I loved this book, and I loved Megnah and Karthik! What kind of follows a typical path of the old grumpy sunshine trope is a little deeper as it explores the effects of being a first-generation child in the US and how our parents' culture sets our expectations as we grow. And then how can we figure out who we are, being true to ourselves and charting our own path? At the same time we get that fun, grumpy sunshine trope in a swoony romantic comedy.

here's the thing about this book: the premise and synopsis sounds like something i would never like. i love fake dating, but engagement of convenience tends to not resonate with me. men being rude and then trying to get me to like them is so annoying. the constant "28 is old!!!!" messaging in romance books leads to exceedingly strong eye rolls.

AND STILL--i really really liked it! the pacing is perfect, the characters are strong, the mutuality is there in a lot of ways, the characters are complex and kind. i love being wrong like this!

I think Say You'll Be Mine is a cute little rom-com wrapped in a book, with such delightful tropes in it. However, I wasn't fully moved enough by it to give it higher than 3 out of 5 stars.

Overall, Naina Kumar has everything a person could want in a romance novel—a headstrong female character, meddling parents, delicious tension between the two characters, and a fake relationship.

The one thing I do think is that there could have been more. It's clear Kumar has such a love for these characters and she is a strong writer, but I do feel like there were a good chunk of 'telling instead of showing' moments, where the actual writing itself felt clunky. It got the job done and conveyed what she wanted but it didn't feel as smooth as it could have been, in my opinion.

I also felt like I needed a bit more from Meghna and Karthik; the foundation was there, but I just needed a bit more of a push/a little more in depth between then to fully fully be invested.

It started slower for me—it actually took me a while to get into the novel. I picked it up, read and bit, and put it down for a while before coming back to it. I think it picks up in the second half, especially with the subbplots mixing in, but I did struggle throughout that first half to fully get invested.

Overall, it was a fun, cute novel that I would recommend! I just don't know how often I would go to reread it again.

I adored this book and the characters in it. It has a little bit of everything: arranged marriages, fake engagements, long-distance relationships, and a lot of heart-felt sweetness and romance. Meghna and Karthik were delightful and I was rooting for them from the start. Even minor characters like Paul the intern were terrific.

I liked how it took Karthik to open Meghna's eyes to how her friend Seth didn't value her. That storyline did a great job of showing how we can try to fool ourselves into seeing situations a certain way and twisting the facts to suit our narrative.

I also love it when books show both the man and woman's point of view. For me it deepens the stakes and feelings to see how the men feel too and how smitten they become.

I think this was a sparkling debut and a pleasure to devour!

This was wonderful, warm, and just a little spicy. Fake dating, fake engagement. One bed! Lovely tropes in a lovely book. This is Kumar’s debut and I’m looking forward to reading more from her! Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC!

This debut romance novel from Naina Kumar may be my new favourite book ever. From the first page I was immersed in the story of Meghna and Karthik and their fake engagement with real feelings. Chock full of romantic moments and misunderstandings, this book had me kicking my feet and squealing the whole time.

One of the best things about this book is that its perspective switches between Karthik and Meghna so fluidly and I always felt like I got both sides of every single one of their interactions. While they were busy catching feelings for each other, I was busy falling in love with their romance one page at a time. It was the little things that really made this book special, from the beginning when Meghna threatens Karthik with certain death if he eats the pani puri she loves so much, to the countless spontaneous flights Karthik books to Meghna's hometown just because his heart needs to see her.

Naina Kumar quite expertly created characters that felt like they could walk off the page and into my life and it was so much fun to get wrapped up in the drama of their lives. Meghna's passion for her job as an English and theatre teacher despite the fact that it's not the high-profile engineering career that her mother wants for her is something I can relate to because I am sitting here writing this review instead of being a doctor. There were so many similar moments in the book that felt so tangible and close to my lived experience which made this book so personal and the ending so rewarding.

