Title: The Marriage Game
Author: Sara Desai
First published June 9, 2020
Rating: 3.53
Overview
In The Marriage Game by Sara Desai, Layla Patel returns home to San Francisco after her life falls apart. Her father, who runs a Michelin starred restaurant, offers her the office upstairs to start her new business and creates a profile on an online dating site to find her a man.
Little does she know that her father arranged a series of blind dates until the first one comes knocking on her door. But things get complicated when CEO Sam Mehta rents the perfect office space above the Indian restaurant and is forced to share it with Layla and her crazy family.
As they face off in close quarters, sparks fly and they must decide if their competition is love or just a game. With high stakes and a ruthless CEO, The Marriage Game is a sexy romantic comedy that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
About the Author
Meet Sara Desai, a woman with an incredibly diverse background. She’s had careers as a lawyer, radio DJ, marathon runner, historian, bouncer, and librarian.
Currently, she resides on Vancouver Island, where she cohabitates with her husband, children, and a group of forest animals that she considers her pets. Sara is an author who specializes in writing romantic comedies and contemporary romance with a multicultural flair.
She has a great sense of humor and loves indulging in a plate of nachos. If you’re interested in Sara’s work, you can visit her website at www.saradesai.com.
Editoral Review
Sara Desai’s debut novel, The Marriage Game, is a delightful rom-com that will leave readers swooning. Desai, who is known for her witty and romantic writing, has crafted a story that is both charming and heartwarming.
Set in the Bay Area of California, the novel follows the lives of Layla Patel and Sam Mehta. Layla is an ambitious and hardworking hotel executive, while Sam is a successful tech entrepreneur.
Both of them have been set up on a blind date by their parents, who are eager for them to get married. Despite their initial animosity towards each other, Layla and Sam soon realize that they share a deep connection.
Desai’s writing is sharp and witty, and she has created two incredibly relatable characters in Layla and Sam. The chemistry between them is electric, and readers will find themselves rooting for their relationship to succeed.
The supporting cast of characters, including Layla’s eccentric family and Sam’s loyal friends, add depth and humor to the story.
The novel touches on important themes such as family, cultural identity, and the pressures of modern dating. Desai’s portrayal of Indian American culture is authentic and nuanced, and she seamlessly weaves it into the story without it feeling forced or didactic.
The setting of the Bay Area, with its diverse population and tech industry boom, is also expertly portrayed.
While the plot of the novel is somewhat predictable, Desai’s writing and character development more than make up for it. The pacing is just right, and the story never drags.
The only minor flaw in the novel is that some of the conflicts are resolved a bit too easily, but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent book.
Overall, The Marriage Game is a delightful and heartwarming read that will leave readers with a smile on their faces. Fans of romantic comedies and diverse, multicultural stories will especially enjoy this book.
Sara Desai is a talented writer to watch, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
