As far as the content of the book: This book was a quick, cute read, the second book to the trouble with hating you series, telling Preeti and Daniel’s story. This book was enjoyable, I just really enjoyed the trouble with hating you more.

As far as the narrator: I really couldn’t follow along with the narration of this story, the voice was just not for me. It sounded too robotic.

Preeti’s dreams are all coming true, she is finishing up residency and has had several interviews for a full-time position, she even has all the cases necessary to finish her research. But, when her roommate returns home from her honeymoon, she realizes she needs to find a new place like yesterday. While trying to avoid moving back in with her parents, she takes her friend up on her offer to share an apartment with another mystery roommate until she decides where her full-time job will take her. However, it turns out the mystery roommate is none other than her ex, Daniel Thompson, the one she suddenly left and never really got over.

There is no better rom com than the throwing together of two former lovers, with unfinished business and unresolved feelings, into a small space. Of course, sparks will fly, the feelings will get resolved (usually in the bedroom), and it will all play out in swoon worthy fashion. But where First Love, Take Two differs from your stereotypical rom com is that it dives right into all the hard things. From differing cultures, Indian and Black, to wealth struggles, to racism, familial drama and more, it all plays out across the pages of this far from average romance read.

This is the second book in The Trouble with Hating You series, and while I have not read the first book I followed and enjoyed this book entirely as a standalone. Although after all the issues and themes encountered in this read it is not a stretch to say book one, The Trouble with Hating You, has certainly moved up the to-be-read list!

Thank you for this audiobook! I really enjoyed the narrators. I know they play a key role in whether the book is perceived well or not, and I really enjoyed them.

Read it if you love:
✨Second chance romance
✨INCREDIBLE chemistry
✨Realistic mental health rep
✨Honest insights about racism in relationships
✨Excellent female friendships
✨ONE BED!

Now that I rushed through The Trouble With Hating You, this one definitely reads as a stand-alone and follows the similar trend of the Kiss Quotient series with some minor reoccurring characters! It also felt like a similar series in that it did a great job being a diverse read with strong multiracial leads!
Sajni also did a fantastic job at addressing some important topics of anxiety, mental health, racism and culture stigmas.

It was incredibly endearing and heartwarming but also fun, witty and full of combustible tension! If second chance romances are your favourite trope, this one is definitely for you!

3.5 stars rounded to 4 for good reads

✨Any hot men want to tell me they will always love me and insist on taking care of me when I am having a hard day?✨

This was a good book, and I am so glad that so many people are enjoying it. I would definetly recommend this to people. I just had a few issues I wanted to make sure I pointed out as well.

Tropes:
🥺 second chance romance
👀 forced proximity
🛌 there’s only one bed
👯‍♀️ strong female friendships
🔥 slow burn

CW: racism, anxiety, family tensions, mentions of s*xual assault

First things first, Daniel Thomspon. . . you can call me, massage my feet, play music in front of my door, or anything any time you want. That man had me swooning. He was so wonderful, loving, understanding, patient.

I really enjoyed reading Preeti’s struggles with being a doctor and with dealing with her family. It was so beautiful to read.

This book was filled with emotion and deep topics and dealt with wonderfully. I am so glad that Patel decided to tackle those topics.

The ending of this book was just *chef’s kiss* The way Preeti popped off at those Aunties and chose to be happy with Daniel? I couldn’t have asked for more.

Now my few issues.

1. While I think that the stereotype of bitching toxic aunties can definitely be prevalent for some people today, it not as common a thing as literature is making it seem. Especially in America. Times are changing and so is this community. I was so happy to see that at least Patel didn’t fall into the stereotype of strict parents who abhor just the mention of happiness and love. But I am still tired of seeing the toxic light the South Asian community is painted in. Neither my gazlion brown friends nor myself have ever encountered the “toxic, two-faced brown aunty group.” Even if you do encounter one or two, there are so many other people you can turn to. Not every Aunty is toxic, not every parent is trying to shove women into an arranged marriage, not every mandir is a toxic environment, not every practitioner of Hinduism is a hypocrite, etc. These are quite archaic stereotypes, really only seen in extremely conservative families or rural areas (just like it is for all cultures).

