THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MIRA by Sonali Dev is a Desi contemporary coming of age novel. Mira gets engaged to the “man of her dreams,” and yet, he sends her on an engagement trip to New York all alone. There, she finds this beautiful heirloom ring on the sidewalk, and a great search ensues to find the owner. She meets a young, attractive, Desi (because of course), journalist that wants to write a story about the ring, and also help her find the owner.

As soon as she meets the journalist, she can’t help but feel like he isn’t “Desi’ enough. He’s rude, he’s brash, he seems unkempt. Later, her brother teases her for glaring at the journalist after they’ve just met. Mira is a judgmental Desi auntie in training, not even trying to hide her glares. Also, PLEASE, I’m begging, let’s leave the “not Desi enough” conversations behind. They’re so pointless, and they do NOTHING to create a sense of solidarity and community within the South Asian diaspora.

Mira continues her journey around New York, searing for the ring with the help of the not-Desi-but-Desi journalist. She also is aided by her twin brother and his partner, who live in New York. This was another odd side plot that I just couldn't get fully behind.

Mira and her parents haven’t talked to her brother for two years because he’s gay. Mira’s trip to New York is partially motivated by the desire for her brother to attend her wedding, despite the fact she hasn’t seen him in TWO YEARS. Her brother’s partner is kind and sweet to Mira, despite her abandoning him and choosing her parents over her twin. I felt as if this idea of Desi parents abandoning their LGBTQ+ child is overused in Desi media, and it's truly a shame that it appears in this book as well. I was very frustrated with the fact that even Mira, a "modern" woman, chooses to side with her homophobic parents over supporting and defending her brother.

I understand the appeal of an unlikable main character, but writing a Desi girl who can’t stand up to her parents and is pushed (ie: forced) into an unwanted engagement is such a TIRED trope. Eventually, I came around to liking the last third of the book, as Mira obviously goes through a journey of self discovery and growth along with Krish and her brother.

I'd really enjoyed THE VIBRANT YEARS by Sonali Dev, but unfortunately I can't say the same for this one. I'm hoping she will continue to write about the difficult topics, but as a subjective reader, I can't help but have certain thoughts and feelings about situations presented in a story. I can't say that all South Asian readers will dislike this book, as I'm sure there are South Asian woman who will see themselves in Mira. However, I can say that this book simply wasn't for me!

3.5 stars

Mira is almost 30 years old, engaged to be married but ends up going on her engagement weekend without her intended. She is alone for the first time in New York City. Red flags right there.

An interesting story that had all the elements for a great read but still fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed Mira's character, her background, relationship with her parents and brother. This book is a story of self discovery that has a YA feel but had some good banter at times.

There's Something About Mira is a journey from Chicago, to NYC and off to India for wedding clothes shopping. It was a good lesson in traditonal Indian weddings and food, lots of food talk. It's a story of self discovery and learning how to take a stand.

My thanks to Lake Union for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed Sonali Dev's There's Something About Mira. Mira Salvi is engaged to a surgeon, and her Indian parents could not be happier. Mira and her fiancé plan a getaway to New York City, but her fiancé has to cancel when his partner is injured and can't cover for him. Mira goes alone and visits her ostracized brother and his partner. While in NYC, she collides with a toddler, falls on the ground, and finds a ring on a necklace. She becomes obsessed with finding the owner. When she posts about the ring on social media, it goes viral and attracts the attention of journalist Krish Hale, who wants to help her find the owner. Her quest takes her to India, and to some not so safe places. She begins to question her relationship with her fiancé, and definitely wants to defy her parents and invite her brother & his partner to her wedding, if there's going to be one. I love Sonali Dev's novels, the Indian family dynamic makes them fresh reading, and this book has even more tension than most of her novels. I highly recommend There's Something About Mira. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance readers' ebook to review.

Sonali Dev’s writing is simply breathtaking. Even the simplest of lines shimmer with a subtle beauty that I cannot get over. This story though, was something else entirely from any romance I’ve read. It came in contact with, battled, and overcame many issues that we as people face every day - abortion, sexual assault, familial manipulation, grief, lost love, and so much more. I list these not only as main points featured, but also as trigger warnings for those who may need them. That being said though, Sonali Dev faces all of these topics with such grace and care, that I felt seen and comforted by the way the characters faced these events in their individual stories. ‘

I absolutely loved the characters. Mira and Krish, as friends and partners in crime were everything. Mira learning who she was through her troubled relationship both with her mother and with her estranged brother, was magical. Watching Mira blossom through the adventure of returning a lost ring to its rightful owner and other half in the crowded city of New York was inspiring, emotional, and satisfying. I love how Sonali puts her characters into roles where, as women, they’re taught to be less than they are, to quiet themselves to the world around them until one day they realize no - and break the mold.

As someone who has faced many of the hard times brought up throughout this story, as someone who believes in true love and fate and blowing up the world around you to make the one you deserve, a happy one, I connected so deeply to Mira and her experience.

