Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel

by Arushi Avachat

Rani's summer checklist didn't include falling in love in this sparkling romance for fans of The Summer of Broken Rules and Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute.

Nineteen-year-old Rani Deshpande is on a mission to reinvent herself the summer before transferring to her new university. After a challenging freshman year, Rani can’t help but feel like she’s playing catch up. To that end, she’s crafted a packed summer to get back on track: a dream internship, adventures with her hometown best friend, and regular driving lessons so that she can finally lose her passenger princess reputation - even if it means learning from her aggravating family friend (and childhood crush), Kush Khanna.

Kush and Rani grew up together, but they couldn’t be less alike. Within their close-knit Desi community - a Jane Austen style cast of ridiculous, meddlesome families - Kush is the beloved model son; Rani is more the black sheep. Kush is pre-med; Rani plans to teach elementary school. Kush is cool and collected, bordering on reticent; Rani couldn’t keep her mouth shut if her life depended on it. So when their mothers first force the pair to drive together, the arrangement feels like a recipe for disaster. As the lessons progress, however, Rani discovers there’s more to the boy she’s known her whole life than meets the eye.

In Arushi Avachat's Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel, Rani must learn to course-correct, no matter how bumpy or windy the road – and even if it includes a detour right into love.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Young Adult Romance, Contemporary Romance

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 19, 2026

About the author

Arushi Avachat is a writer from the Bay Area, California. She studied English, Political Science, and South Asian Studies at UCLA, where she was often found sipping caramel lattes and pretending to be productive at Kerckhoff Coffee House. A 2024 Marshall Scholar, Arushi received her MSt in English and American Studies at Oxford. Arushi loves dark chocolate, Jane Austen books, and California winters. Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment (Wednesday Books) is her first novel. Her second novel, Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel (Wednesday Books), releases on May 19. She is represented by the lovely Rebecca Rodd and Kerry Sparks at LGR Literary.

Reviews

[Yusra ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

another arccc

rtc, this was adorable

[Sherwood Smith]

What I loved: the family dynamics, the cultural overlay, and how cultural differences clash and how they integrate.

What I found a hard time with: the central romance seemed a bit distant for me, built on small misunderstandings without emotional development, and I really wanted more of Rani's research instead of being told it was there. Less driving, more delving!

[Ayushi (bookwormbullet) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up!

[Bonnie Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rani's freshman year at a college away from her hometown is quite the disappointment for her. She transfers to a college near her home and plans a summer to start afresh. She and her best friend, Simram, have made their check lists for the summer. One of the items on Rani's list is to get her driver's license, something she has been putting off. It turns out she has to take driving lessons from her family friend, and childhood crush.
This delightful story of Rani's busy summer will keep you entertained and have you rooting for Rani.

[Sukie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read the ARC for Arushi Avachat's book Rani Deshpande Takes The Wheel!

I loved this book! And seeing as it's an ARC I will not be providing a few of my favorite quotes.

Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is one of those books you pick up thinking “oh, this sounds pretty good,” and suddenly you’re 100 pages deep, obsessed with the writing, and shipping Rani & Kush so hard

As an Asian reader, this is the kind of story I would’ve loved in high school, but I’m so glad I get to read it now! I will be recommending it to everyone I know who struggles with the cultural differences and self identity navigation separation from cultural demand.

Rani’s character is EVERYTHING. As the eldest daughter, the emotional backbone of her family, and a super relatable human, I connected with her instantly. Her sensitivity, her heart, and yes… the fact that she cries when she’s angry made me relate to her even more.

The slow-burn romance with Kush? Absolute perfection. Their banter is hilarious, sweet, and wholesome, and watching their feelings grow naturally was my favorite part of the story

If you’re looking for a cozy, heartfelt YA contemporary with family, culture, self-discovery, and adorable romance… this one is it

[Vedika Awtani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ★

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I truly loved this one! I definitely love brown girl representation in romance, and I love to support authors that showcase my culture so wonderfully on the page. This one, in particular, felt as though someone had taken the pages from my own life.

Rani is a formidable main character, caught in the natural ebbs and flows of university life (much like myself!). She is nowhere near perfect, and she has various challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities while navigating the throes of adulthood. Perhaps it is because we are both the same age -- and because I too cannot drive -- but Rani felt as though she was a perfectly crafted nineteen year old. She is set on achieving perfection professionally, but she makes the same mistakes we all do as we learn to be an adult. I think watching her navigate familial responsibilities, especially within her role as an eldest daughter, alongside a whirlwind romance and budding friendships was a fantastic representation of most university experiences. I also really enjoyed the overarching metaphor of driving being the semblance of control that she strives to and eventually achieves as she becomes comfortable in this new stage of her life.

