My opinions:
This book was hard. Part of that was my fault. There was a lot of background knowledge about the Indian culture, community, and geography that I did not possess. I also struggled with the timeline/flashbacks. At one point in the book, the chapter started in the afternoon were the main character was frustrated. While talking to the other character, the main character flashed back to that morning when she had had an argument with her mom. At times, something would be going on, there would be a flashback, and that was how the chapter ended. I did finish it and was not completely satisfied by the ending. It felt sudden and then tidied up quickly.

Summary:
Ila is obsessing over a pop star, Ali Zafar. Her mom, separated not divorced, thinks she needs to stop obsessing over Ali Zafar and do something with her summer. Ila and best friend Deepali, think that if they can get Ila's mom a date she will back off of controlling her. Both girls throw themselves into trying to give mom a makeover and creating her a secret dating profile. The girls run all around Mumbai stocking potential date to make sure they are worthy of her mom.

How do you get your mom off your back?

Mumbai teen Ila is going nuts with her controlling, single mom who believes her obsession with a certain pop idol is unhealthy. To get her mom off her back, Ila decides her mom needs to focus her attention elsewhere. And so, “operation mom” begins.

This was a fast read. Once a teenager myself with pop idol obsessions and strict parents, I can relate to IIa. She’s full of shenanigans as she try to find a match for her mom. I liked the family and friendship dynamics of the characters as well.

One thing though, as someone unfamiliar with the Mumbai elite, I struggled to understand some of of the cultural references. However, i took it as a learning experience.

Overall, this read was fun, quirky, and full of laugh out loud moments.

I really enjoyed this read! It is my first book set in India and I especially enjoyed learning more about the culture of the characters. However, it’s is clear that topics such as motherhood, teenage angst, friendships, and online dating are universal! This was a unique plot line full of laughter and smiles and I rally enjoyed how invested the secondary characters were in assuring Mom to find a new partner.

This was such a surprising love of mine this year, I don't usually love books that are so focused on culture, and the funny side of the Rom-Com, but this one I really loved.
This was very funny to begin with, and was packed full of cultural additions here and there, the setting of the book absolutely sucked me in, it was like watching a movie instead of reading a book.
I absolutely LOVE books with mother daughter relationship representation, some of my favorite books revolve around these! So this one joined them at the top of my list, of course, because it's representation of this amazing bond was perfectly done.
I love Ila's relationships with everyone in this book, and I was very happy to see that it really represented how people are dating now adays, you know what I mean! Our expectations are already through the roof! Lmao 🤣

Ila is a teenager with a huge crush on a pop icon. Ila also has a crush on Dev, one of her best friend's boyfriends. Since Dev is boyfriend #3 for Ila's friend Deepali. Meanwhile, Ila's mom is all up in her business. So, Ila comes up with a plan - she will find her mom a man. She is not alone in her endeavor. Deepali and Dev help out. Well, despite Ila crushing on the pop star, she is ecstatic that searching for a man for her mom will give her lots of time to spend around Dev.

A bit about Deepali. She is much more worldly than Ila, but the two are the best of friends. One thing that does amaze Ila is that Deepali is managing three boyfriends at once! But, the plan. Well, they name it Operation: Mom. Online dating sites seem to be the best source of possible men for Ila's mother, so the teens join a few dating sites and try to find the perfect match for her mother Veeda.

What an enjoyable and endearing read. I really loved Ila, her friends, and her parents. Also, the relationships in this book are absolutely wonderful. This well-written and memorable YA book is set in Mumbai, India and that was a delight as well.

Many thanks to GenZ Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review as well - https://youtu.be/MRvHuYk0SNY

This was a cute funny book about a mother and daughter. It was a quick read and very enjoyable

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Operation mom was an fascinating read from the beginning to the end, the way the author explored the mother and daughter bond it had me in tear in a couple of times, not gonna lie.