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The Reluctant Matchmaker
In her thought-provoking, uplifting new novel, Shobhan Bantwal vividly blends the nuances of contemporary Indian-American culture with an unconventional romance. . .At thirty-one, Meena Shenoy has a fulfilling career at a New Jersey high-tech firm. Not that it impresses her mother and aunts, who make dire predictions about her ticking biological clock. Men are drawn to Meena's dainty looks and she dates regularly, but hasn't met someone who really intrigues her. Someone professional, ambitious, confident, caring. Someone like her new boss, Prajay Nayak.
Just as Meena's thoughts turn to romance, Prajay makes an astonishing request. He wants her to craft a personal ad that will help him find a suitable wife: a statuesque, sophisticated Indian-American woman who will complement his striking height.
Despite her attraction to Prajay and the complications of balancing work and her "marriage consultant" role, Meena can't refuse the generous fee. And as her family is thrown into turmoil by her brother's relationship with a Muslim woman, Meena comes to surprising realizations about love, tradition, and the sacrifices she will--and won't--make for the sake of both.
"One of the best [novels] I've read this year. I couldn't put it down. . .this book is a gem!" --Mary Monroe, "New York Times" bestselling author on "The Unexpected Son"
"Compelling and memorable." --Mary Jo Putney, "New York Times " bestselling author on "The Forbidden Daughter"
"Vivid, rich. . .expertly portrays a young woman caught between love and duty, hope and despair." --Anjali Banerjee on "The Dowry Bride"
"Dazzles you with a taste of Desi culture in America." --Caridad Pineiro"
Just as Meena's thoughts turn to romance, Prajay makes an astonishing request. He wants her to craft a personal ad that will help him find a suitable wife: a statuesque, sophisticated Indian-American woman who will complement his striking height.
Despite her attraction to Prajay and the complications of balancing work and her "marriage consultant" role, Meena can't refuse the generous fee. And as her family is thrown into turmoil by her brother's relationship with a Muslim woman, Meena comes to surprising realizations about love, tradition, and the sacrifices she will--and won't--make for the sake of both.
"One of the best [novels] I've read this year. I couldn't put it down. . .this book is a gem!" --Mary Monroe, "New York Times" bestselling author on "The Unexpected Son"
"Compelling and memorable." --Mary Jo Putney, "New York Times " bestselling author on "The Forbidden Daughter"
"Vivid, rich. . .expertly portrays a young woman caught between love and duty, hope and despair." --Anjali Banerjee on "The Dowry Bride"
"Dazzles you with a taste of Desi culture in America." --Caridad Pineiro"
ebook
First published January 1, 2012
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666 people want to read
About the author
Shobhan Bantwal
10 books139 followersShobhan Bantwal is the Indian-American author of THE DOWRY BRIDE, her debut novel set in India and slated for release by Kensington Books in September 2007. It is the first of a two-book contract with Kensington.
Since 2002, Shobhan's articles and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications like India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, Desi Journal, India Currents, Overseas Indian, New Woman India, Kanara Saraswat and Sulekha. Her short stories have won honors and awards in fiction contests sponsored by Writer's Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines.
Her award winning stories are accessible through her web site: www.shobhanbantwal.com
"
Since 2002, Shobhan's articles and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications like India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, Desi Journal, India Currents, Overseas Indian, New Woman India, Kanara Saraswat and Sulekha. Her short stories have won honors and awards in fiction contests sponsored by Writer's Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines.
Her award winning stories are accessible through her web site: www.shobhanbantwal.com
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 11, 2012
The Reluctant Matchmaker by Shobhan Bantwal.
This book is: boring with sprinkles of offensiveness.
Other elements: fat-shaming, sexism, romance between people of different heights, arranged marriages.
Read it: if the idea of an Indian-American main character is enough to make you forgive a lot of flaws. If you're not prone to bouts of feminist rage. If you think women without husbands are pathetic.
Overall rating: 3
I committed a cardinal error of readership when I selected this book to read. I judged it by its cover. I assumed, because of the pretty picture and the lack of cartoon women carrying shopping bags, that this was not chick lit. I was wrong.
"One thing I was sure of: I had to find a husband." - Page 220
Chick lit (does anyone else hate that term?) is not my favorite. I have a deep and abiding love for Bridget Jones' Diary, but nothing else in the genre has ever captured my interest.
By page 3 of this book, I was asking people if I needed to finish a book in order to give it a bad review. Opinons varied. Boyfriend: "You don't have to finish it. Your time is too valuable!" Friend: "To be fair, you should finish it, but it's your blog...who says you have to be fair?"
I finished it, but it wasn't easy. The characters are flat and un-engaging. The love story is dumb: girl loves boy, but girl is short and boy only dates women over 6 feet tall!
The writing is not stellar. It's not actively off-putting, but this is not one of those books that redeems a mediocre story by telling it in a fabulous way.
I'll tell you what is actively off-putting: the amount of fat-shaming in this book. This book's heroine weighs "not an ounce over eighty-five pounds in [her] heaviest wool suit". She regularly skips meals. At one point, the book goes off on a tangent about how tiny she is and how it must be because she skipped meals so often in her formative years. This information is presented in a way that makes it clear that this heroine's tinyness is supposed to be part of her appeal. There is never any concern discussed for her health, only repeated references to her fragile tinyness and her loveliness. Her love interest refers to her repeatedly as a "doll" and calls her "baby."
Throughout the entirety of the novel, the heroine refers to the other women around her by how they compare to her in attractiveness. No one is slenderer than her, but some women are still slender. Others are not:
"If only Pinky ate a few less candy bars, she'd be attractive. ...Besides, as a forty-year-old mother of two young boys, Pinky didn't really need to look chic. She'd bagged her man sixteen years ago, and he apparently loved her, spare tires and all." - Page 3
I can't even address the number of things that are wrong with that so I'll just nail down the easiest.
The heroine also cries continuously, and opens the novel by falling on her back, exposing her panties, spraining her ankle, and needing to be carried around "like an eight-pound baby" by the man who becomes her love interest.
The book is rife with generalizations about men and women:
"I couldn't stand men who constantly fussed with their hair and clothes--a feminine trait." - Page 229
"He tossed me an indulgent, paternal sort of smile. 'If you're like my female cousins, you probably read those romance books. That's not real life.'" - Page 130
Other generalizations were common as well:
"Indian men could be a little scary that way--one harmless little date and they started thinking in terms of holy matrimony and a lifelong commitment to sharing a bed and a bathtub." - Page 97
"In mom's book of wisdom, anything done by an Indian was good, and if it was done by a male, it was near perfect. She belonged to the male-worshipping Indian sisterhood." - Page 43
The stereotyping of the Indian and Indian-American culture in this book is something that I feel unqualified to evaluate, although it definitely made me uncomfortable. There is a fine line between good-natured ribbing of one's own people and internalized racism, and I think that a reader needs to be from or very familiar with the culture in question to tell which side of the line things fall on. The author is Indian American and I believe she may be writing primarily for an Indian American audience.
