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A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute
Katrina Shah just wants out of the fame game, away from her high-profile family's drama. But dodging the spotlight? Tough luck. Especially when she collides with Hollywood's golden boy, Evan Kristof. Her heart doesn't seem to have received the memo to steer clear of him.
Evan's used to the spotlight, the parties, the glitz. Yet, he's craving a break, some peace. Then he meets Katrina, and suddenly, tranquility's the last thing on his mind.
As they both try to escape their pasts, sparks fly between the girl who wants anonymity and the movie star. But can they navigate crazy families, an over-the-top wedding, and their undeniable chemistry without getting burned? Their fling might just turn into something much bigger than they bargained for.
“Bollywood movies and smutty romance novels are every Desi girl's guilty pleasure. And I had the crazy idea to combine the two...”
−Miya Malai
Evan's used to the spotlight, the parties, the glitz. Yet, he's craving a break, some peace. Then he meets Katrina, and suddenly, tranquility's the last thing on his mind.
As they both try to escape their pasts, sparks fly between the girl who wants anonymity and the movie star. But can they navigate crazy families, an over-the-top wedding, and their undeniable chemistry without getting burned? Their fling might just turn into something much bigger than they bargained for.
“Bollywood movies and smutty romance novels are every Desi girl's guilty pleasure. And I had the crazy idea to combine the two...”
−Miya Malai
- GenresRomanceIndian Literature
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2024
4 people are currently reading
1792 people want to read
About the author
Miya Malai
1 book24 followersMiya Malai was a second-generation confused brown girl with conservative parents, who would have looked at Bridgerton with horror. But little did they know she would sneak Julia Quinn books from the library when she was in high school. She grew up with DDLJ playing at least once a week in her Dadi's bedroom. And she longed for her favorite Bollywood heroine's character to be in a book. After years of scouring through smutty romance novels, she thought she'd combine her two favorites on her own.
Miya wants to empower the voice of brown girls struggling with stigmas in the South Asian community, while also appreciating the culture.
When Miya isn't writing, she's drinking chai or spending time with her husband and three young children on Long Island, NY.
You can find her online as Miya Malai on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
Miya wants to empower the voice of brown girls struggling with stigmas in the South Asian community, while also appreciating the culture.
When Miya isn't writing, she's drinking chai or spending time with her husband and three young children on Long Island, NY.
You can find her online as Miya Malai on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
May 13, 2024
⁀➷ ★★.25
🩰
✦ You could not have paid me to care about any of this. I just did not give a fuck.
🩰
✦ You could not have paid me to care about any of this. I just did not give a fuck.
February 27, 2024
2.5 stars
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First of all I would like to thank Netgalley as well as Miya Malai for allowing me to read the arc in exchange for an honest review.
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Honestly the book was okay, it was easy to read and flowed pretty nicely.
I loved seeing the rep of mental health and the indian culture in a mainstream book.
I liked Katrina and Evan as characters but i think a lot of the other side characters (and there are a bunch) kind of just fell flat because they just seemed like the same person with the same personality.
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I really appreciated the mental health rep in the book however i did find it a bit repetitive at times because we would read about an anxiety attack from the past that one of the character's experienced, then in the next chapter the other character would ask them about their anxiety and then we'd have to read yet another story about their anxiety.
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One of my biggest complaints about this book is just the fact that a lot of the book seemed to take place from recollections of the past, i don't want to spoil anything for anyone looking to read the book, but i felt more like the character was talking to me about an experience rather than us seeing them experience these things themself. (iykyk)
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The dialogue was okay, i did find some characters would say things that no real person would actual say and it just made the scene seem kind of cringey. There were also a bunch of repeat words which got a bit annoying to read over and over, in the chapters about the wedding the words "hot" and "sexy" were use constantly.
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Now, I'm all for books having smut in them however, in this book specifically I didn't like how the first time we met Evan (chapter 2), he was instantly lusting over Katrina and even through out the book he is able to go into detail about how her body looks but when it comes to her personality he can only say that she's generous, giving, kind and a hard worker... He also starts to talk about how he feels such a connection with her in one sentence and then follows it up with only talking about her body. It was hard for me to really believe they were in love if I'm being honest.
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The overall idea of this book is amazing, unfortunately I feel like the book still needed some editing to really make it stand out
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First of all I would like to thank Netgalley as well as Miya Malai for allowing me to read the arc in exchange for an honest review.
-
Honestly the book was okay, it was easy to read and flowed pretty nicely.
I loved seeing the rep of mental health and the indian culture in a mainstream book.
I liked Katrina and Evan as characters but i think a lot of the other side characters (and there are a bunch) kind of just fell flat because they just seemed like the same person with the same personality.
-
I really appreciated the mental health rep in the book however i did find it a bit repetitive at times because we would read about an anxiety attack from the past that one of the character's experienced, then in the next chapter the other character would ask them about their anxiety and then we'd have to read yet another story about their anxiety.
-
One of my biggest complaints about this book is just the fact that a lot of the book seemed to take place from recollections of the past, i don't want to spoil anything for anyone looking to read the book, but i felt more like the character was talking to me about an experience rather than us seeing them experience these things themself. (iykyk)
-
The dialogue was okay, i did find some characters would say things that no real person would actual say and it just made the scene seem kind of cringey. There were also a bunch of repeat words which got a bit annoying to read over and over, in the chapters about the wedding the words "hot" and "sexy" were use constantly.
-
Now, I'm all for books having smut in them however, in this book specifically I didn't like how the first time we met Evan (chapter 2), he was instantly lusting over Katrina and even through out the book he is able to go into detail about how her body looks but when it comes to her personality he can only say that she's generous, giving, kind and a hard worker... He also starts to talk about how he feels such a connection with her in one sentence and then follows it up with only talking about her body. It was hard for me to really believe they were in love if I'm being honest.
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The overall idea of this book is amazing, unfortunately I feel like the book still needed some editing to really make it stand out
![Profile Image for Yves V.H. [Slow reading].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1768806067i%2F170151541._UY200_CR6%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 6, 2024
I'm gonna be honest and say that I did not enjoy reading this book at all. I feel bad because this is an ARC and I really tried to enjoy or at least like it a bit but it was, honestly, a difficult book to read.
There were a lot of inconsistencies like the switch in POV, it confused me a lot. It says Katrina but somehow I feel like we are looking more into Evan's POV and vice versa. Then the spicy scenes, I am all it for the the spice, but somehow on this book, it didn't hit me the way it should. Like the other reviewers said, it could come off as cringey and the settings switches (seemed like the author was confused too or didn't explain it very well that they were moving from one place to another).
I get that Evan hates being popular (or at least parts of it like being exposed in social media) but he comes of very whiny at times when he complains about his popularity. The two characters are waaaaay to similar. I think the only way to distinguish them is by their names; most probably also the reason why their POVs confused me because they sounded very alike too.
I am not an Indian but I'm pretty sure there's more to show than what was expressed here. And that was what I'm excited about but it really didn't give anything than the wedding part. Otherwise, I didn't feel the Indian culture in this book. Ironic because Bollywood is in the title but it felt more like Hollywood.The nicknames (Indian endearments) confused me because there were a lot and I think some of them means the same thing? I don't know but I wish the author did something to somewhat clear up the endearments because they do get included here a lot (not against it but I really wished it was explained what they meant).
Many filler parts in every chapter. Those parts did not contribute to the overall plot at all. The side characters were annoying specially when Katrina was wearing her traditional clothes and everyone keeps repeating how sexy she was in it. Literally the whole chapter. I get it, Katrina has an amazing body.
Overall, this book is not for me. I have lots of problems with it and it almost sent me to another reading slump. I had to pull out a different book from my shelf just to fight it.
I received an eARC but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
There were a lot of inconsistencies like the switch in POV, it confused me a lot. It says Katrina but somehow I feel like we are looking more into Evan's POV and vice versa. Then the spicy scenes, I am all it for the the spice, but somehow on this book, it didn't hit me the way it should. Like the other reviewers said, it could come off as cringey and the settings switches (seemed like the author was confused too or didn't explain it very well that they were moving from one place to another).
I get that Evan hates being popular (or at least parts of it like being exposed in social media) but he comes of very whiny at times when he complains about his popularity. The two characters are waaaaay to similar. I think the only way to distinguish them is by their names; most probably also the reason why their POVs confused me because they sounded very alike too.
I am not an Indian but I'm pretty sure there's more to show than what was expressed here. And that was what I'm excited about but it really didn't give anything than the wedding part. Otherwise, I didn't feel the Indian culture in this book. Ironic because Bollywood is in the title but it felt more like Hollywood.The nicknames (Indian endearments) confused me because there were a lot and I think some of them means the same thing? I don't know but I wish the author did something to somewhat clear up the endearments because they do get included here a lot (not against it but I really wished it was explained what they meant).
Many filler parts in every chapter. Those parts did not contribute to the overall plot at all. The side characters were annoying specially when Katrina was wearing her traditional clothes and everyone keeps repeating how sexy she was in it. Literally the whole chapter. I get it, Katrina has an amazing body.
Overall, this book is not for me. I have lots of problems with it and it almost sent me to another reading slump. I had to pull out a different book from my shelf just to fight it.
I received an eARC but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
March 31, 2024
First of all, I would like to thank Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
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The synopsis of the book and the gorgeous cover really caught my attention, so I was really excited to read a Bollywood inspired romance. Sadly, from the very first chapter (the Prologue) all my excitement went down by 90%.
The prologue was all over the place, with information being carelessly throw in passing and characters being introduced in a flat manner. I thought maybe the rest of the book would be more fleshed out and the confusion would cease as I read, like when there’s an info dump of information in fantasy books and you get the hook of plot after the first three chapters. But oh boy, that did not happen.
