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books_with_mana's Reviews (414)
A fun romance with a different perspective. Not a lot of romances has nonwhite protagonists nor explores mixed raced characters. This book has a predictable plot, but in a comforting way; like having hot soup on a cold day. A lot of the cultural, familial, and business commentary is secondary in this book because it is first-and-foremost a romance novel.
Sonia Patel effortlessly weaves hip-hop, Indian culture, Hawaiian life, tough subjects, teenage angst and romance in an accessible format. This book matters for brown girls. This book matters for Indian girls. This book matters for anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse. This book matters for people who grew up in abusive households. This book matters because it will help heal those who have been hurt by someone they love.
Patel’s psychiatric training at Stanford shows in this young adult novel. She is able to write a novel in the eyes of a young adult who is around drug abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, etc. In this novel, we experience the trauma alongside Rani, but we also learn how to stop the cycle of abuse, notice self-inflicted patterns of masochism, and how to heal. When Rani dived into her art to heal her trauma alongside her ancestor’s. This was all translated into a fictional format that is excellent for the Young Adult readership, especially for those who need this book the most. It will be one that I recommend people to sell at my bookstore.
Patel’s psychiatric training at Stanford shows in this young adult novel. She is able to write a novel in the eyes of a young adult who is around drug abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, etc. In this novel, we experience the trauma alongside Rani, but we also learn how to stop the cycle of abuse, notice self-inflicted patterns of masochism, and how to heal. When Rani dived into her art to heal her trauma alongside her ancestor’s. This was all translated into a fictional format that is excellent for the Young Adult readership, especially for those who need this book the most. It will be one that I recommend people to sell at my bookstore.
