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3.02 AVERAGE
3.02 AVERAGE
Firstly - can we talk about how amazing this title is?!?! What an absolutely amazing play on words. I really liked this book! I love how it handed feeling like you don't belong in your own culture. Manny is an amazing woman who has the career of a lifetime - she's seemingly got it all - amazing job, amazing friends, and an amazing fiancé. When a magazine white washes her photo, things in her life start to change perspective.
I absolutely adored following Manny on her journey with Sammy into more traditional Indianism and how that looks for his family compared to her upbringing and life.
Tropes:
I absolutely adored following Manny on her journey with Sammy into more traditional Indianism and how that looks for his family compared to her upbringing and life.
Tropes:
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Manny is the child of immigrants who immersed her in American culture and values and missed teaching her the traditions of their own cultural heritage before they passed. Manny has spent her time after her parents death building her business. It just so happens that her business is breakups it provides a civilized way to break up and for couples to have closure. Her personal life is going well, she is engaged to the love of her life and business is booming but she feels something is missing.
Sammy needs a temporary break up from his long time girlfriend because she does not fit the "image" that he feels his family expects. Sammy needs Manny to help him but her business is permanent break ups not temporary. Manny reluctantly agrees to help Sammy, but in return she asks that he help her get in touch with her Indian side. She feels that may be what is missing in her life. Along the way she learns more about herself than she ever thought and discovered that maybe what she thought was love is wrong as well.
Singh creatively blended a rich culture with a great storyline. She created a delightful set of characters that made the story flow seamlessly. I truly enjoyed reading this novel and think it will be great for anyone who loves chick lit, women's fiction, cultural diversity or romance with a twist.
Sammy needs a temporary break up from his long time girlfriend because she does not fit the "image" that he feels his family expects. Sammy needs Manny to help him but her business is permanent break ups not temporary. Manny reluctantly agrees to help Sammy, but in return she asks that he help her get in touch with her Indian side. She feels that may be what is missing in her life. Along the way she learns more about herself than she ever thought and discovered that maybe what she thought was love is wrong as well.
Singh creatively blended a rich culture with a great storyline. She created a delightful set of characters that made the story flow seamlessly. I truly enjoyed reading this novel and think it will be great for anyone who loves chick lit, women's fiction, cultural diversity or romance with a twist.
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This was interesting.
First of all, the characters literally only knew each other for a week. Also, they didn't really get along. The fact that in this book, after living together for a week, they said "I love you" to each other and committed to a serious relationship seems not believable to me. You have to consider that hours before, days before, they were in relationships. Our protagonist was even getting married, all the details were already in place and the wedding was being planned. It seems so crazy to me to see that overnight they decided to say goodbye to all this, say I love you to someone you just met and start something formal.
Now, having a company that sends emails to end relationships sounds like pure capitalism. Breaking up by email is not a great idea, it's not respectful (unless it's necessary for safety and self-protection) but it's really funny to think that there are people who would pay for someone to end their relationship for them.
The representation is not that good. There is a fat character and they don't use a good approach, on the contrary, he is described in an ungraceful way. There are also two gay characters, but they are so stereotyped. Really, a lot of stereotypes, especially of Indian and South Asian culture.
In my opinion, the book should have been a bit longer, maybe it would have been better that way. I don't blame the author, maybe the editors who didn't see these flaws and improved them.
Overall, despite them, I enjoyed this novel and look forward to seeing what else the author publishes in the future.
trigger warnings: homophobia, alcohol, bigotry, racist microaggressions, colorism
This was interesting.
First of all, the characters literally only knew each other for a week. Also, they didn't really get along. The fact that in this book, after living together for a week, they said "I love you" to each other and committed to a serious relationship seems not believable to me. You have to consider that hours before, days before, they were in relationships. Our protagonist was even getting married, all the details were already in place and the wedding was being planned. It seems so crazy to me to see that overnight they decided to say goodbye to all this, say I love you to someone you just met and start something formal.
Now, having a company that sends emails to end relationships sounds like pure capitalism. Breaking up by email is not a great idea, it's not respectful (unless it's necessary for safety and self-protection) but it's really funny to think that there are people who would pay for someone to end their relationship for them.
The representation is not that good. There is a fat character and they don't use a good approach, on the contrary, he is described in an ungraceful way. There are also two gay characters, but they are so stereotyped. Really, a lot of stereotypes, especially of Indian and South Asian culture.
In my opinion, the book should have been a bit longer, maybe it would have been better that way. I don't blame the author, maybe the editors who didn't see these flaws and improved them.
Overall, despite them, I enjoyed this novel and look forward to seeing what else the author publishes in the future.
trigger warnings: homophobia, alcohol, bigotry, racist microaggressions, colorism
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You know those kisses that take you by surprise and the giver cups your face gently but kisses with passion and you feel like your feet are going to lift off the ground? This book is NOT like that. It’s like a peck on the cheek….from an uncle….in passing. Still, better than a slap on the back, right?! You know the kisser still cares, but it’s not the kiss that you had in mind. Right? This book is like that. It has so much potential. It’s a good debut offering and I’m sure we’ll see more by this author in the future.