The author's note at the end of this book said that it was supposed to be a Bollywood movie in novel form. I can sort of see it - the nutty plot, the dance scene, the improbable ending. It's a cute gimmick, but it's not enough carry this mediocre story.
For more book reviews, check out my blog! http://diamondsinthelibrary.blogspot....
This book is: boring with sprinkles of offensiveness.
Other elements: fat-shaming, sexism, romance between people of different heights, arranged marriages.
Read it: if the idea of an Indian-American main character is enough to make you forgive a lot of flaws. If you're not prone to bouts of feminist rage. If you think women without husbands are pathetic.
Overall rating: 3
I committed a cardinal error of readership when I selected this book to read. I judged it by its cover. I assumed, because of the pretty picture and the lack of cartoon women carrying shopping bags, that this was not chick lit. I was wrong.
"One thing I was sure of: I had to find a husband." - Page 220
Chick lit (does anyone else hate that term?) is not my favorite. I have a deep and abiding love for Bridget Jones' Diary, but nothing else in the genre has ever captured my interest.
By page 3 of this book, I was asking people if I needed to finish a book in order to give it a bad review. Opinons varied. Boyfriend: "You don't have to finish it. Your time is too valuable!" Friend: "To be fair, you should finish it, but it's your blog...who says you have to be fair?"
I finished it, but it wasn't easy. The characters are flat and un-engaging. The love story is dumb: girl loves boy, but girl is short and boy only dates women over 6 feet tall!
The writing is not stellar. It's not actively off-putting, but this is not one of those books that redeems a mediocre story by telling it in a fabulous way.
I'll tell you what is actively off-putting: the amount of fat-shaming in this book. This book's heroine weighs "not an ounce over eighty-five pounds in [her] heaviest wool suit". She regularly skips meals. At one point, the book goes off on a tangent about how tiny she is and how it must be because she skipped meals so often in her formative years. This information is presented in a way that makes it clear that this heroine's tinyness is supposed to be part of her appeal. There is never any concern discussed for her health, only repeated references to her fragile tinyness and her loveliness. Her love interest refers to her repeatedly as a "doll" and calls her "baby."
Throughout the entirety of the novel, the heroine refers to the other women around her by how they compare to her in attractiveness. No one is slenderer than her, but some women are still slender. Others are not:
"If only Pinky ate a few less candy bars, she'd be attractive. ...Besides, as a forty-year-old mother of two young boys, Pinky didn't really need to look chic. She'd bagged her man sixteen years ago, and he apparently loved her, spare tires and all." - Page 3
I can't even address the number of things that are wrong with that so I'll just nail down the easiest.
The heroine also cries continuously, and opens the novel by falling on her back, exposing her panties, spraining her ankle, and needing to be carried around "like an eight-pound baby" by the man who becomes her love interest.
The book is rife with generalizations about men and women:
"I couldn't stand men who constantly fussed with their hair and clothes--a feminine trait." - Page 229
"He tossed me an indulgent, paternal sort of smile. 'If you're like my female cousins, you probably read those romance books. That's not real life.'" - Page 130
Other generalizations were common as well:
"Indian men could be a little scary that way--one harmless little date and they started thinking in terms of holy matrimony and a lifelong commitment to sharing a bed and a bathtub." - Page 97
"In mom's book of wisdom, anything done by an Indian was good, and if it was done by a male, it was near perfect. She belonged to the male-worshipping Indian sisterhood." - Page 43
The stereotyping of the Indian and Indian-American culture in this book is something that I feel unqualified to evaluate, although it definitely made me uncomfortable. There is a fine line between good-natured ribbing of one's own people and internalized racism, and I think that a reader needs to be from or very familiar with the culture in question to tell which side of the line things fall on. The author is Indian American and I believe she may be writing primarily for an Indian American audience.
The author's note at the end of this book said that it was supposed to be a Bollywood movie in novel form. I can sort of see it - the nutty plot, the dance scene, the improbable ending. It's a cute gimmick, but it's not enough carry this mediocre story.
For more book reviews, check out my blog! http://diamondsinthelibrary.blogspot....
July 16, 2013
The main conflict in this book was that the heroine was barely five feet tall and the hero was six feet-five inches tall. The hero is 'nobly' staying away from the heroine because he feels that his gargantuan body will crush her fragile and delicate beauty.
This ofcourse doesn't stop him from being a sadistic (I refuse to accept that he's clueless) twerp who then proceeds to ask the heroine (who for the record, is wearing her heart on her sleeve like nobody's business) to find a six-feet tall prospective bride for him.
Oh, and he sneaks in a snog with his reluctant matchmaker while he's at it.
And then gives her a Dear John version of a shove-off.
Oh yes, he did.
And why, after all these mindless shenanigans, does the supposedly razor-sharp heroine proceed to peg him as a kind, loving and humourous man is COMPLETELY beyond me. What exactly did he do to deserve those attributes?
Dear *I-claim-to-be-non-mercernary-but-judge-the-hero-by-the-car-he-drives* Meena and *God-forgive-me-but-I-will-send-a-rogue-bludgeon-your-way* Prajay....you really want to know what a great love story between a midget and a giant should be like?
Please look up Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen .
Look at them:
And also:
AND the love-story of Daeneryes and Drogo was a rich, vibrant tapestry that weaved in fear, belligerence, sexual attraction, mutual respect, courage and the slaying of a particularly vile and creepy brother-in-law.
THAT's a love story of epic proportions.
Not this.
This ofcourse doesn't stop him from being a sadistic (I refuse to accept that he's clueless) twerp who then proceeds to ask the heroine (who for the record, is wearing her heart on her sleeve like nobody's business) to find a six-feet tall prospective bride for him.
Oh, and he sneaks in a snog with his reluctant matchmaker while he's at it.
And then gives her a Dear John version of a shove-off.
Oh yes, he did.
And why, after all these mindless shenanigans, does the supposedly razor-sharp heroine proceed to peg him as a kind, loving and humourous man is COMPLETELY beyond me. What exactly did he do to deserve those attributes?
