The Engagement Game

Why I Said "I Don't" to Marriage and "I Do" to Me

By: Joi-Marie McKenzie

Narrated by: Joi-Marie McKenzie

Joi-Marie almost has it all; a thriving career, a supportive family, great friends, and an apartment in Manhattan. What she doesn't have is a husband.

Ambitious, confident, and successful, Joi-Marie believes she has it all figured out. At 28 years old, she has an enviable job as a producer, covering entertainment in New York City. Her close-knit family is loving and encouraging, and her boyfriend, Adam, is as close to perfect as you can get -- except for the fact that he won't propose.

Like most women, Joi-Marie has a checklist of what the perfect life looks like. She has the career, the friends, the apartment, and the lifestyle she has always wanted. But, when the husband she wants doesn't fall into place, she decides to play the game-theengagement game-in order to get Adam to drop down on one knee.

After receiving a laundry list of advice on how to secure a proposal -- even researching how to cook "engagement chicken" -- Joi-Marie realizes that, in the process of trying to attain her perfect life, she has slowly become a person she doesn't recognize. With this discovery, she must make a decision: pretend to be someone she's not in order to have the life she envisioned. . .or have the courage to be herself and find her happily ever after in a way she never expected.

Critic reviews

"In an age where looking for love means fielding meager advances made over DM and swiping aimlessly through apps and online profiles, Joi-Marie McKenzie's The Engagement Game offers a brutally, beautifully honest take on what it really means to be a smart, sexy, single and seeking twenty-something, navigating today's volatile dating minefield in a driven - at times even desperate - search for her fairytale ending."—Janine Rubenstein, Staff Editor, People Magazine

"Women like Joi-Marie seem like they have it all. But in this candid memoir, she peels back the layers of the glamorous life to reveal the anxiety and striving, the dodgy guys and the workplace absurdities. Still, her buoyant sense of humor makes it fun to accompany her on this journey through young adulthood."—Amy Argetsinger, The Washington Post

"The Engagement Game is a must read for our time. It is a great tome for young women who need time to first discover themselves before they say yes to discovering someone else in marriage."—Sophia A. Nelson, award winning author of The Woman Code: 20 Powerful Keys to Unlock Your Life.

"The Engagement Game is not only an engaging read but courageous. So many women have been told they need a man, marriage, or motherhood to be happy. Joi-Marie McKenzie reminds us that what women really need is the freedom to define happiness on our own terms."—Keli Goff, Columnist, The Daily Beast

"Buckle up. Reading The Engagement Game is like brunch with your best friend where she tells you all the crazy highs (hello international travel and swoon-worthy dates) and excruciating lows (did he really just say that?) on her quest to marry a man she loves. Joi-Marie's transparency and incredible writing is a breath of fresh air in today's wild west dating scene. Every woman should read this universal story of finding yourself in the journey to Mrs. life."—Charreah K. Jackson, Essence Relationships Editor and author of Boss Bride

"The road to deep and meaningful relationships has potholes, barriers, twists and turns. Cultural expectation, societal and religious pressures along with the onslaught of instant information, worldviews and opinion can make the trip complex. Joi-Marie shares her road trip honestly. She gives a hilarious and fresh take on how looking for that "forever relationship" can lead to discovering yourself."—Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, author of Journey to the Well and Not Without a Struggle

"A hilarious and unique take on dating that also reveals how sisterhood, daughterhood, friendship, and Spirit can lead to a deeper relationship with self and unbounded self-love."—Chanel Craft Tanner, Crunk Feminist Collective, Assistant Director, Center for Women at Emory University

Nice, Whitty, and Relatable

The Engagement Game was a great listen! Full of stories that we've all experienced, from high school sweethearts, to college beaus, and post graduate love affairs. Joi has a story every woman can relate to, whether single or not! I'm not excited for her next four books.

love love LOVED this book

I was really impressed with this memoir. It was so relatable as I like many women have gone through the I-thought-he-was-the- one-how-could-I-be-so-blind breakup. There were so many times in this book that I felt she was was reading my diary, or as if she were an old friend who was telling me about her life. More over, it was so insightful, I found myself growing as I reflected on her lessons learned, giving myself homework and writing down prayers to continue my journey of saying "I do" to me. I honestly wish this came with a workbook lol. It was certainly a book that I was sad to end because I wanted it to keep going. But an enjoyable story and lots of great morsels to keep pondering on.

Joi-Marie, you did it for the culture!!!

This is it! All young ladies should read this book, and learn to say, "YES," to themselves!

Great Book!

I can't wait for book#2! Great story and great narration! I will share with friends.

Loved every minute!

This was truly a welcomed read. I laughed out loud at parts, mentally hugged Joi at other times and truly felt like she became like a close friend as I journeyed through this book. I especially loved how easily this book catches your attention and never lets go. I didn't want it to end! I would recommend this book to any single woman who is on the road to coupledom and can relate to the waiting game or the woman who is simply ready to start falling back in love with herself. Thanks Joi for writing and sharing this memoir!!

Not just for single women!

Loved it! it's very thought provoking! Must read for all women. This book helps to evaluate your life period! Become aware of who you are as a person.

Honest, Timely and Funny!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I‎t was brilliantly entertaining and captivating.
Joi-Marie was able to put language to unique situationships that identifies with today’s millennial woman!