I loved the first book in this series so I was super excited for the 2nd one and I was not disappointed! I love the rich Indian culture that the author weaves throughout the story. I loved the second chance romance between Preeti and Daniel. This book also deals with mental illness. I highly recommend it

First Love, Take Two is the second book in Sajni Patel's romance series, but you can read this as a standalone. Similar to the first book, this has a GORGEOUS cover!! I can't get over it. Ok, moving on.

First Love, Take Two is a second-chance romance with some forced proximity thrown in. The main character Preeti Patel is finishing up her residency, battling her diagnosed anxiety, trying to find a job, a place to live, and all while managing her parent's expectations. Her Indian parents and community want her married and settled, and here she is schemingly set up by one of her best friends, about to move in with her ex from 6 years ago, just as a temporary solution...

Daniel was the love of her life, and the feelings are still there. Can they get past the same issues that caused their split in the first place?

Things I loved about this book:
-How Sanji Patel didn't shy away from talking about Preeti's anxiety; it was such an essential part of the story
-The side characters, especially Daniel's Grandparents
-Allll the food and cooking!
-The friend group that we saw in The Trouble with Hating You

I did a combo of reading and audio with this one and the narrator, Soneela Nankani, was perfect! I felt like she captured Preeti's feelings and emotions perfectly and kept me fully engaged while listening. Thank you to Forever Pub and Hachette Audio for the review copies!

I didn’t read the first one so I feel like I was missing out. I feel like if I read them in order I have would a higher appreciation for this one but it was just ok to me. I still loved the characters

This is a wonderful romance that explores both culture and class between the two lovers. It was neat to follow their careers, how they navigated their second chance at romance, and all the drama with their families. I was rooting for both of them through the whole book! I would totally read more from this author and enjoyed this one. Thank you net galley and the publisher for copy to read and review.

This is the second in The Trouble with Hating You series. I really enjoyed the first book too.

Preeti Patel is doing her residency, and all those years of hard work is about to finally pay off and she’ll be a doctor. But why isn’t she happier about it? Between finding a job, finishing her residency, finding a new place to live, and dealing with family drama she’s suffering from some serious anxiety. Romance doesn’t even rank on her list of worries. Until she is offered a place to crash, only to realize that her ex has also been made the same offer and they have to stay under one roof.

Daniel Thompson still has a place in Preeti’s heart, how is she supposed to deal with everything else life is throwing at her while seeing him every day?!

I quite enjoyed this second-chance romance, and the discussions Preeti had with her friends and family were always so good. With Daniel being Black and Preeti coming from a traditional South Asian family there are issues of racism that came up throughout the book along with a lot of mental health struggles. I loved seeing them both grow throughout the book, but particularly Preeti.

The audiobook was performed by Soneela Nankani who did such a brilliant job. The audio is just over 10 and a half hours long, but I binged it all pretty quickly.

I loved Liya’s story but I really loved Presto’s story more I think. This story deals with some really heavy topics and I think it nicely showed issues that can arise with interracial couples . I loved this second chance complex ex relationship romance with great characters and supporting characters are awesome.

I really liked this book! I liked how the author handles the racism within the characters community and the issues shes struggles with, such as anxiety. I liked seeing her character develops into one who stands up for herself with her aunties. The romance was cute too! If you liked the first book, you'll like this one too!

Preeti Patel has a lot going on. She’s finishing her residency to be a doctor, and she needs to find a job, find a place to live, and make decisions about her marriage. After a college romance that ended in disaster, Preeti has chosen to marry a man from her community, one that her parents approve of. She’s happy with her choice—it’s a smart choice—except for one thing. Her touch aversion keeps her from getting close to him.

When a friend leaves tow suddenly to take a new job, Preeti is gifted an apartment to live in through the end of her residency. It’s perfect for her. But her friend also told another of their friends that he could stay there too. And it’s not just anyone, it’s Preeti’s first love, Daniel Thompson.

