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The Full Moon Bride
What makes a marriage-love or compatibility? Passion or pragmatism? Shobhan Bantwal's compelling new novel explores the fascinating subject of arranged marriage, as a young Indian-American woman navigates the gulf between desire and tradition. . .
To Soorya Giri, arranged marriages have always seemed absurd. But while her career as an environmental lawyer has flourished, Soorya is still a virgin, living with her parents in suburban New Jersey. She wants to be married. And she is finally ready to do the unthinkable. . .
Soorya's first bridal viewings are as awkward as she anticipated. But then she's introduced to Roger Vadepalli. Self-possessed, intelligent, and charming, Roger is clearly interested in marriage and seems eager to clinch the deal. Attracted to him in spite of her mistrust, Soorya is also drawn into a flirtation with Lou, a widowed colleague who is far from her family's idea of an acceptable husband.
In choosing between two very different men, Soorya must reconcile her burgeoning independence and her conservative background. And she must decide what matters most to her-not just in a husband, but in a family, a culture, and a life. . .
"One of the best [novels] I've read this year. I couldn't put it down. . .this book is a gem!" --Mary Monroe, New York Times bestselling author on The Unexpected Son
"Compelling and memorable." -Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author on The Forbidden Daughter
"Vivid, rich. . .expertly portrays a young woman caught between love and duty, hope and despair." -Anjali Banerjee on The Dowry Bride
"Dazzles you with a taste of Desi culture in America." -Caridad Pineiro
To Soorya Giri, arranged marriages have always seemed absurd. But while her career as an environmental lawyer has flourished, Soorya is still a virgin, living with her parents in suburban New Jersey. She wants to be married. And she is finally ready to do the unthinkable. . .
Soorya's first bridal viewings are as awkward as she anticipated. But then she's introduced to Roger Vadepalli. Self-possessed, intelligent, and charming, Roger is clearly interested in marriage and seems eager to clinch the deal. Attracted to him in spite of her mistrust, Soorya is also drawn into a flirtation with Lou, a widowed colleague who is far from her family's idea of an acceptable husband.
In choosing between two very different men, Soorya must reconcile her burgeoning independence and her conservative background. And she must decide what matters most to her-not just in a husband, but in a family, a culture, and a life. . .
"One of the best [novels] I've read this year. I couldn't put it down. . .this book is a gem!" --Mary Monroe, New York Times bestselling author on The Unexpected Son
"Compelling and memorable." -Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author on The Forbidden Daughter
"Vivid, rich. . .expertly portrays a young woman caught between love and duty, hope and despair." -Anjali Banerjee on The Dowry Bride
"Dazzles you with a taste of Desi culture in America." -Caridad Pineiro
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
26 people are currently reading
1014 people want to read
About the author
Shobhan Bantwal
10 books139 followersShobhan Bantwal is the Indian-American author of THE DOWRY BRIDE, her debut novel set in India and slated for release by Kensington Books in September 2007. It is the first of a two-book contract with Kensington.
Since 2002, Shobhan's articles and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications like India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, Desi Journal, India Currents, Overseas Indian, New Woman India, Kanara Saraswat and Sulekha. Her short stories have won honors and awards in fiction contests sponsored by Writer's Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines.
Her award winning stories are accessible through her web site: www.shobhanbantwal.com
"
Since 2002, Shobhan's articles and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications like India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, Desi Journal, India Currents, Overseas Indian, New Woman India, Kanara Saraswat and Sulekha. Her short stories have won honors and awards in fiction contests sponsored by Writer's Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines.
Her award winning stories are accessible through her web site: www.shobhanbantwal.com
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
April 1, 2012
This is one of those instances where it's true that you can't judge a book by its cover. I picked this one up at a secondhand bookstore because I was drawn to the cover and title. I'm a fan of the Indian culture so I really wanted to enjoy this book. Although a decent story that kept me entertained for a few nights, it ultimately fell flat.
On a positive note, The Full Moon Bride is light reading and can be a page-turner, so it would make great vacation or airplane reading. It does highlight some aspects of Indian-American culture with which I was not familiar, so that was a plus.
