frustrate me because I also liked how they communicated and talked with each other.

Anyway this was a solid rom-com and I would definitely recommend this to everyone in need of one. Honestly this book would be so good as a movie that I kinda need it to be one.