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Sister of the Bollywood Bride
For fans of Morgan Matson's 'Save the Date' comes a charming novel about one teen's summer tackling disasters including, but not limited to, family, romance, and weather - as she plans her sister's Bollywood-style Indian wedding.
Mini's big sister, Vinnie, is getting married. Their mom passed away seven years ago and between Dad's new start-up and Vinnie's medical residency, there's no one but Mini to plan the wedding. Dad raised her to know more about computers, calculus, and cars than desi weddings but from the moment Mini held the jewelry Mom left them, she wanted her sister to have the wedding Mom would've planned.
Now Mini has only two months to get it done and she's not going to let anything distract her, not even the persistent, mysterious, and smoking-hot Vir Mirchandani. Flower garlands, decorations, music, even a white wedding horse - everything is in place.
That is, until a monster hurricane heads for Boston that could ruin everything. Will Mini come through as sister of the bride and save the day?
Mini's big sister, Vinnie, is getting married. Their mom passed away seven years ago and between Dad's new start-up and Vinnie's medical residency, there's no one but Mini to plan the wedding. Dad raised her to know more about computers, calculus, and cars than desi weddings but from the moment Mini held the jewelry Mom left them, she wanted her sister to have the wedding Mom would've planned.
Now Mini has only two months to get it done and she's not going to let anything distract her, not even the persistent, mysterious, and smoking-hot Vir Mirchandani. Flower garlands, decorations, music, even a white wedding horse - everything is in place.
That is, until a monster hurricane heads for Boston that could ruin everything. Will Mini come through as sister of the bride and save the day?
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2013
32 people are currently reading
4174 people want to read
About the author
Nandini Bajpai
4 books175 followersNandini Bajpai grew up in New Delhi, India, one of four sisters and many cousins, in a family that liked to read.
She lived and worked in India, Australia, and the US, before settling in the Boston area with her husband, kids, and a fluctuating number and variety of pets. Although she dabbled in corporate finance, business analysis, and fostering shelter animals, her first love is writing.
She lived and worked in India, Australia, and the US, before settling in the Boston area with her husband, kids, and a fluctuating number and variety of pets. Although she dabbled in corporate finance, business analysis, and fostering shelter animals, her first love is writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
May 31, 2022
Sister of the Bollywood Bride is one that I had on my radar for a while, but never got the opportunity to read it. I finally made my way around to it this year. If you’re looking for a book that explores the cultural details of weddings then I think this might be one you would enjoy.
The story follows Mini who has been tasked with planning her sister Vinnie’s wedding. Vinnie has currently started her medical residency and doesn’t have the time or capacity to plan a wedding. What made this story so unique was the amount of detail that is showcased as Mini goes through step by step in planning the wedding. From the food that will be catered to the design of Vinnie’s lehenga, readers get the best insight to some of the traditional practices of an Indian wedding. This was the last of the story that I connected to the most because it allowed me to experience/gain insight to another culture. There was a lot that I didn’t know prior to reading this book and I felt like I walked away with a desire to learn more. I also think that the author handled grief very well. Mini and Vinnie’s mother passed away prior to the beginning of the book, and it’s clear how much it’s impacted the family. I appreciated how the author goes though the process of showing how Mini struggles with and processes her grief.
Unfortunately, there really isn’t much that happens in the story in terms of plot development. Readers simply follow Mini as she plans the wedding and while she has some ups and downs with securing certain vendors and more, there wasn’t much complexity to the plot. I think I was looking for a little more conflict but didn’t really get what I wanted. There is a love interest, but I wasn’t really invested in him or their relationship. A part of me is beginning to struggle with romance existing for the sake of romance because it’s the standard in this specific age category. I think that this would have worked well without a love interest and more focus on the relationship between Mini, Vinnie, and her father.
Overall, this was a solid read and I think it provides great insight to the traditions of an Indian wedding. The writing was solid and accessible. I am interested in seeing what the author produces in the future.
The story follows Mini who has been tasked with planning her sister Vinnie’s wedding. Vinnie has currently started her medical residency and doesn’t have the time or capacity to plan a wedding. What made this story so unique was the amount of detail that is showcased as Mini goes through step by step in planning the wedding. From the food that will be catered to the design of Vinnie’s lehenga, readers get the best insight to some of the traditional practices of an Indian wedding. This was the last of the story that I connected to the most because it allowed me to experience/gain insight to another culture. There was a lot that I didn’t know prior to reading this book and I felt like I walked away with a desire to learn more. I also think that the author handled grief very well. Mini and Vinnie’s mother passed away prior to the beginning of the book, and it’s clear how much it’s impacted the family. I appreciated how the author goes though the process of showing how Mini struggles with and processes her grief.
Unfortunately, there really isn’t much that happens in the story in terms of plot development. Readers simply follow Mini as she plans the wedding and while she has some ups and downs with securing certain vendors and more, there wasn’t much complexity to the plot. I think I was looking for a little more conflict but didn’t really get what I wanted. There is a love interest, but I wasn’t really invested in him or their relationship. A part of me is beginning to struggle with romance existing for the sake of romance because it’s the standard in this specific age category. I think that this would have worked well without a love interest and more focus on the relationship between Mini, Vinnie, and her father.
Overall, this was a solid read and I think it provides great insight to the traditions of an Indian wedding. The writing was solid and accessible. I am interested in seeing what the author produces in the future.
May 17, 2021
3.5 stars
This YA fiction read was cute and had some heart. The opportunity to read about an Indian wedding is what drew me in but I found myself equally interested in how this story also touched on the loss of a family member and how it affected this particular family.
Mini is in high school and she has been tasked with planning the wedding of her older sister, Vinnie. Their mother died seven years ago and all of the adults lead busy lives so they can't help out. With only two months to go before the big day, Mini is determined to pull off a dream wedding that would make her mother proud. She certainly doesn't have time for any distractions especially not that good looking guy Vir Mirchandani who she she keeps running into around town. Probably best to keep him off her mind for now. Right?
