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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
informative
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
Thank you ABRAMS Kids for approving my NG request! The title of this book tells it all; I love the production of beautifully choreographed & tradition-steeped Indian weddings. Zurika, who may not always appreciate the tradition, loves & respects her family, even when their hopes for her do not align with her own goals. Zuri wants to become a professional violinist, but that is not an acceptable, profitable career in the eyes of her family. Although Zurika does not have the courage to stand up to her family in regards to her dreams, she takes the risk to duck out of two events of her sister’s big fat wedding in order to compete for a music scholarship. Little does she know, someone else close to the wedding is on her tail…as competition!
Naveen Patel is cousin to the groom & Zuri’s biggest competitor! But, is he also competing for her heart? Zurika & Naveen’s near enemies-to-lovers meet-cute is adorable & endearing. These two characters are gently revealed to the reader, especially with Zuri’s inner dialogue & conflict over passion vs responsibility. When Naveen divulges his own fears & insecurities to her, it’s easy to see Zuri struggle with her determination not to be set-up by her family.
This book is also a dynamic story about the struggle between responsibility & passion & family vs self. There were times when I was envious of Zuri’s family helping to plan her future. But, I deeply related with following one’s dreams at the risk of one’s future prosperity. One scene that spoke to me was when Zuri was in the middle of a performance & thinking about the possibility of failure while also knowing in her bones that she couldn’t live without making music. The only part of the story that didn’t make sense was right after that scene, when she woke the next morning, she said she needed to take a break from pursuing music.
This book was 100% a 5 star read! I’d really like to see what happens next, not only with Zurika & Naveen, but maybe Zuri’s kid sister Neha? I’d also love to know more about Zuri’s best friend/cousin Krish’s story & see where she lands! Basically, Sajni Patel is a new must-read author for me!
In the end, the message from My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding is that even if something is your passion, you have to work hard, & keep working hard, to attain your goals.
Naveen Patel is cousin to the groom & Zuri’s biggest competitor! But, is he also competing for her heart? Zurika & Naveen’s near enemies-to-lovers meet-cute is adorable & endearing. These two characters are gently revealed to the reader, especially with Zuri’s inner dialogue & conflict over passion vs responsibility. When Naveen divulges his own fears & insecurities to her, it’s easy to see Zuri struggle with her determination not to be set-up by her family.
This book is also a dynamic story about the struggle between responsibility & passion & family vs self. There were times when I was envious of Zuri’s family helping to plan her future. But, I deeply related with following one’s dreams at the risk of one’s future prosperity. One scene that spoke to me was when Zuri was in the middle of a performance & thinking about the possibility of failure while also knowing in her bones that she couldn’t live without making music. The only part of the story that didn’t make sense was right after that scene, when she woke the next morning, she said she needed to take a break from pursuing music.
This book was 100% a 5 star read! I’d really like to see what happens next, not only with Zurika & Naveen, but maybe Zuri’s kid sister Neha? I’d also love to know more about Zuri’s best friend/cousin Krish’s story & see where she lands! Basically, Sajni Patel is a new must-read author for me!
In the end, the message from My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding is that even if something is your passion, you have to work hard, & keep working hard, to attain your goals.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
I’ve probably read two YA contemporary novels in the past two years, which includes this current one. I just feel disconnected with the age group and have decided not to read them rather than not like them. But I couldn’t resist this book because that’s a lovely cover and who can say no to a full on desi wedding extravaganza. And I was not disappointed.
I can’t say I enjoyed my wedding because I was hardly involved in any aspect of it and it was such a tiring day that I don’t even like remembering it much. But reading or watching desi weddings play out like huge parties is always super fun and the author commits to it fully. Spanning only about 8-9 days, this book is fast paced and reads like a breeze but captures the chaotic and colorful atmosphere of our weddings perfectly. The pujas, the rituals, the decorations, the cooking and the food, the sweets, haldi, Mehendi, sangeet, the baaraat and ofcourse the crying - the author leaves out nothing and it all makes for an amazing and thoroughly entertaining but also emotional read. The premise of the main characters’ brother and sister’s wedding also reminded me of the classic Bollywood wedding film Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, and I felt the author was definitely giving a nod to the movie in the very elaborately executed shoe stealing sequence during the wedding. Just evoked so much nostalgia.
Zuri is sister of the bride and while she wants to major in music, her family wants her to go to law school like her sisters. She has to choose between attending a music competition on the same day as her sister’s garba night and while it was a difficult dilemma for her and I could really sympathize with her struggles, it randomly reminded me of an old Hindi TV serial called Sasural Simar Ka in which the bride is the one who wants to attend an audition on the day of her wedding and has to choose. I promise you, this book is way way better than that show but the random memory just felt hilarious. Coming back to the book, Zuri is a sweet girl who is very excited to ensure her sister’s wedding goes perfectly but is also worried about chasing her dreams. I’m glad with how she made her choices but sometimes I also wished she could speak up. But I also know it’s not easy to counter the arguments made me desi parents and elders, especially when you are a teenager.
Naveen is a cousin of the groom and an aspiring singer as well and an absolute cocky charmer. Their banter right from the first “accidental” meeting was super fun and I liked how the author developed their friendship and more. Thankfully, it’s not aiming for eternal love but feels very realistic for how two young teenagers might feel about each other. I was also absolutely glad that there is no miscommunication trope or a third act breakup.
The supporting characters are also all amazing. The aunts and uncles might only care about the kids being engineers, doctors and lawyers and always going on about matchmaking, it’s the cousins and friends who are the stars here. They bring all the fun to the wedding celebrations and are also there to support Zuri when she desperately needs it. I especially loved Krish for being an awesome cousin.
In the end, this was a romp and I was smiling throughout. The main character might have some small troubles about making the right choices but other than that, the book is all about love and family and everything that encompasses a desi wedding. It’s big and bold and bright and every description took me back to some memory. If you are a fan of lavish weddings and characters whose music touches the soul, then this book is perfect for you. This one promises every bit of fun that the gorgeous indicates.
This book was such a cute and sweet romance! The family dynamics were interesting and relatable. All in love an enjoyable read for sure!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
This book was every bit of a romantic comedy, and an amazing one. There was so much going on at once and surprisingly it wasn’t confusing to keep up with. There was good representation and the characters were all very different. Zuri’s experiences growing up in a large family that becomes even larger as her second older sister gets married feels very real and is completely accurate.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Pregnancy
Minor: Toxic relationship
emotional
funny
hopeful
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