-
First of all, Katrina acted as if she was an immature 14y old even thought she was 28y and the super serious and important manager of her family’s huge company. And the same can be applied to her cousins, sisters and even friends. The dialogue was cringe most of the time, and the constant reminder of how Katri was so hot, and sexy, and had huge boobs honestly started to annoy me after some time. And when her sisters and cousin literally started singing Body by Megan Thee Stallion (not once but twice) I had to stop and close the book.
And don’t even get me started on Evan. The first time he sees Katri five out of seven words is him lusting after her body and commenting on how good her English was. Dude, she’s literally born and raised in Chicago??? His friend Jaime was no better, and the constant remarks and comments about “Indian spice” “hot bodies” and other sexist and fetishisation passages did not seat well with me.
The plot of the book went nowhere. I was at 70% of it wondering what could possibly happen in the last 30% that had not happened yet. The last 10% of the book had a bunch of things happening at the same time and the epilogue was like a bucket of freezing water, with the book ending out of nowhere leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
The Pride and Prejudice reference was poorly written and executed, and absolutely did not make the plot move forward because in the next five pages Evan apologises and that’s it. His constant attitude and mood swings in the beginning of the book also left me confused and made the pace strange.
The main characters personalities in general were non existent apart from the fact that: a)Katri was hot and sexy and had lush curves and sexy; b) Evan did not want to be famous; c) they both had anxiety and panic attacks. The side characters were not much better, with their “personalities” being literally the same and all forgettable and just there to fill the gaps.
-
In addition, I’m not South Asian or Indian, so I was really excited to read about Katri’s culture and traditions but it was a bit of a let down. Apart from the wedding traditions I did not feel as if her culture was very explored. Even Katrina’s mother’s speech about her cousin marrying a black girl and how they should be accepted regardless of that, with her even comparing their situation with when she (a Pakistani) married Katri’s father, felt flat given how it was throw more like an afterthought and so out of sync with the rest of other scenes/paragraphs written.
-
I found a lot of typos and grammar mistakes in the book, not to mention the constant shifts between verbal tenses in scenes that were happening during the time period. The flashbacks scenes also felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the book, starting and finishing without warning.
The mental health topic is very important and interesting, but it was approached similarly with the rest of the “plot”: some lines here and there thrown in anyway, disconnected from the rest of the scene, later to be repeated countless times as the book progressed.
To be completely honest, the book read like a bad Wattpad fanfic written by a 13 year old. The ideia was innovative and had potential, which sadly was wasted. It desperately needs an editor to go through the mistakes I mentioned above, not to say an agent and beta reader to sit down with the author and orient them on how to properly flesh out the plot and characters.
-
I thought about DNFing the book countless times, which pains me to say when I was kindly given the ARC to read. At the end, after powering through the reading all I can do is give it 1 (one) star out of 5 (five).
Sadly, I won’t be recommending this book to anyone I know any time soon.
-
The synopsis of the book and the gorgeous cover really caught my attention, so I was really excited to read a Bollywood inspired romance. Sadly, from the very first chapter (the Prologue) all my excitement went down by 90%.
The prologue was all over the place, with information being carelessly throw in passing and characters being introduced in a flat manner. I thought maybe the rest of the book would be more fleshed out and the confusion would cease as I read, like when there’s an info dump of information in fantasy books and you get the hook of plot after the first three chapters. But oh boy, that did not happen.
-
First of all, Katrina acted as if she was an immature 14y old even thought she was 28y and the super serious and important manager of her family’s huge company. And the same can be applied to her cousins, sisters and even friends. The dialogue was cringe most of the time, and the constant reminder of how Katri was so hot, and sexy, and had huge boobs honestly started to annoy me after some time. And when her sisters and cousin literally started singing Body by Megan Thee Stallion (not once but twice) I had to stop and close the book.
And don’t even get me started on Evan. The first time he sees Katri five out of seven words is him lusting after her body and commenting on how good her English was. Dude, she’s literally born and raised in Chicago??? His friend Jaime was no better, and the constant remarks and comments about “Indian spice” “hot bodies” and other sexist and fetishisation passages did not seat well with me.
The plot of the book went nowhere. I was at 70% of it wondering what could possibly happen in the last 30% that had not happened yet. The last 10% of the book had a bunch of things happening at the same time and the epilogue was like a bucket of freezing water, with the book ending out of nowhere leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
The Pride and Prejudice reference was poorly written and executed, and absolutely did not make the plot move forward because in the next five pages Evan apologises and that’s it. His constant attitude and mood swings in the beginning of the book also left me confused and made the pace strange.
The main characters personalities in general were non existent apart from the fact that: a)Katri was hot and sexy and had lush curves and sexy; b) Evan did not want to be famous; c) they both had anxiety and panic attacks. The side characters were not much better, with their “personalities” being literally the same and all forgettable and just there to fill the gaps.
-
In addition, I’m not South Asian or Indian, so I was really excited to read about Katri’s culture and traditions but it was a bit of a let down. Apart from the wedding traditions I did not feel as if her culture was very explored. Even Katrina’s mother’s speech about her cousin marrying a black girl and how they should be accepted regardless of that, with her even comparing their situation with when she (a Pakistani) married Katri’s father, felt flat given how it was throw more like an afterthought and so out of sync with the rest of other scenes/paragraphs written.
-
I found a lot of typos and grammar mistakes in the book, not to mention the constant shifts between verbal tenses in scenes that were happening during the time period. The flashbacks scenes also felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the book, starting and finishing without warning.
The mental health topic is very important and interesting, but it was approached similarly with the rest of the “plot”: some lines here and there thrown in anyway, disconnected from the rest of the scene, later to be repeated countless times as the book progressed.
To be completely honest, the book read like a bad Wattpad fanfic written by a 13 year old. The ideia was innovative and had potential, which sadly was wasted. It desperately needs an editor to go through the mistakes I mentioned above, not to say an agent and beta reader to sit down with the author and orient them on how to properly flesh out the plot and characters.
-
I thought about DNFing the book countless times, which pains me to say when I was kindly given the ARC to read. At the end, after powering through the reading all I can do is give it 1 (one) star out of 5 (five).
Sadly, I won’t be recommending this book to anyone I know any time soon.
February 23, 2024
*ARC recieved via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
HOO BOY! I'm about to go on a rant so pls bear with me. I was so excited about this book the moment I heard about it. I live and breathe Bollywood, so of course, finding a romance book which was so heavily Bollywood inspired, by a desi author at that, seemed like a dream come true.
I started reading and the author's note mentioned Yash Chopra & Aditya Chopra, and I got even more excited cause if you're a Bollywood buff, you know that these Chopra men basically invented romance. The book opened with a quote from a Bollywood movie for every chapter and the first one was the opening poetry from Veer Zaara! I will not lie, I actually squealed. In this house we do not joke about Veer Zaara, the best romantic movie of all time.
Sorry, but setting the stage is very important. Y'all need to understand. I was EXCITED EXCITED. I really thought this was gonna be romance of the year. And then this was utter rubbish. I felt so betrayed, honestly. The author promised a Bollywood-esque romance but failed to deliver on every single account. This didn't make me feel 1% of what even the trashiest Bollywood movies can evoke in a viewer.
It felt like the characters all had the same personality. There was a huge ensemble in this one but every single character, and especially the women, were totally interchangeable. I cannot tell you how to distinguish one woman from another except they have different names. Their personalities are all the same which is basically just to talk about sex, actually. Literally 90% of the conversations in this book are about that. Which, I love sex positive books, but a character needs to have a personality beyond that as well! It was severely lacking here.
We see that Evan, the MMC, first sees Katrina, the FMC, at an event she's hosting. She's thanking the crowd for turning up and his first thought is that he's surprised she doesn't have an accent. Then he comments on how her English is even better than his. Basically implying that because she's brown, he didn't think she could speak English. Also bish you also have an accent. It's called American! Wtf? After that, he immediately starts lusting after her and then spends the entire book talking about the "crazy chemistry" they seem to have but it was just so bland? Not one single scene between the two of them had even a drop of sexual tension. At first they try to fight this seemingly overpowering sexual tension but then give in so quickly? Also, the sex scenes? Extremely cringey.
It's so silly though because once they start sleeping together it feels like they interact even less? It's just mentioned how they somehow fall into a pattern of spending all their time together but even then they have more page time with Katrina's family than each other. Which is so annoying. Don't get me wrong. I love a good ensemble. They always make things so interesting. But here, having all these characters only took away from the romance. They all got too much screen time for doing absolutely nothing actually. Just having the same conversations again and again. It was fucking boring after a point like yes we get it y'all can only talk about each other's romantic relationships and nothing else.
There was so much telling and zero showing. I absolutely did not connect with the characters' mental health issues at all because wdym I've been having panic attacks for 5 years but then it's not something that is explored properly. Same goes for the hero's anxiety issues. I know that he has them because he constantly keeps saying he has anxiety, but we don't see much about it.
These two just fall into bed together then 10 days later I love yous are being exchanged and I'm like wtf how? They have had maybe two meaningful conversations in this time. It's absolutely ridiculous. Why can Evan write 5 pages on how hot and sexy Katrina is but when it comes to her personality it's only that she's kind and hard-working? What even?
It also annoyed me that the author would keep saying so and so character said this in Hindi but then the dialogue would actually be in English. It was like, Mom said in Hindi, "How are you?" EITHER COMMIT TO THE BIT AND PUT ACTUAL HINDI WORDS OR DONT MENTION THE LANGUAGE. What is the need to half-ass it like this? It is understandable that since they're living in America and the book is also an English language book, the characters are communicating in English. You don't have to pull shit like this it only makes the story more annoying.