Even though I'm not normally interested in weddings I do like reading about the different customs and traditions. It might seem a bit far fetched a teenager was planning a wedding but it made total sense within the context of the story. Let's face it, in most cultures the mother of the bride usually helps out, or depending on the mother, completely takes over the arrangements. Mini wanting to go the extra mile for her sister is just one reason why she was such a likeable character.
Grief is a topic that pops up a lot in fiction but normally the focus is on the immediate aftermath of a death. I love how the author chose a time period further down the line in the grief journey. The family might not be experiencing the same intensity of feelings but they still hurt and are continuing to deal with the effects of the death. It might not have been the main plot point but it really added depth to the story.
A solid YA fiction read.
I won an advance copy of this book from NOVL. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
This YA fiction read was cute and had some heart. The opportunity to read about an Indian wedding is what drew me in but I found myself equally interested in how this story also touched on the loss of a family member and how it affected this particular family.
Mini is in high school and she has been tasked with planning the wedding of her older sister, Vinnie. Their mother died seven years ago and all of the adults lead busy lives so they can't help out. With only two months to go before the big day, Mini is determined to pull off a dream wedding that would make her mother proud. She certainly doesn't have time for any distractions especially not that good looking guy Vir Mirchandani who she she keeps running into around town. Probably best to keep him off her mind for now. Right?
Even though I'm not normally interested in weddings I do like reading about the different customs and traditions. It might seem a bit far fetched a teenager was planning a wedding but it made total sense within the context of the story. Let's face it, in most cultures the mother of the bride usually helps out, or depending on the mother, completely takes over the arrangements. Mini wanting to go the extra mile for her sister is just one reason why she was such a likeable character.
Grief is a topic that pops up a lot in fiction but normally the focus is on the immediate aftermath of a death. I love how the author chose a time period further down the line in the grief journey. The family might not be experiencing the same intensity of feelings but they still hurt and are continuing to deal with the effects of the death. It might not have been the main plot point but it really added depth to the story.
A solid YA fiction read.
I won an advance copy of this book from NOVL. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
May 8, 2022
I liked A Match Made in Mehendi more than this! Maybe it was the different plot or more compelling characters.
And the South Indian portrayals felt stereotypical at times. I liked the inclusion at first but not when it's done in a "look at these backwards Tamil/South people with their weird food and conservative religion versus our progressive atheist Punjabi/North family and better food and less money grubbing'" way. The author could have executed the divide between North and South Indians much better.
Perhaps I am projecting. Anyway, this was cute but I don't think it's a reread.
And for the record, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are different states!!!! Their capitals aren't the same.
Content warning: slight body shaming, death of a parent (mentioned), discrimination/racism
And the South Indian portrayals felt stereotypical at times. I liked the inclusion at first but not when it's done in a "look at these backwards Tamil/South people with their weird food and conservative religion versus our progressive atheist Punjabi/North family and better food and less money grubbing'" way. The author could have executed the divide between North and South Indians much better.
Perhaps I am projecting. Anyway, this was cute but I don't think it's a reread.
And for the record, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are different states!!!! Their capitals aren't the same.
Content warning: slight body shaming, death of a parent (mentioned), discrimination/racism
March 23, 2022
this is 3 star instead of 2 cause of the way grief is explored in this book- the way the characters learn to live with it, love it for them
what went wrong is that i wasn’t expecting all those details about the wedding, it was beautiful ngl- at a point i was wishing my older cousins got married soon so i could dress up and get the vibes you know?
but such little is shown about vir and mini that i wasn’t even rooting for them and the drama in between felt kinda unnecessary
mini wasn’t even giving off 17yo that she is 🤷♀️
also i don’t know much about tamils but i’ve heard that their representation is not properly done in this book
i thought this would be a 4/5 star read when i started but this book focuses so much on the wedding planning that the other things feel under developed
and i do at all not buy the fact that no one had time to plan the wedding, not even the father
what went wrong is that i wasn’t expecting all those details about the wedding, it was beautiful ngl- at a point i was wishing my older cousins got married soon so i could dress up and get the vibes you know?
but such little is shown about vir and mini that i wasn’t even rooting for them and the drama in between felt kinda unnecessary
mini wasn’t even giving off 17yo that she is 🤷♀️
also i don’t know much about tamils but i’ve heard that their representation is not properly done in this book
i thought this would be a 4/5 star read when i started but this book focuses so much on the wedding planning that the other things feel under developed
and i do at all not buy the fact that no one had time to plan the wedding, not even the father
April 8, 2024
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
this was so cute!! it was more on the younger side of YA contemporary which i appreciated and i love love loved the romance 👌✨
and especially enjoyed learning about the different indian cultures and traditions! also the wedding planning was fun and overall i just had a good time 🎀
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
this was so cute!! it was more on the younger side of YA contemporary which i appreciated and i love love loved the romance 👌✨
and especially enjoyed learning about the different indian cultures and traditions! also the wedding planning was fun and overall i just had a good time 🎀
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
Want to read
October 21, 2020October 21, 2020: WAIT, I JUST CAME ACROSS THIS TITLE and I am so pleasantly surprised because I enjoyed reading A Match Made in Mehendi so much, I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MORE BOOKS FROM THE AUTHOR SO YAYYYYY
June 11, 2021
Edit: After hearing thoughts from other Tamil readers, I wanted to highlight some of the concerning aspects about this book that I previously missed during my read-through. Several Tamil readers have expressed how they felt that the main character in this book carried judgemental thoughts against the Tamil characters in this book, specifically regarding Tamil food, the way Tamil people speak, and the relationship Tamil people have with their faith.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute book! The concept, as the title suggests, was an interesting one and I enjoyed the story for the most part. I definitely think that this book is geared towards more younger Young Adult readers or even upper Middle Grade readers. However, I think the story/conflict was quite drawn out, so overall I’d have to give this book 3 stars!