One thing that really enraged me is the scene where Preeti asks why Hinduism believes that women are unclean on their period and not allowed to touch anything. Please let me clarify. That is a social norm enforced by the patriarchy, it is NOT a part of Hinduism. The practice actually initially started to make sure women stayed at home and relaxed and don’t feel pressured to go to the temple when they are on their period. It is the patriarchy that years later turned it into a way to oppress women. Nowhere in any original scripture or practices is it said that women are to be treated that way. Women are supposed to be respected and revered in Hinduism. I was really upset how Patel casually mentioned it but made it seem like it’s a part of our religion.

2. Communication. There was zero communication in this book. Between Preeti and Daniel and between Preeti and her wonderful parents. I really don’t understand why. I hate when conflicts are caused because people didn’t communicate. I felt so bad too, because so many of Preeti’s problems could have been solved if she just talked about it with someone. Now I understand when you are in a toxic situation and can’t talk to anyone about it, but everyone who got hurt by her lack of communication were such kind and understanding people. They never gave the vibe that they would be angry when she told them the truth. I especially felt bad for Daniel when she kept pushing him away and didn’t talk to him when all it would take is a conversation. Communicating is hard, I know. But I wished I had seen at least a little.

3. The off page history. You guys know I am a wh8re for second chance romances. But the off page history needs to be done well and their development today needs to be done well. I felt both characters were already in love with each other so we didn’t get to see development in the present. And we didn’t see much of the past so we didn’t get that either. I was just told they have chemistry and history and went along with it. I was a little disappointed.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. I had a few issues with it so I docked a few points. But I really do recommend it. If you guys can pick up the audiobook, definitely do! I really enjoyed it and the narrator was great. She definitely pronounced some words the “white washed” way but nothing too atrocious. It was just kind of funny. I had a great time with the audiobook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Steam: closed door

Thank you to ReadForever (Estelle and Dana ❤️), Sajni Patel, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️

𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨!

Witty banter, a strong female heroine, second chance romance, diverse characters with cultural differences and mental health discussions. This story had everything and it was a joy to listen. This was my first book from this author and it won’t be my last. Now I need to pick the first book in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘈𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

I am very much a fan of forced proximity, second chance romance, and only one bed, and I really enjoyed that this book contained all of those elements. I also appreciated the exploration of racism in Preethi’s South Asian community and the discussions surrounding her mental health. The author didn’t shy away from exploring the toll Preeti’s anxiety had taken on her life and her relationships, though I did kind of roll my eyes at a doctor blaming herself for her mother’s heart attack. I didn’t feel super connected with Preeti and Daniel’s relationship — as with a lot of other one POV romances I’ve read, he seemed too good to be true, and I didn’t feel like we fully explored why he loved her and had been pining for her for six years. I also was a bit uncomfortable with some of the scenes at the beginning when Preeti was still technically engaged. I felt like I missed out of a bit of info, especially in the beginning of the book, from the first installment in this series, so I may pick that one up to try to fill in some of those blanks!

Narrator 5 stars
Beautiful voice doing all the different accents

Story 3.5 stars

This isn't the standard romance novel, but a bit more gritty and real. It was really enjoyable, and educational learning things about the Indian culture.

4.5 stars - This one's in my top 5 of 2021! I loved everything about this story, it has plenty of humor, romance, and real-life problems.

If any of these interest you, then add this to your TBR now:

*Forced proximity
*Second chance romance
*Strong female lead
*Anxiety/Depression
*Touch aversion
*Diversity

While this is a great series, each book can be read as a stand alone. This is a wonderful representation of the difficulties between families, especially when there's a difference of religion or race.

Aside from the main characters (which I honestly couldn't get enough of), the most entertaining part of the story for me was Preeti's best friends, and I never wanted the audiobook to end.

First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel is my favorite book of her series so far. Of course, I'm intrigued by anything medical-related, so when I saw this would be Dr. Preeti Patel's story, I knew I would love it! This story is a second-chance forced-proximity romance between Preeti and Daniel. I appreciate the authentic inclusion of mental health and anxiety addressed with the main character. I highly recommend this book and audiobook because you will not regret falling for this love story!

Thank you, Forever and Hachette Audio, for my complimentary copies for this honest review.

