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Take One Arranged Marriage...
... and one bride not afraid of some covert rearranging!
When Tara Sundaram learns that her father has found the perfect husband, she's not convinced. She may be from a traditional Indian family, but she is far from conventional. Perhaps she should check out her future husband in secret — just in case!
When Tara bumps into Vikram Krishnan — all six feet of deliciousness — her blushes betray her outward coolness. Maybe marriage to Vikram will have its perks! But before she says 'yes', Tara has a few little rules for her husband-to-be.
Only she hadn't counted on Vikram being just as keen to throw out the rule books as her...!
When Tara Sundaram learns that her father has found the perfect husband, she's not convinced. She may be from a traditional Indian family, but she is far from conventional. Perhaps she should check out her future husband in secret — just in case!
When Tara bumps into Vikram Krishnan — all six feet of deliciousness — her blushes betray her outward coolness. Maybe marriage to Vikram will have its perks! But before she says 'yes', Tara has a few little rules for her husband-to-be.
Only she hadn't counted on Vikram being just as keen to throw out the rule books as her...!
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2013
14 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Shoma Narayanan
33 books68 followersShoma started reading romances at the age of eleven, borrowing them from neighbours so that her parents didn’t find out. At that time the thought of writing one herself never entered her head. But a couple of years ago Shoma took up writing and was amazed at how much she enjoyed it. Now she works grimly at her banking job through the week, and tries to balance writing with household chores during weekends. Her family has been unfailingly supportive of her latest hobby.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 19, 2017
a very beautiful story for an arranged marriage!I loved the fact that the author showed a modern picture of India even though the theme was arranged marriage.the heroine instead of being portrayed as a helpless doormat without backbone was indeed portrayed as a young vivacious and ambitious girl.it was not like she was floored by the hero at the first sight and fell madly in love but she gradually started to like him and love blossomed.loved to read about her journey.the author broke from the sterotyoe of the hero being a hot shot tycoon,instead he was a workoholic lawyer!my only complain is that I wanted the hero to show more of his basic feelings like possessiveness or jealousy!also I really wanted an epilogue.overall the author did justice to her take on arranged marriages in India;)
July 15, 2013
One more Mills and Boon review:
Shoma Narayanan does it again. Her book, Take one arranged marriage, is the story of Naintara Sundaram, a 22 year old girl living in Jamshedpur with her parents. She wants to go to Bangalore to do her PhD in Botany and her father wants her to get married. He says that she can work as a school teacher till she gets married. She contemplates running away to Bangalore, and her friend is ready to lend her money. Then one day, her father responds to a matrimonial ad in the newspaper.
Vikram Krishnan, 33, 6 feet 2 inches, is a lawyer in Bangalore, whose father also works as a General Manager in the same Organization as hers.
They both have their reasons to get married to each other. He needs a wife because of his social status and she needs to get to Bangalore to do her PhD. They get married and move to Bangalore.
A very well written book. I really liked the way the author describes the emotions of both the characters. If you looking for something sweet when stressed out, I feel this the book to read.
Shoma Narayanan does it again. Her book, Take one arranged marriage, is the story of Naintara Sundaram, a 22 year old girl living in Jamshedpur with her parents. She wants to go to Bangalore to do her PhD in Botany and her father wants her to get married. He says that she can work as a school teacher till she gets married. She contemplates running away to Bangalore, and her friend is ready to lend her money. Then one day, her father responds to a matrimonial ad in the newspaper.
Vikram Krishnan, 33, 6 feet 2 inches, is a lawyer in Bangalore, whose father also works as a General Manager in the same Organization as hers.
They both have their reasons to get married to each other. He needs a wife because of his social status and she needs to get to Bangalore to do her PhD. They get married and move to Bangalore.
A very well written book. I really liked the way the author describes the emotions of both the characters. If you looking for something sweet when stressed out, I feel this the book to read.
