atamano's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Classism, Bullying, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence, Vomit, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Blood
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
I didn't realise I had already watched the Netlfix adaptation until a few chapters in, but it's so much better than that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Racism and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
nannahnannah's review against another edition
2.0
A good friend recommended this to me, and I'm SO sorry I didn't enjoy this as much as she did! The concept of the story was so much more unique and interesting than the actual execution.
When Dimple Met Rishi is a boy meets girl type story in which Dimple Shah, an Indian-American girl with very traditional parents, is in an arranged marriage with Rishi Patel, and meets him at a coding camp called Insomnia Con. The only problem? She doesn't know about the marriage at all.
I loved the insight into some of the Indian-American experience. I love the fact that the book is part of the #OWNvoices hashtag, lending a lot of authenticity to these characters. The first half, too, was original, fresh, and the dynamics between Dimple and her family were incredibly interesting to read.
Unfortunately, after the great moment when Dimple threw her iced coffee at Rishi (their first meeting; and if someone came up to me claiming to be my future husband I'd do the same thing!), things got a bit cliche and uninteresting.
The book takes place at a coding camp, because it's Dimple's huge dream to become a coder. Her idol will be present to help the winner with their app (which they'll be working on during the entire summer). You'd think this girl would want to spend some actual time coding. I was SO looking forward to some details about this because I have absolutely No experience with anything in this field. Plus, diverse ladies in STEM!
But what I got was literally a paragraph of them working on the app, and the rest of the book centered around the romance. I knew it was a romance coming in, but I expected at least some effort going into the actual coding part of the plot. To make things worse, for some reason that never made sense, in the middle of this CODING camp, they had a talent show that gave the winner $1000 towards their app? A talent show?? How does that relate to coding in any way? It's a cheap trick to make create more scenes for Rishi and Dimple to be closer physically, add some Bollywood dancing, and have them fall over each other, etc.
The characters also became unbearable at Insomnia Con. I know it's been said before, but Dimple ... Oh, Dimple. For a self-proclaimed feminist, or whatever, she sure loves to hate on women. She's a typical "not like other girls" girl, judging any other woman who wears too much makeup or wears booty shorts or does anything that she Doesn't Approve Of. There could be cultural things/upbringing at work here, but Dimple is the most judgey fictional character who is never actually checked for her attitude. She's also nearly abusive, hitting Rishi over and over, and when Rishi comments on it, Dimple actually says something like, "you need to change your idea about how girls behave." AKA, I'm not like other girls --> I hit/abuse people ?? What exactly is she trying to say here?
Anyway, besides all this, the ending is on par with most Hallmark Holiday specials, making me cringe and speed read through it so I wouldn't be embarrassed. This book simply isn't for me, or maybe I'm just not the audience for it. I wanted more STEM stuff!
When Dimple Met Rishi is a boy meets girl type story in which Dimple Shah, an Indian-American girl with very traditional parents, is in an arranged marriage with Rishi Patel, and meets him at a coding camp called Insomnia Con. The only problem? She doesn't know about the marriage at all.
I loved the insight into some of the Indian-American experience. I love the fact that the book is part of the #OWNvoices hashtag, lending a lot of authenticity to these characters. The first half, too, was original, fresh, and the dynamics between Dimple and her family were incredibly interesting to read.
Unfortunately, after the great moment when Dimple threw her iced coffee at Rishi (their first meeting; and if someone came up to me claiming to be my future husband I'd do the same thing!), things got a bit cliche and uninteresting.
The book takes place at a coding camp, because it's Dimple's huge dream to become a coder. Her idol will be present to help the winner with their app (which they'll be working on during the entire summer). You'd think this girl would want to spend some actual time coding. I was SO looking forward to some details about this because I have absolutely No experience with anything in this field. Plus, diverse ladies in STEM!
But what I got was literally a paragraph of them working on the app, and the rest of the book centered around the romance. I knew it was a romance coming in, but I expected at least some effort going into the actual coding part of the plot. To make things worse, for some reason that never made sense, in the middle of this CODING camp, they had a talent show that gave the winner $1000 towards their app? A talent show?? How does that relate to coding in any way? It's a cheap trick to make create more scenes for Rishi and Dimple to be closer physically, add some Bollywood dancing, and have them fall over each other, etc.
The characters also became unbearable at Insomnia Con. I know it's been said before, but Dimple ... Oh, Dimple. For a self-proclaimed feminist, or whatever, she sure loves to hate on women. She's a typical "not like other girls" girl, judging any other woman who wears too much makeup or wears booty shorts or does anything that she Doesn't Approve Of. There could be cultural things/upbringing at work here, but Dimple is the most judgey fictional character who is never actually checked for her attitude. She's also nearly abusive, hitting Rishi over and over, and when Rishi comments on it, Dimple actually says something like, "you need to change your idea about how girls behave." AKA, I'm not like other girls --> I hit/abuse people ?? What exactly is she trying to say here?
