September 1, 2023
Patel's friends-to-lovers romance takes readers on a journey of friendship, love, and celebrating Indian culture set between Austin and Dubai. High school senior and aspiring photographer Nikki finds herself pushed to repair her relationship with neighbor and former best friend Yash during a weeklong trip to Dubai to celebrate Diwali with their families. The teens' parents are incredibly close, and Nikki's mother and father urge her to do the right thing: "there is light in forgiveness, and only darkness by holding grudges." As the trip goes on, the two do mend their rift, but complicating matters, Nikki realizes she's developing romantic feelings for the boy she grew up with. She fears that this revelation would ruin their still-fragile rapport but fails to stop herself from impulsively confessing that she likes him. As it turns out, Yash has a confession of his own, one related to a complicated secret he's been hiding from her that threatens their newly rebuilt trust. The book is humorous and full of sharp wit. It touches lightly on topics of otherness, feminism, extended family and community, and cultural differences in ways that will speak to teens from many backgrounds. Patel's Gujarati characters move through lovingly described surroundings, but the setting is at times overdeveloped, slowing the pace of the narrative. Food and joyous all-out Diwali celebrations also feature heavily, adding to the festive mood. An endearing, feel-good rom-com celebrating love, heritage, and friendship. (Romance. 13-18)
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November 1, 2023
Grades 8-11 Patel follows My Sister's Big Fat Indian Wedding (2022) with a heartfelt flight of fancy, in which circumstances force two teens to re-examine their fractured relationship. Nikki, an aspiring photographer, isn't thrilled when she finds herself on the same plane as her former BFF, Yash. Their families are traveling together to celebrate Diwali in Dubai, giving the pair no less than 12 hours to deal with the baggage they've brought onboard. Patel deploys excellent banter and entertaining family members pushing Nikki and Yash to connect romantically. As the two spend time together, they learn surprising things about each other, as well as some family secrets. Playfully tweaking the enemies-to-lovers trope, this rom-com stars relatable characters who experience meaningful growth as the story progresses. Lessons on understanding family and culture and about overcoming differences are sprinkled throughout, as are giggle-inducing character interactions. Gorgeous descriptions of Dubai brighten an already sunny tale, making this sky-high romance a fun trip for the imagination.
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