Dear *I-claim-to-be-non-mercernary-but-judge-the-hero-by-the-car-he-drives* Meena and *God-forgive-me-but-I-will-send-a-rogue-bludgeon-your-way* Prajay....you really want to know what a great love story between a midget and a giant should be like?
Please look up Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen .
Look at them:
And also:
AND the love-story of Daeneryes and Drogo was a rich, vibrant tapestry that weaved in fear, belligerence, sexual attraction, mutual respect, courage and the slaying of a particularly vile and creepy brother-in-law.
THAT's a love story of epic proportions.
Not this.
July 8, 2015
The Reluctant Matchmaker by Shobhan Bantwal was a lighthearted, amusing look into Desi culture surrounding women and marriage expectations. Despite the traditional looking background, the book is set in modern times. The plot revolves 31 year old Meena Shenoy, who works as a marketing consultant for the software producing firm Rathnay. Despite being content at this stage in her life, her mother and aunt are pushing her to get married. At the same end, co- CEO Prayjay Nayak is also looking for a wife. Having bonded with Meena after an accident surrounding their initial meeting, he enlists her to play the role of Matchmaker. Meena soon faces a conflict of interest as her burgeoning feelings for her boss turns into full blown love.
At first, I didn't have high expectations for this book, as the main heroine came off sounding immature and slightly self centered. However, As I delved further into the plot, I soon began to warm up to her personality. I was able to find a common bond with the character in terms of men and relationships in general. As such, when Meena got rejected, I felt rejected, and I could sympathize with her pain.
Prayjay . . .You know, it's funny. While I sympathized with Meena's pain, i didn't really see the appeal or character of Prayjay. He doesn't reveal too much of himself throughout the story, a fact Meena actually admits in the book. What were his likes and dislikes? What aspirations and dreams did he have past his career? These topics were never brought up during the story. We do get to see his family with the introduction of his niece and nephew, but it is still not enough. Well,despite the Male protagonist not really having a presence in the story, I still felt the chemistry between Meena and Prayjay.
My favorite charachter in this story had to be the great grandmother Akka. A break from the traditional mold of Indian elders, she speaks her mind freely, and gives all expectations of her the middle finger. I enjoyed every scene with this matriarch. You go Akka, with 'yo bad self.
In the end, it was a pleasant, engaging read that pulled several smiles and laughs from me.
At first, I didn't have high expectations for this book, as the main heroine came off sounding immature and slightly self centered. However, As I delved further into the plot, I soon began to warm up to her personality. I was able to find a common bond with the character in terms of men and relationships in general. As such, when Meena got rejected, I felt rejected, and I could sympathize with her pain.
Prayjay . . .You know, it's funny. While I sympathized with Meena's pain, i didn't really see the appeal or character of Prayjay. He doesn't reveal too much of himself throughout the story, a fact Meena actually admits in the book. What were his likes and dislikes? What aspirations and dreams did he have past his career? These topics were never brought up during the story. We do get to see his family with the introduction of his niece and nephew, but it is still not enough. Well,despite the Male protagonist not really having a presence in the story, I still felt the chemistry between Meena and Prayjay.
My favorite charachter in this story had to be the great grandmother Akka. A break from the traditional mold of Indian elders, she speaks her mind freely, and gives all expectations of her the middle finger. I enjoyed every scene with this matriarch. You go Akka, with 'yo bad self.
In the end, it was a pleasant, engaging read that pulled several smiles and laughs from me.
February 17, 2017
I have had this book for a few years. It showed up in the mail one day, I don't remember specifically requesting it, so I don't feel badly for not enjoying it that much. First, the cover suggests a setting in full or in part in India. Nope. NY, NJ, VA. Second, this is really just a romance. They are all well and good, but not my reading choice. The characters were pretty likeable and the plot was decent enough, but I could only take so much of Meena's whining and crying.
August 13, 2012
I think I have found a new favorite author. Shobhan Bantwal writes Meena's story of finding a husband with humor and gives the reader an understanding of a the Indian culture without going over their heads. Most books that deal with a culture that I am not familiar with take me about half of the book to get the flow and the understand several meanings of words, or phrases they choose to use. But Shobhan writing is not like that at all. She takes the reader by the hand and guides them though Indian slang, names of food and family without making you feel stupid at all.
Meena's story is my kinda story. First, let me say that I am not in love with my Boss. And second, I am not living at home. (But I have been thinking about it.) But Meena is single and successful and for a woman in her culture, she should be married. With both feet firmly planted in the US and supported and surrounded with her family's Indian values, Meena tries to do the best she can in the dating world. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me..."You're so pretty. Why aren't you married yet?" Anyways, this is not about me.
Shobhan Bantwal is like the Sophie Kinsella of the first and second generation Indian woman living in America. This is really Bollywood in a book. There is even a dance scene and all.
I really loved the supporting characters in this book as well. Meena's bothers, co-workers, friends, cousins and dates are very well written. I could see Shobhan creating a few books based off of them. I would love to read about her younger cousins dating adventures as well.
I bet you are wondering why I didn't give it 5 stars. It's the ending! I love happily ever after. I really do, but this one was just to quick and neat after so much conflict. I would have loved to have more in that area. I am so going to read Shobhan's other books for sure.
Meena's story is my kinda story. First, let me say that I am not in love with my Boss. And second, I am not living at home. (But I have been thinking about it.) But Meena is single and successful and for a woman in her culture, she should be married. With both feet firmly planted in the US and supported and surrounded with her family's Indian values, Meena tries to do the best she can in the dating world. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me..."You're so pretty. Why aren't you married yet?" Anyways, this is not about me.
Shobhan Bantwal is like the Sophie Kinsella of the first and second generation Indian woman living in America. This is really Bollywood in a book. There is even a dance scene and all.
I really loved the supporting characters in this book as well. Meena's bothers, co-workers, friends, cousins and dates are very well written. I could see Shobhan creating a few books based off of them. I would love to read about her younger cousins dating adventures as well.
I bet you are wondering why I didn't give it 5 stars. It's the ending! I love happily ever after. I really do, but this one was just to quick and neat after so much conflict. I would have loved to have more in that area. I am so going to read Shobhan's other books for sure.
June 17, 2012
“Matchmaker, Matchmaker make me a match……” is not the song running thru Meena’s head when she runs into (literally!) her boss. She sprains her ankle, gets carried (by him) to his office where she spends the rest of the day on his couch resting. While she misses the whole thing he also carried her to his car and hauls her home. A very compassionate employer. What she didn’t miss is that he is 6’5” and she is five foot even if she stretches. He is HUGE for an Indian man and a bit intimidating.
