#BookevinReads When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

wdmrWhen Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Publisher: Simon Pulse (30th May 2017)


feathers-break




Blurb:
Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?


Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.


The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?


Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.



I'd like to thank Pansing Singapore and Simon & Schuster USA for an ARC of When Dimple Met Rishi. All quotes were taken from the ARC.



Rating: 5/5


feathers-break


I am quite certain that you’ve probably had this feeling before–the feeling of loving a book the moment you’ve read the first line. Now, imagine having this feeling more than once as you read a book.


A book that really made you feel something and you couldn’t help but rejoice because the book was just glorious and you just loved it. Said book is none other than the triumph that is Sandhya Menon’s impeccable YA debut that had me gasping for more.




"Dimple Shah, I am stupidly, idiotically, annoyingly in love with you."



Here’s the DL on what you need to know about When Dimple Met Rishi. The main characters are Indian-American and their parents have set them up together, unbeknownst to Dimple. And so they meet, but sparks don’t exactly fly.



What can you expect from this gorgeous YA book? Humour, lots of heart and prepare yourselves to be serenaded by a never-ending parade of cuteness.


When Dimple Met Rishi could positively be a book equivalent of a swoonworthy Bollywood movie because you’ve got:




  • the dramatic flair,

  • the effortless humour,

  • the smart and sassy one-liners,

  • the unforgettable boy-meets-girl moment,

  • a dance scene (what’s Bollywood without a dance sequence) and

  • ultimately, the glorious moment when they both fall in love, like an actual, real-life love story.



"Rishi's heart exploded into a thousand colours. The world was on fire. He put his hands on her face and kissed her like he might never have the chance again."



Right from the start, I knew that When Dimple Met Rishi would be a gem.


You know why? The first chapter got me cackling like a hyena because Dimple Shah is just a fantastic YA heroine and I loved that she is her own person, determined to stand her ground and refuse to fit into the mold of an obedient Indian daughter who’s bound by her family’s expectations of her—more like her mother's—and this was incredibly relatable!


Dimple Shah, how do I begin to explain Dimple Shah. Dimple Shah is flawless. She has two Fendi—WAIT.


I joke. HAHAHAHAHA. Dimple Shah is independent, ambitious and she is driven and determination to succeed and go to college. And, she called her Mamma out for her misogynistic views on women. #YasssssQueen




"When you think about it, our families are back in India, about eight thousand miles away. And they're still so intricately connected to us. We have thei names, their rituals, their traditions. Their dreams sit behind our eyelids. I think it's beautiful."



I liked that Dimple and Rishi were both very different characters who have their own personal beliefs in matters of their own future, culture, traditions and I thought this really worked well in the grand scheme of things. I was rooting for them the moment they met—one of the most memorable scenes in the book, I kid you not—and my heart swelled with love and happiness when they ended up together in the end. (Sorry, if this might be a tiny spoiler but I do believe in happy endings, just like Rishi!)




"Rishi smiled again, but fully this time, unrestrained. It was like watching the sun rise, Dimple thought, or the streetlights come on at dusk. Gradual, powerful, brilliant, in a way."



The romance between Dimple and Rishi can be summed up in one word: super-freaking-adorable-can-someone-get-me-a-fluffy-unicorn-plushie-cute.


I lived for those little moments when they both fell a little bit in love with each other. Oh my heart, I think I feel a sudden urge to read all the swoony bits in the book for the 856352830175th time. And the dialogue and banter and one-liners just made me honk/laugh/guffaw/grin/snort.


Have I mentioned that it's funny? Here's one more for the road.




"Rishi had heard once you were attracted to someone, your brain could actually rewire itself and make you think all kinds of sucky things about them were perfect. And then, once you'd been together awhile, bam. The gauzy lust-curtain fell away and you realised you'd married an alligator with bad breath."



Verdict:


When Dimple Met Rishi is an utterly delightful coming-of-age story about two individuals who could have been pre-destined to meet—kismet might have something to do with this!—and they fall in love, all the while, discovering their true selves, rooted by their firm belief in their culture and traditions and making a mark in life. It's hilarious from the first page, wonderfully swoonworthy and the romance is sweet with bursts of humour.


If When Dimple Met Rishi were a dessert, it would be a kulfi, which is a bit like ice cream and it's fabulous and decadent. It might seem like your ordinary creamy confectionery, but when the fragrance and flavour of the spices dance and twirl in your mouth, you'll be left with nothing but a satisfied smile on your face!


kevin

Comments

  1. Great review as always :D I am really dying to get my hands on this one!

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  2. When an ARC arrived, I felt like Christmas came! Thank you, Ashley!

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  3. Such a great review, Kevin, I can feel ALL the love there. Can't wait to read that one :)

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  4. Marieeeeeeee! I am so excited for the world to meet Dimple and Rishi. I was so lucky to have received an ARC. Trust me, the book is a triumph!

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  5. Great review!! I am SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK!! 💕

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  6. Thank you! I am excited that you're excited!

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  7. I looooooooved this book. And I disagree about sparks not flying when they met. The sparks flew for sure. Just different kind of sparks.

    I did come across some ableistic phrases though, but other than that this book was perfect!

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  8. Ah! I've had my eye on this one too! Super worried it wouldn't live up to the excitement, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.

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  9. I wanted to say something else that flies but I didn't want to spoil it!

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  10. It's really hilarious and heartwarming and you'll definitely swoon!

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  11. WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI WAS THE CUTEST! (Also Rishi is MINE THANKS VERY MUCH!). But I loved it so much and I can't wait for other people to read it too! Thanks for this awesome review Kevin! <3

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  12. Haha. You are the sweetest but I don't have to fight Rishi from you. Because he's already mine.

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  13. Oh my goodness! What a great review! And I'm so completely jealous that you've gotten to read this beautiful book already. I am dying to get my hands on it, especially after reading your review! Bah, it just sounds too adorable.

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  14. Thank you, Krysti! It's definitely one of my favourite books of 2017! And it's not long until it's out. The hype is real, When Dimple Met Rishi is fantastic!

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  15. It does have so much hype! Which sometimes makes me nervous, but it sounds like this one lives up to it!

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  16. Trust me, Krysti! The hype is real. I laughed so much when I was reading this!

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  17. Awww, you're getting me so excited! I love it when books get that much hype and then actually live up to it!

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  18. You know how much I love When Dimple Met Rishi, and I feel like your review has done it justice! I tried to write my review last night but completely failed.
    "The romance between Dimple and Rishi can be summed up in one word: super-freaking-adorable-can-someone-get-me-a-fluffy-unicorn-plushie-cute." HAHA my favourite line in your review, and so so true! Great review, Kevin. <3

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  19. Yo, Cookie Wings! Indeed, I really loved When Dimple Met Rishi. I just want to reread it so badly!

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  20. I want to reread it too!! I feel like I might whenever I feel sad... that book just made me so darn happy and hopeful.

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  21. Same! I just couldn't stop grinning when I was reading it. All the happy feels <3

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  22. Beautifully written review! When Dimple Met Rishi typically isn't the sort of book that I read, but given all the hype that had been circulating around this novel I felt like I absolutely had to read it! And I'm sure glad I did. Dimple and Rishi are such an adorable couple. Despite all the clichés that got irritating at times, I loved the writing style and the author's descriptions and portrayal of Indian heritage.
    I look forward to reading more from you in the future... Happy Reading! :D

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