With that said, I'm surprised the book made it to publishing. The writing is 10th grade level at best. It's very matter-of-fact and the writer overuses cliches. She tells rather than shows the reader what is happening, and that gets old quick. Soorya starts out as a promising character but this insecure, otherwise successful woman turns into a whining child that this reader absolutely hated by the time the book was drawing to a close. No character is ever fleshed out, even Soorya who relates the story from her point of view. There are too many racial stereotypes and the dialogue is atrocious. It's simply not believable that these people talk the way the author portrays. I can understand some of the Indian adults talking the way the author describes, such as Pamma, the grandmother, but Soorya was born and grew up in America, so she wouldn't be saying things like "Unhand me, Roger." The dialogue was downright silly at times.
Even the "romance" is uncomfortable most of the time. The relationship between Soorya and Lou seemed forced and unrealistic. There were moments between Raj and Soorya that seemed genuine, but the whole thing ended on a disappointing, unrealistic note.
On a positive note, The Full Moon Bride is light reading and can be a page-turner, so it would make great vacation or airplane reading. It does highlight some aspects of Indian-American culture with which I was not familiar, so that was a plus.
With that said, I'm surprised the book made it to publishing. The writing is 10th grade level at best. It's very matter-of-fact and the writer overuses cliches. She tells rather than shows the reader what is happening, and that gets old quick. Soorya starts out as a promising character but this insecure, otherwise successful woman turns into a whining child that this reader absolutely hated by the time the book was drawing to a close. No character is ever fleshed out, even Soorya who relates the story from her point of view. There are too many racial stereotypes and the dialogue is atrocious. It's simply not believable that these people talk the way the author portrays. I can understand some of the Indian adults talking the way the author describes, such as Pamma, the grandmother, but Soorya was born and grew up in America, so she wouldn't be saying things like "Unhand me, Roger." The dialogue was downright silly at times.
Even the "romance" is uncomfortable most of the time. The relationship between Soorya and Lou seemed forced and unrealistic. There were moments between Raj and Soorya that seemed genuine, but the whole thing ended on a disappointing, unrealistic note.
October 12, 2011
I was expecting something a little different with this. Instead of a study of arranged marriages, I got what I found to be a materialistic and unrealistic drama.
The way the author described things bothered me from the very beginning.. for example, her "Waterford crystal" or her "designer clothes". Who cares? I know description is key to building up the scene and the story, but it was just excessive, especially when it came to descriptions of people. Did she really have to have that reaction to first meeting Lou? ie. "He was African American!" Really? I understand the author might have been trying to emphasis cultural differences, and describe a scene, but it just came across wrong.
Along that line, I hated how Soorya used Lou and the fact that he obviously didn't fit in with her culture to get back at her parents and prove a point. The only reason Lou was introduced was to make you think he was a potential candidate and then once Soorya decided on Roger, the author just dismissed him and started pointing out his "flaws". It just rubbed me the wrong way.
And how many times did I have to be reminded of how plain and ugly Soorya was? Poor dear, she was just so plain she could not be worthy of love/interest from such a good-looking charmer such like Roger. Seriously, her self-esteem issues were annoying and repetitive.
All in all, I was hoping for a lot more with this book. I was fascinated when we discussed arranged marriages in my anthropology class in undergrad, and I was hoping this would be a nice compliment to that. In my opinion, Bantwal did not deliver.
The way the author described things bothered me from the very beginning.. for example, her "Waterford crystal" or her "designer clothes". Who cares? I know description is key to building up the scene and the story, but it was just excessive, especially when it came to descriptions of people. Did she really have to have that reaction to first meeting Lou? ie. "He was African American!" Really? I understand the author might have been trying to emphasis cultural differences, and describe a scene, but it just came across wrong.
Along that line, I hated how Soorya used Lou and the fact that he obviously didn't fit in with her culture to get back at her parents and prove a point. The only reason Lou was introduced was to make you think he was a potential candidate and then once Soorya decided on Roger, the author just dismissed him and started pointing out his "flaws". It just rubbed me the wrong way.
And how many times did I have to be reminded of how plain and ugly Soorya was? Poor dear, she was just so plain she could not be worthy of love/interest from such a good-looking charmer such like Roger. Seriously, her self-esteem issues were annoying and repetitive.
