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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
It's not very often that a book touches on anxiety and specifically being touch averse. Usually, when a character is depicted as not being comfortable with people touching them it's in the context of having autism. It was so beautifully well done. In regards to the book as a whole I think I still prefer the first one. However, this book really moved me and I had some really important insights into myself while reading it. So it's still a five from me.
Preeti is just completing her residency, trying to find a job and managing her traditional family dynamic. Love is not on her mind as she is getting to know a man introduced to her by her family, but her world is turned upside down when she ends up sharing an apartment (and bed!) with her ex, Daniel Thompson. After having left him without an explanation, it makes for an awkward living situation. The real reason behind it had been family drama because of their economical and cultural differences.
This second chance romance is a sweet read. Being from a similar background to Preeti, I found it very relatable. I enjoyed watching the growth that Preeti has, from someone who puts everyone else before herself, and letting others influence the choices she makes to someone who stands up for what she believes in. The chemistry between Preeti and Daniel was palpable and I was rooting for them throughout the book. The author also worked in some heavier topics such as mental illness and racism, so it's got a bit more depth.
I recommend this for anyone looking for a romantic and feel good read, and one that is representing #ownvoices. Although it is the second of a series, it can be read on its own.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the review copy.
This second chance romance is a sweet read. Being from a similar background to Preeti, I found it very relatable. I enjoyed watching the growth that Preeti has, from someone who puts everyone else before herself, and letting others influence the choices she makes to someone who stands up for what she believes in. The chemistry between Preeti and Daniel was palpable and I was rooting for them throughout the book. The author also worked in some heavier topics such as mental illness and racism, so it's got a bit more depth.
I recommend this for anyone looking for a romantic and feel good read, and one that is representing #ownvoices. Although it is the second of a series, it can be read on its own.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the review copy.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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
| First Love, Take Two is more than second chance romance. Miss Patel inserting a lot of serious topic in her book. Racism, family pressure and expectation, family culture and most of all love. Love yourself. Being yourself.
Most of the story takes Preeti's POV. I love how Miss Patel giving me insight knwoing the mental health issue that Preeti experiencing. It is not easy to be a woman in medical employement and have mental health issue.
The dynamic of Indian culture of forcing marriage of convinient instead of love is also highlighted here.
All conflict being resolved with a very nice and powerful quotes about self empowerment.
Most of the story takes Preeti's POV. I love how Miss Patel giving me insight knwoing the mental health issue that Preeti experiencing. It is not easy to be a woman in medical employement and have mental health issue.
The dynamic of Indian culture of forcing marriage of convinient instead of love is also highlighted here.
All conflict being resolved with a very nice and powerful quotes about self empowerment.
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and it did not disappoint! We were teased in the first book in this duology (series?) about Preeti and her lost love, Daniel, and now we finally get to read their love story.
The author did a tremendous job with balancing the lighter (love and family) and heavier (content warning for racism, anxiety, depression and discussion of assault) topics in this book. The discussions of racism and mental health were never overshadowed by the romance and vice versa, and it didn't feel like a last minute effort to make the romance novel more serious. The elements of this book flowed throughout the course of the novel and had a deeply satisfying ending for our couple. As someone who deals with anxiety and has immediate family members who struggle with anxiety and depression, I think the author did it justice and tastefully.
Now for the tropes! This book had ALL of my favorite tropes. Not only second-chance romance, but also the one bed trope(!!), supportive family members on Preeti's side, a girl boss main heroine, and the "it's always been you" trope. This book gave me all the feels.
I do wish, however, that this book had a second POV for Daniel, like the first book did with Jay, so we could have had a more emotional connection to Daniel and see Preeti through his eyes. I also wish we had flashback scenes between past and present to see their relationship develop through the years. I think second-chance romance books thrive in dual timelines, and this book fell a little but short because of the lack of one. Other than that, this book was a joy to read!
Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley, for providing me with this ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
The author did a tremendous job with balancing the lighter (love and family) and heavier (content warning for racism, anxiety, depression and discussion of assault) topics in this book. The discussions of racism and mental health were never overshadowed by the romance and vice versa, and it didn't feel like a last minute effort to make the romance novel more serious. The elements of this book flowed throughout the course of the novel and had a deeply satisfying ending for our couple. As someone who deals with anxiety and has immediate family members who struggle with anxiety and depression, I think the author did it justice and tastefully.
Now for the tropes! This book had ALL of my favorite tropes. Not only second-chance romance, but also the one bed trope(!!), supportive family members on Preeti's side, a girl boss main heroine, and the "it's always been you" trope. This book gave me all the feels.
I do wish, however, that this book had a second POV for Daniel, like the first book did with Jay, so we could have had a more emotional connection to Daniel and see Preeti through his eyes. I also wish we had flashback scenes between past and present to see their relationship develop through the years. I think second-chance romance books thrive in dual timelines, and this book fell a little but short because of the lack of one. Other than that, this book was a joy to read!
Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley, for providing me with this ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5/5 stars!!
I loved this book so much. I love second chance romances, so I personally loved this one even more than the trouble with hating you. this book dealt with important issues such as anxiety, depression, stigma against mental health, racism, and the toxic side of Indian society (which felt pretty accurate to me as an Indian woman). I especially loved how Pretti grew and evolved as a character throughout the novel and stood up for herself.
If you like second chance romances, forced proximity, and a book that addresses important topics, I cannot recommend this book enough!
I loved this book so much. I love second chance romances, so I personally loved this one even more than the trouble with hating you. this book dealt with important issues such as anxiety, depression, stigma against mental health, racism, and the toxic side of Indian society (which felt pretty accurate to me as an Indian woman). I especially loved how Pretti grew and evolved as a character throughout the novel and stood up for herself.
If you like second chance romances, forced proximity, and a book that addresses important topics, I cannot recommend this book enough!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Me gusta cómo escribe esta autora, este es el segundo libro que leo de ella y me gustan sus personajes, las historias y si bien hay tropes en sus libros que no son mis favoritas, siento que las escribe de una manera que las disfruto.
medium-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
This was SOO cute!! Such a heartwarming second chance romance that honestly was very emotional at times! While there are some very sweet moments in this book and some great playful banter between our MCs, this book also tackles some serious topics (mental health, racism, societal pressures) that had my heart hurting along with our main characters. I definitely could feel the chemistry between Preeti and Daniel and loved how they found a way back to each other. I also continue to love this friend group! My only wish was that there was a bit more romance and that our MCs overcame the obstacle that came between them a bit earlier (some of it dragged a bit in the first half).
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an e-ARC of this book!
TW: racism, sexual assault, anxiety, pregnancy complications.
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an e-ARC of this book!
TW: racism, sexual assault, anxiety, pregnancy complications.