e-ARC, 336 pages
Release Date: February 13, 2024
Published by: Katherine Tegen Books
Read from: February 5-16, 2024
Stand-alone
Source: Libro FM (I received a copy of this ALC from the publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW:
For Readers Interested In: Contemporary, Romance, YA, Magical Realism, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (South Asian)A charming romantic comedy about a South Indian American teen girl who makes a wish upon a flower for her perfect boyfriend…and then a new boy moves in right next door. With love triangles, prank wars, and a sizzling sweet romance—this is perfect for fans of Sandhya Menon and Jenny Han.
Deepa’s a hopeless romantic. And even though Deepa’s checklist for the perfect boyfriend is a mile long, her mom and dad’s fairy-tale love story makes her feel like romantic success ought to be a family trait. It’s why when her grandmother gives her a jasmine flower with the promise that it will fulfill her heart’s greatest desire, and then a new boy moves in across the street, Deepa knows—he must be her wish come true.
Rohit checks off every box on Deepa’s timelessly handsome, a thoughtful listener, and a romantic who knows his flowers. Deepa’s next-door neighbor (and constant tormentor) Vik also surprisingly approves, though she knows it shouldn’t be a mark against Rohit.
Is it luck or is it magic? Deepa doesn’t want to take chances, so when her grandmother warns her that the wish is only permanent if she seals it with a kiss, she knows she needs to move quickly. Rohit is the right boy in every way, so then why does Deepa not feel like he might not be the right choice?
*MY THOUGHTS*
Yo, I’ve been waiting on this book for a long time. Idk what made me want to read this so bad, but I was so hype for it. And unfortunately, it barely lived up to what I had made up in my mind. Was it good? Yes. But I thought it could have been much better.
I guess let’s start with the romance. I think I would have liked it more if the love interest had been different lol As some of y’all may know, I am NOT a fan of enemies to lovers, so this was weird. Not really weird, but I really need to start reading the synopsis of books instead of just buzz words lol Because I was not expecting the whole bit about the one guy. Which was annoying because I did not like him lol But I know it’s a me thing. All of y’all out there like enemies to lovers, but I am just not into it lol Especially when it seems like it takes them forever to get to the point. And this one does just that. I didn’t keep up with this one, but it also took a long time and it annoyed me lol
The characters were the weirdest for me. That dude was annoying lol The sheer audacity he had when he basically treated her like poop the whole time and then was like eh ok now you know I like you and you like me, so I’m going to be mad at you because you’re dating someone and you won’t break up with them even though I want you to. That just had me like wtf. Because why didn’t you just say you liked her and that you wanted her before she found this other person? As for Deepa, I thought she was a bit boring lol I was more interested in the rest of her family. The other person was also boring lol He was too perfect. I fully understood what she was saying when she mentioned that it just felt too easy, too boring. Because it read that way. They didn’t have any chemistry. (But neither did the other person lol) Idk, it was just a weird book all around.
I think the plot of this was the best part. I was so excited to see the jasmine flower and how it was used. I kept thinking about the list she had lol It was terrible lol But I know they were kids so I’m not judging, but I do wish they had said something about it in the end. Like, they have to like the same bands? lol I guess they did kind of cover it, but I do think it would have been better to be more specific. You don’t always have to have everything you’re looking for. And sometimes you have to compromise.
It was ok, but I wasn’t actually wowed by it. I think without the enemies to lovers trope I would have liked it a bit more. And I think reading this so close to another book that had the same trope didn’t help. Idk, it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
Overall, I give this