Meena, PR person for Prajay Nayak’s firm and the newest employee soon falls – and hard – for him. Her parents and aunts are trying weekly to set her up as she is past marrying age in their culture and is trying to be independent which is quite annoying to them. Meena turns down everyone or, after one date has found the man was not her type. This was happening before she met Prajay and now is worse. She tries, she really tries but they aren’t him.
To make matters worse, Prajay is being harassed by his own family since he is nearly forty and single. He has an idea that, by hiring Meena to find him a potential wife; it will cut down the chaos of dating. She agrees, reluctantly and begins breaking her own heart with the task. He wants a smart woman who is 6’ tall. Amazing how many Indian women are out there who fit his requirements. Meena isn’t one of them. And then her aunt Akka shows up on the doorstep. Her brother falls in love – with a Muslim and chaos ensues.
Obsession with size, misclues and failed dates populate this wonderful novel. The author has written five other books which I am currently looking for because this was a nice book. No cursing, no hard drugs nor alcohol. Just a fantastic story about a young Indian woman trying to find her way in a culture centuries old while not losing herself in the process. Got get it. NOW!
December 28, 2012
I was disappointed with the book, and honestly, a bit surprised that it got such positive feedback/reviews.
The only reason I got the book was because of its reviews, which is what has lead me to actually write this, I want to prevent anyone from jumping into the novel without realizing what they're getting into.
Now, I know that makes it sound like this was a terrible book, but in some ways, it was.
It is very superficial, a bit too much, so that it makes hidden remarks upon everything, from height, to sexual preference, to skin color, to class.
But those are things I think one can put up with if the writing is good enough (which it is, which made it all the more shameful) and one isn't really trying to find a deeper meaning to things.
What made this a terrible read was the main character. She was annoying, whinny, jumped to conclusions about everything, so that one minute something was being said and the next she determined it to be the worst thing in the world and didn't know how she could go in in life. It almost made me feel like I was in middle school again. Yup, not even high school drama material.
The male character is pretty ridiculous too, and the ending is terrible.
So, this is a very light, very quick read that has superficial drama. If you don't mind that, get the book, if that bothers you, put it down and walk away.
The only reason I got the book was because of its reviews, which is what has lead me to actually write this, I want to prevent anyone from jumping into the novel without realizing what they're getting into.
Now, I know that makes it sound like this was a terrible book, but in some ways, it was.
It is very superficial, a bit too much, so that it makes hidden remarks upon everything, from height, to sexual preference, to skin color, to class.
But those are things I think one can put up with if the writing is good enough (which it is, which made it all the more shameful) and one isn't really trying to find a deeper meaning to things.
What made this a terrible read was the main character. She was annoying, whinny, jumped to conclusions about everything, so that one minute something was being said and the next she determined it to be the worst thing in the world and didn't know how she could go in in life. It almost made me feel like I was in middle school again. Yup, not even high school drama material.
The male character is pretty ridiculous too, and the ending is terrible.
So, this is a very light, very quick read that has superficial drama. If you don't mind that, get the book, if that bothers you, put it down and walk away.
July 7, 2012
The main character, Meena, is an Indian American who has a mind of her own despite cultural traditions. She does an unusual favor for her boss, who is also Indian, and in the process finds herself in a rather uncomfortable situation. This romantic novel revolves around Meena trying to follow the desires of her own heart while still being mindful of the culture she treasures. While this book is a romance, one of the things I particularly enjoyed about it was getting to know something of one part of the Indian culture here in the US. I knew next to nothing about the culture, and I found myself going to the Internet frequently to learn more about what I was reading. I truly liked Meena as a character and was happy with the ending. I like her respect for her family while remaining her own person. This novel was an excellent summertime read since it isn't a deep, dark, serious novel with a complicated plot structure. Read this for pleasure and for gaining an appreciation for a culture that is unfamiliar to most of us.
July 27, 2014
Sweet, clean romance with a look into American India culture. Yes, some of the observations and conversations may be shocking by American standards, but keep in mind this is a different culture. Characters are likable. It reads like a Bollywood movie. Fun read and the food descriptions make me want to visit my favorite Indian restaurant.
no-longer-reading
August 23, 2017I won this book from a firstreads giveaway here on goodreads. I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing it soon!
August 26, 2012
This book is a quick, easy, fluff read, with a very predictable ending. The writing is simple and the story pretty entertaining.
May 29, 2021
This is a light, easy-to-read, pleasant book. The story unfolds from the POV of the main character, Meena Shenoy, a thirty-one-year old marketing exec. working in an Indian owned high-tech company. Her voice is believable, as is her situation: the stress of being an unmarried, East Indian, woman, born in the States, trying to balance her career with traditional family values to find a suitable husband, SOON.
This book is a simple introduction to the East India Hindu culture and to life as a first generation American, where the American culture one is born into clashes with the parents' strong desire to stick to traditional ways. This happens to almost all first-generation Americans, no matter which country the parents emigrated from. None of this was new info for me, so.....
I enjoyed the book, but I found the storyline very predictable and a bit too heavy on the "women's lit romance" side. Also, some of Meena's thoughts were off-putting, like describing a forty-something co-worker as someone who would be pretty if she lost a bit of weight, followed by "Pinky didn't really need to look chic. She bagged her man sixteen years ago...." Just find that way of thinking offensive. However, Meena's attitude is forgivable because of her young age and lack of life experience.
That said, if you are looking for a light read, a bit of romance, and learning something about another culture along the way, this book might be perfect for you.
This book is a simple introduction to the East India Hindu culture and to life as a first generation American, where the American culture one is born into clashes with the parents' strong desire to stick to traditional ways. This happens to almost all first-generation Americans, no matter which country the parents emigrated from. None of this was new info for me, so.....
I enjoyed the book, but I found the storyline very predictable and a bit too heavy on the "women's lit romance" side. Also, some of Meena's thoughts were off-putting, like describing a forty-something co-worker as someone who would be pretty if she lost a bit of weight, followed by "Pinky didn't really need to look chic. She bagged her man sixteen years ago...." Just find that way of thinking offensive. However, Meena's attitude is forgivable because of her young age and lack of life experience.
That said, if you are looking for a light read, a bit of romance, and learning something about another culture along the way, this book might be perfect for you.
May 26, 2025
"The Reluctant Matchmaker" by Shobhan Bantwal is a charming, light-hearted rom-com that’s rooted in the nuances of Indian culture. While it’s received a mix of reviews, I believe that’s because the book doesn’t shy away from portraying the cultural realities — ones that may seem sexist or traditional through a Western lens, but are still very much present in parts of Indian society. And that honesty gives the story a certain authenticity.
