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books4susie's review
5.0
This companion book centers around Rishi's younger brother Ashish after his breakup with Celia that began in the first book. Not only does the author continue to focus on Indian American culture but body image and self-esteem as well. Down in the dumps over his break up, Ash decides that if his parents’ arranged relationship for his older brother has worked out, then he is willing to try it as well. When Sweetie’s mother turns down Ash’s parents’ request to date, Sweetie decided to take matters into her own hands and goes against her parents’ wishes. Once again, another sweet romance that also centers on the main characters coming into their own.
ericacoonelly's review
4.0
4.5 stars - A feel good story, I found myself smiling along while listening to the story, I just loved the characters- I wish this book had been around when I was in high school.
jazminrose's review
4.0
I loved this book! I went into it fairly skeptical, as it’s very much not my usual taste and the plot was extremely predictable. But everything about it is just so cute and adorable! I couldn’t dislike it if I tried! So fun and breezy and modern.
ameliasreadinghaven's review
5.0
I absolutely loved every single thing about this book. It is so hard to find stories/books with plus sized main characters.
Sweetie was a real badass. As a larger woman, I really could connect with this story. Sweetie loved herself and she didn't let her size get in the way of love.
Sweetie and Ashish have my entire heart. Now I just need to find my Ashish :)
If you want to read a cute ass love story then this is the one. It was very uplifting and diverse.
Sweetie was a real badass. As a larger woman, I really could connect with this story. Sweetie loved herself and she didn't let her size get in the way of love.
Sweetie and Ashish have my entire heart. Now I just need to find my Ashish :)
If you want to read a cute ass love story then this is the one. It was very uplifting and diverse.
readmoreyall's review
5.0
This was such a great book. Sandhya Menon is going to make me a romance reader. I don’t even like cute books!
But I love this one. Every teen should have this book on their TBR list.
But I love this one. Every teen should have this book on their TBR list.
mfryerwood's review
2.0
So, the first two books that I read by Sandhya Menon I really enjoyed - so when I saw that she had a new book out AND it was about a fat character, I was so down. I started this book fully expecting it to be another fun, fluffy YA contemporary. Which, like, it was? But for whatever reason, I found the writing and storytelling of this one to really fall flat in comparison to her other books, and honestly, I realized that I wasn't enjoying it, so I stopped reading around halfway - though I'm 100% sure I know how it ends, because it was that predictable. Pretty disappointed in this one.
bookish_4life's review
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
After being dumped by his ex, Ashish Patel is off his game. The love he used to feel playing basketball is gone, he feels like he doesn't deserve the title of team captain, and the confidence he used to carry around - especially when dealing with the ladies - is nowhere to be found. So when it is suggested that he let his parents fix him up with a nice Indian girl, Ashish - who normally would have scoffed at the idea - decides he's got nothing left to lose.
Sweetie Nair is many things. She's the fastest track star at her school, she's a great friend, she has a beautiful singing voice, she loves and respects her parents and her Indian culture, and, to some, she's also considered fat. Sweetie is happy with who she is, with her body, but that doesn't mean her mother's constant bid to get Sweetie to lose weight doesn't cut her to the core. When her mother rejects Ash's parents' idea for Ash and Sweetie to date due to her weight, Sweetie takes matters into her own hands and starts to date Ash in secret.
Both Ash and Sweeties have something to prove. Ash that he isn't felled by his ex, and Sweetie that she can be found attractive despite her weight. But with each date, it becomes less about proving anything, and more about how much they care about one another.
I absolutely loved Sweetie. I love her confidence and her kindness. I'm ok with the fact that with everyone she meets she imparts wisdom and logic, and she gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. Normally such an unflawed character would feel really flat and one dimensional, but I give Sandhya Menon a pass because of how she shows that even the most body positive, self-assured, and confident person can be put down by other people's words and/or perceptions based on someone's looks. And this is what Sweetie struggles with everyday. Made even more heartbreaking that it's her mother who gives her the hard time.
Being a mother, I can see the need that Sweetie's mother, Amma, feels in protecting her daughter from people who would make fun of her just on appearances alone without actually knowing anything about Sweetie. Despite this, Sweetie's mother almost perpetuates the stigma by automatically equating Sweetie's happiness with her size and not listening to Sweetie when she says her size doesn't matter to her. It's not keeping her from accomplishing everything she wants to do. It was difficult to read Amma's constant harping on Sweetie, she kind of becomes the villain of the piece and in this regard her eventual redemption fell a little flat for me because the moment of clarity for her felt sudden. I didn't see much of a build up of it.