Also, this might seem petty to you but how dare someone call themselves a bollywood fan and then say yaad piya ki aane lagi is neha kakkar's song???? DUNKING ON FALGUNI PATHAK'S LEGACY LIKE THIS? HAVE SOME SHAME FFS HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF A BOLLYWOOD FAN? GO DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Another thing that really bothered me was the constant Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai talk as if it's not common knowledge that he was an abusive boyfriend to her and made her life miserable when they were together. There are so many sizzling pairs in Bollywood that don't actually have such shoddy back stories but then the author had to go and choose this one couple to make the heroine swoon over? WHY?
Anyway yeah save yourself the trouble of reading this and instead watch a Bollywood movie to make better use of your time. I would suggest Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Veer Zaara, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai for starters.
HOO BOY! I'm about to go on a rant so pls bear with me. I was so excited about this book the moment I heard about it. I live and breathe Bollywood, so of course, finding a romance book which was so heavily Bollywood inspired, by a desi author at that, seemed like a dream come true.
I started reading and the author's note mentioned Yash Chopra & Aditya Chopra, and I got even more excited cause if you're a Bollywood buff, you know that these Chopra men basically invented romance. The book opened with a quote from a Bollywood movie for every chapter and the first one was the opening poetry from Veer Zaara! I will not lie, I actually squealed. In this house we do not joke about Veer Zaara, the best romantic movie of all time.
Sorry, but setting the stage is very important. Y'all need to understand. I was EXCITED EXCITED. I really thought this was gonna be romance of the year. And then this was utter rubbish. I felt so betrayed, honestly. The author promised a Bollywood-esque romance but failed to deliver on every single account. This didn't make me feel 1% of what even the trashiest Bollywood movies can evoke in a viewer.
It felt like the characters all had the same personality. There was a huge ensemble in this one but every single character, and especially the women, were totally interchangeable. I cannot tell you how to distinguish one woman from another except they have different names. Their personalities are all the same which is basically just to talk about sex, actually. Literally 90% of the conversations in this book are about that. Which, I love sex positive books, but a character needs to have a personality beyond that as well! It was severely lacking here.
We see that Evan, the MMC, first sees Katrina, the FMC, at an event she's hosting. She's thanking the crowd for turning up and his first thought is that he's surprised she doesn't have an accent. Then he comments on how her English is even better than his. Basically implying that because she's brown, he didn't think she could speak English. Also bish you also have an accent. It's called American! Wtf? After that, he immediately starts lusting after her and then spends the entire book talking about the "crazy chemistry" they seem to have but it was just so bland? Not one single scene between the two of them had even a drop of sexual tension. At first they try to fight this seemingly overpowering sexual tension but then give in so quickly? Also, the sex scenes? Extremely cringey.
It's so silly though because once they start sleeping together it feels like they interact even less? It's just mentioned how they somehow fall into a pattern of spending all their time together but even then they have more page time with Katrina's family than each other. Which is so annoying. Don't get me wrong. I love a good ensemble. They always make things so interesting. But here, having all these characters only took away from the romance. They all got too much screen time for doing absolutely nothing actually. Just having the same conversations again and again. It was fucking boring after a point like yes we get it y'all can only talk about each other's romantic relationships and nothing else.
There was so much telling and zero showing. I absolutely did not connect with the characters' mental health issues at all because wdym I've been having panic attacks for 5 years but then it's not something that is explored properly. Same goes for the hero's anxiety issues. I know that he has them because he constantly keeps saying he has anxiety, but we don't see much about it.
These two just fall into bed together then 10 days later I love yous are being exchanged and I'm like wtf how? They have had maybe two meaningful conversations in this time. It's absolutely ridiculous. Why can Evan write 5 pages on how hot and sexy Katrina is but when it comes to her personality it's only that she's kind and hard-working? What even?
It also annoyed me that the author would keep saying so and so character said this in Hindi but then the dialogue would actually be in English. It was like, Mom said in Hindi, "How are you?" EITHER COMMIT TO THE BIT AND PUT ACTUAL HINDI WORDS OR DONT MENTION THE LANGUAGE. What is the need to half-ass it like this? It is understandable that since they're living in America and the book is also an English language book, the characters are communicating in English. You don't have to pull shit like this it only makes the story more annoying.
Also, this might seem petty to you but how dare someone call themselves a bollywood fan and then say yaad piya ki aane lagi is neha kakkar's song???? DUNKING ON FALGUNI PATHAK'S LEGACY LIKE THIS? HAVE SOME SHAME FFS HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF A BOLLYWOOD FAN? GO DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Another thing that really bothered me was the constant Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai talk as if it's not common knowledge that he was an abusive boyfriend to her and made her life miserable when they were together. There are so many sizzling pairs in Bollywood that don't actually have such shoddy back stories but then the author had to go and choose this one couple to make the heroine swoon over? WHY?
Anyway yeah save yourself the trouble of reading this and instead watch a Bollywood movie to make better use of your time. I would suggest Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Veer Zaara, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai for starters.
December 29, 2024
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute 🎥
Miya Malai
✨ Overall Rating ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️▫️
✨ Summary ✨
When Katrina Shah moved back to Chicago after a failed marriage in her family’s homeland, she carefully constructed a life of family, enterprise, and community empowerment. There was no room for romance in her plan—especially not romance with uppity A-list actors who can’t seem to see past her looks. But sometimes fate has a funny was of intervening…even when life isn’t a perfect Bollywood meet cute.
✨ Fave Quote ✨
“I will never find happiness if she is not in my life. Everything is crashing around me before it’s even begun.”
✨ Review ✨
I loved reading this book!! It was simultaneously lighthearted and dealt with serious topics, including mental health and abusive relationships. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy, enjoyable multicultural reading experience!
What I loved: dual POV, window into a different culture, male lead was basically everyone’s dream version of Chris Evans, FMC is a boss babe, huge loving family vibes that just make you grin like you’re silly
Sometimes the characters and chemistry felt a little flat, but overall, I was super impressed with this as a debut novel! I can’t wait to recommend this to my romance reading girlies and am excited for Miya Malai’s next book!! Thank you, Miya, for writing such a fantastic book! 🫶
✨Rating Breakdowns ✨
Concept: ⭐️
Freshness:⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️▫️
Main Characters: 💫
Supporting Characters: 💫
Voice: 💫
Style: 💫
Intrigue: ⭐️
Enjoyability: ⭐️
Miya Malai
✨ Overall Rating ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️▫️
✨ Summary ✨
When Katrina Shah moved back to Chicago after a failed marriage in her family’s homeland, she carefully constructed a life of family, enterprise, and community empowerment. There was no room for romance in her plan—especially not romance with uppity A-list actors who can’t seem to see past her looks. But sometimes fate has a funny was of intervening…even when life isn’t a perfect Bollywood meet cute.
✨ Fave Quote ✨
“I will never find happiness if she is not in my life. Everything is crashing around me before it’s even begun.”
✨ Review ✨
I loved reading this book!! It was simultaneously lighthearted and dealt with serious topics, including mental health and abusive relationships. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy, enjoyable multicultural reading experience!
What I loved: dual POV, window into a different culture, male lead was basically everyone’s dream version of Chris Evans, FMC is a boss babe, huge loving family vibes that just make you grin like you’re silly
Sometimes the characters and chemistry felt a little flat, but overall, I was super impressed with this as a debut novel! I can’t wait to recommend this to my romance reading girlies and am excited for Miya Malai’s next book!! Thank you, Miya, for writing such a fantastic book! 🫶
✨Rating Breakdowns ✨
Concept: ⭐️
Freshness:⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️▫️
Main Characters: 💫
Supporting Characters: 💫
Voice: 💫
Style: 💫
Intrigue: ⭐️
Enjoyability: ⭐️
April 5, 2024
There were many things that I liked about this book:
1) it was a multicultural couple - an Indian and a Chicago-born male
2) The inclusion of the Indian culture and family life
3) the spice
4) the FMC was a strong independent woman who was working in a male dominating industry
5) The FMC knew her self-worth and wasn't afraid to ask for what she wanted
There were also a lot of things that I didn't like:
1) It felt rushed
2) I didn't feel the connection between the two characters
3) I preferred the side characters to the main ones
4) It needed more editing and I think the story needs another once over…
I wanted to love this story, and I loved many aspects of it, it just wasn't my favorite.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Also thank you to the author who approached me on Instagram to read her story and read a review. I really appreciate you reaching out to me!
1) it was a multicultural couple - an Indian and a Chicago-born male
2) The inclusion of the Indian culture and family life
3) the spice
4) the FMC was a strong independent woman who was working in a male dominating industry
5) The FMC knew her self-worth and wasn't afraid to ask for what she wanted
There were also a lot of things that I didn't like:
1) It felt rushed
2) I didn't feel the connection between the two characters
3) I preferred the side characters to the main ones
4) It needed more editing and I think the story needs another once over…
I wanted to love this story, and I loved many aspects of it, it just wasn't my favorite.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Also thank you to the author who approached me on Instagram to read her story and read a review. I really appreciate you reaching out to me!
January 26, 2024
Interesting story about an Indian woman with a white guy, who are both protagonists. This story talks about the life of a celebrity, and how they manage their lives. It also delves into the mental states of the protagonists as they manage anxieties while being celebrities. Somehow, while I read about them, I am reminded of the actors whom I have seen in the Marvel movies.
I have never read a book about a high-and-up life before, so I am awed by this novel. Of course, the book also revolves around an Indian wedding, which will take you traditionally about their cultures. I am glad to gain the knowledge of these cultures.
Just a heads up, this book is spicy too because of the sparks that happened between the two protagonists.
I would recommend this book to those who love Bollywood stories!
I have never read a book about a high-and-up life before, so I am awed by this novel. Of course, the book also revolves around an Indian wedding, which will take you traditionally about their cultures. I am glad to gain the knowledge of these cultures.
Just a heads up, this book is spicy too because of the sparks that happened between the two protagonists.
