When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Pages: 384
Publish date: May 31, 2017
Publisher: Hachette
ISBN: 1481478680
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD
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.
When Dimple Met Rishi:
I received an e-arc of When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon from Hachette via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.
Before arcs landed in people’s hands When Dimple Met Rishi starting gaining attention and it only increased when reviews starting flowing in. So I knew that I need to read this one and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a fun and heartwarming book that is totally a rom-com.
When Dimple Met Rishi, follows protagonists Dimple and Rishi who’s parents have organised their so called arranged marriage. One problem Dimple doesn’t know. So when they both arrive at a program for aspiring web developers, everyone is in for a surprise. Dimple and Rishi are totally opposite. Dimple wants to take charge of her life, make a future for herself, while Rishi is a romantic at heart and is all for tradition. Let’s just say they get off on the wrong foot.
Dimple was a fun character to be around. I liked that she stood up for what she believed in and herself. I liked that even though her family wanted her to do things, she did what she wanted, what she loved. Even though I did enjoy Dimple, I also thought that at times during When Dimple Met Rishi – she was difficult. Dimple is very stubborn and this makes her letting go and falling love very hard. Most of the time things had to go her way or the highway. Dimple’s character arc was also something really enjoyable.
Rishi is the complete opposite to Dimple, but it made for great banter. He is a hopeless romantic and is all for tradition. He likes diving into his Indian roots and I thought that was just so refreshing to see – however it also hinder him from finding out who he really was. I think that by the end of When Dimple Met Rishi, he was able to find that balance with tradition and himself.
The romance in When Dimple Met Rishi was very cute. That’s the only way that I can explain it. While Dimple and Rishi are very different, they are also very similar. In a weird sort of way. There were times that I felt it was very insta-lovey. However, I just kind of went with it. I loved that When Dimple Met Rishi was able to share a positive connotation on arranged marriages. normally you never really see that especially in YA, so that was something that really shines through to me.
Family, is a very big theme throughout When Dimple Met Rishi. Not just because both Dimple and Rishi are close to their families, but because of the cultural aspects. The reader is really able to delve in and see what it could be like for an Indian-American teen who is trying to find themselves. But still, stick with traditions. It was very frustrating at times seeing both sets of parents act the way that they do. But in the end, we can understand it’s because they love them. I adored Rishi’s brother and I want to hear his story, I want to know what he is about.
Overall When Dimple Met Rishi was an entertaining read. It’s a rom-com to the core, but it explores the notion of family and cultural. It’s about first love and believing in yourself. The reader is able to explore arrange marriage in a totally different way. They fall in love with the characters and cheer for them along the way. When Dimple Met Rishi also explores that life is up and down. And there are things that will stand in your way.
Have you read When Dimple Met Rishi? What did you think of it? Are you planning on reading it? Let’s Chat!
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