Dimple is a no frills girl who likes computer programing and comfy clothes, much to the chagrin of her traditional Indian mother who’d love to see her in fancy clothes and a good layer of makeup. Her mom is all focused on her landing a good husband, but Dimple is not very gungho about the traditional Indian female life plan. She wants to have a career as a computer programmer, and she’s not even sure she wants to ever get married. Her dream summer after Senior year would be going to Insomnia Con and winning the chance to have her app program marketed by her idol Jenny Lindt. She’s sure that isn’t ever going to happen. But she works up the guts to ask, and by some miracle her parents say yes. Dimple is so psyched!
Rishi is a bit more the traditional Indian child. Despite his obvious artistic talent and passion for comics, he’s going to MIT to get a good, stable job to support his present and future family (especially since his brother is determined to be irresponsible and disrespectful). And since we’re on the topic of future family, his parents have been talking to Dimple’s parents and think they’d be a good match. He’s off to Insomnia Con as well. He’s ok at programming, but he’s really going there to meet his future wife. And he thinks Dimple has been told about him as well. Their first encounter does not go well to say the least. And then they end up paired together for the project that lasts the entire Insomnia Con. Both are sure it’s going to be a torturous six weeks. But as they get to know one another, they help each other realize some deep truths about themselves and just maybe might become really good friends or something more.

I was really excited about this book. And much of that excitement was well founded. I loved Dimple and Rishi’s interactions, which reminded me of two Austen characters. They have some great witty banter, and some really cute scenes. I really like how they both pushed each other to be better, and how obvious it is that they are looking out for each other’s best interests. That’s wonderful. I was a bit unhappy with how fast they got really physical in their relationship. They’re both very analytical thinkers, focused on the big picture, who come from a cultural background that isn’t known for physical demonstrations of affection. That said, they are obviously very Westernized (more on that later). And they are teenagers with raging hormones. So…the physical aspect of their relationship felt plausible but still was a stretch for me to believe of these characters from their kind of background.
And I know it sounds odd, but I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t more details about the Insomnia Con or computer programming in the story. I thought it was going to play a bigger part, but it’s really just a setting. There weren’t any details that told me the author knew for sure what she was talking about, or that she did much research beyond a little googling of the topic. I mean Dimple and Rishi spend a grand total of about five minutes on page working on their project. You assume they work more than that, but you don’t get any more details. In fact, from a surface read it sounds like this Insomnia Con is a place to party after Senior year and that no one is really working on their projects. That isn’t to say the author doesn’t know more about computer programming. She may be an expert for all I know. It’s just to say from the evidence provided I know nothing of her level of understanding, and therefore Insomnia Con comes across as flat. We got more details on Dimple and Rishi’s prep for their Indian dance for the talent show than any computer programming, which seems a bit lopsided. (Though dancing definitely makes more riveting romantic moments than computer programming.) Those who pick this book up specifically because Dimple is a programmer, will likely come away disappointed. In fact, if that’s your main interest in this, look elsewhere.
My last qualm with the book is mostly my fault. I went into this wanting a book I could hand to my Indian students (of which there are many at my school) that featured characters they could identify with. But this doesn’t quite fit the needs of my students. And here’s why. Dimple and Rishi are too Western. The students at my school are much more Eastern. We are in Asia, after all. There are whole books written about the differences between Western and Eastern cultures, but here’s a very superficial overview. Western mentality is very individual focused. A happy ending focuses on one person, their dreams, and their immediate wants/needs being fulfilled. They are also not very worried about honoring elders or authority. An Eastern mentality is very community focused. A happy ending focuses on what’s best for the group, the health and stability of all involved, and puts the groups’ needs above personal dreams or desires (and usually, personal dreams are more group-focused anyway). They are super concerned about honor and saving face, and those in authority and/or older have a lot of respect. This story has an ending that is a very Western happy ending. (It’s also why Dimple and Rishi have clashes with their parents. Their parents are Eastern mindset, they are Western – well, Rishi ends up deciding he is...he’s wrestling between the two for most of the book.) The story would go differently with Eastern mentality main characters. That isn’t to say there aren’t lots of teens in the US and Canada of Indian descent who will identify with Dimple and Rishi. It means I’m still on the hunt for a contemporary romance featuring Indian teens who are more traditional and share a mindset with the students at my school. I mean, most of my Indian students will have arranged marriages and are quite happy with that. (And if that gets you riled up, 1) your Western mentality is showing, and 2) it isn’t as antiquated as most Westerners think. The parents are very concerned about the future of these kids they love, they present options and don’t agree on the marriage until the guy/girl meet and give their ok to the match too. And most now wait till after the guy and girl get their degrees. Most of the students I’ve talked to over the years are quite happy with the set up and actually pitty Westerners who have to do all the hunting for the right life partner on their own.) Overall, a mostly cute contemporary romance. (But make sure you look at the content notes before recommending it. There is some mature content.) I’m wavering between 3 and 4 stars right now. The parts I loved I adored, but there were some definite disappointments too. Let’s say it’s really 3.5 but rounded up to 4 since GoodReads doesn’t do halves.