I adored Akka — her warmth, grace, and the quiet wisdom she carried really stood out. Meena, the protagonist, was quite relatable too — a modern Indian woman balancing tradition and independence. I just wish there had been a little more depth and exploration in her relationship with Prajay Nayak. While he had potential as a character, he felt a bit underdeveloped at times, and I would have loved to see more interaction and emotional connection between the two.
That said, this book still made for an enjoyable and cozy read. It’s sweet, culturally rooted, and has its own gentle charm. A fun pick for fans of romance and feel-good fiction.
I adored Akka — her warmth, grace, and the quiet wisdom she carried really stood out. Meena, the protagonist, was quite relatable too — a modern Indian woman balancing tradition and independence. I just wish there had been a little more depth and exploration in her relationship with Prajay Nayak. While he had potential as a character, he felt a bit underdeveloped at times, and I would have loved to see more interaction and emotional connection between the two.
That said, this book still made for an enjoyable and cozy read. It’s sweet, culturally rooted, and has its own gentle charm. A fun pick for fans of romance and feel-good fiction.
March 8, 2025
Might be my fave book I’ve ever read. LOVE LOVE LOVE these characters I wish they could be real!
It’s a book where I felt I was the main character! Sign me up! This book made me smile and laugh. A feel good romance with writing that’s makes this book a page turner!
This book had all the things I love:
-Self delusioned protagonist (in a humorous way) who wishes her attractive boss would ask her out
-Relatable and believable family dynamics
-And a story that takes a realistic setting and incorporates a rom com movie like fairy tale plot that gives the reader all kinds of emotions!
Highly recommend this as a beach read, travel read, or if you want something light hearted and fun to read!
It’s a book where I felt I was the main character! Sign me up! This book made me smile and laugh. A feel good romance with writing that’s makes this book a page turner!
This book had all the things I love:
-Self delusioned protagonist (in a humorous way) who wishes her attractive boss would ask her out
-Relatable and believable family dynamics
-And a story that takes a realistic setting and incorporates a rom com movie like fairy tale plot that gives the reader all kinds of emotions!
Highly recommend this as a beach read, travel read, or if you want something light hearted and fun to read!
July 17, 2021
Less than halfway through I started wondering if this book was for me and now that it's finished I know that it isn't, so 2 stars instead of 1.
Main character Meena was unlikeable from the start and there was so much negativity surrounding weight and body sizes. Akka should be everyone's favourite character.
Mostly, there didn't seem to be a journey for anyone or a struggle to overcome. Perhaps that's why I stick to historical romances and not modern/contemporary stuff. Meena falls in love the first time she sees the guy and the guy just....is? The ending is a whiplash of deus ex machina of I have a TON of money and that's what everyone really wants right??? SMH.
Main character Meena was unlikeable from the start and there was so much negativity surrounding weight and body sizes. Akka should be everyone's favourite character.
Mostly, there didn't seem to be a journey for anyone or a struggle to overcome. Perhaps that's why I stick to historical romances and not modern/contemporary stuff. Meena falls in love the first time she sees the guy and the guy just....is? The ending is a whiplash of deus ex machina of I have a TON of money and that's what everyone really wants right??? SMH.
December 26, 2022
My mom bought me this book because she could see parallels in my life and wanted me to recognize them. At the time I LOVED the book and committed to reading it once a year. The further I’ve gotten away from that time in my life the less I enjoy the book. Sometimes we outgrow the person (or thing) we love but there’s always a special place for it.
December 20, 2017
Really bad. Formulaic and predictable from the first page. Girl is lonely. Meets her perfect match, but he's looking for someone else. They both had the love at first sight thing from the start. Do yourself a favor and don't read this horrible novel. Worse than Twilight and 50 Shades combined.
July 3, 2021
Bantwal calls her style “Bollywood in a book” and says it reflects her Indian heritage. It was a cute book. Could be a light summer read. An easy way to learn a little more about the Indian culture and the experience of second-generation immigrants.
September 13, 2018
Like an American Bollywood movie in a book, complete with dancing towards the end. Some interesting insights into differing generational points of view re marriage, careers, religion, etc.
October 6, 2019
Fun, cute, entertaining, if a bit silly in spots. Lighthearted entertainment and a peek into Desi culture in America.
October 15, 2019
Light summer read - Indian culture was the most interesting
April 28, 2020
I loved it!
I'm very interested in Indian culture and I found the story intriguing and entertaining. I highly recommend it to you.
I'm very interested in Indian culture and I found the story intriguing and entertaining. I highly recommend it to you.
August 17, 2020
This is my second try with this author and my second strike out. I can't seem to enjoy her writing style.
January 27, 2021
2 stars
Not a fan. It felt cheesy & trite for a romance.
Not a fan. It felt cheesy & trite for a romance.
November 26, 2022
What a fun book to read. Learned about Indian culture and love
August 29, 2023
Or 3.5 stars, maybe.