All in all, I was hoping for a lot more with this book. I was fascinated when we discussed arranged marriages in my anthropology class in undergrad, and I was hoping this would be a nice compliment to that. In my opinion, Bantwal did not deliver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2011
Soorya Giri, an Indian-American, living in New Jersey and working in bustling Manhattan has everything going for her. She has a good educational background, is a successful lawyer in a prominent law firm, loving family and friends and the security of her childhood home. Everything, that is, but a husband! Soorya has been through the traditional “Bride-Viewing,”(which is part of an arranged marriage,) several times, with silence and rejection as the sad result. When all seems to be lost, she is introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Vadepalli and their charming as well as handsome son, Rajesh. As much as she was drawn to Rajesh by his good looks and politeness, Soorya’s insecurities, caustic behavior and distrust came to call. In her own eyes, she will never be attractive enough for anyone and, even as laid back and likable as Rajesh (who had decided to be called Roger back in his home state of Kansas) is, Soorya had immediate reservations about him, especially when he candidly expressed his wish for a rich wife who would monetarily help with his Broadway aspirations. You will follow Soorya on an emotional roller-coaster ride as she deals with her duty to her heritage, family, the demanding career that includes proving herself as an important part of the firm and you will be introduced to the interesting individuals she meets through her case load, plus follow along on her constant strive for a lifetime of happiness. Her desire to be more carefree and fun-loving as her girlfriends , cause all sorts of frustration and, at times, anger and jealousy. You will cheer on Soorya as she wins some battles and embraces her South Indian Teluga upbringing. You’ll be ready to take a hold of her shoulders and shake her as well, when she doesn’t realize how blessed and truly special she is. Soorya is one who is admired and loved by many and finds it is either “feast or famine” where love is concerned. Will Soorya be disappointed after the “Bride-Viewing” with the Vadepallis? Will handsome actor, Satish make his feelings known? Will Soorya succumb to the suave and unbelievably handsome hunk/DEP Atty. Lou Draper—much to her family’s dismay? Will Rajesh’s determination in both the dramatic and romantic worlds succeed? By reading “Full Moon Bride”, you will be swept into the Giri Family and learn much about Indian culture. I truly enjoyed the colorful descriptiveness and the attention to detail. I sincerely hope Ms. Bantwal has a sequel continuing Soorya’s saga, planned in the not too distant.
Nancy Narma
Nancy Narma
August 30, 2011
SHOW. DON'T TELL. SHOW. DON'T TELL.
Lazy, lazy, lazy writing. Character motivations are inexplicable towards the end and seem to just be serving the ending that the author thinks is appropriate but really makes no sense in context. Soorya is supposed to be likable I guess, but she isn't, not at all. She is extremely judgmental, whiny, and spoiled. I feel sorry for the men who have to deal with her in the novel.
Lazy, lazy, lazy writing. Character motivations are inexplicable towards the end and seem to just be serving the ending that the author thinks is appropriate but really makes no sense in context. Soorya is supposed to be likable I guess, but she isn't, not at all. She is extremely judgmental, whiny, and spoiled. I feel sorry for the men who have to deal with her in the novel.
September 3, 2011
I did not like this book at all. I really wanted to like it but the author uses so many India stereotypes and Soorya is a very annoying, quick-to-judge, clueless character. She is always assuming the worst without reason. I would not recommend this book.
August 28, 2011
it has promising premise but, the story is just so-so.
don't care much about soorya and her mostly whiny and lack of self-confidence attitude.
don't care much about soorya and her mostly whiny and lack of self-confidence attitude.
September 8, 2014
Note: This Review has been posted @ Readers' Muse
The concept of arranged weddings is a mystery to any young woman of Indian lineage. The idea of spending the rest of the life with some random guy is baffling and at times scary. In fact, many woman dread that “D” day where they are made to parade in front of a group of complete strangers. Though the process of “matching- making” and “bride viewing” has been diluted over the ages, the process is still unnerving enough.
The writer has successfully portray that “unnerving” feeling of an eligible bride. Our protagonist, Siya, a successful environmental lawyer is subjected to endure the process of “bridal viewing”. Along comes our hero Roger aka Rajesh who eventually falls in love with Siya in spite of all her “so called shortcomings” of which Siya has a complex about.