Notes on content: A small handful (5-6?) moderate and mild swears. There’s some really heavy kissing and a fade to black sex scene. Other characters mention sleeping together and hooking up, and there’s an awful dance for the talent show that one character actually walks out on because it is so raunchy. There’s a fight that results in a bloody nose and busted lip.

Enjoy exploring the world of arranged marriages with Dimple and Rishi! I appreciated the author's take on this topic, and how Dimple and Rishi were both well-thought out characters. The only dim spot for me was the "rich kids" who are the anti-heroes of the plot; very one-dimensional and predictable. With the engaging subject matter, whimsical protagonists, and satisfying plot development, this one flaw makes the story feel stale and tired.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for this eARC.

Dimple is a rebel. Her Indian-American parents want nothing more than for her to marry a nice Indian boy, which is not part of Dimple's plans. She loves to code and has finally convinced her parents to send her to Insomnia Con, an app development competition the summer before she starts Stanford. Her idol, Jenny Lind will be there, and Dimple just knows that this experience will kick off an amazing career.

Rishi isn't a rebel - he wants a solid partnership just like the one his parents have. When they tell him that he and Dimple have been set up by both sets of parents (old friends) and will get to spend Insomnia Con getting to know each other, he is psyched! He thinks this is the beginning of his real life, leaving behind his comic book art to go to MIT and study engineering so that he can support a family someday soon.

This book was totally swoony. Dimple and Rishi get off to a rough start (a thrown iced coffee is involved), but they each find things to love about the other. There was a lot to like about this book - Dimple and Rishi are both really mature teens, they each already have a passion and fully-formed personalities before they meet and fall in love, not always true in YA romances. This book also presented a nuanced view of what it is like to be a second generation immigrant. Both teens value family, but relate to their parents differently. Their different feelings about being Indian and American also showed how multifaceted this experience is. This was one of my favorite parts of the book, and is so important to represent in teen literature especially. The bilingual passages were handled really well also. Thank you Sandhya Menon for not just translating everything!

The only complaints I have is that this book could get a tiny bit after school special-y in some of the dialog. I'm thinking specifically about Celia's potential participation in the talent show and some of the discussions around culture. The chapter breaks also seemed random - the perspective shifted between Dimple and Rishi in the middle of chapters and sometimes chapter breaks came in the middle of scenes. I didn't like how either of those things chopped up the book. Maybe the chapter thing is an ARC issue.

Overall, though, this was a swoony contemporary featuring a diverse cast, a girl who has a passion for coding, and a fun San Francisco setting. I think fans of Jenn Bennet's <I>Anatomical Shape of a Heart</I> will really like this one!

Dimple and Rishi have been arranged to be married. They're complete opposites. Dimple doesn't like traditional Indian ideals and tries to stay far away from them. She's not interested in finding the perfect Indian husband. Her main priority is this awesome summer program where she can use her web developing skils. Rishi is a hopeless romantic, the perfect Indian boy, total boyfriend material. He can't wait to woo his future wife. Both of them are attending the same summer program because their parents thought it would be a great way to begin their arrangement. And adventure begins.

