christineheinen's review
4.0
3.8/5 ⭐️
really cute! enjoyed reading a holiday story that wasn’t just christmas and getting to learn about their traditions !
really cute! enjoyed reading a holiday story that wasn’t just christmas and getting to learn about their traditions !
alexsaslibrary's review
4.0
ok so i actually really loved it :>
the family part was superbb
the romance fallout part was.. mehhh but i loved that niki grew more as a person after it :)
the family part was superbb
the romance fallout part was.. mehhh but i loved that niki grew more as a person after it :)
kellyjmac's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator and they did a good job varying up voices to differentiate the different characters. Niki was an interesting MC and I enjoyed her backstory and growth throughout the book. Sam made for an excellent love interest. He was sweet and a definite contrast to the jerk Niki had gone on a date with back home. Seeing her sick and rushing to take care of her and staying with her to make sure she was okay (even calling his mom to come help) was so adorable and showed how he was definitely a keeper. It had themes of sibling relationships and rivalry, dealing with not fitting in, colourism, finding your way, parental pressures, and more. It definitely gripped my attention and had me sneaking away to listen for a bit. I was glad there was an epilogue as well to catch the reader up to where Niki and Sam were a year later. It wasn’t the typical they lived happily ever after but something more realistic and left room for more in the future if the author ever has the chance to go back and visit Niki and Sam. Definitely a fun read that I’d recommend!
nlbohr22's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
mamma_calls_me_francis's review
2.0
This was deceptively deep considering the cartoon cover. Like classism, colorism, generational trauma, family expectations, sexism, and more. Diwali wasn’t as big a part of this as I thought it would have been. Mentioned mostly at the beginning and the end (one year later). The middle was mostly Nikki just not going after or really acknowledging what she wants. She drove me crazy. I didn’t really like any of the characters. Sam kept going after Nikki and Nikki wanted him too but said no several times. Several men acted really douchey.
Quick read, but I knew pretty early on that I wasn’t very invested with these characters. Took until the epilogue for them to get their footing that you can’t really even call this a ‘coming of age’ story.
No spice. Got close like twice, but no action.
I did enjoyed reading about all the different types of food and locations though.
Quick read, but I knew pretty early on that I wasn’t very invested with these characters. Took until the epilogue for them to get their footing that you can’t really even call this a ‘coming of age’ story.
No spice. Got close like twice, but no action.
I did enjoyed reading about all the different types of food and locations though.
curtisgreen901's review
5.0
I loved reading this book! It felt like I was in a romcom movie the entire time. All the characters and the dynamics they shared within their respective families was great. It was so fun seeing Niki go on her quest to essentially find out more about her heritage while also spending time with Diya and then falling for my boy Sam. It was overall a fantastic book and I am very happy I read it. This is the first book I’ve read by Sonya Lalli and it won’t be the last. At the end of the book they said there would be a new book next fall featuring my girl Jasmine. Can’t wait to get my hands on that one. You should read this book if you’re a sucker for romcom movies like myself.
camp3585's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
iamleighbot's review
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
ensara's review
3.0
it was fun to read about the cultural aspects, but the romance was just sort of meh, and a lot of the characters (even ones made to be liked) were irritating