April 4, 2015
Really enjoyed this one.
May 23, 2017
I have never felt like reading an Indian Mills & Boon till now. The exoticized covers and a snippet I read years ago had put me off. But then I read good reviews of this book and, being in a reading slump, decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised. This is a believable, well-written story of two people who learn to know each other after an arranged marriage, yes, like many of our movies portray. What is different here is that the woman (only 22, for heaven’s sakes! Could she not be a little older?) knows her own mind and is clear that she is marrying to escape from the confines of her loving but suffocating family, and complete her research. The tension between progressiveness and conservatism is explored well, and I enjoyed this story.
August 30, 2020
I liked the style. Of course I missed not have the steamy scenes. However, I was a little let down on how forgiving Tara is of her husband. But considering, the author is portraying someone brought up in a traditional Indian household, it is understandable. I would have liked a little groveling from Vikram towards the end. But sadly, it did not happen. Overall, it was difficult to drop the book mid read and it was so interesting I finished it in 3 hrs straight.
August 8, 2019
Osm novel by Shoma Narayanan.Loved it.really enjoyed reading.Tara's character is very lively.worth reading.
December 2, 2021
A old tradition with modern thinking make this book perfectly fresh and unique read. I loved this book!
March 9, 2014
Like the title would suggest, Take One Arranged Marriage... is all about an arranged marriage, which still makes sense in a romance set in India, which is what this is. Shoma Narayanan is one of the authors writing for the Indian imprint of the Harlequin Mills & Boon line, and those folks release this edition for the region of Australian, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. This is how this book falls into the clutches of yours truly.
Naintara Sundaram is a pretty progressive lady for a 22-year old living with her conservative parents in Jamshedpur. She hopes to get a PhD soon, but her father insists that she settles down with a guy. Well, if she can't find a guy, maybe he'd concede to her getting a teaching job in the neighborhood. But to him, it is just not done for Tara to run off to some university away from home. Tara disagrees, but you know how living with traditional parents can be - it's hard to just keep arguing, especially when you feel guilty sometimes for bruising their feelings.
When the story opens, Tara learns that her parents have contracted the parents of her future husband behind her back. Apparently Tara's father learned from his boss that this boss has placed an ad looking for a wife for the boss's 32-year old son Vikram Krishnan. Marrying his daughter to the general manager of the company is like marrying the girl to a Duke back in the old days, so the man eagerly convinces Vikram's father that Tara is the epitome of the sweet traditional girl that every upper caste Indian man would be pleased to marry.
Tara sees a silver lining in this whole farce: Vikram is a businessman based in Bengaluru, the very place where she intends to pursue her studies. If she can intercept him before he reaches her parents, and they can come to some kind of agreement where they'd marry but she is free to pursue her studies, perhaps things would work out for the best.
As it turns out, Vikram is a very agreeable fellow. Seriously, he is a very nice guy, especially for a hero in a tale featuring an arranged marriage. I almost pinch myself - if I am not dreaming, I have better start buying the lottery because this is amazing - until I realize that this book is released under the Sexy imprint and not the hilariously misnamed Modern one. You know, the line where heroes are still allowed to smile and have fun instead of acting like they have barbed baseball bats shoved up their nether region. Unlike other books in the Sexy imprint, however, the love scenes here are very mild - nothing graphic at all. I guess I can't have everything, heh.
Take One Arranged Marriage... is a very easy read. The characters enjoy an easy-going camaraderie and their banter feels natural and humorous. The first half or so of this book is all about romantic comedy that works. The characters are a bit one note, but they are likable sorts and their chemistry is enjoyable to follow.
There is minimal angst in this story, and what little conflict there is here is quickly resolved shortly after it crops up. This is a double-edged sword of sorts. On one hand, there is no forced conflict to generate fireworks. On the other hand, with the characters being so agreeable and so quickly to resolve their differences, this story doesn't have much going for it once the characters get married by the midway point of this story. Without packing an emotional punch, the story ends up being too lightweight for its own good.
