Soorya Giri, is an Indian lawyer who resides in New Jersey and wants to get married because per her cultural background she’s becoming long in the tooth. But, no one seems interested in committing to her and this has become an issue of concern to her family, friends and neighbors. These men always seem to disappear after meeting her. This constant disappearance of men upon meeting her has led Soorya to having a big chip on her shoulder. You see Soorya isn’t your typical Indian girl (you know the one we see in Bollywood movies), she is darker skinned, chubby, is almost always on a diet, and has gone through several cosmetic procedures to seem a little bit more acceptable. But, despite the huge dowry that will go to the guy’s family upon marrying her, and the connection to her family’s name (her father is a Plastic Surgeon), no one seems to want to marry her.
Then one beautiful night, something changes. A family friend indicates interest in having their son (Roger) marry her. This son is a bit different – dresses differently, very laid back and is interested in a non-STEM field. Let’s take a moment to cue the collected shock from immigrant families in the U. S. A. He is interested in Theater and wants to direct a Bollywood play that he wrote. As if all these aren’t enough, he is quite upfront about his needs. But, this guy has her conflicted. She is offended but, extremely attracted to him. You will have to read this book to find out what happens next.
As is common, when one door opens, several million doors open often at the same time. It seems Roger was the key that was needed to open the door to let the men come in. Suddenly, another lawyer starts showing deep interest in Soorya. This lawyer is very different from all the other men that she has ever known, a man just by virtue of who he is and his background, will shake the Indian community if she should choose him. Yet, she is still madly attracted to him. Now, who does she choose? Does she choose to rebel? Does she choose to stick to comfort? Or is there a middle ground somewhere? This book was so yum.
As I mentioned earlier, this is a fictional work and not to be taken literally, but I enjoyed this book, because beyond the subject matter – it did a good job of showcasing some Indian culture. The interconnectedness of their people, family, the family network, the culture (Telugu), and the language were showcased. For someone that comes from a part of the world where arranged marriages still exist and occur daily, it was interesting to see how this culture navigates this world in a way in which the seeker and the sought are reversed. This is purely chic lit. I will read more books by this author.
pamelareviews 