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cozylifewithabby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Medical trauma
Moderate: Rape, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Misogyny
rbash2391's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Turns out, Yash and India have known each other for ten years, although that is the last time they saw each other and had a heated, romantic moment. In the last ten years, however, Yash has been in a fake/PR relationship with a woman named Naina, who runs her own non-profit helping disadvantaged women around the globe. Yash and Naina are strictly "together" for the public's sake, but they have a hands-off, non-intimate relationship. Yash was drugged, sexually assaulted, and video footage was used to blackmail him in the past, so he has an aversion to physical intimacy to say the least.
Yash wants to call off his relationship with Naina but she resists him, insisting that their false relationship helps their public images independently and it would be too close to the election to have a public breakup or admit to their lie. Even though the book covers the span of a few months, the "too close to the election" argument is used throughout the book and eventually Yash does end their relationship and admit during a public presser to having lied to the public. Turns out, that only hurts his lead slightly and he does end up winning.
The book is mainly character driven. Not a lot happens after the first few chapters of action where Yash gets shot. The characters are likable. I think India had a hard time even admitting to herself the attraction and love she felt for Yash, so we didn't really see that through the narrative until the end when Yash admits his feelings publicly without revealing her identity. Both Yash and India feel safe only with each other, and the reader feels that too. India is like an emotional conduit for Yash; he's numb entirely until he can see her and then all of his feelings, good and bad, rush up. He's able to process them in her presence, however, and she's consented to helping him do that. We are always waiting intently for them to spend time together, and it's peaceful and relaxing when they do, even though the moment is actually tense in more ways than one. They have physical attraction but also this fraught history of not being honest with each other. Yash has other demons from his past to contend with that influence how he approaches his anxiety attacks during the campaign, and India is the one to help guide him through that. She does keep good boundaries as a professional, but she does this work for him because she cares about him and I liked that balance.
Yash's family seemed to annoy him the entire book, and said some things that were hurtful and dismissive of his experience. His father especially was only focused on him winning the election, and all of their behavior was excused as the ulterior motives of wanting Yash to be governor so he could make good changes in the world. After he confesses his love for India to his parents, they (especially his mother) realize that for him to do the things he wants to do for the public, he has to correct the private issues that are holding him back. I liked the way his sisters and mother helped plan and usher in Yash's public "come clean" and sat with India while she watched him give the presser live, or so she thought. Until she finds out the presser had been taped 30 minutes prior, and the sweet but stinky pug Chutney who loves Yash is barking at the window and she realizes Yash is standing outside waiting for her. That was super romantic and made up for the slow burn of the book for me.
Their announcement of their relationship, and Yash's lie, only did so much to hurt him in the polls and he ended up winning with a very close margin. The romantic stakes were very high throughout the book but that fizzled out once they chose each other. I think that is my main complaint, as I prefer a plot-driven story, rather than characters tugging back and forth until someone gives and then all the problems vanish once they do.
Overall this book is vibes. We have the contrast between India's world which is close-knit, plush, colorful, and peaceful, and Yash's family's estate that is massive and shows us that he is from a legacy family. Despite their varied upbringing and lives, the families have similar values and are supportive of Yash and India even if it means him possibly losing the election. As long as they are living in truth, it's better than lying to get what you want.
Graphic: Gun violence, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Racism, Lesbophobia, Rape, Car accident, Xenophobia, Drug abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings: Gun violence, public shooting, blood/injury, racism, sexism, toxic masculinity, ableism, PTSD, and queerphobia.
Mention of: being drugged and raped, injury due to getting hit by a car, depression, mention of losing a loved one/partner, and anxiety.
Having been emotionally devastated and restored by the first two books in this series…I took my time getting around to book three. This was a book I’m pretty sure I pre-ordered and then left sitting on my shelf because I wasn’t prepared to deal with the emotions Sonali made me feel in the first two books.
I wouldn’t classify this book as a romance so much as adult fiction as the element of romance was so small in comparison to everything else the book dealt with.
The book starts with an attempt on Yash’s life when he’s set to speak at a political rally. His friend and bodyguard is critically injured when he tries to jump in the way of a bullet meant for Yash. Having his friend in the ICU with no idea if he’ll ever wake up, let alone recover, Yash is in shock. Yash has always been great in front of a crowd but after the shooting anytime he attempts to speak at a public gathering he’s overwhelmed with panic and anxiety.