Special thanks to Random House and Dell for sending me an ARC of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Five out of five stars

I am completely obsessed! The fake engagement, chemistry, banter, all the romcom things made this book perfection! I related to Meghna being a teacher as I am a teacher myself. And as a native Texan, I love that this book is based in Dallas!
This book definitely has that grumpy/sunshine concept! Also includes fake engagement (kind of an arranged marriage), meddling families, supportive best friends.
Absolutely loved the growth development of the characters. Meghna and Karthik definitely needed each other to grow and develop together!
I really hope everyone gets the chance to read this book! It is perfection. I was literally smiling, crying, and laughing as I read it! Perfect debut novel for Naina Kumar!

Kumar’s debut, Say You'll be Mine, proves that she has mastered the art of the relationship novel. Readers looking for deep familial relationships in their grumpy-sunshine romances will find a new favorite in this one.

So I usually hate the “you know one conversation would clear this up” trope. But in this one it didn’t bother me. Naina Kumar created two characters that are complex enough that the lack of real talk makes sense. Meghna and Karthik are introduced by their mothers in an “arranged” marriage meeting. And while there is physical attraction, oh boy it is not a meet cute. He tells her he never wants to marry and she thinks he is cold and robotic. But a family argument at dinner has Karthik proposing a fake engagement and the upcoming wedding of Meghna’s college boyfriend has her agreeing to the scheme. Both these people learn about standing up and being true to themselves as they fall in love (even if some of the problems could be solved with a conversation). I found myself reading slower than usual because I. didn’t want the story to end. It is absolutely a book I can see myself reading again, because the characters are just that fun to spend time with.

Meghna has been in unrequited love with her best friend, Seth, since college. He’s getting married soon and she really could use a date for the wedding. Meghna’s family thinks engineer, Karthik, would be the perfect match for her, but he’s not interested in getting married. He does want to make his mom happy, though, and maybe get her off his back for a while about the whole marriage thing. Megna agrees to Karthik’s crazy plan to fake an engagement, but he is such a grump, the exact opposite of her sunny personality.

This was a pretty predictable but sweet, opposites attract, fake dating romance. I think it was enjoyable and worth reading. Loved the two main characters. 3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Meghna is an elementary school teacher. She's sunny and helpful and a loyal friend. Karthik is an engineer. He's insular, grumpy, and introverted. But he's also a good son. To lighten the load of his long-suffering mother, he agrees to let her set up interviews for arranged marriages. Karthik grits his teeth and goes through the motions. Until he is introduced to Meghna. While speaking privately at their introduction, they agree to a fake engagement to resolve both their problems. Of course, they're instantly attracted to each other, and the entire story is about them resisting the pull until the HEA.

I liked both characters, their friends and family (except, of course, Karthik's evil father!) and I enjoyed their activities and interactions. (The first dance scene was swoony!) However, 100% of their conflicts could have been resolved if they had just opened their mouths and said what was really on their minds. So I was a tiny bit frustrated reading the book, but the author has talent, and I hope to see more from her.

I will definitely be singing praising for Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar! This book was phenomenal! These characters had so much depth! Meg and Karthick were literally perfect for each other! They complimented each other wonderfully and all in all made each other better people not only for their romantic relationship, but also in their every day lives. They accepted each other fully, flaws and all! The pining was top notch! I had a smile on my face more often than not! This wasn’t just a typical fake dating trope book. These two are NOT your typical romance characters! I was completely blown away and Naina Kumar has a new reader in me because of it!

I received and advanced readers copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased, and completely my own.

This is your typical hallmark story.

Both Meghna and Karthik were both from India and they were getting set up by there parents to find you a partner. Meghna wanted to get married and Karthik didn't because of his parents falling a part marriage. They decided to get faked engaged to get their parents of their back. They both end up falling for each other, but doesn't tell the other how they feel because it wasn't real, but to them it ended up to be. By the end of the story it was a Happily Ever After. Those books are just typically the same, but a different theme. It was a fun and fast read.
I love the writing style and both POV's.

