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The Dating Game by Kiley Roache is a book about innovation and technology as a group of unlikely partners creates the next big dating app. I love the premise, and the strong woman who can code is empowering. However, the characters and the plot fell flat for me, and I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I had hoped.
Title: The Dating GameAuthor: Kiley Roache
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
Rating:
The Social Network gets a romantic twist in this fresh and engaging new read from the author of Frat Girl, featuring college campus life as three freshman stuck working together on a group project create a dating app that goes viral, winning them fame, potential fortune...and more trouble than it might be worth.
When a prestigious class for future entrepreneurs leads to three freshman developing the next It App for dating on college campuses, all hell breaks loose...
Sara is a driven type-A control freak who lives by her color coordinated Post-it notes. Braden is a player who wants out from under his billionaire father's thumb. Roberto earned his place at Warren University through scholarship and can't afford for his grades to drop. When the three are forced to work together as a group in one of the university's most notoriously difficult classes, tension rises to the breaking point...until shockingly, the silly dating app they created in the final hour proves to be the most viable project in class. Late nights of app development, interest from corporate sponsors, and unexpected romance are woven into a true-to-life college drama that combines the intensity and atmosphere of The Social Network with a romantic twist.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Book Review: The Dating Game by Kiley Roache
The book tells the story of a group of college students who end up creating a groundbreaking dating app after being forced to work together for a class. Due to their newfound success, the group must navigate the world of business while also retaining their values. I enjoy any book about technology, especially one with capable women who can code. The story also presents some moral dilemmas as the ethics of the app are questioned. This is quick read that will interest anyone with an interest in app development.
❀ Fun Concept
While the concept of the book is fun, I couldn’t find myself really enjoying any of the characters. If I had to choose, I would say Sara is my favourite since she is strong and stands up for herself. However, I feel like the characters are all very textbook. We have the smart, organized feminist, the rich and problematic player, and the nice guy with a sad home life. These characters lack dimension, and I feel like they need something more in order for me to really connect with them.
❀ Simplistic Plot
I also had a couple of issues with the plot. Similar to the character situation, it isn’t memorable, and the simplicity makes the story predictable. On top of this, I feel like there is random drama thrown in for a chapter or two, just for the sake of it, but never fully explored. The ending is also far-fetched, and I had trouble believing that many of the events would actually occur. The book has potential, but I think it could have been better executed.
❀ Enjoyable Concept
The Dating Game is a story by Kiley Roache about technological innovation, and I enjoyed the concept of young app developers. However, the characters and the plot are a bit too plain for me, and I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I had anticipated. I don’t hate the novel, but I feel as though it could have been better.
About Kiley Roache
Kiley Roache is a college student who spends her time reading, writing and justifying the purchase of cold brew coffee. She has worked for the Chicago Tribune's teen publication, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Huffington Post Teen. Originally from Chicago, she currently lives in Stanford, California in a house with 60 of her closest friends.
Frat Girl is her first novel, and she's currently hard at work on her second for Harlequin TEEN.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
This definitely does sound like a fun book with an interesting premise, but it’s a bummer that it was too simplistic and fell short. I thought the cover was kind of interesting, though!
Kelly @ Here’s to Happy Endings recently posted…Blog Tour: Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill – Spotlight and Giveaway!
There is definitely some merit in the book. I just wanted a little bit more from it, you know?
Sorry it didn’t work that well for you. Sometimes simple is too simple. I at least need some strong characters.
Laura Thomas recently posted…Over at Anne’s Friends On Friday ~ Dead Eye
Exactly! I expect a bit of simple in my contemporaries, but there needs to be something to hold it all together. 🙂
This sounds interesting! It’s a bummer that you didn’t enjoy the characters and the plot. I hope you’re enjoying your current read! Nice review btw! 🙂
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions recently posted…Warrior of the Wild By Tricia Levenseller [Review]
Thanks, Raven! I am really enjoying my current read. 😉
It sounds like a good premise for a book. Very timely, and like you said — I like that it features a smart girl who knows how to code. Too bad it fell flat.
Dianna recently posted…The Lost Man by Jane Harper @Flatironbooks #TheLostMan
Really neat looking cover designs here. Cheers.