What I felt would make the book a better read for me:
1) Enough of an intro to the characters where I felt a connection to them
2) Less of Manny’s work; I didn’t pick up this book to read about her job, I wanted to see a character connect with her culture and see if she could regain with she was denied as a child
3) Less time in the first few chapters on Manny’s work would have given the author more time to develop the plot rather than having it appear rushed in the last few chapters. As a result, the event-stuffed week wasn’t realistic, nor was her relationship with Sammy.
4) Fewer coincidences
5) More emotion! More emotion! More emotion!
6) A tighter reign on the plot
7) Flat character arcs rely on strong, multi-faceted characters. For me, I needed more character development or a positive character arc.
The creative wordplay on the title caught my attention as did the vibrant cover. The premise piqued my curiosity. Unfortunately, waiting for over 50% of the book for the inciting incident to climax was too long for me. I gritted my teeth through the breakup email and turned over the last page wishing it had more flavour, sights and sounds of the South Asian culture. It was a fair read and I’m glad I satisfied my curiosity.
I was gifted this advance copy by Sonya Singh, Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
What I felt would make the book a better read for me:
1) Enough of an intro to the characters where I felt a connection to them
2) Less of Manny’s work; I didn’t pick up this book to read about her job, I wanted to see a character connect with her culture and see if she could regain with she was denied as a child
3) Less time in the first few chapters on Manny’s work would have given the author more time to develop the plot rather than having it appear rushed in the last few chapters. As a result, the event-stuffed week wasn’t realistic, nor was her relationship with Sammy.
4) Fewer coincidences
5) More emotion! More emotion! More emotion!
6) A tighter reign on the plot
7) Flat character arcs rely on strong, multi-faceted characters. For me, I needed more character development or a positive character arc.
The creative wordplay on the title caught my attention as did the vibrant cover. The premise piqued my curiosity. Unfortunately, waiting for over 50% of the book for the inciting incident to climax was too long for me. I gritted my teeth through the breakup email and turned over the last page wishing it had more flavour, sights and sounds of the South Asian culture. It was a fair read and I’m glad I satisfied my curiosity.
I was gifted this advance copy by Sonya Singh, Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I’m conflicted on how I feel about this story.
Initially I really wanted to DNF, I just wasn’t feeling the whole Indian guy wants to temporarily break it off with his white girlfriend so he doesn’t have to introduce her to his family. I fully understand I was kind of triggered by this as I have been through a similar scenario. So I decided to keep reading and give it a chance.
As I delved more into the story I enjoyed many of the side characters. I’ll admit most of them were kind of caricatures versus true characters, and I called the reveal with Sammy’s dad from the first time he was introduced. However I could lose myself in it enough to find some enjoyment out of it. That said, I do not feel like this was written for a culturally aware audience. There were a lot of accurate moments, but some of it was harmful stereotypes and I found myself cringing a little. I know stereotypes are often wrapped in some basis of truth, however I’d love to have seen an own voices author break free of those stereotypes versus perpetuating them.
My biggest issues were with the ending and the treatment of Lisa. We were somehow supposed to believe that after a week of knowing each other, where she spent more time with his family than him, that they fell in love and are now engaged?!? I mean even insta love stories take longer than a week lol particularly when they were both already in relationships.
People were often mad at Manny for lying or withholding info and yet she was forgiven less than a day later by every person just because. No true resolutions or reasonings given, nothing was her fault. The author also spent a lot of time continuously having Sammy talk about loving Lisa and then listing all the reasons she’s incredibly wrong and awful for him. Then the author relegated his feelings to “owing her his life” and THEN she decides to make Lisa the villainess… all very convenient. I also had big issues with Manny’s relationship with her fiancé Adam.
Overall this felt indulgent. I do think there is an audience for this story though. The premise had some excellent promise, I just feel like the fleshing out of the story lost its way. This is a debut novel and as a debut I see the promise of the authors storytelling. This is why I give it 3 stars.
Initially I really wanted to DNF, I just wasn’t feeling the whole Indian guy wants to temporarily break it off with his white girlfriend so he doesn’t have to introduce her to his family. I fully understand I was kind of triggered by this as I have been through a similar scenario. So I decided to keep reading and give it a chance.
As I delved more into the story I enjoyed many of the side characters. I’ll admit most of them were kind of caricatures versus true characters, and I called the reveal with Sammy’s dad from the first time he was introduced. However I could lose myself in it enough to find some enjoyment out of it. That said, I do not feel like this was written for a culturally aware audience. There were a lot of accurate moments, but some of it was harmful stereotypes and I found myself cringing a little. I know stereotypes are often wrapped in some basis of truth, however I’d love to have seen an own voices author break free of those stereotypes versus perpetuating them.