I would recommend this book to those who love Bollywood stories!
January 25, 2024
Received an ARC for an honest review.
On paper I think this book had all the hallmarks of a great read but in actuality it fell short of my expectations.
I was really excited to read a cute Bollywood inspired romance and instead I got two bland, flat protagonists. There were points that I couldn't distinguish between their POVs, that's how bland it was. There's also an ensemble of side characters that occasionally feel like they're window-dressing - no real substance to their characterisation.
The plot was also very basic and the execution felt flat, there was no romantic tension built between the leads. And the spicy scenes actually left me cringing at times. I also don't think the author really scratched beyond the very superficial Indian surface of weddings, chai and nice outfits. I wanted to know more about their heritage, to feel like they could be someone I know but it was all glossed over very quickly.
It's a real shame because I admire the author's effort and attempt. But perhaps it's me, I think this book isn't to my taste.
On paper I think this book had all the hallmarks of a great read but in actuality it fell short of my expectations.
I was really excited to read a cute Bollywood inspired romance and instead I got two bland, flat protagonists. There were points that I couldn't distinguish between their POVs, that's how bland it was. There's also an ensemble of side characters that occasionally feel like they're window-dressing - no real substance to their characterisation.
The plot was also very basic and the execution felt flat, there was no romantic tension built between the leads. And the spicy scenes actually left me cringing at times. I also don't think the author really scratched beyond the very superficial Indian surface of weddings, chai and nice outfits. I wanted to know more about their heritage, to feel like they could be someone I know but it was all glossed over very quickly.
It's a real shame because I admire the author's effort and attempt. But perhaps it's me, I think this book isn't to my taste.
February 28, 2024
I read this one on my long plane trip and it made for an easy read. The two characters felt like the same side of the same coin. They are both well known and she was married to an actor, and he is an actor. I liked that there was mental health rep but I do feel it was a bit repetitive at times, as well as some language. I would have liked to learn more about all the side characters as I felt some fell a little flat. I also would have liked Evan and Katrina’s relationship to be more fleshed out. It felt very fast and surface-y, and I would have liked it to be explored more so that we would have a deeper connection to it. The scenes from the past helped explain why Katrina reacts the way she does to certain things in the present, but as a result I almost felt like that relationship was more fleshed out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2024
3.5⭐
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai is a fun and flirty romance novel that follows Katrina Shah, a Bollywood star who wants to escape her family’s drama, and Evan Kristof, a Hollywood actor who needs a break from the spotlight. When they meet at a friend’s wedding, sparks fly between them, but they also face many challenges, such as crazy relatives, media scrutiny, and cultural differences. The book is a light-hearted and entertaining read, with witty dialogue, steamy scenes, and a sweet ending. However, it also suffers from some clichés, stereotypes, and lack of depth in the characters and plot. I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt it could have been more original and realistic. I would recommend it to fans of contemporary romance who are looking for a quick and easy read.
As a brown girl myself, I somewhat related to Katrina’s character and her struggles with her family and society’s expectations. I liked how she was strong, independent, and ambitious, but also vulnerable and caring. I appreciated the author’s attempt to empower the voice of brown girls and celebrate the culture, but I also wished she had avoided some of the common tropes and stereotypes that often plague Bollywood movies and romance novels. 😕
Overall, A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute was a cute and good read.
It is set to release on 13th Feb 2024💖
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai is a fun and flirty romance novel that follows Katrina Shah, a Bollywood star who wants to escape her family’s drama, and Evan Kristof, a Hollywood actor who needs a break from the spotlight. When they meet at a friend’s wedding, sparks fly between them, but they also face many challenges, such as crazy relatives, media scrutiny, and cultural differences. The book is a light-hearted and entertaining read, with witty dialogue, steamy scenes, and a sweet ending. However, it also suffers from some clichés, stereotypes, and lack of depth in the characters and plot. I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt it could have been more original and realistic. I would recommend it to fans of contemporary romance who are looking for a quick and easy read.
As a brown girl myself, I somewhat related to Katrina’s character and her struggles with her family and society’s expectations. I liked how she was strong, independent, and ambitious, but also vulnerable and caring. I appreciated the author’s attempt to empower the voice of brown girls and celebrate the culture, but I also wished she had avoided some of the common tropes and stereotypes that often plague Bollywood movies and romance novels. 😕
Overall, A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute was a cute and good read.
It is set to release on 13th Feb 2024💖
February 4, 2024
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange of a review for this book. I just want to mention that in case it affects anyone's desire to read this book.
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute is the story of half-Indian half-Pakistani (represent) Katrina who comes from a well-off corporate Big Fat Indian Family and Evan, a white actor.
The good? I really appreciated the Bollywood references in this novel. Every chapter began with a line from a Bollywood song and it didn't seem like the author didn't know anything about Bollywood. I specially liked the homage to Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyaan that the author paid, it reminded readers that it's about damn time we merge Bollywood and Romance as genres in writing. I, also, really liked the conversations about mental health and anxiety, and stigmas related to it in the Desi community. The author tried to break a few other stigmas by making the heroine a divorced woman and talking about domestic violence.
The bad? The book was poorly edited (I am not sure if it's because it's an ARC). I hope there aren't this many your vs you're grammatical mistakes. The main characters also seemed to lack any chemistry. A lot was said but not shown. This was a general trend overall. I wish instead of saying it was a crazy Indian family, the author would have showed that it was a crazy Indian family. I also thought that the story between Evan and Katrina developed too soon. There didn't seem to be a natural progression, just what the author deemed should happen next. I am not sure if this is the author's first book but there is definitely room for improvement there. At some points, I also felt the author was fetishizing brown people.
Overall, there are parts of it I enjoyed but I would like to see a more cohesive novel from her. I think her strength is her knowledge and appreciation of the Bollywood aesthetic.
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute is the story of half-Indian half-Pakistani (represent) Katrina who comes from a well-off corporate Big Fat Indian Family and Evan, a white actor.
The good? I really appreciated the Bollywood references in this novel. Every chapter began with a line from a Bollywood song and it didn't seem like the author didn't know anything about Bollywood. I specially liked the homage to Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyaan that the author paid, it reminded readers that it's about damn time we merge Bollywood and Romance as genres in writing. I, also, really liked the conversations about mental health and anxiety, and stigmas related to it in the Desi community. The author tried to break a few other stigmas by making the heroine a divorced woman and talking about domestic violence.
The bad? The book was poorly edited (I am not sure if it's because it's an ARC). I hope there aren't this many your vs you're grammatical mistakes. The main characters also seemed to lack any chemistry. A lot was said but not shown. This was a general trend overall. I wish instead of saying it was a crazy Indian family, the author would have showed that it was a crazy Indian family. I also thought that the story between Evan and Katrina developed too soon. There didn't seem to be a natural progression, just what the author deemed should happen next. I am not sure if this is the author's first book but there is definitely room for improvement there. At some points, I also felt the author was fetishizing brown people.
Overall, there are parts of it I enjoyed but I would like to see a more cohesive novel from her. I think her strength is her knowledge and appreciation of the Bollywood aesthetic.
February 14, 2024
Fastpaced, cute rom-com, that takes place in Chicago, USA.
Katrina and Evan were adorable.
I appreciated the attention to the American-Indian family dynamic and how the author handled the topic of colourism and gossiping aunties and uncles.
However, I would have liked to see more relationship development between Evan and Katrina. I felt that there was a lot of involvement of family on both sides - which I understand from the cultural perspective. But Katrina and Evan do spend time together alone, and we see less of that and are being told instead. I liked Katrina and Evan as individual characters. But I didn't really feel them as a couple.
•••
I received an ARC from the author. My opinions are my own.
Katrina and Evan were adorable.
I appreciated the attention to the American-Indian family dynamic and how the author handled the topic of colourism and gossiping aunties and uncles.
However, I would have liked to see more relationship development between Evan and Katrina. I felt that there was a lot of involvement of family on both sides - which I understand from the cultural perspective. But Katrina and Evan do spend time together alone, and we see less of that and are being told instead. I liked Katrina and Evan as individual characters. But I didn't really feel them as a couple.
•••
I received an ARC from the author. My opinions are my own.
February 24, 2024
3.5 stars, close to 4
Interracial romance story? Yes please! Anyway, here are my thoughts.
A few character POVs are included. A couple of things I like about the book are the setting, some of the characters, and the culture. The writing is more of a casual style, which is okay for me. I sometimes get confused by some parts of a book that I have to re-read the paragraphs again before I understand. Some triggers are going on, like mental health problems and invasion of privacy. Overall, the story is decent. Not bad!
Interracial romance story? Yes please! Anyway, here are my thoughts.
A few character POVs are included. A couple of things I like about the book are the setting, some of the characters, and the culture. The writing is more of a casual style, which is okay for me. I sometimes get confused by some parts of a book that I have to re-read the paragraphs again before I understand. Some triggers are going on, like mental health problems and invasion of privacy. Overall, the story is decent. Not bad!
March 8, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
whilst I did enjoy the book, it did take me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I finished the whole thing in 2 days.
thanks for the chance to reading this book!
whilst I did enjoy the book, it did take me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I finished the whole thing in 2 days.
thanks for the chance to reading this book!
February 14, 2024
Very sweet book. I enjoyed the cultural twist, the dual POVs, and the chemistry between Evan and Katrina. A Not-So Bollywood Meet Cute was a fun and easy read.
The only thing that would have made it better would have been a little build-up to Evan and Katrina's relationship. It almost felt like I was missing a couple chapters.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Miya Malai for reaching out to me on Instagram with the request to read your book. It was an honor.
The only thing that would have made it better would have been a little build-up to Evan and Katrina's relationship. It almost felt like I was missing a couple chapters.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Miya Malai for reaching out to me on Instagram with the request to read your book. It was an honor.
