A mash up of modern reality tv with a splash of "P and P".

That's how I would describe this YA romance featuring an Asian American and her Asian love interest. Not enough books on the shelves with their representation so this was a lovely departure from the standard fare. Other characters gender and sexuality backgrounds are just as varied.

Noah's larger than life presence in social media masks internal fears akin to Mr. Darcy while Mia's opinion as to Noah after an unfortunate comment shares similar vibes to Elizabeth Bennett's.

Enjoyed this author's writing in "I'll Be the One" . Her similar writing style is evident here as well. The book cover's character art and background is also spot on.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books , via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

#TheCuffingGame #NetGalley

thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced e-arc!

unfortunately, this book was so disappointing. i thought it seemed so cute based on the adorable cover art and the whole pride & prejudice inspired, but it completely fell flat for me.

to start, i felt like the characters all lacked depth. even though i just read over 200 pages of mia & noah, i really couldn't tell you much about who they are as individuals besides they're in film school and "hated" each other. that "hate" for each other also makes no sense to me, especially when it's very clear from the beginning that mia is just attracted to noah? at best they were both just annoyed by the other. also, the age gap... it's not really a big deal, but a freshman and a senior is a little bit of an ick for me, just because they're at completely different places in life. he's 6 months from being a real adult going out into the job market with his degree while she's only 18 and 6 months out from high school.

the romance was also pretty flat. i can't even tell why mia & noah like each other behind mia finds him hot and noah likes to argue with her. it doesn't seem like their feelings progress beyond that at all. it came across as more of a wattpad type romance story written by a teenager i would've loved when i was 13 instead of a romance written by someone in her thirties. and i'm not saying i needed this to be a very sophisticated novel, but it failed to meet my expectations when compared to other YA romantic comedy novels out there.

to be honest, i found the small side characters to be 100% more interesting than the main characters, and i found myself wishing that THEY were the main focus of the story. even then, though, the romance between those characters also felt very elementary— why did they all move so fast? everyone was suddenly all loved up even if they'd only known each other for 1-2 days.

overall, this book was just very disappointing. maybe the author's adult romance debut will be a better read, but as of now i don't have any interest in reading her other works. i do believe her writing style seems more fit for a younger audience, even younger than the typical YA reader.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers, and Lyla Lee for the opportunity to read this book!

Normally, I don’t read YA novels, but this one was so cute and lighthearted—I’m really happy I picked it up. The premise immediately caught my attention—an unrequited crush who publicly broke our FMC’s heart, only for them to find themselves in an enemies-to-lovers dynamic? Sign me up! From the prologue alone, I was completely hooked, which says a lot because I usually skip them.

One of my favorite aspects of The Cuffing Game was the dual perspectives from our MMC and FMC. Seeing both sides of the story added depth to their dynamic and made their evolving relationship even more compelling. And let’s talk about the reality show setting—The Cuffing Game was full of drama, and I was completely invested. The contestant interviews were such a fun touch, making it feel like I was actually watching a reality TV show unfold.

Beyond the romance and drama, I really loved how much growth we saw in the characters. Many of them overcame huge obstacles—whether it was coming out, admitting their crushes, or learning to be true to themselves while on TV. Those are not easy feats, and it was so rewarding to see each of them develop throughout the story.

I also really appreciated the diversity in this book. It’s not often that we see such a wide range of gender identities and backgrounds represented so seamlessly. It was refreshing and made the story even more engaging.

Overall, The Cuffing Game was a fantastic read—fun, dramatic, and full of heart. If you love reality TV drama, strong character dynamics, and an engaging enemies-to-lovers romance, this book is definitely for you!

The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee is a delightful, modern YA rom-com that gives Pride and Prejudice a fresh, K-drama-inspired twist. If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers, reality TV shenanigans, and slow-burn romance, this one’s for you. The story follows Mia Yoon, a determined college student with big dreams of becoming a filmmaker, and Noah Cho, the campus heartthrob who’s equal parts charming and infuriating. When Mia ropes Noah into starring on her self-produced dating show, The Cuffing Game, sparks fly—both on and off camera.

What I loved most about this book is how light and enjoyable it is. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers all the feels. The romance is sweet and satisfying, with just enough tension to keep you hooked. Plus, the nods to Pride and Prejudice are clever and well-done, making this a great introduction to modern Jane Austen retellings for readers who might not be familiar with the classic. And if you’re a K-drama fan, you’ll definitely appreciate the tropes and vibes woven throughout.

The Cuffing Game is a perfect pick for anyone looking for a fun, feel-good romance that doesn’t require a lot of heavy lifting. It’s got heart, humor, and just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting. Whether you’re a teen, an early adult, or just someone who loves a good love story, this book is a charming escape that’ll leave you smiling. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Cuffing Game is a sweet romance that will appeal to teens and early adults alike. Focusing on film students Noah and Mia, it's inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Mia and Noah hate eat other but have to work together when Noah becomes a contestant on Mia's reality show, The Cuffing Game. There are a few twists and turns, but mostly this is a satisfying romance that doesn't take a lot of heavy lifting to read. I will definitely get it for my library.

2.75 stars arc review
The whole dating show idea is the cutest and freshest idea I’ve ever seen, but
1. I felt like at first, Mia hated Noah because he said something about not liking her and she went mad, and later when they got together, she didn’t even acknowledge it.
2. Secondly, the whole book seems like pitching stuff together. While the idea is lively, it lacks potential.
3. She said some mean stuff abt him, and there’s no apologising or closure to that, it lacks something there.

But on the contrary, it’s a fresh read