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amerikanerin's review against another edition
1.0
High school romance, wasn't looking for that age level, couldn't get into it/ past the character body issues.
ietondo's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I have read--I can't do it justice but to say, just read it.
littlekinggone's review against another edition
3.0
This book does a lot of things really well, and it tackles a lot of big themes and questions. Dimple comes from a family of Indian immigrants and trying to balance her culture with American expectations has not been easy for her. As she goes into the summer before her senior year of high school, she is pushed to confront her previous ideas of her culture, identity, friendship, and love.
The Good:
Dimple is an endearing character. I identified with her quite a bit. She's quiet but compassionate. She hides behind her camera and tends to let her insecurities push her around a bit. She grew a lot through this story, and I enjoyed watching her grow into herself.
As far as side characters go, Gwyn gave me the biggest headache. I constantly wanted to reach in and shake some sense into her. She's selfish and self-serving, often pushing Dimple aside for her own needs. Their friendship hits a necessary speed bump, and it felt genuine and realistic. I remembered going through something similar in high school AND college (unfortunately).
One of the strong suits here is the diversity. Dimple is a POC. Her love interest is a POC. Their families are POC. A majority of their friends are POC. There are lesbians and drag queens and SO MUCH VARIETY AND CULTURE. I loved it. Hidier does an excellent job of submersing readers into the Indian culture. There are discussions of intersectionality and cultural appropriation that had a contextual basis with the plot. It was really well done. I wish more YA lit had the guts to tackle that as tastefully as she does.
The Bad:
There isn't really anything bad here. Usually this bad section will be dedicated to all the things that make me mad while I'm reading but there was none of that here. There are just a few things I thought could have been done better.
There's a lot of purple prose. I dug in to some of it and skimmed other sections. I want to say the book as a whole could have been shorter but I don't want to sacrifice the wonderful growth that happens during it. But! It matches Dimple's character. She's a thinker and philosopher. The beginning was also a little slow to start. It took about 200 pages for me to engage with the story. But again, I'm not sure how to cut that down without sacrificing the backstory and culture that's necessary for later.
I really liked Karsh as a whole. He's sweet and thoughtful with a good backstory. But that second meeting at the club felt a little manic pixie-ish? Like he suddenly swoops in and can rattle off Dimple's entire character to her and how she needs to believe in herself and shares his life story, etc. It felt a little soon considering they had said maybe two words together in their first meeting.
Overall, very enjoyable. I'm not sure I'll read the sequel based off the Goodreads reviews, but I think a lot of YA can take notes for how to tackle the hard subjects.
The Good:
Dimple is an endearing character. I identified with her quite a bit. She's quiet but compassionate. She hides behind her camera and tends to let her insecurities push her around a bit. She grew a lot through this story, and I enjoyed watching her grow into herself.
As far as side characters go, Gwyn gave me the biggest headache. I constantly wanted to reach in and shake some sense into her. She's selfish and self-serving, often pushing Dimple aside for her own needs. Their friendship hits a necessary speed bump, and it felt genuine and realistic. I remembered going through something similar in high school AND college (unfortunately).
One of the strong suits here is the diversity. Dimple is a POC. Her love interest is a POC. Their families are POC. A majority of their friends are POC. There are lesbians and drag queens and SO MUCH VARIETY AND CULTURE. I loved it. Hidier does an excellent job of submersing readers into the Indian culture. There are discussions of intersectionality and cultural appropriation that had a contextual basis with the plot. It was really well done. I wish more YA lit had the guts to tackle that as tastefully as she does.
The Bad:
There isn't really anything bad here. Usually this bad section will be dedicated to all the things that make me mad while I'm reading but there was none of that here. There are just a few things I thought could have been done better.
There's a lot of purple prose. I dug in to some of it and skimmed other sections. I want to say the book as a whole could have been shorter but I don't want to sacrifice the wonderful growth that happens during it. But! It matches Dimple's character. She's a thinker and philosopher. The beginning was also a little slow to start. It took about 200 pages for me to engage with the story. But again, I'm not sure how to cut that down without sacrificing the backstory and culture that's necessary for later.
I really liked Karsh as a whole. He's sweet and thoughtful with a good backstory. But that second meeting at the club felt a little manic pixie-ish? Like he suddenly swoops in and can rattle off Dimple's entire character to her and how she needs to believe in herself and shares his life story, etc. It felt a little soon considering they had said maybe two words together in their first meeting.
