raeanne's review against another edition
5.0
From Twinkle, With Love is a cute young adult romance between two shy AF kids coming out of their shells. Twinkle’s passion for movies, growth as a person and director will spur you to research all the women directors she writes. Perfect for YA romance fans who want to keep it simple, clean, and forgiving of misunderstandings. It’s Tash Hearts Tolstoy with less technical directing/producing details.
From Twinkle, With Love did feel on the younger side of YA. It would make a good transition between MG and YA with Twinkle’s POV. I think this is a good thing and works for a couple reasons.
1.>>There are “late bloomers”.
2.>>There’s a need for bridges between the age ranges for the stradlers and grey areas.
3.>>There are kids still being left behind by their peers and jealous of the popularity hierarchy. This being ignored in YA as narratives favor the victors isn’t a good argument against it.
4.>>It maybe young, but it’s still YOUNG Adult.
Further, I think she feels so young and immature is because we’re so used to YA being matured beyond their years. Don’t get me wrong, I love mature YA and campion for it ALL the time. BUT there’s definitely been an invasion and co-opting of YA by NA, which is skewing the genre maturity level up.
~>>I love the idea of writing letters for journaling. That’s really smart. I have a hard time writing to myself, so I just might use this tip soon.
~>>Twinkle & Sahil are adorable!
~>>I think the family aspect gets overshadowed in reviews. The hard-working well-meaning absent parents, the old school superstitious grandma, and their growth is wonderful. Kids today REALLY connect with the at least one if not both of these family members. I can’t wait to see more of this honestly. I think it’ll really help kids feel less lonely and talk to their own oblivious adults.
~>>Menon does a fantastic job showing Twinkle’s POV. I love the moments were it’s clear to the reader what’s going on but Twinkle’s oblivious in a way that’s endearing and clear WHY she’s misunderstanding the obvious-to-everyone-else.
~>>I love how their movie remake is gender swapping Dracula! The difference between #ownvoices and white people fucking shit up: a white person/non-Indian would’ve made their movie a Bollywood remake. Don’t @ me.
~>>I will admit to not seeing the problem with Twinkle’s original plan of attack re:bonus footage. I do think the path she chose makes a better ending and her explanation for it is enough to satisfy me.
~>>I love how Sahil had to get over his own insecurities and it wasn’t Twinkle’s fault or responsibility to PROVE shit to him. That seems to be a good trend in YA lately.
From Twinkle, With Love did feel on the younger side of YA. It would make a good transition between MG and YA with Twinkle’s POV. I think this is a good thing and works for a couple reasons.
1.>>There are “late bloomers”.
2.>>There’s a need for bridges between the age ranges for the stradlers and grey areas.
3.>>There are kids still being left behind by their peers and jealous of the popularity hierarchy. This being ignored in YA as narratives favor the victors isn’t a good argument against it.
4.>>It maybe young, but it’s still YOUNG Adult.
Further, I think she feels so young and immature is because we’re so used to YA being matured beyond their years. Don’t get me wrong, I love mature YA and campion for it ALL the time. BUT there’s definitely been an invasion and co-opting of YA by NA, which is skewing the genre maturity level up.
~>>I love the idea of writing letters for journaling. That’s really smart. I have a hard time writing to myself, so I just might use this tip soon.
~>>Twinkle & Sahil are adorable!
~>>I think the family aspect gets overshadowed in reviews. The hard-working well-meaning absent parents, the old school superstitious grandma, and their growth is wonderful. Kids today REALLY connect with the at least one if not both of these family members. I can’t wait to see more of this honestly. I think it’ll really help kids feel less lonely and talk to their own oblivious adults.
~>>Menon does a fantastic job showing Twinkle’s POV. I love the moments were it’s clear to the reader what’s going on but Twinkle’s oblivious in a way that’s endearing and clear WHY she’s misunderstanding the obvious-to-everyone-else.
~>>I love how their movie remake is gender swapping Dracula! The difference between #ownvoices and white people fucking shit up: a white person/non-Indian would’ve made their movie a Bollywood remake. Don’t @ me.
~>>I will admit to not seeing the problem with Twinkle’s original plan of attack re:bonus footage. I do think the path she chose makes a better ending and her explanation for it is enough to satisfy me.
~>>I love how Sahil had to get over his own insecurities and it wasn’t Twinkle’s fault or responsibility to PROVE shit to him. That seems to be a good trend in YA lately.
luna_rondo's review against another edition
4.0
I read When Dimple Met Rishi earlier this year and rated it 3.5 Stars but after reading this book, it was seriously a 2 star book. Everything about this book was 100 times better - the characters, the romance, the drama. It read a bit more childish and Twinkle was SO oblivious, but it was also just a cute little book with a positive message.
I'm excited to see what Sandhya Menon writes in the future.
