Reviews

Radha and Jai's Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma

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!)

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 against another edition

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

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 against another edition

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

cazadera's review against another edition

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

3.5

Overall, this was cute and light-hearted. Did enjoy it being relatively fast-based. Would have liked a little more conflict and resolution. Felt like everything just worked out, in the end. Which I liked, but would’ve liked to earn that a little more.

div143's review against another edition

4.0

this would have changed my life in middle school

moose_reads_books's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted

• 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

4.0