I received a complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is perfect for lovers of road trip and forced proximity. This book was unexpectedly good and it follows Poorvi who is trying to get to Dublin in time to present to obtain a grant . Like any good story her flight is diverted and she opts in for the second option to share a rental car with a hot ophthalmologist Kavan who is also traveling to Dublin to head off a researcher whose study puts his family's practice at risk. I found myself rooting ,screaming and liking them mile after mile. It's a quick read bound to make yoh believe in meet cutes.

While premise and concept are solid here, the author's writing is weak from the opening chapter. Too much telling and not sufficient organic "showing" for me to read this title. I had high hopes.

Search

Search all books...
Open main menu
A review by you!
Road Trip Rivalry by Mona Shroff
Personally I hate road trips, but in a book they can provide some excellent forced proximity and bickering.

This one also includes an adoptive grandmother influencing every moment of the road trip. She is quite the character!

This one barely qualifies for one 🔥 but it does do a fade to black scene. But the kisses and the attraction are wonderful. I loved it.

I also loved how honestly these two would talk to each other. The build up of trust by the end was a favorite.

Highlights from this one include them teaching each other things.

He teaches her how to drive on the wrong side of the road and she teaches him how to drive a stick shift!

I got an advanced copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.

Purvi Gupta is done trusting people, especially men. After losing out on a promotion, she's determined to prove just how good she is at her research job. She's set to present her research at a conference in Dublin and nothing is going to stand in her way.
Kavan Shashane is the face of his family's ophthalmology business. After their father's death, his brother saved him from bad decisions and held the family together. Unfortunately, he's never let Kavan forget that either. Now he's headed to Dublin to help save the family practice, even though he doesn't exactly agree with his brother.
Add in a fiesty grandmother and these three strangers end up on an adventure through Ireland.
This was such a cute story and I could totally see it as a rom-com movie. Purvi is no-nonsense and it's understandable after how she's been treated. Kavan is a total green flag and you can't help but like him. Ba (grandmother) annoyed me at the beginning but totally grew on me and I adored her character! The story takes the characters through beautiful places in Ireland and it really made me want to visit as well!
I've always enjoyed Mona Shroff's books and this was no exception. There was a really sweet short story, Detour To Gingerbread Inn, included at the end that I also really enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for this arc.

Aw, two doctors falling in love with the help of a crafty grandmother. I knew I was going to have a good time with this one and I did.

Of course Poorvi and Kavan have a professional conflict between them that will spring up at the worst time but, for most of the book, they’re not aware that the other is the person that their respective co-workers are texting them unceasingly about. Instead, they travel with Ba to various Irish tourist attractions, talk, and slowly begin revealing their deepest issues.

I have to be honest that there are times when Poorvi’s “take no prisoners” “attack first is the best defense” is frustrating but I figured that she must have a reason. And it’s one that a lot of professional women have been hit with. Kavan shows his true colors when he immediately believes what she says in her defense. Meanwhile, Poorvi listens to what Kavan says about his brother and their father’s early death then puts things together to offer Kavan a new way to look at how controlling his brother Naveen can be.

When the final conflict arrives, as of course it does, I can’t blame Poorvi for falling back on her standard defensive posture. When she stands up for herself before all her colleagues, I cheered. Then Kavan defends her as well, something the men in her professional life hadn’t done. Kavan takes control of his life by finally setting his own boundaries to be his own man.

Fun book with an interesting twist on the enemies-to-lovers theme, in that Poorvi and Kavan don't know they are enemies until near the end of the book.

Poorvi is a medical researcher on her way to present a paper at a conference in Dublin. She is under much pressure from her boss - the man who got a promotion instead of her because of unfounded rumors about her. She is determined to do well despite those trying to undermine her.

Kavan is an ophthalmologist whose family practice relies heavily on the procedure Poorvi's presentation refers to. His brother sent him to intercept the researcher and talk them into backing off. Kavan feels indebted to his brother, so he gives in to his request even though he disagrees.

Poorvi and Kavan first encounter each other before their flight to Dublin during a conflict over a power outlet. Sparks fly, and they aren't all sparks of anger, though neither wants to acknowledge the attraction. They put their differences aside - mostly - to help an older woman who doesn't speak English. When bad weather diverts their flight from Dublin to Cork, they are thrown together again to share a rental car. Complicating matters, they agree to help the older woman, whom they call "Ba" (grandmother), get to her family in Dublin.

Ba is a piece of work. She clearly sees the sparks between Poorvi and Kavan and sets about making sure they spend enough time together to see it themselves. I liked how she incorporated seeing the sights of Ireland by appealing to their sympathies over the loss of her husband. She is a feisty granny, and I laughed out loud at her blatant attempts to push them together. She has no trouble calling them out when she thinks they need a kick in the pants. I loved her part of bringing them together.

I liked watching the relationship develop between Poorvi and Kavan. Poorvi is very independent and doesn't accept help easily. Kavan is a nice guy whose attempts to be a gentleman Poorvi frequently rejects. Poorvi loosens up a little as they spend time together, and they discover that they enjoy their interactions. Their feelings for each other grow quickly, but they are hesitant to say anything, resulting in misunderstandings. When their identities are exposed, each feels betrayed. It takes a determined Ba to break through the hurt and bring them back together in a fun and heartwarming reunion.

A diverted flight and a shared rental car lead to a clash of wills and a fiery attraction between Poorvi, a determined researcher, and Kavan, a charming but infuriating ophthalmologist. As their road trip to Dublin unfolds, sparks fly, but hidden truths threaten to derail their connection before it even begins.

I loved Poorvi and Kavan! They’re both strong, determined, and likable—but they’re even better together. As their initial animosity turns to love, they smooth each other’s hard edges. I also enjoyed the Irish setting and the sense of adventure.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Poorvi and Kavan, strangers headed to a conference, end up on a detour to help a grandma with airline communication issues. Their roundabout journey involves a meddling grandma, a growing attraction, misunderstandings, and lots of fun. "Road Trip Rivalry" by Mona Shroff adds a twist to the enemies-to-lovers trope, as Poorvi and Kavan don’t realize they’re enemies. While enemies-to-lovers isn’t my favorite, their superficial head-butting was enjoyable.

The story delves into each character's individual struggles. Poorvi battles work challenges and undermining colleagues, while Kavan feels indebted to his brother and avoids confrontation. Their relationship brings out the best in each other, with Poorvi’s frustrations clashing with Kavan’s inherent niceness. Their bickering is delightful, and Ba, the grandma, ensures they realize their compatibility. This book is a perfect summer read, though enjoyable any time of the year.

Another buzz work book for me. Road trip! Not says summer more than a road trip romance and this Mona Shroff novel is fantastic.

I enjoyed Road Trip Rivalry! It is something that seems maybe a little far fetched because now a days you can’t really trust anyone but it was a cute read. Poorvi and Kavan were both unique people! Poorvi was one of a kind and I enjoyed her. She was fiesty! Kavan was a trusting and sweet guy. He was finally able to be himself towards the end. We have to add in Ba who was a funny character to this story. It is a quick read. Once you get going you will just keep reading!