I went into this book with really high expectations. Unfortunately, it was a big letdown because of the unchallenged fatphobia and toxicity in the novel. The story might have even worked if it weren't for the MC's internalized and general fatphobia but unfortuantely, in its present form, the toxicity is too jarring to even let the story sink in.

3.75 stars

This was actually the first book I read set in India where a woman is in a successful well paying job, but our protagonist, Zoya, is still reminded daily of how being fat, dark skinned, and 26 is a "flaw" in her character. She is frequently berated by her family and societal pressures to hurry up and get married and lose weight. This is NOT a steamy romance book. There is far more emphasis placed on interpersonal relationships and the dichotomy between traditional values placed Indian women and marriage. It felt as if every step forward I was placed two steps back as Zoya struggled to find her own voice. I was told more about her opinion on wanting things to be more progressive than her actually acting on those desires.

Side note:
I noticed immediately that her job as a designer needed more research or a quick google search because at one point Zoya criticizes her co-workers incompetence at work and the "red space" on a project. In design there is no such thing as "red space". It is white space. This probably irked me more than it should have since I have a degree in design. But if you're trying to sell me on her being a successful designer moving up in the workplace, you need to use the right terminology.

From the beginning I could tell who she was going to end up with, but seeing how smitten the male love interest was made it worth reading. I wish there were more scenes between them to further develop their relationship. The actions the male interest takes towards the end was the equivalent to "that escalated quickly". The romance seemed more like a side plot to the over-arching narrative of body image and traditional values. I did enjoy seeing how close she was to her family and the emphasis on her independence as a working woman. Overall, I would say if you're looking for a quick read about to pick this up.

Had to DNF about thirty percent through. It was honestly getting a bit hard to read; the mc was probably one of the most unlikeable characters I have ever read about, I could not see myself ever possibly rooting for her or being interested in her story so I put the book down. It's 2021, I do not care to read books about girls whose only interests are being jealous of and hating other girls. The writing and storyline weren't well done or interesting enough to save the story, and the rep was cheesy and stereotypical. I had high hopes for this one; so sad to be let down.

A desi author’s book about a fat Indian girl who is pressured to get married - this felt perfect. But the execution was way off. To start with, this book is fatphobic. The main character has internalized all of it and makes such comments both about herself and every single woman she encounters. As a fat Indian woman myself who has to listen to such talk every day of my life, I could have understood if the main character experienced the same but was body positive herself and determined to ignore or standup for herself when she was fatshamed. But when she is the one doing the fatshaming, I couldn’t continue on with the book anymore. It hit too close emotionally and I hated the main character for being that way.

First Off, the Fat MC is EXTREMELY Fatphobic. There were a LOT of descriptions from her about every single woman in her family she's ever met. And finally, i think this book was trying to be a feminist book saying we all have problems and we should be the ones to not hold back and achieve our dreams. But it gets lost with the constant pour of internal fatphobic thoughts and external fatphobia.

I read about 15% of the book, which was enough for me to see that this is not suitable for schools. It is an adult novel. I thought the use of humor and strong self-image of the main character are excellent characteristics of this books. I would recommend it to Southasian women, chicklit circles, and those who enjoy Bollywood. I did not appreciate the profanity.

I don't tend to read a lot of romance. Something about this book however, the title and the cover, just drew me in and I decided to give it a try. And I'm glad I did! This was a very enjoyable book. I'm sure I missed out on some details and references because I would not consider myself knowledgeable about Indian culture, but even so I was able to glean some information just from the text. I definitely enjoyed this one and would recommend it.

I loved this book, It's definitely not a typical romance, i think that's why this book will have a place in my heart!
This is so much more than what the title depicts, I loved Zoya and her ambitions and love for her family, this book will make you laugh, i will definitely read more from this author!
It's such a warm heartfelt read.

Thank you Netgally for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Unique story, although the main character is a bit of a push over and I really don't like female characters to be weakling or pushovers.
But I still enjoyed the story.

