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Isha, Unscripted
Unwilling to yield to familial expectations, an aspiring screenwriter attempts to pursue her dreams during an unforgettable night of chaos in this hilarious and heartfelt novel by Sajni Patel.
Isha Patel is the black sheep of the family. She doesn't have a "prestigious" degree or a "real" career, and her parents never fail to remind her. But that's okay because she commiserates with her cousin, best friend, and fellow outcast, Rohan.
When Isha has a breakthrough getting her script in front of producers, it doesn't go according to plan. Instead of letting her dreams fall through the cracks, Rohan convinces her to snag a pitch session with an Austinite high-profile celeb: the one and only Matthew McConaughey, who also happened to be her professor at the University of Texas years ago--he has to remember her, right?
Chasing Matthew McConaughey isn't easy. Isha needs a drink or two to muster up courage, and she gets a little help from the cutest bartender she's ever encountered. But when the search for the esteemed actor turns into a night of hijinks and unexpected--albeit fun--chaos, everything falls apart. Isha's dreams seem farther than ever, but she soon realizes who she really needs to face and that her future may just be alright, alright, alright.
Isha Patel is the black sheep of the family. She doesn't have a "prestigious" degree or a "real" career, and her parents never fail to remind her. But that's okay because she commiserates with her cousin, best friend, and fellow outcast, Rohan.
When Isha has a breakthrough getting her script in front of producers, it doesn't go according to plan. Instead of letting her dreams fall through the cracks, Rohan convinces her to snag a pitch session with an Austinite high-profile celeb: the one and only Matthew McConaughey, who also happened to be her professor at the University of Texas years ago--he has to remember her, right?
Chasing Matthew McConaughey isn't easy. Isha needs a drink or two to muster up courage, and she gets a little help from the cutest bartender she's ever encountered. But when the search for the esteemed actor turns into a night of hijinks and unexpected--albeit fun--chaos, everything falls apart. Isha's dreams seem farther than ever, but she soon realizes who she really needs to face and that her future may just be alright, alright, alright.
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2023
28 people are currently reading
6844 people want to read
About the author
Sajni Patel
10 books1,629 followersSajni Patel is an award-winning author of women’s fiction and young adult books. Her works have appeared on numerous Best of the Year and Must Read lists from Cosmo, Teen Vogue, Apple Books, Audiofile, Tribeza, Austin Woman, NBC, The Insider, and many others.
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February 15, 2023
✨ ℙ𝕌𝔹 𝔻𝔸𝕐 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 ✨
Thank you #berkleypartner @berkleyromance for the free copy. #BerkleyIG #penguinrandomhousepartner
𝗜𝘀𝗵𝗮, 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗷𝗻𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹
𝟯𝟯𝟲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟮/𝟭𝟰/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
Isha Patel is a screenwriter in her late-twenties, still waiting for her big break. Much to the disappointment of her traditional Indian family, Isha doesn't have a "real" job, and is banking on getting her script into the right hands so her career can finally take off.
With the help of her BFF cousin, Rohan, and a sexy bartender named Tarik, Isha sets off to get her script to Matthew McConaughey (who so happened to be her professor at UT). If only she can stay sober long enough to make that happen.
Frankly, Isha is a self-sabotaging, hot-freaking-mess!! And I am not hating on her for it. I love perfectly imperfect characters. 💕
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
This was more a contemporary fiction with a dash of romance. There's definitely a love story, but I don't want readers going into this expecting a traditional rom com. Patel touches on many important themes here, like difficult parent/child relationships, being an outcast/black sheep and how that impacts feelings of self-worth, overcoming obstacles and mistakes, and standing up for what one truly believes in. Patel's writing is fantastic! There's such a fun, hip, and humorous tone here, and I really appreciate that in a book. Even when dealing with some of the heavier topics, Patel often lightens these scenes up with humor. I also really appreciate the way she weaves her culture into her novels.
My favorite part was the relationship between Isha and her bestie cousin, Rohan. 💕 I hope we see more of Rohan in the future.
I finished this book on audio this morning, and I wish I'd done the entire thing in audio, because the narrator @mehrreads NAILS IT! 🙌🏼 Brilliant performance!
Thank you #berkleypartner @berkleyromance for the free copy. #BerkleyIG #penguinrandomhousepartner
𝗜𝘀𝗵𝗮, 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗷𝗻𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹
𝟯𝟯𝟲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟮/𝟭𝟰/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
Isha Patel is a screenwriter in her late-twenties, still waiting for her big break. Much to the disappointment of her traditional Indian family, Isha doesn't have a "real" job, and is banking on getting her script into the right hands so her career can finally take off.
With the help of her BFF cousin, Rohan, and a sexy bartender named Tarik, Isha sets off to get her script to Matthew McConaughey (who so happened to be her professor at UT). If only she can stay sober long enough to make that happen.