I'm excited to see what Sandhya Menon writes in the future.
achaperonwrites's review against another edition
3.0
“And all those things they say in romance novels about how your heart beats faster and your knees get wobbly and the boy’s stubble against your chin is the most delicious sensation ever? All of that is 100 percent true.
I sank into that kiss. It was perfect.”
— From Twinkle, with Love, Sandhya Menon
Rating: ♥️♥️♥️/5
From Twinke, with Love is the story of Twinkle
Mehra, a Colorado teenager with dreams of becoming a big time film director one day. When the twin brother of her crush approaches her to direct a movie for the art festival their school does every year, she jumps at the chance. But things get confusing, and crazy, real quick when she starts seriously falling for Sahil, her long-time unrequited feelings about his brother be damned. Add in best friend drama, a secret admirer, and a wall flower finally getting her chance to shine, and this sounds like a recipe for disaster.
While I enjoyed the premise, and the way in which it was told through Twinkle’s diary entries written to famous female directors, text messages between Sahil and his best friends, and Sahil’s online blog entries, there was one thing that held me back from rating this as highly as I have Menon’s other books: Twinkle.
Twinkle was a supremely unlikable character. She was rude, overdramatic, and generally annoying.
I gave this three stars because the story would’ve been cute if Twinkle wasn’t such a nightmare. I also adored Sahil and Twinkle’s dadi.
I sank into that kiss. It was perfect.”
— From Twinkle, with Love, Sandhya Menon
Rating: ♥️♥️♥️/5
From Twinke, with Love is the story of Twinkle
Mehra, a Colorado teenager with dreams of becoming a big time film director one day. When the twin brother of her crush approaches her to direct a movie for the art festival their school does every year, she jumps at the chance. But things get confusing, and crazy, real quick when she starts seriously falling for Sahil, her long-time unrequited feelings about his brother be damned. Add in best friend drama, a secret admirer, and a wall flower finally getting her chance to shine, and this sounds like a recipe for disaster.
While I enjoyed the premise, and the way in which it was told through Twinkle’s diary entries written to famous female directors, text messages between Sahil and his best friends, and Sahil’s online blog entries, there was one thing that held me back from rating this as highly as I have Menon’s other books: Twinkle.
Twinkle was a supremely unlikable character. She was rude, overdramatic, and generally annoying.
I gave this three stars because the story would’ve been cute if Twinkle wasn’t such a nightmare. I also adored Sahil and Twinkle’s dadi.
readivine's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 58%
This was a surprise at first then turned out to be a chore which explains the DNF.
I love the idea of having an Indian American YA heroine to read for once and a budding director as well, this was a first time for me. Twinkle Mehra is a 16-year-old "groundling", as what she calls herself, and seems to make it a life goal to be promoted into the ranks of the "silk-feathered hats" aka Shakespearean highschool hierarchy 2.0.
Initially, I enjoyed her inner monologues/ letters to iconic female directors. She was spot on the insecure teenage dork and I was so excited to see her strip the wallflower status. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to see that because harharhar she could be pretty annoying and begrudgingly self-centered in her own way.
To say that I DNF'd a book because of the MC really is laughable. I really did want to finish this at first but I realized why should I even continue if I don't really care about the characters anymore? [b:From Twinkle, with Love|36373464|From Twinkle, with Love|Sandhya Menon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519633175s/36373464.jpg|51394148] has important points to convey but I think a younger audience might have liked this more than I did. For a 16-year-old MC her voice and those of others seem very young and not fit with their age. Idk, it's just me huhuhuh.
Here are some points that I find problematic:
1. Twinkle's inclination to film wasn't really my thing here. I don't want to be offensive or anything but, her idea of filming a gender-bender Dracula was just too disappointing. She was passionate for making her art and I thought she'd be doing an original. I get that she was trying to bring a feminist-inspired theme, but a retelling????? Nope. Nada. Aside from the cute premise of the romance here I really thought I get to see a deeper presentation of creating such an intimate art. I was just disappointed because I thought I'd get to learn a lot of things about filming here but it turned out to be like a faded backdrop for the romance and her obsession w/ the "silk-feathered hats"
2. She also manages to be freaking ungrateful w/ Sahil. By jove, HE PAID FOR EVERYTHING.
3. There's also a scene where she tried to speak out to Sahil about her problems w/ the cyclorama w/c is actually fine. But I think the author highlighted this part as Twinkle's "reawakening". That just because she's a girl, doesn't mean everybody can trap her mouth shut. I TOTALLY GET THAT. But honestly? To do this just because of a petty backdrop somehow relays to the readers that girls can freely flip the "girls-had-it-so-much-worse-than-you-guys" card for almost every petty thing. I just hoped Twinkle had spoken out more with important shifts in the story. NOT BECAUSE OF A CYCLORAMA.
4. The dialogues suck.
5. The neat accidental meetups w/ Sahil. I mean I love Sahil but sometimes the romance was kind of too orchestrated for me.