June 27, 2012
“Love Doesn’t Always Need a Matchmaker”
Petite. Single, thirty-one year old Meena Shenoy is a Marketing/Public Relations Executive for Rathnaya, Inc.; a software company dually based in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. For the most part, Meena enjoys her job and working with her boss, Paul and co-worker, “Pinky”. Paul and Meena are requested to come to the main office of the company’s CEO and co-founder, Prajay Nayak, who she has heard a lot of stories about, but has never met. With the appointment, Meena has a turn at “Destiny’s Game”. Nervous and flustered, Meena steps off the elevator, not looking to the right or left and collides with Boss Nayak, who towers over her like a giant. Meena is knocked to the floor and sprains her ankle. After regaining his composure, he carries Meena into his office and summons the company doctor, who gives her medication for the excruciating pain and she sleeps on Prajay’s office couch for the remainder of the afternoon. Maybe it was the meds, or just overwhelmed at Prajay’s gentlemanly behavior, but Meena started to see him in a different light. He’s older and much taller than her diminutive 5’ 1” but is good-looking enough to capture her attention. Her Mother and her Aunt Shabari continually remind her that she’s not getting any younger and her biological clock is ticking, so when Prajay offers to pick her up and take her home from work, plus receiving a bouquet of roses, they get the wrong impression. Secretly, deep-down, Meena hopes he is interested in her but does not want to seem forward or anxious. When Prajay sends her a mysterious email asking her to come to his office after hours, her heart leaps with joy. After much hemming and hawing, Prajay asks if she would write personal ads for him, so he can find a suitable, tall wife. It seems his family has been nagging him to settle down as well. Totally disappointed and a bit angry, she agrees , writes the ads and per his instructions, sends them to his home. Prajay is very pleased with her work and next, has the gall to go “beyond the pale” and asks if she would “weed out” the unsuitable candidates from the enormous amount of replies he has received. Annoyed and hurt, Meena once again agrees for two reasons; to check out her possible competition and because Prajay will pay her a consultant’s fee for her efforts. With Christmas nearing, she could use the extra money. She keeps this assignment secreted away from her family and sends him a list of prospects to consider. He calls on Meena’s good nature once again, asking if she will assist him in babysitting his Niece and Nephew for a day. They have a wonderful, fairy tale, family-oriented outing and she is completely perplexed. If he isn’t interested in her, why is he sending out such confusing signals? When he invites her to go out for a “Thank-You Dinner” the next day, she hesitates, them accepts with disastrous results at the end of the evening. Figuring she was right all along and needs to get thoughts and her heart away from Prajay Nayak, Meena weakens and accepts a dinner invitation from one of the company’s systems analysts; Deepak Iyer, who has asked her for a date numerous times. When Deepak, who she believes to be a pleasant soul, shows his true colors, she cools any possible relationship and faces the truth—she may be single forever. However, her Aunt, Madhuri-Bhat has another possible match-up for her beautiful and intelligent Niece. Madhuri-Bhat gives her the email address of a 32 year-old stockbroker from Connecticut named Ajit Baliga. They correspond and agree to meet for lunch at a Mexican Restaurant. Ajit is charming with a good sense of humor and they click and agree to meet again. Maybe he will be “The One” Meena thinks. In the midst of all the befuddled feelings and uproar, is a visit by her elderly (but young as springtime in attitude) Great Aunt “Akka”, who makes her yearly rounds, staying with family members before returning to her home in California. Meena and her family find that Akka is a wealth of common sense and logic as she inserts herself in Meena’s Brother; Maneel’s romantic troubles and then accompanies Meena to the company office in Washington. Many twists, turns and tears take place. Will Meena find “Mr. Right”? This is the second volume of Ms. Bantwal’s I have read (the first being “Full Moon Bride”) and have enjoyed the story, its characters as well as learning more about Desi culture. I’m looking forward to the next title, but don’t miss this one!! Nancy Narma
Petite. Single, thirty-one year old Meena Shenoy is a Marketing/Public Relations Executive for Rathnaya, Inc.; a software company dually based in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. For the most part, Meena enjoys her job and working with her boss, Paul and co-worker, “Pinky”. Paul and Meena are requested to come to the main office of the company’s CEO and co-founder, Prajay Nayak, who she has heard a lot of stories about, but has never met. With the appointment, Meena has a turn at “Destiny’s Game”. Nervous and flustered, Meena steps off the elevator, not looking to the right or left and collides with Boss Nayak, who towers over her like a giant. Meena is knocked to the floor and sprains her ankle. After regaining his composure, he carries Meena into his office and summons the company doctor, who gives her medication for the excruciating pain and she sleeps on Prajay’s office couch for the remainder of the afternoon. Maybe it was the meds, or just overwhelmed at Prajay’s gentlemanly behavior, but Meena started to see him in a different light. He’s older and much taller than her diminutive 5’ 1” but is good-looking enough to capture her attention. Her Mother and her Aunt Shabari continually remind her that she’s not getting any younger and her biological clock is ticking, so when Prajay offers to pick her up and take her home from work, plus receiving a bouquet of roses, they get the wrong impression. Secretly, deep-down, Meena hopes he is interested in her but does not want to seem forward or anxious. When Prajay sends her a mysterious email asking her to come to his office after hours, her heart leaps with joy. After much hemming and hawing, Prajay asks if she would write personal ads for him, so he can find a suitable, tall wife. It seems his family has been nagging him to settle down as well. Totally disappointed and a bit angry, she agrees , writes the ads and per his instructions, sends them to his home. Prajay is very pleased with her work and next, has the gall to go “beyond the pale” and asks if she would “weed out” the unsuitable candidates from the enormous amount of replies he has received. Annoyed and hurt, Meena once again agrees for two reasons; to check out her possible competition and because Prajay will pay her a consultant’s fee for her efforts. With Christmas nearing, she could use the extra money. She keeps this assignment secreted away from her family and sends him a list of prospects to consider. He calls on Meena’s good nature once again, asking if she will assist him in babysitting his Niece and Nephew for a day. They have a wonderful, fairy tale, family-oriented outing and she is completely perplexed. If he isn’t interested in her, why is he sending out such confusing signals? When he invites her to go out for a “Thank-You Dinner” the next day, she hesitates, them accepts with disastrous results at the end of the evening. Figuring she was right all along and needs to get thoughts and her heart away from Prajay Nayak, Meena weakens and accepts a dinner invitation from one of the company’s systems analysts; Deepak Iyer, who has asked her for a date numerous times. When Deepak, who she believes to be a pleasant soul, shows his true colors, she cools any possible relationship and faces the truth—she may be single forever. However, her Aunt, Madhuri-Bhat has another possible match-up for her beautiful and intelligent Niece. Madhuri-Bhat gives her the email address of a 32 year-old stockbroker from Connecticut named Ajit Baliga. They correspond and agree to meet for lunch at a Mexican Restaurant. Ajit is charming with a good sense of humor and they click and agree to meet again. Maybe he will be “The One” Meena thinks. In the midst of all the befuddled feelings and uproar, is a visit by her elderly (but young as springtime in attitude) Great Aunt “Akka”, who makes her yearly rounds, staying with family members before returning to her home in California. Meena and her family find that Akka is a wealth of common sense and logic as she inserts herself in Meena’s Brother; Maneel’s romantic troubles and then accompanies Meena to the company office in Washington. Many twists, turns and tears take place. Will Meena find “Mr. Right”? This is the second volume of Ms. Bantwal’s I have read (the first being “Full Moon Bride”) and have enjoyed the story, its characters as well as learning more about Desi culture. I’m looking forward to the next title, but don’t miss this one!! Nancy Narma
August 7, 2012
Story Description:
Kensington|June 26, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-7582-5885-4
At thirty-one, Meena Shenoy has a fulfilling career at a New Jersey high-tech firm. Not that it impresses her mother and aunts, who make dire predictions about her ticking bilogical clock. Men are drawn to Meena’s dainty looks and she dates regularly, but hasn’t met someone who really intrigues her. Someone professional, ambitious, confident, caring. Someone like her new boss, Prajay Nayak.
Just as Meena’s thoughts turn to romance, Prajay makes an astonishing request. He wants her to craft a personal ad that will help him find a suitable wife: a statuesque, sophisticated Indian-American woman who will complement his striking height.