At first, Preeti decides she should act like Daniel isn’t there. But she might as well try to not breathe, the way she feels about him. And then, at the end of a very bad day, when Preeti’s anxiety has taken control and she can’t deal with much of anything, it’s Daniel who sees what the problem is and soothes her with his guitar playing. As Preeti is able to relax and get past her anxiety attack, she finds that she can’t help but connect with Daniel again. He knows her, he can touch her without triggering her, and his kindness melts her heart all over again.

But they’ve been apart for six years. She broke up with him suddenly after their college graduation, and she never explained why. She knows that she owes him an explanation. But she can’t being herself to tell him what had really happened, how her aunties had turned against her family, putting her mother in the hospital. And how Daniel’s father had told her in no uncertain terms that she was completely wrong for him. Preeti had been a coward and broken up with Daniel without telling him everything that had happened. She’s not sure she can forgive herself for that, but she would never expect Daniel to forgive her.

Because of all that, Pretti had chosen her family. She had chosen Yuvan, even though she’s not in love with him yet.

But as the days (and the nights) go by, living side by side with Daniel, having him cook for her and help her with her presentation that just might land her the dream job. She finds herself being pulled back into his world, spending time with his sister and their grandparents. But the more time she spends with Daniel and his family, the more she knows that her love for him never left her.

Preeti has to make some big decisions. She has to face her anxiety and decide what’s best for her and and her family. She has to make decisions about her job, about a place to live, about her future. About a marriage with Yuvan or her love for Daniel. She has to tell Daniel the truth and face the consequences.

First Love, Take Two is a deeply moving romance that incorporates family loyalty, cultural obligations, and mental wellness. There is a large cast of characters (which is sometimes challenging to keep straight), but Preeti’s voice is strong and singular. Author Sajni Patel draws readers into Indian culture in interesting and modern ways, and she creates a truly loving relationship of equals in Preeti and Daniel.

I got to listen to the audio version of First Love, Take Two, narrated by Soneela Nankani, and I thought she created a compelling performance. She did a great job with different inflections for the various characters, so it was easy to tell them apart. However, there were a few times that I thought her emotion was a little too high, making Pretti sound more intense than I thought the character was. But overall, listening to this story was lots of fun, adding life and excitement to this sexy story.

A copy of the audio book for First Love, Take Two was provided by Hachette Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I really enjoyed learning reading a rom com where I actually also learn something! Interested and fun, I enjoyed how much the culture added to the story, over-all!

I love a second chance love story and the close proximity trope, so First Love, Take Two was a definite read for me. I loved the tension and ease with which these characters had with each other. I was so frustrated at parts with the fact that so many outside factors were keeping this couple apart. I loved how they interacted with each other. This book was so heartwarming and adorable, but also touched on hard-hitting topics as well such as interracial relationships, mental health, and touch aversion. I was rooting for Preeti and Daniel throughout and found this to be a quick, fun, and enjoyable read!

This book had really great parts, including how people deal with stress, anxiety, and burnout. I enjoyed that it wasn't a traditional romance. There is a lot of struggle and character growth. The chemistry and witty banter really elevate this book as well.

I didn't love the narrator for this book. It sounded more robotic than human and took away from the story overall.

I struggled to get going with First Love, Take Two. My initial take was that it was written almost too well, because I was physically affected by it. The plot and tone has such a high level of anxiety at all times, paired with the constant toxicity in religious settings, that my whole body was clenched. As I read on I likened it to a song coming out one volume from beginning to end. No build, just full on, and I craved balance.

It wasn’t bad, per se, but it was missing a spark that book 1 had. It eventually morphs into the romance, with hot glances and touches. You feel for the characters and root for them as a couple and as individuals, which is one of the things I love about Patel’s writing. She creates two distinct and fully explored characters, not just a couple. And the environment they live in is fully realized. Preeti and Daniel feel real.

Overall, though, the stress level was too off the charts for me. The religious aspects and toxic environment from book 1 continued and multiplied. And while the home situation was different, and gave a slightly different angle, there wasn’t enough new to make me sit up and take notice. The issues of mental health were great. The issues surrounding racism, in that situation, weren’t explored well enough. It was a lot of give and take that left me wrung out.