Sister of the Bollywood Bride follows 17-year-old Mini Kapoor, whose older sister Vinnie is getting married over the summer. Mini & Vinnie’s mother passed away seven years ago and between their father’s new start-up and Vinnie's medical residency, there's no one but Mini to plan the wedding. With the help of her mysterious new boy in town, Vir Mirchandani, Mini promises to plan the wedding that their mother would've planned and make it the best day for Vinnie.
Indian weddings are such a magical series of events and I truly enjoyed watching Mini plan out every single detail of Vinnie’s big day. From the lehengas, to the mehndi, to the decorations, to even the religious aspects of the event, I really enjoyed immersing myself into the wedding planning process, having not been to a proper Indian wedding in years.
That being said, because the entire premise of this book was about planning Vinnie’s wedding, the story felt a bit drawn out and at one point I felt like I was reading about unnecessary details that were added to the story simply to fill up the plot. I also think the characters’ dialogue was often written in a childish manner or a little too over-enthusiastic (there was an exclamation point after almost every line that the characters delivered) and I found it difficult to relate to Mini as a rising senior in high-school. I was a 17-year-old Indian-American myself a few years ago, and it felt like Mini’s attitude about a lot of the things that were happening around her and the way she interacted with other people seemed unrealistic for teenagers in today’s age. This book was written several years ago (in 2013, I believe?), so that could be the reason for why I felt like Mini’s portrayal was unrealistic.
Overall though, I’d recommend this book for younger readers who are looking for a cute story about family relationships, a sweet romance, and great representation for Indian cultures and traditions!
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute book! The concept, as the title suggests, was an interesting one and I enjoyed the story for the most part. I definitely think that this book is geared towards more younger Young Adult readers or even upper Middle Grade readers. However, I think the story/conflict was quite drawn out, so overall I’d have to give this book 3 stars!
Sister of the Bollywood Bride follows 17-year-old Mini Kapoor, whose older sister Vinnie is getting married over the summer. Mini & Vinnie’s mother passed away seven years ago and between their father’s new start-up and Vinnie's medical residency, there's no one but Mini to plan the wedding. With the help of her mysterious new boy in town, Vir Mirchandani, Mini promises to plan the wedding that their mother would've planned and make it the best day for Vinnie.
Indian weddings are such a magical series of events and I truly enjoyed watching Mini plan out every single detail of Vinnie’s big day. From the lehengas, to the mehndi, to the decorations, to even the religious aspects of the event, I really enjoyed immersing myself into the wedding planning process, having not been to a proper Indian wedding in years.
That being said, because the entire premise of this book was about planning Vinnie’s wedding, the story felt a bit drawn out and at one point I felt like I was reading about unnecessary details that were added to the story simply to fill up the plot. I also think the characters’ dialogue was often written in a childish manner or a little too over-enthusiastic (there was an exclamation point after almost every line that the characters delivered) and I found it difficult to relate to Mini as a rising senior in high-school. I was a 17-year-old Indian-American myself a few years ago, and it felt like Mini’s attitude about a lot of the things that were happening around her and the way she interacted with other people seemed unrealistic for teenagers in today’s age. This book was written several years ago (in 2013, I believe?), so that could be the reason for why I felt like Mini’s portrayal was unrealistic.
Overall though, I’d recommend this book for younger readers who are looking for a cute story about family relationships, a sweet romance, and great representation for Indian cultures and traditions!
May 27, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai contains just the sort of drama I love to read about. Following a girl who singlehandedly plans her sister’s wedding, this one is filled with both wedding catastrophes and community support. The main character is kindhearted, and the descriptions of each aspect of the wedding make the event jump off the page. I would definitely recommend this to those looking for an entertaining and uplifting read.
When her sister decides to get married last-minute during her residency, Mini is feeling the pressure. Her mother passed away, and her father is busy with his tech startup, so she takes it upon herself to make all her sister’s dreams come true. With little time and fewer resources, planning the wedding is no easy feat, but the community comes together to pitch in. Family and communities coming together are some of my favourite elements to read, and the unwavering support in this book is so touching.
❀ COMPASSIONATE MAIN CHARACTER
Mini is such a compassionate main character, and I admired the hard work she puts in to make her sister’s wedding special. She has impressive planning skills, and she overcomes each hurdle, from limited funds to an impending hurricane. While Mini is incredibly mature and hardworking, her voice still reads like a teenager’s, and she has her flaws. She also has an interesting talent for altering clothes. and this element of fashion design was a nice surprise.
❀ VIVID DESCRIPTIONS
What I especially enjoyed about the book is its extensive descriptions of wedding planning. Bajpai covers each component of Vinnie’s dream wedding, including mouthwatering foods and dazzling jewelry. These vivid descriptions make the plot truly come to life, and I had so much fun reading about each scramble to save the day, and celebrating with Mini when things turn out as planned.
❀ SWEET READ FOR SPRING
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai is a chaotic contemporary with a lot of heart. With strong family ties, a caring main character who is easy to root for, and gorgeous descriptions of each element of the wedding, this one is sure to charm its readers. This is the perfect short and sweet read for the spring.
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai contains just the sort of drama I love to read about. Following a girl who singlehandedly plans her sister’s wedding, this one is filled with both wedding catastrophes and community support. The main character is kindhearted, and the descriptions of each aspect of the wedding make the event jump off the page. I would definitely recommend this to those looking for an entertaining and uplifting read.
When her sister decides to get married last-minute during her residency, Mini is feeling the pressure. Her mother passed away, and her father is busy with his tech startup, so she takes it upon herself to make all her sister’s dreams come true. With little time and fewer resources, planning the wedding is no easy feat, but the community comes together to pitch in. Family and communities coming together are some of my favourite elements to read, and the unwavering support in this book is so touching.
❀ COMPASSIONATE MAIN CHARACTER
Mini is such a compassionate main character, and I admired the hard work she puts in to make her sister’s wedding special. She has impressive planning skills, and she overcomes each hurdle, from limited funds to an impending hurricane. While Mini is incredibly mature and hardworking, her voice still reads like a teenager’s, and she has her flaws. She also has an interesting talent for altering clothes. and this element of fashion design was a nice surprise.
