Reviews

Never Meant to Stay by Trisha Das

shannonsbookcase's review

4.0

 Thank you to @getredprbooks,@trishaDas & @katerockbooktours for the gifted copy of this book to spotlight & give my honest review! 

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

Trisha Das is a "new to me" author and I look forward to reading more of her work! This book is so well written and I could just imagine being right there with this amazing cast. Not only are the main characters fantastic but the supporting characters as well! 

Samara and Sharav have an adorable meet cute at the beginning of the book where she is a photographer at his friend's wedding. There is a little mishap where he comes to her rescue. They do not recognize each other but their fathers were best friends since childhood. Samara’s dad,a Punjabi Diplomat, is leaving for his next assignment. Samara has several  jobs lined up she cannot leave so she is staying with the Khanna (Sharav’s) family until she goes back to New York to live with her college roommate. She not only starts making a name for herself in photography but she finds the family that she never had. Now she isn't sure what she wants.

I adored the individual relationships that Samara made with each of the Khanna’s. She single handedly brought the family back to life. This book had me on such an emotional roller coaster from laughing out loud to wanting to tell a few of these characters off! 

While cheating (emotional) is my least favorite trope, Trisha has written it in a way so that it didn’t take away from this lovely story. Sharav knew that he was in the wrong and let’s face it, his fiance was such a deceitful, ugly person who deserved what came to her (same with her mom). I do however wish that the miscommunications could have been worked out sooner - it did get a little old after a while.  Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it!

I cannot wait to participate in the Little Free Library drop of this book on nFebruary 8th! 

𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℍ𝕒𝕤:

Multi POVs

Forced Proximity 

Indian Culture - arranged marriages/foods

Found Family

Family Drama

Lots of Banter

Slow Burn

Grumpy/Sunshine

 

beastreader's review against another edition

4.0

It is always good to read books that feature other cultures to educate ourselves. As we are all a diverse group of individuals. I did feel like I was transported to another country while reading this book. Trisha did a lovely job of writing this story so that I felt connected to the characters and had good visual representations of each of them.

Samara is a bit freer in her freedom, whereas Sharav is the dutiful older son, who respects his culture and family. Even if at time, he may feel they are a bit outdated. Where Sharav's siblings were concerned, I did feel for both of them. There is Dhruv, who wants to sing but can't and Diya, who wants to be independent to make her jewelry but is being pressured into marriage.

This is a lovely story about family, healing, choices, and friendship.

cmfisch's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

jvic888's review

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

melaniejmccool's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

queenalpo's review

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

sbbeebe's review against another edition

2.0

Unbelievable characters in unbelievable circumstances doing unbelievable things. I guess there some consistency there; but in the end it was merely trite. I enjoy the occasional romance with a good story now and again. I just didn't connect with this. At all. Two stars because I was able to finish it.

sheilajsn's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

cathlatte's review

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hattiereadssomanybooks_x's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• 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