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qgg's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I really want to give this book a higher rating. It’s a gender bent retelling of P&P with Indian-American culture. Trish Raje is a brilliant brain surgeon and she knows where her talents lie. She plays an excellent Darcy. DJ, in the Lizzie Bennet role, is a gifted chef giving the whole story a Indian foodie flavor. There is a truly wicked Wickham in the mix. What’s not to love?
Unfortunately, the Raje family dynamics are toxicblaming Trish for things out of her control The HIPAA violations between Trish and her family are unforgivable. The resolution between DJ and Trish at the end seemed rushed and lacking in true chemistry AND it was another medical ethical violation unless Trish turned Emma’s care over to another surgeon.
Other reviews mention the length of the book and the side plots. I really liked the author’s writing and I think they helped develop Trish’s character.
I have two more issues.
1. Trish seemed to be written as autistic-coded. The book already was ableist AF. (Full star deduction for that.) Limited special interests, difficulty making friends, intense loyalty, strong *personal* ethical code (not necessarily aligned with laws like HIPAA), hyperfocus to the point of excluding sleeping and eating…. The only marker not explicitly stated was stimming. So, DJ’s dislike of her is even more ableism in this book.
2.Maybe this is because I am a physical therapist who has worked in hospitals, but there is no way a surgeon would be researching a program, facility or artist like in this book for a patient. A social worker would call a meeting and SW, OT or PT would probably suggest changing artistic mediums to an artist. Resources would be suggested for the patient and family to look up on their own. Patients get autonomy at all times including the choice to stay sick and die with the dignity of their own choice.
Unfortunately, the Raje family dynamics are toxic
Other reviews mention the length of the book and the side plots. I really liked the author’s writing and I think they helped develop Trish’s character.
I have two more issues.
1. Trish seemed to be written as autistic-coded. The book already was ableist AF. (Full star deduction for that.) Limited special interests, difficulty making friends, intense loyalty, strong *personal* ethical code (not necessarily aligned with laws like HIPAA), hyperfocus to the point of excluding sleeping and eating…. The only marker not explicitly stated was stimming. So, DJ’s dislike of her is even more ableism in this book.
2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Cancer
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Medical content, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Rape, Death of parent, Classism, Racism, and Terminal illness
ldslizzard's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
While it was slow for me to get into, once I got about 1/4 of the way through I couldn't put it down. Such a great take on Pride and Prejudice! Loved the role reversal and the independent woman. So many different life issues compiled into a beautifully woven story. I loved/hated the main character, but I think we were meant to! Very impressed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death of parent, Cancer, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Infertility, and Toxic friendship
satsukiq's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism, Pregnancy, Medical content, Gun violence, and Alcohol
allisonwonderlandreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"This is how Trisha's dating life had worked since college: every now and again some guy came along and they confused the heck out of each other until he disappeared, leaving her more relieved than sad, and embarrassed as hell about her inability to know what was going on when it came to men. Why were men such complicated beasts anyway? Relationships felt like full-time babysitting jobs crossed with high-level code cracking."
This is one of the most emotionally accurate Pride & Prejudice retellings I've had the joy of reading. It's gender-bent, it's contemporary, the name "Wickham" makes me want to punch people, and the characters' personal growth was astoundingly beautiful while also stressful in the moment. I loved Dr. Trisha Raje as our Darcy character. Her arrogance is perfectly off-putting from both a real world and Pride & Prejudice frame of reference. Meanwhile, DJ is a saucy take on Lizzy Bennet with his big heart and straight-backed pride.
The story went beyond the original by weaving in new elements to reflect modern life and a far more diverse (in all senses of the word) cast than we see in an Austen novel. It builds on Austen's commentary on wealth and social class by turning a sharper eye on sexism and bringing in conversation about immigration, racism, and police brutality.
Dev builds a world that feels lifelike not only because she includes so many aspects of our brutal world but because she renders each individual character with such loving detail. Backstory for both families is deep and moving, and it made me want to read more, whether it was about the past or the future of any side character.
Finally, the story is powerful because of the messaging. It talks about the bonds of family and all that can be left unsaid in our long histories together, the pain and the love. And it reminds us that our work doesn't define us. We matter outside our professional accomplishments and what we can do for others (yeah, that part led to some tears on this end).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Dementia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Child abuse
robynrambles's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really liked this book, however, with Sonali Dev's other book 'Recipe for Persuasion' the amount of trauma she puts in the characters backgrounds is a lot for a contemporary romance. I don't think having a full background is necessarily a bad thing but she alludes to the trauma a lot and when it finally is revealed it seems much more serious than necessary for the main plot. I would say this book is more inspired by Jane Austen than a retelling, she gender bends Darcy and Jane but there missing a lot of family dynamics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Ableism, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
bookishchloe's review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Miscarriage, Cancer, Medical content, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Police brutality
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