I loved this audiobook!!! I fell in love with all the characters. Loved the narrator. This was a great heartfelt second chance lovers book.

A Solid Read!!
Highly Recommend .
The voice made me feel like was living in Preeti's skin & shoes
One of the best audiobooks.

About Book:
Want to know the reason why I don't date or even think of the possibility of Love marriage.. or why I'm terrified if I'll fall in love with guy not chosen by parents.. ahh!! Read this Book . You'll. Know
It's not just me.. most indians are the same.

It'll always come to choice between parents and loved one..Cast, community,relatives, elders what not!! - All of these will be objections
yess those auntys and uncles of ours who every info ABT us within a breath reach and text message of 5G speed level are more than happy to spread it!
The ultimate blame will always be the Women & her parents for falling in love .. ridiculous I know ..but that's how it plays most of the times


This book shows the story of Preeti who's an Indian American who fell in love with an Black American during her college days and had the best thing in the world ..lived life to limits in their true love bubble but then when you're found dating a guy .. everyone's against them!! She doesn't know what to do so she sacrifices her oy true love
Now, 6 years later he's back and also wants to know the reason behind their break up
Forced to love under same roof she doesn't excatly have a choice but to tell the truth

This book also shows how so many myths and taboos are holding us back from living life trulyy.. it shows that speaking out is strength and it's okay to ask help and stand for yourself

Well portyed all fears and decision making problems with every indian girl .. it's a perfect read

✨ Humor attached to the book with the significance of depths into characters feelings and emotions
✨Myths tackled
✨Friends circle
✨ Value and worth of true love 💗
✨ Indian American culture, racism tackled
✨Clean romance( fade to black scenes nothing graphic I'd say fully clean)
✨ Originality and Accuracy of the story line

So overall I do recommend this book
It's a great one time read, I'm Sure it'll be interested for most of you who don't know what's it like to be in indian girls shoes ..we are strong in a unique way!
Every indian can attach deeply to the problems faced by Preethi .


🔊 Audio book review: The Audiobook was great, it's lovely and so accurate ..and engaging ..the voice justified every character
For the audiobook I'd say it's 5 stars
Loved listening to it!!

I definitely recommended the audiobook version if it's what you're looking for

*Thank you @netgally and saga audio for an free audio book version in exchange for an honest review

I adored the first book in this series and immediately knew I needed to start this one when I finished. As in, I started less than an hour after putting The Trouble with Hating You down.

First Love, Take Two follows Preeti who is so close to achieving her dream of becoming a doctor. When her friend Liya offers Preeti her apartment, it seems like her life is coming together perfectly. Until she realizes her new roommate is her ex, Daniel, who she never completely got over.

Sajni Patel is amazing at creating characters who seem so relatable. She doesn’t shy away from challenging topics, but writes about them in a way that feels so real. In this book, I appreciated the way she handled Preeti’s anxiety and some of the challenges of being in an inter-racial relationship. Aside from that, I adored this romance. Despite all of the things going against them, I was rooting from Preeti and Daniel from the start. I loved them together. I adored how Daniel was so caring and patient with Preeti’s anxiety. But most of all, I loved Preeti as a main character. Her growth throughout the story is so beautiful. I could keep raving about this book, but I’ll let y’all read it for yourselves.

The audio of this one was so well done. The narration was incredibly easy to follow and engaging!

Thank you to Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copies.

>>Audio Review Only<<
Due to the personally triggering nature of this book, I was not able to finish the audiobook, but I listened to enough to comment on the quality of the audio.

Narrator Soneela Nankani weaved together a compelling voice for the Heroine, Preeti Patel and hero, Daniel Thompson. Her use of accents was well done and gave a good portrayle of the different cultures and ethnicities of the main characters and side character.

The pacing of the reading was easy to listen to and definitely added to the quality story telling.

This audiobook was well produced and will be a joy for listeners who are in the right space to enjoy this book.

I loved this. I completely enjoyed the storyline and the flow of this book. Even the issues they had with their families stepping into their love lives felt very real and very possible. Personally I felt seen by having a character like Preeti who is dealing with anxiety and touch aversion.