Enter the charismatic “Black” attorney who attracts Siya like a magnet. The story is about how Siya ends up choosing between the two men.
The writer has beautifully portrayed the emotions and complexes of an average Indian girl with a dusky complexion and has more than just a bit of curves. I went about nodding and sympathizing with Siya all the way. There is a fine line between being in love and being attracted .The writer managed to convey that fact to the point.
The writing was simple and conveyed all the emotions of a 20 something girl going through that haunting phase of “Bridal Viewing” to the dot. The writer is obviously well acquainted with the South Indian method of the “bridal viewing”.
The story line had its share of ups and downs. I felt that bachelorette party of Siya’s friend was a bit overdone. The high point of the story for me would be when Roger tells Siya that she just perfect. SIya isn’t exactly the “heroine” type material. She is just like any other woman from down south. Being accepted for what we are is a major boost of confidence. The story conveyed that perfectly.
To sum it up, I enjoyed reading the book in spite of the shortcomings.
VERDICT: Why not?! A practical story. A rarity in this genre.
RATING: 4 on 5
The concept of arranged weddings is a mystery to any young woman of Indian lineage. The idea of spending the rest of the life with some random guy is baffling and at times scary. In fact, many woman dread that “D” day where they are made to parade in front of a group of complete strangers. Though the process of “matching- making” and “bride viewing” has been diluted over the ages, the process is still unnerving enough.
The writer has successfully portray that “unnerving” feeling of an eligible bride. Our protagonist, Siya, a successful environmental lawyer is subjected to endure the process of “bridal viewing”. Along comes our hero Roger aka Rajesh who eventually falls in love with Siya in spite of all her “so called shortcomings” of which Siya has a complex about.
Enter the charismatic “Black” attorney who attracts Siya like a magnet. The story is about how Siya ends up choosing between the two men.
The writer has beautifully portrayed the emotions and complexes of an average Indian girl with a dusky complexion and has more than just a bit of curves. I went about nodding and sympathizing with Siya all the way. There is a fine line between being in love and being attracted .The writer managed to convey that fact to the point.
The writing was simple and conveyed all the emotions of a 20 something girl going through that haunting phase of “Bridal Viewing” to the dot. The writer is obviously well acquainted with the South Indian method of the “bridal viewing”.
The story line had its share of ups and downs. I felt that bachelorette party of Siya’s friend was a bit overdone. The high point of the story for me would be when Roger tells Siya that she just perfect. SIya isn’t exactly the “heroine” type material. She is just like any other woman from down south. Being accepted for what we are is a major boost of confidence. The story conveyed that perfectly.
To sum it up, I enjoyed reading the book in spite of the shortcomings.
VERDICT: Why not?! A practical story. A rarity in this genre.
RATING: 4 on 5
November 13, 2012
This book started out great. Soorya is a young, traditional Indian woman from NJ who is at the age where most of her friends are settling down. In the American tradition, she would probably join Match.com and go out on more dates, but in Soorya's family, couples are set up based on ancient tradition. The book open as Soorya is having a "bride viewing" with a young man from another reputable Indian Family. The book follows them as they get to know each other, but a wrench is thrown in when Soorya becomes attracted to a fellow attorney- who happens to be the wrong religion, and the wrong race ( not to mention a widow). I really enjoyed Soorya for the first 2/3 of the book. Then she became whiny and a annoying. I also kept hoping for something more with Lou- I just didn't like Rajesh and he didn't seem like a good match for Soorya. It just seemed so out there.
The first part of the book is great. I loved the cultural insights, but toward the end , it just lost steam to me.
The first part of the book is great. I loved the cultural insights, but toward the end , it just lost steam to me.
July 24, 2011
Ms. Bantwal has formulated a treasure of words for an engaging read remaining long after the final scene has been deliciously absorbed. Frankly, I cannot tell if I am more enamored by Soorya or the author herself. The author has obviously internalized the emotions of her character, leaving the impression that the line between writer and actor is an invisible one. I thoroughly enjoyed The Full Moon Bride for the emotion, education, and entertainment. What I appreciate most is the total lack of manipulation I felt while being led through Soorya's awakening of herself and the man she loves. In summary, The Full Moon Bride is sophisticated, eloquent, difficult to put down and cements a lasting impression.
