I requested The Cuffing Game on NetGalley because the cover was so adorably cozy and it was described as K-drama X Pride and Prejudice. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to the expectations it layed out.

The concept was very cute and unique. Mia is a college student who makes a reality dating show, which was honestly quite intricate and impressive. This book is YA, which is a genre I enjoy, however there were various elements that were much more juvenile than I am used to with YA, especially considering they are college students. They use the word "crush" way too much in my opinion, when in reality that is not how young adults speak about someone they like. The dialogue was very difficult to get through. There is a reason books don't use dialogue exactly how someone would speak in real life, because it doesn't read well. There was too much casual filler language like "so umm, anyways..." and "umm yeah and...". While I do believe this is most likely how the characters would speak if they were real, there is a way to write young dialogue that is enjoyable to read. Ultimately I wasn't even sure why the characters liked each other! There wasn't clear chemistry or developed feelings that made sense.

I think this story has so much potential, but it's not giving what I want it to.

This book had a really good premise and so much potential. When I read the author’s letter, I imagined this book being one of the best reads of the year for me, unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

I felt like this book lacked depth. The main character's relationship felt like it went from zero to a hundred, one minute Noah hated Mia and the next he liked her. I get it, it’s an enemies to lovers, but it didn’t feel natural, it felt forced and rushed.

Overall the book was okay, but I would’ve liked it a lot more if Mia and Noah had had more time together. I also would’ve liked the ending to be longer, like, an epilogue seeing them out of the show would’ve been great.

Something I did love about it was the representation of not just culture but also orientations. I think it’s important to have that because we don’t always get it in books.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book.

This one had so much potential, and I really appreciated the diversity—both culturally and in terms of orientation. But the execution just didn’t land for me.

Mia and Noah lacked chemistry. I never fully bought into the idea that Mia had been secretly crushing on him, and the six-day game show setup (which was written with frustratingly little detail) didn’t feel like enough to realistically bring them together.

It’s a shame, because the premise was genuinely fun, and the representation was a highlight. This could have been great.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for sending me an ARC of this book.

This was a really cute romance in a college setting with a little bit of enemies to lovers. Well, they weren’t like hard-core enemies to lovers maybe kinda like a strong dislike towards each other. I will say it was a bit slow at the beginning for me, but then once we actually get into like the reality show, it picked up for me. Our main characters are Noah and Mia. Noah is a senior and Mia is a freshman. Mia is working on this kind of reality dating show that she wants to put together. It essentially gets shut down and she has to rework it. She ends up going to Noah because Noah is like very popular. He’s kind of social media famous, and her roommate has a crush on him. The new dating show gets called The Cuffing Game, which I thought was cute because it’s also the title of the book. People who have crushes are on the show and then their crushes get invited on the show. This takes place in the matter of like 5 to 6 days. They go on a little dates, they do games and at the end of the day, you have to cuff somebody in order to stay on the show. Mia has a crush on Noah, but he doesn’t know this. Noah is going on the show because he does want to find a genuine connection and feels it’ll be easier to do it on the show. Over the course of the show, Mia starts to see different sides of Noah that she never knew and that’s mainly because they were just arguing a lot. They never had real conversations and realized how much they have in common. I found myself smiling throughout the book!! It’s so cute and then all the people getting in like couples and cuffels was adorable!! They had a few different ones that I didn’t see coming, but they worked out in the end. I loved that there’s a little bit of drama and some twist happening as well.

This one, unfortunately, just wasn’t for me. I want to preface by saying my experience likely comes down to personal taste more than anything else—I’m simply not the target audience. As someone who doesn’t typically reach for YA, I found it difficult to connect with the characters and their journeys. The emotional beats and historical backdrop didn’t quite land for me in a meaningful way, and that made it hard to stay fully invested.

That being said, I can absolutely see how readers who enjoy YA or are closer to the intended demographic might find a lot to love here. There’s heart in this story, and I admire the effort and care that clearly went into writing it. Just because it didn’t resonate with me doesn’t mean it won’t hit home for someone else.

I won’t be sharing this review on social media or Goodreads because I don’t believe in discouraging others from discovering a book that simply wasn’t right for me. Every book has its audience—unfortunately, I just wasn’t part of this one.

