Book Review: When Dimple Met Rishi

Do you know what is the overused word that I have been dreading to hear or read about a book? Nerds. Thanks to John Green, Chetan Bhagat and the likes, I am pushed to cringe physically when someone describes themselves as nerds. So when every book blogger I adore went crazy reviewing about the new YA on the block with two Indian leads who are nerds, I was not sure I would like the end of that melodrama. Still, I had to try it, right? Read more to find out what I feel about When Dimple Met Rishi

Book Name: When Dimple Met Rishi
Author: Sandhya Menon
Genre: Fiction – YA Romance
Characters: Dimple Shah, Rishi and Ashish Patel, Celia
Setting: San Francisco, California, The USA, India

Dimple Shah has ambitious plans for her life and has been accepted to Stanford. She wants to attend a coding camp that might give her a chance to work with her role model. But her parents have other plans for her. Rishi Patel, her parents’ choice of the groom for Dimple, arrives at the Insomnia Camp to spend time with her. Dimple ambushed by her parents hates Rishi even before she gets a chance to know him. Does her opinion about Rishi changes after she knows him better?

Rishi is the perfect first born son for his Indian parents, who follows his dad’s footsteps into computer engineering. He falls for the girl his parents chose for him and agrees to woo her at the summer program she has enlisted to. Does this arranged marriage situation end up well for his hopelessly romantic self? Does he realize what makes him happy, than just being the model son? You have to read the When Dimple Met Rishi to find out more.

Book Review: When Dimple Met RishiDimple and Rishi are so opposite in their beliefs and value systems, though their origin and culture are the same. While she is a rebel and wants to shine out in the world for herself before she could think of marriage, Rishi stays true to his roots and wants to fulfill his parents’ desires. They are both perfect for each other and fight hard to keep on their courses despite the fact that they were falling for each other. Oh, by the way, I totally adored the other duo (Ashish and Celia) in the story, and I am more than excited to know that there might be a follow up on their stories too.

When Dimple Met Rishi is a cute YA contemporary that would make you grin in all the right places. This short read is what one needs one a bored afternoon to lift you from your slump. Yes, there are some stereotyping towards Indians. And even as an Indian from a similar background, I could not believe these kids were just eighteen. I mean I was never that serious even then. I actually pegged Rishi to be in his late 20s or early 30s, before I had read further. You know I had already another Rishi with whom I had the same problem.

There are a few Hindi slangs but not too many to be turn-offish and the writing is so fluid and breezy that I read the book in less than three hours. Is When Dimple Met Rishi
worth all the commotion it has created by the Twittersphere and the great reviews found online? I would say a YES! If you are in the mood for a YA/romcom this season your choice is right here.

16 Comments

  1. Aleen @ Lampshade Reader

    This sounds so cute. It’s definitely on my “to read” list.

    Great review.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Let me know how you like it when you do read it.

      Reply
  2. Marjie Mare

    Once I am done with my current reading, I will make sure to chose one of your selections. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Caroline

    I’m pretty sure I was denied this one on NetGalley! It sounds adorable and I love the cover! <3

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I did not win this on Netgalley either. It is my own copy but hey it was worth it!

      Reply
  4. Megan @ Ginger Mom

    I have a copy and can’t wait to read this one 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      This is definitely a book you will love, Megan.

      Reply
  5. empressdj

    I don’t YA but this sounds sweet

    Reply
  6. Mandi Schneck

    This has been on my TBR for a while, but I’ve heard some not so great reviews. Glad to finally hear something positive!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      This id definitely an interesting book. You should check out.

      Reply
  7. tulika singh

    Another fabulous review for this one. Need to get to it. There really are jet too many books to be read.

    Reply
  8. Gayathri Lakshminarayanan

    I am yet to read an YA where I could relate to the characters. But the search is on, I am not losing hope yet.

    Reply
  9. SHANAYA TALES

    I loved this book SO much. And yes, I agree with you. I don't remember being as mature as Rishi at 18. He was such an adorable dork!

    Reply
  10. Amy Sorensen

    "I could not believe these kids were just eighteen."

    This is actually one of the things that YA authors do that bug me. (I love YA, fwiw.) I think that teens in a YA novel should be portrayed as teens, not as grown ups in teen bodies.

    Awesome review though, and it is on my tbr list!

    Reply

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Gayathri

Gayathri

Gayathri has been reviewing books since 2010. When she is not reading books or creating online content, she works as a writer and a digital marketer. Head over to meet me!