This wasn't a bad book by any means, it just wasn't the right book for me. My main problem with this isn't anything that the author could've changed, because it stems from my ignorance.

Have you ever read a book that threw you into a culture you knew absolutely nothing about? That is exactly what this book does. As someone from the United States, I really struggled to understand a culture that was so different than mine. So many times, situations just felt weird to me, and completely threw me off. On top of that, there was a ton of phrases thrown in that I had no grasp of. While this hurt my reading experience, the friend I was reading loved this, as it helped immerse her into the book. I think this truly comes down to your knowledge of Indian culture, and whether you will be able to understand and relate to a culture so different.

Because of the culture difference, i couldn't stand some of Zoya's actions. I'll admit, I don't know much about the beauty standard in India. What I can say though, is that Zoya is not the type of plus sized character I want. I love seeing myself represented in books, but I want characters who are confident in themselves. Zoya made some of the most vile comments i have ever read, and i simply couldn't excuse that. At one point, she admits to wrapping an invisible tape measure around other fat women to check whether they were fatter, and being satisfied when they were. She would make terrible comments like that, and then daydream about food in the same line. This all combined into a character I couldn't stand.

A few key things kept me from enjoying this, but they won't pose problems to everyone! My not liking this is definitely a result of my ignorance, so if you're in the mood for an immersive book, this is for you!

Thanks to Netgalley and Anisha Bhatia for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I would like to thank the publisher’s and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bhatia has done a wonderful job of transporting you to the city of dreams, Mumbai; with vivid descriptions of the hustle bustle of life in the fast paced city. In regards to exploring the breaking of the glass ceiling with many norms being challenged, Bhatia has done a wonderful job with the plot keeping me engaged. I also enjoyed that despite the foundation of the story revolving around marriage, the book itself did not focus entirely on a romance. Rather the reader is presented with a practical and at times emotional journey that the MC undergoes as she attempts to forge a path of her own. There were a few things I struggled with in the book, one of them being Zoya’s internalised dialogue, that at times I found confusing and contradictory. I also wished that Bhatia had explored a little deeper with her side characters rather than subjecting them to stereotypical categories. Overall, this is a great read if you are seeking a read that has elements of culture, society, family and self discovery within it.

I liked Zoya for the most part, but she was such a weak person in her life. She was great at work, but everywhere else, she just let people walk all over her. I was glad for her end decision but not the way she went about it. Not a romance story at all, but there is a hint of romance as a subplot.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars.

I LOVE seeing books with South East rep, especially when the main character isn't this perfect light skinned, skinny girl ideal that a lot of harmful stereotypes are based around. Zoya has been faced with those her whole life. Always too dark, too fat and seen as a burden on her family since she's the only child. Luckily she has a good support system in the terms of her cousins and friends - which are SO important.

Were there things about the book I disliked? absolutely. I think the whole health craze talk was a little absurd. Sure no one wants to let low cal, butter and bread less food forever, but Zoya acting like it was the end of the world for a meal or two was a little over the top. Also the entire pacing of the story seemed a little odd to me, the ex boyfriend seemed more like a unnecessary plot point than anything else.

But the things I LOVED far outweighed the things I didn't. Seeing the women in her family struggle with the patriarchy and the crushing of their own dreams for one was both heartbreaking and surreal. I think about my own mother and wonder what dreams she must've had before her marriage. And I hope that I am bold and brave enough to chase my own. At the root of it, this story is really about sisterly love, and the unspoken bonds and rules women have. I think the ending was perfectly suited for this story.

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Release Date: Expected 13th July 2021



Zoya is twenty-six years old and very single. So by the standards of her exceptionally traditional family, she's practically a spinster. She loves her family, and would love them to be happy - but maybe not at the expense of her own happiness. But now, her aunties have found the most perfect potential match for her ... just as she finally gets an offer for her dream job on the other side of the world.

