Saturday 10 June 2017

Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon


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A laugh-out-loud, heartfelt YA romantic comedy, told in alternating perspectives, about two Indian-American teens whose parents have arranged for them to be married.
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 won a book of choice from Grace over a G-SwizzelBooks on Youtube and this is the book I chose. Thank you Grace <3.


 Okay - to start off with, expect this review to be extremely rambly, becuase I adored it so much. It's been years since I wanted to reread a book as soon as I finished it, but this was one of those books. It's just incredible. 

Why I loved this one:
  • The Characters - I am totally and completely obsessed with both Dimple and Rishi. Dimple is so fierce and amazing and I totally related to her quest to convice others that SHE DID NOT NEED A BOYFRIEND. And Rishi! He's so cute and chivalrous and always stands up for Dimple, without speaking over her... if that makes sense. He's just the best boyfriend ever and they are THE BEST COUPLE. Their relationship is so cute and adorable, but also so realilistic, and I really loved the way all their conflicts were dealt with. And that ending. It was just so beautiful! *swoons*


  • The Setting and the Competition -I loved the fact that this was set in a university summer school so much. The descriptions of school art fairs, nearby little Italian restraunts and the university campus itself were so atmospheric, and I adored the actual app competition aspect of the story itself. In fact, I wish we could have heard even more about the app development.


  • The Culture - this is a diverse book, and I love reading about two American Indian teens so so much. I learnt so much about Indian culture and I loved all the scenes where either protangonist was talking to their families. It was so wonderful to read all about their culture, especially from conservative, respectful Rishi's point of view. Honestly, I could just read another whole book all about their families and all of their traditions. Thank you Sandhya, for writing a book with American Indian teenagers, that so many can relate to. <3


  • The Message - there were so many amazing messages in this book, from respecting your family, to accepting who you are, to accepting others' differences, to loving with your whole heart. This is a book and will be rereading and recommending forever.


Also, THIS COVER *heart eyes*. Isn't it so beautiful? Aren't the images of Dimple and Rishi so amazing?




Best Quote: “This is our life. We get to decide the rules. We get to say what goes and what stays, what matters and what doesn’t.” 




 


(5 stars)



I am so so obsessed with this one! Have you guys read it? If not, please do so we can fangirl together! Leave your thoughts in the comments! <3


Love,




46 comments:

  1. This is one of those books I cannot wait to read. It sounds SO DARN CUTE! :) Glad to know it's a read that lives up to the hype.

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    1. IT'S SO SO CUTE! You're going to love it, I'm sure! <3

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    2. Considering I'm making a bookstore stop this week, I *may* have to pick up a copy... because, yeah. I'm all about cute reads! :)

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  2. This book is going to be one of my highest priorities at ALA. I've heard SO many amazing things about it!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I hope you love ALA! I went last year and had the best time ever. Let me know about all your adventures! <3

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  3. This is one of my top 2017 reads for just about every reason you mentioned. Your gifs are perfect too. =)
    Sam @ WLABB

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    1. Awww, thanks Sam! I do love adding gifs to everything :D

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  4. Haha, I love how you rated this with frappuccinos 😂 It's so fitting given the image on the back of the book! And the iced coffee scene thingy. I haven't read this yet, I'm waiting for when I need that fluffy happy cotton candy feeling! I'm so glad you enjoyed it so immensely!

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  5. I need to get this one ASAP. I can't wait to read it!
    (and yessss that cover is ADORABLE).
    Fabulous review <3

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    1. Awww, thanks Faith! I hope you love it when you read it!

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  6. This does sound like a great book. I have seen a lot of really wonderful reviews for it. I am so glad that you enjoyed it.

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    1. It's so so good - definately lives up to the hype! :)

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  7. I LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH TOO!! Rishi was ADORABLE and so so super sweet and cute. <3 I ship them so bad.😍 I also loved how it focused on family and like following dreams but also that love doesn't have to hold you back or anything. SO SWEET AND IMPORTANT!! I'm glad the book is getting all the appreciation it deserves!

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  8. I've heard so many good things about this one! And the setting sounds fabulous- I ned more books set on campus. Glad it was so good. The messages make me want to read it right now!!

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  9. OMG SO GOOD TO HEAR YOU ENJOYED THIS TOO! This is one of my favourite reads of this year and i'm so so glad it's been getting such positive reception!

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    1. I'm so glad you loved this one too - we always seem to have the same taste in books! <3

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  10. I'm really glad that you enjoyed this as much as you did! Although I had a couple of problems with it, I think it's such an incredible summer contemporary with a fluffy, adorable romance and I loved the writing too! Me thinks that you might enjoy some Bollywood rom-coms too, since I like to say that this was Bollywood in a book. ;) Great review!

    ~ Aimal @ Bookshelves & Paperbacks

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    1. Aww, thanks so much Aimal! I'm glad you loved it too! <3

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  11. I'm so glad you loved this one! Your review definitely has me excited to read this one. I've been on the wait list at the library even before the book came out. Hopefully it will be my turn soon :)
    Aneta @ Angelic Book Reviews 

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    1. I hope you get it soon, and that you enjoy it. Let me know your thoughts! :)

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  12. Lovely review! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one so much - I ordered it recently and can't wait to finally read it. It seems like everyone loves it, I hope I will just as well! And you're right, that cover is just so cute <3

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    1. Yayyayay! I'm so glad you ordered it, this book is so special and important! <3

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  13. I've heard so many great things about this book. Great review. I can't wait to read this!

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  14. I'm gonna have to get this, I keep seeing it around and each time I'm like yesssss need!

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  15. I am so excited to buy this book the next time I'm in a bookstore. I keep hearing such wonderful things and it sounds so cute! And I just saw today that The Melting Library has a candle based on this book and it sounds like it smells soooo goooood. Wonderful review!

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    1. Ooh, I'll need to check out that candle. I hope you enjoy it when you read it! <3

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  16. I'm glad you liked it! I've recently purchased it and I can't wait to read it!

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  17. This sounds like a great book! I love diverse books and to hear that it's about an Indian-American young adult sounds great. I'm fairly familiar with arranged marriage through a close friend of mine (who happens to be Indian-American) and she feels similar to the main character. I like that Dimple didn't believe she needed a husband to be whole, that's really important. Great review!

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    1. Such a lovely comment! I adored this one so much! <3

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  18. I've heard nothing but great things about this book and how cute and wonderful it is, so I am so glad to see you enjoyed it so much too! Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ Stories on Stage

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    1. AWWW, thanks so much Zoe! <3 *blushes*. I hope you love this one too! I can't wait to chat about it with you!

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  19. I skimmed your review because I haven't read this one yet, but I'm really excited to do so! I love the little iced coffee drinks you use for the rating system. So cute!

    - Melanie Kristy
    storyshapedgirl.com

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    1. AWWW, thank you! <3 It's so amazing, I love it so much!

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  21. Can't wait to read this one. It's on my Tbr shelf

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  22. Ever since this book came out all I have been hearing are good things! Contemporary romances aren't usually the kind of books I gravitate towards, but I love the sound of the diversity in this one. I've read fantasies with Indian characters, but no contemporaries. So I think I need to read When Dimple Met Rishi So I can rectify that!

    All of the things you touched on in your review sound super lovely, and I'm glad you liked this book so much :D

    Lovely review, Megan!

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    1. I hope yo love it when you read it Chiara! Please do a review so I can read all of your thoughts <3

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  23. Great post. This book was not on my radar but now it is. :)

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    1. You should totally read Graceling too, it's amazing! :)

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