Frankly, Isha is a self-sabotaging, hot-freaking-mess!! And I am not hating on her for it. I love perfectly imperfect characters. 💕
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
This was more a contemporary fiction with a dash of romance. There's definitely a love story, but I don't want readers going into this expecting a traditional rom com. Patel touches on many important themes here, like difficult parent/child relationships, being an outcast/black sheep and how that impacts feelings of self-worth, overcoming obstacles and mistakes, and standing up for what one truly believes in. Patel's writing is fantastic! There's such a fun, hip, and humorous tone here, and I really appreciate that in a book. Even when dealing with some of the heavier topics, Patel often lightens these scenes up with humor. I also really appreciate the way she weaves her culture into her novels.
My favorite part was the relationship between Isha and her bestie cousin, Rohan. 💕 I hope we see more of Rohan in the future.
I finished this book on audio this morning, and I wish I'd done the entire thing in audio, because the narrator @mehrreads NAILS IT! 🙌🏼 Brilliant performance!
February 8, 2023
3-3.5⭐️.
Summary: All Isha Patel dreams of is becoming a screenwriter even in the face of her family’s disappointment. The black sheep of the family, Isha is determined to make it in Hollywood. When her cousin/best friend Rohan hatch’s a plan to get her script in front of Matthew McConaughey - yes that Matthew McConaughey - these two set off on a wild pursuit with a little liquid courage supplied by a hottie bartender Isha meets along the way.
Thoughts: There are quite a few things I enjoyed in this coming of age story featuring Isha and her cousin Rohan and the crazy hijinks that ensue throughout the book.
I loved the strong friendship that existed between these two cousins and how they were always there for each other, particularly the way in which Rohan tries to help Isha realize her dream and helps her as she goes to crazy lengths to get there. Their friendship stole the show for me.
Our MC Isha was a perfectly imperfect character and therefore extremely relatable. Her desire to try to meet both the cultural and social expectations of her family, while also staying true to herself made her such a down to earth character and one that most people will easily relate too.
This was a quick read on audio and I really enjoyed Mehr Dudeja’s narration. She did an great job bringing these quirky characters to life.
Read if you like:
•imperfect MCs
•coming of age stories
•strong cousin connection
•crazy antics
•south asian rep
Thank you {partners} @berkleyromance for the gifted copy and @prhaudio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Summary: All Isha Patel dreams of is becoming a screenwriter even in the face of her family’s disappointment. The black sheep of the family, Isha is determined to make it in Hollywood. When her cousin/best friend Rohan hatch’s a plan to get her script in front of Matthew McConaughey - yes that Matthew McConaughey - these two set off on a wild pursuit with a little liquid courage supplied by a hottie bartender Isha meets along the way.
Thoughts: There are quite a few things I enjoyed in this coming of age story featuring Isha and her cousin Rohan and the crazy hijinks that ensue throughout the book.
I loved the strong friendship that existed between these two cousins and how they were always there for each other, particularly the way in which Rohan tries to help Isha realize her dream and helps her as she goes to crazy lengths to get there. Their friendship stole the show for me.
Our MC Isha was a perfectly imperfect character and therefore extremely relatable. Her desire to try to meet both the cultural and social expectations of her family, while also staying true to herself made her such a down to earth character and one that most people will easily relate too.
This was a quick read on audio and I really enjoyed Mehr Dudeja’s narration. She did an great job bringing these quirky characters to life.
Read if you like:
•imperfect MCs
•coming of age stories
•strong cousin connection
•crazy antics
•south asian rep
Thank you {partners} @berkleyromance for the gifted copy and @prhaudio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
March 20, 2023
When I was first fortunate enough to win a copy of this in a Goodreads giveaway, I noted the unusually low rating (something like 2.8/5 at the time) and was immediately intrigued. I hadn’t seen such a low rating on a book since The Perishing, and while I concur with the majority on that one, I think the main reason for the mass disappointment was misleading marketing that promised readers speculative fiction and instead delivered a more grounded historical tale for all but ten pages of the book. This is all to say that I was curious as to the reason for Isha’s low rating, and now that I’ve read it…oh, yeah. I get it. This is not a matter of poor marketing -- this is a matter of an utterly insufferable protagonist.
You know, I’m okay with flawed characters. I’m totally down to hear about a woman in her late-twenties who’s still struggling to find her place in the world and is contemplating whether she should give up her dream of screenwriting for a more “practical career.” Add the element of pressure from traditional Indian parents and we’ve got a recipe for a thoughtful and relatable coming-of-age novel. HOWEVER, I should not be agreeing with the supposedly overbearing and unsupportive parents! It is totally reasonable for your family to recommend taking a more traditional full-time job and focusing on your creative efforts in your spare time, especially if you’re almost thirty and have already spent the last few years unsuccessfully peddling your screenplays.
