I have mixed feelings about this book. The writing was good and I liked the premise of the fake dating scheme. I was into her best friend's romance story and the meddling mothers. For the most part, this book was enjoyable, but it was a bit basic for me.

I didn't love that Meghna was allowing Seth to treat her so poorly and that it took her so long to see that it was a toxic relationship. I just couldn't believe that a woman as smart as her would let it go on like that for years.

There were also some parts that I felt like the dialogue rambled a bit. I felt myself wanting to skim through it.

I think this many will enjoy this one but it wasn't for me.

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥 (one scene towards the end of the book)

This book was an absolute delight to read! I like the characters of Jess & Jaime; they fit easily together moving from a mistake and misunderstanding when they were younger and then to meeting as adults once again. Of course, McLeod has given them a challenge to overcome - and I like how her male characters are always proving themselves worthy and showing the female characters how important they are to them. She has created this dynamic again with Jess and Jaime.

The misunderstanding made when both were young has missing pieces until Jaime comes back into Jess’s life. That misunderstanding sets the reader up for the trust issues Jess has especially when it comes to Jaime. Even though Jess is determined not to fall for Jaime he makes it pretty easy and Jess has to work out how to deal with all of it.

The ending is satisfying and perfect. Cutest ever! Definitely pick this book up for a feel good and delightful read!

this book is everything to me. i expected to enjoy say you’ll be mine, but that’s an understatement. i LOOOOVED this book. naina kumar can have all my money to keep putting out books like this. seriously, it was simply impossible not to fall for meghna and karthik. i was rooting them from step one when you could barely detect an ounce of chemistry… probably because it ramped up immediately after. i was so excited to see my very favorite trope grumpy-sunshine in this book and it gave exactly what it needed to. i could feel karthik falling in love with meghna so early on and of course he had the classic denial stance leading him to do everything in his power to make himself unappealing to her (which obviously failed). this book was such an unexpected and awesome surprise, easily making my top 5 books for 2023! may we all one day find our jaan!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing group for the ARC of this sweet book,! Love! Love! Love! I devoured it in a day and enjoyed it so much! For me it was reminiscent of Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry in terms of writing style. I will definitely read others books by this author. I also enjoyed the cultural elements in the book. I don't know a ton about Indian culture in terms of marriage/arranged marriage beyond what I've seen on Indian Matchmaking on Netflix and this was an interesting window into that.
When Meghna and Karthik agree to fake an engagement after meeting through and arrangement by their parents, they think of what they will be able to help each other with on terms of attending events. Meghna thinks Karthik is robotic, grumpy and rude. Through their time together, they end up learning more about each other and discover things about themselves along the way. The love story that ensues is as sweet as can be and very relatable. I'd give this one six stars if I could! What a wonderful debut novel!!

Fake dating is one of those tropes that works or doesn’t. Is it believable? Is the story benefited from it? The answer to these questions for this books is YES.

Meghna and Karthik are set up and decide to continue to “date” for their own reasons. Their families, their situations, it’s all believable and you are along for the ride. I thought this book was cute and vulnerable in all the right ways. I enjoined reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

i LOVE a good fake dating/engagement story ugh they always have so much fun. and opposites attract into friends to lovers? PROTECTIVE friends to lovers??? it makes the love feel so much realer. so much fun reading this one, so much that i already can't wait to re-read <3

Kumar creates another lovely addition in the Indian wedding romance genre. Utilizing well known tropes and meshing it with the lovely Indian culture really elevated this story. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Meghna and Karthik’s mothers are determined to get their children married off. Meghna is finally open to being set up, but Karthik has no plans to be married. Knowing that his mother isn’t going to let up, he proposes a plan to Meghna that they pretend to be engaged. He needs his mom to back off, and she needs a date to her former boyfriend/bff’s wedding. Neither of them plan on falling for each other, but you know how these books turn out. I enjoyed reading their romance slowly blossom over the span of the book.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Meghna and Karthik have been set up by their parents to date. After their first meeting, Karthik realizes that if he continues to fake date Meghna, he will get a break from consistent family setups and maybe even a promotion at work. Meghna will also benefit from their arrangement as she needs to be in her best friend’s wedding and would prefer a date.

