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martagcdcosta's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
maya_reads_books's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This book was a second chance romance between former high school sweethearts six years after their break up. Their mothers get them to work together in getting a house ready to be put on the market and they are forced to confront what happened to make their relationship come to an end. I really enjoyed some aspects of the book. For example, I really enjoyed the humor and the characters However, the plot fell a little flat for me. The book heavily relies on the miscommunication trope and that is not something that I enjoy in a novel. I also really wanted to feel the tension between the two characters and I think that a dual point of view would have made that happen. All in all, I really enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to people who enjoy second chance romances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
kyeruhh's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A bit slow in the beginning, but I’m glad I pushed through. Ended up being really sweet.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
blackveilbeccy's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was so slow. I really wanted to get into it but it never quite sucked me in, either on a plot or character level. It was solid with a happy ever after but not a stand out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Panic attacks/disorders
Arranged marriage, family dysfunctionkfmcf's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.75
This book is nearly perfection to me. Firstly, it's a trope I love (second chance romance). Secondly, the characters are relatable and loveable and their story both breaks and warms my heart.
I also want to commend the author on something that's really difficult. This book has a sex scene (shocking, I know). However, the scene itself is not shown graphically but instead referenced after-the-fact in a following scene. The way the author did this, I feel, bridges the gap for people who enjoy spice (me) and people who don't. Nothing was too graphic but the intimacy and seeing the characters react in that setting was not overlooked. The reason I like spicy scenes is because you get to see the characters at their most vulnerable and as their most intimate selves, and didn't feel like I missed out on that in this book.
I don't want to write too much because I genuinely want others to read it.
I also want to commend the author on something that's really difficult. This book has a sex scene (shocking, I know). However, the scene itself is not shown graphically but instead referenced after-the-fact in a following scene. The way the author did this, I feel, bridges the gap for people who enjoy spice (me) and people who don't. Nothing was too graphic but the intimacy and seeing the characters react in that setting was not overlooked. The reason I like spicy scenes is because you get to see the characters at their most vulnerable and as their most intimate selves, and didn't feel like I missed out on that in this book.
I don't want to write too much because I genuinely want others to read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
3.75
What an enjoyable read to join my ever growing list of Desi Own Voices authors I love.
This book has so much to offer. The glimpse into Desi culture and family was of course fabulous, but the parallels of redecorate a house while rekindling an old flame were really well done too. I loved her eye for design and how willing he was to help.
This book has so much to offer. The glimpse into Desi culture and family was of course fabulous, but the parallels of redecorate a house while rekindling an old flame were really well done too. I loved her eye for design and how willing he was to help.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
renaaa_'s review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Indian diaspora romance book we needed! As a person of Indian descent, I identified with Rita's character a lot. The story was well written (though I think she was with her other bf for longer than needed, but I understood why). I also loved that the two MCs had "unconventional" careers for Indian Americans. I've read a number of romance novels by Indian authors and they still make the characters work in a stereotypical role, so that was refreshing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
azrah786's review
4.25
[This full review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley for a blog tour with Lonely Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: toxic relationship, moderate sexual content, alcohol
The Shaadi Set-Up is one wholesome second-chance, desi romance that you’re not going to be able to put down!
Rita Chitniss is happily living her mid-twenties with an up-and-coming small furniture designing business, her two doggos, and a steady relationship with her boyfriend Neil. Bad blood between Neil and her family means she has to keep him a secret though which isn’t always easy in a desi family at an age when everyone’s badgering you to settle down and get married. Neil on the other hand is trying to get her to fess up to their parents which Rita just isn’t ready for yet. Then things takes an unsolicited turn when Rita’s mum wanting to play match maker, signs her up to lend her design expertise to her high school sweetheart and ex, Milan.
Hence Rita turns to MyShaadi.com, a desi matchmaking site, to be her ally and convince the world that Neil is her Mr Right. However, the universe has other ideas when her profile keeps matching her with Milan instead.
Lillie Vale’s adult romance debut is an absolute delight. Think meddling desi parents/grandparents à la When Dimple Met Rishi but with six times the sexual tension, messiness and yearning of two exes being nudged towards a second-chance romance. The “set-up” itself with Rita stepping in to help Milan revamp a property the realty firm he works for is struggling to sell, provided such a perfect close proximity situation! And their chemistry and banter hit off straight away so I was immediately rooting for them.
Rita is such a fun, determined and relatable character. I loved how passionate she was about her work and as a design student/graduate myself seeing a main character and a brown girl at that excelling in a design career (and the added full support from her parents) made me so so happy!
Vale’s writing sets the scene with beautiful clarity, bringing all of Rita’s design compositions to life and even sparked some inspiration in me to pick up a pencil and get creative. The true highlight though were the food descriptions, trust me this book will make you hungry! (Especially for that Masala Mac 🤤)
Now romance isn’t my go to genre so I’ve only really read a handful of adult romance books but what I found quite refreshing about this story was how realistic the development of the relationships and romance felt - there was never any overzealous drama for dramas sake, a trope that a lot of desi serials and romance stories tend to fall upon. Furthermore alongside Rita and Milan’s reintroduction setting into motion a great slow burn romance, it was more so about the two characters relearning how they each have changed as they have grown. Particularly when it came to Rita, it felt like a journey of coming to terms with what she wanted in life and from a relationship.
