Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things

September 5, 2022
Sixteen-year-old Rani and her three sisters—her twin, Avani; 17-year-old Nidhi; and 15-year-old Sirisha—live at their father’s Pacific Northwest bed and breakfast, the Songbird Inn, voted America’s Most Romantic Inn. Despite its moniker, however, each sibling has been having a rough go at relationships. Hopeless romantic Rani dreams of experiencing an epic love story, and often pictures her life as a Bollywood film. She crushes hard on both athletic Leo and wealthy Vikram, imagining grand futures with them while constantly thinking about Raj, who broke her heart. Type A Nidhi, meanwhile, is planning a visit to Paris with her boyfriend, Matt, but her feelings for him are put into question upon meeting attractive construction worker Grayson. Sporty Avani is steadfastly avoiding Fernando, the boy she accidentally stood up, and shy photographer Sirisha is struggling to find the courage to talk to pretty girls, even though she desperately wants to get to know Brie, part of a theater group that stops by the inn. Debut author Prasad ambitiously blends myriad romantic tropes throughout this jam-packed rom-com in which the sisters’ heartfelt relationship and earnest support of one another sparkles brightest. Ages 12–up. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management.

August 15, 2022
A breezy read that's full of lavender-scented dreams. Throw in four sisters plus four seasons on the Pacific Northwest's Orcas Island, and it's a recipe for romance. Or a Bollywood plot with most of the classic trappings. This is the story of the Singh family: First there's Nidhi, who is about to start her senior year; sandwiched in the middle are twins Rani and Avani; and then there's Sirisha, the youngest at 15. The Singh siblings help their dad at the Songbird, which has been officially awarded the title of Most Romantic Inn in America, even as they're each nursing their private griefs. The girls' mother died when Sirisha was a baby, and their father fell in love again with their stepfather, Pop, but he died of a stroke several years ago. Now the sisters are questing for love in their own unique ways: There are dishy crushes, male and female; broken and mended hearts; lots of song and dance--and yes, a tempting array of North Indian food. The sisterhood is warm and poignant and the teenage romances sweet, but the poetic meanderings often feel a bit over-the-top, like the gulab jamun with lavender and cumin that their father makes. Although the book centers around the four sisters, the most heartwarming character is Dad, with his resilience in the face of multiple losses: his homeland, his family back in India, and his partners. A romantic, Bollywood-like story. (Romance. 12-18)

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September 15, 2022
Grades 8-11 This sweet quartet of love stories features one tale per season, each from the perspective of a different Singh sister as they discover all sorts of things about themselves and one another. It all begins with Nidhi, the eldest, who is a perfectionist and wears a facade of having an orderly, planned-out life, until a near-death experience shocks her into exploring what--and who--makes her feel happy instead. Her sisters all have their unique stories as well, battling shyness or wanting to prove themselves to their family. Perfect for fans of slice-of-life stories, Prasad's debut gives readers a peek into the lives of four sisters who are all on the same team, who love one other, and who want one another to succeed in finding their truths and happiness. It is touching and warm, a perfect cozy read. The setting, the romantic inn owned by their widower father on an island off the coast of Washington, is nicely fleshed out and atmospheric, and there's realistic representation of all the sorts of people one might find there.

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January 20, 2023

Gr 7 Up-The Singh sisters live with their father in a picturesque inn on Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest. Over the course of a year, each sister experiences her own love story; with each season comes a new perspective and a new romance. Type-A Nidhi, the eldest, has everything in her life sorted, from her college major to her summer plans. But a near-death experience and a chance encounter cause her to spend the fall questioning everything, including her current relationship. In the winter, seemingly flaky Avani puts all of her effort into planning a Winter Ball that would make Pop, her father's late husband, proud, while also figuring out her feelings for her friend and neighbor. Springtime is the season for the most reserved Singh sister, Sirisha, to find the courage to get to know a visiting actress in town. And finally, summer brings the opportunity for love-obsessed Rani to have an epic romance, if she can choose between three love interests. Although each Singh sister has a distinct voice and personality, details about the other sisters' lives and relationships are woven seamlessly throughout the book, so the story flows effortlessly from one season to the next. The strong family relationships and the love between the sisters, their dad, and their community stand out amongst the romances. The atmospheric island setting is vividly described, and readers will end up hungry not only for more about the Singh sisters, but for Indian cuisine and baked goods as well. VERDICT A recommended addition to collections, and a great read for fans of Roshani Chokshi, Evelyn Skye, and Sandhya Menon's Three Kisses, One Midnight or Jessica Spotswood's The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls.-Alison Glass

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