March 9, 2024
A not so Bollywood meet cute
Well this book was such a pleasure to read.
It handles topics as mental health really well, both main characters both experiencing anxiety and panic attacks but both having therapy.
Both main characters Katrina Shah and Evan Kristof are so likeable. I loved the side characters as well especially Katrina family.
There was so much chemistry between these two and you could definitely see the draw they had to each other.
Yes there is a third act breakup but a very happy ending.
Duo pov which is always fun to read.
If you are looking for a easy read that makes you feel good this is a good one.
I was kindly gifted this book by netgalley but the views are mine
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well this book was such a pleasure to read.
It handles topics as mental health really well, both main characters both experiencing anxiety and panic attacks but both having therapy.
Both main characters Katrina Shah and Evan Kristof are so likeable. I loved the side characters as well especially Katrina family.
There was so much chemistry between these two and you could definitely see the draw they had to each other.
Yes there is a third act breakup but a very happy ending.
Duo pov which is always fun to read.
If you are looking for a easy read that makes you feel good this is a good one.
I was kindly gifted this book by netgalley but the views are mine
🌟🌟🌟🌟
May 16, 2024
In "A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute," Miya Malai crafts a heartwarming and hilarious romantic comedy that dives deep into the glitzy yet tumultuous lives of its protagonists, Katrina Shah and Evan Kristof. This multicultural gem is a refreshing take on romance, blending the allure of Bollywood drama with the charm of Hollywood's finest, offering readers a delightful escape into a world where fame and anonymity collide in the most unexpected ways.
Katrina Shah's journey is both relatable and inspiring. Tired of her high-profile family's relentless drama, she seeks solace in anonymity—a nearly impossible feat given her celebrity lineage. Enter Evan Kristof, Hollywood's golden boy who, like Katrina, is desperate for a break from the relentless spotlight. Their paths cross in a series of serendipitous encounters that are as humorous as they are heartwarming, setting the stage for a story filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and touching moments.
Malai's writing shines through her meticulous character development. Katrina is portrayed with a perfect blend of vulnerability and strength. Her struggle to carve out her own identity away from her family's shadow is both compelling and relatable. Evan, on the other hand, is more than just a pretty face; his yearning for a simpler life adds depth to his character, making him a perfect match for Katrina. Their evolving relationship, from initial reluctance to undeniable attraction, is depicted with a realism that grounds the otherwise glamorous setting.
The plot is a masterclass in balancing humor with heartfelt emotion. Malai effortlessly weaves together scenes that make readers laugh out loud with moments that tug at their heartstrings. The backdrop of an over-the-top wedding provides a rich tapestry for the narrative, filled with cultural nuances and family dynamics that add layers to the story. This setting is not just a backdrop but a character in itself, influencing and shaping the events that unfold.
Fans of the romantic comedy genre will find much to love in this book. The sparkling dialogue and the palpable chemistry between Katrina and Evan will appeal to those who enjoy a good love story peppered with humor and drama. The multicultural aspect of the story adds a unique flavor, offering a fresh perspective that sets it apart from typical rom-coms. The inclusion of Bollywood elements and the exploration of family expectations within a South Asian context provide a rich, textured experience that resonates deeply.
"A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute" stands out not only for its engaging storyline but also for its authentic portrayal of characters navigating the tricky waters of fame and love. Miya Malai has crafted a narrative that is as enchanting as it is entertaining, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a romantic escape filled with laughter, love, and a dash of Bollywood flair. This novel is a testament to the fact that sometimes, love can be found in the most unexpected places—and with the most unexpected people.
Katrina Shah's journey is both relatable and inspiring. Tired of her high-profile family's relentless drama, she seeks solace in anonymity—a nearly impossible feat given her celebrity lineage. Enter Evan Kristof, Hollywood's golden boy who, like Katrina, is desperate for a break from the relentless spotlight. Their paths cross in a series of serendipitous encounters that are as humorous as they are heartwarming, setting the stage for a story filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and touching moments.
Malai's writing shines through her meticulous character development. Katrina is portrayed with a perfect blend of vulnerability and strength. Her struggle to carve out her own identity away from her family's shadow is both compelling and relatable. Evan, on the other hand, is more than just a pretty face; his yearning for a simpler life adds depth to his character, making him a perfect match for Katrina. Their evolving relationship, from initial reluctance to undeniable attraction, is depicted with a realism that grounds the otherwise glamorous setting.
The plot is a masterclass in balancing humor with heartfelt emotion. Malai effortlessly weaves together scenes that make readers laugh out loud with moments that tug at their heartstrings. The backdrop of an over-the-top wedding provides a rich tapestry for the narrative, filled with cultural nuances and family dynamics that add layers to the story. This setting is not just a backdrop but a character in itself, influencing and shaping the events that unfold.
Fans of the romantic comedy genre will find much to love in this book. The sparkling dialogue and the palpable chemistry between Katrina and Evan will appeal to those who enjoy a good love story peppered with humor and drama. The multicultural aspect of the story adds a unique flavor, offering a fresh perspective that sets it apart from typical rom-coms. The inclusion of Bollywood elements and the exploration of family expectations within a South Asian context provide a rich, textured experience that resonates deeply.
"A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute" stands out not only for its engaging storyline but also for its authentic portrayal of characters navigating the tricky waters of fame and love. Miya Malai has crafted a narrative that is as enchanting as it is entertaining, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a romantic escape filled with laughter, love, and a dash of Bollywood flair. This novel is a testament to the fact that sometimes, love can be found in the most unexpected places—and with the most unexpected people.
January 19, 2024
Rating : 4.60/5 -- rounded to 5
🌈💖 Get ready for an exhilarating journey through the pages of Miya Malai's enchanting masterpiece, "A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute"! 📘💫 This book is an explosion of Bollywood magic blended seamlessly with Hollywood charm, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that will make your heart race, your spirits soar, and your soul dance with joy!
👑 Meet Katrina Shah, the epitome of strength and grace in the Shah family saga. Despite facing life's storms—losing her father, navigating a tough divorce—she emerges as a no-nonsense powerhouse with a heart as soft as marshmallows. Now, her sole focus is steering her family towards prosperity and ensuring the success of FLAM, all for the betterment of the deserving downtown kids.
🌟 And then enters Evan Kristof, the dashing Hollywood legend with wealth and fame at his fingertips. Beneath his glamorous exterior lies a humble yet anti-social soul yearning to reconnect with his estranged family. Destiny takes an unexpected turn when he attends an event and finds himself captivated by none other than the extraordinary Katrina Shah, who happens to be the event's host.
🎤 Imagine the enchanting scene: Katrina, alongside her students, serenading with a song that transcends the boundaries of beauty, enchanted that's what he felt.
The family dynamics portrayed in the book mirror the chaos and beauty of real-life big Indian families, offering a relatable journey through the intricate dance of being the "perfect" girl in a vast familial landscape.
💑 The chemistry between Katrina and her cousin brother, co-directing the family empire, is palpable. Their journey unfolds with heart-fluttering moments, reminiscent of the intoxicating feelings of first love. As you immerse yourself in their blossoming romance, you'll be transported into a world filled with emotions, excitement, and irresistible anticipation.
🌈📚 Miya Malai masterfully captures the vibrancy of Bollywood, sprinkling the narrative with delightful references that evoke a sense of nostalgia. "A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute" is more than just a book; it's a celebration of love, family, and the mesmerizing blend of two cinematic worlds.
🎉✨ Brace yourself for a literary adventure that tugs at your heartstrings, makes you laugh, cry, and ultimately, rekindles your belief in the enchanting magic of love. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey—grab your copy now and immerse yourself in the spellbinding world crafted by Miya Malai!
💫📖 #ANotSoBollywoodMeetCute #MiyaMalalMagic #BookRecommendation #BookReview #MustRead 🌟
🌈💖 Get ready for an exhilarating journey through the pages of Miya Malai's enchanting masterpiece, "A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute"! 📘💫 This book is an explosion of Bollywood magic blended seamlessly with Hollywood charm, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that will make your heart race, your spirits soar, and your soul dance with joy!
👑 Meet Katrina Shah, the epitome of strength and grace in the Shah family saga. Despite facing life's storms—losing her father, navigating a tough divorce—she emerges as a no-nonsense powerhouse with a heart as soft as marshmallows. Now, her sole focus is steering her family towards prosperity and ensuring the success of FLAM, all for the betterment of the deserving downtown kids.
🌟 And then enters Evan Kristof, the dashing Hollywood legend with wealth and fame at his fingertips. Beneath his glamorous exterior lies a humble yet anti-social soul yearning to reconnect with his estranged family. Destiny takes an unexpected turn when he attends an event and finds himself captivated by none other than the extraordinary Katrina Shah, who happens to be the event's host.
🎤 Imagine the enchanting scene: Katrina, alongside her students, serenading with a song that transcends the boundaries of beauty, enchanted that's what he felt.
The family dynamics portrayed in the book mirror the chaos and beauty of real-life big Indian families, offering a relatable journey through the intricate dance of being the "perfect" girl in a vast familial landscape.
💑 The chemistry between Katrina and her cousin brother, co-directing the family empire, is palpable. Their journey unfolds with heart-fluttering moments, reminiscent of the intoxicating feelings of first love. As you immerse yourself in their blossoming romance, you'll be transported into a world filled with emotions, excitement, and irresistible anticipation.
🌈📚 Miya Malai masterfully captures the vibrancy of Bollywood, sprinkling the narrative with delightful references that evoke a sense of nostalgia. "A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute" is more than just a book; it's a celebration of love, family, and the mesmerizing blend of two cinematic worlds.
🎉✨ Brace yourself for a literary adventure that tugs at your heartstrings, makes you laugh, cry, and ultimately, rekindles your belief in the enchanting magic of love. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey—grab your copy now and immerse yourself in the spellbinding world crafted by Miya Malai!
💫📖 #ANotSoBollywoodMeetCute #MiyaMalalMagic #BookRecommendation #BookReview #MustRead 🌟
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February 14, 2024
With such a cute title and cover, I could not wait to dive into A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai. The concept was super cute, and it was a breezy read on its own, however I think it could’ve been so much better if it was more focused on building up the characters and their relationship with one another, instead of multiple relationships and outside plots.
Now, obviously, I am not Desi, so I cannot comment on how well that representation was, but I can say it felt refreshing to read. So many of the romances I find myself reading will either be same culture romances or mixed relationships but there is absolutely nothing culturally different between characters. That wasn’t the case here and it was better for it. I would have loved more of Evan trying to learn more of Desi culture, getting into it, but also if that had been the main form of conflict, it would have been enough. But, we get thrown numerous conflicts, and yes, all get resolved, I didn’t need so much. I just needed Evan and Katrina.
Speaking of, the romance between Evan and Katrina felt tentative. Both were badly burned in the past and aren’t sure how much they want to give one another, but also knew that there was something heavy between them. He absolutely falls first and harder. I wish we had gotten more of their relationship, and actually got to witness its development. At times, it felt like it fell to the back burner because, again, I think Malai tried to do too much in under 300 pages, especially with it being dual POV.
My main gripe, if you couldn’t tell by now, is just that Malai tries to do too much all at once. While admirable, it wasn’t necessary and actually detracted from the reason I wanted to read this book. If the main conflict was the major anxiety both main characters lived with, that would’ve been an amazing read. If previous relationships was the main conflict, that would’ve been an exciting read. If cultural differences was the main conflict, that would’ve made for an intense read. But, trying to do all of that along with developing side characters that could get their own book afterward, was simply too much. Also, I absolutely would, read a romance for Jamie and Laila (gimme gimme gimme.)
I think I would recommend A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai to folks looking to diversify their romance reading, or readers that are wanting to test the waters of open door/spicy romances. Readers that are used to more explicit romances might find this a bit vanilla.
// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. //
first reviewed at
Now, obviously, I am not Desi, so I cannot comment on how well that representation was, but I can say it felt refreshing to read. So many of the romances I find myself reading will either be same culture romances or mixed relationships but there is absolutely nothing culturally different between characters. That wasn’t the case here and it was better for it. I would have loved more of Evan trying to learn more of Desi culture, getting into it, but also if that had been the main form of conflict, it would have been enough. But, we get thrown numerous conflicts, and yes, all get resolved, I didn’t need so much. I just needed Evan and Katrina.
Speaking of, the romance between Evan and Katrina felt tentative. Both were badly burned in the past and aren’t sure how much they want to give one another, but also knew that there was something heavy between them. He absolutely falls first and harder. I wish we had gotten more of their relationship, and actually got to witness its development. At times, it felt like it fell to the back burner because, again, I think Malai tried to do too much in under 300 pages, especially with it being dual POV.
My main gripe, if you couldn’t tell by now, is just that Malai tries to do too much all at once. While admirable, it wasn’t necessary and actually detracted from the reason I wanted to read this book. If the main conflict was the major anxiety both main characters lived with, that would’ve been an amazing read. If previous relationships was the main conflict, that would’ve been an exciting read. If cultural differences was the main conflict, that would’ve made for an intense read. But, trying to do all of that along with developing side characters that could get their own book afterward, was simply too much. Also, I absolutely would, read a romance for Jamie and Laila (gimme gimme gimme.)
I think I would recommend A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai to folks looking to diversify their romance reading, or readers that are wanting to test the waters of open door/spicy romances. Readers that are used to more explicit romances might find this a bit vanilla.
// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. //
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February 13, 2024A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute is deeply in love with love. Set around an upcoming wedding, it blends the riotous coming together of family and a sweet love story. Katrina herself is a romantic. A lover of Bollywood films though this was a slightly ineffective at times characterisation. I wanted to like the music and movie name drops, and look forward to watching some, but there are defter ways of integrating it. A synopsis doesn’t convey much whereas while I don’t know the music it’s more closely tied to her relationship with her Papa.
His absence is keenly felt and one of my favourite parts. The narrative voices of the book are focused primarily in the characters’ heads. It gives deeper insight into their feelings but also created distance. The characters are so authentic. They don’t care for fame. They’re genuine. They judge you on your character and merits. They’re so charitable. They’re all beautiful, gorgeous, stunning. Inside and out. And so rich and connected too! (Unlike all of their exes)
You could cut a page out of each of its first chapters by removing most of the fawning. It’s frustrating to constantly be told how they are instead of being allowed to get to know them. Katrina’s Papa is an early exception. A caring and supportive parent, both love and grief for him suffuses the book and makes a wonderful contrast with the hectic, though fun, chaos of preparations.
The love and support the cast have for one another is lovely. Katrina and her sisters especially. I mentioned the fawning praise they heap on each other. It’s exacerbated by their lack of flaws. Both Katrina and Evan are quite emotionally astute. Which isn’t to say there aren’t blow ups. I know how frustrating miscommunication can be. I love conflict. I love the tension. Most of it is resolved in a chapter. It does allow more time for Katrina and Evan’s relationship to blossom.
Their shared history of anxiety is a really nice way to bring them closer. It’s vulnerability. A shared understanding. And creates some very sweet moments between them. For readers seeking a lower conflict romance that still handles sensitive matters well, with a loving supporting cast, I would recommend it.
Many thanks to Book Sirens and the author, Miya Malai, for this free review copy.
His absence is keenly felt and one of my favourite parts. The narrative voices of the book are focused primarily in the characters’ heads. It gives deeper insight into their feelings but also created distance. The characters are so authentic. They don’t care for fame. They’re genuine. They judge you on your character and merits. They’re so charitable. They’re all beautiful, gorgeous, stunning. Inside and out. And so rich and connected too! (Unlike all of their exes)
You could cut a page out of each of its first chapters by removing most of the fawning. It’s frustrating to constantly be told how they are instead of being allowed to get to know them. Katrina’s Papa is an early exception. A caring and supportive parent, both love and grief for him suffuses the book and makes a wonderful contrast with the hectic, though fun, chaos of preparations.
The love and support the cast have for one another is lovely. Katrina and her sisters especially. I mentioned the fawning praise they heap on each other. It’s exacerbated by their lack of flaws. Both Katrina and Evan are quite emotionally astute. Which isn’t to say there aren’t blow ups. I know how frustrating miscommunication can be. I love conflict. I love the tension. Most of it is resolved in a chapter. It does allow more time for Katrina and Evan’s relationship to blossom.
Their shared history of anxiety is a really nice way to bring them closer. It’s vulnerability. A shared understanding. And creates some very sweet moments between them. For readers seeking a lower conflict romance that still handles sensitive matters well, with a loving supporting cast, I would recommend it.
Many thanks to Book Sirens and the author, Miya Malai, for this free review copy.
April 13, 2024
This book was so NOT for me. I didn't have high expectations for this one, having had it on my TBR for months and then randomly picking it up without reading the synopsis. Unfortunately, my struggle with this novel began from the second chapter as I found myself very uncomfortable with the MMC- Evan's depiction and interactions. He starts with just ogling at Katrina- the FMC- and judges her ability to speak English. I don't care about his backstory, the way he spoke to her was so wrong.
If anything, the book does a fantastic job in re-emphasizing stereotypes about Indians which are completely false. I absolutely hate how the author portrays Indian families as judgy and regressive. Katrina was married off too early, and her ex-husband in the story was abusive and cheated on her, which again shows Indians in a bad light. The bits could be just my perspective because I know Indians have these problems as do other cultures, but depicting most Indian characters in a largely negative manner creates a bad impression on western audiences.
With that put aside, there's really only one thing I liked- the quotes. Every chapter opens with a quote from Bollywood movies and songs which had a theme connected to that chapter. The writing in the book wasn't terrible as it was easy to understand, and I luckily got through this so quickly. The character and plot development needed a lot of work though. I felt like the MCs had just been given tropes and adjectives which then turned them into 2D characters. So much of Katrina's personality was just based off of her looks, mental health issues, and broken marriage.
And then there was the damsel in distress trope popping up over and over again. I can't be expected to believe that Katrina is an independent woman if she always needs men to save her. I understand the brothers being protective of their sisters, but they had zero traits apart from that. To make this even more frustrating for the reader, there is no real chemistry between the MCs apart from the fact that they have lust. I don't understand how two people can suddenly love each other after knowing each other for a few weeks, without having good conversations.
I'm sorry to say I don't recommend this book at all.
If anything, the book does a fantastic job in re-emphasizing stereotypes about Indians which are completely false. I absolutely hate how the author portrays Indian families as judgy and regressive. Katrina was married off too early, and her ex-husband in the story was abusive and cheated on her, which again shows Indians in a bad light. The bits could be just my perspective because I know Indians have these problems as do other cultures, but depicting most Indian characters in a largely negative manner creates a bad impression on western audiences.
With that put aside, there's really only one thing I liked- the quotes. Every chapter opens with a quote from Bollywood movies and songs which had a theme connected to that chapter. The writing in the book wasn't terrible as it was easy to understand, and I luckily got through this so quickly. The character and plot development needed a lot of work though. I felt like the MCs had just been given tropes and adjectives which then turned them into 2D characters. So much of Katrina's personality was just based off of her looks, mental health issues, and broken marriage.
And then there was the damsel in distress trope popping up over and over again. I can't be expected to believe that Katrina is an independent woman if she always needs men to save her. I understand the brothers being protective of their sisters, but they had zero traits apart from that. To make this even more frustrating for the reader, there is no real chemistry between the MCs apart from the fact that they have lust. I don't understand how two people can suddenly love each other after knowing each other for a few weeks, without having good conversations.