But hey, this doesn't necessarily mean that this story is bad. It's one to while the blues away since it delivers romantic comedy with a light-hearted touch. Like cotton candy, though, it makes me feel like, while it sure tastes nice, I'm missing that special something that would have made the meal better.
Naintara Sundaram is a pretty progressive lady for a 22-year old living with her conservative parents in Jamshedpur. She hopes to get a PhD soon, but her father insists that she settles down with a guy. Well, if she can't find a guy, maybe he'd concede to her getting a teaching job in the neighborhood. But to him, it is just not done for Tara to run off to some university away from home. Tara disagrees, but you know how living with traditional parents can be - it's hard to just keep arguing, especially when you feel guilty sometimes for bruising their feelings.
When the story opens, Tara learns that her parents have contracted the parents of her future husband behind her back. Apparently Tara's father learned from his boss that this boss has placed an ad looking for a wife for the boss's 32-year old son Vikram Krishnan. Marrying his daughter to the general manager of the company is like marrying the girl to a Duke back in the old days, so the man eagerly convinces Vikram's father that Tara is the epitome of the sweet traditional girl that every upper caste Indian man would be pleased to marry.
Tara sees a silver lining in this whole farce: Vikram is a businessman based in Bengaluru, the very place where she intends to pursue her studies. If she can intercept him before he reaches her parents, and they can come to some kind of agreement where they'd marry but she is free to pursue her studies, perhaps things would work out for the best.
As it turns out, Vikram is a very agreeable fellow. Seriously, he is a very nice guy, especially for a hero in a tale featuring an arranged marriage. I almost pinch myself - if I am not dreaming, I have better start buying the lottery because this is amazing - until I realize that this book is released under the Sexy imprint and not the hilariously misnamed Modern one. You know, the line where heroes are still allowed to smile and have fun instead of acting like they have barbed baseball bats shoved up their nether region. Unlike other books in the Sexy imprint, however, the love scenes here are very mild - nothing graphic at all. I guess I can't have everything, heh.
Take One Arranged Marriage... is a very easy read. The characters enjoy an easy-going camaraderie and their banter feels natural and humorous. The first half or so of this book is all about romantic comedy that works. The characters are a bit one note, but they are likable sorts and their chemistry is enjoyable to follow.
There is minimal angst in this story, and what little conflict there is here is quickly resolved shortly after it crops up. This is a double-edged sword of sorts. On one hand, there is no forced conflict to generate fireworks. On the other hand, with the characters being so agreeable and so quickly to resolve their differences, this story doesn't have much going for it once the characters get married by the midway point of this story. Without packing an emotional punch, the story ends up being too lightweight for its own good.
But hey, this doesn't necessarily mean that this story is bad. It's one to while the blues away since it delivers romantic comedy with a light-hearted touch. Like cotton candy, though, it makes me feel like, while it sure tastes nice, I'm missing that special something that would have made the meal better.
June 8, 2016
This book is about an arranged marriage. The story-line was quite realistic. There are not many books out there about arranged marriages, where the people in the relationship consent to it.
The story looks at the initial few months of Tara and Vikram's relationship. The newly-weds do not know much about each other and as a result they misunderstand each other and make assumptions. The story is about how the couple stop being upset with each-other and eventually make up and fall in love. It's about a couple who eventually kiss and make up. I would rate the story-line as just OK, nothing amazing.
The story looks at the initial few months of Tara and Vikram's relationship. The newly-weds do not know much about each other and as a result they misunderstand each other and make assumptions. The story is about how the couple stop being upset with each-other and eventually make up and fall in love. It's about a couple who eventually kiss and make up. I would rate the story-line as just OK, nothing amazing.