❀ VIVID DESCRIPTIONS
What I especially enjoyed about the book is its extensive descriptions of wedding planning. Bajpai covers each component of Vinnie’s dream wedding, including mouthwatering foods and dazzling jewelry. These vivid descriptions make the plot truly come to life, and I had so much fun reading about each scramble to save the day, and celebrating with Mini when things turn out as planned.
❀ SWEET READ FOR SPRING
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai is a chaotic contemporary with a lot of heart. With strong family ties, a caring main character who is easy to root for, and gorgeous descriptions of each element of the wedding, this one is sure to charm its readers. This is the perfect short and sweet read for the spring.
March 27, 2014
Red Turban White Horse by Nandini Bajpai turned out to be a really cute read. It has a nice story with loads of characters and a protagonist who is trying to juggle everything and everyone. Every once in a while I enjoy reading clean and sweet young adult books and Red Turban White Horse was just that.
Mini is our heroine. She lives with her Dad who has just started his tech company. Mini's mother passed away seven years ago and after that the role to take care of her father has somehow fallen upon Mini. When Mini's sister Vinnie decides to get married Mini is the one who has to handle all the preparations because Vinnie is doing her residency and their mother would have wanted a big fat Indian wedding for Vinnie.
I really liked Mini. She was a sweet girl. She wanted what was best for her sister Vinnie. Even though she has everyone's support she wants to do things on her own. She just wants Vinnie's wedding to be the best day of her life. What Mini doesn't count on though is the disaster waiting to ruin all her plans.
Then we also have Vir. Vir is the love interest who seems to always pop up when Mini needs him. I found Vir to be really cute. Vir does seem to be smitten by Mini but he's got his own secrets. The main focus is not on the love story at all but I still enjoyed all the interactions between Vir and Mini. They were sweet together.
Red Turban White Horse may not have the most original of plots but the way the author has written the story makes up for it. There is a wide variety of characters and situations but in the end its just about being with your loved ones. Red Turban White Horse made for a really cute read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves chick lit.
*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author is exchange for an honest review. We thank them.
Find more of my reviews at The Readdicts- http://thereaddicts.blogspot.in/
Mini is our heroine. She lives with her Dad who has just started his tech company. Mini's mother passed away seven years ago and after that the role to take care of her father has somehow fallen upon Mini. When Mini's sister Vinnie decides to get married Mini is the one who has to handle all the preparations because Vinnie is doing her residency and their mother would have wanted a big fat Indian wedding for Vinnie.
I really liked Mini. She was a sweet girl. She wanted what was best for her sister Vinnie. Even though she has everyone's support she wants to do things on her own. She just wants Vinnie's wedding to be the best day of her life. What Mini doesn't count on though is the disaster waiting to ruin all her plans.
Then we also have Vir. Vir is the love interest who seems to always pop up when Mini needs him. I found Vir to be really cute. Vir does seem to be smitten by Mini but he's got his own secrets. The main focus is not on the love story at all but I still enjoyed all the interactions between Vir and Mini. They were sweet together.
Red Turban White Horse may not have the most original of plots but the way the author has written the story makes up for it. There is a wide variety of characters and situations but in the end its just about being with your loved ones. Red Turban White Horse made for a really cute read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves chick lit.
*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author is exchange for an honest review. We thank them.
Find more of my reviews at The Readdicts- http://thereaddicts.blogspot.in/
May 3, 2021
Thank you, NOVL for the arc!
I LOVED THIS BOOK OMG Mini is the best sister anyone could ask for. She hustles, spends most of her time dedicated to the wedding all while balancing SATs, but through no fault of her own, the powers that be build walls that she quickly pummels. Her tenacity is unwavering. But she has faults and the stress of wedding planning while balancing a relationship may prove too much for her to handle. Did I mention this book is set in my hometown of BOSTON?? But I digress..
The characters and subplots were heartwarming and almost reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but Indian. There were laugh-out-loud moments and also moments that made you take a step back and feel for these characters. And if you're anything like me, you'll be googling Indian food by the time you're finished reading. Doordash delivers one near me. Just saying.
This is the perfect warm-weather fluff book, you guys. It comes out may 25th so get your preorder in! Also, this book is set in BOSTON! Did you guys know???!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK OMG Mini is the best sister anyone could ask for. She hustles, spends most of her time dedicated to the wedding all while balancing SATs, but through no fault of her own, the powers that be build walls that she quickly pummels. Her tenacity is unwavering. But she has faults and the stress of wedding planning while balancing a relationship may prove too much for her to handle. Did I mention this book is set in my hometown of BOSTON?? But I digress..
The characters and subplots were heartwarming and almost reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but Indian. There were laugh-out-loud moments and also moments that made you take a step back and feel for these characters. And if you're anything like me, you'll be googling Indian food by the time you're finished reading. Doordash delivers one near me. Just saying.
This is the perfect warm-weather fluff book, you guys. It comes out may 25th so get your preorder in! Also, this book is set in BOSTON! Did you guys know???!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!
August 13, 2021
Mini Kapoor (who drives a Mini Cooper!) is in her final year of school in Boston, USA. When Mini's sister, Vinnie, announces her engagement to fellow doctor Manish, the wedding plans are left up to Mini. With the help of her extended family and Indian community Mini plans a tradition Indian wedding for her sister. Between a blossoming relationship with Vir and the threat of a hurricane, can Mini pull off the perfect wedding? I enjoyed learning about Indian culture while reading this book although I got confused with some of the Indian phrases and words. Sister of the Bollywood Bride was originally released as Red Turban White Horse: My Sister's Hurricane Wedding. I enjoyed Nandini Bajpai's YA novel and wish to thank to Allen & Unwin for my paperback copy.