Despite her attraction to Prajay and the complications of balancing work and her “marriage consultant” role, Meena can’t refuse the generous fee. And as her family is thrown into turmoil by her brother’s relationship with a Muslim woman, Meena comes to surprising realizations about love, tradition, and the sacrifices she will – and won’t – make for the sake of both.
My Review:
Meena is thirty-one-years-old and still unmarried. Her mother is worried about the fact that she’s still single and that her biological clock is ticking away. Despite dating, Meena, just can’t seem to find the man of her dreams. Meena is just barely five feet tall but is very pretty and she thinks no man is going to want to marry a “midget.”
Working at a high-tech firm, Meena accidentally crashes into her boss, Prajay Nayak one day while on her way to a meeting and falls to the floor. Of course she is terrible embarrassed and people quickly crowd around her to find out if she is okay. Meena can barely hold the tears back for the pain in her ankle when suddenly the water begins dripping out of her eyes and down her cheeks as she says: “I think I broke my ankle!” Someone from the office runs downstairs to summons the doctor who works on another floor. He examines Meena and discovers her ankle isn’t broken but she has a bad sprain. He tells the people crowded around to carry her to a couch to lie down. Without hesitation, Prajay, who is over six feet tall, picks Meena up and carries her to his office and lays her on the couch. The doctor asks someone to get ice while he gives Meena some pain pills and writes out a prescription for her to get filled.
Meena didn’t realize how strong and nice her boss really was until that day and has fallen head over heels for him. After a short recovery period at home, Meena returns to work and Prajay asks her to come to his office after work as he wants to speak with her privately. Meena thinks she is going to get fired for being off work. However, Prajay has something completely different in mind. He wants Meena to write him some personal ads to place on the internet searching for the perfect girl to become his wife. He has some very specific instructions like she has to be at least six feet tall and well-educated. He tells Meena that he will pay her the regular consultants fee for doing this for him. Of course, Meena is devastated because SHE is in love with him but is afraid to tell him and now she must help him find the perfect wife! How in the world is she going to cope with that? While engaged in this duty for Prajay, Meena forces herself to date other men but just can’t get Prajay out of her mind and none of the men she dates measure up. What is she going to do?
This book clearly illustrates a young woman who is caught between her sense of duty and love. It was a great read and I would highly recommend it to other people.
Kensington|June 26, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-7582-5885-4
At thirty-one, Meena Shenoy has a fulfilling career at a New Jersey high-tech firm. Not that it impresses her mother and aunts, who make dire predictions about her ticking bilogical clock. Men are drawn to Meena’s dainty looks and she dates regularly, but hasn’t met someone who really intrigues her. Someone professional, ambitious, confident, caring. Someone like her new boss, Prajay Nayak.
Just as Meena’s thoughts turn to romance, Prajay makes an astonishing request. He wants her to craft a personal ad that will help him find a suitable wife: a statuesque, sophisticated Indian-American woman who will complement his striking height.
Despite her attraction to Prajay and the complications of balancing work and her “marriage consultant” role, Meena can’t refuse the generous fee. And as her family is thrown into turmoil by her brother’s relationship with a Muslim woman, Meena comes to surprising realizations about love, tradition, and the sacrifices she will – and won’t – make for the sake of both.
My Review:
Meena is thirty-one-years-old and still unmarried. Her mother is worried about the fact that she’s still single and that her biological clock is ticking away. Despite dating, Meena, just can’t seem to find the man of her dreams. Meena is just barely five feet tall but is very pretty and she thinks no man is going to want to marry a “midget.”
Working at a high-tech firm, Meena accidentally crashes into her boss, Prajay Nayak one day while on her way to a meeting and falls to the floor. Of course she is terrible embarrassed and people quickly crowd around her to find out if she is okay. Meena can barely hold the tears back for the pain in her ankle when suddenly the water begins dripping out of her eyes and down her cheeks as she says: “I think I broke my ankle!” Someone from the office runs downstairs to summons the doctor who works on another floor. He examines Meena and discovers her ankle isn’t broken but she has a bad sprain. He tells the people crowded around to carry her to a couch to lie down. Without hesitation, Prajay, who is over six feet tall, picks Meena up and carries her to his office and lays her on the couch. The doctor asks someone to get ice while he gives Meena some pain pills and writes out a prescription for her to get filled.
Meena didn’t realize how strong and nice her boss really was until that day and has fallen head over heels for him. After a short recovery period at home, Meena returns to work and Prajay asks her to come to his office after work as he wants to speak with her privately. Meena thinks she is going to get fired for being off work. However, Prajay has something completely different in mind. He wants Meena to write him some personal ads to place on the internet searching for the perfect girl to become his wife. He has some very specific instructions like she has to be at least six feet tall and well-educated. He tells Meena that he will pay her the regular consultants fee for doing this for him. Of course, Meena is devastated because SHE is in love with him but is afraid to tell him and now she must help him find the perfect wife! How in the world is she going to cope with that? While engaged in this duty for Prajay, Meena forces herself to date other men but just can’t get Prajay out of her mind and none of the men she dates measure up. What is she going to do?
This book clearly illustrates a young woman who is caught between her sense of duty and love. It was a great read and I would highly recommend it to other people.
May 25, 2013
By Shobhan Bantwal. Grade B+
At thirty-one, Meena has a flourishing and successful career as a Marketing and PR consultant at a New Jersey tech firm. Not that it makes her mother and aunts very happy. After all, being a single woman at the age of thirty-one is indeed a tragedy, especially if you are an Indian. Meena is not averse to getting married; she has even dated a few times but has never been able to find her ‘Mr. Perfect.’ And when she does finally fall in love, it happens to be her boss, Prajay Nayak.
Prajay, a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur, has great respect and social standing, and also happens to belong to the same caste as Meena. After a few close interactions, Meena starts falling for him, which is when he makes a strange request to her – to chalk out a matrimonial ad for him! His requirements: An Indian-American, with a height to match his. After all he is six-foot five-inches! How Meena deals with her feelings forms the rest of the story.
The book was funny and extremely well written, with just the right amount of romance to give you butterflies in your tummy. Miss Bantwal has comfortably merged the Indian culture and traditions with the American lifestyle. And I suppose it would be safe to say that ‘You can take the Indian out of India, but you can never take India out of the Indian.’ From a concerned yet nosy family, to highlighting the Hindu-Muslim divide rampantly prevalent, or even gently touching the topic of patriarchy in Indian families, the book gives us an insight into the various nuances of Indian society.