Before now, the only rebellion happened inside her head, but now she has to make a choice and decide exactly who she wants to be - a loyal daughter and a loving wife? Or a brave, risk-taking independent woman?

But is the world (and Zoya's family) finally ready to realise that women can and will 'have it all?'

I've never been to Bombay, but Bhatti had me transported to another part of the world through Zoya's colourful inner monolouge and vibrant thoughts - she had a beautiful, almost poetic way of describing the world around her as though it was a vivid dream. Zoya was the most perfectly imperfect character and she was so charming right from the moment we meet her, and completely impossible not to love.

As we go on the biggest journey of her life so far, we watch Zoya try to the find the balance - old and new, love and work, tradition or restarting.

This story had such a warmly familiar 'coming of age' feel to it, and just goes to show it doesn't matter how old you are - there's always time to get to know yourself. This was a love story - about family, friends, romance but most importantly about loving yourself.



RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐



Thank you to Anisha Bhatia and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I was very excited for this book as it featured a fat, desi MC and was set in Mumbai, however I couldn't seem to enjoy it. I think that the writing just couldn't pull me in, or maybe it was the wrong timing for me to be reading this book. Either way, it just didn't seem to work for me.

I was bored and it felt like it was dragging on forever. This may be due to the fact I prefer more fast paced books and couldn't have patience for the plot to get thicker.

The Rules of Arrangement by Anisha Bhatia is a wonderful, heartwarming, and contemporary fiction novel that is a breath of fresh air. Yes, this is a contemporary romance, but it is honestly so much more.

I really, really enjoyed reading the story of Zoya Sahni. She is a down to earth, intelligent, realistic, and amazing young woman that has a heart of gold. She is a traditional young Indian woman in the aspect that she is respectful, loyal, and wants to make her family happy, yet she is modern in that she wants more then just to be a housewife wrangled into an arranged marriage. Here we see her internal struggle as she tries to find herself, her place in life, what her own destiny will be, all the while trying to satisfy her own inner thoughts that can at times be self-defeating and the naysayers that balk at the different path that she is seeking. Her journey through this book is what I enjoyed the most.

Zoya is real, raw, fiery, and not presented in the cookie cutter image that a lot of books create for their main female character. Her own personal and external issues are struggles any real woman can identify with. That is what makes her so likable and so endearing...and it is what kept me rooting for her the whole way through.

I loved this book, Zoya, and the messages of accepting oneself flaws and all, that we females are more then just a dress size, hair color, or what society expects of us. We are so much more and we owe it to ourselves to be more like Zoya.

Fabulous!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Alcove Press for this stunning arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Disclaimer: I got this ARC in exchange for an honest review from: @NetGalley.

I loved reading about Zoya's story. She's not the perfect Indian family and has a supportive family for the most part. It's rare to find desi stories where the protagonist doesn't hate her family. I would love to see more stories like this!!

Rules of Arrangement had me laughing, crying, cheering and craving amazing foods I've never even heard of. Anisha Bhatia brings us along and immerses her readers deep in a world steeped with tradition and ambushing aunties as we follow 26 year old, unmarried, Zoya as she struggles to find balance between honoring her family and honoring herself.

Zoya has never fit in and never been allowed to forget it. Her skin is too dark, waist too thick and as she approaches 27 the fact that she is unmarried is a source of shame for her traditional Indian family. Luckily, Zoya's auntie is a successful matchmaker and the race to the alter is on.

While Zoya may struggle to be a Diamond Daughter, she is amazing in her professional career. So amazing that she is up for a big promotion that will whisk her 8,000 miles away to New York City. Far away from family expectation and into a world full of possibilities and freedom.

Zoya tries desperately to reconcile the two side of her life is a uproaringly funny Indian Bridget Jones style tale filled with heart that will not leave your disappointed. I love this book and gave it 5 stars but wish I could give it 6 for all the Harry Potter references!

