I have the four kiddos home today because Blue had some body aches yesterday and a stomachache today. I play by the rules and all 3 school-aged kiddos are home. Enter another covid test and I’m trying to get this post out before Hope wakes up from her nap. 🏃🏻♀️
Set Me Up
Liam Murphy and Sanjay Patel were besties growing up. And since Liam was a perma-fixture at the Patel house, little sis Daisy clearly grew a massive, years-long crush on Liam. Of course Liam knew she was drooling over him. And Daisy thought him asking her to prom her senior year was maybe, just maybe, him reciprocating her feelings. Until he was a no-show. As in, never heard from again.
Until now. 10 years later.
Daisy is happy with a fling here, a ‘meh’ relationship there, but she isn’t looking to get hitched or hitch herself to anyone’s wagon anytime soon. Liam and Daisy literally run into each other in San Francisco and there’s a spark.
But there’s also an opportunity. For Daisy to get her matchmaker aunts off her keester and for Liam to secure a family-owned business. If only these two can pretend to be engaged and go on enough dates to make it look like a real engagement. A civil ceremony, no emotions involved, simply cohabitating for one year and then an amicable divorce. Everyone gets something out of this arrangement.
If they can pull it off.
8 Reasons You’ll Love The Dating Plan
First, this cover. Captivating, amirite?! This could be a novel about grocery lists, but I’m showing up loud n’ proud for it.
Second, this novel takes place in San Francisco which I feel never happens. New York and London seem to have the biggest footprints on love stories for some reason, so when a different city shows up to play? I’m buyin’ tickets.
Third, different cultures. Daisy is Indian and very immersed in her culture. It was SO. MUCH. FUN reading about wedding prep within Daisy’s family! The food references, the meddling aunts, the respect for elders. It’s just a beautiful thing. And I love learning about cultures different than mine. (Liam is Irish, but I got that one covered. Still super fun to read about his loud, passive-aggressive fam.)
Fourth, different family dynamics. Everyone’s got their crazy, so I’m not here to tell you Daisy’s family has it together and Liam’s is cray cray. Everyone brings something to the table here, folks. Love that. Real life.
Fifth, Daisy owns her badassery. She is whip-smart, highly sought after in her field, doesn’t give a hoot about wedding planning or finding her ‘dream guy’ and loves on her curves. She is a role model for all of us!
Sixth, this novel is unlike other rom com books where the two don’t figure out their true feelings until the end. There are all sorts of twists in this book.
Seven, opposites attract is a thing. Daisy and Liam aren’t just physical opposites (his very tall to her extra short) but are also personality polar opposites. Daisy is Type A (can I get an amen?!) and he is a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda dude. This is my husband and me to a tee!
Eight, Liam’s never felt worthy of Daisy. He’s known forever what a freaking dynamo she is. I have no interest in books where the guy has to come to his damn senses after a few decades. Nah. No.
Fave quotes
“She needed to keep her distance from Liam Murphy. Falling for him had never been a choice. Losing him had almost destroyed her.” Brilliant, right?!
Recipe, please
You have steam, different cultures, the beautiful landscape of San Fran, being true to your heart and a super strong protagonist. Total winner!