But that’s not how Isha feels. She’d have you believe the whole world was against her. But girl, all of your problems are entirely your fault! On not one but two occasions does she get absolutely shitfaced, make a fool of herself, and sabotages a potential business opportunity. These events happen one after the other. That kind of heavy drinking, even if it is to cope with a difficult time in your life, is not “quirky” as the book presents it -- it’s a problem. Okay, so you have one night where you go off the rails -- you overestimate your tolerance, you’re trying new beverages so you don’t know how they’ll affect you, sure. But after the first night results in a hangover so bad she completely fumbles a major presentation, she’s given another opportunity, and guess what? She does it again! This was not a one-off mistake. It’s a problem that warranted her family’s intervention! Getting your breakthrough in a creative field is hard enough already -- why, oh why, was she actively sabotaging herself??
Dangerous messaging aside, it is so painful to be stuck in her head while she fumbles through life blackout drunk and it’s painted as relatable comedy. And the two primary men in her life -- the unfailingly supportive Rohan and the embarrassingly nicknamed Thirst Trap -- enable her bad habits and encourage her to keep going down this fruitless path. I could not fathom why Mr. Trap was still interested in Isha after seeing her act a hot mess on multiple occasions. A romance does not work if one side has no desirable qualities!
Look, this was a quick read. It was a breezy read. It was a read set in Texas. Cool. I just cannot get behind this kind of main character and I think being able to do so is a necessary component of a coming-of-age novel. Maybe Patel’s sense of humor and Isha’s wacky hijinks will work for other readers though.
Thank you to Goodreads and Berkley Books for providing a free advanced copy for review!
You know, I’m okay with flawed characters. I’m totally down to hear about a woman in her late-twenties who’s still struggling to find her place in the world and is contemplating whether she should give up her dream of screenwriting for a more “practical career.” Add the element of pressure from traditional Indian parents and we’ve got a recipe for a thoughtful and relatable coming-of-age novel. HOWEVER, I should not be agreeing with the supposedly overbearing and unsupportive parents! It is totally reasonable for your family to recommend taking a more traditional full-time job and focusing on your creative efforts in your spare time, especially if you’re almost thirty and have already spent the last few years unsuccessfully peddling your screenplays.
But that’s not how Isha feels. She’d have you believe the whole world was against her. But girl, all of your problems are entirely your fault! On not one but two occasions does she get absolutely shitfaced, make a fool of herself, and sabotages a potential business opportunity. These events happen one after the other. That kind of heavy drinking, even if it is to cope with a difficult time in your life, is not “quirky” as the book presents it -- it’s a problem. Okay, so you have one night where you go off the rails -- you overestimate your tolerance, you’re trying new beverages so you don’t know how they’ll affect you, sure. But after the first night results in a hangover so bad she completely fumbles a major presentation, she’s given another opportunity, and guess what? She does it again! This was not a one-off mistake. It’s a problem that warranted her family’s intervention! Getting your breakthrough in a creative field is hard enough already -- why, oh why, was she actively sabotaging herself??
Dangerous messaging aside, it is so painful to be stuck in her head while she fumbles through life blackout drunk and it’s painted as relatable comedy. And the two primary men in her life -- the unfailingly supportive Rohan and the embarrassingly nicknamed Thirst Trap -- enable her bad habits and encourage her to keep going down this fruitless path. I could not fathom why Mr. Trap was still interested in Isha after seeing her act a hot mess on multiple occasions. A romance does not work if one side has no desirable qualities!
Look, this was a quick read. It was a breezy read. It was a read set in Texas. Cool. I just cannot get behind this kind of main character and I think being able to do so is a necessary component of a coming-of-age novel. Maybe Patel’s sense of humor and Isha’s wacky hijinks will work for other readers though.
Thank you to Goodreads and Berkley Books for providing a free advanced copy for review!
dnf
February 14, 2023DNF @30%.
Now before anyone comes for me, I absolutely loved The Trouble With Hating You and First Love, Take Two, so I’m really sad that this one didn’t work out for me.
I’m all for messy characters and coming of age stories, which Isha Patel most definitely is. What didn’t work for me was the constant repetitiveness within the first 30% of the book.
Isha meets a gorgeous bartender that she names Thirst Trap, and she doesn’t let the annoying moniker go even when she learns his name. It just grated on me.
Also, the sheer amount of AAVE that was used coming from non-Black characters was not for me. I really hope Patel’s next book is better because this one felt like a large departure from her previous books.
Thank you to Berkley Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Now before anyone comes for me, I absolutely loved The Trouble With Hating You and First Love, Take Two, so I’m really sad that this one didn’t work out for me.
I’m all for messy characters and coming of age stories, which Isha Patel most definitely is. What didn’t work for me was the constant repetitiveness within the first 30% of the book.
Isha meets a gorgeous bartender that she names Thirst Trap, and she doesn’t let the annoying moniker go even when she learns his name. It just grated on me.
Also, the sheer amount of AAVE that was used coming from non-Black characters was not for me. I really hope Patel’s next book is better because this one felt like a large departure from her previous books.
Thank you to Berkley Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
January 9, 2023
Alright, alright, alright... where do I start? The best part: I loved this wonderful and wacky book! Isha's antics had me laughing and, well, cringing-- and her heart and growth into a life of adulting– no matter the obstacles– made the story for me. The girl had drive, ambition, a wildly exciting love interest, and the sweetest sidekick one could ever ask for! Go, get 'em, Isha! And go get 'em, Sajni! I needed this fun read; you delivered. Can't wait for more!
