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jackiehorne's review
3.0
Been checking out some of the RITA nominated books that I haven't yet read. Chose this one for its Indian-American protagonist, Parvati Jai, who is the only one in her family of sisters who hasn't married young. A fact Parv used to take pride in, but now that her beloved niece, at only 18, is preparing to tie the knot, Parv is worried that the love/marriage/babies that she's always wanted is going to be beyond her reach. Especially when old friend Max, upon whom she's had a crush since her teen years, starts to barge in and offer Parv advice about her failing coffee shop business. And after Parv, at the end of a stressful day, tells Max about said crush...
Can you write a feminist story about a woman who longs for a mate and fears she'll never find one? Especially when your female protagonist shows her love through her "acts of service" to others? And who thinks "I know it's anti-feminist to want someone to take care of me, but I do"? And when your male protagonist is a guy with a savior complex and a decided lack of previous long-term relationships?
From Parv's interactions with her female friends (who starred in previous books by the author), it seems that Shane does value feminist, sex-positive ideals. They take a backseat here in Parv's romance, but come through in Parv's relationship with her best friend, Max's sister, who, now that she's in a relationship herself, seems to have abandoned Parv. More of the emotional mojo comes from the stresses in that relationship than from the on-again/off-again back and forthing of Parv's and Max's.
Parv finally does get tired of being "Miss Nice Girl" and chooses to "go after what she wants." I only wished she had learned this lesson earlier (before the ugliness of her relationship with another "nice guy," a guy who turns out only to be nice when Parv agrees to everything he wants. Yuck!)
Can you write a feminist story about a woman who longs for a mate and fears she'll never find one? Especially when your female protagonist shows her love through her "acts of service" to others? And who thinks "I know it's anti-feminist to want someone to take care of me, but I do"? And when your male protagonist is a guy with a savior complex and a decided lack of previous long-term relationships?
From Parv's interactions with her female friends (who starred in previous books by the author), it seems that Shane does value feminist, sex-positive ideals. They take a backseat here in Parv's romance, but come through in Parv's relationship with her best friend, Max's sister, who, now that she's in a relationship herself, seems to have abandoned Parv. More of the emotional mojo comes from the stresses in that relationship than from the on-again/off-again back and forthing of Parv's and Max's.
Parv finally does get tired of being "Miss Nice Girl" and chooses to "go after what she wants." I only wished she had learned this lesson earlier (before the ugliness of her relationship with another "nice guy," a guy who turns out only to be nice when Parv agrees to everything he wants. Yuck!)
ironskin's review
3.75
Just charming, very thoughtful.
Probably could have been more growth spread throughout rather than epiphanies at the end, but the writing was so enjoyable and the characters endearing so I didn’t care.
Probably could have been more growth spread throughout rather than epiphanies at the end, but the writing was so enjoyable and the characters endearing so I didn’t care.
jmacattack's review
5.0
Another great one from Lizzie Shane!
Lizzie Shane has never disappointed me! Her books are fun and funny and this one is no exception. I related so much to Parvati and her other characters. I'm going to miss reading this one.
Lizzie Shane has never disappointed me! Her books are fun and funny and this one is no exception. I related so much to Parvati and her other characters. I'm going to miss reading this one.
robinwalter's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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