June 15, 2023
A story centering intense and heartfelt family dynamics. Arjun Mehta has been in love with best friend Madhuri Iyer since they were 13. As senior year begins, the duo sit down for their annual astrological reading by Madhuri's mom. Apparently, Arjun is going to have a year filled with successes in "education, athletics, and love." Madhuri, however, struggles against the prediction that this year she'll "crash and burn." She also resents the prophecy that says the women in her family will marry the first person they fall in love with; to her, it feels like a curse stopping her from having casual fun with dating. Madhuri hatches an experiment about kismat, or fate: She and Arjun will date until June, proving Madhuri is in charge of her own destiny. Only, their feelings deepen even as Arjun deals with his frequently absent divorced mother, who now makes occasional forays into establishing a relationship, and Madhuri struggles to embrace Indian culture in the face of internalized shame resulting from bullying by former friends. Strongly portrayed family dynamics add depth and tension to Arjun and Madhuri's romance, although the pace of this debut is at times too slow and characters' feelings are often spelled out for readers with a heavy hand. However, the cast members are a joy to spend time with, and the familial and romantic subplots intertwine beautifully. A romantic read celebrating love, self-acceptance, and familial ties. (Romance. 13-18)
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