When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Published by: Simon Pulse
Pub Date: May 30, 2017
Pages: 380
Format: hardcover | Source: owned
Genres: young adult, contemporary romance
Rating:

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

So very adorable! A little toooo sweet at times but that is hardly a terrible complaint; my cheese levels are a little low sometimes haha. I loved Dimple and Rishi, both as individuals with different interests and goals, and as a couple learning to fall in love with each other. I also loved the setting (Bay Area!), the adorable romance, and how they supported each others’ dreams. I also liked seeing the parallels and differences between their families and upbringing- I think it’s really important to show that people within the same culture don’t always experience things the same way, even while they can bond over shared commonalities. This was such a fun rom com, that ending was perfect!

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Series: The Gilded Wolves #1
Published by: Wednesday Books
Pub Date: January 15, 2019
Pages: 388
Format: hardcover | Source: library
Genres: young adult, historical fiction, fantasy
Rating:

From New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi comesThe Gilded Wolves, a novel set in Paris during a time of extraordinary change—one that is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous desires…

No one believes in them. But soon no one will forget them.

It’s 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.

Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history—but only if they can stay alive.

The scope of the writing and worldbuilding was impressive but it all felt a bit hollow to me. It was certainly glittering and clever but I didn’t feel the emotional attachment I wished to, and some of the climax was on the confusing side. Plus the characters felt like adults, which was jarring to me. But the writing was great and there is a lot of good representation of all kinds. For some reason I thought this was a standalone but it’s a trilogy. The last line certainly makes you want to read more!

Are either of these books on your TBR? Do you prefer contemporary romance or historical fantasy? Let me know!