The Dating Plan by Sara Desai is a lighthearted romance about two former acquaintances, Daisy Patel and Liam Murphy, who agree to a fake engagement in order to appease their families, only to discover that their arrangement may lead to true love.
Book Info
Title: The Dating Plan
Author: Sara Desai
ISBN: 978-0593100581
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Comedy
Published: 2021
Overview
Sara Desai’s The Dating Plan is a modern romance brimming with humor, family expectations, and the appeal of opposites attracting. This book is the second in the Marriage Game series, yet it stands on its own with its unique storyline, characters, and charming humor. Following the lives of Daisy Patel, a software engineer with a penchant for structure, and Liam Murphy, a carefree venture capitalist, The Dating Plan combines cultural expectations with modern romance. The novel tackles themes of family obligations, forgiveness, and self-discovery while keeping a playful, romantic tone.
Plot Summary
Meet Daisy Patel: The Planner
Daisy Patel is a twenty-something software engineer living in San Francisco. Logical, organized, and grounded, Daisy thrives on creating plans to manage her life. After witnessing her father’s abandonment of her family, she developed a keen distrust of relationships, instead choosing to focus on her career. However, her traditional Indian family doesn’t understand her reluctance to marry, and they frequently attempt to set her up with eligible men from their community.
The Ultimatum: A Marriage Plan
When Daisy’s aunt informs her that she has arranged a potential match for her, Daisy realizes she’s out of options for dodging the family’s matchmaking efforts. But she has an idea: why not fake an engagement with someone her family already disapproves of? The plan would satisfy her family while allowing her to continue focusing on her career without the distraction of real romance. Just as she’s formulating her strategy, she unexpectedly runs into her brother’s former best friend—and her teenage crush—Liam Murphy.
Quote: “Sometimes the only way to escape expectations was to create a plan that turned them on their head.”
Liam Murphy: The Reformed Bad Boy
Liam Murphy is known for his adventurous, commitment-free lifestyle, which has earned him a reputation as a bad boy. However, behind his carefree demeanor, Liam is haunted by guilt and a complicated family legacy. To inherit his family’s distillery, Liam must marry within the year. He’s initially hesitant about entering into any kind of marriage, let alone with Daisy, whom he hasn’t seen since he abandoned her at prom years ago. Yet he realizes that Daisy’s proposal might be the only solution to his problem.
The Fake Engagement
With mutual needs in mind, Daisy and Liam agree to a fake engagement. Daisy creates an elaborate “dating plan” to make their relationship appear believable, complete with scheduled dates, hand-holding, and a promise to keep things strictly platonic. However, as they navigate these dates, Daisy and Liam start to realize that there’s genuine chemistry between them. Daisy’s practicality and structure contrast with Liam’s spontaneity, making their relationship feel like an exciting blend of opposites.
Quote: “They were like fire and ice—two forces that should repel, yet somehow they fit together like two halves of a puzzle.”
Family Dynamics and Cultural Expectations
Desai integrates the pressure of family expectations throughout the story, particularly the tension within Daisy’s traditional Indian family. Daisy’s aunt and extended family bring warmth, humor, and a touch of drama as they meddle in her life with a mixture of love and exasperation. For Daisy, the fake engagement initially feels like a rebellious move against their expectations. For Liam, it’s an opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of his family. Both characters, however, face personal challenges as they grapple with the desire to please their families while staying true to themselves.
Growing Attraction
Despite their “strictly business” arrangement, Daisy and Liam’s relationship grows deeper with each staged date. Daisy, who has spent her life avoiding relationships, finds herself charmed by Liam’s unpredictable personality. Similarly, Liam, who prides himself on avoiding emotional commitments, is drawn to Daisy’s integrity and strength. Their dates take them on various escapades around San Francisco, from family gatherings to adventures at local spots. Each outing erodes the barriers they’ve built, and they begin to rely on each other in unexpected ways.
