Spotlight & Giveaway: Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Pintip Dunn to HJ!

Hi Pintip and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, DATING MAKES PERFECT!

 
Hi! Thanks so much for having me! I’m thrilled to be here!
 

Please summarize the book a la Twitter style for the readers here:

When her college-aged sisters refuse to settle down, Winnie’s parents decide that she must practice date in high school in order to gain the necessary relationship skills. Only problem is? The boy her parents have chosen for her to fake date is her sworn enemy.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

The Tech sisters don’t date in high school.
Not because we’re not asked. My older sister Aranee holds the record for five invites for a single dance, while my other sister, Bunnisa, follows closely behind with four. The discrepancy has nothing to do with their appearance. They look exactly the same, being twins and all.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• I sold this book to my editor/publisher, Liz Pelletier, in a thirty second pitch. At midnight.
• I finished writing the book during the stay-at-home orders as a result of the pandemic. Writing this manuscript was the only thing that gave me a breather from all of that anxiety!
• Winnie is based on my sister, Lana — younger than me by twelve years. From that much-younger perspective, she sees me as her perfect older sister, no matter how much I try to explain that I’m as much a mess as anyone else!
• Winnie and Mat go to Lowcountry on one of their dates, which is a real restaurant owned by my brother and sister-in-law.
• I dedicated the book to my amazing A-Ma, who was 100 years old when she passed away this spring.

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

Winnie and Mat were childhood best friends before they had a falling-out four years ago. As such, they have a long history and a remembered fondness for one another. The time apart has allowed them to grow up and see each other in a different light, and their bickering is underscored by their simmering attraction for one another.
 

Using just 5 words, how would you describe Hero and Heroine’s love affair?

Friends to enemies to lovers.
 

The First Kiss…

I move closer. And then I press my mouth against his. And stay there. Oh my. This is nice. One thousand one, one thousand two. He must’ve misunderstood me, though. I meant no sudden movements to avoid any accidental black eyes. Not: stop moving altogether. One thousand three, one thousand four. Still, I can’t complain. Fireworks aren’t exactly going off here, but I can see why a kiss has become a symbol for affection.
One thousand five.
I draw back, triumphant. I did it! I had my first kiss. And it wasn’t even terrible, like Kavya warned.
I smile at him. “That was really lovely.”
His eyes fly open. “Lovely?” he croaks.
“Well, yeah.” Doubt begins to sink in. Did I do it wrong? How is that possible when I wasn’t even moving? “Didn’t you like it? I stayed there for five whole seconds.”
“You counted?” he asks incredulously.
Okay, I’ve definitely messed something up here. Clearly, the kiss wasn’t as torrid as I’ve seen at parties—or even in the school’s corridors—where the participants look like they’re about to climb into each other’s mouths. But this was a first kiss. Even Kavya said they’re awkward as hell. What does he expect?
“I’m sorry it wasn’t up to your usual standards,” I say, my words as stiff as the bench we’re sitting on.
He scrubs a hand down his face, wincing as he brushes against the bruise. “Listen, Winnie. I’d rather have a kiss from you than anyone else on this planet. And I loved it. But you know what they say. Third time’s a charm. Can we try again, on my terms?”
“What terms?” I ask warily.
“For starters, I’d like to be able to move.”
I choke out a laugh. “That was a misunderstanding—”
“A paralyzing one.” His lips twitch. “Come on. What do you say? I promise you’ll like it.”
“Fine,” I say. “But if I don’t like it—”
He leans forward and kisses me.
Holy moly. So this is what… Wow. Okay. This is a kiss. Lips moving. Slowly. Sweetly. So hot, this give-and-take. A hint of teeth. Oh, hello, tongue. I could do this all day. All night. The sun would set. The cold would creep. And we’d stay right here, creating our own warmth.
His hands glide over my shoulders, caressing my back. But he doesn’t need to urge me closer. I move in of my own volition. More. I want more. More kissing. More Mat. More of his orange Tic Tac taste. We used to gobble them by the handfuls when we were kids. I can’t believe he still eats them. It’s been years since I’ve tasted one…until now.

Without revealing too much, what is your favorite scene in the book?