Suspektme
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Suspektme
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance & More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
September 22, 2012
I won this in a first reads giveaway, and I am glad that I was able to read it. I really really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone. I'm not really familiar with the Indian culture. I live in an area with a large Indian population, and both my neighbors are Indian, and we are friendly, but I don't really know much about their culture. I eat Indian food every once in awhile, but that's about it. This book gave great insight into the Indian culture all while telling an entertaining story. Being Asian myself, I could relate to some of the things in the book. The story itself was good and kept me entertained. I really like the author's style of writing...she writes very beautifully and descriptively and you can picture things as she describes them. Overall, a well-written book that I would recommend and I can't wait to read other books by this author!
September 6, 2016
This was a GR Giveaway book and my first reading of a Bantwal book. I won't repeat the story as it's amply available on GR.
I found the book to be a good light read, for instance for the beach or on an airplane ride. That being said, it was a good story but not compelling. The author's writing is solid and has a firm voice.
Many elements were overused; these tricks or metaphors initially were useful and then became redundant. By the end of the book, I found Soorya to be whiney, whereas she seemed just insecure at first. Many times, I wondered about Roger's motivations; he seemed too flatly portrayed.
I found the book to be a good light read, for instance for the beach or on an airplane ride. That being said, it was a good story but not compelling. The author's writing is solid and has a firm voice.
Many elements were overused; these tricks or metaphors initially were useful and then became redundant. By the end of the book, I found Soorya to be whiney, whereas she seemed just insecure at first. Many times, I wondered about Roger's motivations; he seemed too flatly portrayed.
April 16, 2012
I enjoyed seeing the world through the eyes of an ambitious independent Indian/American attorney who nonetheless was willing to try to find a husband through the traditional Indian matchmaking system. What bothered me a bit was that all relationships and even the most important legal challenge in the story seemed to be determined by whether or not they would benefit people from India living in the United States. However, I suspect this is a truthful representation of the life of a first-generation American from an immigrant family, and so that made the story interesting to me. I will look for more books by this author.
December 12, 2011
This was an interesting book about Hindu_American culture, where the main character is a lawyer, but tradition dictates that she must marry an arranged partner. From the perspective of American society and Hindu traditions - made the female lead character quite complex. I was able to identify with her on some levels.
August 19, 2017
This book started at about 3 starts, but by the end was just a solid 1 star read. I thought I was going to really like this one. For some reason, I typically enjoy books set within the Indian culture, but this book was a huge letdown. The main character, Soorya was just so unlikable, whiney, and self absorbed. The writing seemed rather poorly done as well, and so much of the story was just pointless filler. (Contrived filler at that!) For instance, there was a big part about a business trip Soorya takes that had NO baring on the story AT ALL. The opposing attorney was totally against her, then the next day called and was like...oh you win...yay Soorya. Huh? Pointless AND unbelievable. I also was sick to death of being reminded constantly about how plain and chubby poor Soorya was. Even after Daddy gave her plastic surgery she was still just sooo plain. And note to the author...you don't need to talk about the main characters diet on every page (literally every page). I was waiting in the end for her to wake up and realize her self worth and stop with the body obsession, but no. When she gets a marriage proposal one of her stipulations for saying yes is that she gets to keep her stupid diet! I was most pissed off about her treatment of Lou, a (Gasp!) black man. I was appalled at the way the author used this character. He was lovely and nice, but as soon as she didn't need him as a plot device anymore, suddenly he became unpleasant and "aggressive ". I was hoping the author was going to have the family learn a lesson about their rasiscm, but no. I should have known better. Instead, she had Soorya who had SEEMED more open suddenly show her own predjudice...but find a way to blame it on Lou.
Anyway...this book was horrid. I got the impression the author thinks she is pretty liberal and open minded...but her book says otherwise. Yikes, leave it alone...its bad.
Anyway...this book was horrid. I got the impression the author thinks she is pretty liberal and open minded...but her book says otherwise. Yikes, leave it alone...its bad.