Overall, very enjoyable. I'm not sure I'll read the sequel based off the Goodreads reviews, but I think a lot of YA can take notes for how to tackle the hard subjects.
ctorretta's review against another edition
4.0
Just when you thought it was safe to read and was all pink bubbly and cutesy, all hell breaks loose!
I really like how this started. I was curious about Dimple Lala right away and her narration of this is beautiful, albeit a bit wordy. But she is just an amazing gal going through what all of us do at at least one point in our lives, figuring out who the frock she is! (Frock may now be my new fav go to non curse word!)
Just turning 17 her family is in a world over their heads. The fact that they had also moved to America from India makes them doubt all of their decisions for their daughter. She is not Indian but she is also not American. Makes for some difficult situations for the entire family and friends. But Dimple gets through her crazy life just like all teenagers do, by chugging right along. She has a tenacity and strength, even when she's down and feels like she's being kicked in the teeth.
There were some parts of the plot that I felt were a little long and then there are some excruciating points that Dimple has to get through. She finds herself feeling betrayed and I can see why! Gwyn was another main character who went through all of the ups and downs with Dimple but sadly I couldn't find myself loving Gwyn. More often than not I wondered what type of friend would put Dimple into the situations she does! My feeling for her is like a love hate relationship!
Other than feeling a bit wordy the plot was contagious. Mostly sweet with some dark, learning spots for both Dimple and Gwyn. I want to say I loved every word but man is Dimple a wordy girl. Kind of ironic for me since I am as well...
Need something a bit different and cultural? Pick this one up!
I really like how this started. I was curious about Dimple Lala right away and her narration of this is beautiful, albeit a bit wordy. But she is just an amazing gal going through what all of us do at at least one point in our lives, figuring out who the frock she is! (Frock may now be my new fav go to non curse word!)
Just turning 17 her family is in a world over their heads. The fact that they had also moved to America from India makes them doubt all of their decisions for their daughter. She is not Indian but she is also not American. Makes for some difficult situations for the entire family and friends. But Dimple gets through her crazy life just like all teenagers do, by chugging right along. She has a tenacity and strength, even when she's down and feels like she's being kicked in the teeth.
There were some parts of the plot that I felt were a little long and then there are some excruciating points that Dimple has to get through. She finds herself feeling betrayed and I can see why! Gwyn was another main character who went through all of the ups and downs with Dimple but sadly I couldn't find myself loving Gwyn. More often than not I wondered what type of friend would put Dimple into the situations she does! My feeling for her is like a love hate relationship!
Other than feeling a bit wordy the plot was contagious. Mostly sweet with some dark, learning spots for both Dimple and Gwyn. I want to say I loved every word but man is Dimple a wordy girl. Kind of ironic for me since I am as well...
Need something a bit different and cultural? Pick this one up!
line_so_fine's review against another edition
4.0
Was I feeling this book a little too personally, hearkening back to my own teen years? Ok, yes, fine. You got me there.
brokebybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I had gotten the e-book instead of the audiobook. Not because it was bad, but because I liked it. I liked it but I cannot stand the amount of awkwardness, the large dumps of descriptions, and not going somewhere fast enough. If I had the e-book, I would've been able to skip around and finish the thing. Instead I made it through after the party, like 20 chapters and skipped to the last chapter. It went the way I thought, the way it was supposed to go. I was just not in the right mood for this kind of narrator and languishing flow.
But it was really good. I do recommend it absolutely. Just maybe not the audiobook, especially if you're a speed reader.
Notes While Reading:
"too curvy"
One of two Indians at school.
Bullying, Racism, "Pochoantas"
Turning 17, dumped on 16th b-day, "gained 10lbs"
"head in the fridge, heart in the garbage disposal"
odd numbers are auspicious
oh no, lightening BS.
Ugh so fat hating herself.
Clothes shopping is hell.
"body is your temple, your home, your bones"
Curve hating for hips, butts, and boobs. Totally the in type now.
"closet Christians"
Wow Gwen, greedy, selfish, and forthright
Should have left the coat, idiot!
Wow, wearing the same outfit. Fucking Gwen.
Now we're drunk & loopy.
Ugh Julian is creep.
Throw up on him!
uh, the sleepover?!?
Should've closed the lid and sat on it.