This is a sweet rom com that checks all the boxes. There’s a fake dating/engagement, Indian representation, My Best Friend’s Wedding vibes, and forced proximity. On paper, it should be everything I could want! My problem was the lack of connection with the characters. They weren’t super likable, or funny, or even really memorable. I can’t even put my finger on what was missing from the story, but it just lacked something special or romantic (to me). As always, reviews are so subjective and other readers may really connect and enjoy this story.

Thank you to Naina Kumar and Random House Ballantine for sending me a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was very interested in this book based on the cover, but struggled to connect with the story. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for the E-ARC of this novel!

"Say You'll Be Mine" by Naina Kumar follows teacher and aspiring playwright, Meghna Raman, and engineer, Karthik Murthy as they establish a fake engagement in order to avoid matchmaking pressure from their parents and soothe the sting of Meghna's friend Seth tying the knot... with someone that's not her.

A classic fake dating story! It's one of my comfort tropes, I'll admit, even if admittedly overdone. For what it promises, "Say You'll Be Mine" checks all the boxes: we have the begrudging negotiation, the awkward and strained navigation, the unintentional intimacy and building development... and the satisfying conclusion! For those searching for a cute romance, they need not look any further.

Meghna and Karthik are both perspectives and equal amounts of care and depth for their characters, including dreams and family history. It's easy to root for them as individuals as they navigate personal journeys and achieve the intended growth, and even easier to root for them as they slowly grow closer and fall for one another.

My only grievance is that the novel does exactly what it promises, but strays no further. It checks all the boxes, but what results is a, yes, very cute, but also very formulaic plot arc with no surprises or deviations. While many readers will appreciate this guaranteed sequence of events, others (like me) are left a little bit wanting.

Overall, I recommend this to those looking for a quick and cute romance that will deliver that romance fix without any pain or discomfort. If that's what you're looking for, keep an eye out on January 18th, 2024!

Honestly I loved this book so much. It was an interesting twist on arranged marriage/fake fiance trope that was done in a really delightful way.

Karthik reads as autistic at times, though it's never explicitly stated whether he is or not. I liked that he had stuff going on in the background instead of just existing for our FMC. I also felt like we saw a lot of character growth for him as he worked through his family trauma.

Meghna is a fun character who reminded me a bit of myself - choosing a career that maybe her family doesn't quite understand. I love seeing her blossom outside of her relationships and become a person.

It was a low-heat romance, perfect for someone who doesn't mind a tiny bit of pearl-clutching, but wouldn't recommend for our Amish romance readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: toxic friendship, cheating (non-MCs), the MMC's father is accused of mistreating female students, family tensions

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-fake engagement
-hard and soft one
-only one bed
-wedding date

Gosh I adore this book no matter how many times I read it. Naina Kumar's writing is just a breath of fresh air, softly lulling you through a story full of romance, of laughs, and just a tenderness. I adore how we truly get to see Meghna and Kathrik become friends, become each other's person as they rely on each other. Both don't even realize it as they just build such an intimacy of needing the other, wanting to tell the other about their highs and lows. This is how you build a relationship, a romance. Also I'm just trash for needing a date for a wedding and this book just excels and each and every trope.

Grumpy and emotionally constipated Kathrik doesn't want anythign to do with marraige after watching his parents terrible marriage, but this man is such a secret softie as he deoesn't realize he's falling for Meghna. And Meghna, an amazing friend, but struggling to also advocate and see her own strenghts, giving all of herself.

Now I will just wait patiently hoping for Samir and Ankita's love story.