Read
May 27, 2020Good story, but I had mixed emotions as a reader through this book. At the beginning, I was forcing myself to continue reading just because I felt something better was just up ahead. But, it was so slow and I wasn't connecting with the characters. I didn't know how I felt about either guy. Then, at the end, I wanted to be in her shoes. I agreed with her decision to not stay with her work "friend" because her interaction with him felt very awkward. I feel he was a good character once it was more developed, but he wasn't a good match for her. Thankfully for her family she ended up with a guy of her own race. I'm not for same race marriages only, but the author felt it was a cool way to show it doesn't matter the race. It's how the person makes you feel and how you connect with him/her. To be with one and thinking about another is a sure-fire way to tell you're with the wrong person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2024
there's discussion questions at the end lol
i kinda just wanted to finish this book, the biggest drag which annoyed the hell out of me was frickin lou, like get out of the goddamn picture. the book was full of plot holes and inconsistencies in the characters. one second, lou's calling her babe and the next he's acting like her father? same with soorya, she likes roger, convincingly enough for the reader to believe her and then she just acts like a whiny child being like "omg please go away". out of all the characters, i found raj to be the most compelling which surprises me tbh. the whole thing was very disjointed and felt like short stories strung together to make a book.
this was infuriating to read and i wouldn't have finished it if it weren't for the book club.
i kinda just wanted to finish this book, the biggest drag which annoyed the hell out of me was frickin lou, like get out of the goddamn picture. the book was full of plot holes and inconsistencies in the characters. one second, lou's calling her babe and the next he's acting like her father? same with soorya, she likes roger, convincingly enough for the reader to believe her and then she just acts like a whiny child being like "omg please go away". out of all the characters, i found raj to be the most compelling which surprises me tbh. the whole thing was very disjointed and felt like short stories strung together to make a book.
this was infuriating to read and i wouldn't have finished it if it weren't for the book club.
February 12, 2025
This book was interesting in that it let me read from another cultural perspective. I really enjoyed this aspect, it was interesting and beautiful. I felt like I was learning stuff whilst enjoying the read. I also really liked how marriage was discussed, very much as a patnership between two people that takes work and time. I liked how this love story wasn't about falling in love at first sight and having unreasonable standards. It was refreshing to see the logical side of marriage whilst it still being made beautiful from the slow building of love between people.
My only complaint was that sometimes I found the main character a bit annoying and overreactive.
My only complaint was that sometimes I found the main character a bit annoying and overreactive.
March 6, 2021
I was to choose to read a culture-related book back in ninth grade, over the summer. I chose this one over the title. I didn't think I'd like it and I did. I loved it actually. There's something about reading up on another's culture, separate from your own, that is enticing. The age gap of the character from myself made me see how different life will be years down the road. There's humor in it, too!
January 8, 2023
I liked the premise of this book and wanted to love it, but it just fell flat. The dialogue was choppy and didn’t leave me wanting to keep reading. I did finish it, but it was a struggle at times. When it was stated that the man was a gentleman because he didn’t take her to his house and have his way with her after she asked him not to was astounding to me. That’s not gentlemanly, that’s basic humanity. Not raping someone doesn’t make you a gentlemen, it makes you not a criminal.
January 15, 2019
I'd probably rate this a 3.5. I loved many things about it, the story, the Indian culture and traditions, the strong independent female protagonist. However, I didn't like how often she was a blithering idiot. The redundant negative self esteem issues that made her seem like a 13 year old adolescent ended up bringing my rating down from a solid 4.
October 31, 2021
story of a young girl from India raised in the US who becomes a lawyer but is torn between traditional Indian customs; i.e. arranged marriages and modern day independence. Two men come into her life, one Indian and one African American and she must decide between them.
May 13, 2018
The main character talks constantly about how she wants to lose weight. She literally drinks nothing but soda. That is the most intelligent decision she makes in the entire book.
January 1, 2019
Light reading
It is an easy to read book that is enjoyable. Perfect when you are looking for a book that doesn’t require much intensity.
It is an easy to read book that is enjoyable. Perfect when you are looking for a book that doesn’t require much intensity.
June 22, 2019
Interesting. Enjoyed the story.
October 2, 2019
This book is a simple, lite-read book to pick during leisure!
February 22, 2020
Lovely book; very touching.
May 1, 2021
Loved it! I couldn't wait to find out which man she would choose at the end.