May 8, 2023
I don't think I can finish this one. It's very boring and shes always drunk lol
February 10, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
January 15, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
Parts of this coming of age, South Asian rom-com were really great. I loved the close cousin relationship Isha has with her bestie Rohan but it felt a little helter skelter. Not quite a romance and not quite a mad cap women's fiction adventure story in which Isha tries to get her movie script into the hands of THE Matthew McConaughey.
Her abysmal 'flirting' with 'Thirst Trap,' the bartender had me cracking up and were definitely the highlight of the story for me. The book also does an excellent job showcasing how difficult it can be to stick to your own dreams even when they go against parental expectations.
Good on audio narrated by new to me narrator, Mehr Dudeja (I will admit I was a bit sad Soneela Nankani didn't do this one). Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review! Overall not my favorite by this author but definitely still enjoyable!
Parts of this coming of age, South Asian rom-com were really great. I loved the close cousin relationship Isha has with her bestie Rohan but it felt a little helter skelter. Not quite a romance and not quite a mad cap women's fiction adventure story in which Isha tries to get her movie script into the hands of THE Matthew McConaughey.
Her abysmal 'flirting' with 'Thirst Trap,' the bartender had me cracking up and were definitely the highlight of the story for me. The book also does an excellent job showcasing how difficult it can be to stick to your own dreams even when they go against parental expectations.
Good on audio narrated by new to me narrator, Mehr Dudeja (I will admit I was a bit sad Soneela Nankani didn't do this one). Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review! Overall not my favorite by this author but definitely still enjoyable!
April 16, 2023
I'm someone who doesn't really know what I want in life. I've even tried my hand at screenwriting, so I thought this would be a perfect book for me. This book SUCKS. Isha is beyond insufferable. She doesn't think things through whatsoever, makes a fool of herself, gets insecure about it. Rinse and repeat. I don't think she has to have her life together to be an interesting/good character, but she does have to at least not make me miserable when I'm reading about her. I imagined myself joining the community elders to berate her. On the other hand, there's Rohan who has essentially no personality at all besides comforting Isha.
The pacing of the story was garbage. The first 2/3 of the book takes place over the course of a little over one day. In that time, Isha manages to get blackout drunk and fumble a career opportunity TWICE.
I also felt that the writing was super repetitive. I think there's four or five mentions of Californians moving to Austin. Got it. Traffic is bad. And while I myself have been known to objectify men in my time, I found it very odd that she continued to call Tarik Thirst-Trap even after learning his name. There's like six different occasions where she tells him that he doesn't want to date her, and he very kindly assures her that he likes her. Not even two pages later, she's back to thinking that he'll never love her.
I pretty much finished this book in a blind rage so that I could write this scathing review. Sajni Patel I am so sorry. I LOVE The Trouble with Hating You. And I genuinely think this book raised good points about how south Asian parents treat their children, especially how it leads to isolation and depression. But overall, what the hell was this nonsense? 1.5 stars
The pacing of the story was garbage. The first 2/3 of the book takes place over the course of a little over one day. In that time, Isha manages to get blackout drunk and fumble a career opportunity TWICE.
I also felt that the writing was super repetitive. I think there's four or five mentions of Californians moving to Austin. Got it. Traffic is bad. And while I myself have been known to objectify men in my time, I found it very odd that she continued to call Tarik Thirst-Trap even after learning his name. There's like six different occasions where she tells him that he doesn't want to date her, and he very kindly assures her that he likes her. Not even two pages later, she's back to thinking that he'll never love her.
I pretty much finished this book in a blind rage so that I could write this scathing review. Sajni Patel I am so sorry. I LOVE The Trouble with Hating You. And I genuinely think this book raised good points about how south Asian parents treat their children, especially how it leads to isolation and depression. But overall, what the hell was this nonsense? 1.5 stars
February 13, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝙐𝙣𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖��𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙪𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨.
📍 Read if you like:
• Coming-Of-Age Stories
• Close Cousin Relationship
• Crazy Antics
• South Asian Rep
I knew beforehand this book didn’t have the greatest reviews, but I never pay attention because I tend to disagree most times.
This book started so strong, I was immediately intrigued by the strong cousin relationship between Isha and Rohan - I loved how close they were with each other.
Also, I loved this coming-of-age idea of Isha chasing after her old professor, Matthew McConaughey, to show him her script and get her name out there.
Rohan stole this show for me, he was my favorite and I just loved how much he cared for and looked after Isha. I liked “Thirst-Trap” immediately after meeting him. I also enjoyed the Asian rep in the book.
Unfortunately, I didn’t love everything about the book. Isha drank too much and she seemed to be such an unreliable character because of that. Also, I didn’t realize it was more of a coming-of-age story with romance as a side plot.
I still enjoyed the book as a whole. There were some funny scenes between Isha, Rohan, and Thirst-Trap. I enjoyed the rep and idea behind the story. The ending picked up and wrapped up the book in a good way. I would still recommend this book!