I also loved the humor woven throughout the story that helped to lessen the heavier topics that she tackled with such class. I will never stop talking about her books, I started with The Vibrant Years (which I loved as well) but this one felt different, it featured adventure alongside the lesson of finding yourself and letting the right person in and addressed topics in a way that made me think and will continue to long after I closed the last page.

There’s Something About Mira is a lovely blend of complex family relations, romance and self discovery. It follows Mira, a young Indian woman who lives in Chicago and is facing her upcoming nuptials in a few months. She goes to NYC alone to visit her brother and ends up finding a lost ring. Thus begins a multi layered story about cultural issues and exploration, as Mira journeys to return the ring to its original owner and then to look for the ring owner’s long-estranged lover.

I had thought the story would be mostly a romcom with some mystery and was pleasantly surprised to find a touching, well handled adventure story about cultural and generational divide and self growth. I found the story behind the lost ring to be very moving. I also loved the multidimensional characters with real, relatable issues. The relationship between Mira and the journalist was the only issue I had. I felt it lacked the chemistry and substance that the cultural tie storyline had in abundance. Overall strongly recommend! This could be a hidden gem for this year. Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union for the arc!

'There's Something About Mira' is a beautifully written tale of Mira figuring out herself and how she wants her life to be in this world. We meet Mira on the verge of getting married, however, her finance never seems to have time for her, including going on their engagement-moon, which Mira goes on by herself. I loved how Mira rekindled her relationship with her brother and address some really hard issues and themes. I loved Krish, who helps Mira figure out the mysterious ring and necklace. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

There's Something About Mira was a special story. I believe it is my first by author Sonali Dev. Mira stumbles upon a ring while visiting New York and is compelled to find the owner. This act begins a quest that awakens Mira and changes her life in unexpected ways. The author so sensitively explores themes of identity and acceptance in this book. The characters were authentic and lovable. This tale also examines a variety of relationships and truly celebrates love. I was enthralled with this story and stayed up way past my bedtime to read the conclusion. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There’s Something About Mira
3.5 ⭐️

This was definitely a different story than I was expecting at the beginning, but it had some good depth to it!

Mira is off to visit her brother and visit NYC without her fiancé when she ends up finding a lost ring. She and a journalist traverse the city trying to get it back to its original owner, but the story doesn’t end there as they continue learning about the ring’s history.

First, I don’t love cheating stories and this one doesn’t have some emotional cheating in it. That being said, I enjoyed the second half of the book a lot more than the first. It had some solid depth to the plot and I liked Mira’s growth as a main character.

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

I went into this book super excited, but after a few chapters that excitement was lost. I wasn't captivated by the story and didn't really care how it ended. I wasn't invested into the characters and they all kinda felt flat and generic to me. A light read for sure, but I was expected more depth to the story and the characters.

There’s Something About Mira by Sonali Dev is a charming and insightful novel that explores themes of self-discovery, family dynamics, and cultural identity. Mira, a successful young woman with a seemingly perfect life, embarks on a solo trip to New York after a series of disappointments.

When she finds a lost ring, her life takes an unexpected turn. Her quest to reunite the ring with its owner leads her on a journey of self-reflection, forcing her to question her own happiness and the path she has chosen. The story seamlessly weaves together a compelling mystery with nuanced character development. Mira’s journey is relatable, as she navigates the complexities of her relationships with her fiancé, her family, and herself.

The supporting characters, particularly her brother Rumi and his fiancé Saket, are well-developed and add depth to the narrative. Dev’s writing is engaging and fluid, drawing the reader into Mira’s world. The exploration of South Asian culture and the challenges faced by immigrant families adds another layer of depth to the story. While the plot may be somewhat predictable at times, the book’s strength lies in its insightful exploration of human connection and the importance of finding one’s true purpose. There’s Something About Mira is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read that will resonate with readers who are searching for meaning and authenticity in their own lives.

Received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book!

Recommended. Touches on a lot of topics - love, marriage, family, first generation immigrant experience, the desi experience, finding oneself - that doesn't do it justice, though.

Sonali Dev is a gifted storyteller. Her books always feel like basking in the warm sun while still challenging me to think and feel differently. There's Something About Mira is a great book about identity, love, family, culture, community, and so much more. Dev tells Mira's coming of age story with kindness and wraps the entire thing up in a cozy mystery that I just needed to solve. I adored the way in which Dev brings the humanity forward with each character that appears on page. I will read anything she writes.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sonali Dev's series about the Rajes, so I was excited when the author offered this advanced reader's copy of, "There's Something About Mira" to her Facebook followers.

Mira is the youngest child of first generation Indian parents who came to the US and worked their way up to owning their own grocery store. She's approaching 30, is engaged to be married, and preparing for the wedding festivities with her mother and fiancé's mother.

As part of her engagement gift, she and her fiancé are  heading to NYC. Mira has never been and she's hoping to visit her estranged brother.

While sightseeing in NYC, she finds a ring, and vows to find the owner. This sends her on an adventure from NYC, through India, and back home.