Kush is an amazing character, and certainly one I was drawn to right from the start. While I never expected him to be as layered as he was, I think he was a meticulously curated character with flaws and a past that was addressed beautifully. I was flipping pages at the speed of light if only to know more about him as the chapters unraveled. I also think he is one of the best communicators I might have ever come across, and I think adding in his childhood connection to Rani was a perfect finishing touch. On another note, I loved the traditional social culture and fancy events as the backdrop for their relationship. And, hello? The chunni caught in the buttons moment? I screamed.

My only critiques for the novel would center around the pacing and overall conclusion for the relationship. The book is very much a slowburn, a facet that I appreciate and enjoy, but towards the end, I felt as though some things were slightly hasty as they were wrapping up. To me, Rani's conversations with her family are tied up nicely, but I feel as though I wanted to know slightly more about Kush and feel a stronger connection with their relationship. Although I know it had been building up for a while, the end still did not satisfy the craving that I had all throughout the book in seeing Rani and Kush's actual relationship, including how they interacted on campus, made it official, or navigated the topic around their friend groups. That said, I did still like the growth progression throughout the book, and I hope there is more about these two that I can dive into.

Overall, I really loved this one, and I cannot wait to get a copy to put on my shelf when it comes out!

[Zara Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel! This story had me hooked from the very first page, and I found myself completely invested in Rani’s journey. Rani is hardworking, responsible, and constantly trying to balance family obligations, school life, and figuring out who she is—something I think many readers will resonate with.

The story follows Rani as she transfers to a college closer to home and plans a summer full of personal goals, including finally getting her driver’s license. Of course, the twist is that her driving lessons are with Kush, a family friend and her childhood crush, which sets the stage for a summer full of growth, self-discovery, and some incredibly sweet romance.

Rani is such a relatable and well-rounded character. She’s ambitious and determined, but she also makes mistakes and struggles with feeling in control, which makes her journey feel authentic. Watching her navigate family expectations, friendships, and budding love felt real and heartfelt. The way the story uses driving as a metaphor for control and independence was clever and meaningful.

Kush is just as compelling - a layered, thoughtful character with charm, humor, and a past that slowly unfolds. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the banter between them had me grinning. I loved seeing their relationship develop gradually, with all the small, intimate moments that make a slow-burn romance so satisfying.

The cultural touches throughout (family dynamics, traditions, and even the small, humorous moments) added a richness that made the book feel vibrant and genuine. It’s a lovely representation of South Asian life.

Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is fun, heartwarming, and totally charming. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m so excited to see what Arushi Avachat writes next. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a relatable protagonist, slow-burning romance, and a story full of heart and culture.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this E-ARC.

[nihaarika · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

okay, this was so freaking cute!! rani deshpande takes the wheel feels like one of those books that you pick up and go, oh this sounds pretty good. and the next thing you know, you’re a hundred pages deep, in love with the writing style, and shipping rani and kush so hard. as someone who is south asian, this is the kind of story that i would have loved to read in high school, and i’m glad that i get to do it now. reading this reminded me of the iconic ya contemporaries from the 2010s, but with a desi twist, and i am so here for that.

the writing style was so captivating, and arushi avachat did such a great job at capturing the heart of a young, desi girl, who is also the eldest daughter and takes care of her siblings. as a fellow eldest daughter myself, i knew i was gonna love and connect with rani so quickly. and i did. it felt like her and i were the same person. her sensitivity and the fact that she cries when she’s angry made me love her so much more.

much of the story centres around rani and her tendency to take on a lot of work, to be the ever-reliant person for her family and friends, to fit in and find a place for herself. taking on the driving lessons with kush sets her on a path of self-discovery and change, and as the story progresses, she learns that it is okay to want to take a break.

the romance was so wholesome and cute and adorable!! rani and kush bantered hard, and in between those scenes, you could tell that feelings were slowly growing. the progression of their relationship was so well written, and probably was my favourite part of the story.

rani deshpande takes the wheel was such a fun read and i cannot wait to see what arushi avachat writes next!

thank you wednesday books for the e-arc!

