Review: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky

 

Pinky is tired of family thinking she makes poor choices. Just once she would like their approval - the way they approve of Dolly. When a fire breaks out on their shared summer property, Pinky's mom immediately suspects her. It's just one more fight in a long line of arguments. Pinky denies the accusation and than accidentally blurts out that she would be in the barn with a boy because she has the perfect boyfriend - even one that her mother would approve.

With her mother's interest peaked, Pinky scrambles to find a boyfriend. She knows the perfect candidate - and his summer plans just happen to have fallen through. Even though they're not really friends, together they form an agreement to spend the summer together fake dating.

But the more time they spend together, the more Pinky and Samir begin to understand each other. Even though they drive each other crazy, could it  be for the best?

My Thoughts: I'm sad this is the last book set in the Dimpleverse. I have loved these books. I was so happy to read about Pinky and Samir. I loved how passionate Pinky is about - well, everything. I loved Drama Queen and the butterfly park. I loved the banter between Pinky and Samir (one of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers). I love how the two of them balanced each other out. The ending was great. Another fantastic chapter to this trilogy. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: My Library 

Library Recommendation: A must have trilogy for your school and public library.

Review: Of Curses and Kisses

* First Book in a New Series *

When Princess Jaya Rao discovers that her sworn enemy will be attending the same boarding school, she plans the ultimate revenge. She's going to make Grey Emerson fall in love with her and then smash his heart into a million pieces.

No one messes with her family - especially her youngest sister. She'll do anything to keep Isha safe. Yes, she believes in tradition and family honor. Those beliefs rules her world; she's not giving up until Grey's broken.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. I love that it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I loved how Grey and Jaya first met. I really enjoyed the school setting - and how it was in the middle of nowhere. I loved the balls and the parties - even though they didn't always end well. I loved the moments between Grey and Jaya - how they understood each other, how they started to share little moments, and how they started to let their walls down. I felt terrible for Grey - for the way his father treated him, for the way he never let anyone get close, and for the belief about the curse. I loved Isha and how she wasn't interested in cultural traditions; she just wanted to live her own life. I loved how she took control. I liked reading about the other students. Can't wait to return to the school and read the next installment.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your romance section!

Review: There's Something About Sweetie

* Book 2 in the Dimple and Rishi series *  

Ashish Patel has lost his swagger. His girlfriend broke up with him and is now dating someone else. He feels lost. When his parents state they can find him a nice Indian girl like they found his brother Rishi, Ashish doesn't believe he has anything left to lose.

Enter Sweetie. She's from a great family, is kind, and respectful. His mother seeks out Sweetie and her mother at the market. But when she brings up the idea of Sweetie dating her son, Sweetie's mother rejects the idea. Sweetie is fat and fat girls don't date boys who look like Ashish.

Sweetie's used to her mother's insults, but that doesn't make them right. She sets out to prove to her mother (and herself) that being fat doesn't have anything to do with being Fabulous.

They begin to date. The more time they spend together Ashish starts to think that...there's something about Sweetie.

My Thoughts: I adored this book. I loved Sweetie - for her big heart, her kindness, and her Sassy Sweetie project. I loved how she challenged Ashish to a race and how that turned out. I love her acceptance of her body and knowing her body didn't change her. I loved her moment in the spotlight singing. I loved her insightfulness, her banter, her determination, her strength. I love how she and Ashish brought out the best in each other. I really liked the dating contract and the type of dates the pair could go on. I like that Ashish lost his swagger - in dating and on the basketball court. I enjoyed his change after dating Sweetie. I loved his parents, especially his mother. I loved both sets of friends, especially Oliver and Elijah and their love story.  Of course I loved seeing Dimple and Rishi again. I can't wait for Pinky's story!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect, the model captures Sweetie
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have diverse, body positive swoony romance book for your school and public library.

Upcoming Review: From Twinkle, With Love

Twinkle believes if she could date her longtime crush Neil, her life would infinity improve. Her best friend would enjoy her company again, people would listen to the stories she wants to tell, and she wouldn't be invisible.

As an aspiring filmmaker, Twinkle has a small YouTube channel, but longs to make it big. She wants to crush glass ceilings.

When Neil's twin brother approaches her with an idea to create a movie together for Midsummer Night Arts Festival - Twinkle can't help but agree. It's even better when Maddie agrees to star in the movie. Now Twinkle can do what she loves while hanging out again with her bff. Maybe this movie will help catapult Twinkle into a new life - the one where she's not invisible and people want to talk with her.

My Thoughts: I adored When Dimple Met Rishi and needed this book. When it came in a box of librarian preview books, I squealed and then rushed home to read it. And it was everything I imagined it would be. I loved it; I'll read anything that Sandhya Menon writes.

I loved that Twinkle wrote letters to famous lady filmmakers. I love how she was determined to make it in the film industry and how she started her career off with a bang. I felt terrible for Twinkle and how her friendship with Maddie fizzled. I loved her closeness with Dadi. I loved her growing friendship with Sahil and how they opened up to each other and understood each other. I didn't always agree with her choices but I love how the book ended. 

Cover Thoughts: Brilliant
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: May 22nd

Library Recommendation: A must have book for high school and public libraries

On Your Radar (3)

Title: When Dimple Met Rishi 

Author: Sandhya Menon

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: May 30th 2017

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

New Adult (almost college)
Diverse Characters
Girls who Code
STEAM Books
Parental Issues
Roommates
Goals and Dreams
Nerdy References
Artists
Comic Book Art
The Banter Between Dimple and Rishi
The Romance! 

* I don't often re-read books, but this would be an exception. 
** I couldn't put this one down! 
*** Believe the Hype!