ARC REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book took me by surprise—in the best way. I didn’t expect to be so captivated, but Lyla Lee’s writing pulled me in from the first chapter and didn’t let go. Her pacing and storytelling make it so easy to lose track of time while reading.

What really stood out is how well the book handles representation. It’s rare to find a YA story that features both Asian and LGBTQ+ characters in a way that feels authentic and unforced. The diversity in gender identities and cultural backgrounds is seamlessly woven into the story, which made it feel inclusive and genuinely refreshing.

I also enjoyed watching the transformation of The Cuffing Game from its early concept to the final version. The premise and the challenges were fun to follow, though I felt like parts of the game lacked complexity. There was definitely room for more creativity in that aspect.

The use of dual perspectives worked well, allowing a fuller understanding of the characters and their individual journeys. Seeing them navigate emotional hurdles and personal growth added depth, though I did find the romance element a bit too fast-paced at times—it could’ve used more development.

If you’re into high-stakes love stories, dramatic twists, reality show vibes, enemies-to-lovers arcs, and stories centered on chosen family, this book is right up your alley. THE CUFFING GAME delivers a fun, heartfelt ride.

K DRAMA TAKE ON PRIDE AND PREJUDICE GAHHHH. I’m a huge P&P fan so this was heaven. Loved every freaking minute . Need a movie stat. Loved every character, plot, just yes!!

4.25★

this was SO CUTE and such a fun read.

take some of the netflix dating shows like single's inferno and the perfect match, throw in some love island and unreal tv, add a little sweetness and fluff from quirky kdramas, and just a dash of pride & prejudice, and you've got the cuffing game.

as someone w a past life in film, i connected v much w both mia and noah and the story of making your own project was very dear to my heart. throw in the antics of reality tv dating and it's a fun time.

it was a fast read and i felt like it paced well, with a not too neatly or rushed ending. it also included a v diverse cast w some queer contestants (mia is also bi), which we don't get to see a lot.

lyla lee pls be my friend so we can talk about film production and are you the one season 8!!!!!

an honest arc review ♡

I loved the author's backstory on how this book was inspired. It inspired me to read the classic she mentioned. The boy crazy FMC is so relatable. The enemies to lovers trope is giving from the start. The chapters are short and it's a quick read. I could not stop reading. It felt like I was watching an actual TV Show. I felt like I was behind the scenes on a TV show set. There were so many hilarious moments. The anticipation of knowing what will happen was there throughout the whole book. I liked how they emphasized the importance of family. I also enjoyed how they chose characters from different nationalities and preferences to be in the show. I really enjoyed how they spoke a lot about their cultures as well. The forced proximity trope was done so well. I loved how the tension progressed from all of the couples. I really enjoyed this book. Loved the ending!

Such a cute, wholesome winter college romance! I've been loving wholesome Asian & LGBTQ rep in romances recently so this was perfect for me :) Mia's dating show is such a cute idea and I love her dynamic with Noah throughout the story.

This is an ideal and charming young adult novel. I thoroughly enjoy the story of Mia and Noah. The dating show storyline was particularly appealing to me. It serves as a delightful, fast-paced, and light-hearted read suitable for readers of all ages. I appreciate the incorporation of a reality show theme within the narrative. Each character contributes significantly to the plot, enhancing the overall feel-good experience. In summary, it is an entertaining, captivating, and dramatic reality drama that features many beloved tropes among young adult readers.

A hardworking freshman has spend her first semester of college building a dating show for her campus, and has to bring her roommates crush on- who she hates. But as the show progresses the two of them get closer, and boundaries start to fall apart.
I absolutely loved this book, honestly I don’t know where to begin. The idea for the show, and the way the author executed writing it was absolutely genius. The show itself was simple, but still complicated enough to be interesting and engaging. I didn’t want to put it down. The drama that came from the show and the challenges that came up along the way were so realistic, but not annoyingly so. I loved reading about dynamics between characters and seeing how reality overcomes expectations and how life controls people sometimes.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for an eARC of this book!

3.75 rounded up to 4⭐️

A freshman at a film school starts a dating documentary but to get the approval she needs to motivate other students to audition. And how does she do that?? By convincing the annoying senior who is social media famous to be involved. Of course then the project evolves into a reality dating drama, what could go wrong?

I found the premise of this super cute!
The execution was fine and kept me engaged however I felt like the pacing was inconsistent at times, sometimes feeling rushed.

But all in all a quick enjoyable read.

This was such a sweet story, well written but definitely very surface level. Noah and Mia were cute but what we learned about them as people came so late, so while i appreaciated their mutual attraction to each other as a plot point i couldn't see what they had in common outside of school and both being type A. Again overall a sweet story, but I wished for more chemistry/ story bwtween our two main characters as i read.

I loved the concept of this book! The story was fun and sweet.

There was a lot of representation in the book, although some of it felt a little superficial. But, I don’t think this detracts from the overall storytelling of the book. The story itself was very lighthearted and the banter between the two main characters wasn’t too much.

