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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This book is so sweet and the characters are so endearing! I love the way Rishi sees Dimple and watching her slowly open herself up to him. Their romance is so precious and gentle and touching.
I wish we got a bit more of the actual summer conference and the work that they did for six weeks.
If you enjoy YA books and tender love stories, definitely check this one out. It made the perfect beach read!
I wish we got a bit more of the actual summer conference and the work that they did for six weeks.
If you enjoy YA books and tender love stories, definitely check this one out. It made the perfect beach read!
"People getting ahead unfairly because of the category into which they were born: male or white or straight or rich. I’m in a few of those categories myself, which is why I make it a point to reach out and help those who aren’t, those who might not necessarily be seen if I didn’t make the effort. We need to shake this field up, you know? We need more people with different points of view and experiences and thought processes so we can keep innovating and moving ahead."
I'm a little conflicted with this book. On the one hand, I love the women in tech aspect. In that regard, Dimple is a really great role model for women interested in technology. I wish when I got my degree, I would have had all the resources and encouragement young girls have today. I'm a little envious, but also so glad that times are changing.
I also loved reading about Indian-American family dynamics. It was really interesting to read about the kids and their different reactions to their upbringing.
On the other hand, not a fan of the relationships.
Spoiler
The romance was nice in the beginning, but became odd and forced in my opinion. And oh so cringy romance scenes and PDA in front of brothers and awkward bits where all Dimple and her roommate talk about is boys. Basically, the entire second half of the book after Dimple and Rishi get together.Unfortunately I did not love this book.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really loved this book. The romance was between Dimple and Rishi was just so unbelievably adorable. The characters were so endearing and very well-developed. This book just had everything I have been longing for lately in a contemporary romance: a college setting, and an adorably sweet, melt-your-heart romance. Plus the main female character is into coding, so how could I not love it? I just wish the book incorporated more computer science stuff with scenes of Dimple and Rishi actually creating their app. And I enjoyed the first 75% of the book more than the end, but it was still a near-perfect read. 4.75-5 stars
"When you think about it, our families are back in India, about eight thousand miles away. And they're still so intricately connected to us. We have their names, their rituals, their traditions. Their dreams sit behind our eyelids. I think it's beautiful."
This book is ridiculously adorable and constant fun. My only wish is that we got more Indian culture and more cultural/generational conflict. I found Dimple and Rishi's different cultural experiences fascinating--it's so interesting to me how two people in such similar familial situations could appreciate/not appreciate their traditions and mores so divergently. I wanted a little bit more of how their experiences and personalities shaped their appreciation of their parents' culture in different ways. Also, Menon touched a little bit on what it means to be an American to these second-generation immigrants... I wish that had been fleshed out a bit, because that topic is so, SO relevant right now and, again, something that, as a white woman whose ancestors immigrated here in the late 1800s, I would love to learn more about.
But really, this book did exactly what it set out to do: it created two memorable, quirky characters who develop a funny/heartwarming relationship amidst the craziness of growing up. There was some dialogue that, as a person about Dimple and Rishi's age, I felt was a little immature, but I also apparently tend to overestimate the maturity of my peers, so that may be a non-issue. This is something really small, but I also found myself irked by the fact that none of the characters, even the annoying and antagonistic ones, ever swear. Like, yes, teenagers who don't swear exist, but I'm pretty sure most eighteen-year-olds are comfortable saying "what the hell?" instead of "what the heck?". Those moments just felt a little juvenile for a bunch of people heading off to college. But what do I know.
Overall, this was a cute, quick, fun summer read that plopped me down into the minds of two characters I both related to and learned new things from. I really enjoyed it.
I've had When Dimple Met Rishi on my TBR for years, and knowing that Netflix has adapted it for screen motivated me to FINALLY read it. I was thoroughly charmed by it and thought that it was a really well-executed young adult romance.
Dimple is ready to go to college. She's been trying to persuade her parents to let her go to a summer tech program, and they readily agree. Rishi is charmed by his parents' unconventional love story of having their marriage arranged, and is curious to meet the person his parents have picked out for him at a summer tech program. You've guessed, Rishi is excited to meet Dimple, but...Dimple has no clue that he even exists. All the wrong sparks fly, hijinks ensue, and there is much charming tension in between.
I'm learning that I don't dislike a good romance, and this is definitely a good romance! Hearing both Dimple's and Rishi's voices is important, because they each bring a distinctive perspective to the novel. What I also like is the discussion about heritage and race, particularly because each protagonist has a different relationship to India. There is much to appreciate about this book, and I would not be upset spending more time in Menon's world. A solid 4.5 stars.
Dimple is ready to go to college. She's been trying to persuade her parents to let her go to a summer tech program, and they readily agree. Rishi is charmed by his parents' unconventional love story of having their marriage arranged, and is curious to meet the person his parents have picked out for him at a summer tech program. You've guessed, Rishi is excited to meet Dimple, but...Dimple has no clue that he even exists. All the wrong sparks fly, hijinks ensue, and there is much charming tension in between.
I'm learning that I don't dislike a good romance, and this is definitely a good romance! Hearing both Dimple's and Rishi's voices is important, because they each bring a distinctive perspective to the novel. What I also like is the discussion about heritage and race, particularly because each protagonist has a different relationship to India. There is much to appreciate about this book, and I would not be upset spending more time in Menon's world. A solid 4.5 stars.
The love interest was incredibly annoying and almost demanding of the main character's attention it was uncomfortable and off-putting
Cute read. If it weren't for the more diverse perspective, I'm sure I would have put it down though. If you are looking for an inclusive feel-good romance, this is probably up your alley. A perfect YA book for a teenage Indian (and otherwise) audience. My only real problem is personal preference and experience ruining the illusion of the book's many resolutions. It feels draining when things work out TOO well for the protagonist, especially when the weight of their struggle is glossed over by their hopeful personalities.
Slight Spoilers:
What kept it interesting was the inner conflict the main characters had with their family/heritage, and that in the end felt too easy to overcome. Characters taking their lives and decisions into their own hands was undercut by every other characters' acceptance of their choices for a happy ending. I would not have complained if the book had been lengthened and split as a means to dive deeper into their emotional turmoil, and not tie everything in so nicely. The tone could have been heavier. It is hard overcoming parental expectations, and the path to self-worth doesn't always end in acceptance (especially in such a strict cultural upbringing).
Slight Spoilers:
I hate giving all these books five stars, but I just love them all too much!! The love between Dimple amd Rishi was beautiful, even if it wasn't either of their intentions. I also loved seeing a girl like Dimple be so passionate about coding and web development. This book was a great, quick read that made me want to see Karl for myself in California, along with wanting to meet Jenny Lindt!