This book is everything I wanted and more. We have the trope of opposites attract, a swoon worthy romance, a strong independent female lead, a sweet and wonderful male lead, and enjoyable characters overall. Rishi Patel is what book boyfriend dreams are made of. The book is told in dual perspectives, which is great because you get to see what both Dimple and Rishi are thinking. They both have wonderful character development.

This book is about self discovery, love, and family. If you love contemporary romance novels you NEED to read this book. If you only read one book this year it has to be this one.

Dimple has her heart set on winning a summer competition in San Francisco. The grand prize will allow her to work with her dream programmer. This will prove to her traditional Hindu parents that her education and career are more important than finding a spouse and becoming the perfect housewife. Rishi has spent his life striving to make his parents proud of him. He has even given up on his passions in order to fulfill their wishes. One of their wishes is for him to meet his future wife who they've set him up with since birth. Rishi travels to the summer competition to meet the girl of his dreams, Dimple. Unfortunately Dimple's parents never told her about Rishi. Hilarity ensues.

This book was a ton of fun. I loved Rishi and Dimple's relationship. While Dimple's aversion to putting herself out there annoyed me, I did understand her reasoning. The same went for Rishi's aversion to putting his art out there. I love that this book highlighted Hindu culture and the plight first generation kids face trying to hold onto their family culture while being true to themselves. The book took a turn for the Harlequin romance ridiculous but I still enjoyed it. Keep the diverse teen books coming.

A perfect summer read for YA readers! Dimple and Rishi are hilarious, awkward, and adorable ---everything is realistic about this romance! Dimple is choosing to break away from the expectations placed on her by society & family while Rishi wants to accept his more traditional role of beginning a career and starting a family after college. Forced together by their parents, their connection is immediate but tumultuous as they both try to figure out who they are and who they want to be. Everything is here; the witty banter, the steamy attraction, and the continuous fight to be true to yourself while making room for love.

I received an advanced copy of this from NetGalley. It was a light-hearted teen romance. The characters were likeable, but the story was ultra predictable. If you're looking for a light beach read this is the perfect book, but I wouldn't recommend it for someone looking for something of substance.

This book was so adorable! I loved it so much. Will definitely recommend, particularly to readers looking for diverse books.

Can I say how absolutely refreshing it is to read a YA contemporary book in the 3rd person? Can I say how absolutely Dimple’s voice shines through? Can I say how much I love Dimple, her adorable tech-geekery, and the challenges she faces with her parents culture and her own?

Dimple is funny, and smart, and exactly the kind of heroine I needed to spend some time with! And Rishi, what can I say, but his voice jumps off the page too. As soon as I understood that they were being set up, I was rooting for these two to see each other, really see each other. You’ll finish this book refreshed and your heart will be all warm-happy!

I received an e-ARC from Netgalley, but have already asked my library to get a copy for the whole town. That’s how much I love WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI.

This review will be live on Amazon and Goodreads.

I absolutely loved this cover and after reading the synopsis, couldn't wait to get my greedy hands on it.

I loved Dimple and Rishi. They're both so smart and so alike and different at the same time. She's sort of rebelling against the traditional ways of her family and he's all for it and I was captivated by reading them figure it all out.

The plot for the story was delightful. I loved having them thrown into a situation away from home and becoming somewhat dependent on each other. It definitely made for some sweet swoony moments -- as well as some frustrating ones.

Overall, it was quick, fun, and mostly fluffy read. I loved seeing the culture represented and can't wait to get a finished copy on my bookshelf.

**Huge thanks to Simon Pulse for providing the arc free of charge**

This book easily could have been a book abound with stereotypes with dull cookie-cutter characters, but it was a welcome surprise. When Dimple Met RIshi is a book filled with moments that made my heart clench and swoon with fully realized characters that evolve and grow to become their best possible people..with a dash of cultural and feminist commentary. A welcome and necessary piece of diverse literature that fully understands how it feels to be an American-born child of immigrants.

