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raindrops333's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
momgoth_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
npar6790's review against another edition
4.0
Ayesha, a South Asian American woman, has devoted the last seven years of her life to helping her mother, Amma, keep their business going. But Amma is putting pressure on Ayesha to get married before she gets too old. Amma arranges for Ayesha to meet the “perfect” match at Ayesha’s best friend’s wedding, but to Ayesha’s surprise, the love of her life shows up at the wedding also. Ayesha finds herself in an impossible situation. She must choose between her obligation to her mother and her obligation to herself.
This story is about all different sorts of love – parental love, sibling love, best friend love, and of course, soul mate love. And interweaved among the theme of love is grief and obligation. While culturally stereotypical, I found the theme of brown girl guilt to be wholly accurate. All the female characters are strong and fierce and yet, so nurturing, I was reminded of my own relationship with my mother. Ayesha’s struggle to make the right decisions for herself are those that most South Asian Americans find themselves experiencing throughout their lives.
My only criticism of this story is that it ended way too soon. I didn’t want it to end.
This story is about all different sorts of love – parental love, sibling love, best friend love, and of course, soul mate love. And interweaved among the theme of love is grief and obligation. While culturally stereotypical, I found the theme of brown girl guilt to be wholly accurate. All the female characters are strong and fierce and yet, so nurturing, I was reminded of my own relationship with my mother. Ayesha’s struggle to make the right decisions for herself are those that most South Asian Americans find themselves experiencing throughout their lives.
My only criticism of this story is that it ended way too soon. I didn’t want it to end.
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
All in all, it was a heartwarming novella and character-driven second chance. Sonali Dev's style of writing is so easy to read and she just makes you care about characters.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
All in all, it was a heartwarming novella and character-driven second chance. Sonali Dev's style of writing is so easy to read and she just makes you care about characters.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
#StoryGraph: fiction romance short stories emotional lighthearted fast-paced
67 pages | first published 2022
Description
Ayesha Shetty lost her brother seven years ago, the same time she lost everything else important to her: her dreams, her fierce independence, and the man she loved. Not wanting to see her mother hurt anymore, she put her wild self away and became the dutiful daughter her mother needed and took on her brother’s role in the family business.
Now her best friend’s big, fat Indian wedding is a chance to get away from her endless duties at the restaurant and maybe even have some fun (if she remembers how). But a setup arranged by her mother, with a doctor no less, is the last thing she needs. The fact that he checks all her mother’s boxes just makes everything better…and worse.
Then Emmitt Hughes shows up. Her brother’s best friend. The love she once chose over family duties and her responsibilities. The one she asked to leave, and who did. The one who knows the real Ayesha. Torn between a love from the past that could cost her the only person she has left and her sense of obligation to her mother, will Ayesha find the strength to stop thinking about what everyone else wants and finally put herself first? Or is the old Ayesha truly gone for good?
67 pages | first published 2022
Description
Ayesha Shetty lost her brother seven years ago, the same time she lost everything else important to her: her dreams, her fierce independence, and the man she loved. Not wanting to see her mother hurt anymore, she put her wild self away and became the dutiful daughter her mother needed and took on her brother’s role in the family business.
Now her best friend’s big, fat Indian wedding is a chance to get away from her endless duties at the restaurant and maybe even have some fun (if she remembers how). But a setup arranged by her mother, with a doctor no less, is the last thing she needs. The fact that he checks all her mother’s boxes just makes everything better…and worse.
Then Emmitt Hughes shows up. Her brother’s best friend. The love she once chose over family duties and her responsibilities. The one she asked to leave, and who did. The one who knows the real Ayesha. Torn between a love from the past that could cost her the only person she has left and her sense of obligation to her mother, will Ayesha find the strength to stop thinking about what everyone else wants and finally put herself first? Or is the old Ayesha truly gone for good?
vishalip's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mg_in_md_'s review
4.0
A charming and engaging short story! I listened to the audiobook version and really enjoyed the experience. The narrator ([a:Soneela Nankani|6438287|Soneela Nankani|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]) was wonderful and really brought the characters and story to life for me. While it is a romance, it also explores grief and family relationships in a thoughtful way. It is heartwarming and humorous, and expertly weaves in complex themes to create a three dimensional world. This compact gem of a tale was a treat from start to finish.
gayathiri_rajendran's review against another edition
4.0
I've been meaning to read this author's books for a while but I haven't had the chance yet. So when I saw this short story was out, I was eager to read this. I felt like I could get a taste of what her writing is like. After reading this, I'm excited to check out her other books.
This was an interesting story from the get go. Our main character is Ayesha Shetty who attends her best friend Bela's wedding. There she meets Emmitt Hughes who was her brother Ajay's best friend. Ajay is no more and she and Emmitt were together once upon a time and they'd broken up.
What follows is a story about love, relationships, grief and how it shapes Ayesha and the people around her. This one had a lot of emotional depth for a short story. It also has other themes life family obligations and second chances. A satisfying and quick read!
This was an interesting story from the get go. Our main character is Ayesha Shetty who attends her best friend Bela's wedding. There she meets Emmitt Hughes who was her brother Ajay's best friend. Ajay is no more and she and Emmitt were together once upon a time and they'd broken up.
What follows is a story about love, relationships, grief and how it shapes Ayesha and the people around her. This one had a lot of emotional depth for a short story. It also has other themes life family obligations and second chances. A satisfying and quick read!
juweria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- 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
5.0