The Marriage Code: A Novel

Authors are often advised to write what they're passionate about, to write what they know. Brooke Burroughs does exactly that in this perfect example of "biography meets fiction," and she does it so well.Emma's development project for greater literacy suddenly goes into App phase, spearheaded by Rishi, a visiting team lead from Bangalore. When Emma's offered that same lead position, tensions escalate and serious complications arise for Rishi, whose parents are waiting for him to marry.The Marriage Code explores the many levels of Indian culture and traditions in a way that the reader sees the varied perspectives of parents and children and outsider. It's one thing to travel to a foreign country as a tourist, seeing the sights and eating the food. To immerse oneself in the culture is completely different, and the author brings that extreme to light in humorous, endearing, and often frustrating ways for the characters. Romances usually involve misunderstandings and misinterpretations betweenthe romantic leads. Add to those being thousands of miles from home and being the only American (for Emma) and constant pressure from your parents to find the perfect girl who gets along with everyone (for Rishi), and you can imagine some impossible situations.There is color, crazy traffic, amazing food, Tamil phrases, wonderful character development, and a storyline that will keep you guessing. The Marriage Code is sweet, charming, sexy, and vibrant. You'll love it! Now if there were only pictures of the food . . .

This was one of Amazon's Kindle freebies of the month this fall and it looked kinda fun so I picked it up. Finally read it over the holidays and I highly recommend it. I gave it 4 stars because there are some first author problems, the most glaring to me is the overlong and repetitive interior monologues as the characters torture themselves over their problems.Put that aside - this is a strong novel! Ms. Burroughs has a nice comic sensibility that plays throughout the book. Her characters are well-rounded, interesting people and at the same time familiar types. She has a gift for incisive and unexpected imagery that delighted me throughout the book and was a real surprise. The biggest surprise for me about the book is that it isn't just another rom-com. Yes, it is a rom-com, but the plot is so much more complex and satisfying than boy-meets-girl and overcomes obstacle that I didn't even have any guilty-pleasure from reading chick lit, just real pleasure.I will watch for Ms. Burroughs next book and happily buy it.

Once I got to the Author Acknowledgements and bio I realized this is semi-autobiographical. That explains why there was so much nearly graphic sexual tension...and then complete 50s fade-out. Which is fine, but unexpected.As someone that has visited South India (Chennai and Mamallapuram) for a friend's wedding, I was really excited for the culture clash and all the food descriptions made me hungry. This was a three-day huge production of a traditional, arranged marriage. Everyone was on board and they've got a kid now!This book, however, just got bogged down in the minute details of Emma and Rishi's work, thoughts, feelings, and basic actions. The dialogue was stilted and the word choice often clunky. And not in a multilingual way either.Also, the familial problems were built up as so insurmountable and then resolved way too quickly, IMHO. Rishi was both too broody and too weak, it was annoying. And Emma was so wishy-washy on career vs relationship. Either is fine, just pick one!Many romance authors deal with these same character struggles in much more entertaining and well-paced manners. Not usually cross-culturally in India, but still.

Emma has been put in the unenviable position of recruiting as lead developer for her team the man who had been promised the supervisory position she was given.  Needless to say, they don't start out their relationship with enthusiastic warm fuzzies.So Emma works out a deal with Rishi to help design a matchmaker program to find him the perfect bride - and get his parents off his back.This was a fun romance, though a little longer than average, with the added pleasure of an Indian setting which was so wonderfully descriptive that I'm now ready to explore Indian cuisine beyond chicken curry, lol.  The author notes in her bio that she herself spent time working a STEM job in India, along with marrying a coworker she met there, and she demonstrates a clear, as well as amusing and frequently affectionate, familiarity with the culture .Emma & Rishi are sympathetic & relatable, and the premise of their story is readily believable.  Rishi's developing relationship with Emma, challenged by their cultural differences, is further complicated by his family's expectations, but then the whole point of his efforts was to avoid letting his parents pick his bride for him - where will he put his foot down?  It's a romance, so we know it will be at our heroine's side, but it's an entertaining journey getting there!*Romance level: passionate kisses, secular attitudes about sex, a couple sleeps together but no graphic details*Language: moderate but does also include about 15 f-bombs*Religion: some very minor discussion of religious beliefs but the story is secular; Use of the Lord's Name carelessly (ie in vain), sadly & unnecessarily, but not as curses at least, fwiw

A little cliché for a romance novel with two people starting off disliking each other but forced to be in contact. But it was a fun journey into a view of Indian culture, young vs. old, intercultural romance and a bit of the IT corporate world. Quite enjoyable!

A lovely little story of how love can overcome all sorts of problems and adversity. Really enjoyed reading it, although it seemed to finished quite abruptly but lovely.

A perfect book on relationships and how love and relations among the family is more important than traditions.I recommend this book

What an utterly delightful, compelling and uplifting little story this is. I broke all my reading rules by A - reading a romance -I don't normally read them, - sci fi and crime thrillers are my usual genres, but the description sounded intriguing and it was set in India and I love India so thought I would give it a go, so glad I did. and B - I also don't stay awake most of the night reading because I can't put a book down. But I was so irresistably drawn into the story I just had to keep going far into the night. It is a beautiful story beautifully written. I can't say enough good things about this book and I highly recommend it. For a romance story of star crossed lovers etc it does not fall into mush or graphic sex - it doesn't need to - the story completely stands up on it's own. I actually cannot believe that I am raving about a feel good romance book - but I am - that's how good it is. Please do yourself a favour and read this book, you will not regret it, you'll just be glad you took a chance on it. I am so glad that I did. Absolutely deserves it's five stars.

Amazing purchase

This is a tribute to Indian food, disguised as a romance! It's a simple enemies to lovers story, within a vibrant setting. The chemistry between Emma and Rishi is well written. The author is writing from her own life experience and I enjoyed the side story of the app development . However it gets forgotten in the quick HEA ending, with the story focusing on family and forgetting about the IT theme.