The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

 I’m in love with the way Sara Desai writes love.

Photo by me - from my bookstagram @bookworminkayla

Through a series of unforseen circumstances, Layla Patel and Sam Mehta have to share an office space above the Patel family restaurant.  Layla is just starting her new recruitment consultant business, while Sam is CEO of a corporate downsizing company - in other words, Layla finds jobs and Sam cuts them.  And their differences don't end there.  As Layla and Sam fight over their office space, they continuously clash (in all the best ways).  Additionally, Layla's well-meaning father sets her up on a series of blind dates and they all come right to the office doors, causing more trouble (and opportunities) for Sam.  As these two enemies spend more and more time together, the lines of their game begin to blur and they start to question what it means to win.

Riding on mutual attraction from the start, Layla and Sam are very much not subtle as they compete for their office space. Along the way, they get to know each other and I love their chemistry as they do!  This book has all the banter, wit, and sarcasm you could ever want, which I absolutely adore in my romance novels.  Their game is fun and, though they are each serious about this office space, it is also lighthearted.  Sam and Layla contrast each other to the best degree - uptight Sam is confronted with the whirlwind of Layla and learns to relax a bit, while she gains advice and business acumen from him.  There are also deeper themes going on in the book that push the story where it needs to be, and everything is timed so perfectly.  The plot is so unique and the writing is phenomenal to go along with it.  This is Sara Desai's debut novel, and I am hooked as a dedicated fan.  I adored this book and highly recommend it as the enemies to lovers romance you’ve been looking for.