August 27, 2021
Thank you to Hatchette Book Group for kindly sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Overall Rating: 3 stars
High school senior Mini Kapoors’ mother passed away seven years ago and now lives alone with her Dad. When her older sister Vinnie is about to get married, Mini has to take on the huge task of planning her wedding in only two months. Between meeting a new, super cute guy and trying to keep up with school, Mini must stay focused and plan the best wedding possible for her sister.
Sister of the Bollywood Bride was a short and fun read that put a big smile on my face. The story was heartwarming and reminded me of the importance of family. I loved the way grief was explored in this, as Mini and the rest of her family continue to struggle with the loss of her mother. I also enjoyed getting to learn more about Indian culture and extravagant Indian weddings! Though I loved the premise, I felt like it dragged on at certain points, specifically near the end.
Mini was a very likeable and sweet main character as she always went out of her way to make her sister’s special day perfect. Her romance with Vir was also adorable. I was rooting for them throughout the book.
My main issue with the book was that I felt like it didn’t read like a Young Adult novel. I think this book would’ve been better suited as a Middle-Grade book. Even though Mini was in her final year of high school, it felt like she was significantly younger. Certain conversations just felt a bit juvenile.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and fast read, but some parts fell a bit flat. Definitely a feel-good book!
Overall Rating: 3 stars
High school senior Mini Kapoors’ mother passed away seven years ago and now lives alone with her Dad. When her older sister Vinnie is about to get married, Mini has to take on the huge task of planning her wedding in only two months. Between meeting a new, super cute guy and trying to keep up with school, Mini must stay focused and plan the best wedding possible for her sister.
Sister of the Bollywood Bride was a short and fun read that put a big smile on my face. The story was heartwarming and reminded me of the importance of family. I loved the way grief was explored in this, as Mini and the rest of her family continue to struggle with the loss of her mother. I also enjoyed getting to learn more about Indian culture and extravagant Indian weddings! Though I loved the premise, I felt like it dragged on at certain points, specifically near the end.
Mini was a very likeable and sweet main character as she always went out of her way to make her sister’s special day perfect. Her romance with Vir was also adorable. I was rooting for them throughout the book.
My main issue with the book was that I felt like it didn’t read like a Young Adult novel. I think this book would’ve been better suited as a Middle-Grade book. Even though Mini was in her final year of high school, it felt like she was significantly younger. Certain conversations just felt a bit juvenile.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and fast read, but some parts fell a bit flat. Definitely a feel-good book!
October 13, 2021
this was so incredibly precious! mini sets out to plan the best, within budget, wedding for her older sister who is too busy to organise her own ceremony. in the mean time, she contemplates if she should apply for a design-specific college or just any because her father wants her to get a degree with more future. however, mini's great with fabrics and reworking clothes. her artistic talents doesn't stop there, she sketches and paints brilliantly. though she gets overwhelmed once in a while, mini's the greatest with organisation and planning a wedding. vir's fun, nice and patient. he helped and supported mini throughout the whole time she was doing up the wedding.
overall, this is the lighthearted and sweet read. since the main focus is on mini planning the wedding for her older sister, the romance between mini and vir wasn't overwhelming.
overall, this is the lighthearted and sweet read. since the main focus is on mini planning the wedding for her older sister, the romance between mini and vir wasn't overwhelming.
May 26, 2021
Read this review on my blog!
Sister of the Bollywood Bride follows Mini as she plans her sister’s wedding, and must work through many of the setbacks she faces along the way. When I first heard about this book, I was so excited—Indian weddings? Sister relationships? A fun summer contemporary romance? It seemed like it would be the perfect contemporary to delve into! And, as promised, it truly a cute read.
What I Liked:
- The family relationships and exploration of grief: I loved following Mini’s point of view, she was such a sweet main character! Her relationships with the rest of her family were also done very well, I could tell how much she loved her sister and father. This book also explored grief, as Mini’s mother passed away when she was seven years old, and it showed how Mini’s family was still grieving. I thought that this exploration of grief was done in a very nuanced and well-written way.
- The Indian representation: Of course a book is going to mean even more to me if I feel represented in it, and I loved reading about Mini plan her older sister’s wedding in Sister of the Bollywood Bride! I’ve been to a few Indian weddings myself, and it was so much fun to see Mini planning the wedding and creatively figuring out how to make sure everything worked out in the end.
- How fun and easy to read it was: When I picked up Sister of the Bollywood Bride, I was in the middle of a reading slump and desperately needed something light that wouldn’t require too much investment. Thankfully, I was so glad that this book perfectly matched that description! It read like a typical contemporary romance that was so easy to get into. I found myself flying through chapters because it was light and fun to read.
What I Disliked:
- The pacing: Although this was easy to read, I had a bit of a hard time with the beginning, as the pacing was quite slow. I found that a lot of this novel was just fluff, rather than actually getting anywhere in terms of plot. The same problem occurred near the middle of the novel, too: I felt that the plot lagged for a while until closer to the three-fourths mark.
- The romance: While I didn’t dislike the romance, per say, I didn’t enjoy it, either. I just couldn’t find myself relating to it or rooting for it. I wished that more of the book focused on the plot or strengthening the themes of grief and self-realization rather than the romance.
- The maturity: Again, this isn’t a point that I extremely disliked, but it did bother me a bit. Mini’s perspective felt like I was reading from a middle-schooler’s perspective rather than someone who had just graduated high school. I think this book would have done great as a middle grade novel rather than YA, because reading Mini’s point of view did not make it seem like she was as old as she was.
✧ ♡ ✧ ♡ ✧
Overall, this was an adorable read that, as I mentioned at the start of this post, would be perfect to enjoy during a summer day! Although it did have its faults, it delivered exactly what it promised: a fluffy contemporary that I think everyone needs right now.