Thank you so much Berkley Romance for the free book in exchange for my honest review!
𝙐𝙣𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖��𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙪𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨.
📍 Read if you like:
• Coming-Of-Age Stories
• Close Cousin Relationship
• Crazy Antics
• South Asian Rep
I knew beforehand this book didn’t have the greatest reviews, but I never pay attention because I tend to disagree most times.
This book started so strong, I was immediately intrigued by the strong cousin relationship between Isha and Rohan - I loved how close they were with each other.
Also, I loved this coming-of-age idea of Isha chasing after her old professor, Matthew McConaughey, to show him her script and get her name out there.
Rohan stole this show for me, he was my favorite and I just loved how much he cared for and looked after Isha. I liked “Thirst-Trap” immediately after meeting him. I also enjoyed the Asian rep in the book.
Unfortunately, I didn’t love everything about the book. Isha drank too much and she seemed to be such an unreliable character because of that. Also, I didn’t realize it was more of a coming-of-age story with romance as a side plot.
I still enjoyed the book as a whole. There were some funny scenes between Isha, Rohan, and Thirst-Trap. I enjoyed the rep and idea behind the story. The ending picked up and wrapped up the book in a good way. I would still recommend this book!
Thank you so much Berkley Romance for the free book in exchange for my honest review!
Want to read
February 12, 20234.5 stars. This one just made my heart happy as I saw so much of myself in Isha. This is a book about being a mess but finding beauty and yourself in the chaos which is how I feel my life is. This is one of the most fun non stop rides of a book as Isha chases after Matthew Mcconahey. This truly just feels so cinematic and I just adore this book. Overall I loved this coming of age in a time of chaos and finding yourself. Thank you to Berkley for the arc.
March 26, 2023
2.5 stars.
Read
October 27, 2022DNF. This one started out interesting and the writing was good, but I just can't with this MC. She's described as basically being more of a homebody. But she goes out with her cousin for food and ends up getting SUPER drunk and is hungover the next day. It ends up making her screw up a pitch meeting that she really needs. Her cousin orchestrates a meeting for her for another pitch and she gets extremely drunk AGAIN. Which, okay, whatever, but then we get at least 10 pages (before I gave up) of excruciating description of her drunkenly fumbling around. It was terrible. I just couldn't with this one anymore.
dnf
October 14, 2023DNF at 39%
It’s not the book, it’s me. I’m the problem and I don’t think I’ll get back to it
It’s not the book, it’s me. I’m the problem and I don’t think I’ll get back to it
February 16, 2023
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: alcohol abuse
I am loving this recent trend of celebrities who are appearing in romance books. Isha Unscripted immediately made me think of How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days. But back to the book at hand, one of the immediate things I loved was the relationship between Isha and her cousin. The ways in which you'll protect them at all costs and, especially Isha, wonder if you're being a good mentor to them. If you're being someone they can look up to, be themselves around. If you love those kinds of family relationship, a banding of two black sheep together, then you have to read Isha Unscripted.
Their relationship remains close knit and entirely endearing and only becomes even more so as the book continues. But let's talk about Isha. On the one hand, she's having a truly rough go of it. Yet on another, entirely too relatable note, she's struggling. She not only feels the intense disappointment of her parents, but the reality that the dream she has, the things she loves to do, just might not be in the cards for her. As anyone who has had to go through a career change, Isha Unscripted is for you.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
TW: alcohol abuse
I am loving this recent trend of celebrities who are appearing in romance books. Isha Unscripted immediately made me think of How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days. But back to the book at hand, one of the immediate things I loved was the relationship between Isha and her cousin. The ways in which you'll protect them at all costs and, especially Isha, wonder if you're being a good mentor to them. If you're being someone they can look up to, be themselves around. If you love those kinds of family relationship, a banding of two black sheep together, then you have to read Isha Unscripted.
Their relationship remains close knit and entirely endearing and only becomes even more so as the book continues. But let's talk about Isha. On the one hand, she's having a truly rough go of it. Yet on another, entirely too relatable note, she's struggling. She not only feels the intense disappointment of her parents, but the reality that the dream she has, the things she loves to do, just might not be in the cards for her. As anyone who has had to go through a career change, Isha Unscripted is for you.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
February 28, 2023
Isha Patel is apparently frustrating her parents. They want her to not only have a degree but ideally a career that would prove that she is a responsible taxpaying adult. Isha has other plans. She always has. She has been determined to get her recently written script in front of producers. If that fails, Isha hopes that she can at least get her one-time professor, Matthew McConaughey, to hear her script ideas.
She is not alone in her quest however. Her younger cousin Rohan is with her every step of the way. Isha and Rohan are much more than cousins. They are more like siblings, a bond that is very strong, and they truly are best friends. Isha meets someone else that stands in her corner, and that is a bartender that she meets, a man she has an instant crush on. His name is Tarik, but what especially adorable was the nickname Isha had for him.
