Reviews

The Design of Us by Sajni Patel

maggiementions's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

When Bhanu ends up going to visit her sister in Hawaii the last person she expects to see is her coworker Sunny. They bicker so much at work there coworkers place bets on who will win their vocal sparring match. But when she overhears Sunny’s ex berating him about being dateless to his friend’s wedding Bhanu can’t help stepping in, saying she’s Sunny’s new girlfriend. Now that Bhanu has gotten them into a fake relationship she has to play the part and go along some island excursions with Sunny and his friends. The more time Bhanu and Sunny spend together the less acting they seem to be doing. Can there really be an actual relationship under their farce? Or will Bhanu and Sunny go back to just being belligerent coworkers?

This romance comes with the characters not only slowly falling in love, but highlighting their mental health struggles as well, which Sajni is spectacular at writing. Bhanu is learning how to navigate her social anxiety which I can definitely relate to, and Sunny is once that has trouble expressing his emotions. It is a pleasure to be along with them as they learn to be vulnerable and real with each other. What a difference a Hawaiian vacation can have!

zhariah's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

Such a cute story! Bane and Sunny are work enemies turned friends turned to lovers in an unconventional way. The main characters are both so awkward so they work so well imo. I started this book and couldn’t put it down I was flying through it. Quick and easy read. 

Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of this book.

teralynmitchellauthor's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookedwithbonnie's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 3.5/5

The Design of Us is a fun little summer rom-com! 

Bhanu and Sunny - two bickering coworkers - end up at the same resort in Hawaii for very different reasons. After Bhanu tries to get an ex off of Sunny's back by saying that she is the new girlfriend, the fake dating commences for the rest of their trip! 

While being a bit of a slow burn, I really liked Bhanu and Sunny's dynamic. Once they cleared the air about their meet disaster, they came to realize that they have a great understanding of each other and their friendship/relationship just kept growing stronger. What might have started off fake with each other was fooling all of the friends and family around them. 

I loved the Hawaii setting and I think that Sajni Patel did an amazing job of adding in bits about tourism (good and bad), the native culture, and a little history. 

Thank you so much to Berkley, Sajni Patel, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! 

kcash20's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This was a really fun read. I enjoyed the characters a lot, along with the setting. I loved the commentary on tourism in Hawaii. The pace of the story kept me reading, and I finished the book within a couple days. The main characters had excellent chemistry and I felt like the progression of their relationship felt very natural, considering the situation. I've read a lot of books that follow the same trope of fake dating at a wedding, but this one had a very fresh feel to it. Overall, it's a solid romance and an A+ beach read. 

Thank you to Berkley and the author for the free e-ARC.

bethany6788's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was so much fun. It’s about Bhanu and Sunny, who were coworkers and rivals who have a not so great relationship at work. Bhanu goes to the Big Island on vacation, and runs into Sunny, who is there for a wedding. His ex is also there and not treating Sunny well. Bhanu overhears this exchange and blurts out that she is Sunny’s girlfriend. You can guess what happens next. 😏

*spoilers*

From the get-go - this book was absolutely for me. The cover is breathtakingly gorgeous. I LOVED the power of women in STEM. I am a fake dating lover. It’s my top trope. Combined with only one bed? Can’t go wrong. Ever. 

I adored Bhanu. She was so witty and smart. Her and Sunny’s banter was *chef’s kiss* amazing. I found myself cracking up during so many parts of the book and I highlighted A LOT. Like.. a lot. I loved how she was protective of Sunny and how it led her to say she was his fake girlfriend. I loved her anxiety and how it was portrayed. I loved her love of Hawaii and respect for the people, culture, and environment. I loved her sister and her family. The scene in the villa with Sunny, Bhanu, Diya, and her parents had me cackling. 

Speaking of Sunny!!! Yes!! He was everything I want in a love interest. Funny? Yes. Nerdy hot? Yes. Teasing? Yes. Yes to all!!! He noticed everything about Bhanu and was so loving and careful to her. He truly cared about her feelings and respected her so much. He apologized when he made mistakes and he DID BETTER. The man was amazing. I loved how he loved his family and friends, and how much he wanted to love Bhanu.

