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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
This book reads like fanfiction. You can really tell this is her first work. She has improved her writing skills since this one.
This book is enjoyable if you can shut your brain off. But there were still parts that really irked me.
- This definitely isn't a work of feminism. There's no issue with problematic things in the book so long as the characters grow by the end (this doesn't happen).
- Very insta-love-y, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the characters don't exist outside of each other.
- Some of the important plot points are... unrealistic.
I might still read the second book in the series. I enjoyed Pride Prejudice and other Flavors so maybe the series will become more to my taste.
This book is enjoyable if you can shut your brain off. But there were still parts that really irked me.
- This definitely isn't a work of feminism. There's no issue with problematic things in the book so long as the characters grow by the end (this doesn't happen).
- Very insta-love-y, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the characters don't exist outside of each other.
- Some of the important plot points are... unrealistic.
I might still read the second book in the series. I enjoyed Pride Prejudice and other Flavors so maybe the series will become more to my taste.
4.5 stars.
So, so, so good. Lots of feels with this one.
So, so, so good. Lots of feels with this one.
Really good read
All in all the story was very riveting. I really wanted to know what would happen between Samir and Milli, and I enjoyed how it played out. Definitely worth a read
All in all the story was very riveting. I really wanted to know what would happen between Samir and Milli, and I enjoyed how it played out. Definitely worth a read
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Indian romance novel. Didn’t love the narrator. I found it hard to tell who was talking sometimes. I wish they had hired a male narrator for the mens’ parts.
I'm torn about this book.
I liked the way the relationship developed between Mili and Samir. I liked the exploration of Samir's childhood. I really enjoyed the over-the-top escalation and humor at the end. It lightened some heavy moments.
However, I really didn't like Samir's decisions or behavior toward Mili.
I found the book enjoyable to read overall, but mostly the ending saved it for me. That said, I'd believe this just wasn't the right story for me. I'm looking forward to reading some of the author's other works.
I liked the way the relationship developed between Mili and Samir. I liked the exploration of Samir's childhood. I really enjoyed the over-the-top escalation and humor at the end. It lightened some heavy moments.
However, I really didn't like Samir's decisions or behavior toward Mili.
Spoiler
He's selfish and really not very likeable outwardly. I also found Mili a little hard to believe. She's outspoken which is awesome, but she's so conservative that I found it hard to believe that she would end up having sex with Samir so quickly. Perhaps she's not actually so conservative? It's a turnaround that I found difficult to buy. Perhaps I have some mistaken assumptions about how she should be coming from a small village in India.I found the book enjoyable to read overall, but mostly the ending saved it for me. That said, I'd believe this just wasn't the right story for me. I'm looking forward to reading some of the author's other works.
emotional
funny
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 asked a reviewer on twitter for some contemporary romance novels and A Bollywood Affair was at the top of her list. I can see why. Sonali Dev creates complicated and realistic romantic leads, and the twists and turns of their journey are arduous without becoming ridiculous.
Mili and Samir are two people always trying to do the right thing, even if the right thing isn't what they actually want. They are thrown together under false pretenses so must keep secrets but their relationship develops through proximity and the accumulation of small, generous acts.
I loved the ancillary characters - family members and friends - and would read another book about any one of them. While each one had a role to play in Mili and Samir's story, no one was two-dimensional. The best example is Naani who incites the conflict because she is trying to care for her granddaughter. Nothing simple about that.
I appreciated the generous time given to descriptions of Ridhi and Samir's families, as well as the rite that is the impetus of the book. As a reader who doesn't know the intricacies of Indian culture, the deft explanations and translations were helpful in flushing out the world Mili and Samir live in.
Mili and Samir are two people always trying to do the right thing, even if the right thing isn't what they actually want. They are thrown together under false pretenses so must keep secrets but their relationship develops through proximity and the accumulation of small, generous acts.
I loved the ancillary characters - family members and friends - and would read another book about any one of them. While each one had a role to play in Mili and Samir's story, no one was two-dimensional. The best example is Naani who incites the conflict because she is trying to care for her granddaughter. Nothing simple about that.
I appreciated the generous time given to descriptions of Ridhi and Samir's families, as well as the rite that is the impetus of the book. As a reader who doesn't know the intricacies of Indian culture, the deft explanations and translations were helpful in flushing out the world Mili and Samir live in.
So far, this sits at the BEST BOOK of 2015. A romance set in a marvelously colorful culture, that's not small-town America, big city somewhere, or a ballroom. It felt like reading a Bollywood film, in particular with the big, almost outsized emotions of the characters. Others didn't like the big big emotions, but I totally bought right into the melodrama and laughed and cried along with the story.
Warning: Make sure you have good Indian takeout on speed dial while reading. This book makes you HUNGRY!
Warning: Make sure you have good Indian takeout on speed dial while reading. This book makes you HUNGRY!
This was just too melodramatic for me. But then that‘s probably the aim a because it‘s Bollywood themed and Bollywood movies can be super melodramatic. I thought the heroine was wet and the hero was too close to being an alphahole for me to get on board with. I'm sure some will find it fun, it's just not my sort of fun.