★★★☆☆ // 3 stars
representation: Indian-American mc, Indian scs
trigger warnings: past death of a parent (cancer)
Sister of the Bollywood Bride follows Mini as she plans her sister’s wedding, and must work through many of the setbacks she faces along the way. When I first heard about this book, I was so excited—Indian weddings? Sister relationships? A fun summer contemporary romance? It seemed like it would be the perfect contemporary to delve into! And, as promised, it truly a cute read.
What I Liked:
- The family relationships and exploration of grief: I loved following Mini’s point of view, she was such a sweet main character! Her relationships with the rest of her family were also done very well, I could tell how much she loved her sister and father. This book also explored grief, as Mini’s mother passed away when she was seven years old, and it showed how Mini’s family was still grieving. I thought that this exploration of grief was done in a very nuanced and well-written way.
- The Indian representation: Of course a book is going to mean even more to me if I feel represented in it, and I loved reading about Mini plan her older sister’s wedding in Sister of the Bollywood Bride! I’ve been to a few Indian weddings myself, and it was so much fun to see Mini planning the wedding and creatively figuring out how to make sure everything worked out in the end.
- How fun and easy to read it was: When I picked up Sister of the Bollywood Bride, I was in the middle of a reading slump and desperately needed something light that wouldn’t require too much investment. Thankfully, I was so glad that this book perfectly matched that description! It read like a typical contemporary romance that was so easy to get into. I found myself flying through chapters because it was light and fun to read.
What I Disliked:
- The pacing: Although this was easy to read, I had a bit of a hard time with the beginning, as the pacing was quite slow. I found that a lot of this novel was just fluff, rather than actually getting anywhere in terms of plot. The same problem occurred near the middle of the novel, too: I felt that the plot lagged for a while until closer to the three-fourths mark.
- The romance: While I didn’t dislike the romance, per say, I didn’t enjoy it, either. I just couldn’t find myself relating to it or rooting for it. I wished that more of the book focused on the plot or strengthening the themes of grief and self-realization rather than the romance.
- The maturity: Again, this isn’t a point that I extremely disliked, but it did bother me a bit. Mini’s perspective felt like I was reading from a middle-schooler’s perspective rather than someone who had just graduated high school. I think this book would have done great as a middle grade novel rather than YA, because reading Mini’s point of view did not make it seem like she was as old as she was.
✧ ♡ ✧ ♡ ✧
Overall, this was an adorable read that, as I mentioned at the start of this post, would be perfect to enjoy during a summer day! Although it did have its faults, it delivered exactly what it promised: a fluffy contemporary that I think everyone needs right now.
★★★☆☆ // 3 stars
representation: Indian-American mc, Indian scs
trigger warnings: past death of a parent (cancer)
September 13, 2021
I adored this book! If you want a quick, but amazingly written read, look no further! Sister of the Bollywood Bride, in the words of the author, is a “cupcake” book. It makes you happy and will have you smiling, laughing, and if you are like me, crying.
Mini Kapoor’s older sister, Vinnie, is getting married. The problem? Vinnie is a medical resident, and a short time frame for her wedding. Their mom passed seven years ago, so the responsibility of wedding planning falls on Mini. Mini does not shy away though, she is determined to give Vinnie the wedding their mom would have planned. With just two months to get everything together, Mini refuses to let anything ruin Vinnie’s special day.
This was the #BostonBookClub pick, made possible by Maura, who provided the books. We were lucky enough to have Nandini Bajpai (the wonderful author) join the discussion as well. Nandini has a blurb at the end about how this was inspired by a wedding in her family. But after talking with her, there is more than that. The majority of the book is inspired by events and people in her life. For me, it’s always more special when I know how close a story is to the author.
The family relationships were wonderful. I loved reading about the bond between Mini and her father. Their interactions made me smile every time. Not all the relationships were perfect though. Some were strained, and I thought these were written well too. You get to see the characters grow and work through those feelings to strengthen their bond.
Not only were the characters and relationships written well, but also the way things were described. You were able to picture everything without it being overly stated. I really enjoyed this because as Mini is going through the wedding planning, you are able to really picture how things are coming together.
I also loved that this story was set in Massachusetts. Although I’m no longer there, that was my home for 10 years. It was great to read about areas that I knew of and have been to or passed through. Wasn’t that long ago that I was there, but made me miss the area.
Big thanks again to Maura and Nandini! And definitely pick this up if you want a fun read!
Mini Kapoor’s older sister, Vinnie, is getting married. The problem? Vinnie is a medical resident, and a short time frame for her wedding. Their mom passed seven years ago, so the responsibility of wedding planning falls on Mini. Mini does not shy away though, she is determined to give Vinnie the wedding their mom would have planned. With just two months to get everything together, Mini refuses to let anything ruin Vinnie’s special day.
This was the #BostonBookClub pick, made possible by Maura, who provided the books. We were lucky enough to have Nandini Bajpai (the wonderful author) join the discussion as well. Nandini has a blurb at the end about how this was inspired by a wedding in her family. But after talking with her, there is more than that. The majority of the book is inspired by events and people in her life. For me, it’s always more special when I know how close a story is to the author.
The family relationships were wonderful. I loved reading about the bond between Mini and her father. Their interactions made me smile every time. Not all the relationships were perfect though. Some were strained, and I thought these were written well too. You get to see the characters grow and work through those feelings to strengthen their bond.
Not only were the characters and relationships written well, but also the way things were described. You were able to picture everything without it being overly stated. I really enjoyed this because as Mini is going through the wedding planning, you are able to really picture how things are coming together.
I also loved that this story was set in Massachusetts. Although I’m no longer there, that was my home for 10 years. It was great to read about areas that I knew of and have been to or passed through. Wasn’t that long ago that I was there, but made me miss the area.
Big thanks again to Maura and Nandini! And definitely pick this up if you want a fun read!
August 18, 2020
Its a very beautiful young adult book for teenagers. Read it back when i was in 9th grade.
November 25, 2021
Loved all the Indian culture and references. That was totally my favorite part. I liked the book and the storyline.
