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A Dozen Dates to Destiny
‘Repeat after me three times, and you’ll have a husband within eight months.’
Anjali Mehta is practical, independent, and absolutely uninterested in chanting her way to a husband. But after a string of failed dates, her matchmaking-machine-of-a-mother turns to a marriage guru, and suddenly Anjali’s love life is on a timer.
Twelve potential suitors. One countdown. A whirlwind of dates from mildly awkward to hilariously disastrous.
With her three best friends by her side, Anjali is determined to navigate love on her own terms, even when everyone else thinks they know best.
Warm, witty, and full of heart, this is a story of fierce female friendships, unexpected love, and the courage to choose your own path.
Anjali Mehta is practical, independent, and absolutely uninterested in chanting her way to a husband. But after a string of failed dates, her matchmaking-machine-of-a-mother turns to a marriage guru, and suddenly Anjali’s love life is on a timer.
Twelve potential suitors. One countdown. A whirlwind of dates from mildly awkward to hilariously disastrous.
With her three best friends by her side, Anjali is determined to navigate love on her own terms, even when everyone else thinks they know best.
Warm, witty, and full of heart, this is a story of fierce female friendships, unexpected love, and the courage to choose your own path.
314 pages, Paperback
Published April 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 25, 2026
A Dozen Dates to Destiny offers a refreshing, modern twist on the age-old practice of Indian matchmaking. I was especially drawn to that cultural aspect, and the premise quickly hooked me as we follow a series of blind dates, ticking time limits, and Anjali’s journey to understand what she truly wants—rather than what others expect her to find.
This was an easy, one-sitting read and a great choice when you’re in the mood for a light, quick romance infused with Indian cultural touches.
Thank you to NetGalley and BeRead LTD for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was an easy, one-sitting read and a great choice when you’re in the mood for a light, quick romance infused with Indian cultural touches.
Thank you to NetGalley and BeRead LTD for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 4, 2026
The cover of this book is really cute and the premise is great. Anjali and her friends are all looking for love. One by one, they start to get married off, but Anjali keeps going on unsuccessful dates. She doesn't give up though, especially with some extra nudging from her mother.
What I liked: This is a pretty spot on interpretation of the immigrant experience abroad. Anjali and her family and friends all live in the UK, but their Indian traditions and the culture takes center stage. It never shies away from it, which I really appreciated.
As a whole, I so wanted to love this... but unfortunately it didn't land for me. I think my number one issue is the writing didn't seem to flow easily. It felt like there was a list of plot points that had to be hit and it was systematically going through them. It also felt at times like things were over explained for a Western audience. (For example, there's no way not one single one of Anjali's friends wouldn't know what a bio-data is.)
The jokes came off extremely stilted and the timing of everything was all over the place: Anjali's best friend got married and then a couple of pages later, a whole month had passed, or Anjali meets Nimesh and the next chapter they've been dating for six months already.
Also I understand what was trying to be done with Rakesh but it completely fell flat. She's texted with him numerous times, and clearly has his number saved in her phone, but when he calls her she doesn't know who it is? The resolution to that story also felt unearned and I didn't like the way that it was resolved.
The potential for this was definitely there, but the follow through wasn't.
What I liked: This is a pretty spot on interpretation of the immigrant experience abroad. Anjali and her family and friends all live in the UK, but their Indian traditions and the culture takes center stage. It never shies away from it, which I really appreciated.
As a whole, I so wanted to love this... but unfortunately it didn't land for me. I think my number one issue is the writing didn't seem to flow easily. It felt like there was a list of plot points that had to be hit and it was systematically going through them. It also felt at times like things were over explained for a Western audience. (For example, there's no way not one single one of Anjali's friends wouldn't know what a bio-data is.)
The jokes came off extremely stilted and the timing of everything was all over the place: Anjali's best friend got married and then a couple of pages later, a whole month had passed, or Anjali meets Nimesh and the next chapter they've been dating for six months already.