Yash is close to 40 and has years of unresolved trauma that had deeply affected his life and the way he handles things. I really wish the book would have shown Yash getting professional help to process his trauma rather than just talking with India and mentioning that he’s set up an appointment. Trauma is such an important thing that needs to be addressed and I understand it taking years for him to come to terms with needing help…I just wish we were able to see him getting more help than just India.
We spend so much of the book seeing Yash acknowledge how much trauma has shaped and dictated his life and I just needed more of the after, if that makes sense. Maybe I’m just not in the right mood to be reading this book but I felt like there was so much sadness and although he does find love and he’s finally opening up to his family…I just felt like the negativity and sadness outweighed the happiness. I just needed to feel more of a win than what I felt.
Graphic: Ableism, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Death
buttermellow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Gun violence, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
Moderate: Medical content and Religious bigotry
Minor: Car accident
the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Yash is a constant thread running through the other books, so by the time I got to his story, I felt like I already knew him well. He's a relatively young political candidate with great ideas that could change US politics in wonderful, unbelievable ways. I wish our current government was filled with more women and men just like him. I can only imagine how much better it would be.
India is the kind of woman I wish I could be: poised, centered, so true to her self, almost always peaceful, and stunningly gorgeous. She's a great sister and daughter, working hard to keep her family's life's work, their yoga studio, afloat while worrying about her mother's illness and her sister's new, all-consuming romance, as well as counselling Yash after a major event (I can't say too much without spoiling it 😉).
India and Yash had a night of metaphysical, existential passion, even though the physical part of that consisted of just one kiss, a decade ago, which complicates everything for both of them when he comes to her for help. Watching them resolve it was intense, and even though I knew there was only one possible outcome, I still questioned how it was going to work out. Talk about a nail-biter!
On to the next (but hopefully not the very last - because I need more of these two families!) book in the series!
Moderate: Gun violence and Xenophobia
hngisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gun violence, Hate crime, Medical content, Racism, Rape, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Car accident, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
extrasaratonin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gun violence
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The romance was less dazzling for me than the characters. I enjoyed Yash's story of fake dating gone wrong. Instead of following the trajectory romance books teach us to expect, a pact between best friends goes sour when one wants out of the bargain, tired of the lies. His true love story with India is second chance and all angst. Paired with instalove, it was an unideal pairing in terms of what tropes I favor. The angst comes from both internal and external pressures keeping them apart, starting with Yash's past traumas and ending with the current ones including an assassination attempt and the PR demands as his gubernatorial election fast approaches. Except for pining, the love story feels like it takes a backseat to the campaign and family and other relationships. Second chance doesn't help matters because the bedrock of their infatuation is one day spent together ten years ago when they both fell head over heels. Now, Yash's fake relationship stands in their way.
As an adaptation, I think this is a strong work. Be aware that heavy topics are on the table here, including gun violence and resulting panic attacks, rape and blackmail, car accident injuries and a hepatitis diagnosis. While I particularly liked the Dashwoods, I wasn't sold on the central romance. And since it's a bleak outlook for them during most of the story, it became a bit torturous for me as a lukewarm supporter in the best of times. If you like your romance with many dimensions and not only a romantic plot, plenty of pining, and a second chance story with a lot of obstacles, this might be up your alley.
Moderate: Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Minor: Islamophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, and Domestic abuse
bluejayreads17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Car accident
izmc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Two points of note:
2. This point also has to do with how the other characters dismissed the sexual assault. This quote left me reeling:
“"This is how you treat your friend? I've been here for you, Yash, always. I've taken care of you. Have you forgotten what happened when you trusted another woman? You ended up drugged and caught on tape
fucking an underage intern. Even then I was there for you. I didn't bat an eyelid. Through all your trust issues I was there making sure you were okay, working around it, tiptoeing around all your physical issues.”
This complete and utter dismissal of the trauma he went through was horrific. What’s worse is that it is never addressed again. That would be moderately okay if Nisha and her words were written in a more negative light. However, I just looked and she is going to be the heroine in the next book in the series. I honestly think that because of this quote I won’t be able to read the next book at all. I have loved this series so much, but I just don’t think I can tolerate reading and attempting to root for a character like that.
Overall, I loved the book.
Graphic: Racism and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexism, Xenophobia, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence