21 Nov 2022

REVIEW: WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI by Sandhya Menon

WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI

Author: Sandhya Menon

Series: Dimple and Rishi #1
Source: Audio from Audible
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:

Summary:

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family—and from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitating toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

When Dimple Met Rishi covers these differences through the characters of Dimple and Rishi, who are polar opposites with what they want to achieve in life. Dimple is set out to be a coder, changing lives with her intelligence and drive to pursue the better. This goes against her mother's wishes for her to marry a good man and become a housewife.

Rishi on the other hand, has a gift for artwork and drawing comics. Ever the dutiful son, he lets his parents dictate what he should do in life, from going along with the arranged marriage to studying Engineering.

I loved how Rishi embraced his cultural identity, finding every opportunity to educate others about his identity. While this was something Dimple shied away upon, it was nice seeing his quiet confidence and how he didn't care about people's opinions - at least those that didn't matter.

The book also explores first love, but having a goal in life beyond just finding your future husband. As someone who isn't afraid to pursue her talents and who is driven to succeed, I related a lot to Dimple's mindset. Especially when it came to getting into a relationship that would only hold her back.

I absolutely loved this book so much. The family dynamics, the relationship, and the cuteness and squealing I did throughout reading it. I was smiling the entire time I was reading this.

I do wish there had been a bit more of the actual coding and programming (and less on the talent show, which seemed like a weird addition to the story) but it was such a great story.