The Dating Plan

Sara Desai

Mar 2021 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

A Marie Claire Book Club Pick!

Even with a step-by-step plan, these fake fiancés might accidentally fall for each other in this hilarious, heartfelt romantic comedy from the author of The Marriage Game.

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.

Liam Murphy is a venture capitalist with something to prove. When he learns that his inheritance is contingent on being married, he realizes his best friend's little sister has the perfect solution to his problem. A marriage of convenience will get Daisy's matchmaking relatives off her back and fulfill the terms of his late grandfather's will. If only he hadn’t broken her tender teenage heart nine years ago…

Sparks fly when Daisy and Liam go on a series of dates to legitimize their fake relationship. Too late, they realize that very little is convenient about their arrangement. History and chemistry aren't about to follow the rules of this engagement.

Ratings and reviews

4 Star review The Dating Plan by Sara Desai Sara Desai is a new author to me and how I have not come across this author before I have no idea. I was intrigued be the blurb when I read this second chance at love story and found it to be well written and an entertaining story. This is Daisy Patel and Liam Murphy’s story. These two have history as Liam broke her heart many years ago by standing her up at her prom. Daisy has never forgiven him and Liam has never forgotten Daisy, for him she is the one who got away. However, sometimes you have to do things you would rather not and Daisy is at this point, thanks to her matchmaking relatives who will not give up. When Liam learns the terms of his grandfather’s will and that he needs to be married, he is shocked. He is even more surprised when Daisy asks him to be her fake fiance. However realizing that they can help each other out, a marriage of convenience is planned. I enjoyed this story, it had romance, heat, was witty, with loud out loud moments and I loved the relationship that developed between Daisy and Liam. This was an entertaining read that I enjoyed. I received a copy of this book through the publisher via Netgalley.

Daisy Patel has had a crush on her brother's best friend, Liam Murphy, since she was a teenage girl. When Liam asked Daisy to her high school prom, she was over the moon, until he stood her up and then disappeared from their lives. Now, ten years later he suddenly shows up in her life at a convention along with her ex-boss, who is dating her ex-boyfriend; and her Salena Auntie who has a guy she brought along as possible husband material. So what does Liam do? He kisses Daisy and plays along that they are engaged! It also turns out that when Liam's grandfather passed away, part of his will states that Liam must get married by his 30th birthday, which is in a few months, in order to claim his inheritance. Thus starts The Dating Plan. Daisy and Liam come up with a list of fake dates they will go on to get everyone to believe that they are really dating. Then they'll get married for a year and divorce after that. Problem is is that the fake dating turns real pretty quickly. Just when it looks like everything is going according to plan, of course, everything falls apart. It will take a lot of soul searching for both of these two to find their happy ever after, but it will be worth it in the end. Overall I enjoyed this story. I could relate a lot to Daisy. Liam was a fun add to the mix to her very controlled life. I really loved Daisy's crazy family too and they made for a lot of laugh out loud moments.

About the author

Sara Desai has been a lawyer, a radio DJ, a historian, a bouncer, and a librarian. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and three children.