Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

 

 

 

 

 

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,