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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
4.5-4.75 stars- This book was heartfelt and hilarious and charming and magic. Another winner from Menon.
I liked Dimple but I LOVED Sweetie. I don't know when I'm going to stop writing "I wish I had this book in high school" but it probably won't be until fat characters that aren't the sassy sidekick or on a "weight loss journey" are the norm instead of a novelty.
Some quotes from the book that really stuck with me:
"About how I'm too fat to date you." Ashish since at the word. "Hey, don't call yourself that."
Sweetie looked at him frankly. "Why not? It doesn't bother me." She paused, considering her next words. "What does hurt is that my own mom thinks it's a reason I couldn't date someone like you. But the word itself? Doesn't bother me."
"Really?"
She shrugged. "Sure. I mean, the word 'fat' isn't inherently bad or gross. It's people who've made it that way. 'Fat' is just the opposite of 'thin,' and no one flinches at that one. So, to me, 'fat' is just another word that describes me, like 'brown' or 'girl' or 'athlete.'"
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"And that made her wonder how many other things she'd subconsciously told herself she couldn't or shouldn't do because she was fat. Resisting fatphobic messages was one thing - but what about the insidious, internalized fatphobia she carried around?"
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Genre: Contemporary romances; Multiple perspectives; Romantic comedies
Storyline: Own voices
Tone: Funny; Romantic
Writing Style: Engaging
Some quotes from the book that really stuck with me:
"About how I'm too fat to date you." Ashish since at the word. "Hey, don't call yourself that."
Sweetie looked at him frankly. "Why not? It doesn't bother me." She paused, considering her next words. "What does hurt is that my own mom thinks it's a reason I couldn't date someone like you. But the word itself? Doesn't bother me."
"Really?"
She shrugged. "Sure. I mean, the word 'fat' isn't inherently bad or gross. It's people who've made it that way. 'Fat' is just the opposite of 'thin,' and no one flinches at that one. So, to me, 'fat' is just another word that describes me, like 'brown' or 'girl' or 'athlete.'"
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"And that made her wonder how many other things she'd subconsciously told herself she couldn't or shouldn't do because she was fat. Resisting fatphobic messages was one thing - but what about the insidious, internalized fatphobia she carried around?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Genre: Contemporary romances; Multiple perspectives; Romantic comedies
Storyline: Own voices
Tone: Funny; Romantic
Writing Style: Engaging
4.5 stars, rounded up.
So far, Sandhya Menon can do no wrong in my book. Her third book takes us back to the Dimple and Rishi-verse, centering around Rishi's unpredictable brother, Ashish, and a girl named Sweetie Nair.
In each of her books, Menon's characters come so vividly to life. And each is so uniquely....themselves. Those distinct characters, combined with her writing from her own experience, and highlighting the authentic Indian-American experience just makes her writing so....wonderful and irresistible to me.
Sweetie Nair is such a breathtaking, refreshing, strong character. I love the way she is portrayed - this traditional, well-behaved Indian teenager who nonetheless realizes she needs to follow her own desires. Her struggle between what she feels she is worth, and the message she receives from her Amma about how being overweight makes her less-than and less worthy of things that "thin" girls can have is so honest and real. The complicated relationship between her and her mother is written so beautifully and truthfully. Knowing why Sweetie's mother treats Sweetie the way she does doesn't make her behavior okay, but it does make sense.
Which brings me to another thing I loved about this book in particular - the parents were written so well, something that, when done right in YA, always really impresses me. The parents here are characters in their own right, and involved in their children's lives. They're more than just stock characters in the background of the story, throwing wrenches in the lives of the characters here and there. They're three dimensional and human, and so warm and lovable. Ashish's parents in particular. I don't remember getting to know them well in When Dimple Met Rishi, but they were one of my favorite parts about this book. Sunita, Ashish's mother, was one of my favorite characters in the whole book.
And then Ashish. Oh sweet, messy, lovable Ashish. I love how flawed he is. How confused. How well-meaning. How he is so unable to clearly see himself, or how others see him. While Sweetie is confident about who she is and what she is capable of, regardless of what her mother or the world might think, Ashish is so much less sure of himself. He presents confidence and self-assurance to the world, his cocky grin hiding the confusion and worry that he really feels about who he is and what he wants.
I'm rambling at this point. Moral of this review? If you haven't read Sandhya Menon yet, do it. It doesn't even have to be this book - any of her books will do. They're worth it.
So far, Sandhya Menon can do no wrong in my book. Her third book takes us back to the Dimple and Rishi-verse, centering around Rishi's unpredictable brother, Ashish, and a girl named Sweetie Nair.
In each of her books, Menon's characters come so vividly to life. And each is so uniquely....themselves. Those distinct characters, combined with her writing from her own experience, and highlighting the authentic Indian-American experience just makes her writing so....wonderful and irresistible to me.
Sweetie Nair is such a breathtaking, refreshing, strong character. I love the way she is portrayed - this traditional, well-behaved Indian teenager who nonetheless realizes she needs to follow her own desires. Her struggle between what she feels she is worth, and the message she receives from her Amma about how being overweight makes her less-than and less worthy of things that "thin" girls can have is so honest and real. The complicated relationship between her and her mother is written so beautifully and truthfully. Knowing why Sweetie's mother treats Sweetie the way she does doesn't make her behavior okay, but it does make sense.