This very sweet story by Sajni Patel follows Isha as she strives to achieve her dreams despite the many struggles and embarrassments that happen along the way. I loved her strength and determination, even though her love and respect for her traditional parents clearly shone through.
Isha, Unscripted is the third book I have had the pleasure of reading by the delightful Ms. Patel. Her writing is fresh, relatable and enjoyable. I love how she writes her characters as she breathes life into their stories.
Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/JelHKogMN18
She is not alone in her quest however. Her younger cousin Rohan is with her every step of the way. Isha and Rohan are much more than cousins. They are more like siblings, a bond that is very strong, and they truly are best friends. Isha meets someone else that stands in her corner, and that is a bartender that she meets, a man she has an instant crush on. His name is Tarik, but what especially adorable was the nickname Isha had for him.
This very sweet story by Sajni Patel follows Isha as she strives to achieve her dreams despite the many struggles and embarrassments that happen along the way. I loved her strength and determination, even though her love and respect for her traditional parents clearly shone through.
Isha, Unscripted is the third book I have had the pleasure of reading by the delightful Ms. Patel. Her writing is fresh, relatable and enjoyable. I love how she writes her characters as she breathes life into their stories.
Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/JelHKogMN18
January 25, 2023
I had read Sajni Patel's prior adult romances and her YA titles so I was thrilled to receive a copy of ISHA, UNSCRIPTED in my mailbox thanks to Berkely Romance.
I love how Patel includes her culture and the pressure of family expectations in each of her titles, in a way that shows us WHO her characters are at their core. Isha is a hot mess, and I found that endearing and relatable even when she wasn't making the best decisions.
Going against her family's wishes for her, Isha is trying to make it as a screenwriter and after bombing interviews and failing to make the connections to get her screenplay produced, a crazy night out leads to a plan to get her script in front of none other than the leading man himself, Matthew McConaughey. Hoping to lean on her past relationship with him as a prior student of his at the University of Texas and the courage only alcohol can provide, Isha, Unscripted takes on a wild journey of hilarious antics, found family, and personal growth.
With the help of her cousin, Rohan, she finds herself at a local bar and meets "Thirst Trap" Tarik, the bartender who is a master of his craft and the downfall of Isha for the evening. Bar fights, a clown, and over-the-top drunken moments make this one a bit different than Patel's previous books, but I still enjoyed how it all came together in the end.
The romance element combined with her go-getter ambition and the heart of her family relationships really made this one something special, I'd never read anything like it before.
I love how Patel includes her culture and the pressure of family expectations in each of her titles, in a way that shows us WHO her characters are at their core. Isha is a hot mess, and I found that endearing and relatable even when she wasn't making the best decisions.
Going against her family's wishes for her, Isha is trying to make it as a screenwriter and after bombing interviews and failing to make the connections to get her screenplay produced, a crazy night out leads to a plan to get her script in front of none other than the leading man himself, Matthew McConaughey. Hoping to lean on her past relationship with him as a prior student of his at the University of Texas and the courage only alcohol can provide, Isha, Unscripted takes on a wild journey of hilarious antics, found family, and personal growth.
With the help of her cousin, Rohan, she finds herself at a local bar and meets "Thirst Trap" Tarik, the bartender who is a master of his craft and the downfall of Isha for the evening. Bar fights, a clown, and over-the-top drunken moments make this one a bit different than Patel's previous books, but I still enjoyed how it all came together in the end.
The romance element combined with her go-getter ambition and the heart of her family relationships really made this one something special, I'd never read anything like it before.
April 9, 2023
I want to start by saying that I love this author’s book My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding. I have read her books before and enjoyed them and her next YA book is a must buy for me (Sleepless in Dubai). But I just didn’t love Isha, Unscripted. I wouldn’t say that I have to relate to the lead character in a book but I think maybe I have to atleast understand why they make the decisions they do. Tell me why a bad decision makes sense for this particular character.
Isha did many things that I couldn’t wrap my head around.
She’s in her late twenties and lives with her parents who don’t think she has a future as a writer. They paid for her multiple attempts at college and they are pressuring her to find a dependable job. Isha thinks it’s her last chance to make her dream happen so she starts to pursue it relentlessly and sometimes without logic.
Isha once took a class taught by the Matthew Mccanaughy. She thinks if she can see him again, remind him that she’s a former student, and slip him some of her work that he will help her get it published.
Joining Isha in this journey is her wonderful, supportive, lovable cousin Rohan. He is definitely my favorite character.
Early in this book I lost the ability to understand Isha and just never got it back.
Picture this scene. Isha is at a bar with her cousin, waiting for Matthew to appear. Her contacts dry out and fold in on themselves. She proceeds to spill something on herself. She goes into the bathroom and takes out her contacts, borrows a shirt from the bartender (who she won’t stop calling Thirst Trap), and goes back to her seat. She keeps drinking. She gets drunk. She can’t see anything. Yet she won’t just leave.
I can’t understand how Isha thinks that she can approach Matthew McConaughy while unable to see him, and totally drunk, and pitch him her story.