The Reluctant Matchmaker had an extremely colourful and quirky cast of characters – a no-nonsense father, an inquisitive mother, loving yet annoying brothers, and amiable co-workers. However, Meena’s great aunt Akka was my absolute favourite. At the age of 78, she is extremely cool, and much more open minded and forward thinking than her nieces. She is not traditional, yet she exhibits an understanding of people, which plays a key role in certain scenes as the story unfolds. The male protagonist, Prajay, though is not the ideal guy you would expect to find in a romantic comedy novel: one on whom you would immediately develop a crush. Luckily, he grows on you with his perfect dressing sense, and more importantly, good manners.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book, and I finished it in just a couple of hours. However, there were some aspects that did not go down too well with me. Our protagonist, Meena, did seem a bit too desperate at times in trying to get Prajay’s attention. From dating another man to make him jealous, to dressing up in super-sexy outfits, she seemed to have tried everything. Also, why a stark height difference would come in the way of true love, something that has been mentioned umpteen times in the book; was something I could not digest.
The Reluctant Matchmaker is a light breezy read, and one you would wish did not end at just 300 pages. My take- Pick it up!
Originally Reviewed at http://vaultofbooks.com/
At thirty-one, Meena has a flourishing and successful career as a Marketing and PR consultant at a New Jersey tech firm. Not that it makes her mother and aunts very happy. After all, being a single woman at the age of thirty-one is indeed a tragedy, especially if you are an Indian. Meena is not averse to getting married; she has even dated a few times but has never been able to find her ‘Mr. Perfect.’ And when she does finally fall in love, it happens to be her boss, Prajay Nayak.
Prajay, a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur, has great respect and social standing, and also happens to belong to the same caste as Meena. After a few close interactions, Meena starts falling for him, which is when he makes a strange request to her – to chalk out a matrimonial ad for him! His requirements: An Indian-American, with a height to match his. After all he is six-foot five-inches! How Meena deals with her feelings forms the rest of the story.
The book was funny and extremely well written, with just the right amount of romance to give you butterflies in your tummy. Miss Bantwal has comfortably merged the Indian culture and traditions with the American lifestyle. And I suppose it would be safe to say that ‘You can take the Indian out of India, but you can never take India out of the Indian.’ From a concerned yet nosy family, to highlighting the Hindu-Muslim divide rampantly prevalent, or even gently touching the topic of patriarchy in Indian families, the book gives us an insight into the various nuances of Indian society.
The Reluctant Matchmaker had an extremely colourful and quirky cast of characters – a no-nonsense father, an inquisitive mother, loving yet annoying brothers, and amiable co-workers. However, Meena’s great aunt Akka was my absolute favourite. At the age of 78, she is extremely cool, and much more open minded and forward thinking than her nieces. She is not traditional, yet she exhibits an understanding of people, which plays a key role in certain scenes as the story unfolds. The male protagonist, Prajay, though is not the ideal guy you would expect to find in a romantic comedy novel: one on whom you would immediately develop a crush. Luckily, he grows on you with his perfect dressing sense, and more importantly, good manners.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book, and I finished it in just a couple of hours. However, there were some aspects that did not go down too well with me. Our protagonist, Meena, did seem a bit too desperate at times in trying to get Prajay’s attention. From dating another man to make him jealous, to dressing up in super-sexy outfits, she seemed to have tried everything. Also, why a stark height difference would come in the way of true love, something that has been mentioned umpteen times in the book; was something I could not digest.
The Reluctant Matchmaker is a light breezy read, and one you would wish did not end at just 300 pages. My take- Pick it up!
Originally Reviewed at http://vaultofbooks.com/
November 3, 2014
The Reluctant Matchmaker by Shoban Bantwal is an engrossing and a fast read. I did think that it was a little slow in the beginning. Meena Shenoy is 31 year old marketing and public relations executive for Rathnaya, Inc. She loves her job and is starting to get nagging from her parents and other relatives to get married. She is also feeling the time clock working against her. She is Hindu and of the Brahmin caste and the same subtype (Sarawat) as the boss of the company. She appreciates her great uncle’s advice to prepare yourself and also be sure to pray to Lord Ganesh, the elephant headed God. (p.2). She works in New Jersey and most of the employees in this company are Indian.
She works with Pinky and Paul is her direct boss. Both of them are her allies in the crises that she faces in this book. The sparks start flying when she and the boss, Prayay Nayak collide and Meena end up on the floor. She flew right on her bottom, hurt her ankle and was surprised to see just how tall Para yak was. She always thought of herself as very short, being 5’feet tall and he was well over 6’ tall. He is 39 years old. She thinks of him as the Jolly Green Giant at least one in this book. He is instantly worried that he hurt this dainty, fragile person. She received medical attention and when he drives her back and forth to work when she has recovered enough to work. He sends her flowers and seems concerned for her as an employee.
One day he requests that she meet him after work in private. She is excited because even though he is very tall she feels an attraction to him. But instead of asking her for a date he wants to her to work for him as his matchmaker. Not what she had in mind!
After the first part of setting of the story and the characters, the story immediately picks up speed and gets very interesting from the moment the two characters collide. The story is written with humor and wit and does make you think about bigger issues. Aunt Akka is one of my favorite characters, she is not traditional but she does seem to have a lot of wisdom and definitely understands people.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in contemporary Indian culture in the United States. I do not ordinarily like romances but the wit and humor won me over.
I received this book from The Library Thing and that in no way influenced my review.
She works with Pinky and Paul is her direct boss. Both of them are her allies in the crises that she faces in this book. The sparks start flying when she and the boss, Prayay Nayak collide and Meena end up on the floor. She flew right on her bottom, hurt her ankle and was surprised to see just how tall Para yak was. She always thought of herself as very short, being 5’feet tall and he was well over 6’ tall. He is 39 years old. She thinks of him as the Jolly Green Giant at least one in this book. He is instantly worried that he hurt this dainty, fragile person. She received medical attention and when he drives her back and forth to work when she has recovered enough to work. He sends her flowers and seems concerned for her as an employee.
One day he requests that she meet him after work in private. She is excited because even though he is very tall she feels an attraction to him. But instead of asking her for a date he wants to her to work for him as his matchmaker. Not what she had in mind!
After the first part of setting of the story and the characters, the story immediately picks up speed and gets very interesting from the moment the two characters collide. The story is written with humor and wit and does make you think about bigger issues. Aunt Akka is one of my favorite characters, she is not traditional but she does seem to have a lot of wisdom and definitely understands people.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in contemporary Indian culture in the United States. I do not ordinarily like romances but the wit and humor won me over.
I received this book from The Library Thing and that in no way influenced my review.
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