Also I understand what was trying to be done with Rakesh but it completely fell flat. She's texted with him numerous times, and clearly has his number saved in her phone, but when he calls her she doesn't know who it is? The resolution to that story also felt unearned and I didn't like the way that it was resolved.
The potential for this was definitely there, but the follow through wasn't.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A Dozen Dates to Destiny by Seetal Fatania was such a fun read. I flew through this one.
It follows Anjali as she navigates dating, family expectations, and the very real pressure to settle down and get married—all within the world of Indian matchmaking, set in the UK. The setup pulls you in quickly, and from there it’s a mix of blind dates, chemistry, and figuring out what she actually wants versus what everyone else wants for her.
The writing is easy and fast-paced, which made it really enjoyable to pick up and keep going. It has that “just one more chapter” feel. There’s a light, playful tone throughout, but it also touches on that underlying pressure from family and culture in a way that feels relatable without being heavy.
I also loved getting a glimpse into the traditions and family dynamics—it added something different and made the story stand out.
Overall, this was fun, entertaining, and exactly what I wanted it to be.
Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something light, romantic, and easy to get into.
A Dozen Dates to Destiny by Seetal Fatania was such a fun read. I flew through this one.
It follows Anjali as she navigates dating, family expectations, and the very real pressure to settle down and get married—all within the world of Indian matchmaking, set in the UK. The setup pulls you in quickly, and from there it’s a mix of blind dates, chemistry, and figuring out what she actually wants versus what everyone else wants for her.
The writing is easy and fast-paced, which made it really enjoyable to pick up and keep going. It has that “just one more chapter” feel. There’s a light, playful tone throughout, but it also touches on that underlying pressure from family and culture in a way that feels relatable without being heavy.
I also loved getting a glimpse into the traditions and family dynamics—it added something different and made the story stand out.
Overall, this was fun, entertaining, and exactly what I wanted it to be.
Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something light, romantic, and easy to get into.
April 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for the opportunity to read and honestly review this novel.
"A Dozen Dates to Destiny" is a fun read. Readers meet Anjali, a young woman sorting through cultural expectations, dating, and self-discovery. She is a leading lady worth rooting for. I admire her perseverance, confidence, and vulnerabilities. These traits make the plot even more engaging. If you enjoy the "Sex and the City" franchise and want people of color included, this book delivers. A “Dozen Dates to Destiny” is rooted in Southeast Asian culture. Young adults are expected to find their matches quickly. Fortunately, Anjali is surrounded by loving friends who help her find "the one." The writing is light and fun. It makes anyone want to dive in and read what happens next. I loved how the intricacies of Southeast Asian culture are displayed. We need more books where characters are proud of their heritage, and this book does just that. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a little gossip, romance, and helpful friends. It’s perfect for a summer read or bringing someone back to romance. It is never too cheesy and remains perfectly palatable.
"A Dozen Dates to Destiny" is a fun read. Readers meet Anjali, a young woman sorting through cultural expectations, dating, and self-discovery. She is a leading lady worth rooting for. I admire her perseverance, confidence, and vulnerabilities. These traits make the plot even more engaging. If you enjoy the "Sex and the City" franchise and want people of color included, this book delivers. A “Dozen Dates to Destiny” is rooted in Southeast Asian culture. Young adults are expected to find their matches quickly. Fortunately, Anjali is surrounded by loving friends who help her find "the one." The writing is light and fun. It makes anyone want to dive in and read what happens next. I loved how the intricacies of Southeast Asian culture are displayed. We need more books where characters are proud of their heritage, and this book does just that. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a little gossip, romance, and helpful friends. It’s perfect for a summer read or bringing someone back to romance. It is never too cheesy and remains perfectly palatable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC gifted in exchange for review
I’m not going to lie, the dedication for this book really reeled me in. The first 40% for me was kinda meh. I found myself getting a bit irritated with the female main character and it almost felt like she was more focused on checking off boxes than figuring out if this was what she really wanted. My favorite thing about the whole book was the deep female friendships and community that was maintained throughout even as their lives changed. The last 60% had me by the neck and that’s really when I sat up and locked in. The ending felt a little rushed to me but overall it was an enjoyable read. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions truly and I felt like I was watching a soap opera, which I love. I had a really good time with it and I loved who she ended up, I just wished it happened a little differently and we got to see more of them actually being together.
