Member Reviews
This book is soooo cute. I have heard such good things about this prior to reading it and I was not disappointed!
If you are looking for a short story that manages to have fantastic character development then this one is for you! I was absolutely rooting for and invested in the characters!! I like the pacing and laughed out loud several times! I could see where it may be a little cheesy for some, but I personally love a happily ever after!
A little cheesy for my taste but I get it it’s a love short story so it’s bound to be. The pace was good. And I really enjoyed reading a story about a different culture than my own.
I couldn't finish this book because I was just not into it.
I was impressed with the things she showed in such a short story but I think that was the problem. It all felt rushed like it was made to fit so much depth in a short story.
The plot was good but it was just not for me.
Sonali Dev has written several novels that update stories by Jane Austen. I very much enjoyed the two that I read and recommend them. Those were Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors, and Recipe for Persuasion. It is clear from the titles which Austen books they were based upon. I found these titles to be absorbing easy reads that I looked forward to spending time with at the end of the day. There is a new book based on Emma coming out in May and I plan to read it and also last year’s Incense and Sensibility.
The Wedding Setup is a short story by the popular author. It is free on Amazon Prime or available to purchase for ninety-nine cents.
In this short story readers meet Ayesha. She has put her wild days and own needs on the back burner in the aftermath of a family tragedy. Ayesha has been working in the family restaurant rather than pursuing her own dreams.
When there is a wedding to attend, Ayesha’s mother wants to fix her daughter up with a doctor. Ayesha has done so much for her family but can she go so far as dating someone for her mother? What if there is someone else with whom she wants to be in a relationship?
Relax, read and know it will all be okay in this delightful short story. I recommend it and the author’s other books. (There are also non Jane Austen themed ones that I have not read as yet.)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this title. All opinions are my own.
A very short, but poignant story that delves into family obligations, love, loss and really hits in the feels. Initially I was worried it would be something I couldn't relate to but then it took shape and I truly felt all the emotions that Ayesha went through. I don't often pick up short stories, but this one packed a big punch in a little fist (I made that up, it felt right...). I've never been dealt a loss like Ayesha, so I couldn't say what I would've done in her position BUT I do feel that there was too much miscommunication (and resentment) towards her mother that she could've saved herself a lot of trouble and heartache had she not assumed her mothers intentions. While there were very intense and emotional scenes, Sonali lightened the mood with such well-placed and hilarious scenes that STILL have me thinking about them to this day. Worth the read if just for the 'Good Doctor' and a locked bathroom; -)
Like her other works, this short story had the heart and strong backstory to make you truly care about the characters and root for them to get together.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to listen to The Wedding Set Up by Sonali Dev.
This was a very cute short romantic book where self development was caused by her brothers loss, the loss of the man she loved as well losing herself. Ayesha decided to put her wild nights away and go for the arrangement her mother set up for her. Will she continue on the right path or go back to her old ways?
a second chance romance - full of heart and emotion and depth - LOVED IT!
exactly what I want from a short story - highly recommend this and all of Sonali Dev's other works
This book had so much going for it, but I found it kind of slow, especially in the beginning. I still enjoyed the book, and the storyline was really well thought out.
Sonali Dev is one of my favorite author and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read this short story! Sonali Dev does an amazing job with touching to the core of your heart with the emotional depths she touches with the characters portrayed!
Ayesha being the bread winner of the family and being the responsible one,, puts aside her needs and wants for the sake of her family. Ayesha’s character has so much warmth, truth and depth that at many instances I was moved by the story telling and the cute perfect romance!
Thank you Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the gifted galley! I enjoyed it thoroughly!!
I’ve heard a lot about this other prior to reading this book. I was not disappointed with the storytelling from the other. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book with the advanced copy
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC
This was a cute romcom story with POC representation mixed with living in the states. The authors discussions and writing on love had me hooked and I was immediately drawn to how deep the characters were portrayed. I felt that I could connect to this book a lot and really enjoyed getting swept into the characters lives! This was a great read!
I love all of Sonali Dev's books and this novella is no exception. A great way to get people started on something that they may not have tried.
Seven years ago when Ayesha’s brother died she set aside what she wanted for herself and tried to be the perfect daughter. Now faced with a visit from her past, Ayesha starts wondering if there is room in her life for something she truly wants.
An enjoyable short story expertly written. I find with short stories it is sometimes difficult to build a connection with the characters but that is not a problem with this book.
This one is a short, sweet romance but what I really like about this was there was no fuss and was straight to the point! There are only 70 pages to this story but it is packed with so much emotion, not just with the romance but also with family relationships.
This story follows Ayesha at her best friend’s wedding trying to have a good time and forget about her responsibilities to her mother for a few hours. Unluckily for Ayesha, her mother had knowingly set up an arranged meeting with a doctor in hopes to marry her off. The last thing she needed was for the love of her life, Emmitt to show up in the midst of her trying to please everybody’s requests. Ayesha was then taken back to the painful decision she made when she chose filial piety and family duties over Emmitt and her dreams. Now coming face to face with Emmitt again after so long, will Ayesha finally have the courage to put herself first?
I love everything about this story! It ain’t an Asian wedding if you don’t have meddlesome aunties and family members hounding you on why you are still single, and trying to set you up with so and so’s son. I can definitely feel how torn Ayesha was with her decisions and just trying to make sure it’s a win-win for everyone but she ended up really just pushing herself back and lose sense of herself.
Not many people will be so lucky to get a second chance at love like Ayesha, a chance to realise where her heart truly lies. Although this romance was predictable, I still really enjoyed reading this. Maybe it was something I needed to read at the time.
She has another book called Bollywood Bride which is supposedly similar to this but much more in depth. Will be adding this to my #tbr and I look forward to reading more of Sonali Dev’s work.
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for the arc.
I PRETTY MUCH DEVOURED THIS BOOK , IT WAS SHORT AND PERFECT.
This was my first book from sonali dev and i absolutely adored it. Childhood lovers , brothers best friend? SIGN ME UP! In a 70-page story, the author was able to pack in so much emotion, conflict, and growth, not just within the romance, but with Ayesha's family and friends as well. Add a touch of sexual tension and steam between our two leads, and this short story was just about perfect
The Wedding Setup was an unique short story that demonstrate that no matter how long it takes, one cannot depend on believing that love is way too gone. It would have been entertaining to read about her brother side of the story, and how traumatized Ayesha would get under the circumstances. I love her mother, and how she just want her daughter to believe that Ayesha can count on her.
A cute short story of a woman who sacrificed a lot of her dreams to help her family's restaurant after the death of her brother. It's seven years later and the love of her life is back in town. He wants to know why she pushed him away and she wants to leave him in the past and just make her mother happy by pursuing someone else. In the end, they are able to communicate about their past and move forward.
I really enjoyed this short story. A daughter is devoted to making her mother happy after they suffer a tragic family loss. But in buying who she is, is she making her mother happy? There was a lot of depth in this story, and I enjoyed how it unfolded. The love between the characters and the grief they share was well written and heartbreaking. At her best friend's wedding, set up with a "lady parts" doctor, it's time to return to herself or settle down in a half life. What will she pick?