November 9, 2014
Take One Arranged Marriage by Shoma Narayanan is a wonderful book .The Title of the book is apt .What i like about this book is the characters that are well described like Mr. Sundaram ,Tara his wife who is sandwiched between two of them (Tara and Mr.Sundaram ) which normally happens in arranged marriages & Vikram and his parents Mr. Krishnan and his wife
I like Tara character because she young , modern girl who does not accepts things until she sees like she goes to station to see Vikram and speak to him about her future in such a way that makes him smile SHE NOT AFRAID OF IT. FOR HER OWN SATISFACTION even though Vikram didn't like it
On the contrary Vikram character is typical alpha male who talks less,his fear of losing Tara and despite being a successful lawyer finds it difficult/takes time to express his love for Tara and who is not able come over the accident that happened to his brother Vijay and he thinks its was of his fault and Tara who is fells dejected when he rejects her love and tries hard not to love him unconditionally that gives her pain or ache in her heart but fails in this attempt
I like the way Shoma has written the book . It made laugh ,smile and sad and happy at the end . This book of reminded of those wedding which I have attended
Recommended to all who are single , going to get hitched , or to those couple who are love and who are getting ready to be married to their love or someone special as its the season of fun,love and marriages
very beautiful book go grab it know and enjoy your fun journey with Tara and Vikram
I like Tara character because she young , modern girl who does not accepts things until she sees like she goes to station to see Vikram and speak to him about her future in such a way that makes him smile SHE NOT AFRAID OF IT. FOR HER OWN SATISFACTION even though Vikram didn't like it
On the contrary Vikram character is typical alpha male who talks less,his fear of losing Tara and despite being a successful lawyer finds it difficult/takes time to express his love for Tara and who is not able come over the accident that happened to his brother Vijay and he thinks its was of his fault and Tara who is fells dejected when he rejects her love and tries hard not to love him unconditionally that gives her pain or ache in her heart but fails in this attempt
I like the way Shoma has written the book . It made laugh ,smile and sad and happy at the end . This book of reminded of those wedding which I have attended
Recommended to all who are single , going to get hitched , or to those couple who are love and who are getting ready to be married to their love or someone special as its the season of fun,love and marriages
very beautiful book go grab it know and enjoy your fun journey with Tara and Vikram
December 14, 2014
No doubt, Shoma Narayanan is the best author for the Indian M&Bs collection. She has again written a very beautiful love story with which most of the Indian brides could easily relate to. Since birth, we Indian girls are told that our parents would find a prince charming for us.This book explores a weird kind of love. It is mainly driven by lust and it shows. Some parts will be quite light and good to read while, some parts seem tedious and uneccessary. Some parts seem to have been added in as an afterthought just to enhance Tara's character, though, she is an endearing one without them too..
Vikram is a scoundrel and probably one of those people you would like with time. However, i did not like him as a person or character. Some parts of him did not really make sense to me.
This is a great book if you are looking for a romance without any frills.
However, if you feel more suited to the classic school of romance, and like your heroes to be deeper men who provide a lot more to the story. Read something else. (Not that Vikram doesn't have his moments but, they are just moments in the end of day)
Vikram is a scoundrel and probably one of those people you would like with time. However, i did not like him as a person or character. Some parts of him did not really make sense to me.
This is a great book if you are looking for a romance without any frills.
However, if you feel more suited to the classic school of romance, and like your heroes to be deeper men who provide a lot more to the story. Read something else. (Not that Vikram doesn't have his moments but, they are just moments in the end of day)
December 20, 2014
No doubt, Shoma Narayanan is the best author for the Indian M&Bs collection. She has again written a very beautiful love story with which most of the Indian brides could easily relate to. Since birth, we Indian girls are told that our parents would find a prince charming for us. Tara Sundaram is one such girl only, who is told at the age of twenty-two that her parents have found a suitable match for her. The match is none other than tall, dark, handsome Vikram Krishnan who is a successful lawyer and wins Tara’s heart during the first meeting only.