And perhaps it was just the book issues, but I didn’t love the audiobook narration this time around (same as book 1). There was an over earnest quality to it that irked me. But really, it wasn’t horrible. In the end I think this one just wasn’t the one for me all around.

First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel is a heartwarming contemporary romance about second chances. 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. Along with other themes that deal with mental health and racism, I found the love story at the core incredibly engaging! Preeti and Daniel had great on-the-page chemistry. I really enjoyed the narrator for the audiobook!

BOOK REVIEW📚

Title: First Love, Take Two
Author: Sajni Patel
Genre: Romance
Rating: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🥀

💬 Would you ever give someone who broke your heart a second chance?

✍️ One Sentence Synopsis: Sometimes your first love ends up being your best love, regardless of barriers that might be placed in the way.

💭 Overall Thoughts:
This is not just a straight forward romance. Although there is some great chemistry and witty banter— there are also some serious topics discussed including how cultural and family dynamics can affect a relationship, racism, and making difficult decisions to make things right.

I really liked the exploration of emotion in this one and the character growth. While it does begin with miscommunication, I appreciated how the growth improves the communication between the two main characters so that they are able to tackle difficult discussions together.

Highlights:
🧪 Great chemistry
🌱 Character Growth
🤔 Thought provoking
💨 Well paced
🎧 Audio narration was engaging



⚠️ Content Warnings: racism, difficult family dynamics

Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen to this audio book with request for review.

I absolutely loved this book in audiobook format! The story of a second chance romance that has to fight through so much to be together. Love ALWAYS wins in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Hachette Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: abortion (side-character on page), racism, anxiety, depression, sex-shaming, sick parent, touch aversion

This book covered so many topics well. The burn out of medical professionals (not COVID related). Beautiful reflections of so many cultures, family and what brings us all together, food. Fighting for what you want against societal expectations.

Please note while this is the second book in a series it can be completely read as a standalone.

Steam: 2 (closed door)

Five stars!

Preeti did have me frustrated at times, but I really loved this book!

Preeti practically ghosted Daniel years ago which she felt was her only choice. Now she is forced to live with him for the next few weeks while she finishes her residency and is hopefully getting the job of her dreams.
Now that she has no way of escaping him she finally has to come to clean about why she broke it off with him. Preeti has to overcome her guilt and her insecurities to be honest about her true feelings for Daniel.


The fact that Patel did not throw in a final ridiculous miscommunication moment at the last moment really makes me love her books. I’m not left frustrated at the final 30 minutes of the book because after all this time of communicating and growing a stronger relationship all it took was 1 moment of not listening to xyz for the relationship to almost fall apart!! Preeti may have been difficult and naive, but once they finally got on board with being honest there was no stopping them!

Loved this book. Sajni Patel is able to add heavy themes like mental health flawlessly. The chemistry between Preeti and Daniel was great. Love a good second change romance. I look forward to more Sajni Patel Books. Also loved The Trouble with Hating You!.

Woahhh. This was such a super cute romcom. I don’t even think I have a proper cohesive thought. I did not know this book was part of a series so I'll need to go back and read more but wow! It did not disappoint. But Daniel!!! That man owns my heart, he had me cheesing o so much. I loved it!

So fun! I just adored this book. I loved the quirky and anxiety ridden main character. Felt like i saw a bit of myself in her. This one also had me chuckle a bit at the the dialogue! Loved that.

I loved that this also tackled a bit of racism and putting some in their place. I also enjoyed learning a bit about a different culture. It was really fascinating.

I felt like the main character overcame a lot in this one and i loved that her immediate family were so supportive and loving toward her while she found her way. The character development and the sizzle was all there that kept me wanting more… i say that quite literally too though. I did want a little more steam than i got but it’s ok. That’s my only “complaint”.

This was just a fun and easy read that left me feeling happy.