Not only does Lee make this novel an approaching Pride & Prejudice retelling for those who many not be into reading 1800s fiction, but she does so with a vision of inclusion! I thoroughly enjoyed the representation of Asian American & LGBTQ+ characters in every single point in this book and thought the inclusion of these characters on a dating show was FANTASTIC!! We often don't see much representation of LGBTQ+ folks looking for love on mainstream dating shows due to a lack of interest by networks or agenda, but by god did this book set a good example of ways to further implement intersectionality and inclusion for teens in a way that feels right and beautiful and all the things.
God did I love this book. Like loved it loved it. Which I don't say about YA romance very often. But, in reading this ARC, I continually was reminded of my teen sister-who I know will love this book when it comes out later this year. And I for sure see us doing sister book club with it. Just because it is that good, but also because it brings about broader conversations of intersectionality and representation.
This book truly had me giggling and giddy for the MMC & FMC on every page. Lee's iteration of Mr.Darcy and Elizabeth were absolutely beautiful and on-point with a modern-day retelling of two young adults. The additional K-drama esc backdrop made it all the more realistic.
All in all, I LOVED this book and cannot wait to read it again with my sister and to share all about it with the book people in my life!!!

This book completely surpassed my expectations, and also kind of restored my hope for reality tv shows! Going in, I mostly requested this book because I love the author’s other young adult books, and although the premise sounded interesting, I did not have the highest hopes for it. However, I am so glad I was proven wrong, and this book turned out to be as great as it was.

I loved the whole rivals to kind of friends to lovers that this book had. And they actually both disliked each other at the start! Which is just so rare nowadays when books claim to be rivals to lovers, but there was a true dislike between these two at the start. The author did such a good job to gradually move these two through the stages of their relationship development, with late night conversations and forced proximity.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The publishers description, that this is a “deliciously fun, YA K-drama remix of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE if Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett were on a college run reality TV dating show” is absolutely spot on! I love the way we get the feel, the “vibe” of Jane Austen without a beat-for-beat reenactment of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a total sucker for a clever, beat-for-beat retelling, but the fact that this book gives a nod to the inspiration while fully embracing its own unique story makes it feel fresh and new. Even people who have never read, or watched, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE can enjoy and appreciate this story.

Mia (a film student) creates The Cuffing Game, a show where students with a secret crush have a chance to match with their crushes in a dating game/reality show, in order to try to forget her own secret crush on Noah, who snubbed her Mr. Darcy-style at the first party she attended in college. Unfortunately, one of the contestants. (Mia’s own roommate.!) names Noah as her crush, so Mia has to invite him to participate anyway. And the more time they spend together, the more Mia’s secret crush threatens to reveal itself.
I love the Will They Won’t They push and pull that’s very Darcy and Elizabeth without being too on the nose, allowing Mia and Noah to be fully realized characters and not just copies of Jane Austen.

The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee had a really cool premise—a college student creating her own dating reality show? That’s such a fun idea! I was excited to dive in, and parts of it were super entertaining. The behind-the-scenes chaos of filming a show, the drama between contestants, and the slow-burn romance with one of the guys had potential.

But… I just wish it went deeper. All in all, the romance felt rushed, and the reality show aspect didn’t get as much focus as I expected. The main character was likable, and her love interest was cute, but their connection didn’t totally convince me. Some of the side characters blended together, and the ending wrapped up a little too neatly.

It’s a quick, fun read with some cute moments, but I wanted more tension, more behind-the-scenes messiness, and a stronger emotional payoff. If you’re into light college romances, you might enjoy this, but don’t go in expecting The Bachelor levels of drama! Also did not get the Pride and Prejudice retelling that this was marketed as but still a cute YA read.

Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for this ARC.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. It was so much fun to read and literally had me wanting to see what happened next with all the couples - except the main two. I loved the chemistry between everyone else except Mia and Noah. I don't understand how they're relationship is based on pride and prejudice. And if I'm totally wrong then that's fine. I feel like they didn't have anyyyyyyy chemistry until the last 100 pages of the book where they hung out by themselves after midnight. Before then, all their scenes together felt so one sided (Mia's) and she was hating half the time. Enemies/rivals to lovers is iconic and I love it so much. This was so insta-like/insta-love that it made me roll my eyes. If there was another 100 pages in the book about them building their relationship than i would've given it 4/5 stars. But because the main relationship felt totally flat, it's a 3/5 for me.

I came for the vibes cause I love Love Island UK, USA, and the others and I stayed for the crazy twists in the relationships hehe.

"The Cuffing Game" is such a refreshing and fun book! I enjoyed meeting and getting to know all of the characters and reading about the fun and cozy cabin setting. The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people. Noah and Mia are so lovable! They are perfect for each other. I think the author has done great work crafting each characters and their respective personalities, emotions, and personal/familial difficulties. All of which is expressed by the author with such care. This book is wholesome, sweet, and insightful! This book provides a great look into the lives and difficulties that people face as well as how people grow and change. The character development is wonderful, the writing style is smooth, the romance is sweet, swoony, and full of chemistry, and the characters are very lovable. As you get to know the characters you will soon find yourself cheering for each of them, too! This book was so much fun to read! I love it. 5 stars!

Thank you very much to the author Lyla Lee, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this book honestly.

* I will post my review to more places closer to or on release day. Thank you again!