My biggest issues were with the ending and the treatment of Lisa. We were somehow supposed to believe that after a week of knowing each other, where she spent more time with his family than him, that they fell in love and are now engaged?!? I mean even insta love stories take longer than a week lol particularly when they were both already in relationships.
People were often mad at Manny for lying or withholding info and yet she was forgiven less than a day later by every person just because. No true resolutions or reasonings given, nothing was her fault. The author also spent a lot of time continuously having Sammy talk about loving Lisa and then listing all the reasons she’s incredibly wrong and awful for him. Then the author relegated his feelings to “owing her his life” and THEN she decides to make Lisa the villainess… all very convenient. I also had big issues with Manny’s relationship with her fiancé Adam.
Overall this felt indulgent. I do think there is an audience for this story though. The premise had some excellent promise, I just feel like the fleshing out of the story lost its way. This is a debut novel and as a debut I see the promise of the authors storytelling. This is why I give it 3 stars.
What I read: Sari, Not Sari by Sonya Singh
Why I picked it up: Fun cover on the new release shelf at the library. It did not disappoint.
How I read it: On paperback in a day.
What it’s about: Manny is the CEO of Breakup, a company that helps you let others down well with closure. She was on the cover of a popular magazine, but it doesn’t look like her. To get to her Indian roots, she makes a deal with Sammy to attend his brother’s wedding – doing them both a favor. They get more than they expected!
What I liked: I loved reading about Indian culture and seeing it from Manny’s perspective. She was born to Indian parents in the US who really embraced the American Dream as the gold standard. They’d suffered because of Indian traditions before immigrating and didn’t share most of their heritage with Manny.
What I disliked: There were so many secrets and people thinking they needed to keep secrets in order to be loved. I know that’s true in reality as well, but I still dislike it.
Genre: Chaste Romance, Indian, family.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and yes! This is going to be a favorite for the year!
Why I picked it up: Fun cover on the new release shelf at the library. It did not disappoint.
How I read it: On paperback in a day.
What it’s about: Manny is the CEO of Breakup, a company that helps you let others down well with closure. She was on the cover of a popular magazine, but it doesn’t look like her. To get to her Indian roots, she makes a deal with Sammy to attend his brother’s wedding – doing them both a favor. They get more than they expected!
What I liked: I loved reading about Indian culture and seeing it from Manny’s perspective. She was born to Indian parents in the US who really embraced the American Dream as the gold standard. They’d suffered because of Indian traditions before immigrating and didn’t share most of their heritage with Manny.
What I disliked: There were so many secrets and people thinking they needed to keep secrets in order to be loved. I know that’s true in reality as well, but I still dislike it.
Genre: Chaste Romance, Indian, family.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and yes! This is going to be a favorite for the year!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is an amazing debut novel, and I cant wait to see what Sonya Singh comes up with next. Her characters are lovable, relatable, and real. Who doesnt love a story that centres around a female boss! The "will they, wont they" will have you yelling at the pages, and bingeing this novel in record time!
This book is an amazing debut novel, and I cant wait to see what Sonya Singh comes up with next. Her characters are lovable, relatable, and real. Who doesnt love a story that centres around a female boss! The "will they, wont they" will have you yelling at the pages, and bingeing this novel in record time!
I loved this book! It was adorably cute, fun to read and full of all the feels. The characters are lovable, the love story is sweet and I enjoyed watching everyone realize what was right in front of them all along all while our main character discovers her roots and humbly comes into her own skin.
This was a somewhat entertaining rom-com but there were some problematic elements to it. If you don't take it too seriously, it's just good silly fun and a very quick read. What I liked about it was for once, the male protagonist wasn't just some white savior, but an actual cool Indian guy and if you thought about the larger picture, the book is a metaphor for appreciating your inner and outer Indian beauty.
However, the plot was wholly unbelievable, the story was a bit corny, and if you didn't know any of the South Asian pop culture references especially those in the influencer world, I'm not sure you would understand a lot of it. Though, I did appreciate the references because it’s brown women supporting other brown women. With that said, I'm not sure how this book would age in a few years when these famous name drops mean nothing.
The "I'm so clueless about being Indian!" gets old at the end and the characters, especially the ones in the Indian family were portrayed so stereotypically - the whole book feels a little like a setback for our culture and in this genre.
However, the plot was wholly unbelievable, the story was a bit corny, and if you didn't know any of the South Asian pop culture references especially those in the influencer world, I'm not sure you would understand a lot of it. Though, I did appreciate the references because it’s brown women supporting other brown women. With that said, I'm not sure how this book would age in a few years when these famous name drops mean nothing.
The "I'm so clueless about being Indian!" gets old at the end and the characters, especially the ones in the Indian family were portrayed so stereotypically - the whole book feels a little like a setback for our culture and in this genre.