The redeeming qualities in this book are Rohan and the bartender. I honestly found it really distracting that Isha wouldn’t stop calling him Thirst Trap.
So, I’m sorry to say that I didn’t love this. But it won’t prevent me from buying Sleepless in Dubai. Heck, I’ll probably pre-order it. Maybe I just prefer this author’s YA to adult fiction, or maybe Isha just didn’t click for me.
Isha did many things that I couldn’t wrap my head around.
She’s in her late twenties and lives with her parents who don’t think she has a future as a writer. They paid for her multiple attempts at college and they are pressuring her to find a dependable job. Isha thinks it’s her last chance to make her dream happen so she starts to pursue it relentlessly and sometimes without logic.
Isha once took a class taught by the Matthew Mccanaughy. She thinks if she can see him again, remind him that she’s a former student, and slip him some of her work that he will help her get it published.
Joining Isha in this journey is her wonderful, supportive, lovable cousin Rohan. He is definitely my favorite character.
Early in this book I lost the ability to understand Isha and just never got it back.
Picture this scene. Isha is at a bar with her cousin, waiting for Matthew to appear. Her contacts dry out and fold in on themselves. She proceeds to spill something on herself. She goes into the bathroom and takes out her contacts, borrows a shirt from the bartender (who she won’t stop calling Thirst Trap), and goes back to her seat. She keeps drinking. She gets drunk. She can’t see anything. Yet she won’t just leave.
I can’t understand how Isha thinks that she can approach Matthew McConaughy while unable to see him, and totally drunk, and pitch him her story.
The redeeming qualities in this book are Rohan and the bartender. I honestly found it really distracting that Isha wouldn’t stop calling him Thirst Trap.
So, I’m sorry to say that I didn’t love this. But it won’t prevent me from buying Sleepless in Dubai. Heck, I’ll probably pre-order it. Maybe I just prefer this author’s YA to adult fiction, or maybe Isha just didn’t click for me.
August 14, 2023
Oh goodness. I only kept reading so I could actually give it an honest review. Wow., so where do I start with this one? The drunkenness? the repetition? The unresolved plot? The stereotyping? The completely unlikeable main character?
Isha is a 20-something wannabe scriptwriter who lives with her conservative Indian parents, because she hasn’t sold any of her work. Her parents are frustrated and insist that she needs to get a real job and become a responsible adult. So she grabs her cousin and goes out binge drinking … for half the book. She stumbles all over everyone, loses her script, starts a bar-fight, and makes a complete fool of herself. The second half of the book is better, but barely.
This is disappointing because I really liked some of Sajni Patel’s other books, and even more so because this is a signed copy. I just couldn’t handle that many pages of drunken stumbling, very little plot, the stereotyping of the Indian parents, and Isha’s self-absorption. The writing and interactions with the characters are still really fun and cute, which is what I liked about the other books. Also, I’m sure I wasn’t supposed to, but I was totally on the parents’ side.
Isha is a 20-something wannabe scriptwriter who lives with her conservative Indian parents, because she hasn’t sold any of her work. Her parents are frustrated and insist that she needs to get a real job and become a responsible adult. So she grabs her cousin and goes out binge drinking … for half the book. She stumbles all over everyone, loses her script, starts a bar-fight, and makes a complete fool of herself. The second half of the book is better, but barely.
This is disappointing because I really liked some of Sajni Patel’s other books, and even more so because this is a signed copy. I just couldn’t handle that many pages of drunken stumbling, very little plot, the stereotyping of the Indian parents, and Isha’s self-absorption. The writing and interactions with the characters are still really fun and cute, which is what I liked about the other books. Also, I’m sure I wasn’t supposed to, but I was totally on the parents’ side.
November 20, 2024
I read this for book club and tried so hard to keep an open mind. However, I just felt like Isha was always mad at the wrong people and took no responsibility for her actions. The Matthew McConaughey plot was more than a little bit unhinged, and not in a fun way. I was hoping for character development and growth, and maybe some therapy/building healthy coping mechanisms instead of relying on alcohol to solve her problems. These things, sadly, did not occur, and most concerning, the book brushes Isha’s budding addiction off.
The male love interest was cool, but honestly, Isha’s behavior throughout the entire book was one giant red flag and he would have been well within his rights to steer clear. She didn’t need a love story as much as she needed a job (don’t you hate it when your parents are right?), therapy, and (the one decision of Isha’s I actually agree with) to move out of her parents’ house.
The male love interest was cool, but honestly, Isha’s behavior throughout the entire book was one giant red flag and he would have been well within his rights to steer clear. She didn’t need a love story as much as she needed a job (don’t you hate it when your parents are right?), therapy, and (the one decision of Isha’s I actually agree with) to move out of her parents’ house.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
This was yet another book I had placed on my read soon shelf and listened to this month. It is about Isha, who wants to be a script writer despite her parents disapproval of her goals. Her cousin Rohan convinces her that she should get her script to her former professor, Matthew McConaughey. The search for Matthew McConaughey was funny, but Isha seemed pretty immature overall. I also found some repetitive phrases used to be annoying. Isha meets a bartender in the story and there is a bit of romance, but this was mainly a book about Isha’s personal journey to career success and away from her parents’ goals for her.