You idiot.
"lifeless like a sold house"
"I have J-lo dressing alcoholic photographer for a daughter"
haha, omfg. At least they care.
Love her mom's way of talking.
Yes, the dude is the lucky one too not just the girl!
She calls arranged marriage barbaric.
American Born Confused Desi = ABCD
Love the actual sleepover
Aww the presents
Love the ABCD's
Man, she's really dull & judgemental at the tea
He's doing it on purpose!
WTF is going on with Gwen?
WTF Dillian. Julian.
Uh oh. Calls black woman "cornrow" and says "cornrow to cornho"
"not in Jersey anymore" Shut up stuck up Dick Dillian
Not even at the party yet, dragging. Ch. 17.
So tired of Dimple's shit.
So obsessed with Gwen's looks. Is she in love with her?
Sabina got armpit hair. Good for her!
Asexual? Pansexual?
Love Sabina.
Has she never heard of a dj before?
Karsh is SO VERY FUCKING CUTE!
Omg Gwen is such a bitch. Stand up to her!
Gwen wants Dimple's life without the complications of being an immigrant Indian. Fuck her.
Excruciating AF!!! Awkwardness is killing me. omfg. Dimple! Gwen! Karsh! SOMEONE ACT RIGHT!
Wow the dumps of descriptions and memories between sentences are..ugh. Let's get somewhere!
Skipped to Chpt 44 (the last one). It's the end of summer, September. And all ends well that ends well. YAY!
But it was really good. I do recommend it absolutely. Just maybe not the audiobook, especially if you're a speed reader.
Notes While Reading:
"too curvy"
One of two Indians at school.
Bullying, Racism, "Pochoantas"
Turning 17, dumped on 16th b-day, "gained 10lbs"
"head in the fridge, heart in the garbage disposal"
odd numbers are auspicious
oh no, lightening BS.
Ugh so fat hating herself.
Clothes shopping is hell.
"body is your temple, your home, your bones"
Curve hating for hips, butts, and boobs. Totally the in type now.
"closet Christians"
Wow Gwen, greedy, selfish, and forthright
Should have left the coat, idiot!
Wow, wearing the same outfit. Fucking Gwen.
Now we're drunk & loopy.
Ugh Julian is creep.
Throw up on him!
uh, the sleepover?!?
Should've closed the lid and sat on it.
You idiot.
"lifeless like a sold house"
"I have J-lo dressing alcoholic photographer for a daughter"
haha, omfg. At least they care.
Love her mom's way of talking.
Yes, the dude is the lucky one too not just the girl!
She calls arranged marriage barbaric.
American Born Confused Desi = ABCD
Love the actual sleepover
Aww the presents
Love the ABCD's
Man, she's really dull & judgemental at the tea
He's doing it on purpose!
WTF is going on with Gwen?
WTF Dillian. Julian.
Uh oh. Calls black woman "cornrow" and says "cornrow to cornho"
"not in Jersey anymore" Shut up stuck up Dick Dillian
Not even at the party yet, dragging. Ch. 17.
So tired of Dimple's shit.
So obsessed with Gwen's looks. Is she in love with her?
Sabina got armpit hair. Good for her!
Asexual? Pansexual?
Love Sabina.
Has she never heard of a dj before?
Karsh is SO VERY FUCKING CUTE!
Omg Gwen is such a bitch. Stand up to her!
Gwen wants Dimple's life without the complications of being an immigrant Indian. Fuck her.
Excruciating AF!!! Awkwardness is killing me. omfg. Dimple! Gwen! Karsh! SOMEONE ACT RIGHT!
Wow the dumps of descriptions and memories between sentences are..ugh. Let's get somewhere!
Skipped to Chpt 44 (the last one). It's the end of summer, September. And all ends well that ends well. YAY!
katyjean81's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book! It started to drag a bit in the middle, but overall it was engaging and fairly quick. I found the writing delightful (fabulous decorative in that way that I imagine India in my head), but what I really enjoyed was the insight it gives on first/second generation Indian Americans. At it's core, this book is the classic coming of age story, but it's so modern. There's drinking and weed smoking (hilarious!) and love and sex and parents and lesbians and dancing and photography and on and on. I recommend this book for anyone, not just teenagers. It's a great story about learning who you are and who your parents are.
nan85's review against another edition
1.0
to many misspelled words and fragments. couldn't get past it