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perpetualpages's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
CWs: mentions of (past partner's) infidelity; some experienced colorism; some brief references to anxiety/anxiety attacks; and some explorations of child death and grief
When I started reading this book, I had no idea that it would quickly become one of my favorite YA romances, but that is exactly what happened! Beauty and the Besharam is one of the most perfect and heartfelt, summer-y, rivals-to-lovers romances ever. It centers an incredibly tender endgame relationship that will give you All The Feelings, and it is positively bursting with fun summer shenanigans that are guaranteed to entertain any and every reader along the way!
I have to start by talking about the main character, Kavya, who is incredibly strong, decisive, driven, talented, competitive, and fearless in her pursuit of greatness. From the very first page, Kav knows exactly who she is, what she wants, and what she's worth, and she is not about to compromise or make herself small for anyone or anything, even when people insist that she should. The word "besharam" referenced in the title is a Hindi word that translates to "shameless," and its negative connotation has haunted Kavya all throughout her life, especially in her family and her community where it is often discouraged for Indian women, especially, to be outspoken and outwardly proud of themselves and their accomplishments.
In Kav's cultural experience, women are expected to be beautiful, intelligent, accomplished, and well-respected, but they're also expected to be all of those things and more while staying humble, quiet, and making sure not to quote-unquote "overstep their place." As I said, Kav is not willing to compromise herself for anyone or any reason, which is why she is often branded as besharam, even by people who wouldn't necessarily know that word, and that moniker or sentiment is meant to discourage her from expressing the fullness of herself, simply because it's inconvenient for others.
That is exactly why I love the rivals-to-lovers aspect of the story *so much.* Kav's "sworn nemesis," Ian, is someone who sees and respects Kav for exactly who she is. By definition, in order to be considered someone's rival in the first place, you have to be considered their equal, and oftentimes that sense rivalry comes from the fact that they fear you may even be *better* than them in some specific way. That means from the get-go, Ian respects everything Kav is bringing to the table, and in fact he challenges her to be better and to be even *more* unapologetic, fearless, and accomplished than she already is. That, to me, is why the rivals-to-lovers dynamics works so well in this case, because it not only establishes mutual respect (no matter how begrudging) but that sense of competition is also something that actually forces both characters to grow.
Even more than that, I think it's so important how this story establishes Kav as having such a strong, unwavering personality, and even though she definitely has things to learn and unlearn about herself, the story is never once about people trying to make her change or convince her to be *less.* This is shown, particularly, in the story arc with Kav's older sister, Simran, who starts the story constantly butting heads with Kav because of their differences and because Simran resents the fact that Kav is younger and doesn't have to deal with the same pressures that she does.
In the beginning, Simran often chastises Kav for being so outspoken. But gradually as the story progresses, it's revealed that she's actually jealous that Kav is able to hold her own ground and speak her mind, which is something that Simran wants to do more for herself. So that initial contention between Simran and Kav doesn't come from the fact that Simran thinks Kav should "grow up" and stop being so contrary or drawing "negative" attention to herself, but because Kav's forthrightness is something she actually admires. As they open up to each other more, they're learning that they are *both* worthy of taking up that space in their own lives.
On a different note, as a summer romance, this book truly has everything but the kitchen sink! You get this delicious forced proximity as Kav and Ian become co-workers at this "party princess" company for the summer, you have this super fun series of games and competitions that Kav and Ian's friends have put together for them, you get to see the shenanigans that Kav and her "moon girls" get up to with sleepovers and putting together one of their family's restaurants, and it's all underscored by this incredible rivals-to-lovers romance. If you love reading about summer adventures, this book is simply a spoil of riches, an absolutely sumptuous feast. Every which way you turn, there's something fun to enjoy, and for every light-hearted element there's also an accompanying sense of tenderness and genuine emotion.
And perhaps one of my favorite romantic tropes is when two or more people are so clearly in love with each other, but they're too idiotic and oblivious to see it themselves even though it's *painfully* obvious to everyone around them who just desperately want them to finally get together, and this book definitely has that dynamic in spades.
To circle back to the fullness of Kav's character and humanity, it is so rare that we get to have stories for young readers that show how young characters can embrace *all* the different sides of themselves. The title of this book, for example, is a clear reference to "Beauty and the Beast," which is a title that inherently creates a dichotomy of character where one person must represent the "beauty" and one person much represent the "beast." But this story allows Kav to be *both*—to be both the beauty AND the besharam, to learn how both of those things can be true at once and can also be badges of honor that you wear with pride. Because when you know exactly who you are and you're trying to be the best person you can be, why should that ever make you feel shame in the first place?
I just adore everything about this story! It brought a HUGE smile to my face and such a refreshing take on what romance can and should look like when it encourages growth and brings out the absolute best in folks. I laughed, I sighed, I swooned, and I made concrete plans to read whatever Lillie Vale is writing next. To say this story is a delight would be an understatement. I cannot recommend it highly enough! If you're looking for the perfect summer romance, look no further!
