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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
This review is based off an ARC received for the first 4 chapters. A full review is coming soon after I receive the remainder of the book.
Sajni Patel writes with a passion that engulfs the reader from the onset. Her vivid vocabulary and descriptive cultural references invite readers from all backgrounds to not only appreciate the story being told but also to respect and learn from the perspectives of each generation of characters. Shedding light on cultural and societal issues in a romantic genre is not an easy task, but it was done so well in The Trouble With Hating You and from the first four chapters of First Love, Take Two, I can tell it will be well done again. The first four chapters seamlessly began where The Trouble With Hating You ended and focus on Preeti and Daniel. I look forward to seeing how these two characters grow into themselves for themselves and each other.
Sajni Patel writes with a passion that engulfs the reader from the onset. Her vivid vocabulary and descriptive cultural references invite readers from all backgrounds to not only appreciate the story being told but also to respect and learn from the perspectives of each generation of characters. Shedding light on cultural and societal issues in a romantic genre is not an easy task, but it was done so well in The Trouble With Hating You and from the first four chapters of First Love, Take Two, I can tell it will be well done again. The first four chapters seamlessly began where The Trouble With Hating You ended and focus on Preeti and Daniel. I look forward to seeing how these two characters grow into themselves for themselves and each other.
Preeti is on track to becoming a doctor. She is in the process of finishing her residency while also looking for full-time jobs at other hospitals so her life is just go-go-go. She wants to move out of her current apartment, and her friend has a sweet deal. She tells her that she's moving out of her place and that she should be able to move her stuff in, but the catch is that she has to live with a roommate.
She soon finds out that the roommate is her ex-boyfriend Daniel. Based on the cover, Daniel is FIIIINNNEEE! It's a second chance romance, and the thing that got me was that she has a touch aversion. When she was around her boyfriend at the time and he tried to touch her, she was easily annoyed and she hated it, but when she started sharing the same room with Daniel, she got used to his touch. I just thought that was a sign that she needed to be with him.
The novel does get into why they broke up in the first place, and race does play a factor in it. If that's not for you or you can't stand that being a part of the plotline, then I wouldn't add it. Daniel's family has a lot of money but his new project involves the hospital that Preeti is working at. He essentially wants to do some renovation since he has a degree in architecture or business, one of the two. He is also working on getting out of his father's shadow and the girl that he has tried to get to talk to Daniel so they can be in a relationship.
Preeti still has a strong relationship with Daniel's grandparents even after the breakup, but I will say that I hated the fact that Preeti was non-confrontational. I would have loved it if it she was a bit more assertive and took control into her hands when it came to telling Daniel why the relationship ended. Daniel's father is such an unlikeable character and I was so happy when he told him off, because he needed that.
She soon finds out that the roommate is her ex-boyfriend Daniel. Based on the cover, Daniel is FIIIINNNEEE! It's a second chance romance, and the thing that got me was that she has a touch aversion. When she was around her boyfriend at the time and he tried to touch her, she was easily annoyed and she hated it, but when she started sharing the same room with Daniel, she got used to his touch. I just thought that was a sign that she needed to be with him.
The novel does get into why they broke up in the first place, and race does play a factor in it. If that's not for you or you can't stand that being a part of the plotline, then I wouldn't add it. Daniel's family has a lot of money but his new project involves the hospital that Preeti is working at. He essentially wants to do some renovation since he has a degree in architecture or business, one of the two. He is also working on getting out of his father's shadow and the girl that he has tried to get to talk to Daniel so they can be in a relationship.
Preeti still has a strong relationship with Daniel's grandparents even after the breakup, but I will say that I hated the fact that Preeti was non-confrontational. I would have loved it if it she was a bit more assertive and took control into her hands when it came to telling Daniel why the relationship ended. Daniel's father is such an unlikeable character and I was so happy when he told him off, because he needed that.
I love the honesty of her stories and specifically in this one entailing anxiety, anxiety attacks, depression, and touch aversion (learned something new!!). And then the relationship and GIRL FRIENDSHIP was beautiful.
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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
First Love, Take Two
I was absolutely thrilled when I got this ARC. The characters are just out of this world. Preeti is a charming woman that you just find yourself rooting for from the beginning. Don’t even get me started on Daniel he is the best person and supporter any relationship could ask for. I love light romance reading because you know how things will end, but that never stops me from being surprised at every twist and turn along the way.
Also, I think the romance genre generally gets a bad rep for not bringing any substance or important topics into their work and I just have to say how wrong that is, especially in this book which hits on important topics like mental health and racism. Don’t count it out because it’s a romance, but boy it does have plenty of STEAMY content wrapped up in as well!
A gigantic thank you to NetGalley and Forever by Grand Central Publishing for the ARC
I was absolutely thrilled when I got this ARC. The characters are just out of this world. Preeti is a charming woman that you just find yourself rooting for from the beginning. Don’t even get me started on Daniel he is the best person and supporter any relationship could ask for. I love light romance reading because you know how things will end, but that never stops me from being surprised at every twist and turn along the way.
Also, I think the romance genre generally gets a bad rep for not bringing any substance or important topics into their work and I just have to say how wrong that is, especially in this book which hits on important topics like mental health and racism. Don’t count it out because it’s a romance, but boy it does have plenty of STEAMY content wrapped up in as well!
A gigantic thank you to NetGalley and Forever by Grand Central Publishing for the ARC
Very cute book! I really like this author and I like all the cultural backstory. It did a good job talking about mental health stigma.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wasn't the right time. The opening chapter felt heavy handed and i didn't vibe. Will tt again another time