My favorite scene is the opening of the book because we get our first glimpse of Winnie and her sisters and their incredibly close relationship.

“How come you’re not engaged yet?” Mama asks my sisters three months before my high school graduation.
“You did not just ask us that.” Bunny’s hands freeze over the egg roll she’s wrapping, her eyes flashing dangerously. Or maybe they just look dangerous because of the cat-eye she’s applied on top of the lashes and Scotch tape. If I tried to pull off the same effect, I’d give myself a black eye—literally and figuratively.
Ari groans, even as her fingers continue to move. Already, she’s amassed a pile of precisely wrapped skins larger than mine and Bunny’s combined. “Seriously? We’ve been in college for how long? Two seconds?”
“It’s not like flipping a switch,” Bunny adds. “We can’t go from not dating to married in four seconds flat.”
“Six months.” Mama whisks away the large metal bowl, now empty of the ground beef, vermicelli noodle, and shredded cabbage mixture, and plunks a new one in its place. “Six months ago, Papa and I gave you permission to start dating. Given how much you girls grumbled and complained about not having relationships in high school, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to ask if you have any serious prospects.”
“That’s not what you said, though.” I grin impishly. “You said, and I quote, ‘How come you’re not engaged—’”
“Hush, Winnie,” Mama says automatically. At least once in every family discussion, someone breaks out with these words. Normally, it makes me straighten to my full five five—two inches taller than my sisters, thank you very much—as if they have to pay attention to me if I’m in their line of sight.
But today, I’m just happy to wrap egg rolls while my mom and sisters bicker.
Because they’re here, Ari and Bunny. Home for spring break. No doubt they’re Mama’s favorites. Ari is premed, while Bunny is prelaw. Together, they’re a Thai parent’s dearest fantasy come to life, which is why Mama’s hosting a fifty-person farewell party for the final night before they have to go back to college.
I’ll never be able to compete, so I don’t even try. Anything I could hope to do, they’ve already done and done better.
But I don’t mind. Because Ari and Bunny are my favorites, too. We’re like three sides of an isosceles triangle. I’ll never match their lengths or their angles, but they’d be hard-pressed to exist without me shoring them up. I think.

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would be absolutely crucial to include?

An absolutely crucial scene would be the one that takes place at the wat Thai (or temple), celebrating the Songkran festival (or Thai New Year). This scene showcases Thai culture and community, while developing Mat and Winnie’s relationship.

We walk through the back door to the open lawn and put our shoes back on. The calm doesn’t so much evaporate as it explodes. Hordes of people mill around two rows of food stands. Everywhere I look, I catch sight of my favorite dishes. Both my eyes and my nose are flooded with grilled meats and fish sauce, coconut milk and sugar. I was born into this cacophony of taste and color and scents, and it never fails to give me comfort.
“Where do we even start?” Kavya squeals.
I laugh. “We just pick a spot and dive in.”
I purchase some coupons at a nearby cash register, and then we step into the fray.
Before long, we’re alternatively taking bites from bundles of sticky rice and skewers of moo ping, or grilled pork.
“This is the best.” Kavya closes her eyes, as though that will allow her to better taste the food. “We should have Songkran every month. Every week.”
I rip off a hunk of pork with my teeth. Food is not just a sliver of our culture but also a thread that connects the entire tapestry of who we are. We use it to socialize—and to take care of one another.

Readers should read this book …

if they:

• enjoy a mash-up of tropes, namely best friends to enemies to lovers
• adore witty banter
• like their romances with the sides of deep family bonds and strong sisterly relationships
• appreciate a slow build-up to that perfect first kiss
• identify with slightly awkward heroines who feel like they can never measure up to their beloved sisters
• relish gorgeous but infuriating heroes who are slightly arrogant but have goodness at their core
• love reading about cultural traditions
• possess a deep abiding love for food in general — and Thai food in particular

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I’m playing around with a couple projects, vastly different from each other. Both challenge me in a new, exciting way – which is always what I seek – and I’m greatly looking forward to seeing what happens. I also have a co-authored project in the works that I’m very excited about.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: Signed paperback copy of DATING MAKES PERFECT
Open to international winner if Book Depository ships there, with a signed bookplate

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What was dating in high school like for you? 