Dimple just wants to be able to go off to college at Stanford and learn computer programming, and get away from her overbearing mother who just wants her to land the Ideal Indian Husband. And wear eye liner. She also really wants to go to Insomnia Con, a weeklong program where she can work on an app and maybe win a prize and meet the programmer she admires. Her parents, surprisingly, are willing to fund this venture, mainly because they think it's another place she might be able to meet someone. When she arrives, it's not long before she runs into Rishi, who tells her he is her future husband. She throws a drink at him. After this rocky start (his parents told him about their attempts to arrange a marriage for the two; hers have not!), the two seem to get along surprisingly well. They are paired in the app competition, realize they have met each other before, and find that they are drawn to each other. There are problems, of course, including the fact that Rishi is going to go to MIT, but they manage to work through these issues and realize that, sometimes, parents have the right idea.
Strengths: Dimple is a great role model-- she wants to become educated and work in a computer field, not just score a husband. Her interactions with her parents are realistic. Rishi is also fun, and the fact that they are both nice people but have completely different relationships with their parents is very interesting. The romance is super sweet, and even though it is definitely more of a college romance, there's nothing instructional in their actions. I would have loved this in high school or college.
Weaknesses: This falls firmly in the New Adult classification of literature, and I think it would not quite work for middle school students. Drat. I would buy this for high schools, however, because it is circumspectly done.
What I really think: I loved this, but I don't think I'll buy it.

This book was everything I wanted and more!!! I absolutely loved it!! I can't wait to recommend it to other readers!!

What a delight! This was SUCH a fun romantic comedy with two completely endearing main characters who learn from each other as they fall for each other. I love how Dimple and Rishi have such different perspectives on their culture and how they grow as individuals as they become closer as a couple. Funny and thoughtful. Highly recommend!

YES YES YES! I want to hug this book so much. The dialogue, the frustrations of fitting in and dealing with bullies, the push and pull between parents' expectations and your own life... it was awesome. I also thoroughly loved how Dimple, Rishi and Ashish all grew and evolved over the book organically and subtly, instead of "Ah, there's the character development". A definite must-read!

A sweet romance that hit all the right notes.

I loved that Rishi was just so genuinely *nice*. The romance genre is so filled with alpha male types, so it was doubly refreshing to see a very romantic male lead. And his niceness wasn't just about him being a unattainably "perfect". His desire to please other people was integral to his character, and overcoming that to recognize that his own desires are worthwhile was a major part of his character arc.

Dimple was also great, and I liked that she had doubts about the entire relationship. Worrying that she's too young, or that she could end up being subsumed in a relationship to where she doesn't recognize herself are legitimate concerns.

If I wanted to nitpick at the novel, I would say that there was too much head-swapping - there were times I felt we were whipping back and forth between the pov of the characters. It's possible that the ebook ARC I was reading was simply not formatted very well. I'm used to some visual cue to indicate that the perspective has switched, like extra spaces between the paragraphs or whatever.

I wish there had been a little more about the nature of Insomnia Con or programming in general. Why was it so important to get the money from the talent contest so they could work with developers during the Con if the app was supposed to be made by the contestants themselves? I also never felt like the students were, er, students learning things and being supported by adults. Other than the contest aspect, what was stopping any of these kids from doing all of this in their own homes? It's relevant because I kept thinking "Wow, Rishi's really distracting Dimple from her end-goal, they never seem to be working on the app." So later when Dimple thinks the same thing it comes across as absolutely true instead of the slightly hysterical I think it was intended as.

If you’re looking for your next cutesy YA romance with lovable characters, then this is it. Dimple is a headstrong future scientist who enjoys coding and computers and sees relationships as a trick to turn her into a housewife instead of following her dreams. Rishi is a traditional future businessman who enjoys pleasing his parents and is a hopeless romantic. Even though it’s their parents who set them up to meet, the two hit it off when they both go to an annual app coding competition the summer before they start college. But what happens in the fall when Rishi goes to MIT on the east coast and Dimple goes to Stanford on the west coast? And what happens if Dimple decides to sacrifice her future career for love? DUN DUN DUN.

This reminded me a lot of <i>Eleanor and Park</i> or <i>The Sun is Also a Star</i>: cute and simple YA where the characters are trying to figure out themselves and the world around them. There’s also lots of racial diversity and a casual bi character along with very headstrong female characters. It was an enjoyable, quick read.

A very cute and current young adult contemporary. I feel it is important that books like this are being made. It is important to show diversity in religion, ethnicity and themes in books for this age group. I appreciated Dimple as a young, strong woman.