This was a super cute story about two people learning to trust one another and themselves. Naina Kumar had a really good premise and characters that I liked enough to keep me hooked and interested all the way through.

I did find that the story felt a bit rushed at some points and I felt like we were being told what was happening rather than seeing it develop on the page.

I loved the cultural representation and the exploration of some really important topics with nuance and humour. All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and I'm really looking forward to seeing what else Naina Kumar has in store for us.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley. As always, my opinions are entirely my own.

This is a cute heart warming story about an Indian couple in the USA who agree to an arranged/introduced marriage to keep their parents happy. There are ex-boyfriends, father issues, best friend betrayals and more. All the usual misunderstandings arise but it's all dealt with humour and charm. An easy and engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed

4.5 stars from me and hopefully more books from Naina Kumar.
What a great debut! Basically read the book in 2 days.
Despite the fake dating trope being super common it was still refreshing to read a story written with the perspective of an Indian arranged marriage (i do have a thing for books with different cultures or religions). I really enjoyed the plot and the fake arrangement between Karthik and Meghna. I saw early on that I wasn't a bit fan of Sam and was so happy that Meghna figured it out herself.
I felt here and there Naina could have gone into more detail instead of jumping to the next day or chapter.
I also loved the supporting characters (i am invested in Ankitas story so maybe that is something to look forward to?) and was happy with the ending. I love a good epilogue, so thank you Naina.

Will definitley read more books from Naina Kumar in the future.

Thank you to RHPG/Dell and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

It was refreshing to read story written with the perspective of Indian arranged marriages. I loved the plot, the first meeting and the subsequent fake arrangement between Kaarthick and Meghna. I liked the supporting characters especially Meghna’s dad and Kaarrthicks mum.
I raced through the book, It was a very enjoyable read, even though you can guess the storyline, making the journey there made it a heartwarming read.

Just wow, don’t think I’ve read a book and gone through so many different emotions whilst going from chapter to chapter. They ranged from feeling intrigued, to excitement then to sadness and then excitement again to then feeling happy and then feeling confused to then finally get to happiness and excitement again. Such a lovely book about finding true love in unconventional way.

Meghna is at that age when her parents seem just to want her married and settled. She is already in a job of her choosing, which isn't what her mother wanted.
Karthik has made a deal with his mother. She can introduce him to as many women as she wants for one year. He has no intention of getting married but this will placate her.
Somehow they get introduced and end up settling for an engagement of convenience, since he needs to show his mum he is willing, and she needs a date to an awkward wedding invitation.
But things never quite run to plan. Feelings and the heart have a funny way of making themselves known at the most inopportune moments too.
A fun read with a lovely happy ending!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an ARC.

Fate dating/engagement perfection! Meghna and Karhtik are adorable and their character development was wonderful.. I loved reading about how their love blossomed, even if it took a few twists and turns to get there!

Meghna is a modern Indian woman, she dates, she is a primary school teacher in Dallas and a frustrated playwright. Her parents and older brother are all engineers and she feels that her parents don't recognise her job as being as important as an engineer. When her mother offers to introduce her to a suitable Indian boy she is unsurprised when he turns out to be an engineer, after all if your daughter won't be an engineer she could at least marry one. Reeling from the news that her one-time boyfriend Seth, AKA the one that got away, is getting married, Meghna agrees to meet the guy.

Karthik is an HVAC engineer in New York. His parents' dysfunctional marriage has put him off the institution, also he sees far too much of his dismissive, angry, aggressive father in himself - if he's turning into his father he couldn't inflict that on a woman. As it is, Karthik spends much of his time trying to make up for his father's coldness and anger to his mother. So despite his decision to never marry, when his mother asks him to meet some nice Indian girls he can't say no - but he does insist on limiting the time to one year. Little did he know how many women his mother could introduce him to in a single week.

By the time they meet, Karthik has been on numerous of these arranged meetings but this is Meghna's first. She finds him cold and robotic, but he is mesmerised by her beauty and her laugh, and her smile. Although he intends to make an excuse for not seeing Meghna again, just like all the other girls, when his father makes a disparaging comment at family dinner Karthik finds himself saying that he is going to ask Meghna to marry him!

Meghna and Karthik strike up a deal. They will be fake engaged to friends, colleagues, and family for three months until after Seth's wedding where she has been persuaded to be the Best Man. That will release Karthik from the relentless introductions which are dominating his weekends, and have the side effect of making him appear more committed for a promotion at his firm.

As family and wedding events force the two of them to appear engaged on multiple occasions Meghna begins to see the real man behind the stilted, closed-off facade and realises that Karthik is 100% supportive of her. Meghna also starts to see that her deep friendship with Seth may be a bit one-sided with her giving all the time and Seth doing the taking.

I really liked this, I thought Karthik's fears were well articulated and his actions were in accordance with those fears, ie even when he felt like he might be falling in love with Meghna he was afraid of losing his temper and hurting her so wouldn't take it further. I also like Meghna's character and that she wasn't the scapegoat/the one who had to change.

My only minor criticism is that Meghna and Karthik were very Westernised Indians, TBH it felt like the only reason they were Indians was to introduce the idea of parents choosing their partners. It feels like a silly criticism but I wanted them to be a bit more Indian, rather than characters who could be white Americans if you removed the arranged marriage part?

Anyway, a lovely opposites attract, fake-relationship, romance.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I adored this book, it was everything I hoped that it would be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Loved this debut novel by Naina Kumar. It’s a cute breezy rom com that revolves around Meghna and Karthik. The story is truly gripping and will keep you wanting more. It’s a perfect comfort read. It’s a 4/5 as I think book dragged a bit.

Thanks so much to Naina Kumar, Penguin Fig Tree and NetGalley for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own!

The south asian representation - need I say more!!

Meghna and Karthik were so charming and seeing the way the two fall for each other was so sweet. The first meeting was so cute, a great dynamic that pleasantly surprised Karthik and left him wanting more. I also love the full circle moment in the book, mirroring earlier scenes when the couple reunite. I enjoyed seeing the battle Karthik faces when trying to battle his feelings for Meghna, and their frequent moments of forced proximity served excellent scenes that contributed to their growing attraction to each other.

I also loved seeing Meghna realise her worth after seeing her former love get married and realise that she was being taken advantage of, her confidence and her value was only strengthened by Karthik's support. Equally Meghna's role in helping Karthik realise his long term career goals whilst balancing his parental commitments was great to see for his character development! The back and forth was truly entertaining, knowing Karthik's reluctance to pursue a relationship was heavily influenced by his father and provided and additional layer to the story.

A really fab read, I would highly recommend!

A cute romance between Meghna and Karhtik. They are absolutely made for each other and the banter between the two is perfect.