Anyway, besides all this, the ending is on par with most Hallmark Holiday specials, making me cringe and speed read through it so I wouldn't be embarrassed. This book simply isn't for me, or maybe I'm just not the audience for it. I wanted more STEM stuff!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
mnatale100's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Alcohol, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Blood
nytephoenyx's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
When Dimple Met Rishi is cute for what it is – a YA Rom Com that takes place at a summer camp. Sure, maybe it’s not your traditional summer camp (it’s a programming competition) and maybe we don’t have John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John singing “Summer Nights”, but it definitely has that vibe.
And, in that way, When Dimple Met Rishi is kind of a fun light read. Don’t go into it expecting anything special as far as story goes. This book is good for cuddling up with a caramel hot cocoa and a couple shortbread cookies and a fuzzy blanket and just enjoying the cheesy dialogue. The word “forever” is thrown around! Hands are clasped to bosoms! It’s a little tacky at times, but it’s still decent for what it is.
Things that are nice about When Dimple Met Rishi? Some stereotypes are broken – my favorite being Dimple’s insistence to play the system and win the talent show by doing pretty much what every well-meaning, racist teacher would expect. I loved that she used that to her advantage. What I don’t so much love was how frequently Dimple in particular is dragged because of her race, gender, and hobbies. Especially in a place where others who share similar traits are not being tormented. It feels far too much like a setup.
I was also really disappointed in Celia. Seriously now.
When Dimple Met Rishi isn’t the type of book I normally reach for – corny YA rom-com – but I did like it for itself and I can see why it was so hyped a few years ago when the book first came out. If you like the genre, I highly recommend reading this one. Most of the things I didn’t like about the book are about me, not the book. So yes! I recommend When Dimple Met Rishi. Enjoy the cute! Enjoy the totally unrealistic airport scene! Just have fun with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny
valpyre's review
[audiobook]
[minor spoilers]
DNF'd at 31%. I was really surprised at the subpar writing of this -- overall, the book felt very "high school", if that makes sense. Yes, they are teenagers, but this is a book set at a transitional stage in both main characters lives (summer before college), and I don't think that that explains away the simplicity of what happens in this book. Considering it was set at a programming/coding program, it started off very laissez-faire, and pretty much no app development occurred as far as I read. Everything simply seemed set up for Dimple and Rishi to have conveniently romantic experiences.
The meeting between the characters created conflict that immediately disappeared when things were explained and turned almost immediately to insta-love/insta-attraction. And, okay, maybe Rishi was not to blame for their creepy introduction, and Dimple rightly realised her parents were at fault, but she honestly continued to treat Rishi (and a lot of others) really harshly. There was a moment where she thought she really felt like punching something, and Rishi's ribs were right there, but wow she certainly exhibited great restraint.
I think Dimple's impulsivity and passion are great characteristics, but not when they're aimed to be derogatory to others (this book's NLOG energy was off the charts). And I could've gotten on board with Rishi's romantic nature (which I think would've shown the good aspects of the culture of arranging marriages), but he ended up being more creepy than not.
[minor spoilers]
DNF'd at 31%. I was really surprised at the subpar writing of this -- overall, the book felt very "high school", if that makes sense. Yes, they are teenagers, but this is a book set at a transitional stage in both main characters lives (summer before college), and I don't think that that explains away the simplicity of what happens in this book. Considering it was set at a programming/coding program, it started off very laissez-faire, and pretty much no app development occurred as far as I read. Everything simply seemed set up for Dimple and Rishi to have conveniently romantic experiences.
The meeting between the characters created conflict that immediately disappeared when things were explained and turned almost immediately to insta-love/insta-attraction. And, okay, maybe Rishi was not to blame for their creepy introduction, and Dimple rightly realised her parents were at fault, but she honestly continued to treat Rishi (and a lot of others) really harshly. There was a moment where she thought she really felt like punching something, and Rishi's ribs were right there, but wow she certainly exhibited great restraint.
I think Dimple's impulsivity and passion are great characteristics, but not when they're aimed to be derogatory to others (this book's NLOG energy was off the charts). And I could've gotten on board with Rishi's romantic nature (which I think would've shown the good aspects of the culture of arranging marriages), but he ended up being more creepy than not.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
nila's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
3.25
Really sweet YA contempory romance, which I haven't read in ages... I honestly just picked this up due to a prompt in a reading challenge I'm participating in and I'm really glad it turned out to be a good read. It was fun and sweet with the a really nice blend of character clichés and a surprisingly good amount of honest communication about setting boundaries and expectations for a relationship and taking the next step in the relationship. There was a minimal amount of pining and unnecessary conflict which I really appreciated. It of course has some of the main hallmarks of a YA romance, but it also has its own "paint me like one of your French girls"-moment (ish)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
beholderess's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, and Sexism
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