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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
This book was at times beautiful and poetic. I loved learning more about the stories and culture within the book.
At some points it was a bit too overdone and the dialogue was a bit too much. Overall it was a wonderful treat!
At some points it was a bit too overdone and the dialogue was a bit too much. Overall it was a wonderful treat!
I knew within the first few pages that this was going to be 5 stars and a favorite book. I couldn't put it down - but at the same time I never wanted it to end. Dev does a terrific job of creating a story with intense plot twists, deep characters, and, of course, a great romance. I also like reading about the Indian culture and customs.
A great romance-literary fiction crossover. Thoroughly entertaining & worthy of the hype. I'm heading straight on to The Bollywood Bride. A one-day read perfect for summer.
3 stars is generous, and it is because I finished this book when I haven't been able to finish any book in ages. The ending left me wondering HOW THEY RESOLVED THIER ISSUES, which is ridiculous. The book is funny and the first third really flew by. I will read more by this author, but I hope the heroines are portrayed with more agency and less focus on their bodies (especially the smallness of their bodies).
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Trigger warnings: parent dying of cancer, premature labour, discussion of multiple parents having died in the past, child marriage, flashbacks to a childhood beating.
3.5 stars. I think??
I had a complicated relationship with this book. Because, like, it was super fast paced, very compelling, and I loved the dynamic between the romantic leads. I loved the fact that Samir wanted to take care of her, and that he showed it through cooking for Mili.
BUT.
Samir was kind of a controlling asshat? And he lies to Mili for the vast majority of the book?? The one sex scene is...weirdly violent (of the "he slammed into her again and again and again" variety. Ow). And the ending tied things up a little too neatly for my liking.
Basically? I wanted to know more about Samir's childhood and less about his playboy lifestyle, more about Mili's relationship with her grandmother and less of her CRYING ALL THE DAMN TIME OH MY GOD GIRL GET CONTROL OF YOUR TEAR DUCTS.
So yeah. I liked it and I sped through it. But I feel slightly icky about how much I liked it, and there were a bunch of cringeworthy moments. So I'm going with 3.5, but that may change the more I think about it...
3.5 stars. I think??
I had a complicated relationship with this book. Because, like, it was super fast paced, very compelling, and I loved the dynamic between the romantic leads. I loved the fact that Samir wanted to take care of her, and that he showed it through cooking for Mili.
BUT.
Samir was kind of a controlling asshat? And he lies to Mili for the vast majority of the book?? The one sex scene is...weirdly violent (of the "he slammed into her again and again and again" variety. Ow). And the ending tied things up a little too neatly for my liking.
Basically? I wanted to know more about Samir's childhood and less about his playboy lifestyle, more about Mili's relationship with her grandmother and less of her CRYING ALL THE DAMN TIME OH MY GOD GIRL GET CONTROL OF YOUR TEAR DUCTS.
So yeah. I liked it and I sped through it. But I feel slightly icky about how much I liked it, and there were a bunch of cringeworthy moments. So I'm going with 3.5, but that may change the more I think about it...
BAM! I think I need to stop reading romances soon, before I get all twisted up in unrealistic expectations that I'd find a loving life-partner as soon as I start being clumsy enough to break my own ankle in a hilarious bicycle escape. Not so Amish cosy on the sex, although the family portion is still BIG BIG BIG. Also childhood abuse trauma - so. Otherwise, cute. Rags vs riches and people who lie making things difficult.
This story is a fun romance with a great characters. The narrator was perfect for this story and gave each character their own distinct voice. I didn't know a whole lot about Indian culture before listening to this audiobook, but it didn't affect how much i enjoyed this book. Will definitely read more from this author.
This is my first read/audio by Sonali Dev and I can say it was a good first experience. Set between America and India in the context of Hindu culture, arranged marriage and empowered women it made for an interesting mix. I can’t speak to the realism of the book in contemporary culture but it was definitely entertaining with just the right mixture of plot complexity, relationships and romance. The romance was a slowish burn over a shortish time if that makes sense.
There’s a secret in this book and I wanted to knock Samir over the head with it multiple times because I knew disaster was afoot. Millie was a meek but also a strong woman who I really took to immediately. The emotional connection between these two grew beautifully and it wasn’t compelling to read.
Narration: Priya Ayyar was just perfection for bringing these characters to life, with background narrative in an American accent and Millie and Samir with authentic accents to my ears. I hope she narrates some more of Sonali Dev’s books.
This book felt like a fresh palate cleanser and after reading some similar books, this was just what I needed.
There’s a secret in this book and I wanted to knock Samir over the head with it multiple times because I knew disaster was afoot. Millie was a meek but also a strong woman who I really took to immediately. The emotional connection between these two grew beautifully and it wasn’t compelling to read.
Narration: Priya Ayyar was just perfection for bringing these characters to life, with background narrative in an American accent and Millie and Samir with authentic accents to my ears. I hope she narrates some more of Sonali Dev’s books.
This book felt like a fresh palate cleanser and after reading some similar books, this was just what I needed.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
There were so many things I adored about this book. I ate it up in 2 days I was rooting for Mili the whole way through. I don’t think she ever really
Got the respect she deserved & it was hard reading about purity culture and accepting Samir as her love interest after I thought he messed up far beyond what is forgivable. At the end of the day, I usually don’t love romance novels but I really liked this!
Got the respect she deserved & it was hard reading about purity culture and accepting Samir as her love interest after I thought he messed up far beyond what is forgivable. At the end of the day, I usually don’t love romance novels but I really liked this!