3.81 AVERAGE

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

june 6th, 2021
sajni patel continues to write the best desi diaspora books i've ever read. i hope she never stops writing because this book was phenomenal.

review coming at some point after i get my thoughts together. i read the book twice in one day just to experience it again.

(also i loved the torchy's references)

I’ve had this on my NetGalley shelf for so long, I’ve tried to read it a couple of times but never got into it. I finally gave it a real go and just realized it’s not for me. It’s not badly written, I’m just not interested in the story. I gave up around 20%. Nothing gripped me! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

DNF @ 65%.

***3.5 stars***

This book gets an official review because I won my copy in a goodreads giveaway! I was very curious about Preeti and Daniel’s history while reading the previous book in this series, so I was very excited to see they were getting their own book.

First, despite what the adorable cover might have led you to believe, this is not a lighthearted romcom.

The story focuses primarily on Preeti’s struggle with her mental health, and I feel like her perspective was written well and respectfully. I really liked how strong and true to herself her character was despite everything she was going through.
Spoiler Seeing Preeti find her voice and stand up to her extended family, Yuvan, AND Yuvan’s family at the end was extremely satisfying.


Now for the aspects I didn’t love: So. Much. Miscommunication. There’s the obvious miscommunication between Preeti and Daniel (for 6 YEARS), and even more between Preeti, her parents and Yuvan.

Spoiler I was also confused by Daniel’s reactions at some points. From the beginning of the book, I was under the impression that Daniel knew his family still regularly spent time with Preeti. But then he gets very suddenly angry with Preeti about this, as if he had no idea. Daniel goes from comforting her through a panic attack, to shutting her out, to acting like they’re back in a romantic relationship, all in a relatively short section of the book.


Tropes: second chance romance, forced proximity/one bed, miscommunication

TW: racism, mentions of SA, depression/anxiety, stillbirth, parental pressure/expectations

TL;DR: not a romcom, but lots of discussion of mental health. Sweet second chance romance if you don’t mind lots of miscommunication

*3.5 stars
While I do love how this book touches on mental health issues in desi culture, the main plot dragged on for sooo long. It felt more like a contemporary than a romance, but thats not to day the romance isnt there and that Daniel isnt THE MOST understanding book boyfriend ever!
emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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: Yes

3.5