This book completely surpassed my expectations, and also kind of restored my hope for reality tv shows! Going in, I mostly requested this book because I love the author’s other young adult books, and although the premise sounded interesting, I did not have the highest hopes for it. However, I am so glad I was proven wrong, and this book turned out to be as great as it was.

I loved the whole rivals to kind of friends to lovers that this book had. And they actually both disliked each other at the start! Which is just so rare nowadays when books claim to be rivals to lovers, but there was a true dislike between these two at the start. The author did such a good job to gradually move these two through the stages of their relationship development, with late night conversations and forced proximity.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The publishers description, that this is a “deliciously fun, YA K-drama remix of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE if Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett were on a college run reality TV dating show” is absolutely spot on! I love the way we get the feel, the “vibe” of Jane Austen without a beat-for-beat reenactment of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a total sucker for a clever, beat-for-beat retelling, but the fact that this book gives a nod to the inspiration while fully embracing its own unique story makes it feel fresh and new. Even people who have never read, or watched, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE can enjoy and appreciate this story.

Mia (a film student) creates The Cuffing Game, a show where students with a secret crush have a chance to match with their crushes in a dating game/reality show, in order to try to forget her own secret crush on Noah, who snubbed her Mr. Darcy-style at the first party she attended in college. Unfortunately, one of the contestants. (Mia’s own roommate.!) names Noah as her crush, so Mia has to invite him to participate anyway. And the more time they spend together, the more Mia’s secret crush threatens to reveal itself.
I love the Will They Won’t They push and pull that’s very Darcy and Elizabeth without being too on the nose, allowing Mia and Noah to be fully realized characters and not just copies of Jane Austen.

The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee had a really cool premise—a college student creating her own dating reality show? That’s such a fun idea! I was excited to dive in, and parts of it were super entertaining. The behind-the-scenes chaos of filming a show, the drama between contestants, and the slow-burn romance with one of the guys had potential.

But… I just wish it went deeper. All in all, the romance felt rushed, and the reality show aspect didn’t get as much focus as I expected. The main character was likable, and her love interest was cute, but their connection didn’t totally convince me. Some of the side characters blended together, and the ending wrapped up a little too neatly.

It’s a quick, fun read with some cute moments, but I wanted more tension, more behind-the-scenes messiness, and a stronger emotional payoff. If you’re into light college romances, you might enjoy this, but don’t go in expecting The Bachelor levels of drama! Also did not get the Pride and Prejudice retelling that this was marketed as but still a cute YA read.

Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for this ARC.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. It was so much fun to read and literally had me wanting to see what happened next with all the couples - except the main two. I loved the chemistry between everyone else except Mia and Noah. I don't understand how they're relationship is based on pride and prejudice. And if I'm totally wrong then that's fine. I feel like they didn't have anyyyyyyy chemistry until the last 100 pages of the book where they hung out by themselves after midnight. Before then, all their scenes together felt so one sided (Mia's) and she was hating half the time. Enemies/rivals to lovers is iconic and I love it so much. This was so insta-like/insta-love that it made me roll my eyes. If there was another 100 pages in the book about them building their relationship than i would've given it 4/5 stars. But because the main relationship felt totally flat, it's a 3/5 for me.

I came for the vibes cause I love Love Island UK, USA, and the others and I stayed for the crazy twists in the relationships hehe.

"The Cuffing Game" is such a refreshing and fun book! I enjoyed meeting and getting to know all of the characters and reading about the fun and cozy cabin setting. The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people. Noah and Mia are so lovable! They are perfect for each other. I think the author has done great work crafting each characters and their respective personalities, emotions, and personal/familial difficulties. All of which is expressed by the author with such care. This book is wholesome, sweet, and insightful! This book provides a great look into the lives and difficulties that people face as well as how people grow and change. The character development is wonderful, the writing style is smooth, the romance is sweet, swoony, and full of chemistry, and the characters are very lovable. As you get to know the characters you will soon find yourself cheering for each of them, too! This book was so much fun to read! I love it. 5 stars!

Thank you very much to the author Lyla Lee, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this book honestly.

* I will post my review to more places closer to or on release day. Thank you again!

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!