It took me about 30–40% of the book to really get into this one. The world-building is heavy at the start, and I was definitely confused in the beginning while trying to understand how everything worked. There’s a lot thrown at you early on, and I had moments where I felt a little lost. That said, I was still intrigued enough to keep going—especially because the gladiator-style trials and survival elements immediately stood out. By the second half, I was fully invested. The pacing picked up, the stakes felt higher, and the darker tone really worked for me. I also enjoyed the political side of the story, especially the power dynamics and power plays. It added another layer beyond just survival and made the world feel more complex. The emotional tension builds slowly but pays off. I’m also a fan of the enemies-to-lovers dynamic here, and I’m really interested to see how the love triangle continues to evolve moving forward.

This was my first Emily Henry book, and what initially hooked me was the travel aspect. I really enjoyed bouncing between different trips and locations, and I did genuinely like her writing style overall. The banter between Poppy and Alex was fun and charming. I usually enjoy a slow burn romance, but the pacing here didn’t work for me. Poppy and Alex don’t get together until very late in the book, and almost immediately after they do, we hit a third-act breakup. Because it happens only days after they finally get together, it felt rushed and unsatisfying, like waiting forever for a payoff that disappears almost as soon as it arrives. The ending also fell a bit flat for me. I person felt that the choices made didn’t fully make sense for Alex’s character or what he seemed to want out of life. That said, the writing is still enjoyable and the travel elements were my favorite part. I can understand why this book works for so many readers, but for me, the late romance, immediate breakup, and underwhelming ending kept it a bit unsatisfying for me.

The Mating Game is a fun, cozy read with Hallmark movie vibes, but omegaverse-coded and spicy. The plot is light and predictable, making it an easy, low-angst palate cleanser. While the romance feels a bit rushed, the chemistry and spice make it an enjoyable read.