ARC REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book took me by surprise—in the best way. I didn’t expect to be so captivated, but Lyla Lee’s writing pulled me in from the first chapter and didn’t let go. Her pacing and storytelling make it so easy to lose track of time while reading.

What really stood out is how well the book handles representation. It’s rare to find a YA story that features both Asian and LGBTQ+ characters in a way that feels authentic and unforced. The diversity in gender identities and cultural backgrounds is seamlessly woven into the story, which made it feel inclusive and genuinely refreshing.

I also enjoyed watching the transformation of The Cuffing Game from its early concept to the final version. The premise and the challenges were fun to follow, though I felt like parts of the game lacked complexity. There was definitely room for more creativity in that aspect.

The use of dual perspectives worked well, allowing a fuller understanding of the characters and their individual journeys. Seeing them navigate emotional hurdles and personal growth added depth, though I did find the romance element a bit too fast-paced at times—it could’ve used more development.

If you’re into high-stakes love stories, dramatic twists, reality show vibes, enemies-to-lovers arcs, and stories centered on chosen family, this book is right up your alley. THE CUFFING GAME delivers a fun, heartfelt ride.

K DRAMA TAKE ON PRIDE AND PREJUDICE GAHHHH. I’m a huge P&P fan so this was heaven. Loved every freaking minute . Need a movie stat. Loved every character, plot, just yes!!

4.25★

this was SO CUTE and such a fun read.

take some of the netflix dating shows like single's inferno and the perfect match, throw in some love island and unreal tv, add a little sweetness and fluff from quirky kdramas, and just a dash of pride & prejudice, and you've got the cuffing game.

as someone w a past life in film, i connected v much w both mia and noah and the story of making your own project was very dear to my heart. throw in the antics of reality tv dating and it's a fun time.

it was a fast read and i felt like it paced well, with a not too neatly or rushed ending. it also included a v diverse cast w some queer contestants (mia is also bi), which we don't get to see a lot.

lyla lee pls be my friend so we can talk about film production and are you the one season 8!!!!!

an honest arc review ♡

I loved the author's backstory on how this book was inspired. It inspired me to read the classic she mentioned. The boy crazy FMC is so relatable. The enemies to lovers trope is giving from the start. The chapters are short and it's a quick read. I could not stop reading. It felt like I was watching an actual TV Show. I felt like I was behind the scenes on a TV show set. There were so many hilarious moments. The anticipation of knowing what will happen was there throughout the whole book. I liked how they emphasized the importance of family. I also enjoyed how they chose characters from different nationalities and preferences to be in the show. I really enjoyed how they spoke a lot about their cultures as well. The forced proximity trope was done so well. I loved how the tension progressed from all of the couples. I really enjoyed this book. Loved the ending!

Such a cute, wholesome winter college romance! I've been loving wholesome Asian & LGBTQ rep in romances recently so this was perfect for me :) Mia's dating show is such a cute idea and I love her dynamic with Noah throughout the story.

This is an ideal and charming young adult novel. I thoroughly enjoy the story of Mia and Noah. The dating show storyline was particularly appealing to me. It serves as a delightful, fast-paced, and light-hearted read suitable for readers of all ages. I appreciate the incorporation of a reality show theme within the narrative. Each character contributes significantly to the plot, enhancing the overall feel-good experience. In summary, it is an entertaining, captivating, and dramatic reality drama that features many beloved tropes among young adult readers.

A hardworking freshman has spend her first semester of college building a dating show for her campus, and has to bring her roommates crush on- who she hates. But as the show progresses the two of them get closer, and boundaries start to fall apart.
I absolutely loved this book, honestly I don’t know where to begin. The idea for the show, and the way the author executed writing it was absolutely genius. The show itself was simple, but still complicated enough to be interesting and engaging. I didn’t want to put it down. The drama that came from the show and the challenges that came up along the way were so realistic, but not annoyingly so. I loved reading about dynamics between characters and seeing how reality overcomes expectations and how life controls people sometimes.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for an eARC of this book!

3.75 rounded up to 4⭐️

A freshman at a film school starts a dating documentary but to get the approval she needs to motivate other students to audition. And how does she do that?? By convincing the annoying senior who is social media famous to be involved. Of course then the project evolves into a reality dating drama, what could go wrong?

I found the premise of this super cute!
The execution was fine and kept me engaged however I felt like the pacing was inconsistent at times, sometimes feeling rushed.

But all in all a quick enjoyable read.

This was such a sweet story, well written but definitely very surface level. Noah and Mia were cute but what we learned about them as people came so late, so while i appreaciated their mutual attraction to each other as a plot point i couldn't see what they had in common outside of school and both being type A. Again overall a sweet story, but I wished for more chemistry/ story bwtween our two main characters as i read.