I LOVED THIS BOOK. I might be biased since I’m a teacher and my mother has been looking for mans that’s an engineer for me. I can only hope this is how it turns out for me. Over all the characters are loveable. The story line is cute I always love a good fake engagement trope.

Such a sweet romance about two people who are in very different positions in life and in their relationships with their families but have the same core feeling of not being enough for other people. Meghna and Karthik's chemistry is electric and has you on the edge of your seat from the beginning. I think this is a really good debut novel and I'm excited to see what Kumar writes in the future. I think my favorite part was that we can see our characters growing into the happiest versions of themselves with each other, especially in regards to their careers and higher education. I love that Kumar portrayed contentment in those areas as a possibility, I feel like so often in books that people are shown to either be ecstatic or dismal about their careers and that in between grey space is real and acceptable. My only critique of the book was the perspective, I think this would have been so much more power written in split first person between Meghna and Karthik. Beyond that I just wish there was less miscommunication! We see them almost reach their joint realization so many times but be deterred by the strangest, smallest thing at the last second.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

When her secret crush becomes engaged to another, teacher Meghna agrees to a fake engagement with engineer Karthik to appease their parents. While their undeniable chemistry deepens, their uncertainty threatens their growing connection.

This adorable and heartfelt novel goes beyond the romantic relationship to explore how the couple allow their own insecurities and the the weight of parental expectations to keep them from pursuing their dreams. The opening was a little slow for me (I like fast-paced novels), but apart from that, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and well-written debut.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was well-written and engaging, but I couldn't fully read it coz of the triggers.. I skimmed the middle and skipped to the end, but I'd say if you're okay with/aware of the triggers, it should be okay!

TWs (incomplete list since I skimmed some of the book) - FMC who is being led on by her ex for a huge portion of time on page and off page (before the story started), sexual harassment and misogyny (off page)

-- got an advanced copy from Netgalley

This book was SO SWEET. There is truly nothing I love more than a fake dating situation. it had all of the things that makes for the perfect rom-com : the fake engagement, the fact Meghna wants a love marriage and Karthik is totally against marriage, the fact that she’s the best man in her ex’s wedding and he is a total douche canoe, when they started casually looking for job opportunities in each others sanity!!! when they ran to the other in their times of need!!!

Meghna and Karthik were perfect. Well, not at first!! Their banter and the way they didn’t fully understand each other, and really struggled to communicate made everything so good. It was a challenge for both of them and that really worked in their favor! They both clearly were developing feelings but since Karthik was so against marriage from the start, neither of them actually knew what to do with their feelings. So when they finally sorted things out, the reward was worth the wait!

I also loved the emotional journey Karthik was on. He desperately wanted to NOT become like his father, he was so scared that it was inevitable. But finding Meghna and finding someone he might actually care for really changed his outlook. And he was able to finally talk to his mom about a lot of things that helped him change his ways of thinking. It was so sweet to see the end result for him.

I love a sweet sweet debut novel like this one!! I can’t wait for it to be out in the world for everyone to read!

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing - Ballantine and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my gravy! This was sweet, romantic, cozy, and had quips of humor throughout. When I began reading this, I was thinking it might turn out more like Maid of Honor with Patrick Dempsey. That would have ruined the delight of a read this was. The writing was excellent, the character development on pointe, and the plot was great!

I thought this book was absolutely adorable. It was a nice, sweet, read.

I was happy that the “villain” got what was coming to them in the book in the most fantastic female empowerment way. I wish everything like that worked out in the same way for anyone else in a similar situation. I enjoyed the issues addressed by both characters however I feel like a lot of supporting character drama was brought in then quickly swept away. I am not sure what purpose most of it served to the story overall.

While the ending was very predictable, I still think it was done very well and in a unique style. I recommend this book if you need a light, quick, read for escapism.

Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar is a cute and realistic debut novel.
The story was cute and charming. It’s funny, wholesome and so much fun!! Naina Kumar delivered that and so much more!!
The characters are real, flawed and I truly enjoyed being in their company.
They are such down to earth characters that I loved them immediately.
The author describes the setting of this book so perfectly that I felt like I was there in the story.
I had a blast with this book. A lighthearted, funny, and sweet read that will leave you smiling nonstop.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Dell for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

If you are looking for an uplifting and joyful book, this debut novel hits the mark. Meghna is a teacher and aspiring playwright, somewhat of a disappointment to her mother, an engineer. Meghna has a long term crush on her former boyfriend when she finds out he is getting married. Karthik is a mechanical engineer in NYC, agreeing to let his mother try to arrange a marriage for him to get her off his back. He meets Meghna in Dallas at an arranged meeting, but sparks don’t necessarily fly. The two decide to fake an engagement to satisfy Karthik’s mother, and to make Meghna’s ex jealous. There are many laughs, a lot of sexy scenes, and some serious discussions of family issues. Highly recommend this most enjoyable novel, and I look forward to more from this author.

** I received an advance copy of this book for review.**

Say You’ll Be Mine is like movie theater popcorn; light and fun, and you just can’t stop!