Their relationship developed so naturally and the heat between them was evident. They had great chemistry and I laughed so much, along with tearing up. The slow burn was done SO well (seriously they don’t even kiss til like 70% through) and it’s so satisfying. This was just a beautiful story and I cannot wait for everyone to experience it.

Thank you so much Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

shravks's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Fake dating shenanigans ensue in this lovely novel from Sajni Patel. Bhanu and Sunny are workplace rivals who spend a week on the Hawaiian islands pretending to be a couple, and grow closer as they learn more about the truths of each other while navigating the quagmire of their increasingly intricate web of lies told to their meddling family and friends. Sajni Patel explores topics of conservationism and emotionally abusive relationships, while also creating this fun and enjoyable romance plus engaging side characters as well. 

the_bookish_dachshund's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted

4.0

Work rivals to dating — fake dating that is. When Bhanu and Sunny both head to Hawaii for a long overdue vacation, the two rivals somehow find themselves in a fake dating conundrum while enjoying all Hawaii had to offer and a destination wedding…

I had an excellent feeling about this book from the beginning — the premise? Classic romcom fair. Tropes? Some of my faves. The look? Gorgeous - did you see those colors? 😍 Add to that it’s an author I’ve read and loved before and I was sold.

Ms. Patel did not let me down, delivering a story full of banter, fun, classic romcom moments and lots of feels. The really enjoyed both our mains, Bhanu and Sunny. I love that we got a dual POV - it always adds a bit more to a romance for me to be able to get a peek into the minds and feelings of both characters. Their banter was fun and I appreciated the slow turn from rivals to fake dating partners to more. 

The location was fun to read about and I felt seen to have a character that actually had to deal with heat issues. It feels like everyone always is miraculously fine in warmer climates, no issues or a one time one. It’s nice to ‘see’ someone balance struggle with it and still enjoying a new location and all it has to offer. I also loved seeing some anxiety representation, I’m always a big fan of realistic portrayals that show / talk about the experience and how it exists in someone’s everyday life / experience. I also loved a hero who was empathetic, and tried to be there and assist without trying to ‘fix’ it.

My only nitpicks or wishes in this case, would be one the inclusion of a brief epilogue or family meetings and two less Denzel voice references. On the voice reference it’s a minor nitpick, just felt unnecessary later on. For the other, I really enjoyed the ending, just would have liked to see their families get up glimpse their happiness up close 😊🤷🏼‍♀️

Overall, I really enjoyed the story - a fun, fast and light read that was easy to get swept up in. To those who care, there were a one or two spicier bits, though easy enough to read around. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely offered.

ccheese's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

bookishbunny_'s review against another edition

3.5

I did enjoy this story but I'm going to start off with some struggles I had with the book.

First, I just really need more adjectives used to describe the characters, particularly Sunny. The amount of times I've read about his "Denzel voice" and how he's a "grumpy Sunny" with his "frustrated wrinkle between his brow", it was quite exasperating because they were written over and over and over again. It seemed like there was nothing else about Sunny.

The characters were cute together but we really don't see any development in Sunny and Bhanu's relationship until much later in the story. They're also very similar characters so there was nothing really unique about them. I would have liked if there was more character development in this book as a whole. Even at the end, I'm not sure I was convinced of their feelings for each other. Sunny had some cute and swoony moments but Bhanu just seemed to settle. Her actions confused me quite a bit at the end, especially because she had much different priorities.

I liked the Desi representation in this book and the author did a great job incorporating part of their culture into the story. Though the way they (particularly Bhanu) handled the conflict at the end wasn't all that great, I was still rooting for them to become a couple. The conflict was frustrating because it was a typical self-imposed miscommunication sort of thing and I definitely felt like Sunny was way more into Bhanu. There were many things that could have been developed more but overall, this was a quick and light romance book!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!