Shoma has described all the ups and downs of the arranged marriage which I think most of the newlyweds would have experienced. Every Indian girl who is going to have an arranged marriage should definitely read this book. Who knows like Tara you too will have your own love story with your husband.
For complete review: http://wp.me/p42KXV-X
Shoma has described all the ups and downs of the arranged marriage which I think most of the newlyweds would have experienced. Every Indian girl who is going to have an arranged marriage should definitely read this book. Who knows like Tara you too will have your own love story with your husband.
For complete review: http://wp.me/p42KXV-X
January 6, 2014
I am a Mills and Boons skeptic and I will not say that i particularly liked this book. I approached it as a romance and in that case it fails in certain aspects. Over the reading of the book, I felt like Vikram needed to be much more understanding and different, I also felt that he was extremely impractical carrying around the tragic cross around his neck for so many years...
However, there were moments when it was enjoyable. When the author lets go of Tara's life and lets her have a mind of her own, she becomes enjoyable. Some moments even drive you to fall in love with her...
There are facts about her that I would like to more deeply but, i guess that was not possible and I feel that there were some sub plots that were unduly present, somethings that did not quite match up to the original story.
However, there were moments when it was enjoyable. When the author lets go of Tara's life and lets her have a mind of her own, she becomes enjoyable. Some moments even drive you to fall in love with her...
There are facts about her that I would like to more deeply but, i guess that was not possible and I feel that there were some sub plots that were unduly present, somethings that did not quite match up to the original story.
August 4, 2014
From now this is one of my fav novel. I couldn't keep down till I complete it and when I completed it was 2 a.m.
Take One Arranged Marriage is the 2nd novel I read of shoma narayanan, I fell in love with this novel in starting of few pages all thanks to Tara.
Tara Sundaram is straight forward, mature, open minded, smart, intelligent and of course beautiful. She is focused on her career but her parents want her get married n here's where Vikram Krishnan enters Very successful lawyer, 33, 6 feet 2 inches, is a bengaluru, smart, workaholic and handsome of course. tara want to talk to him before she get tangled in marriage n he is the only chance tara got n if he agree marry tara it will be a step to her career. But now after arranged marriage the more she try to understand him the more he is hiding. Hiding what???
Take One Arranged Marriage is the 2nd novel I read of shoma narayanan, I fell in love with this novel in starting of few pages all thanks to Tara.
Tara Sundaram is straight forward, mature, open minded, smart, intelligent and of course beautiful. She is focused on her career but her parents want her get married n here's where Vikram Krishnan enters Very successful lawyer, 33, 6 feet 2 inches, is a bengaluru, smart, workaholic and handsome of course. tara want to talk to him before she get tangled in marriage n he is the only chance tara got n if he agree marry tara it will be a step to her career. But now after arranged marriage the more she try to understand him the more he is hiding. Hiding what???
January 14, 2014
I loved, loved, loved it! I just read the last word, and I'm still wiping the tears. The ingredients are eclectic: humor, warmth, love, tragedy. No wonder the end product is so perfect. And it helps that Shoma has excellent grammar.
October 11, 2013
Tara and Vikram's characters have been etched out very well. I am looking forward to reading the other books as well.
June 17, 2014
I did enjoy this one but I don't know maybe I like the angst of the usual M&B reads. There wasn't enough for me. But other than that little quip, it was a good read! A fast one too!
December 26, 2014
Again as typical of indian authors ,raises your expectations and yes the summary behind the book is quite deceptive .but yes its good to read as its simple and sweet .
June 16, 2015
totally loved it...
February 18, 2016
an average book with a typical style Bollywood romance story which has a husband at fault for not understanding wife's feelings in an arranged marriage, nothing much to draw out of it
February 23, 2016
The book was just awesome. I am from south India and I was completely able to relate with tara in the book, how a girl has lots of questions and doubts about arranged marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2016
like u r on movie sets...
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews