Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn
“My sisters may cast a long shadow, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing for me to linger in their shade.
I don’t have to hide there. Instead, I can bolster myself so that when I finally emerge, into the light, I am that much closer to the person I want to be.
I don’t have to hide there. Instead, I can bolster myself so that when I finally emerge, into the light, I am that much closer to the person I want to be.
The Winnie I know I can be.
The girl who can stand on her own—but who understands that it’s much more effective, heartening, and fun to stand with her sisters.”
The Tech sisters don’t date in high school. Not because they’re not asked. Not because they’re not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name—hence the shortened, awkward moniker. But simply because they’re not allowed.
Until now.
In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech twins got to college, their parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” The sisters retaliated by vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had lots of the dating practice that they didn’t get in high school.
In a shocking war on the status quo, her parents now insist that their youngest daughter, Orrawin (aka “Winnie”), must practice fake dating in high school. Under their watchful eyes, of course—and organized based on their favorite rom-coms. ’Cause that won’t end in disaster.
The first candidate? The son of their longtime friends, Mat Songsomboon—arrogant, infuriating, and way too good-looking. Winnie’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice balls at each other. And her parents love him.
If only he weren’t her sworn enemy.
AHHH I loved it!
Let’s start at the top: I really liked the representation in this book. Winnie loves her Thai culture and her family, but she acknowledges the struggle that comes with being a second generation immigrant. She tries to appease her parents whenever she can; mostly, it comes naturally to her. Dating Makes Perfect is loyal to Winnie’s parents, however. The book avoids falling into the “stereotypical Asian helicopter parent” trap and actually fleshes out Winnie’s Mama and Papa; they are reasonable people! Even more refreshingly, we see a main character who has some identity issues related to her siblings, but who owns them up and loves her sisters regardless. Winnie’s adoration and support for her older twin sisters, Ari and Bunny, is phenomenal. Though she struggles under the weight of their perfection and personality, she loves them. This was, hands down, my favorite aspect of the book.
I also loved Winnie’s best friend Kavya (was even more excited to learn that she’s based off of Pintip Dunn’s irl high school bestie!). Again, we had another beautiful example of diverse characters who just … live their lives.
Moving on to the actual plot, I found Winnie’s story to be equal parts entertaining and hooking. I feel like family friends are underrepresented, so I’m always a little biased in their favor. Accordingly, I really wanted Winnie and Mat to work out their differences. Though the endgame is relatively predictable, Winnie and Mat’s bickering was always entertaining, and their individual emotional growth was really rewarding as well.
The numerous movie and TV show references were hilarious and helped make Winnie feel even more real and relatable.
Overall, Dating Makes Perfect delivers a sweet rom com and the amazing characters are the cherry on top!
Until now.
In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech twins got to college, their parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” The sisters retaliated by vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had lots of the dating practice that they didn’t get in high school.
In a shocking war on the status quo, her parents now insist that their youngest daughter, Orrawin (aka “Winnie”), must practice fake dating in high school. Under their watchful eyes, of course—and organized based on their favorite rom-coms. ’Cause that won’t end in disaster.
The first candidate? The son of their longtime friends, Mat Songsomboon—arrogant, infuriating, and way too good-looking. Winnie’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice balls at each other. And her parents love him.
If only he weren’t her sworn enemy.
AHHH I loved it!
Let’s start at the top: I really liked the representation in this book. Winnie loves her Thai culture and her family, but she acknowledges the struggle that comes with being a second generation immigrant. She tries to appease her parents whenever she can; mostly, it comes naturally to her. Dating Makes Perfect is loyal to Winnie’s parents, however. The book avoids falling into the “stereotypical Asian helicopter parent” trap and actually fleshes out Winnie’s Mama and Papa; they are reasonable people! Even more refreshingly, we see a main character who has some identity issues related to her siblings, but who owns them up and loves her sisters regardless. Winnie’s adoration and support for her older twin sisters, Ari and Bunny, is phenomenal. Though she struggles under the weight of their perfection and personality, she loves them. This was, hands down, my favorite aspect of the book.
I also loved Winnie’s best friend Kavya (was even more excited to learn that she’s based off of Pintip Dunn’s irl high school bestie!). Again, we had another beautiful example of diverse characters who just … live their lives.
Moving on to the actual plot, I found Winnie’s story to be equal parts entertaining and hooking. I feel like family friends are underrepresented, so I’m always a little biased in their favor. Accordingly, I really wanted Winnie and Mat to work out their differences. Though the endgame is relatively predictable, Winnie and Mat’s bickering was always entertaining, and their individual emotional growth was really rewarding as well.
The numerous movie and TV show references were hilarious and helped make Winnie feel even more real and relatable.
Overall, Dating Makes Perfect delivers a sweet rom com and the amazing characters are the cherry on top!
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