“I couldn’t put down this page-turner. . . . The new When Harry Met Sally . . . a warm, smart, sexy, and absolutely charming debut.”—Colleen Hoover
A teacher with big dreams joins forces with a no-nonsense engineer to survive an ex's wedding and escape matchmaking pressure from their Indian families. Their plan? Faking an engagement, of course.
Meghna Raman defied her parents’ wishes and followed her life’s passion, becoming a theater teacher and aspiring playwright. When she discovers that her beloved writing partner, best friend, and secret crush, Seth, is engaged—and not to her—she realizes he’s about to become the one-that-got-away. Even worse, he’s asked her to be his best man. And worse than that, she’s agreed. Determined to try and move on, Meghna agrees to let her parents introduce her to a potential match. Maybe she could marry the engineer that her parents still wish she’d become.
Grumpy engineer Karthik Murthy has seen enough of his parents’ marriage to know it’s not for him. He agreed to his mother’s matchmaking attempts to make her happy, never dreaming he would meet someone as vibrant as Meghna. Though he can’t offer her something real, a fake engagement could help Meghna soothe the sting of planning Seth’s wedding festivities and Karthik avoid the absurd number of set-ups his mother has planned for him.
As the two find common ground, grow protective of each other’s hearts, and start to fall for the traits they originally thought they hated, an undeniable chemistry emerges. But soon, their expectations and insecurities threaten something that’s become a lot more real than they’d planned.
Say You’ll Be Mine is a delightful trip back to the heyday of swoony romantic comedies from the nineties, but with a deep and poignant look at the effects of culture and family in our most intimate relationships.
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"I adored this book! A sweet, funny, yet sizzling story of two people who unexpectedly find love while faking an engagement after being set up by their parents. I loved big-hearted and fun-loving (and pun-loving!) Meghna, and buttoned-up Karthik’s loyalty and passion was the perfect match for her. Add in some meddling (but mostly well-meaning) families, complicated friendships, and best of all, two characters who learn together how to be true to themselves. This book should be an instant romance classic!"
— Farah Heron, author of Accidentally Engaged
I couldn’t put down this page-turner. A warm, smart, sexy, and absolutely charming debut with the most important lesson at its center: real love is built on courage. Meghna and Karthik's happily ever after is the new When Harry Met Sally. Naina Kumar’s Say You’ll Be Mine has it all.
— Colleen HooverA fresh and charming story about finding love without losing yourself . . . I rooted for these wonderfully headstrong, big-hearted characters all the way.
— Linda Holmes, New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts OverStuffed to the brim with emotion, chemistry, and all the best microtropes, Say You’ll Be Mine is a romance lover’s dream.
— Ava Wilder, author of Will They or Won’t TheyNaina Kumar’s fresh, compelling voice and lovable characters (including a starchy hero that is now at the very top of my all-time favorites list) made me fall head-over-heels for Say You’ll Be Mine from the very first page. This debut about love, culture, family, and friendship is absolutely irresistible—I didn’t want to put it down!
— Sarah Adler, author of Mrs. Nash’s AshesSwoony, smart and charming: Say You'll Be Mine is the type of South Asian diaspora romance I’ve always wished for. Naina Kumar’s debut is spectacular.
— Nisha Sharma, author of Dating Dr. DilA delightful, layered book that addresses the frequent disconnect between what a person does, says, thinks they want, and actually wants—as individuals and within the context of their family, work, and community. . . . the emotional roller coaster of this journey is warm, engrossing, joyful—and nerve-wracking.
— Kirkus Review, starred reviewKumar debuts with a swoon-worthy contemporary that marries a grumpy-sunshine romance with a deep exploration of familial relationships. . . . It’s a diverting convergence of romance tropes given weight by some deep emotions. This should earn Kumar plenty of fans.
— Publishers WeeklyStuffed to the brim with emotion, chemistry, and all the best microtropes, Say You’ll Be Mine is a romance lover’s dream.
— Ava Wilder, author of Will They or Won’t TheyA delightful, layered book that addresses the frequent disconnect between what a person does, says, thinks they want, and actually wants—as individuals and within the context of their family, work, and community . . . The emotional roller coaster of this journey is warm, engrossing, joyful—and nerve-wracking.
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)The strength of this sweet debut lies in the relationships with family members and friends and how they are tempered by cruel realities and the thorny path to true love. Kumar is a writer to watch.
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Gabra Zackman is an actress, author, and narrator who has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She was educated at Northwestern University. A classically trained actress, she has appeared in theaters all over the country as well as on film and television.