readinggummybear's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
melindagallagher's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the glimpse into the Indian culture of Dimple and Rishi. The Bollywood tone of this book was fun and the coding and manga art throughout the book will appeal to certain kids. This was a nice change to the rom/com genre.
erinrebecca922's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's an alright YA chick lit book, but a bit formulaic and trope-y.
jehanmadhani's review against another edition
2.0
I had fun reading the book and didn't mind spending an afternoon with it. It didn't feel like it threw anything new at me even though I felt I should be excited about South Asian American YA. And I don't even mind if YA does the same thing repeatedly (because that's kind of what it excels at!), but maybe because I had already read Menon's, later book, From Twinkle with Love, I felt like I was treading some of the same ground again.
The issue that really stood out for me was that Rishi didn't feel real to me? I think that was my problem throughout the book. He didn't have the desires or perspective or relationships that a real South Asian American boy has. He felt like an idea. A lovely one!
The issue that really stood out for me was that Rishi didn't feel real to me? I think that was my problem throughout the book. He didn't have the desires or perspective or relationships that a real South Asian American boy has. He felt like an idea. A lovely one!
pearlkhurana's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jaywithwhiskey's review against another edition
4.0
This was really cute. If you're looking for a tame summer romance read with diverse characters and rich culture, pick this one up.
Rishi is amazing. Like the epitome of prince charming. Dimple was great, I thought she was a bit too hot-headed to begin with which made my relationship as a reader to her difficult initially. But you warm up to her as she calms the hell down. Haha.
The author does a really cool job of switching back and forth between Dimple and Rishi's POV. The confidence of the writer using this in the middle of a scene was really cool to see. Mid-scene, switching between these POVs was so entertaining because you can see what they're thinking in realtime instead of re-capping afterwards for one of the characters.
Side note (nit-picky) - I thought it was weird that family was so important to both of them, yet they didn't actually have a conversation about each other's parents until 75% in the book. Haven't they spent the whole summer together? How is this just coming up?
Also - this moment:
I am hyped up to read about Ashish's story. He's so opposite to Rishi, I'm expecting his story to be full of DRAMA. I'm here for it.
Rishi is amazing. Like the epitome of prince charming. Dimple was great, I thought she was a bit too hot-headed to begin with which made my relationship as a reader to her difficult initially. But you warm up to her as she calms the hell down. Haha.
The author does a really cool job of switching back and forth between Dimple and Rishi's POV. The confidence of the writer using this in the middle of a scene was really cool to see. Mid-scene, switching between these POVs was so entertaining because you can see what they're thinking in realtime instead of re-capping afterwards for one of the characters.
Side note (nit-picky) - I thought it was weird that family was so important to both of them, yet they didn't actually have a conversation about each other's parents until 75% in the book. Haven't they spent the whole summer together? How is this just coming up?
Also - this moment:
And then Ashish punched him."YES MY BABY DID.
I am hyped up to read about Ashish's story. He's so opposite to Rishi, I'm expecting his story to be full of DRAMA. I'm here for it.
angelreads's review against another edition
4.0
You can view this review and more at Angel Reads
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.
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.
katiem0201's review against another edition
4.0
"This is our life. We get to decide the rules. We get to say what goes and what stays, what matters and what doesn’t."
Before I started this, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. I saw a lot of hype before it was released, but then a lot of negatively after it was released. So, I went into this story with a blank slate. I didn't want all the reviews I saw to affect my opinion of it. And in the end, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was really sweet and adorable.
I personally really liked Dimple. She expressed her beliefs. She didn't let anything or one stop her from following her passion for coding. She knows her strengths. She knows she can accomplish something when she puts her mind to it. But the thing I admired the most about Dimple is her development. By the end of the novel she realizes the mistakes she's made in the past. She acknowledges the mistakes she made between her and Rishi.
I have absolutely no knowledge of Indian culture. But this novel gave me an insight of some of the traditions and beliefs. This novel made me want to learn more about Indian culture. I've always wanted to learn about different cultures and this story definitely gave me the motivation to actually do it. So with that being said, I'm eagerly waiting for Sandhya Menon's other novels.
My only problem with this story was how the app contest wasn't really in the story. I really wanted to see the progression of their app. I wish there were more scenes of how they created their app. We hear how much Dimple loves coding, but we never really see it, which I thought was a little disappointing.
I flew through this novel. When I finished it, I was satisfied. It was everything I wanted it to be. And I really enjoyed it.
Before I started this, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. I saw a lot of hype before it was released, but then a lot of negatively after it was released. So, I went into this story with a blank slate. I didn't want all the reviews I saw to affect my opinion of it. And in the end, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was really sweet and adorable.
I personally really liked Dimple. She expressed her beliefs. She didn't let anything or one stop her from following her passion for coding. She knows her strengths. She knows she can accomplish something when she puts her mind to it. But the thing I admired the most about Dimple is her development. By the end of the novel she realizes the mistakes she's made in the past. She acknowledges the mistakes she made between her and Rishi.
I have absolutely no knowledge of Indian culture. But this novel gave me an insight of some of the traditions and beliefs. This novel made me want to learn more about Indian culture. I've always wanted to learn about different cultures and this story definitely gave me the motivation to actually do it. So with that being said, I'm eagerly waiting for Sandhya Menon's other novels.
My only problem with this story was how the app contest wasn't really in the story. I really wanted to see the progression of their app. I wish there were more scenes of how they created their app.
Spoiler
I really wanted to see how successful Dimple and Rishi's app after the contest and after Jenny Lindt spoke to Dimple about her appI flew through this novel. When I finished it, I was satisfied. It was everything I wanted it to be. And I really enjoyed it.
blondelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Very fun romance; perfect for my high school library.
katiebarr's review
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
2.75