Tropes/microtropes:
-fake engagement
-“let’s do PDA so everyone thinks this is real”
-only one bed
-everyone thinks they’re a disappointment to their parents
-“I don’t believe in marriage because my parents’ marriage is in shambles”
-SUNSCREEN APPLICATION

Meghna’s best friend (and ex) is getting married and asks her to be best man. Karthik never wanted to get married but that’s all his parents want. He’s up for a promotion and needs to seem more committed. When their parents set them up, the pair agree to be fake engaged to get their parents off their backs and give her a date to the wedding.

The more they pretend, the more real it gets, but will they overcome their differences and end up together?

__________

I really enjoyed Say You’ll Be Mine. I think this is a great book for fans of light romcoms. My two favorite things are Meghna’s funny shirt obsession and her parents’ story.

Thanks to Netgalley, Ballantine, and the author for the ARC!

This book spoke to me in so many ways. I love the look into both Meghna and Karthik's lives and what has kept them from forming lasting relationships and self esteem issues. That combined with family issues, Meghna's obsession with her male best friend, and the need for them to get married to appease their families due to their culture, you get a fascinating look at how pressures can lead you to do thing you might normally not do.

Overall, Meghna was a bit much at times and the miscommunication was annoying at times, but overall, the chemistry that Meghna and Karthik had even just as friends was amazing. This is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it.

Such a cute debut story from Naina Kumar. While I did enjoy many many things about this story- like the genuine connection between our two main characters and the plethora of tropes that I love- the miscommunication absolutely drove me insane. Admittedly, the miscommunication trope is my least favorite. However, there were many aspects of the story that helped me overlook the absolute nonsense of two very capable adults not being able to have a conversations. I would recommend this book and I look forward to seeing what Naina releases next!

I think this was such a cute story line! The chemistry between the two leads was undeniable. I am not a fan of smutty romance but there was little of that and I appreciate it (only had to skip a few pages)! Very much so enemies to lovers to enemies again to lovers to enemies and finally to the most in love lovers! ❤️‍🔥✨

This was a great debut romance from Naina Kumar! Fake dating, meddling families, and a bit of a miscommunication trope - this hit all the marks for a solid romance novel. I enjoyed both Karthik and Meghna's character growth and while it takes some time to realize how good they are together (slow burn and push and pull is real in this book), Kumar really nails the pining and creating tension between the two.

LOVED this charming romance between two characters who have matchmaking parents so they decide on a fake engagement. But rather than just having the whole book about how they are secretly hot for each other, Say You'll Be Mine has them work through the issues that are keeping them from falling in love.

This is how you write realistic, flawed characters in a romance while not making the story non-romantic and completely depressing. Meghna is a happy and giving person who has to learn to stand up for and believe in herself and Karthik has commitment issues (for good reason) and has to learn to risk being hurt and take a chance on love.

The perfect romance to put a smile on your face this holiday season! 100% recommend!

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

This book was SUCH a surprise for me because it was SO good! It had some vibes of like The Summer I Turned Pretty X Never Have I Ever BUT with adults! 🤩 I mean how could you not like that?!?! Say You'll Be Mine really kept me on my toes and was refreshing because I've never read a book like this! There was an interesting movement between the MCs because they went from strangers STRAIGHT TO fake engaged! No fake dating moment, we went STRAIGHT to an engagement! 😂 As well as a fake engagement trope, there was also one bed, slow burn, a love triangle (ish), and LOTS of fun (and not so fun...) family and friend drama!👀 All of these tropes combined to make a really fun and fast read!!!
Thank you so much to Dell and Random House for an ARC of this awesome book! I can't wait to see more from Naina Kumar!💖

I enjoyed this debut novel so much! I loved the fact that its a debut novel, written by a South Asian, has south asian characters and themes but then isnt stereotypical or cringe.

I loved Naina a strong female lead, the chemistry between her and the MMC and the way the relationship builds over time. The angst and banter.

What I loved the most perhaps is how the author showcased the abandonment issues that the MMC dealt with, how that impacted his relationships and how he overcame these issues through the course of the relationship!

This fake engagement trope was awesome, I love the fact, that, between the main characters they were very direct, and very straightforward, they both wanted something out of it, and I was very excited with how it was going to turn out. Because this is a little bit different, because most of the time in this type of trope, one person wants it more than the other, but in this book, they both had an agreement, and they both had terms, but the only difference is that we are dealing with a male main character that has a lot of daddy issues. Which is something very different for me. But aside from that they are finally finding their true selves individually, which was so refreshing. Meghna and Karthrik were hella sweet! Especially the ending.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc!

This book follows Meghna and Karthik as they fake an engagement for their reasons. Karthik needs the engagement to make his mother happy. Meanwhile, Meghna uses the engagement to show herself that she has moved on from Seth (a friend she still likes).

I really like this book. Meghna was such a fun character and I just love her personality. I really enjoyed Karthik's point of view. They were such a cute couple. I do not enjoy miscommunication but for some reason, I can understand why they miscommunicated so much in this book. I would recommend this book and I am excited to see where this author goes on her writing journey!

Is Meghna's friend getting a book???