REVIEW: Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn

Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn: Completely reminiscent of by-gone days wherein family values and respect for parents sat as a cornerstone to the fabric of society, Dating Makes Perfect is a delightfully sweet read that will engage any fan of the Romance genre.

Winnie, a 17 Year old Senior, knows that dating in high school is utterly out of the question, particularly as her two older twin sisters had already paved the no-dating rule way two years prior. However, after Winnie’s mother discovers that her hopes for grandchildren may be thwarted by the two older siblings wanting to experience the dating world with frivolous gusto, having been starved of the opportunities in their late teens, a fake dating plan emerges.

In a tight knit Thai community, Winnie’s mother determines the most logical choice for Winnie’s fake dating high school adventures, should begin with Matt, a trusted family friend who just also happens to be her nemesis after their friendship fell apart 4 years prior. And so a series of Rom-Com style dates begin, modelled on none-other than some classic Rom-Com films from the ages. As the fake dates unravel, so do the secrets, lies and home truths that sit wedged between Matt and Winnie and we launch into a world completely innocent and ripe for the picking.

Cleverly, Dunn, explores friendship, love, family and cultural values through Winnie’s quasi romantic escapades. The contrast of the modern world and modern families, with those who hold to traditionalism wherein respect and boundaries exist to protect the happiness of the children, underpins some of the overarching thematic intent. In many ways it was like jumping aboard a 19th century steam train and traveling back in time with the added perks of smart phones to help navigate the way.

Many questions about the quality of relationships – with our siblings, our parents, our friends and ourselves were asked and answered with the view to suggest that perhaps our desire to experience as much as we can, as quick as we can in our contemporary world leaves us too spent, too soon with nowhere to go and nothing to look forward to. Play, laughter and sneaky innocent kisses were made entirely too real again – something we perhaps need to be more grateful for and not be so urgent to skip over to get to the other bits, because as

Dating Makes Perfect summarily suggests, maybe we are going about the whole thing the wrong way round. Undoubtedly, this is a well written tale wherein the beauty of innocence projects from every page, which are inevitably turned quickly to race to the happily ever after that warms the heart.

Book Info:

Publication: August 18th 2020 | Entangled |

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