ARYA KHANNA'S BOLLYWOOD MOMENT

A story full of drama and song.

Rising senior Arya Khanna’s older sister, Alina, is finally home, and the whole family is up to their necks in wedding preparations. Amid the planning and anticipation of an elaborate Punjabi celebration, Arya finds herself torn: Her two best friends, Andy and Lisa, have broken up after they recently started dating each other. Arya no longer knows what hanging out together will be like. Meanwhile, she’s stuck being vice president on the student council, as she lost the election to soccer player Dean, a white boy who might be frustrating but is also really good-looking. Things at home are not all song and dance, either, especially with Arya’s latent resentment toward her sister for leaving home, which requires Arya to deal with their workaholic father and a mother who’s showing signs of depression. Written like a Bollywood movie, complete with intermission, the book has all the vital ingredients—family drama, an enemies-to-lovers romance, and lots of scrumptious food—not to mention the lineup of films that are constantly being watched. Desi references are woven naturally throughout, the romance is adorable, and the story is well paced. Readers who pick up this debut, inspired by the sheer fun of it all, will wish for some masala chai and chaat and then put on a Bollywood number and dance, inspired by the sheer fun of it all.

Lovable, frothy, and happy-making.