Joined in 2023 
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Eighteen-year-old Mallory Greenleaf is no longer interested in chess, not since her hypercompetitive dad left—the game calls up painful memories. But she grudgingly agrees to play in a charity tournament as a favor to best friend Easton Peña. After she unexpectedly beats current world champion Nolan Sawyer, she’s offered a fellowship that will prepare her to play professionally. Even though Mallory doesn’t want to play anymore, she needs the money that winning would provide; she’s delayed college to support her family, since her mother is chronically ill with rheumatoid arthritis and is unable to work regularly. The more time she spends with Nolan, the more Mallory comes to like and respect him—and the more time she spends playing chess, the more she remembers how much she loved it. But when she learns that Nolan has been keeping a big secret from her, she isn’t sure if she’ll be able to move past it to build a relationship with him. Filled with the author’s signature humor, well-developed characters, and realistic conflicts, plus the fully realized setting of competitive chess, this captivating romance will delight teen readers as well as Hazelwood’s adult fans. Mallory and Nolan are both cued white; there is some racial diversity among the supporting cast. Mallory and Easton are queer.
Plot wise, there was so much potential and I loved the idea of Layla’s father trying to set her up. The 3 meetings I read could have been amusing if not for Sam and Layla having weird and inappropriate conversations in front of the other person, like they weren’t even there. The sparks between the two are still there. But can Daisy forgive Liam for leaving her on her prom night? Can they keep this as a business arrangement?
What Research Says About the Dating Process
I was in the mood for fluff and sexy times and minor drama, and that’s exactly what I got. Was the humor over the top? Could this have been resolved with better communication and therapy? Was this cliché? Yes, yes and yes. However, I still enjoyed this fun and kooky read!
The story follows Daisy, a software engineer living in San Francisco trying to escape her family’s matchmaking services, and Liam, who has an inheritance waiting that relies on him getting married.
Another time!" She bolted away, clutching the boxes of pads as she wove in and out of the crowd, her heart pounding in her chest. When she'd woken up this morning, she would never have guessed she would be pulled away from her cozy workspace and dragged to a tech conference, only to wind up on the run from her ex, with an armload of pads and her matchmaking auntie hot on her heels. Daisy is what you would call “quirky”, but incredibly relatable. It was great being able to see her develop as a character on her own and with Liam by her side. She was able to be her own person without him, which is always great to see.
In The Dating Plan we follow the relationship between Daisy and Liam. Daisy Patel is a software engineer and she has her routines and always follows logic. She analyses everything and doesn’t allow herself to get too involved—whether it’s with a partner or with work colleagues— as it’s better that way in case they leave, or in case she does. On the other hand, Liam works as an investor and is still affected by old wounds. Coming from an abusive household, Liam used to spend his time at Daisy’s house when he was a kid. He was Daisy’s brother’s best friend and was treated like family. That’s why when Liam stood Daisy up on her prom night, things changed completely. Liam disappeared and Daisy’s heart was crushed. He acted like the old Liam, the one who’d made her feel like her quirks and lists and plans were perfectly normal, the one who’d made her laugh and kept her safe and filled the hole in her chest that her mother had left when she moved to New York, leaving her young family behind.” Another magical Sara Desai romance is ready to light up your life, giving you full joy, entertainment, fun, warming your heart, making your entire week! Daisy Patel is a software engineer who understands lists and logic better than bosses and boyfriends. With her life all planned out, and no interest in love, the one thing she can't give her family is the marriage they expect. Left with few options, she asks her childhood crush to be her decoy fiancé.
Toys
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai was the first book I received when I started Book of the Month Club. It was also the first romance book I read, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The being stood up at the prom angle - multiple issues with it, but when they first run into each other, Liam is like, are you still mad about that? It was like, ten years ago??? And Daisy deadass knows the exact number of years, months, days, and MINUTES ago that she was stood up. So clearly she's FURIOUS and has been for ten years. Yet by fake date 2 she is groping the man. Everything is a mixed message in this book. She knew that voice. She had heard it almost every day for ten years. Her gaze lifted, and for a moment she forgot to breathe. Daisy Patel is a software engineer who understands lists and logic better than bosses and boyfriends. With her life all planned out, and no interest in love, the one thing she can’t give her family is the marriage they expect. Left with few options, she asks her childhood crush to be her decoy fiance. I really enjoy Sara’s writing style. There is great dialogue with great banter, and her descriptions really make it possible to picture what you’re reading. Her writing isn’t choppy and she doesn’t include any unnecessary filler content. Characters
This book was a reminiscent of a young adult story where there is tons of bantering and excessive chaos. At one point, it was a bit much for me and I had to take a break. A fake relationship trope? Say no more. I was on board with The Dating Planthe moment I saw it as an early release @bookofthemonth choice. Liam Murphy was Daisy Patel’s childhood crush and brother’s best friend, who became part of the Patel family, but when he stood her up as her prom date he became her enemy. Years later, the two run into each other at a business conference and a fake engagement for mutual benefit and convenience is formed. He willed her to move from the desk so he could see if she had an ass to go with those curves. If he was going to waste time indulging himself in this pointless conversation, he might as well enjoy the view."
Christmas Cards & Gift Wrap
I think you have me confused with someone who would even want to be in the same room as you, much less wed you after such a romantic proposal.” I will be cautious about a person who doesn’t want me to meet his/her friends or family within a few months of dating. This was so much entertaining with lots of traditional pre wedding and wedding ceremonies, humorous Aunties, hot and sexy chemistry of Zara and Jay! Liam's gaze shifted to her, and his face softened. Before he could ask her what it meant and ruin the performance, she rose up on her toes, pressed her hands against his chest, and kissed him.
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