I love me a fake engagement trope, but what I can't stand is the miscommunication. All they had to do is tell each other how they really felt and none of there fights would of happened. Also it took Megnha way too long realized she was being used by Seth for all those years. Seth wanted everything from her, but he didn't have the decency to return the favor. There was some irritations in this book for me because I just don't like miscommunication and being used and them not realizing it. But overall I enjoyed the rest of their love story.

Thank you Netgalley, Publisher, and Naina for letting me read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This reads like a predictable rom com. After reading 37% I lost interest. DNF
She wants to find love and says yes to an "arranged marriage" setup. He doesn't believe in marriage due to his parents marriage but wants to please his mother. They agree to a fake engagement till her lost love gets married.







**************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley************************

From faking dating to family drama, this book has a little of everything. Perfect for fans of romantic comedies who love stories about love and finding romance with unexpected people in unexpected places. This novel will give you all the feels and be one you will not be able to put down.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of Say You'll Be Mine.

When Colleen Hoover touts a novel as the new When Harry Met Sally and a page-turner, it's gotta be good, right? Oh my gosh. This was so much better than good. I love the fake dating trope. Of course, they're going to get their wires crossed and hearts are going to be broken, but then they'll find their way back to each other, right? Right?! I loved both of our lovers right from the very start.

Meghna Raman feels like she is such a disappointment to her parents. She became a teacher instead of an engineer, and by society's norms in the Indian culture, she's becoming an old maid. Karthik, who did not disappoint his parents and did become an engineer, agrees to let his mom play matchmaker for one year even though he has no intent on getting married or even falling in love. His dad is not a stellar husband, and he doesn't want to end up disappointing his wife the same way his dad did. Meghna's college ex is getting married, and she needs a date. Karthik really wants to stop going on these matchmaking attempts with his mom. Why not fake-date? Only with their culture, it's much more complicated than that. Time to be fake-engaged! Pick up Say You'll Be Mine today, and follow Meghna and Karthik on their not-so-conventional journey to finding love.

I would say this book was somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4. It was very cute and I was definitely drawn to keep reading it but there were lots of plot holes and a severe lack of communication between the two leads.

This book features two young Indian Americans who are set up for an arranged date by their respective parents. They both want to get their parents off of their backs they so they enter into a fake engagement. Hijinks, only one bed and miscommunications ensue until ultimately Meghna and Karthik fall in love and live happily ever after. I wish they would have communicated more and maybe spent enough time together to make an engagement seem somewhat realistic (huge pet peeve of mine.)

Overall, Meghna and Karthik were quite charming and the story was fun and engaging. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing and Dell for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This swoon worthy Indian fake dating/engagement is the Rom-Com that you need to read. This has everything you need in a romance book. This would be an amazing movie!! Loved this!! Meghna and Karthik are the most perfect couple/romance I've read recently. 5/5 stars!
I just reviewed Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar. #SayYoullBeMine #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Thank You, NetGalley for an eARC of Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar,

This book I did not really enjoy, just wasn't my cup of tea

Thanks @netgalley @nkumarwrites and @penguinrandomhouse for the early look at Say You’ll Be Mine. It releases on January 16, 2024.

Meghna is a school teacher who secretly wants to be a playwright. When Seth, her writing partner and the ex she never got over, gets engaged and asks her to be his best man(!), she panics and agrees to be faked engaged to grumpy engineer Karthik. He is pretending in order to please his beloved mother, but doesn’t believe in love or marriage—not after seeing his mother be trapped in her relationship with his dad. But as they spend more time together, real feelings develop and they have to figure out whether they can risk their hearts.

Naina’s writing is full of heart and depth. It is a breathtakingly assured debut novel. She crafts complex, real characters who have a lot of baggage to overcome on their way to an HEA. I loved it!

Steam: 🔥🔥
Tropes: fake dating, hung up on ex, bad dad, wedding, meddling moms