I’m not going to lie, the dedication for this book really reeled me in. The first 40% for me was kinda meh. I found myself getting a bit irritated with the female main character and it almost felt like she was more focused on checking off boxes than figuring out if this was what she really wanted. My favorite thing about the whole book was the deep female friendships and community that was maintained throughout even as their lives changed. The last 60% had me by the neck and that’s really when I sat up and locked in. The ending felt a little rushed to me but overall it was an enjoyable read. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions truly and I felt like I was watching a soap opera, which I love. I had a really good time with it and I loved who she ended up, I just wished it happened a little differently and we got to see more of them actually being together.
April 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and BeRead LTD for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: May 4, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐
I loved the dedication at the beginning of this book.
I honestly wanted to love this one, but it just didn’t quite work for me. I found myself unsure of what genre it was supposed to be. It felt like it was trying to be both a romance and adult fiction, but it never fully committed to either.
The friendships were a highlight and added some warmth to the story, but overall the pacing felt slow and the plot dragged at times. There were also a lot of self-help–style paragraphs throughout the book. While some readers might find them inspiring, they felt a bit overdone to me and pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this one had potential, but it just didn’t fully click for me.
Pub Date: May 4, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐
I loved the dedication at the beginning of this book.
I honestly wanted to love this one, but it just didn’t quite work for me. I found myself unsure of what genre it was supposed to be. It felt like it was trying to be both a romance and adult fiction, but it never fully committed to either.
The friendships were a highlight and added some warmth to the story, but overall the pacing felt slow and the plot dragged at times. There were also a lot of self-help–style paragraphs throughout the book. While some readers might find them inspiring, they felt a bit overdone to me and pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this one had potential, but it just didn’t fully click for me.
April 27, 2026
Reseña de la copia anticipada recibida de NetGalley
El libro me gusto. Es facil de leer y es de esas historias que son ideales para aquel que busca una lectura sencilla y rápida de leer
Me hubiese gustado quizás un poco mas de intriga sobre el final y hasta un poquito mas de drama.
Mencion honorifica al valor que se le da en este libro a la amistad, eso me encanto!
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Review of the advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed the book. It's easy to read and one of those stories that are ideal for someone who is looking for a simple and quick read.
I would have liked a little more suspense towards the end and even a bit more drama.
Honorable mention to the value given to friendship in this book; I loved that!
El libro me gusto. Es facil de leer y es de esas historias que son ideales para aquel que busca una lectura sencilla y rápida de leer
Me hubiese gustado quizás un poco mas de intriga sobre el final y hasta un poquito mas de drama.
Mencion honorifica al valor que se le da en este libro a la amistad, eso me encanto!
-------------------------------------------------------
Review of the advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed the book. It's easy to read and one of those stories that are ideal for someone who is looking for a simple and quick read.
I would have liked a little more suspense towards the end and even a bit more drama.
Honorable mention to the value given to friendship in this book; I loved that!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A dozen dates to Destiny was a refreshing modern take on the age old practice of Indian Matchmaking. It had it's fleeting glimpses of the older days with the bio-datas, and pandits, but also showed how a girl in this world navigates its with ease with the help of those around her. This book was an easy, one-sitting read, and a great option for when you want a light-hearted, quick romance with its Indian touches.
ARC Review - thanks to NetGalley and Seetal Fatania
ARC Review - thanks to NetGalley and Seetal Fatania
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews