The Dating Plan

Silicon Valley software engineer Daisy Patel relies on logic and order in both her career and personal life. When she runs into her childhood crush Liam Murphy at a tech conference, she finds herself entering a fake engagement arrangement with him to satisfy both their family pressures. The two create a detailed dating plan with set rules and boundaries to convince their families while protecting their hearts. Their carefully structured arrangement includes scheduled dates, public appearances, and guidelines for maintaining professional distance. What begins as a strategic partnership becomes more complex as Daisy and Liam navigate family dynamics, career challenges, and their unresolved history. The story explores themes of family expectations, cultural traditions, and the tension between emotional control and vulnerability. This contemporary romance examines how past experiences shape current relationships and questions whether matters of the heart can be managed with the same precision as computer code. The narrative combines elements of South Asian family culture with the modern tech industry setting.

Readers describe this as a lighthearted fake dating romance with family dynamics and Silicon Valley startup culture. The relationship between leads Daisy and Liam develops with humor and chemistry. Liked: - Strong South Asian representation and cultural elements - Balance of romantic moments with career/family plotlines - Character development, especially Daisy's growth - Supporting cast of family members Disliked: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found the miscommunication tropes frustrating - A few readers wanted more depth to the business subplot - Several noted the story follows predictable romance formulas Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (26,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,800+ ratings) Sample review: "Perfect blend of sweet and steamy with authentic Indian American family dynamics. The fake dating setup actually makes sense for once." - Goodreads reviewer "The chemistry worked but the constant pushing away got repetitive." - Amazon reviewer

The Marriage Game by Alisha Rai An Indian-American woman teams with her ex to appease family pressure through a fake dating scheme that leads to real complications.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon Two public radio co-workers pose as exes for a relationship advice show while their pretense evolves into genuine feelings.

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory A writer forms an unexpected connection with a doctor who helps her escape an unwanted public proposal.

The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert A CEO enters a business arrangement marriage with a rival family's daughter, and their fake relationship transforms into a high-stakes romance.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey A former baseball player and a party planner enter a fake relationship to boost their reputations while navigating family expectations.

🌟 This enemies-to-lovers romance was inspired by the author's own arranged marriage conversations with her family while growing up in an Indian-American household. 💑 The book features a fake dating agreement with 12 specific rules, including mandatory weekly dates and social media posts, making it a blend of the fake dating and marriage of convenience tropes. 🎮 The main character, Daisy Patel, is a software engineer in San Francisco's tech industry, reflecting the author's own background in technology before becoming a writer. 📚 "The Dating Plan" is part of a loose series that includes "The Marriage Game," though each book can be read as a standalone romance. 🎥 The novel pays homage to classic romantic comedies, particularly "While You Were Sleeping," with several scenes directly inspired by beloved rom-com moments.