I did like the positive representation of friendship that both Sweetie and Ash have, and I would have liked more interaction with both of their groups of friends as well as Sweetie with Ash's and vice versa. The unwavering dedication and support that they all have for each other is clear.
While this is a companion novel to Menon's [b:When Dimple Met Rishi|28458598|When Dimple Met Rishi|Sandhya Menon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475687488s/28458598.jpg|48593860], you absolutely do not have to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one. They stand very well on their own. I wouldn't be opposed to another character getting their own book in this expanding universe (I'm talking about Ash's friend Pinky of course!).
There's a lot to like about There's Something About Sweetie, but honestly, the awesomeness that is Sweetie eclipses everything.
Sweetie Nair is many things. She's the fastest track star at her school, she's a great friend, she has a beautiful singing voice, she loves and respects her parents and her Indian culture, and, to some, she's also considered fat. Sweetie is happy with who she is, with her body, but that doesn't mean her mother's constant bid to get Sweetie to lose weight doesn't cut her to the core. When her mother rejects Ash's parents' idea for Ash and Sweetie to date due to her weight, Sweetie takes matters into her own hands and starts to date Ash in secret.
Both Ash and Sweeties have something to prove. Ash that he isn't felled by his ex, and Sweetie that she can be found attractive despite her weight. But with each date, it becomes less about proving anything, and more about how much they care about one another.
I absolutely loved Sweetie. I love her confidence and her kindness. I'm ok with the fact that with everyone she meets she imparts wisdom and logic, and she gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. Normally such an unflawed character would feel really flat and one dimensional, but I give Sandhya Menon a pass because of how she shows that even the most body positive, self-assured, and confident person can be put down by other people's words and/or perceptions based on someone's looks. And this is what Sweetie struggles with everyday. Made even more heartbreaking that it's her mother who gives her the hard time.
Being a mother, I can see the need that Sweetie's mother, Amma, feels in protecting her daughter from people who would make fun of her just on appearances alone without actually knowing anything about Sweetie. Despite this, Sweetie's mother almost perpetuates the stigma by automatically equating Sweetie's happiness with her size and not listening to Sweetie when she says her size doesn't matter to her. It's not keeping her from accomplishing everything she wants to do. It was difficult to read Amma's constant harping on Sweetie, she kind of becomes the villain of the piece and in this regard her eventual redemption fell a little flat for me because the moment of clarity for her felt sudden. I didn't see much of a build up of it.
I did like the positive representation of friendship that both Sweetie and Ash have, and I would have liked more interaction with both of their groups of friends as well as Sweetie with Ash's and vice versa. The unwavering dedication and support that they all have for each other is clear.
While this is a companion novel to Menon's [b:When Dimple Met Rishi|28458598|When Dimple Met Rishi|Sandhya Menon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475687488s/28458598.jpg|48593860], you absolutely do not have to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one. They stand very well on their own. I wouldn't be opposed to another character getting their own book in this expanding universe (I'm talking about Ash's friend Pinky of course!).
There's a lot to like about There's Something About Sweetie, but honestly, the awesomeness that is Sweetie eclipses everything.
cara_m's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I really enjoyed this book. Ashish and Sweetie were such lovable characters. Sweetie I felt like I could relate to on a more personal level which made the book so much more enjoyable. Though I loved the first book with Dimple & Rishi, I think I loved this one more! Can’t wait to read the last one about Pinky!
caffeineaddict980's review against another edition
5.0
Ashish Patel just got dumped and his parents are certain that they can find him someone better.
In a moment of weakness, Ash dares them to do exactly that.
Sweetie Nair has many talents and hobbies that she loves, but because she's 'fat' her parents hold the opinon that she will never find a match.
With each date they go on, the pair realise they have something in common: they want to prove themselves.
Once again, Sandhya Menon makes me swoon at the characters in her novel and at her gorgeous writing style.
I'm not normally a soppy romance person, but her books are absolutely amazing!
In a moment of weakness, Ash dares them to do exactly that.
Sweetie Nair has many talents and hobbies that she loves, but because she's 'fat' her parents hold the opinon that she will never find a match.
With each date they go on, the pair realise they have something in common: they want to prove themselves.
Once again, Sandhya Menon makes me swoon at the characters in her novel and at her gorgeous writing style.
I'm not normally a soppy romance person, but her books are absolutely amazing!