I'm sorry to say I don't recommend this book at all.
February 19, 2024
*arc review*
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute is Miya Malai's debut book and I'll be honest I'm always a sucker for romance books that involve good representation of my culture and I was pleasantly surprised that Miya Malai succeeded in doing so.
The writing style of this book was pretty good and easily draws the reader in. The author does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of suspense and excitement that keeps the reader engaged throughout the story. The forbidden love and forced proximity tropes, as well as the lust to lovers and friends to lovers journey, are all brilliantly realized, providing the reader with a story that is both emotional and exciting.
The author does a great job of developing the main characters and making them feel real and relatable. The character arcs are well-structured and the conflicts feel natural and organic. Even the middle of the book, which can sometimes feel slow in romance novels, feels necessary to the overall development of the story and the characters' relationships. The ending is satisfying and feels earned, making the entire reading experience feel complete and worthwhile.
Another aspect of this book that stood out to me was its representation of mental health, specifically regarding anxiety and panic attacks. The author does an excellent job of portraying the internal struggle that comes with dealing with mental health issues, and the book provides a much-needed and realistic perspective on the challenges that many adults face. The main character's struggle with anxiety is portrayed in a way that felt genuine and relatable, and the book provides a sensitive and compassionate portrayal of the challenges that come with living with anxiety.
Overall, this is a romance novel that is sure to appeal to fans of Bollywood and Hollywood romance. The writing style is engaging and the story is emotional and exhilarating, making this a book that is hard to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading romance novels that are both compelling and emotionally satisfying.
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute is Miya Malai's debut book and I'll be honest I'm always a sucker for romance books that involve good representation of my culture and I was pleasantly surprised that Miya Malai succeeded in doing so.
The writing style of this book was pretty good and easily draws the reader in. The author does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of suspense and excitement that keeps the reader engaged throughout the story. The forbidden love and forced proximity tropes, as well as the lust to lovers and friends to lovers journey, are all brilliantly realized, providing the reader with a story that is both emotional and exciting.
The author does a great job of developing the main characters and making them feel real and relatable. The character arcs are well-structured and the conflicts feel natural and organic. Even the middle of the book, which can sometimes feel slow in romance novels, feels necessary to the overall development of the story and the characters' relationships. The ending is satisfying and feels earned, making the entire reading experience feel complete and worthwhile.
Another aspect of this book that stood out to me was its representation of mental health, specifically regarding anxiety and panic attacks. The author does an excellent job of portraying the internal struggle that comes with dealing with mental health issues, and the book provides a much-needed and realistic perspective on the challenges that many adults face. The main character's struggle with anxiety is portrayed in a way that felt genuine and relatable, and the book provides a sensitive and compassionate portrayal of the challenges that come with living with anxiety.
Overall, this is a romance novel that is sure to appeal to fans of Bollywood and Hollywood romance. The writing style is engaging and the story is emotional and exhilarating, making this a book that is hard to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading romance novels that are both compelling and emotionally satisfying.
April 5, 2024
2.5⭐️
Thank you, Miya Malai and Net Galley, for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This book follows along Katrina Shah, a divorcee who comes from a wealthy and reputable family background and also Evan Kristoff, a fellow actor. They met during a fundraising event, which was held by Katrina.
As the story progresses, this book could have been better. I liked Katrina's character. I love the mental health representation that is widely mentioned throughout the book and also the accurate representation of every Indian family, the gossip, the mindset nailed on! Plus, of the bollywood aspects of it are immaculate!
HOWEVER, I absolutely HATED Evan's pov. He was lusting over Katrina and saying all the things she did to him. Seriously, are you going through puberty right now? Aren't you like ageing towards 30? Unbelievable. There is not a single redeeming quality about him. All he talks about is lusting over Katrina's body. How's her body is perfectly for him. Blah, blah, blah.
Moreover, their relationship felt so flat. They started off as friends with benefits then all of the sudden in a few chapters, they're all like "I love this man to the core🥰" "he takes care of me" that was an immense progress with no development of their friendship. Katrina's pov was all tell and not show. We didn't see Evan doing all those actions but only through Katrina's pov. The book started off with Evan and Katrina's romance then it drifted off in the middle of the book where we see no development or hints of their progress in their relationship and drama was added in the middle of the book. Towards the end, I was wondering if Katrina came from a wealthy family. Why didn't they put her ex-husband behind bars? Like you're telling me you couldn't do that for your own sister who suffered from abuse?
The tropes in this book are insta Lust and fwb, which are not my favs at all. It's my fault for not searching right away.
Thank you, Miya Malai and Net Galley, for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This book follows along Katrina Shah, a divorcee who comes from a wealthy and reputable family background and also Evan Kristoff, a fellow actor. They met during a fundraising event, which was held by Katrina.
As the story progresses, this book could have been better. I liked Katrina's character. I love the mental health representation that is widely mentioned throughout the book and also the accurate representation of every Indian family, the gossip, the mindset nailed on! Plus, of the bollywood aspects of it are immaculate!
HOWEVER, I absolutely HATED Evan's pov. He was lusting over Katrina and saying all the things she did to him. Seriously, are you going through puberty right now? Aren't you like ageing towards 30? Unbelievable. There is not a single redeeming quality about him. All he talks about is lusting over Katrina's body. How's her body is perfectly for him. Blah, blah, blah.
Moreover, their relationship felt so flat. They started off as friends with benefits then all of the sudden in a few chapters, they're all like "I love this man to the core🥰" "he takes care of me" that was an immense progress with no development of their friendship. Katrina's pov was all tell and not show. We didn't see Evan doing all those actions but only through Katrina's pov. The book started off with Evan and Katrina's romance then it drifted off in the middle of the book where we see no development or hints of their progress in their relationship and drama was added in the middle of the book. Towards the end, I was wondering if Katrina came from a wealthy family. Why didn't they put her ex-husband behind bars? Like you're telling me you couldn't do that for your own sister who suffered from abuse?
The tropes in this book are insta Lust and fwb, which are not my favs at all. It's my fault for not searching right away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2024
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute is about Katrina Shah, the daughter of wealthy Indian immigrants living in Chicago, and Evan Kristoff, an actor in the Wondery Cinematic Galaxy playing Legend USA (it’s giving Riverdale cheese vibes). Both MCs suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and are able to bond over both their attraction to each other and their mental health journeys. They’ve been orbiting each other for a while, with his sister volunteering at her organization, and when they finally meet at a charity event it’s lust at first sight.
The good: Both MCs are on equal footing. Both are successful in their careers and there is no power dynamic between the two. Both MCs have already been through the bad and just need to come to terms with a new relationship. They can understand each other because they’ve already put in the work individually (it’s refreshing to see!). I genuinely value that neither MC takes on a role of caregiver/therapist for the other. There are differences between supporting each other and managing each other's emotions and Katrina and Evan are truly supportive partners. Both MCs cultures/families play a big part in their lives. There are multiple references to parental/familial support, even as simple as preparing a cup of chai.
The bad: The name Evan Kristoff - this is a personal bit for me but it’s too close to the name of the very likely inspiration and I ended up calling him Chris in my head too often. The relationship evolves really fast considering the FMC starts out hesitant to start anything, and the big *moment* at the end seems to be the exact opposite of what she’s looking for. The MMC best friend - he comes across as really skeezy in my opinion, and there’s not much to redeem him.
Honest review: I’m glad I read it but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. 3/5
The good: Both MCs are on equal footing. Both are successful in their careers and there is no power dynamic between the two. Both MCs have already been through the bad and just need to come to terms with a new relationship. They can understand each other because they’ve already put in the work individually (it’s refreshing to see!). I genuinely value that neither MC takes on a role of caregiver/therapist for the other. There are differences between supporting each other and managing each other's emotions and Katrina and Evan are truly supportive partners. Both MCs cultures/families play a big part in their lives. There are multiple references to parental/familial support, even as simple as preparing a cup of chai.
The bad: The name Evan Kristoff - this is a personal bit for me but it’s too close to the name of the very likely inspiration and I ended up calling him Chris in my head too often. The relationship evolves really fast considering the FMC starts out hesitant to start anything, and the big *moment* at the end seems to be the exact opposite of what she’s looking for. The MMC best friend - he comes across as really skeezy in my opinion, and there’s not much to redeem him.
Honest review: I’m glad I read it but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. 3/5
January 25, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If I were to rate this book on the concept - it would likely be a 5 star read.
Tropes:
Celebrity romance ✔
Big Indian family ✔
Big Indian wedding ✔
Anxiety Rep ✔✔
Insta-lust ✔
Reference to Pride and Prejudice ✔
Dual POV ✔
My low review stems from there being loads of inconsistencies (almost as though a few drafts were assembled together and not cross checked to see how the scenes worked together/ or made sure that things weren't being repeated with a *slight* difference). Also, the characters contradicted themselves from one page to another (in their internal dialogue) - which drove me bonkers.
I think this book tried to throw almost too much onto it's pages… like Amir and Bianca's love story should be it's own little novella - still have the wedding in this book, but have their backstory in a pre-novella. Or the fact that our two mains have so much in common … including custom made cars?
The amount of F-bombs got a little off-putting (and I have no issues with using the word, but it got a bit much). And finally - the goal was to have a spicy romance because the author enjoys herself a little smut. Which - hey - I am here for. Except - other than maybe one sex-scene, everything else was simply a mention of "Evan being so hot that Katrina was instantly wet". Lots of reference to wetness.
Hats off to Miya Malai for writing and book and self publishing. I know I wouldn't be able to do that. I wish I had loved it but we just didn't click. Based on other reviews I see though - this might be a me thing and not a book thing.
If I were to rate this book on the concept - it would likely be a 5 star read.