[neha · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am constantly seeking out south asian romance novels but i rarely leave satisfied. sometimes the references are overdone, or the relationship development is too fast or i just can’t connect with the characters despite having the benefit of shared culture. safe to say, this book doesn’t suffer from any of that. these characters are well written (the fmc more than the mmc, but he still appears to be fairly developed) and because of that, the development of their relationship feels natural. they have known each other for much of their lives but they spend a summer rediscovering each other after several misunderstandings and you truly do see the ice start to thaw to the point where they seek out each others company. they have their issues but they apologize and (eventually) talk it out. the fmc apart from that has a lot of other aspects that she needs to navigate, mostly suffering from eldest daughter of an immigrant household syndrome, but seeing her come into her own at the end is lovely. this all goes to say, i think this was a well balanced book with rom AND com, character development, fairly fleshed out plot lines… the works. i’d say it does good job of revealing the quirks of south asian diaspora culture and i found much of it comforting. very cute overall

(received an arc copy through netgalley)

[Aura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the quiet confidence of this story. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t rush to impress but settles into its rhythm and lets the characters do the work. The pacing felt steady and intentional, and I appreciated how much space was given to growth that felt personal rather than performative.

Rani’s journey stood out to me the most. Her internal struggles around responsibility, expectations, and figuring out what she actually wants felt relatable, especially within the context of family and cultural pressure. Those moments landed with a lot of heart, and they were written with care. The family dynamics in particular felt lived-in and familiar in a way that added depth without overwhelming the story.

The romance was sweet and understated. I liked that it developed through shared history and small moments rather than big dramatic gestures. It wasn’t overly angsty, but it also wasn’t shallow, which made it feel genuine. The chemistry built naturally, and I found myself rooting for them without needing constant tension to stay engaged.

Overall, this was a comforting, thoughtful read with humor, warmth, and emotional honesty. It didn’t completely knock me off my feet, but it absolutely held my attention and left me smiling by the end. A solid four stars for a story that balances romance, family, and self-discovery really well.

[Danielle Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rani Deshpandi is 19 and has just finished her freshman year of college. She does not yet have her drivers license and is determined that this will be the summer she passes the test. Unfortunately by the time she tries to sign up the drivers ed class is full so her mom helpfully volunteers their family friend, Kush, to teach her. Kush is a year older and just so happens to be her childhood crush. They proceed to spend the summer together teaching Rani how to drive while she also tries to juggle a summer job, familial responsibilities, and independent study work.

I liked the unique storyline of the crush being guilted into teaching her to drive by their families. Rani is Marathi so there is a lot of Marathi culture pulled into the story which I enjoyed reading. As someone who has no prior knowledge on Marathi culture I never felt lost or confused about any of it.

Throughout the story there are a lot of things that a young adult audience will relate to, and the only “spice” was one kissing scene, making it perfect for a younger crowd. Rani has a hard time saying no and her family relies on her a lot, while not quite treating her like an adult. I remember being in her shoes at 19 and I related to her so much that I cried when it all exploded near the end of the story. This was the first young adult novel that I have enjoyed this much in a long time.

[juhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rani and Kush grew up together because their moms are best friends. As such, they faced all the classic troupes associated with long-time family friends: middle school crushes, one-sided arch-rivals, and the object for comparison by the other’s parents. The use of “driving lessons” as a matchmaking technique is a fun dynamic that puts a new spin on the forced proximity troupe.

Something I really enjoyed was getting to see Rani overcome challenges of speaking up for herself, dealing with burnout, and similar first generation immigrant child problems. Alternatively, Kush is similarly going through similar battles, but you only get to learn of them in Rani’s perspective when she is told about them. It creates a nice complexity to the different individual battles each character is facing in their young adulthood.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in a young adult romance with a South Asian twist. Side characters like the chaotic Shilpa Auntie, Rani’s voice of reason grandfather, more family and friends help create a fun environment rooting for Rani and Kush to realize their feelings for each other. Ultimately, a short, sweet, and fun summer romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy gifted to me, all thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

[Monica Chhugani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for books that I can relate to on a cultural level and this book did not disappoint on that front.

From the casual use of Marathi and Hindi words in conversation, to the day to day dynamics of a brown immigrant household in a Western setting, Rani's family like (and Kush's for that matter) was entirely too relatable for me as a Third Culture Kid born in India.

I related to Rani's feelings of being taken for granted as the eldest daughter in an Indian family. I related to Kush's family always expecting the best of him without regard for his personal feelings, and I deeply appreciated the commentary on how domineering and critical Indian men from the older generation can be with Kush's dad's character. I loved Ajoba's character and his and Rani's relationship throughout the book.

Rani and Kush's dynamic developing from childhood was like a rollercoaster, but I loved Kush's quiet patience with her and Rani's openness to trying to communicate with him rather than icing him out. Overall, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the book because closed door romances rarely do it for me, but between the cultural aspects depicted beautifully and viscerally, and the palpable chemistry between Rani and Kush, I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

[Megan Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced e-arc.

