Review Detail

DATING MAKES PERFECT is a beautifully written YA contemporary romance that had me grinning from ear-to-ear. Winnie has two older sisters, twins, who have gone off to college. When their parents are suddenly pressuring them to get engaged, they point out that their parents rule forbidding them to date in high school has left them without a critical skill. Their mother then decides to revise the rule for Winnie, asking her to go on practice dates during her senior year of high school.

Although this may sound odd, Winnie is willing to play along to get to a place where she can date and go to prom with a boy- something previously forbidden. The biggest problem is her mother's choice for the boy she will go on these practice dates with- Mat. Mat and Winnie were best friends all throughout their childhood until they became enemies in middle school. They have pretty successfully hated each other since. However, once they start spending time together, they are able to air out the events that led to their animosity and nothing is quite so simple.

What I loved: Winnie, Mat, and Winnie's family are all fully developed characters, and I loved every single one of them. I also appreciated the perspectives of Thai culture that are sprinkled throughout with the celebrations, foods, and views on relationships. But I also appreciated that Winnie's parents and sisters approach everything with a lot of love.

The book is filled with funny moments and all the fun of the enemies-to-lovers and fake-dating tropes that made this a total delight. The relationship builds at an absolutely perfect pace, and I loved the inclusion and focus on consent at every step (nothing more than kisses here, but even those deserve consent). I really cheered for Mat and Winnie along the way, and I was definitely shrieking with joy by the end. This book is a true delight to read.

Final verdict: An absolute pleasure of a romantic comedy, DATING MAKES PERFECT should be on all the lists. Prepare to laugh, sigh, and cheer for this delightful read!