I know this is billed as a romance, but the romance wasn’t what kept me reading: it was the realistic representation of a female living with anxiety. I enjoyed seeing Preeti navigate her work as a chief medical resident while secretly battling anxiety and anxiety attacks. Daniel, our second MC, is now on my list of book boyfriends; how can I not add him? He knew exactly what to do when Preeti had an anxiety attack and navigated the intense family dynamics so well.

Recommended for fans of:
-forced proximity/ONE BED
-second chance romance
-interracial romance
-medical field stories
-anxiety representation
-female friendships
-book boyfriends (who cook & understand anxiety)


CW: anxiety, miscarriage (minor character), touch aversion, racism, family bullying

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC copy in exchange for my honest review. “First Love, Take Two” is out 9/21!

The Trouble with Hating You was one of my favorite books last year. I had high expectations coming into this one and it did not disappoint. 👏 Preeti Patel is about to have her professional dreams come true but can't seem to stop walking thru life in an anxiety ridden daze. She has to find a temporary place to live as she finishes up her residency, when her friend offers her apartment. One catch, her first love Daniel whom she broke up with six years ago is her temporary roommate. I devoured this one. Stayed up late, locked myself in my room type of devour. It was so good. I love second chance, first love trope and this one was so well done. I need a physical copy for my shelves! I listened to the audio and I loved the voices, really brought the story to life.

I loved this book, but I must say it was not the romance novel I was expecting. This book included some very heavy topics including cultural conflict that leads to racism and mental health that fit well in the novel, but just different. I really enjoyed Preeti and Daniel's characters and complicated relationship. If you do not mind these sensitive topics and enjoy a complex ex relationship, then I recommend this book to you!

I also had the pleasure of listening to the audio, so I was able to switch back and forth depending on what was going on during my reading time. The narrator did an excellent job, and I would highly recommend this as an audiobook.

This was a really cute second chance romance. Preeti is a doctor who broke up with Daniel (the love of her life!) when Daniel’s dad told her she would never fit into Daniels life properly. So for 6 years they both have been very in love with each other, but Daniel has been so confused since Preeti offered no explanation for the breakup. But now so many years later, they both need a place to stay temporarily and are offered the same place. So they have to live together and even though Preeti is almost engaged, she knows she will never feel the same was about anyone else that she feels for Daniel.

I really liked this book. I thought it was fun and a cute story to listen to. It was not at all confusing on audio and I really loved the narrator. I think some of the descriptions were a little too cheesy for my liking, but I really liked the characters and I liked how strong Preeti was to stand up to her family. I liked the audiobook a lot I just wished it was clearer to hear once the speed was increased and wished there was another option between 2x and 2.5x the speed.

First Love, Take Two was my first book by this author and although it is the second book in The Trouble with Hating You series, I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I was just excited to read this book about second chances with first love.

Right from the beginning, we feel that Preeti is a little bit higher on anxiety. She is finishing up her residency and about to become a "real doctor". The pressure with that, with her family and with family pushing her settle down with a nice Indian man, it seems like everything is coming to a head for Preeti Patel. But soon she is living in an apartment with her ex, Daniel. What good can come of that??

I loved the forced proximity situation and of reconnecting with a first love, especially since that relationship ended very unexpectedly. But since we only get Preeti's POV, it leaves us guessing what Daniel's feelings are towards Preeti. Sometimes his feelings seem obvious, other times I'm left waiting until the next scene between the two characters. And the tension between them is hot!! But that's what it is most of the time. Tension and a tease, but no release ;). I just wish we would've gotten a little bit more physical connection between the two because it was so evident and I ADORED Daniel.

Overall, I enjoyed this light yet predictable story. It was comfort reading, but with the added issues of mental health, racism and obviously rekindled first love. I liked that the author dealt with serious issues and battled them head on. Adding in the families dynamics of the main characters was eye opening as well. As I listened to the audio, I have some thoughts on this aspect. I enjoyed the narrator. She excelled when she was performing her dialogue but when she was performing the "in between" writing, it seemed to be too much performance. I'm not a fan of monotone and always like to hear a better performance but this one seemed over the top and sometimes pulled me out of the story. With that said, the book was still well written and the story was enjoyable. I may just have to go back and check out the first book now.