Arushi Avachat's second novel is a cute summer break read. Here we meet Rani as she attempts to prepare for her sophomore year of college. She has transferred schools after feeling completely homesick during her year away and is trying to reclaim some pieces of herself by finally getting her license, starting a research program with a noted academic, and reconnecting with her friends.

Rani and Simran's best friendship was my favorite thing about this novel. I loved how real and silly they were with each other. I could see pieces of myself with my childhood bestie in here. Sometimes we don't want to have those hard confrontations, but we always have each other's backs.

The romance was a little light for my taste. I wanted more of Kush and Rani getting to know the small details about each other. I wanted fun dates, not them tip-toeing around each other. Romance could have definitely been stronger.

Another thing that I didn't really connect to was just how much drinking Rani and friends did over the course of the book. She uses a fake ID several times. That just didn't vibe for me.

Overall, this was sweet and fun and I could have handled more in the romance department.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed being drawn into Rani's world! There were a few things going on here, and I was interested in all of them - the romance and learning to drive, of course, but also Rani's relationship with her family, her relationship with her best friend and her newer friends, her aspirations about her future career, her transfer and wanting to find somewhere to belong. There's also her personal growth when it comes to her reactions and insecurities. The way she had a goal for the summer kept the story captivating the whole time. It did feel like a few of those things could have been more developed (for example, we never got her new friends' reaction about her dating Kush after it became a plot point early on). Also a few things felt kind of slow and choppy (like it seemed like some scenes/chapters abruptly ended in the middle). But all in all I greatly enjoyed the book and the romance. I don't mind a good misunderstanding plot, so I really liked Rani and Kush's relationship. I think the scene in the hot springs might have been my favourite between them! I liked when they let their walls down and opened up to each other!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

[Bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC read.

This was a 3.5 star rating for me. Where I did like the story, It did feel like the pacing could use an adjustment. The timeline was fine, but when a chapter was over the jump to the next scene kept feeling a bit abrupt.

Rani felt like a very relatable character, especially as a caretaker to her siblings, when she herself was still a kid and then only just turning into an adult. I really don't care if there are busy parents, or a parent who worries a lot, you decided to have children, so thus you need to be the adult and take care of ALL of your children.

The conflict in the story also felt very relatable, and though most of the reactions of the people surrounding Rani, and even from Rani herself were very realistic; there were times where I felt that they were acting much to mature, and then on the opposite side much to childish. But to be fair most of them were still in the teen years; lol.

Overall I really enjoyed the story, and I loved the library reference as I work in a library myself!

[Hira Chaudhary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

There was a lot going on in this one, which became confusing at times. Rani is learning how to drive, working at the library, and also working on some internship. It was just a lot going on at the same time. She becomes friends with Michael at the library, and meets his friends, and for some reason, their opinions matter more to her than someone she's known and had a crush on since childhood.

Kush was great, but I felt like we didn't spend enough time getting to know him. I needed to know more about why he broke up with his previous girlfriend. I needed to spend more time on who he is as a person now. And the whole thing with his dad was just, he's not a nice guy. I wanted to know more about his personal life.

Rani and Kush reconnecting was cute, and I wish Frank hadn't been tossed in there for no reason. The driving lessons were fun and I liked watching them becomes friends again. They were cute and I enjoyed watching them. Rani was awesome and I liked watching her take the wheel of her own life.

[Saloni Porwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grabbed this book only coz of the Indian roots, and on those grounds, it did not disappoint. Don't go in expecting tons of romance, because this story is more focused on the protagonist Rani and her story. The romance accounts for a very small portion of the book, and even then, it is very slow burn. Not that I mind that in the least.

I personally enjoyed this book because Rani shares my own roots and culture, and it was delightful to see phrases from my own mother tongue reflected throughout the writing, and of course, the cuisine.

If you're looking for diverse reads to explore cultures, and South Asian ones at that, this book is pretty great! You'll find a lot of family centric scenes, and the side characters play a significant and memorable role in the story. Overall, I'd say it's a lighthearted, easy to read story; but also, one that isn't all fluff because it's real and relatable.

[Aish · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I definitely thought this was a romance, and while sure, there was a romance, this book felt more like a realistic fiction book than romance. There were fleeting moments here and there with Rani and Kush (which I loved) but it was mostly about Rani's journey and character growth over the summer which I'm not mad about because the author did such a good job - I was rooting for Rani the entire time. As someone who is also ethnically South Asian, I loved reading a book that represents South Asian culture and I could definitely relate to a lot of Rani's moments and interactions throughout. Truly, I'd give this book 5 stars if it was slightly longer and captured more of Rani and Kush!

