Synopsis

A young magazine writer in Mumbai must prove her matchmaking skills—and contend with growing feelings for her close family friend—in this debut desi romance.

Confident fashionista Jia Deshpande spends her days writing cliché-ridden listicles for Mimosa, Mumbai’s top women’s magazine. When she can, Jia dishes about the messy truth of real love on her anonymous blog, attends her family’s weekly game nights, and ignores her true feelings for her childhood friend. If that wasn’t enough, Jia needs to successfully set up a coworker with her perfect match to get the green light for her new matchmaking column. Thankfully, organizing meet-cutes has never been difficult for her.

Local pub owner and cocktail genius Jaiman Patil can’t help but be enamored with Jia and her meddling spirit. He’s always been an honorary part of her family, but even more so since his own moved to America. Life with the Deshpandes is chaotic and loud, but it’s also more loving than anything he experienced growing up, and he wouldn’t risk losing that for the world. It feels manageable—until his pub begins to struggle and his long-hidden feelings for Jia grow deeper.

When Jia’s attempts at office matchmaking go haywire, risking new friendships and her relationship with Jaiman, she must reevaluate her own thoughts on love. For the first time, Jia Deshpande realizes that love may be a lot more complicated than she thought. Luckily, happily-ever-afters are never in short supply in Mumbai.

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Review

This friends to lovers romance novel is set in India with its vibrant colors, festivals, and traditions.

Jia and Jaiman are the friends who are fighting their attraction to one another. Well, it is mostly Jia. I wasn’t sure what to think of her. She seemed immature and self-serving when it came to her matchmaking. She thought that two successful pairings made her an expert. However, she didn’t clue into what the “client” wanted vs what she wanted.

Jaiman was more likable, but he had his own issues. He doesn’t know how to market his business, a local pub, to be successful. Then he has been hung on Jia for fifteen years. That is a long time to not let her know how you really feel.

I liked several of the minor characters better, especially Charu. She is such a trusting soul, and I love her vibe.

The book does move at a very slow pace. We do get to know the characters better, and can visualize the locations and scenes without them flashing by.

We give this book 3 paws up.

About the Author

Swati Hegde is a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast who lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.

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