December 4, 2024
Well, I should have read all the reviews and given this one a pass. Terrible.
November 15, 2011
The Full Moon Bride is a romantic drama.
Soorya Giri is against arranged marriages or so she thought, until recently when she realizes her "biological clock" is ticking. After years of going against her Telugu traditions, Soorya finally consents to her families strategy of finding an eligible bachelor.
Soorya has agreed to participate in a traditional bride-viewing custom that has been practiced by her people for generations. Dressing in a traditional sari, she meets her "impending" bridegroom. What Surya finds isn't what she expected.
After accepting a movie date with Roger Vadepalli, she soon learns that he has lied about his true intentions and only wishes to marry her for her considerable dowry. Roger or Rajesh as he is formally known, is involved with the theater and wishes to write, produce and direct his own Broadway productions. He has no money even though his family is rich; his father disagrees with his career choice and no longer supports Rashid in his endeavours.
Soorya is a successful environmental lawyer who also comes from a well-off family. She doesn't like deceit and though she is attracted to Roger, as she calls him, she remains his friend while combating her inner turmoils. She believes herself to be fat, hairy and ugly and doesn't realize that the men in her life do not agree with her observations.
Along the way, Soorya also finds other prospects in Lou Draper, a recently widowed attorney with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections. The two are attracted to one another and Surya becomes confused over her emotions, she had never been kissed and doesn't know how to respond to Lou's advances.
Satish is her third prospect. He is a programmer at an investment bank who aspires to be an actor. Soorya meets Satish when she goes to watch an rehearsal of Roger's play that he has managed to find a backer to support.
With her career on the rise after a couple of successful deals and her love life flourishing, Soorya finds herself overwhelmed with all the attention. Will her heart lead her along the path set before her or will her will lead her astray?
I enjoyed the writing style of Shobhan Bantwal. She wrote her characters in a believable and likeable way. I enjoyed reading about the back characters as well as the heroine. The parents brought a realistic depth to the turmoils surrounding Soorya. Her familial traditions that she beginning to embrace were explained perfectly for any reader who is not familiar with the customs of her ancestry.
I loved how the information was shared with the reader instead of expecting them to understand what it was being described. As well, it wasn't described in a condescending nature, it was shared as if Soorya herself was only just learning, which she was.
I wasn't sure if I believed that Soorya could be such a dependent who had confidence problems. She worked in a highly successful law firm as a junior partner and that's not an easy place to represent oneself with confidence and strength of will, yet, certain aspects of her character appeared flawed when weighed up against such a career rise.
I found the narrative to be believable with a natural flow to its linguistics. Stayed focused on its first person narrative and had few editorial issues.
Soorya Giri is against arranged marriages or so she thought, until recently when she realizes her "biological clock" is ticking. After years of going against her Telugu traditions, Soorya finally consents to her families strategy of finding an eligible bachelor.
Soorya has agreed to participate in a traditional bride-viewing custom that has been practiced by her people for generations. Dressing in a traditional sari, she meets her "impending" bridegroom. What Surya finds isn't what she expected.
After accepting a movie date with Roger Vadepalli, she soon learns that he has lied about his true intentions and only wishes to marry her for her considerable dowry. Roger or Rajesh as he is formally known, is involved with the theater and wishes to write, produce and direct his own Broadway productions. He has no money even though his family is rich; his father disagrees with his career choice and no longer supports Rashid in his endeavours.
Soorya is a successful environmental lawyer who also comes from a well-off family. She doesn't like deceit and though she is attracted to Roger, as she calls him, she remains his friend while combating her inner turmoils. She believes herself to be fat, hairy and ugly and doesn't realize that the men in her life do not agree with her observations.
Along the way, Soorya also finds other prospects in Lou Draper, a recently widowed attorney with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections. The two are attracted to one another and Surya becomes confused over her emotions, she had never been kissed and doesn't know how to respond to Lou's advances.
Satish is her third prospect. He is a programmer at an investment bank who aspires to be an actor. Soorya meets Satish when she goes to watch an rehearsal of Roger's play that he has managed to find a backer to support.
With her career on the rise after a couple of successful deals and her love life flourishing, Soorya finds herself overwhelmed with all the attention. Will her heart lead her along the path set before her or will her will lead her astray?