4.5 stars - Thank you to Arushi Avachat, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!

[Ananya Devarajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Arushi Avachat has truly done it again. I am so honored and lucky to not only have read an early copy, but to have blurbed a book that spoke to me in a way that only adorable YA romances featuring charming Desi leads like RANI DESHPANDE TAKES THE WHEEL do.

"Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is a witty, irresistible rom-com about a summer of changes. As the eldest daughter, Rani has spent years putting others first, but now she’s determined to blaze her own path—even if it means enduring driving lessons with her childhood crush and the chaos of her meddling relatives. Funny, tender, and utterly charming, Arushi Avachat expertly redefines and uplifts South Asian representation through Rani’s journey of self-discovery and what it truly means to drive her own life."

Literally inject this book into my veins. I'm obsessed.

[Aved · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun, cultural romcom. Rani Deshpande is trying to reinvent herself after a botched freshman year, and getting her driver's license is top of the list. Surprise surprise, her rival needs to teach her. It's a really fun enemies-to-lovers trope. I enjoyed their banter quite a bit.

Rani is very lovable, and her crashouts were fun to watch but GIRL. I felt like such a mom when I wanted her to study more instead of wasting time with her family affairs. There seemed to be more family drama than actual development between the leads. Their getting together felt very abrupt. The actual romance seemed to be put on the back burner, overshadowed by her family issues.

Overall an easy read, I would have liked to see more romance than family drama, they seemed overly involved in her life for some reason.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming book. I especially liked the South Asian cultural references. It was fascinating to me to read about the family interactions. On one hand, I envied all the large family get-togethers and the strong sense of community, but alternatively, I was appalled by Rani's parentification and the blatant way she was taken advantage of by her family and seemingly underappreciated. Can no one in this family communicate or apologize? That said, I truly enjoyed seeing Rani's character growth throughout the book. The romance is subtle and sweet, but the strength of the story, for me, came from Rani's personal growth as she finds her place in the world.
Many thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was all in from the beginning. New to me author, and the title grabbed my attention. My girl Rani had so much going on, spending time with her grandfather, being secondary parent to her twin brothers, having the best summer ever and getting her driver’s license.

Over all this was a nice new adult, young adult rom com type book. I enjoyed seeing Rani work out her issues.

A nice no fuss, low angst book about a girl whose idea of a good time is shared googled doc.

I love love love the clueless reference.

[gung-ho_reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rani's story is a great slice of life showing her Indian heritage in daily life. it was a lovely lifestyle shown throughout her living her life and moments that mean a lot to many Indians. I loved the plot and her feeling like an unappreciated daughter in her household.

the romance with Kush was my favourite part - the tension the longing, the misunderstandings which felt genuine and were resolved in a non dramatic way because half of Rani personality was known for being dramatic. The ending was sweet leading up to the kiss.

[Srishti B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly quite surprising. I'm tired of books that think being Indian is just about having watched every Bollywood movie under the sun. The discussion of being an eldest daughter in a desi family was quite well done, and I appreciated that it wasn't completely resolved at the end. The main storyline was obviously very predictible but that was expected. Also glad to be seeing more novels focused on college-aged characters in general.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute YA novel by Arushi Avachat set in the PNW over the summer between freshman and sophomore year of college. I really like all the characters here and thought they were pretty well fleshed out. This was a quick read since I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
I would have liked a glossary at the end with some of the non-English words, however.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for this ebook ARC to read. All opinions are my own.

[Booksandballgowns · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a passenger princess myself, I get it Rani. Sometimes we let things stay in their lane and other times we need to set off on a new path. This story was wonderful to read with just how real it was. From the family and community dynamics to the challenges Rani has to face and the decisions she has to make. Add in the budding romance and the wonderful PNW setting, this story is sure to take its readers along for the ride!

[Aamna Qureshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

so fun!! so many things got me but the bend it like beckham reference REALLY got me...

official blurb: As comforting and entertaining as a conversation with a best friend, Rani Desphande Takes the Wheel has a bit of everything: friendship, romance, humor, and family. I adored Avachat’s attention to detail, smooth narration, and cultural references. Wonderfully well-done!

[Umi · Rating 5 out of 5]

alr know this book will be a 10/10 !!

[Bijuri]

3.5/5 stars. But don't get it twisted—this was better than the author's debut. I was too generous with my ratings in the past. Anyway, full RTC.