I truly don’t know who Sajni did it again! I absolutely loved :Liya and Jay’s story, but she also had me falling in love with Daniel and Preeti. One of her chapters perfectly depicted how I believe safety in a relationship should be. I loved EVERYTHING about this story, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
First Love, Take Two is a sweet rom com. Preeti is a Indian woman, raised by very traditional parents, who is still deeply embedded within her Indian community. In college she meets Daniel. He is everything she needs but shouldn’t want. They both fall deeply in love but because of their extremely different upbringings, religions, and their parents goals for their life, they are forced apart. This story follows their journey through self discovery, standing up to racism, and trying to see if they can find their way back to each other.

I had really high hopes for this book as I've seen such great feedback from others but I felt a little let down by it. I didn't hate it by any means but felt like something was missing. I still recommend it to others as feels are always very subjective.

I did enjoy the forced proximity this book encountered, as well as the strong female friendships. I enjoyed reading about Preeti's struggles with being a doctor, as well as her family. It dealt well with emotions and anxiety and I'm glad they were addressed.

There seemed to be some communcation issues in this book that really had me questioning. Some cofnlict would have been avoided if characters had just talked with each other. That was slightly irritating to see when it seems like such an easy thing to do (and I know, its always easier said than done in reality).

I really wish we could have seen flashbacks to the past to see Daniel and Preeti's develop their relationship. Their connecton seemed to be lacking a bit and flashbacks may have helped here.

Overall, still enjoyed this book and would recommend to friends!

Thank you to ReadForever and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

“Love is enough. Its society's views and old-world thinking that broke everything.”

First Love, Take Two is a cute and heartwarming story about, yes second chances. I can't gush enough about how much I love the 'second chances' romance trope, so I was definitely all into this one. I really appreciate the tension between Preeti and Daniel and I loved how they were fully fleshed-out characters.

Despite being a heartwarming book it does tackle some serious issues such as mental health, interracial dating and racism. But despite the heavy issues I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Final rating: 4.5

I loved this book a lot! There was so much more to it than a romance. So many important conversations had!

This was a second chance romance that took me for a ride. Although there was a lot to do with miscommunication, which usually isn’t my thing, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved all the side relationships as well.

I will admit this book did take me a bit to get into, but once I was in I couldn’t put it down! Some of the chapters dragged and I think we could’ve added a lot to the book if there were chapters with Daniel’s perspective.

The family and friendships that were explored throughout the book made my heart so full. This book also talked heavily on religion/roles and racism. Both are very real topics that need to be discussed and I think the author did a great job of exploring that.

I wanted to like this book, but I didnt really like the author's writing style. At first it started off fun and modern, but as it went on, the way the author wrote made the FMC sound really whiney and immature. While I think this book has a lot of potential, touching upon some really interesting topics with familial duty and race relations etc, I don't think they were explored well enough.

I wanted to continue reading this book, but the immature voice of the FMC really turned me off, making this a DNF for me.

Second chance romances are not my favorite trope but when it works, it works. This. Book. Worked! FIRST LOVE TAKE TWO by Sajni Patel focuses on Preeti and how she broke up with Daniel 6 years ago because of external cultural and family differences and not a day goes by that she doesn't think about him. When she's forced into proximity with him, all past bets are off.

When I tell you the TENSION between these two was thicker than a cement wall protecting a vault underground holding the secrets to the universe, it still wouldn't do the thickness justice. These two were on FIRE! The past regrets were looming constantly, their flirting was unstoppable, and their communication was abysmal. I was rooting for these two from the start but these children just couldn't get it together which is, of course, the purpose of the book but I digress.

The cultural, race, and financial differences discussed in this book were really interesting and I liked how everything was addressed. How the conflict was resolved was good for the most part, one scenario was impressive but the other was melodramatic. One other nitpick I have is that the author used certain phrases and names of people excessively in a small amount of sentences. This might not bother people but it was really irrationally irritating to me.