Wow. This was such a fun book. I wasn’t sure what to expect; the description said Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows meets Crazy Rich Asians and I enjoyed both, so I thought I’d read this too. And I’m so glad I did because this was so fun. I was snorting out loud with laughter! The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the trope about a secret admirer and them never guessing who it is, even though it’s so obvious. Bur this story had heart, family, great characters, and a solid ending. The ending could have gone so many ways, but I think they chose the best.

The premise of The Rules of Arrangement is so good, but the delivery left much to be desired. To be completely honest here it felt like I had read this book on Wattpad (sorry!!). There was a lot of internalized dialogue that didn't bring me closer to the main character, Zoya, and a lot of cliches that didn't bode well with the preemptive themes of the novel. The first half of the novel drags on as you meet the roughly 500 characters and get a sense of the character's life. The second half is where all of the action is and the pace reflects that. I will say that the book is incredibly descriptive and definitely brings the flavors of India to life.

Likes:

Shelia Bua Zoya's closest aunt is probably my favorite character in the novel. She is complex and full of layers that are pulled back piece by piece throughout the novel. Once you think you understand her, there's something that comes along that makes you question that. I got annoyed with her a couple of times, but that didn't make me dislike her character.

Plot: I'm a sucker for books about breaking against the norms of the world and becoming your own person. While this wasn't the most perfect reflection of that, I still liked it. I found the plot to be interesting and kept me reading. I rather enjoyed all of the subplots about Shelia Bua, Tanya, Aisha, and Arnav. They were fascinating and added majorly to the book overall. I actually kept reading because of them.

Setting/Culture: You know when you read a book and you're instantly transported to where it's taking place? That's this book. Bhatia is great at describing the scene. You get a sense of the colors, the scents, the tastes, the overall feel of the scene. It's phenomenal. It was so good that I actually went out and bought samosas because I became that hungry reading the book. Seriously! Her descriptions really brought the book together when the internal dialogue became too much because I was then placed in the world and not just Zoya's head.

Dislikes:

Zoya: You spend a lot of time in Zoya's head and her inconsistent character makes it incredibly frustrating. I understand the need to want to appease your family and follow tradition and yet still want independence and to rebel. That is a very comprehendible dilemma. However, the constant back and forth without any action by Zoya makes her a very annoying main character. She's supposed to be moving the story, that's why she's the MC. Additionally, her internalized fatphobia is incredibly shocking. She has no self esteem and is constantly berating herself for being fat but is also okay with it? Plus the constant descriptions of food and wanting to shove it in her mouth is just off putting. I wanted to root for her. But I couldn't find it in me to do so. She's supposed to be progressive and intelligent but I'm not sure I think she deserved her degrees for the lack of knowledge she has. I was just very upset with her.

Stereotypes: The book relies heavily on stereotypes to continue through. Her "evil" cousin is slim and constantly throws insults at Zoya because she's fat. Zoya's boss is attractive, attentive, and has a heart of gold under his rough outer shell. Her friends are attractive and just progressive enough to bode well with the story, but also traditional enough to make her feel bad about herself. There's more, but I think you get the idea.

Theme :Zoya is from a wealthy family and the only way for her to find happiness is either through an unwanted marriage or to move to New York with a slight promotion makes for a very depressing outlook. I was hoping for some kind of uplifting element to it, whether reasonable or not. There's a bit of a promise at the end, but it leaves more doubts and questions than answers. I was hoping for Zoya to embrace who she is as a dark-skinned, fat woman who has her own hopes and dreams. It's not really there. I was just disappointed. I am probably projecting my own opinions on to the book, so

Long Story Short
Do I recommend this book? Yes, but with a note that this is more of a critique of societal norms than a full blown romance. Honestly if Bhatia were to write a sequel I would 100% be down for it! I want to know how Zoya's life turns out after this novel with everything that happened in this one!!! If you're willing to bare through the internalized dialogue to make it to the great parts of the plot I totally recommend reading this with a plate of dal, samosas, and lassi next to you.