Complications and Conflicts
Daisy and Liam’s arrangement faces its share of challenges as their families start to take the engagement seriously. Daisy’s family is thrilled about the union, planning a large wedding and embracing Liam with open arms. But when Liam’s past actions resurface, Daisy must confront her feelings of betrayal from years ago when he abandoned her at prom. Liam, struggling with his unresolved guilt, realizes that his feelings for Daisy are real, yet he’s unsure if he can be the partner she deserves.
Quote: “For once, Liam wanted to hold onto something good, even if he didn’t believe he was worthy of it.”
The story reaches a turning point when Daisy discovers a truth about Liam’s family obligations and realizes how much he’s willing to sacrifice for her happiness. Faced with this revelation, Daisy’s fear of abandonment resurfaces, and she begins to doubt if she can trust him. The tension tests the boundaries of their fake engagement, forcing them both to confront their deepest insecurities.
Resolution and Personal Growth
As the engagement continues, both Daisy and Liam experience personal growth. Daisy learns to embrace vulnerability, recognizing that love isn’t about guarantees or control. Liam, on the other hand, learns that commitment is not a trap but a chance to build something meaningful with another person. He finds himself ready to face his fears and make amends with his past mistakes to become a better partner.
In a heartfelt climax, Liam proves his love for Daisy by showing up for her when she least expects it, demonstrating his growth and commitment. Daisy, in turn, realizes that her meticulous plans cannot account for everything, and sometimes taking a risk is the only way to find happiness. The story concludes with them finally admitting their feelings and choosing to embrace a future together—one that isn’t ruled by the confines of a “dating plan” but by genuine love and partnership.
Character Analysis
Daisy Patel
Daisy is an intelligent, ambitious woman who hides her vulnerability behind a structured, pragmatic approach to life. Her journey revolves around confronting her fear of abandonment and learning to trust herself and others. She represents the modern woman torn between family expectations and her own desires, ultimately finding a balance that honors both.
Liam Murphy
Liam’s transformation from a carefree bachelor to a devoted partner reflects his need for redemption. Haunted by past mistakes and a desire to honor his family, he learns that vulnerability and commitment are not weaknesses but strengths. Liam’s character shows the complexity of balancing personal freedom with responsibility and love.
Family and Cultural Influence
Both Daisy’s and Liam’s families play significant roles in shaping their values and conflicts. The Patels bring humor, warmth, and meddling, reminding readers of the influence family holds over personal choices, especially in culturally rooted communities. For Liam, his family’s distillery legacy represents responsibility and guilt, driving his character growth as he seeks to honor his family’s legacy while carving his own path.
Themes
1. The Balance Between Independence and Family Expectations
Daisy’s struggle to reconcile her desires with her family’s wishes highlights the universal tension between individuality and family loyalty. Desai explores the nuances of balancing cultural traditions with modern values, creating a relatable story for readers of diverse backgrounds.
2. Redemption and Forgiveness
Liam’s arc of redemption emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in personal growth. As he confronts his past mistakes and takes accountability, he proves that self-reflection and vulnerability can lead to healing and love.
3. The Risks and Rewards of Vulnerability
Both characters learn that love requires vulnerability and trust. Daisy’s journey to open herself to love and Liam’s growth from avoidance to commitment illustrate that taking emotional risks can lead to fulfilling relationships.
4. The Power of a Plan—And Letting Go of It
Daisy’s reliance on planning serves as both a comfort and a barrier. Her journey teaches that while planning provides structure, true happiness sometimes requires letting go and allowing life to take its course.
Quotes
- “You can’t plan love. You can only let it happen.”
- “Family means sacrifice, but it also means choosing your happiness.”
Conclusion
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai is a delightful romance that blends humor, cultural depth, and emotional growth. Daisy and Liam’s story offers more than a fake engagement trope; it’s a journey of self-discovery, love, and the courage to defy expectations. Desai’s characters, with their quirks and flaws, bring authenticity to the romantic comedy genre, making The Dating Plan an engaging and memorable read.
One-Sentence Summary
The Dating Plan is a charming romance that uses a fake engagement to explore themes of family expectations, vulnerability, and the courage to pursue true love.