When I started reading this book, I had no idea that it would quickly become one of my favorite YA romances, but that is exactly what happened! Beauty and the Besharam is one of the most perfect and heartfelt, summer-y, rivals-to-lovers romances ever. It centers an incredibly tender endgame relationship that will give you All The Feelings, and it is positively bursting with fun summer shenanigans that are guaranteed to entertain any and every reader along the way!
I have to start by talking about the main character, Kavya, who is incredibly strong, decisive, driven, talented, competitive, and fearless in her pursuit of greatness. From the very first page, Kav knows exactly who she is, what she wants, and what she's worth, and she is not about to compromise or make herself small for anyone or anything, even when people insist that she should. The word "besharam" referenced in the title is a Hindi word that translates to "shameless," and its negative connotation has haunted Kavya all throughout her life, especially in her family and her community where it is often discouraged for Indian women, especially, to be outspoken and outwardly proud of themselves and their accomplishments.
In Kav's cultural experience, women are expected to be beautiful, intelligent, accomplished, and well-respected, but they're also expected to be all of those things and more while staying humble, quiet, and making sure not to quote-unquote "overstep their place." As I said, Kav is not willing to compromise herself for anyone or any reason, which is why she is often branded as besharam, even by people who wouldn't necessarily know that word, and that moniker or sentiment is meant to discourage her from expressing the fullness of herself, simply because it's inconvenient for others.
That is exactly why I love the rivals-to-lovers aspect of the story *so much.* Kav's "sworn nemesis," Ian, is someone who sees and respects Kav for exactly who she is. By definition, in order to be considered someone's rival in the first place, you have to be considered their equal, and oftentimes that sense rivalry comes from the fact that they fear you may even be *better* than them in some specific way. That means from the get-go, Ian respects everything Kav is bringing to the table, and in fact he challenges her to be better and to be even *more* unapologetic, fearless, and accomplished than she already is. That, to me, is why the rivals-to-lovers dynamics works so well in this case, because it not only establishes mutual respect (no matter how begrudging) but that sense of competition is also something that actually forces both characters to grow.
Even more than that, I think it's so important how this story establishes Kav as having such a strong, unwavering personality, and even though she definitely has things to learn and unlearn about herself, the story is never once about people trying to make her change or convince her to be *less.* This is shown, particularly, in the story arc with Kav's older sister, Simran, who starts the story constantly butting heads with Kav because of their differences and because Simran resents the fact that Kav is younger and doesn't have to deal with the same pressures that she does.
In the beginning, Simran often chastises Kav for being so outspoken. But gradually as the story progresses, it's revealed that she's actually jealous that Kav is able to hold her own ground and speak her mind, which is something that Simran wants to do more for herself. So that initial contention between Simran and Kav doesn't come from the fact that Simran thinks Kav should "grow up" and stop being so contrary or drawing "negative" attention to herself, but because Kav's forthrightness is something she actually admires. As they open up to each other more, they're learning that they are *both* worthy of taking up that space in their own lives.
On a different note, as a summer romance, this book truly has everything but the kitchen sink! You get this delicious forced proximity as Kav and Ian become co-workers at this "party princess" company for the summer, you have this super fun series of games and competitions that Kav and Ian's friends have put together for them, you get to see the shenanigans that Kav and her "moon girls" get up to with sleepovers and putting together one of their family's restaurants, and it's all underscored by this incredible rivals-to-lovers romance. If you love reading about summer adventures, this book is simply a spoil of riches, an absolutely sumptuous feast. Every which way you turn, there's something fun to enjoy, and for every light-hearted element there's also an accompanying sense of tenderness and genuine emotion.
And perhaps one of my favorite romantic tropes is when two or more people are so clearly in love with each other, but they're too idiotic and oblivious to see it themselves even though it's *painfully* obvious to everyone around them who just desperately want them to finally get together, and this book definitely has that dynamic in spades.
To circle back to the fullness of Kav's character and humanity, it is so rare that we get to have stories for young readers that show how young characters can embrace *all* the different sides of themselves. The title of this book, for example, is a clear reference to "Beauty and the Beast," which is a title that inherently creates a dichotomy of character where one person must represent the "beauty" and one person much represent the "beast." But this story allows Kav to be *both*—to be both the beauty AND the besharam, to learn how both of those things can be true at once and can also be badges of honor that you wear with pride. Because when you know exactly who you are and you're trying to be the best person you can be, why should that ever make you feel shame in the first place?
I just adore everything about this story! It brought a HUGE smile to my face and such a refreshing take on what romance can and should look like when it encourages growth and brings out the absolute best in folks. I laughed, I sighed, I swooned, and I made concrete plans to read whatever Lillie Vale is writing next. To say this story is a delight would be an understatement. I cannot recommend it highly enough! If you're looking for the perfect summer romance, look no further!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Grief
Minor: Infidelity and Mental illness
imstephtacular's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexism, Alcohol, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Infidelity, and Misogyny
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