I didn’t however, like the romance or any of the relationships. This would have been a great opportunity to see some sisterly bonding and maybe them having their own arc. The wedding was supposed to be for the sister but it just felt very disjointed because she really didn’t have any influence in it. But, I did appreciate her overcoming the misunderstanding between her and her Masi. The romance also fell flat with no chemistry, mainly because we literally didn’t learn anything about Vir which made him feel very 2D. Lastly, the writing style was over dramatic for my taste and I think it could have done much better as a middle grade book.
It gets 4 stars because of the culture, which again, I loved!! Overall, I would recommend, but maybe if you are on the younger side of YA/middle grade.
I didn’t however, like the romance or any of the relationships. This would have been a great opportunity to see some sisterly bonding and maybe them having their own arc. The wedding was supposed to be for the sister but it just felt very disjointed because she really didn’t have any influence in it. But, I did appreciate her overcoming the misunderstanding between her and her Masi. The romance also fell flat with no chemistry, mainly because we literally didn’t learn anything about Vir which made him feel very 2D. Lastly, the writing style was over dramatic for my taste and I think it could have done much better as a middle grade book.
It gets 4 stars because of the culture, which again, I loved!! Overall, I would recommend, but maybe if you are on the younger side of YA/middle grade.
May 22, 2021
makes me want to throw a desi wedding!! SUCH a cute story i adored it, and i felt so beautifully represented. one of those books that just fills me with joy. my review & interview with the author coming tomorrow!
December 28, 2021
*3.5 stars
I was highly anticipating the release of this book because the premise sounded so cute and fun! I’ve been looking for more cutesy drama filled South Asian contemporaries to read and this hit all those checkmarks. I think what I most wanted to see and what drew me to this book was the fact it was following a “Bollywood” style wedding which if you know me, I’m obsessed with, and the characters involved two sisters which is something I always find to connect with in books because I have a younger sister who’s one of my best friends. Some of the things I loved about this book was the romance between Mini and Vir. I thought it was really cute, very much puppy love but as with puppy love it was very pure and wholesome. I was buddy reading this book with one of my South Asian friends and we were squealing like high school girls (for context we’re both almost finished with college) during any Mini and Vir interactions. I also did like the progression of relationships besides romantic relationships like the one between Mini and her aunt and Mini and her sister who’s getting married Vinnie. I thought Mini as a character had a lot of spunk and sass to her and she definitely reminded me of a couple of South Asian people I’ve met in my life.
As much as I did love all these crazy shenanigans and the wedding drama, I think the author could have done a bit more research on the way the concept of North vs. South Indian semantics were brought up. I thought it was wonderful to show that this divide between North and South India exists (even though it shouldn’t) and there were prominent places in the book that highlighted North Indian supremacy. The format in which the author implemented this theme though could have been smoother. In the writing there were moments where everything was fine and suddenly a comment about South India was made or Manish’s family was speaking English in a “different” way than how Mini would speak Punjabi. This all makes sense because I know the author is drawing from her own experiences, but I felt like there were comments and language that was used in the book that made it feel like she was othering South Indian people and its traditions. I don’t think by any means this was the intention, but again, my friend who’s Tamil and I were discussing this book and wanting to love it so much, but these interruptions made it difficult to do so.
All in all, I would recommend checking out the book, but I wanted to highlight this point I made because I don’t want specifically white readers to get the idea that North Indians are superior to South Indians. This is definitely not the case and one could argue the author did want to have a marriage of harmony between people from these two communities, I just think the execution could have been a bit better.
Characters: 6/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Plot: 7/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 6/10
Enjoyment: 6/10
Rating: 6.71 or 3/3.5 stars
I was highly anticipating the release of this book because the premise sounded so cute and fun! I’ve been looking for more cutesy drama filled South Asian contemporaries to read and this hit all those checkmarks. I think what I most wanted to see and what drew me to this book was the fact it was following a “Bollywood” style wedding which if you know me, I’m obsessed with, and the characters involved two sisters which is something I always find to connect with in books because I have a younger sister who’s one of my best friends. Some of the things I loved about this book was the romance between Mini and Vir. I thought it was really cute, very much puppy love but as with puppy love it was very pure and wholesome. I was buddy reading this book with one of my South Asian friends and we were squealing like high school girls (for context we’re both almost finished with college) during any Mini and Vir interactions. I also did like the progression of relationships besides romantic relationships like the one between Mini and her aunt and Mini and her sister who’s getting married Vinnie. I thought Mini as a character had a lot of spunk and sass to her and she definitely reminded me of a couple of South Asian people I’ve met in my life.
As much as I did love all these crazy shenanigans and the wedding drama, I think the author could have done a bit more research on the way the concept of North vs. South Indian semantics were brought up. I thought it was wonderful to show that this divide between North and South India exists (even though it shouldn’t) and there were prominent places in the book that highlighted North Indian supremacy. The format in which the author implemented this theme though could have been smoother. In the writing there were moments where everything was fine and suddenly a comment about South India was made or Manish’s family was speaking English in a “different” way than how Mini would speak Punjabi. This all makes sense because I know the author is drawing from her own experiences, but I felt like there were comments and language that was used in the book that made it feel like she was othering South Indian people and its traditions. I don’t think by any means this was the intention, but again, my friend who’s Tamil and I were discussing this book and wanting to love it so much, but these interruptions made it difficult to do so.
All in all, I would recommend checking out the book, but I wanted to highlight this point I made because I don’t want specifically white readers to get the idea that North Indians are superior to South Indians. This is definitely not the case and one could argue the author did want to have a marriage of harmony between people from these two communities, I just think the execution could have been a bit better.
Characters: 6/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Plot: 7/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 6/10
Enjoyment: 6/10
Rating: 6.71 or 3/3.5 stars
April 15, 2022
this wasn’t brilliantly written but i adore south asian ya and the story was very sweet ~ 6/10
May 12, 2021
2.5/5 stars
This book felt utterly flat on me? It's so strange because I've read and loved the author's other books but there were many things off with this one. A lot of the dialogues and actions of the characters felt so childish and unrealistic. The plot was good in theory but there really wasn't a lot going on about it in writing. The romance was okay but the miscommunication trope being used for two of the main relationships in this story seemed like poor writing to me. It really had me rolling my eyes.
I loved the idea of this book but the execution disappointed me. I did love the whole description of the wedding and the traditions and everything but that's the only thing this book had going on for me.
Disclaimer: I received an arc from the publisher but that hasn't affected my review in any way. All my thoughts and opinions are honest and unbiased
This book felt utterly flat on me? It's so strange because I've read and loved the author's other books but there were many things off with this one. A lot of the dialogues and actions of the characters felt so childish and unrealistic. The plot was good in theory but there really wasn't a lot going on about it in writing. The romance was okay but the miscommunication trope being used for two of the main relationships in this story seemed like poor writing to me. It really had me rolling my eyes.
I loved the idea of this book but the execution disappointed me. I did love the whole description of the wedding and the traditions and everything but that's the only thing this book had going on for me.
Disclaimer: I received an arc from the publisher but that hasn't affected my review in any way. All my thoughts and opinions are honest and unbiased
February 26, 2022
First off, the cover is beautiful. And tl;dr this book was very cute.
My only questions revolve around the premise of the book: who lets a 17-year-old plan a big lavish wedding? Also, if you’re too busy to even plan/help plan your wedding, then do you even have the time to get married? (If it’s a cultural thing to get married after a certain amount of time following engagement, please let me know). But given the context of the story with the absent mother, Mini planning the wedding and going out of her way to give up her summer made her an amazing sister.
I feel like Mini and Vir’s romance was very insta-love, but I love their banter and chemistry. The drama in the middle was very unnecessary. I think I would’ve liked their relationship and the book more if the pacing was better.
Also, I LOVED all the Percy Jackson references.
My only questions revolve around the premise of the book: who lets a 17-year-old plan a big lavish wedding? Also, if you’re too busy to even plan/help plan your wedding, then do you even have the time to get married? (If it’s a cultural thing to get married after a certain amount of time following engagement, please let me know). But given the context of the story with the absent mother, Mini planning the wedding and going out of her way to give up her summer made her an amazing sister.
I feel like Mini and Vir’s romance was very insta-love, but I love their banter and chemistry. The drama in the middle was very unnecessary. I think I would’ve liked their relationship and the book more if the pacing was better.
Also, I LOVED all the Percy Jackson references.
February 8, 2022
I really don't know why this is a book to begin with .. it's a bridal magazine article at best
The story is about Mini who is in charge of planning her sister's wedding .. and the story is pretty much that
the whole story is about what Mini did to plan the wedding, even the romance was barely there, there is not much to say about this book, I wanted something that gives me an Indian movie vibe, and that was definitely not it
The story is about Mini who is in charge of planning her sister's wedding .. and the story is pretty much that
the whole story is about what Mini did to plan the wedding, even the romance was barely there, there is not much to say about this book, I wanted something that gives me an Indian movie vibe, and that was definitely not it
May 6, 2021
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai. Thanks to @thenovl and @littlebrown #lbyrpartner for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mini’s sister is getting married! Their mother passed away years ago and her father is busy, so it’s up to Mini to plan a exquisite, traditional AND modern wedding. The distractions: family drama, budget, SATs and college prep, late vendors, and a cute mysterious guy.
If you know anything about Indian weddings, you will know they are often lavish affairs of multiple events spanning over a period of days. Now imagine you are a high school student on a budget, juggling an ambivalent father, distracted sister and bride, and SAT prep who has been assigned the planning. Oh and not to mention the very cute guy who just popped into your life. This book is all about wedding planning! So if you’re into that, you’ll like this. I loved learning about the traditions and culture; clothes, food, jewelry (oh the jewelry!) and even horses! There was a romance to the story but it was extremely light and took a back seat, which was a touch I appreciated.
“It was going to be legendary - or a disaster. Either way, no one would ever forget it. Game. On.”
Sister of the Bollywood Bride comes out 5/25.
Mini’s sister is getting married! Their mother passed away years ago and her father is busy, so it’s up to Mini to plan a exquisite, traditional AND modern wedding. The distractions: family drama, budget, SATs and college prep, late vendors, and a cute mysterious guy.
If you know anything about Indian weddings, you will know they are often lavish affairs of multiple events spanning over a period of days. Now imagine you are a high school student on a budget, juggling an ambivalent father, distracted sister and bride, and SAT prep who has been assigned the planning. Oh and not to mention the very cute guy who just popped into your life. This book is all about wedding planning! So if you’re into that, you’ll like this. I loved learning about the traditions and culture; clothes, food, jewelry (oh the jewelry!) and even horses! There was a romance to the story but it was extremely light and took a back seat, which was a touch I appreciated.
“It was going to be legendary - or a disaster. Either way, no one would ever forget it. Game. On.”
Sister of the Bollywood Bride comes out 5/25.
May 27, 2021
Review coming soon!
June 4, 2021
3.5 stars
rep: ownvoices Indian-American protagonist and side characters, Indian love interest and side characters
cw: mentions of death of a parent (mother), cancer
rep: ownvoices Indian-American protagonist and side characters, Indian love interest and side characters
cw: mentions of death of a parent (mother), cancer
June 12, 2021
4.5 stars!
June 2, 2025
really sweet!
July 21, 2021
This was cute!! Though I have bit mixed feelings , the Plot and the characters were nice but it felt like something was missing, I never got totally hooked with the story. I love big fat indian weddings , so when I heard about it, I was so exited , it kinda disappointed me. I loved the way Minnie took responsibility of her sister's wedding and planned it. Ravi and Minnie were the cutest💕 ,from meet-cute to friends to lovers (aha loves this). The ending was bit caouse , a lot was happening!! I would say it started pretty well , had a lot of potential , but in the ending was bit too much. This can be a perfect read for rom-com lovers , but I guess wasn't for me!
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