This book was such a great complement to THE TROUBLE WITH HATING YOU and I loved all the cameos from other characters! I look forward to other books by this author! If you haven't checked out Sajna Patel and these two books you are missing out!

Thank you @readforeverpub for the review copy!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, I loved their second chance romance. I also enjoyed everything they were put through. One reason I love reading diverse books about cultures in not personally familiar with is that I always learn something new. I like seeing how different yet very similar they are to how I grew up. I like how she handled the race situation and the stigma on mental health.
This was a very satisfying read that hit all my points for a five star read.

I really loved book one and was looking forward to this book. However, a second chance romance without an idea of the original romance is difficult. Daniel is sweet but I do not feel like I know him at all. The main focus is on the heroine and all the terribleness of her family.

It just did not work for me and I am so sad about that.

Why is it that I always have the hardest time writing a review for a book that I adored and/or that put me through the emotional ringer? What to say about this book? It was an emotional journey, and one I couldn’t put down. There’s something about second chance love stories that always gets to me. They feel like you’re talking to a friend, hearing their story. You get to see the growth and emotional work, and it just feels that much more real. While, obviously Preeti and Daniel's love story is the central focus, this book had so much more depth: family dynamics and issues, friends, culture, racism, mental health and anxiety, touch aversion, feeling like you need to solve all the problems yourself. The meddling friends, and forced proximity definitely helped provide the some levity and spark to the story. Also did I mention there’s an acoustic guitar, only one bed….

After my mini review on When Sparks Fly I have been DMing with some many people who had similar feelings on the book/ Declan…. The theme of those discussions are how we need more leading men who are actively working on their “stuff” and have already put in the work, are in it for the long haul, vs those looking for our heroine to do the hard work to save them. Daniel solidly falls into that camp, of having put in the work, and what he does as support of Preeti is 100% what we need more of!!! Have you read this yet? I’m anxious to hear what you think!

This is the second book in The Trouble with Hating You series and I think it was better than the first! Preeti is one of Liya’s best friends and finds herself in need of a place to live. Liya offers her apartment she is no longer using but on one condition: Daniel, Preeti’s first love and ex, is going to living with her for 3 weeks. Preeti is struggling with finding a job after her residency is over, a new apartment, her pending engagement (to someone she doesn’t think she’ll be able to love), and now living with her ex. Could her anxiety levels get any higher? Will she choose her parents’ happiness over hers or will she try to give true love a second chance?
This is not your typical romance, it has many other issue going on within the storyline. It explored the traditions and family expectations in the Indian culture, mental health issues of someone in the medical field, classism, and racism. Daniel’s father doesn’t think Preeti is good enough for his son and that she won’t fit into his “world.” Preeti’s family (her aunties) don’t like that fact that Daniel is Black. At times, the story felt like it had too many topics going on at the same time but I think the author did well covering everything. I don’t think the story would have been as good if the classism and racism topics weren’t an issue. Family drama is really high throughout this book. Daniel is butting heads with his father in his work life and personal life. Preeti is dealing with her potential fiancé and his family, her parents and aunties, her next steps in her career, all while trying to deal with her anxiety. I liked how Preeti’s anxiety was not presented as a weakness and she showed great strength in seeking help. Daniel did what he could to help when Preeti was feeling anxious but also helped her realize her anxiety was something that needed he attentional a professional. Again, I didn’t like that the setting was very generalized and no Houston landmarks made any appearances. Overall, I really like Preeti and Daniel’s story and felt their story was better than Liya and Jay. Also, the author’s dedication was really sweet.

As you can probably guess from the title, First Love, Take Two, features one of my favorite romance tropes: "second chance at love". Preeti and Daniel are exes who ended their relationship due to pressures from their families but reunite when they both move into a mutual friend's apartment. While they try to keep things platonic, it does not take long for their feelings towards one another to come out again. Patel, the author, does a fantastic job tackling a difficult subject - how someone's cultural background and family can influence their relationships with others - while also writing a swoon-worthy romance novel that you won't be able to put down!

I've been anticipating reading this book ever since I devoured The Trouble with Hating You back in February, and this book was worth the wait!!

In the second book of the series, we are following Preeti and Daniel, a Blindian couple that broke up six years ago but never stopped loving each other. The book starts when our MC from The Trouble with Hating You, Liya, offers her place to both Preeti and Daniel. We love forced proximity!! After six years of running away from their relationship, Preeti knows it's about time Daniel learns why she broke up with him with no explanation. Yet, with Preeti's anxiety mixed with complicated family dynamics, saying what you need to say isn't always so easy.

Y'ALL. The chemistry between Preeti and Daniel was off the charts! There was so much flirting and taunting and sexual tension and I was so here for it. Simply put, I could not put this book down, and I just need more romances from Sajni Patel ASAP. Unlike other second-chance romances I've read/watched on TV/seen in real life, the premise of this one, where they initially broke up due to a mix of conflicting family values and bad mental health, kept me rooting for them the whole time. Besides the romance, I loved the representation of South Asians seeking therapy for their mental health. I also love how, like in The Trouble With Hating You, we once again see our MC stand up to their toxic Indian community, this time concerning anti-blackness.

If you read and loved The Trouble with Hating You, I would highly recommend First Love, Take Two. The only negative in the book I would note is that some plot points felt a little rushed, but I was so invested in their romance that I barely cared.

This one explores a lot of hard issues with racism, mental health, families, different cultures, and when you get to pick your life. Parts will make you laugh and then cry the next chapter. This touches a lot of mental health and how its still viewed in main stream but also different communities and how long it takes for people to ask/get help. This one will make you want to yell at them to talk- many times "just talk please you two" over and over- in true second chance fashion they are trying to learn from their past issues.

We get all the characters from book one and they come in perfectly! I can't wait to see more of this series and more of the ladies to get their HEA.

we also get a hint of steam with them. I also want her red dress :)

I listened to the audiobook and just loved it! The narration was amazing!

4 stars
3 steam

Thanks to Hachette Audio for a copy of this audiobook

Nearly finished with her medical residency, Preeti is still looking for a permanent job. Her traditional Indian family is eager to see her matched and married, and she just found out she needs to find a new place to live. Could her anxiety levels get any higher? Turns out, yes — her temporary apartment apparently also comes with her ex as a roommate. Preeti left and broke Daniel’s heart years ago, for complicated reasons she’s never explained. Will they get a second chance at romance, and if so, can they make it work despite the disapproval of both their families?
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This isn’t necessarily your typical contemporary romance—there’s a lot going on here. I liked that the story explored Indian culture through both the closeness of family and the pressures of traditional expectations. I was also glad to read a book that focuses on mental health from the perspective of a high performer suffering with anxiety. Preeti is someone who gets it done and makes it happen—she’s awesome; yet, her anxiety is always lurking in the background. And on top of all of that, there is of course the Preet/Daniel storyline. At times, this all felt like a lot of topics to cover simultaneously, and I do wonder if it might have been more effective to not try to tackle so much. However, I flew through this book and was invested in Preeti’s character arc. If you’re a contemporary romance fan, I think you’ll like this one!

Thank you to Forever for the chance to read and review a free copy of this book!

Sometimes you read a romance novel, and you get a glimpse of a potential couple and you desperately hope that the author will write about them next. This was the case with Sajni Patel’s First Love, Take Two I had a feeling that I would love Preeti and Daniel and I’m glad I was proven right!

From their first reunion, it’s obvious that Daniel and Preeti were made for each other. No one else is able to help Preeti with her anxiety like Daniel can and no one is able to support Daniel working through with his difficult relationship with his father like Preeti. There is so much chemistry and sexual tension between Daniel and Preeti in the book that you just want to keep reading through their various miscommunications, misunderstanding and the plethora of obstacles from both families to see them finally get together. I love how they start off as awkward roommates, then go back to being friends again before anything truly romantic takes place.

While I adored them both as individual characters, Preeti in particular won me over with just how passionate she is about her work as a family doctor, and I love how this book shows that everyone, even healthcare practitioners, can have mental health struggles. This doesn’t mean you can’t be successful and have a fulfilling life and career. You just need to remember to take care of yourself and get the proper help when you find things to be too much.

As with The Trouble With Hating You, Patel once again uses the characters in her books and their situation to criticize the toxic dynamics in the South Asian religious community and shows us that the reality is that it’s not just white people who can be racist towards others. It was also refreshing to read a romance where there was opposition from not just one side but both sides,of the couple, on top of the classicism and racism. Fortunately, Daniel and Preeti also have some amazing family members as well and Preeti of course, also has her amazing, kick-ass friends who unconditionally always have each other’s backs. My favourite part of this book would have to be when all their supportive loved ones come together for a special grand surprise near the end.

If you love a satisfying, second chance romance, then I would recommend First Love, Take Two! The story and characters will both warm your heart and make you tear up in the best possible way.

First Love, Take Two was absolutely incredible. I personally loved it even more than The Trouble With Hating You! I related to Preeti so much, from her thoughts on her own Indian culture to her relationship with her family, and the way that Sajni Patel wrote her character made me feel more seen than I've experienced in a while. I loved seeing the complex dynamics within the Indian community. One of my favorite things about this book was the way that Preeti's anxiety was portrayed. It felt so realistic and on top of that, the way that Daniel helped her with her anxiety was so perfect. The moments when he helped calm her down after a panic attack were some of my favorites.

Yay for second chance romances! I loved First Love, Take Two. This book was such a great continuation of Sajni Patel's series. I love the Indian representation in this book and its discussion of mixed race relationships. Preeti and Daniel had quite a past to sort through with both their relationship and their families. And Sajni made that come alive for me as a reader. And who doesn't love a man that can cook? This was such a fun read. I can't wait for the next book featuring this group of friends!

On the verge of realizing her dream of being a doctor, Preeti Patel should be ecstatic. But between the stress of her residency, trying to find a job, and managing her traditional, no-boundaries family, Preeti's anxiety is through the roof. Relationships and love aren't even an option. Fortunately, Preeti's finally found a new place to stay . . . only to discover that her new roommate is her ex.

Preeti never quite got over Daniel Thompson. Super-hot, plenty of swagger, amazing cook—the guy is practically perfect. And if it weren't for their families, there might have been a happily ever after. But it's hard to keep her sanity and libido in check when the man of her dreams is sleeping mere feet away. Can Preeti and Daniel find a way to stand up and fight for each other one last time . . . before they lose their second chance?

First Love, Take Two is the second installment in the Trouble With Hating You series; however, I feel that it works wonderfully as a standalone as well. I loved getting to revisit some characters and scenarios that were in the first book but the story itself had its own issues and challenges for the main characters and it was easy to differentiate it from the previous story.

First Love, Take Two deals with real everyday issues like racism, the challenge of moving on, love, friendship, anxiety, and trying to establish yourself. My personal favorite thing about this story is that Sajni Patel once again proves that she is absolutely terrific at forming strong female characters that can not only stand on their own but they can also be vulnerable and open.

TW: racism, anxiety, touch aversion, miscarriage

I really enjoyed this sequel to The Trouble with Hating You.

This was a slow burn romance; however, the sexual tension between Preeti and Daniel was jumping off the page!

Preeti’s character really resonated with me as someone who didn’t want to burden her friends with her problems. I also loved Daniel’s grandparents - they were so sweet!

This is my favorite second chance romance as the reason for Preeti and Daniel’s breakup made perfect sense to me. I also loved the portrayal of the forced proximity/ one bed trope, which is one of my favorite romance tropes!

What I appreciated:
- the unique pairing of an Indian female and a Black male protagonist
- the depiction of racism within meddling communities
- the parental and community pressures to marry within your own community or someone of similar socioeconomic status
- the representation of a character who experiences touch aversion and anxiety
- how even doctors can suffer from anxiety, how much of a toll dealing with tough incidents can take on a doctor, and how it is not easy to get a job as a medical resident