Things I love in this book
1. SAHIL
2.SAHIIIILLL
3. S A H I L R O Y
He was the most endearing and awkward male lead omooooo. I love his dorkiness and his overflowing support to Twinkle. Which reminds me that TWINKLE DOES NOT DESERVE THIS WONDERFUL GUY.
4. Babi? or Babbi? Dadi???? what Idk the spelling hahahahah (I've listened to the audiobook) but Twinkle's grandmother was also one of the likable characters here.
5. The initial monologues of Twinkle especially in the first few chapters. THAT'S ALL.
Other than the things I've listed above, I see no reason for me to finish this. I'm sssssooorrryyy but I can't.
This was a surprise at first then turned out to be a chore which explains the DNF.
I love the idea of having an Indian American YA heroine to read for once and a budding director as well, this was a first time for me. Twinkle Mehra is a 16-year-old "groundling", as what she calls herself, and seems to make it a life goal to be promoted into the ranks of the "silk-feathered hats" aka Shakespearean highschool hierarchy 2.0.
Initially, I enjoyed her inner monologues/ letters to iconic female directors. She was spot on the insecure teenage dork and I was so excited to see her strip the wallflower status. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to see that because harharhar she could be pretty annoying and begrudgingly self-centered in her own way.
To say that I DNF'd a book because of the MC really is laughable. I really did want to finish this at first but I realized why should I even continue if I don't really care about the characters anymore? [b:From Twinkle, with Love|36373464|From Twinkle, with Love|Sandhya Menon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519633175s/36373464.jpg|51394148] has important points to convey but I think a younger audience might have liked this more than I did. For a 16-year-old MC her voice and those of others seem very young and not fit with their age. Idk, it's just me huhuhuh.
Here are some points that I find problematic:
Spoiler
1. Twinkle's inclination to film wasn't really my thing here. I don't want to be offensive or anything but, her idea of filming a gender-bender Dracula was just too disappointing. She was passionate for making her art and I thought she'd be doing an original. I get that she was trying to bring a feminist-inspired theme, but a retelling????? Nope. Nada. Aside from the cute premise of the romance here I really thought I get to see a deeper presentation of creating such an intimate art. I was just disappointed because I thought I'd get to learn a lot of things about filming here but it turned out to be like a faded backdrop for the romance and her obsession w/ the "silk-feathered hats"
2. She also manages to be freaking ungrateful w/ Sahil. By jove, HE PAID FOR EVERYTHING.
3. There's also a scene where she tried to speak out to Sahil about her problems w/ the cyclorama w/c is actually fine. But I think the author highlighted this part as Twinkle's "reawakening". That just because she's a girl, doesn't mean everybody can trap her mouth shut. I TOTALLY GET THAT. But honestly? To do this just because of a petty backdrop somehow relays to the readers that girls can freely flip the "girls-had-it-so-much-worse-than-you-guys" card for almost every petty thing. I just hoped Twinkle had spoken out more with important shifts in the story. NOT BECAUSE OF A CYCLORAMA.
4. The dialogues suck.
5. The neat accidental meetups w/ Sahil. I mean I love Sahil but sometimes the romance was kind of too orchestrated for me.
Things I love in this book
Spoiler
1. SAHIL
2.SAHIIIILLL
3. S A H I L R O Y
He was the most endearing and awkward male lead omooooo. I love his dorkiness and his overflowing support to Twinkle. Which reminds me that TWINKLE DOES NOT DESERVE THIS WONDERFUL GUY.
4. Babi? or Babbi? Dadi???? what Idk the spelling hahahahah (I've listened to the audiobook) but Twinkle's grandmother was also one of the likable characters here.
5. The initial monologues of Twinkle especially in the first few chapters. THAT'S ALL.
Other than the things I've listed above, I see no reason for me to finish this. I'm sssssooorrryyy but I can't.
ktbibliofile's review against another edition
3.0
I found the format of this book to be interesting but unfortunately, the plot just wasn't as attention-grabbing as I had been hoping. While I thought the character of Twinkle was refreshing to read, with her love of directing and her goals for what her films would accomplish, there were still moments where I just had issues feeling immersed in the story.
krissyronan's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
Cute YA romance. Recommended for any tween/teen.
jenjen's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.5
kassimesserly's review against another edition
1.0
Fastest DNF ever.... ony 20 pages in. I knew going into this book, I wasn't that interested. I didn't really enjoy the first book and was kind of annoyed to start this one. I should have just gone with my gut and discontinue the series. I am not interested, it's not intriguing, and I don't want to waste my time reading a book about a teenager making a movie for her school. It's a little too juvenile for me. I love the cover, but not enough for me to be the slightest bit interested.
taylorreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this! I have a broadcasting background so I definitely related to Twinkle and her love of films and cameras.