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shannonxo 's review for:
From Twinkle, with Love
by Sandhya Menon
I'm not going to lie (which would defeat the purpose of it being an honest review) but at first I was going to give Sandhya Menon's FROM TWINKLE, WITH LOVE a 2.5, maybe 3 stars. But I stuck with it, powered through the first thirty percent, and fell in love. Twinkle is a girl with big dreams, and she'll do what she needs to to make them happen. You're just along for the ride.
Like I mentioned, the beginning was rough, chiefly because of the main character's voice. That took quite a bit of getting used to. I've seen this comment elsewhere, but it really did read a lot younger than it should have. A little annoying and over-the-top in delivery. But as I mentioned, it just takes a bit of getting used to. I have When Dimple Met Rishi in my bookshelf, but haven't had the chance to read it yet so I can't say if it compares, if that's just Menon's style. Also, random thought, but for some reason my head mashes those titles together to When Twinkle Met Dimple, and now I just wonder if that would be a really good mash-up.
As always, I, a self-professed cynic of contemporary and romantic novels, must address the predictability factor that tends to having me steering clear of the genre. The story progressed exactly as I expected it would from the first three chapters. Not only that, it touches on all the themes one would expect: friendship issues with those both new and old, first romances, bullies, parent problems, and the main character wanting to become more and noticed by those she thinks matters. However, for once, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. Because I did enjoy it. Immensely. And I believe that is because this was something different. Not only different in terms of diversity, but in content. The film director aspect was well done and so damn relatable. It's a big lofty dream that you're not quite sure you'll ever be able to reach, but you persevere and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Twinkle is a literal shining example of this and she had me rooting for her.
The cast of characters in this really is delightful. Sahil, Victoria and Dadi are the ones that burrowed their way into my heart quite quickly. That said, there were a few that didn't stand out when they should have, and it left me a little confused. Perhaps it was a lack of description for them, or they just weren't prominent, but certain names and faces sadly blurred together. Twinkle herself was a fun, heart-warming character with a lot understandably on her mind. Fair warning, dear reader, Menon seems to have a gift of pulling you right back to those awkward high school days because the things Twinkle was thinking would work out perfectly had me cringing and praying, for her social sake, that she wouldn't put them in action. I have to say that, in regards to character development, for a time I didn't like the dark road that Twinkle found herself on. She went from awkward and 'groundling' status to someone vicious and mean. I share this slight spoiler to prove how much I became invested. I was disappointed in the character, not the book as a whole, which NEVER happens. All that said, Menon brought it home well and Twinkle was redeemed to a shining star in my eyes.
I really only had one major issue with this novel and it might be minor. The diary entry format was kind of cute, but also made things a little unbelievable. Yes, believe it or not, I based the believability of this story on the diary entries. Only due to the fact that instead of it just being Twinkle recounting her day each night, she's writing throughout the day, right after events happen. I mean, okay, fine, but unless that girl is capable of handwriting 300 words per minute, I don't see how it works. Example: she's writing this huge entry in her journal in the middle of an all-ages paint night while her friend goes pee. Unless Twinkle knows how to slow down time, or her friend takes 20 minutes to pee, it's not possible. Not to mention what people must think of her when she's dropping everything in the middle of public to scribble away in a journal. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Perhaps, but it kind of bothered me.
Overall, this was a cute book that I enjoyed reading. When Dimple Met Rishi has definitely moved up on my infinite, never-ending to-be read list 4/5
Like I mentioned, the beginning was rough, chiefly because of the main character's voice. That took quite a bit of getting used to. I've seen this comment elsewhere, but it really did read a lot younger than it should have. A little annoying and over-the-top in delivery. But as I mentioned, it just takes a bit of getting used to. I have When Dimple Met Rishi in my bookshelf, but haven't had the chance to read it yet so I can't say if it compares, if that's just Menon's style. Also, random thought, but for some reason my head mashes those titles together to When Twinkle Met Dimple, and now I just wonder if that would be a really good mash-up.
As always, I, a self-professed cynic of contemporary and romantic novels, must address the predictability factor that tends to having me steering clear of the genre. The story progressed exactly as I expected it would from the first three chapters. Not only that, it touches on all the themes one would expect: friendship issues with those both new and old, first romances, bullies, parent problems, and the main character wanting to become more and noticed by those she thinks matters. However, for once, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. Because I did enjoy it. Immensely. And I believe that is because this was something different. Not only different in terms of diversity, but in content. The film director aspect was well done and so damn relatable. It's a big lofty dream that you're not quite sure you'll ever be able to reach, but you persevere and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Twinkle is a literal shining example of this and she had me rooting for her.
The cast of characters in this really is delightful. Sahil, Victoria and Dadi are the ones that burrowed their way into my heart quite quickly. That said, there were a few that didn't stand out when they should have, and it left me a little confused. Perhaps it was a lack of description for them, or they just weren't prominent, but certain names and faces sadly blurred together. Twinkle herself was a fun, heart-warming character with a lot understandably on her mind. Fair warning, dear reader, Menon seems to have a gift of pulling you right back to those awkward high school days because the things Twinkle was thinking would work out perfectly had me cringing and praying, for her social sake, that she wouldn't put them in action. I have to say that, in regards to character development, for a time I didn't like the dark road that Twinkle found herself on. She went from awkward and 'groundling' status to someone vicious and mean. I share this slight spoiler to prove how much I became invested. I was disappointed in the character, not the book as a whole, which NEVER happens. All that said, Menon brought it home well and Twinkle was redeemed to a shining star in my eyes.
I really only had one major issue with this novel and it might be minor. The diary entry format was kind of cute, but also made things a little unbelievable. Yes, believe it or not, I based the believability of this story on the diary entries. Only due to the fact that instead of it just being Twinkle recounting her day each night, she's writing throughout the day, right after events happen. I mean, okay, fine, but unless that girl is capable of handwriting 300 words per minute, I don't see how it works. Example: she's writing this huge entry in her journal in the middle of an all-ages paint night while her friend goes pee. Unless Twinkle knows how to slow down time, or her friend takes 20 minutes to pee, it's not possible. Not to mention what people must think of her when she's dropping everything in the middle of public to scribble away in a journal. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Perhaps, but it kind of bothered me.
Overall, this was a cute book that I enjoyed reading. When Dimple Met Rishi has definitely moved up on my infinite, never-ending to-be read list 4/5