I enjoyed the writing style of Shobhan Bantwal. She wrote her characters in a believable and likeable way. I enjoyed reading about the back characters as well as the heroine. The parents brought a realistic depth to the turmoils surrounding Soorya. Her familial traditions that she beginning to embrace were explained perfectly for any reader who is not familiar with the customs of her ancestry.
I loved how the information was shared with the reader instead of expecting them to understand what it was being described. As well, it wasn't described in a condescending nature, it was shared as if Soorya herself was only just learning, which she was.
I wasn't sure if I believed that Soorya could be such a dependent who had confidence problems. She worked in a highly successful law firm as a junior partner and that's not an easy place to represent oneself with confidence and strength of will, yet, certain aspects of her character appeared flawed when weighed up against such a career rise.
I found the narrative to be believable with a natural flow to its linguistics. Stayed focused on its first person narrative and had few editorial issues.
September 16, 2011
The Full Moon Bride is a highly entertaining look at life for a woman straddling the line between trying to be American and sticking to her Indian roots. Since Soorya has pursued her career as an environmental lawyer it has left little time to pursue romance and men so as she has approached thirty she has decided to go the old-fashioned Indian route of bridal viewings to find her a husband. It's not quite the same as arranged marriage, at least the parties involved get a chance to know each other, but it's still not the same as meeting a random man in a bar. But it's hard to meet random Indian men of her culture in a bar. After the first few are pretty bad, Soorya meets Roger who she finds an instant attraction to. However Roger has other things in mind and thus begins a back and forth play between the two that mirrors what often goes on between two people dating even though Roger and Soorya aren't really dating. Add in another interesting man and The Full Moon Bride is even more interesting.
While I couldn't relate on a cultural level to Soorya, I could relate as a woman and I found her culture fascinating to read about. I loved that she took her culture seriously as she grew older. I also enjoyed the things she learned about herself during the book. I liked that she was confident, but still a little self-conscious. I liked the look into her work life as well as her personal life, it really rounded her out as a person and helped the reader get to know her better.
At times I liked Roger and at times I didn't. I saw what was going on better than Soorya, but then again isn't it easier to see things from the outside looking in? I loved how they interacted together. You could really tell they could have good chemistry. I also liked Lou. Lou is handsome, he is suave, the older man, the kind man. There is no distrust there and there is chemistry there is well. So I liked the possible love triangle.
I was captivated by The Full Moon Bride. It was entertaining and enlightening. I loved Soorya's insights into her life. From the food, to her parents and grandmother, Soorya shares all of her life with the reader during the book and I think you will be as enchanted as I was. To me it was not only a tale of who she will ultimately fall for in the end, but a tale of her life and I found her life fascinating to read about and hard to put down. The Full Moon Bride is a great read for the end of summer, beginning of fall, for those coming cool nights or those last warm days, or really for any day you just want to be taken away to someone else's life for a little while. Come, enjoy, The Full Moon Bride.
While I couldn't relate on a cultural level to Soorya, I could relate as a woman and I found her culture fascinating to read about. I loved that she took her culture seriously as she grew older. I also enjoyed the things she learned about herself during the book. I liked that she was confident, but still a little self-conscious. I liked the look into her work life as well as her personal life, it really rounded her out as a person and helped the reader get to know her better.
At times I liked Roger and at times I didn't. I saw what was going on better than Soorya, but then again isn't it easier to see things from the outside looking in? I loved how they interacted together. You could really tell they could have good chemistry. I also liked Lou. Lou is handsome, he is suave, the older man, the kind man. There is no distrust there and there is chemistry there is well. So I liked the possible love triangle.
I was captivated by The Full Moon Bride. It was entertaining and enlightening. I loved Soorya's insights into her life. From the food, to her parents and grandmother, Soorya shares all of her life with the reader during the book and I think you will be as enchanted as I was. To me it was not only a tale of who she will ultimately fall for in the end, but a tale of her life and I found her life fascinating to read about and hard to put down. The Full Moon Bride is a great read for the end of summer, beginning of fall, for those coming cool nights or those last warm days, or really for any day you just want to be taken away to someone else's life for a little while. Come, enjoy, The Full Moon Bride.
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