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Excerpt from Dating Makes Perfect:

Around one a.m. that night…

Me: How’s the tongue?
Mat: Pretty sure my taste buds = scorched beyond repair
Me: LOLOL. I did warn you
Mat: Which means it’s probably also your duty to soothe me
Me: Glass of milk. Dr Pepper. Both will coat your tongue
Mat: I was hoping for something a little more…personal
Me: You could use the mug I painted for you in 7th grade. That’s personal, amirite? It has flowers on it. And butterflies
Mat: *grumble* Thanks
Me: *big, cheesy grin* Anytime
Mat: Do you think your mom planned for this to happen?
Me: She didn’t exactly pour chili pepper down your throat
Mat: She sent us there. Think about it. Tons of garlic. Enough chilies to breathe fire. Not a bad way to prevent two people from kissing
Me: Garlic’s not a deterrent if we’re both eating it
Mat: *jots note to self* Good to know.
Me: You should’ve seen yourself. Nose flaring, eyes bulged. Now THAT’S a deterrent
Mat: Too bad you didn’t get a pic
Me: Oh, don’t worry. I did
*Sends photo*
Mat: Huh. I didn’t notice you taking this
Me: You didn’t notice much, other than gulping down your water and knocking over mine
Mat: Just saving you from Chicago’s terrible tap water.
Me: Sure you were
Mat: I actually look hot here. Check out my biceps. Hello, granite
Me: Figures that’s the first thing you would notice
Mat: Happy to notice more. Send me a pic of you
Me: Not following your logic?
Mat: It’s only fair. Quick. Take one now
Me: Are you sure? I’m wearing my glasses. Eye mask on forehead. Ratty T-shirt
Mat: Stop getting me riled up and do it already!
Me: Fine

I sit up and take a ridiculous selfie. I stare at the girl in the picture for an endless moment. Why does this feel like leaping into the abyss? But if Mat’s at the bottom, then I’ll risk it. Taking a deep breath, I hit Send.

Mat: I’ll keep it 4evah
Me: Shut up
Mat: No, really. I especially like the cat face on the eye mask. What is it with you and cats anyway? It’s like you’re overcompensating for your cat allergy
Me: I like cats
Mat: I got that part
Me: Just because I can’t have one as a pet doesn’t mean I don’t like looking at them. Speaking of things I like to look at…send me of pic of you
Mat: Thought you’d never ask

Five seconds later, a photo arrives. Of Mat. Without a shirt.

Mat: Well. What do you think?

My entire vocabulary has fled. I’m surprised I can even make sense of his words.

Mat: Have you fainted from all my hotness?

Good question. Do red cheeks, a pounding heart, and a dry mouth count as fainting?

Mat: Winnie? This isn’t a come-on, promise. That’s just how I sleep. I didn’t even show you my boxers. We’ll have to save that for next time.

I’m laughing now. I can’t help it. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like Mat—and I probably never will, ever again.

Mat: Kidding, kidding! Seriously, are you there? Can you respond, please?
Me: I’m here. Thanks for the pic
Mat: Are you going to keep it 4evah?
Me: First I have to figure out how I’m going to sleep
Mat: *cackles* OK. Sexy dreams—I mean, sweet dreams
Me: Brat
Mat: It takes one to know one. Talk tomorrow?
Me: Definitely. Nite

I throw down the phone and flop against my pillows, the smile practically splitting my face. I don’t know how I’m going to face him tomorrow, or any other day for that matter. But for now, I’m just going to revel in another first.
Mat Songsomboon just sexted me.

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

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.
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads |
 
 

Meet the Author:

A first-generation Thai American, Pintip Dunn grew up in a tiny town in Kansas. She went on to graduate from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B., and to receive her J.D. at Yale Law School.
Pintip is a two-time RITA® award winner and a New York Times bestselling author of young adult fiction. Her books have been translated into four languages, and they have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and a Kirkus Best Book of the Year.
She’s obsessed with penguins, and her childhood dream was to marry someone whose last name is “Gwynn” — so that her name could be “Pin Gwynn.” Alas, she got stuck with Dunn instead, but her husband and three children are worth the sacrifice.
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