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wiltedpages's review against another edition
5.0
Radha and Jai’s Recipe for Romance centers Radha, a Kathak dancer with global acclaim. The day of her biggest performance of her life, she overhears her fellow dancers talking about how Radha doesn’t have a personality outside of dance, never goes against her mother (an ex-Kathak dancer herself), and only wins competitions because her mother sleeps around with all the judges. Stunned, Radha confronts her mother minutes before she has to be on stage, and when her mom doesn’t fully deny it, Radha runs off and doesn’t perform, her big moment ruined, her reputation as a renowned Kathak dancer in shambles, and with no intention of ever dancing again.
Almost a year later, Radha moves to Jersey with her mother who is freshly divorced, looking for a fresh start. She applies to transfer into a performing arts high school, where she meets Jai.
Jai’s just trying to help his family. He has no intentions of going to college, despite the best efforts and encouragement his family offers. He knows that in order to fulfill his med school dream, he’ll have to give up working at his family’s convenience store, which is the only source of income supporting their father, who’s almost fully paralyzed. On top of that, the choreographer for his Bollywood dance team quits to work on an actual Bollywood movie in India, leaving him without any options for their upcoming winter performance, which his team is relying on for college.
Read the full review on my blog.
Almost a year later, Radha moves to Jersey with her mother who is freshly divorced, looking for a fresh start. She applies to transfer into a performing arts high school, where she meets Jai.
Jai’s just trying to help his family. He has no intentions of going to college, despite the best efforts and encouragement his family offers. He knows that in order to fulfill his med school dream, he’ll have to give up working at his family’s convenience store, which is the only source of income supporting their father, who’s almost fully paralyzed. On top of that, the choreographer for his Bollywood dance team quits to work on an actual Bollywood movie in India, leaving him without any options for their upcoming winter performance, which his team is relying on for college.
Read the full review on my blog.
ariana_m's review against another edition
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
5.0
A short sweet lighthearted yet emotional romcom <3 Radha and Jai were so cute. I loved everything from the dance to the food, the the very real familial issues and deeper topics. Everything was great. As someone of south asian descent, I loved how steeped in culture this book is. Also I was so hungry while reading this because of all of the recipes lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gaslighting and Medical content
dariab's review against another edition
4.25
really sweet characters and also its got both their povs!
thriiiii's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? N/A
4.75
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sharma's second YA novel is as phenomenal, profound, and fun as her debut. Radha and Jai are absolute delights, with complicated backstories and a wonderful development from strangers, to friends, to partners, to lovers. I especially loved this development because it was a process; Radha and Jai both have a lot of emotional baggage, and it does have an impact on how they relate to each other. But, after some missteps, they work together to solve their problems, get new perspective, and become better people. Radha's anxiety is particularly well portrayed, and I love how she seeks several different avenues for treating it--therapy, finding a new way to connect to dance, and a new way to connect with her culture and family through food. (Seriously, do not read this book while hungry... Thank goodness for Radha's recipes!)
Sharma's second YA novel is as phenomenal, profound, and fun as her debut. Radha and Jai are absolute delights, with complicated backstories and a wonderful development from strangers, to friends, to partners, to lovers. I especially loved this development because it was a process; Radha and Jai both have a lot of emotional baggage, and it does have an impact on how they relate to each other. But, after some missteps, they work together to solve their problems, get new perspective, and become better people. Radha's anxiety is particularly well portrayed, and I love how she seeks several different avenues for treating it--therapy, finding a new way to connect to dance, and a new way to connect with her culture and family through food. (Seriously, do not read this book while hungry... Thank goodness for Radha's recipes!)
khan_0404's review against another edition
4.0
Between 3 and 4 stars. Concept was good, but the execution needed work. Some of the dialogue was really cliche and there were times in the story where the characters would mention something and then in the next chapter that’s already happened and we didn’t get to see it. It was a bit insta-lovey, but still a fun and quick read.
brittlesreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
kalynaobyrne's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
puffy_'s review against another edition
2.75
It got a bit better the further the story progressed I suppose. It’s entertaining enough but I do feel like the author could have spent a bit for time fleshing out the characters and, more specifically, their relationship. At times, the dialogue was a little awkward. Like, I don’t think people talk like that in real life. The book tries to be light hearted and fun while also including more serious and emotional moments, but the execution on the latter was lacking. Overall, it reads like a very cheesy Bollywood movie, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing.
cor_luz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25