One issue that did effect my overall enjoyment of the book though was that around the halfway point I feel like it started to get a tad tedious and lost some of its flow. The slowing down resulted in the last 15-20% of the book having a lot going on with a lot of things being resolved at once which made the ending feel quite rushed.
All the same, I really really enjoyed this book and now have a big craving for more desi contemporary romance stories (so anybody reading this feel free to send me recs 👀). And I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Vale puts out next!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley for a blog tour with Lonely Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: toxic relationship, moderate sexual content, alcohol
The Shaadi Set-Up is one wholesome second-chance, desi romance that you’re not going to be able to put down!
Rita Chitniss is happily living her mid-twenties with an up-and-coming small furniture designing business, her two doggos, and a steady relationship with her boyfriend Neil. Bad blood between Neil and her family means she has to keep him a secret though which isn’t always easy in a desi family at an age when everyone’s badgering you to settle down and get married. Neil on the other hand is trying to get her to fess up to their parents which Rita just isn’t ready for yet. Then things takes an unsolicited turn when Rita’s mum wanting to play match maker, signs her up to lend her design expertise to her high school sweetheart and ex, Milan.
Hence Rita turns to MyShaadi.com, a desi matchmaking site, to be her ally and convince the world that Neil is her Mr Right. However, the universe has other ideas when her profile keeps matching her with Milan instead.
Lillie Vale’s adult romance debut is an absolute delight. Think meddling desi parents/grandparents à la When Dimple Met Rishi but with six times the sexual tension, messiness and yearning of two exes being nudged towards a second-chance romance. The “set-up” itself with Rita stepping in to help Milan revamp a property the realty firm he works for is struggling to sell, provided such a perfect close proximity situation! And their chemistry and banter hit off straight away so I was immediately rooting for them.
Rita is such a fun, determined and relatable character. I loved how passionate she was about her work and as a design student/graduate myself seeing a main character and a brown girl at that excelling in a design career (and the added full support from her parents) made me so so happy!
Vale’s writing sets the scene with beautiful clarity, bringing all of Rita’s design compositions to life and even sparked some inspiration in me to pick up a pencil and get creative. The true highlight though were the food descriptions, trust me this book will make you hungry! (Especially for that Masala Mac 🤤)
Now romance isn’t my go to genre so I’ve only really read a handful of adult romance books but what I found quite refreshing about this story was how realistic the development of the relationships and romance felt - there was never any overzealous drama for dramas sake, a trope that a lot of desi serials and romance stories tend to fall upon. Furthermore alongside Rita and Milan’s reintroduction setting into motion a great slow burn romance, it was more so about the two characters relearning how they each have changed as they have grown. Particularly when it came to Rita, it felt like a journey of coming to terms with what she wanted in life and from a relationship.
One issue that did effect my overall enjoyment of the book though was that around the halfway point I feel like it started to get a tad tedious and lost some of its flow. The slowing down resulted in the last 15-20% of the book having a lot going on with a lot of things being resolved at once which made the ending feel quite rushed.
All the same, I really really enjoyed this book and now have a big craving for more desi contemporary romance stories (so anybody reading this feel free to send me recs 👀). And I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Vale puts out next!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
decklededgess's review
lighthearted
fast-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
2.0
trigger warnings: sex and sexual content, alcohol mention
The romance was fine but Milan, the love interest, gave me intense Ross Geller vibes with his bull headedness and refusal to apologise and listen to Rita's side. The conflict resolution is basically Rita shouldering all the responsibility and blaming herself and homeboy does nothing to correct her and rectify his mistakes. Pissed me off to no end.
The main character's best friend, Raj, is supposedly genderfluid (all pronouns) and queer. Yet the entire book they were referred to with she/her pronouns. Great that Raj gets a queer identity but literally how hard it is to follow through and switch up pronouns for a genderfluid character who HAS backstory of exploring feminine, masculine, and androgynous self expression. Literally there is a whole conversation about how they prefer Raj for a more gender neutral name and YET. Rajvee all over the damn place and she/her constantly. Yeah ok in real life it's totally possible that someone goes months ascribing to a particular set of pronouns but this is literally fiction. You've included a genderfluid character who is stated as actively using multiple pronouns and a neutral name and it's not followed through. Do the bare minimum PLEASE.
Smh anyways. The family dynamics were fun and Raj was a hoot and a half but all else was annoying as shit.
The romance was fine but Milan, the love interest, gave me intense Ross Geller vibes with his bull headedness and refusal to apologise and listen to Rita's side. The conflict resolution is basically Rita shouldering all the responsibility and blaming herself and homeboy does nothing to correct her and rectify his mistakes. Pissed me off to no end.
The main character's best friend, Raj, is supposedly genderfluid (all pronouns) and queer. Yet the entire book they were referred to with she/her pronouns. Great that Raj gets a queer identity but literally how hard it is to follow through and switch up pronouns for a genderfluid character who HAS backstory of exploring feminine, masculine, and androgynous self expression. Literally there is a whole conversation about how they prefer Raj for a more gender neutral name and YET. Rajvee all over the damn place and she/her constantly. Yeah ok in real life it's totally possible that someone goes months ascribing to a particular set of pronouns but this is literally fiction. You've included a genderfluid character who is stated as actively using multiple pronouns and a neutral name and it's not followed through. Do the bare minimum PLEASE.
Smh anyways. The family dynamics were fun and Raj was a hoot and a half but all else was annoying as shit.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
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