Kmuse & Karie the Maknae continue their Asian book review series with the novel When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon.  Come find out if this is a romantic comedy worth reading!

Plot Synopsis:

“Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.”

CHARACTERS

Karie the Maknae: I absolutely loved this book. Dimple and Rishi were clearly defined characters right from the start, and even though Rishi *sounds* like he should come off as a Darcy more than a Fitzwilliam, he doesn’t. He’s so awesome and confident in the most believable ways. Dimple was an interesting mix of angry girl power and unconsciously entrenched in tradition. I love how they butted heads, and how the attraction between them was vibrantly displayed in their actions.

Kmuse: I am not an overly rebellious person, so while I can intellectually connect with Dimple’s point of view, it just didn’t connect emotionally.  I did enjoy the story but I think if I was an angsty teen I might be a little more enthralled by the story.  I did enjoy that Rishi and Dimple were pretty mature when dealing with the awkwardness of their situation.

PLOT

Karie the Maknae: Oh, this was not a twisty plot at all–I mean, hello! Rom-com! Always gonna follow the formula. But the journey was fun and layered and told so very well from a perspective that was not my own. I could feel the pull between the Western culture that Rishi and Dimple grew up in versus the traditional Indian culture they experienced at home–Sandhya Menon was very deft. I really appreciated how she opened  up that viewpoint to the reader so clearly and understandably.

Kmuse: I agree with Karie–it was not a twisty plot, but still an entertaining rom-com.  It was interesting to see romance from the view of a culture so different than my own and I think that is what made this book entertaining for me.  I am a huge fan of experiencing new cultures through media content, and in that sense this book totally fulfilled my expectations.

RECOMMENDATION

Karie the Maknae: I would totally recommend this book as a fun, fluffy read. I was completely captivated from the first page and actually gave up a fair amount of my drama-watching time to finish it! Very glad I read it.

Kmuse: I would recommend this book as well if you are someone who enjoys young adult-level romances.  It was entertaining and perfect in giving the reader a small glimpse into Indian culture.

If When Dimple Met Rishi sound like a fun read to you, our attractive and intelligent readers, then go and buy it HERE! Thank you!

Until the next page, we remain–

Kmuse & Karie the Maknae

Dramas with a Side of Kimchi