Tropes:
Celebrity romance ✔
Big Indian family ✔
Big Indian wedding ✔
Anxiety Rep ✔✔
Insta-lust ✔
Reference to Pride and Prejudice ✔
Dual POV ✔
My low review stems from there being loads of inconsistencies (almost as though a few drafts were assembled together and not cross checked to see how the scenes worked together/ or made sure that things weren't being repeated with a *slight* difference). Also, the characters contradicted themselves from one page to another (in their internal dialogue) - which drove me bonkers.
I think this book tried to throw almost too much onto it's pages… like Amir and Bianca's love story should be it's own little novella - still have the wedding in this book, but have their backstory in a pre-novella. Or the fact that our two mains have so much in common … including custom made cars?
The amount of F-bombs got a little off-putting (and I have no issues with using the word, but it got a bit much). And finally - the goal was to have a spicy romance because the author enjoys herself a little smut. Which - hey - I am here for. Except - other than maybe one sex-scene, everything else was simply a mention of "Evan being so hot that Katrina was instantly wet". Lots of reference to wetness.
Hats off to Miya Malai for writing and book and self publishing. I know I wouldn't be able to do that. I wish I had loved it but we just didn't click. Based on other reviews I see though - this might be a me thing and not a book thing.
July 5, 2025
(4/5) – Wattpad-Core Perfection with Heart, Culture, and Healing
I started this yesterday and I’ve already finished it—yes, it was THAT good! A Not-So Bollywood Meet Cute felt like one of those iconic Wattpad stories I used to obsess over—especially the ones that say, “English is not my first language, sorry for mistakes” and then deliver a total banger 😭❤️
The story revolves around Katrina Shah, a bold, confident, and fiercely independent woman who’s been through a lot. She got married and divorced at a very young age, and now at 27, she’s navigating life with scars, strength, and sass. And then there’s Ethan Kristoff, the sweetest, softest man ever—basically a cinnamon roll who’s a total loser in love and trying his best to understand a culture he’s never been part of.
What I loved most? Both Katrina and Ethan struggle with panic attacks. The book didn’t shy away from portraying mental health realistically—it showed how overwhelming panic attacks can be and how healing doesn't come easy but is always possible.
The cultural richness was beautiful—from Indian weddings, family dynamics, expectations, to the traditions that define so much of desi life. It felt so authentic and relatable, especially the way it portrayed desi families: loving, loud, nosy, and emotional in all the right ways 😭.
This book is equal parts funny, emotional, and healing. It made me laugh, tear up, and root for both characters deeply. If you want a romance that has heart, depth, mental health rep, desi chaos, and the charm of a Wattpad story in its prime—THIS IS IT.
I started this yesterday and I’ve already finished it—yes, it was THAT good! A Not-So Bollywood Meet Cute felt like one of those iconic Wattpad stories I used to obsess over—especially the ones that say, “English is not my first language, sorry for mistakes” and then deliver a total banger 😭❤️
The story revolves around Katrina Shah, a bold, confident, and fiercely independent woman who’s been through a lot. She got married and divorced at a very young age, and now at 27, she’s navigating life with scars, strength, and sass. And then there’s Ethan Kristoff, the sweetest, softest man ever—basically a cinnamon roll who’s a total loser in love and trying his best to understand a culture he’s never been part of.
What I loved most? Both Katrina and Ethan struggle with panic attacks. The book didn’t shy away from portraying mental health realistically—it showed how overwhelming panic attacks can be and how healing doesn't come easy but is always possible.
The cultural richness was beautiful—from Indian weddings, family dynamics, expectations, to the traditions that define so much of desi life. It felt so authentic and relatable, especially the way it portrayed desi families: loving, loud, nosy, and emotional in all the right ways 😭.
This book is equal parts funny, emotional, and healing. It made me laugh, tear up, and root for both characters deeply. If you want a romance that has heart, depth, mental health rep, desi chaos, and the charm of a Wattpad story in its prime—THIS IS IT.
February 6, 2024
An intuitive layered romance set with a bollywood flair in the background
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Ever wondered if there was a darker facade beneath the Bollywood glitz and glamour or even American showbiz, what the stars or people involved like family have to go through to do what they love. You might be surprised why I am asking this when the book feels like a Bollywood romance, because trust me, I felt the same. The author blew me away the moment I started reading this book.
Also, I have been one of those Indian girls who have been lost to dreamland easily with beautiful bollywood movies dating from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to the recent Rocky aur Raani. Something about them brings in a mix of family and love nostalgia.
Now I really don't make sense don't I.
This book made me feel both edges of the coin. It had the Bollywood elements of a close knit family, dreamy love story full of chemistry, but also the dark side of mental health of what the main characters feel - Katrina and Evan. It was a beautiful mish mash of a story that made me fall hook and sinker.
And the modern touch was stunning. Katrina and Evan were beautiful and stunning characters, but both were on equal ground, which made them a match made in heaven.
It got a bit laggy at about two thirds of the story, but the author made it worth it at the end, as Bollywood stories are not complete without weddings *wink*.
Book Recommendation - Hell Yeah
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Ever wondered if there was a darker facade beneath the Bollywood glitz and glamour or even American showbiz, what the stars or people involved like family have to go through to do what they love. You might be surprised why I am asking this when the book feels like a Bollywood romance, because trust me, I felt the same. The author blew me away the moment I started reading this book.
Also, I have been one of those Indian girls who have been lost to dreamland easily with beautiful bollywood movies dating from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to the recent Rocky aur Raani. Something about them brings in a mix of family and love nostalgia.
Now I really don't make sense don't I.
This book made me feel both edges of the coin. It had the Bollywood elements of a close knit family, dreamy love story full of chemistry, but also the dark side of mental health of what the main characters feel - Katrina and Evan. It was a beautiful mish mash of a story that made me fall hook and sinker.
And the modern touch was stunning. Katrina and Evan were beautiful and stunning characters, but both were on equal ground, which made them a match made in heaven.
It got a bit laggy at about two thirds of the story, but the author made it worth it at the end, as Bollywood stories are not complete without weddings *wink*.
Book Recommendation - Hell Yeah
February 7, 2024
When I was asked to read this book, I thought it sounded great. I was excited to dive in.
I love the multicultural aspect of this story. As someone who loves learning about different cultures, I was fascinated by how the author describes the character's clothing, ritual, and family connection. I could see the colors and beauty come to life.
As for the story itself, it was quick. The characters meet, flirt, have a falling out, and of course spice things up.
I really enjoyed the character of Katrina she was strong, beautiful, smart, and independent. She also struggles with what her family expects of her and what society thinks of her. With all that she was still strong and understood herself and what she wanted.
Evan was your typical Hollywood stud who didn't really enjoy the spotlight.
I did find the story lacks some depth for the main characters and the plot. I also felt we had a little too much of the side characters. It would have been nice to focus on the main characters and allow the side characters to be that then maybe have other books focusing on them as they were fun.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought it was a lovely read. I feel the author did a good job and I look forward to more books by her as she develops her writing skills.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love the multicultural aspect of this story. As someone who loves learning about different cultures, I was fascinated by how the author describes the character's clothing, ritual, and family connection. I could see the colors and beauty come to life.
As for the story itself, it was quick. The characters meet, flirt, have a falling out, and of course spice things up.
I really enjoyed the character of Katrina she was strong, beautiful, smart, and independent. She also struggles with what her family expects of her and what society thinks of her. With all that she was still strong and understood herself and what she wanted.
Evan was your typical Hollywood stud who didn't really enjoy the spotlight.
I did find the story lacks some depth for the main characters and the plot. I also felt we had a little too much of the side characters. It would have been nice to focus on the main characters and allow the side characters to be that then maybe have other books focusing on them as they were fun.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought it was a lovely read. I feel the author did a good job and I look forward to more books by her as she develops her writing skills.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 12, 2024
2.5 Fiery Hearts!
*I received this book free from the author.*
I'm not quite sure where to start, so I guess I'll start at the beginning.
Evan is a famous actor who became a sort of recluse after his anxiety attacks got bad. He went down the rabbit hole and realized there was nothing good for him there. Thankfully it found a good therapist and came back to being the wholesome family-oriented man he once was.
Katrinia was once married to a famous actor and it about destroyed her. He was all about himself, and she never wanted to live through that again. She focuses all her attention on her work and her family.
When Evan and Katrinia meet their attraction makes them want things they didn't previously, and it scares them both. Yet, they give it a try and discover they can't live without the other.
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute has a lot of lengthy flashbacks. Many times, I wouldn't realize I was reading a flashback until it mentioned it had dialogue from her father. It is also extremely repetitive. Yes, I know you have anxiety attacks. Yes, I know what causes them. No, I do not need to read about it in every single chapter. There are also several things that made me think it needed another trip to the editor.
The storyline has potential, but I had to force myself to finish it.
*I received this book free from the author.*
I'm not quite sure where to start, so I guess I'll start at the beginning.
Evan is a famous actor who became a sort of recluse after his anxiety attacks got bad. He went down the rabbit hole and realized there was nothing good for him there. Thankfully it found a good therapist and came back to being the wholesome family-oriented man he once was.
Katrinia was once married to a famous actor and it about destroyed her. He was all about himself, and she never wanted to live through that again. She focuses all her attention on her work and her family.
When Evan and Katrinia meet their attraction makes them want things they didn't previously, and it scares them both. Yet, they give it a try and discover they can't live without the other.
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute has a lot of lengthy flashbacks. Many times, I wouldn't realize I was reading a flashback until it mentioned it had dialogue from her father. It is also extremely repetitive. Yes, I know you have anxiety attacks. Yes, I know what causes them. No, I do not need to read about it in every single chapter. There are also several things that made me think it needed another trip to the editor.
The storyline has potential, but I had to force myself to finish it.
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