horrible dates leads to realization!

The Marriage Clock – Zara Raheem

Romance, marriage, dates, arranged marriages, suitors, fiction.

Rating 10/10

Leila wants the full Bollywood movie romance rather than having to go through an arranged marriage. When her parents demand that she gets married soon, she tells them to give her time. Leila is given until their thirtieth anniversary to find a proper suitor, which only gives her three months’ time. Her friends help her with finding dates in all sorts of ways. Her mother set her up with a matchmaker. Leila even tried dating websites and speed dating. She even tries to go on more second and third dates to give some prospects a chance. She finds one prospect but later finds out he ghosted her. When her cousin invites her to the wedding, her and her mom go to the wedding. During this time, Leila learns more about herself and what she truly wants. Then her friend calls her up about said prospect that wants to connect. Leila has to decide whether or not she should hold onto cultural expectations or let go of them.

I enjoyed reading this novel a lot. I thought this was really insightful into a culture that considers marriage as a huge part of their life. Marriage traditions are always interesting to learn about especially other cultures and their marriage traditions. Especially in the modern era of dating scene versus traditional Indian marriages that are typically arranged with the parents of the persons they want to have a marriage with. The parents always want what is best for their child and do whatever research is needed to see that their child is being taken care of. I saw that age was a huge factor that typically Indians get married at a younger age and if someone was over the age bar to get married, there was scrutiny and criticism around that person. These are all traditional ideas that exist in the modern age with improvements with the aid of technology. I loved how the protagonist explores her own beliefs as well as her parents to try to decide what she truly wants for herself. In the end she does make a decision, not going to spill because that would be spoiling the ending. I ended up reading this novel within a days’ time. This novel is a one sitting read.

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pretending has consequences

Takane & Hana – Yuki Shiwasu

Romance, comedy, arranged marriages, fiction, manga.

Rating 10/10

Takane’s grandfather wants Takane married so he arranges a marriage with one of the employees’ daughter. Hana’s sister doesn’t want to go to the meeting, so their father forces the other daughter, Hana, to go disguised as her sister. Takane can see right through the disguise and starts to be rude to her. Hana goes on the charade as her sister but when things got a little too much, she told him the truth and he knew already all along. He just wanted to see how far she was willing to take it. He takes her on dates and spends money on her that this annoys her. Although she is starting to fall for him, and he is slowly falling for her too.

I really expected the novel to have this despise to lust or some sort of game to go on between the two characters Takane and Hana. I enjoyed this manga so much. There is more comedy present than romance but as this is the first volume, maybe more romance in other volumes. I do plan to order more of this series. I’ve become obsessed with manga and most of it is my boyfriend’s fault. Literature is literature, just a different format presentation. I do recommend this manga too if one is into romantic comedies.