sringdahl's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A South Asian retelling of Sense and Sensibility; I laughed, I cried, I loved it.
Sonali Dev was able to capture the essence of what we love about Austen and then make it applicable to modern day. SO so good.
Sonali Dev was able to capture the essence of what we love about Austen and then make it applicable to modern day. SO so good.
whateverjeans23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
2.0
India Dashwood has eaten, slept, and breathed yoga and a holistic lifestyle her entire life. She runs her family's yoga and incense business with her mom. But after tapping out their finances for a much needed remodel, India isn't sure what to do when some unexpected medical bills for her mom start picking up. Add to that the reappearance in her life of an old flame from 10 years ago that burnt out as quickly as it was lit and India is struggling to juggle it all.
Yash Raje is that old flame. He's running for governor of California, but when someone shoots at him at a rally and suddenly his bodyguard, who took the bullet, is fighting for his life, Yash seems to have lost his courage to speak in front of crowds. So, of course, his sisters point him to one of their friends, India Dashwood, to help him get through it.
For me, this was just too much. The melodrama in this one was just over the top. I'm not sure how old China was supposed to be (at least in her 30s), but she acted like she was a young teen. Yash and India, I at least understood the problem, but how could Yash know his "girlfriend" this long and not know what a heinous bitch she is? Overall, this one didn't do it for me. I liked the previous book, bit still haven't read the first one. I'll read more, I just didn't dig this one.
Yash Raje is that old flame. He's running for governor of California, but when someone shoots at him at a rally and suddenly his bodyguard, who took the bullet, is fighting for his life, Yash seems to have lost his courage to speak in front of crowds. So, of course, his sisters point him to one of their friends, India Dashwood, to help him get through it.
For me, this was just too much. The melodrama in this one was just over the top. I'm not sure how old China was supposed to be (at least in her 30s), but she acted like she was a young teen. Yash and India, I at least understood the problem, but how could Yash know his "girlfriend" this long and not know what a heinous bitch she is? Overall, this one didn't do it for me. I liked the previous book, bit still haven't read the first one. I'll read more, I just didn't dig this one.
emmreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
To preface this review - this is the first book I've read from in The Rajes series. Even from that perspective, it was still an excellent book. I did miss out on some of the experience that would've come with reading the 2 previous ones, but trust me I'll be going back for those! This book featured relevant political issues like affordable healthcare, gun control, and the Black Lives Matter movement, while also touching on holistic medicine and mental health. For those looking for steam, this may not be the book for you... But if you're a fan of a slow burn second chance romance? This is IT.
*Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
*Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
bookswithnopictures's review against another edition
4.0
Sonali Dev is brilliant at taking timeless classics and making them appealing to the modern reader. This novel could be read as a standalone but I would encourage you to at least pick up Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors because one of the main characters is introduced and featured quite a bit.
Like Edward and Elinor, Yash and India have a forbidden romance. Yash is running for governor of California and has the perfect lady on his arm. His parents approve and her altruistic efforts fit in line with his campaign. The fake relationship seems far less appealing when Yash's friend is gravely injured at a rally and he turns to India for help, albeit unwillingly.
I found Sonali just before Recipe for Persuasion released last year and there's no turning back. I adore a good retelling and her twist feels both fresh and relevant.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Like Edward and Elinor, Yash and India have a forbidden romance. Yash is running for governor of California and has the perfect lady on his arm. His parents approve and her altruistic efforts fit in line with his campaign. The fake relationship seems far less appealing when Yash's friend is gravely injured at a rally and he turns to India for help, albeit unwillingly.
I found Sonali just before Recipe for Persuasion released last year and there's no turning back. I adore a good retelling and her twist feels both fresh and relevant.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
transportedlfl's review against another edition
4.0
As the third book in the series, Incense and Sensibility focuses on Yash Raje. Yash is a politician who arrives to be a public servant. Yash's reasons for struggling with trust were well established in the earlier books in the series, and this is a series where I recommend reading the others first. This book goes deeper exploring how his previous troubles affected him and into realms I haven't seen explored in romance before.
India Dashwood is such an amazing protagonist. She had practiced yoga her entire life and is a incredibly grounded. She is such a great match for Yash. The contrast with her sister China was a bit tougher for me, as China seemed so changed from who she was in the previous books.
I often have mixed feelings about romances featuring politicians, as I am rather cynical about politics. But the descriptions of Yash led me to be hopeful. I really enjoyed the approach to political service here.
This book is a wrenching, emotional romance with a very slow burn. It got me in all the feelings. And there's an adorable pug named Chutney. What more could I ask for in a story?
Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
TW: shooting, anxiety
India Dashwood is such an amazing protagonist. She had practiced yoga her entire life and is a incredibly grounded. She is such a great match for Yash. The contrast with her sister China was a bit tougher for me, as China seemed so changed from who she was in the previous books.
I often have mixed feelings about romances featuring politicians, as I am rather cynical about politics. But the descriptions of Yash led me to be hopeful. I really enjoyed the approach to political service here.
This book is a wrenching, emotional romance with a very slow burn. It got me in all the feelings. And there's an adorable pug named Chutney. What more could I ask for in a story?
Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
TW: shooting, anxiety
kmc3050's review against another edition
4.0
4. Pretty fun, but the way the other characters act is so out of character for them. We know many of them from previous books so I was surprised by they actions/comments.
Soneela Nankani does a great job narrating.
Soneela Nankani does a great job narrating.
lynburn's review against another edition
4.0
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev is the 3rd installment in the Raje series. This series includes retellings of various Jane Austen classics. But do not let that stop you from reading these books or you will be missing out on a great series!
Confession-I don’t really enjoy Jane Austen and I read Sense and Sensibility in college years, and years, ago. But I loved Incense and Sensibility. I don’t think you have to know anything about Jane Austen. These romances stand in their own and can be enjoyed simply because they are good stories.
Incense and Sensibility is the story of Yash Raje, the oldest sibling in the Raje family. Ten years ago he met India Dashwood at his sister’s wedding. The next day he had to go to India, to his family’s ancestral home, but he told India he would return to her. Yep-he did not.
Yash is now running for California governor but after a tragic event at a political rally, he turns to India for help.
This story is about family, and secrets, and friendship. It’s about promises and potential. I loved all the characters in this book, the ones already met in previous stories, and the new ones introduced in this book. I look forward to the next installment of The Rajes.
Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the advanced e-copy of #incenseandsensibility .
Confession-I don’t really enjoy Jane Austen and I read Sense and Sensibility in college years, and years, ago. But I loved Incense and Sensibility. I don’t think you have to know anything about Jane Austen. These romances stand in their own and can be enjoyed simply because they are good stories.
Incense and Sensibility is the story of Yash Raje, the oldest sibling in the Raje family. Ten years ago he met India Dashwood at his sister’s wedding. The next day he had to go to India, to his family’s ancestral home, but he told India he would return to her. Yep-he did not.
Yash is now running for California governor but after a tragic event at a political rally, he turns to India for help.
This story is about family, and secrets, and friendship. It’s about promises and potential. I loved all the characters in this book, the ones already met in previous stories, and the new ones introduced in this book. I look forward to the next installment of The Rajes.
Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the advanced e-copy of #incenseandsensibility .
greeneyedrobin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5