Steam: 2.5

Naina Kumar delivered all the ingredients that you hope to find in a fun and enjoyable rom-com and I loved it! Beautiful and single Meghna Raman has always felt she was a disappointment to her parents who had dreams of her becoming an engineer rather than follow her passion by becoming a theater teacher and aspiring playwright. Sullen and handsome Karthik Murthy, a successful engineer has sworn off marriage after witnessing his parents troubling relationship. When both mothers arrange a meeting between the two, the chemistry is undeniable and they decide to fake an engagement to fulfill each of their personal and professional commitments. Rich in Indian culture and customs, this heartwarming story with enjoyable characters will delight and charm you. Looking forward to your next story Ms. Kumar….you’ve got the magic!

Thank you Net Galley, Dell and the talented Naina Kumar for the opportunity to read your wonderful debut in exchange for my honest review.

What a nice debut romcom by Naina. This had humor, tension, chemistry and all the pining. The main characters Meghan and Karthik meet when their parents kind of throw them together. Karthik is not ready for a relationship but suggests fake engagement/dating to get their parents off the issue of marriage. There is wedding in this, parents that expect a lot , self discovery and lots about Indian culture. Overall this is a cute and cozy slow burn romance that has good character development and heartwarming moments.

Read if you like:
- Slow burn
- Indian rep
- Good character development
- Some steamy scenes
- Strangers to friends to lovers
- Fake engagement/dating

Overall I liked this book, but I will say that the constant misunderstandings between the two main characters drove me a little batty throughout. Like please just stop assuming and talk to each other. And that really knocked back my rating because it just made the story feel longer than it should have. I also found that a lot of the things that happened in this book were very much formulaic, like the no room in the inn so we have to bunk together. I felt a lot like I had been there and done that between romance movies and books. Despite that, the characters and their romance were well done and I genuinely was rooting for them to figure things out and realize that they were both in it for the right reasons.

The secondary characters stayed very much on the periphery of the story, which I think was a bit of a shame. I really did want to see Eric get his good wedding meal. But the way that Meghna's relationship with Julie and Seth was sorted out made me do a fist pump because it was highly satisfactory. How Karthik's father and mother's storyline was managed did not quite have the same satisfactory element to it. I don't want to add in a spoiler, but it just felt like it was ignored after a certain point.

Overall, this was a good read and a nice romance. It just lacked a bit of the originality or zing that I was hoping for when I went into this. And that is perhaps on me.

AWWWWWW is my exact thought after reading the last line. I think this is one of the finest romcoms out there, its the quintessential recipe filled with mutual pining, sass and humor. The characters, their passion, and the oh so sweet 'am I still faking it...?' moments between them was so swoon-worthy. The acceptance, the assurance, the need to learn each other-- just in awe once again. To see their narrative unfold was truly so rich; there is nothing but heart woven into this story.

Thank you NetGalley, publisher and Naina Kumar for this ARC!

This is such a good romcom! I enjoyed it so much! So many good tropes. I loved the main characters development. Such a great read! I highly recommend.

Hard to believe that this is Naina Kumar’s debut novel. It was so good! I couldn’t put it down. I loved the slow burn, enemies to lovers romance story with a twist.

Meghna is a believer in love - especially after seeing her parents love story in person - and feels pressure to find her true love. Karthik doesn’t even believe in love, but agreed to meet women for a year for an arranged set up. When Meghna and Karthik meet, they instantly click, but Karthik proposes to fake an engagement. It’ll get his mom off his back, and it’ll help Meghna at her best friend’s (slash longtime crush) wedding. It would be the perfect set up - if the two didn’t start to develop feelings for each other.

This book was so sweet! I loved the deepness to all of the characters, including the side characters. I liked seeing Meghna and Karthik develop throughout the story and watching their love develop.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group, NetGalley, and Naina Kumar for the eARC!!

This is perfect for romcom fans who enjoy multiple romance tropes in this same book that also gives off Bollywood vibes. It was fun, cute and overall a breezy, light read that enjoyed reading in two sittings. Modern arranged marriages are often misunderstood by a lot of people and this shows how they actually work in current times. Both characters were relatable and likeable which is always a plus. It was a heart-warming read and watching them fall for each other while having fun was adorable. An impressive debut and I would definitely be interested in reading the author's next book.