Starred review from September 13, 2021
Bibra debuts with a sparkling, hilarious rom-com about rival art auctioneers. The Gupta family’s New York City auction house, Loot, has focused solely on Indian art and antiquities since its opening more than 30 years ago, but daughter Priya Gupta wants to expand the business. To do so, she’ll have to convince her skeptical father to introduce contemporary art from other cultures into their catalog. To earn her father’s respect as an auctioneer and to prove herself worthy of taking on future projects featuring a more diverse array of artists, Priya sets out to convince wealthy Harrison Richmond to sell his family’s valuable and extensive art collection. But competing for the sale is her arch nemesis since childhood, Gavin Carlyle of Carlyle’s auction house, Loot’s direct competitor. Harrison invites them both to spend nine days at a house party at his Long Island estate, after which he’ll make his decision. The already simmering chemistry between Priya and Gavin comes to a boil in close quarters, resulting in laugh-out-loud banter and sensitive heart-to-hearts that will make readers swoon. This enemies-to-lovers tale hits all the right notes. Agent: Jana Hanson, Metamorphosis Literary.
November 30, 2021
Bibra's assured debut is an immensely fun enemies-to-lovers story of two auctioneers at rival New York auction houses, Loot and Carlyle's. Despite their expertise in evaluating art and taking to the rostrums to run successful sales, Priya Gupta and Gavin Carlyle's domineering fathers run roughshod over them. Whereas Gavin is laid-back, lowkey, and a playboy, Priya is intense and married to her work. Snark and pranks rule the day as do stealing clients from under each other's noses. While their tempers simmer, so does attraction, but neither father would countenance a match between enemies. An unusual art collection from a private collector puts them head-to-head and vying for the sale. A week-long house party at a fancy Long Island estate is the perfect opportunity for business and shenanigans, including a colorful celebration of the Indian festival of Holi and an art viewing onboard a yacht. A fabulous recommendation for fans of The Hating Game (2016) by Sally Thorne.
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Starred review from December 10, 2021
DEBUT Art auction house rivals Priya Gupta and Gavin Carlyle have known each other their entire lives, and each has been thwarted by the other at some point in the past. A wealthy art collector throws them together again when he accepts proposals to sell some of the valuable pieces in his collection, but there is a catch--Priya and Gavin must stay a week at the owner's home for their auction proposals to be considered. Priya hopes to win the auction rights, so she can finally prove to her father what she brings to the family business, and her entire professional future rides on this deal. Gavin wants to win this deal for his own family's auction house, and he always looks forward to a chance to compete with Priya. A competition ensues, and it brings Priya and Gavin closer than they ever imagined. When an underhanded deal derails Priya's plans, she must confront those closest to her and decide what--and whom--she wants most in her life. VERDICT Fans of Sonya Lalli will love Bibra's impressive and hilarious debut. The witty banter of this feel-good romance will delight readers and have them looking for more from this author in the future.--Ashli Wells, Vanderbilt Univ. Law Lib., Nashville
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