At first, I did not really like the character of Mira; however, this story is about Mira finding herself while she searches for the owner of the ring. Mira has always done what was expected of her and this has led to an unremarkable life. She is a recent graduate in pain management, and I think I would have liked to know more about this part of her life and why she chose that profession. I think this calling/profession could have played more into the end of the story as well.

Overall, I enjoyed this story very much, especially once Mira decided to find the owner of the necklace. It was a slow start, but definitely picked up as the story progressed.

Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This captivating story still has a hold on my heart. The heroine, Mira, is a devoted daughter, saying and doing all the right things. This includes her engagement to Dr Druv, the match of her parents' dreams. However, a solo trip to New York due to unforeseen circumstances, finds Mira partnering up with a journalist, Krish, to locate the owner of a lost ring. Along the way a forbidden love story is revealed that catapults Krish and Mira into the fray.
Secrets are best left to be discovered when reading this beautiful tale. Ms Dev's writing was lush, lyrical, and poignant. My senses came alive during the many adventures in New York and especially India. So many emotions were evoked that caused a few tears and also several cheers. I highly recommend!

4.5 stars
Once again, Sonali Dev delivers. I absolutely love the way she writes- the characters are SO REAL and are in actual real-life scenarios, and I appreciate any author who can do that. The story itself was very interesting and kept me engaged throughout. I finished this entire book in two sittings because I simply could not put it down.
I will definitely be recommending this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

Sonali Dev is a Must Read Author for me and this latest book just solidifies that!

There's Something About Mira is full of complex family relations and expectations, and an emotional journey that Dev writes so well.
I was a little slow at the start and as soon as the plot thickened, I really appreciated Mira's growth and Krish's part in it. Not everything is as perfect as it seems while Mira is getting ready for her wedding in a few short months and it was so impactful to read as she is coming to her own realizations instead of trying to stay in the small boxes her parents need her to be in. I was a little worried towards the end and yet the epilogue had me tearing up in the best way.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union for an eARC in exchange for a review!

There’s Something About Mira tells the story of Mira who seems to have everything in perfect order, but who realises her life just masks herself. Over the course of the book she finds out who she is and who she wants to be. Part of the book is set in India, which I loved.

Nevertheless, I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. It does a few things I don’t really like, but Sonali Dev is of course a very skilled writer so I can mostly go past them. Mira is an interesting, layered character and I liked how the journey to finding the owner of the ring leads to finding herself. I also appreciated how complicated family relationships were portrayed. But at the same time, some of it was resolved very easily at the end of the book. The homophobia (not from the MCs) was painful to read, and while Rumi has a HEA, I feel there should have been a queer relationship without any issues in the book as well.
The book also included some adventure and I’m not sure that was entirely necessary, although it showed of course the difference between Krish and Mira’s teenage experience. The main aspect of the book that didn’t quite work for me is the idea that everything surrounding the ring was meant to be.
But as I said, I think Sonali Dev is an amazing writer. One of the little things I absolutely loved was one of the characters asking Mira if she was forced into her marriage, adding that force can come in many forms. This is so true, and often ignored.
So yes, mixed feelings. I realise that the issues I have with the book are very much me so other readers may completely fall in love with the book.

I enjoyed this sweet romance that was equal parts coming of age and finding out who you are and solving a mystery and reuniting loved ones.

This was a nice story though it end up being more adventurous than I thought. However, I wish they had focused on Mira's journey of self discovery more than the romance by the end. Krish was a nice character but they had no chemistry. I did like Dhruv and wish there could have been a twist of sorts where she does end up with him instead of the usual it's not your, it's me speech

Mira Salvi is a medical professional engaged to be married to a surgeon. Her parents are very strict, Indian nationals who came to the USA. Because of an incident in her past, Mira has spent her entire adulthood bending over backwards to please her parents/do everything they tell her to do, even after they ostracise her twin brother when they discover he is gay.

Mira and her fiancé were due to spend an engagement moon (never heard of the idea before) in New York but yet again he is too busy with work and she decides to go alone - something that would normally be way outside of her comfort zone. While in New York, Mira falls over and finds an unusual ring on the street, threaded on a chain. Something about the ring speaks to Mira and she is determined to find its owner, so she does what every young person these days would do - she uploads a video to social media. Her brother's fiancé's family run a chain of high end jewellery stores and he quickly identifies that the ring is Indian in origin, made of the highest quality gold and was one of an interlinking pair.

A journalist, Krish Hale, contacts Mira through a vague connection to her brother's fiancé who he met at a wedding. Krish offers to help Mira find the ring's owner if she lets him write a story about their search. Mira finds Krish obnoxious at first, and puzzling because despite his name and his colouring he doesn't appear to know anything about being Indian.

Their search takes them across New York and eventually to India where they discover the sad secret behind the interlinking rings.

I just loved this, TBH I don't think anything was a great surprise, Mira's secret, Krish's secret, the story behind the rings, but it was all done very well and without anyone drastically changing personality.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.