June 27, 2023
I’m sorry I could not get behind this book. The first half of the book was the same scene over and over again and didn’t feel thought through. The whole premise of the book was about Matthew McConaughey and he wasn’t even introduced till the last 5 pages. Almost did not finish.
February 15, 2023
Sajni Patel has long been a favorite author of mine with two of her books at the top of my romance recommendations list. Isha, Unscripted brought back her signature writing ease with a new set of characters.
Isha, Unscripted was a different experience for me than with her previous novels. Her writing was breezy and fun with elements of culture and real life. I am always drawn to her books because of the depth and emotions she puts in her words and the worlds she builds. This time around I appreciated some of the expectations of family in this novel, which is one highlight Patel does well in all of her books. Isha and Rohan's support for one another shines well throughout the story. One critique I would say is that this book read a bit younger than I was expecting with drunk night outs (which are fine), but it seemed to be a bit immature and just not for me. It was a bit frustrating to read about Isha's poor decisions over and over. I was hoping for a bit more growth. Overall, Patel brings to life a new set of characters with charm and fun. I will always recommend her books to anyone who asks.
Thank you Berkley for the advanced copy through Netgalley.
Isha, Unscripted was a different experience for me than with her previous novels. Her writing was breezy and fun with elements of culture and real life. I am always drawn to her books because of the depth and emotions she puts in her words and the worlds she builds. This time around I appreciated some of the expectations of family in this novel, which is one highlight Patel does well in all of her books. Isha and Rohan's support for one another shines well throughout the story. One critique I would say is that this book read a bit younger than I was expecting with drunk night outs (which are fine), but it seemed to be a bit immature and just not for me. It was a bit frustrating to read about Isha's poor decisions over and over. I was hoping for a bit more growth. Overall, Patel brings to life a new set of characters with charm and fun. I will always recommend her books to anyone who asks.
Thank you Berkley for the advanced copy through Netgalley.
May 2, 2023
the secondhand embarrassment was exceptionally palpable in isha, unscripted. i had to stop reading once in a while because it was getting a bit much, and honestly, i just wanted isha’s dream to come true. only her cousin believed in her ability and have faith in her project. isha’s parents want her to have a “real” career and not a screenwriter. the pressure that they gave her with every comment they make about her aspirations are needles piercing into her gut. despite the cringy moments, isha’s journey to achieve her dreams is a relatable one. she went through highs and lows, best and worst moments, and encountered multiple setbacks. there were times when doubts set in, especially when some people around isha is urging her to rethink her future. ultimately, though, she had to decide the next best move for herself. in the meantime, she’ll fall for a guy she nicknamed “thirst trap” who would see all these moments.
February 14, 2023
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
3.5, rounded up. This worked better for me than The Trouble with Hating You, likely because it feels more personal. I also loved the madcap adventures of Isha and her younger cousin, Rohan; their bond is a highlight of the book, though it makes it feel less like a romance than some readers may expect. Isha's drunken behavior is mildly annoying but hilarious, and I appreciate that she learns from/deals with the consequences of her mistakes. Her flirtation with Thirst-Trap (aka, Tarik) is bumbling and funny--though, again, it features less heavily in the story than a typical romance.
If you're open to a coming-of-age story with an imperfect character and romantic elements, try this. If you're looking for a straight-up romance, skip it.
3.5, rounded up. This worked better for me than The Trouble with Hating You, likely because it feels more personal. I also loved the madcap adventures of Isha and her younger cousin, Rohan; their bond is a highlight of the book, though it makes it feel less like a romance than some readers may expect. Isha's drunken behavior is mildly annoying but hilarious, and I appreciate that she learns from/deals with the consequences of her mistakes. Her flirtation with Thirst-Trap (aka, Tarik) is bumbling and funny--though, again, it features less heavily in the story than a typical romance.
If you're open to a coming-of-age story with an imperfect character and romantic elements, try this. If you're looking for a straight-up romance, skip it.
February 12, 2023
This witty and charming novel won me over with its humor, twists, and relatable protag, who I cheered on the entire wild ride. I loved the easy-flowing banter, heartwarming cousin-brother relationship, flirty romance, and deeper issues about following a dream, family expectations, and finding confidence and self-belief. A delightful rom-com with depth and heart!
March 3, 2023
I was not a big fan of the characters which unfortunately, as a character based story made this a bit of a bummer.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
March 31, 2023
Isha I love you my adorable messy girl
dnf
April 1, 2023DNF @ 2 hours in
It just wasn't holding my attention and I didn't care what happened next. Hopefully this author's next book works for me because I did really like one of her prior books.
It just wasn't holding my attention and I didn't care what happened next. Hopefully this author's next book works for me because I did really like one of her prior books.
November 30, 2023
Why did he let her keep ordering drinks?
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