It was a simple and enjoyable YA story that I could recommend to anyone looking for a cozy read!

The plot and the cover and the title were so intriguing. It is a pity that the book has fallen short of my expectations. The enemies to lovers aspect felt so forced and unnecessary and shoes in for the Pride & Prejudice clout.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I'm not usually the biggest YA reader, but every now and then, a few manage to completely snag my attention—and The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee did just that! The cover alone? Absolutely adorable. It had me instantly intrigued.

This was such a cute and modern take on Pride and Prejudice, with a he-falls-first twist that totally worked for me. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Mia and Noah, especially with the forced proximity setting. Watching them navigate their shared love for film while constantly clashing over creative opinions gave the story great chemistry and tension. As film students, their passion for storytelling added a layer of depth I wasn’t expecting, and I loved how much that mutual interest shaped their interactions.

I was this close to giving it four-and-a-half stars, but one of the supporting characters, Celine, rubbed me the wrong way. She came off a little too judgmental for my taste and took away from some of the feel-good vibes I was riding high on.

All in all, though, The Cuffing Game is a charming, witty read that blends classic inspiration with modern rom-com flair—and it’s perfect for anyone looking for a sweet, slow-burn YA romance with heart and humor.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Lyla Lee for sending me an ARC💖.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.

I adore Lee’s work so much. She really writes characters that make me feel seen and I’ve just had a delightful time with this.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book. This was an adorable YA book. I love reading about Mia and Noah. I really loved the dating show plot it made the story interesting. This book had me laughing and smiling. It is an amazing read! Fun and easy read that I think anyone would enjoy!

One thing I learned recently is that I do occasionally enjoy reality dating shows! I never thought I would be the type, but I devoured Love Island USA S6 and that was that. I do also want to check out Single's Inferno one day! Anyway, when I saw that Lyla Lee's new book was described as Pride and Prejudice x Love Island, I immediately added it to my tbr. The premise is so fun: a dating show created by college students, for college students!

I think this would be a cute quick romcom to enjoy in the winter with a hot drink and a blanket! I had a good time following our main characters Mia and Noah as they navigated the show and their complicated feelings. I definitely related to Mia and her preference for planning, though as shown in the book, a little derailment from that can also be important. Noah was also so cute! I was a little worried at first because he's introduced as a frat bro, but what little we know of his frat seems to be positive, and he likely joined for the friendships since he moved from South Korea to the US for college. The pacing of the romance wasn't too bad, especially since the majority of the story takes place in basically a week, something that's pointed out by the characters. And to be fair, relationships in irl dating shows often move fast due to close proximity and such. The main things I didn't like were the miscommunication scene because it felt forced and took me out of the story, and the side characters as they felt pretty flat. But otherwise, it was a cute read and there were definitely some funny moments! My favourite part is definitely what happens on the last day of the show 👀 Literally peak dating show finale vibes. I'm not too picky with romcoms because I read them for vibes and as palate cleansers, so I can still say I enjoyed my reading experience!

Fake dating? Check. Celebrity chaos? Double check. Unexpected feelings that sneak up on you like a love confession in the rain? Triple. Check. ✔️✔️✔️

Lyla Lee brings us a delightfully charming, laugh-out-loud love story bursting with all the delicious drama of your favorite K-dramas and all the heart of a cozy friends-to-lovers tale. When aspiring screenwriter Maddie finds herself fake dating Hallyu heartthrob Jihoon, sparks fly, misunderstandings pile up like laundry day, and feelings get real, fast.

Between the behind-the-scenes Hollywood glamour and the relatable struggle of chasing dreams while protecting your heart, this one’s a warm hug in book form—equal parts sparkle and sincerity. And did we mention Jihoon? Because JIHOON. Swoon central, population: us. 💫

Thank you so much to Lyla Lee and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for the eARC oof this book. This a a perfect cute true YA book. I love reading about Mia and Noah. I really liked the dating show plot as well. It is a great fun, quick, light hearted read for any age.

Noah and Mia’s story felt super rushed, especially the last few chapters. The writing style made it a quick read but overall the premise seemed a bit unrealistic.

I thought this was a cute and overall enjoyable read.
The premise definitely captures your attention but I found myself wanting a bit more throughout the book with details and character development.
The premise with the reality show was definitely unique in my opinion and really caught my attention to wanting to know what this book was/ is about!
Many of the conflicts were easily solved and it made the impact of them not as impactful. However overall it’s still a enjoyable read and I would recommend it!

This was a really cute book. Mia and Noah definitely did not have a great start and their misconceptions of the other set off a chain of events that lead them to where they needed to be.

I love the premise of the book because it was very engaging and fun. I love that it’s a reality show within the pages of a book. Each character added so much to the story and really gave it such a feel good read.

I love that Noah could be himself around Mia which is hilarious since they absolutely dislike one another. Their banter and need to push the other really had both Mia and Noah growing in ways they didn’t imagine!

A perfect read for the start of spring and warmer weather!