A review by kellyjmac
A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli

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!