Which brings me to another thing I loved about this book in particular - the parents were written so well, something that, when done right in YA, always really impresses me. The parents here are characters in their own right, and involved in their children's lives. They're more than just stock characters in the background of the story, throwing wrenches in the lives of the characters here and there. They're three dimensional and human, and so warm and lovable. Ashish's parents in particular. I don't remember getting to know them well in When Dimple Met Rishi, but they were one of my favorite parts about this book. Sunita, Ashish's mother, was one of my favorite characters in the whole book.
And then Ashish. Oh sweet, messy, lovable Ashish. I love how flawed he is. How confused. How well-meaning. How he is so unable to clearly see himself, or how others see him. While Sweetie is confident about who she is and what she is capable of, regardless of what her mother or the world might think, Ashish is so much less sure of himself. He presents confidence and self-assurance to the world, his cocky grin hiding the confusion and worry that he really feels about who he is and what he wants.
I'm rambling at this point. Moral of this review? If you haven't read Sandhya Menon yet, do it. It doesn't even have to be this book - any of her books will do. They're worth it.
Ashish is heartbroken and trying to get out from behind his brother's shadow. Sweetie is tired of her mother (and other people) telling her how she should look. Ashish and Sweetie come together to get over their hurts and fears and become stronger people...and maybe fall in love.
Sweetie is such a positive character with untapped depths of sassiness. And Ashish is a good friend and good son (even if he's not as perfect as Rishi). These are great characters and I was rooting for them throughout the book.
Sweetie is such a positive character with untapped depths of sassiness. And Ashish is a good friend and good son (even if he's not as perfect as Rishi). These are great characters and I was rooting for them throughout the book.
This was a book I really could've benefited from 15 years ago. Sweetie is caring, kind, athletic, sassy, and working to be proudly fat. I loved it. It was a sugary sweet love story, but I felt myself drawn in more by the work Sweetie was doing to accept herself, despite what others might say. If fatphobia is triggering for you, this book will have difficult spots, and I found the ending to tie together a little to perfectly. However, I did really enjoy it.
YOU GUYS, THIS BOOK IS FREAKING ADORABLE!! Okay sorry, I've calmed down. NO WAIT, I HAVEN'T!!šš Seriously though, I want every single young girl out there in the world who has struggled with self worth (and c'mon, who does that NOT include?) to read this book.... NOW! This should be required reading starting at the middle school level!!
I mean, I can't even express how much these characters meant to me, and how real they were, and how strongly I related to quite a few of them at one point or another in my life. But of course, Sweetie was my hero, and the one I related to the most. She is amazing in every way possible, and the author keeps her story true and believable right to the very end.
This is a character and a story that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. Go read this book. You can thank me later.šā¤
I mean, I can't even express how much these characters meant to me, and how real they were, and how strongly I related to quite a few of them at one point or another in my life. But of course, Sweetie was my hero, and the one I related to the most. She is amazing in every way possible, and the author keeps her story true and believable right to the very end.
This is a character and a story that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. Go read this book. You can thank me later.šā¤
This was the most beautiful story I have read. Ashish and Sweetie are the embodiment of true love.
Ashish and Sweeties relationship was amazing, it had me laughing, crying and feel joy. Itās one of those stories that makes me believe in true love.
As a plus size woman, to be able to see a character like Sweetie find happiness and true love, no matter her weight is inspirational. Sweetie believes in her self, despite what family and people around her would say about her weight.
The woman who the media and society says canāt find love with the tall and handsome man does. We need more stories like this. Little girls need to be able to see themselves in stories like this. Amazing Fat representation.
Iām also going to be honest, I didnāt like Celia in the first book ( when Dimple met Rishi) so when I found out that Ashish was getting a new love interest, I was super excited.
Ashish will make you laugh, he will frustrate you but you will also come to love and understand him. He is going through a hard time and doesnāt know how to deal with his emotions. Especially his intense connection with Sweetie. To see him and his family come closer together was beautiful. We really saw him grow as a person, across the pages.
For me Sweetie and Ashish are they type of couple who I love so much, that I could read a gazillion books of them just living life. The dynamics and banter was that great.
Also the miss communication trope was done well here, after the miss communication, the hero didnāt over wait to explain things to the heroine and the heroine actually listened.
I couldnāt put this book down once I started it.
Trigger warning ā ļø: fatphobia
Ashish and Sweeties relationship was amazing, it had me laughing, crying and feel joy. Itās one of those stories that makes me believe in true love.
As a plus size woman, to be able to see a character like Sweetie find happiness and true love, no matter her weight is inspirational. Sweetie believes in her self, despite what family and people around her would say about her weight.
The woman who the media and society says canāt find love with the tall and handsome man does. We need more stories like this. Little girls need to be able to see themselves in stories like this. Amazing Fat representation.
Iām also going to be honest, I didnāt like Celia in the first book ( when Dimple met Rishi) so when I found out that Ashish was getting a new love interest, I was super excited.
Ashish will make you laugh, he will frustrate you but you will also come to love and understand him. He is going through a hard time and doesnāt know how to deal with his emotions. Especially his intense connection with Sweetie. To see him and his family come closer together was beautiful. We really saw him grow as a person, across the pages.
For me Sweetie and Ashish are they type of couple who I love so much, that I could read a gazillion books of them just living life. The dynamics and banter was that great.
Also the miss communication trope was done well here, after the miss communication, the hero didnāt over wait to explain things to the heroine and the heroine actually listened.
I couldnāt put this book down once I started it.
Trigger warning ā ļø: fatphobia
this series has been like reading a high quality tellywood show that never inevitably dips in quality. can't wait for samir & pinky's book