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Book Review: The Shaadi Set-Up by Lille Vale @PRHGlobal #partner #romance

The Shaadi Set-Up by Lille Vale book cover

GIFTED / Today I bring you a review for a book I read some time ago, and had so much fun. I hope my review, although it is brief, will make you notice it and give it a chance.

The Shaadi Set-Up was published on Semptember 7th 2021 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. It has 368 pages.
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

High school sweethearts Rita Chitniss and Milan Rao were the golden couple, until the day he broke her heart. Now, six years later, Rita has turned her passion for furniture restoration into a career and has an almost-perfect boyfriend, Neil. The last thing she needs is for Milan to re-enter her life, but that’s exactly what happens when her mother, an unfailing believer in second chances, sets them up. Milan is just as charming, cocky, and confident as he was back in school. Only this time, he actually needs her business expertise, not her heart, to flip a hard-to-sell house for his realty agency.

While Rita begrudgingly agrees to help, she’s not taking any risks. To prove she’s definitely over him, she signs herself and Neil up on MyShaadi.com, a Desi matchmaking site famous for its success stories and trustworthy enough to convince everyone that she and Neil are the new and improved couple. Instead, she’s shocked when MyShaadi’s perfect match for her isn’t Neil…it’s Milan. Ignoring the website and her mother is one thing, but ignoring Milan proves much more difficult, especially when she promises to help him renovate the beach house of her dreams. And as the two of them dive deeper into work—and their pasts—Rita begins to wonder if maybe her match wasn’t so wrong after all….

Review:

I finished this book back in September and I am writing my review only now so I apologise it’s not as detailed as I promised it would be.

I got The Shaadi Set-Up via Netgalley when it was first published and I was so excited to read it, but as you can probably assume, life got in a way and it had to go on hold until now when I finally have more time to read and review (and go through all of my review copies).

I will be honest, as time passed I wasn’t as excited to dive into the story, but once I started reading I was swept away by how fun and good it was.
I had such an enjoyable time reading this novel. This was a romance comedy in all it’s glory and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Netflix movie based on it. It would be a good movie, let me tell you that!

The Shaadi Set-Up features love triangle and maybe it was obvious how it would resolve, but still all the scenes with “the wrong guy” were pleasure to read and some of my favourite scenes were because of him.

This romance has miscommunication trope, so I get why some readers would be bothered by it. I personally didn’t mind it.

I also want to state that this is own voices story and represents Indian culture.

So… this was tense: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager (Book Review) #Thriller #Halloween #blogtober

Today I bring you my review for the book that I read along with my frineds in our reading club. Lock Every Door was our September pick. I really enjoyed it and am glad to tell you all about it.

This novel was published back in 2019, on July 2nd. It has 381 pages.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen’s new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan’s most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.

As she gets to know the residents and staff of the Bartholomew, Jules finds herself drawn to fellow apartment sitter Ingrid, who comfortingly, disturbingly reminds her of the sister she lost eight years ago. When Ingrid confides that the Bartholomew is not what it seems and the dark history hidden beneath its gleaming facade is starting to frighten her, Jules brushes it off as a harmless ghost story—until the next day, when Ingrid disappears.

Searching for the truth about Ingrid’s disappearance, Jules digs deeper into the Bartholomew’s dark past and into the secrets kept within its walls. Her discovery that Ingrid is not the first apartment sitter to go missing at the Bartholomew pits Jules against the clock as she races to unmask a killer, expose the building’s hidden past, and escape the Bartholomew before her temporary status becomes permanent.

Review:

Lock Every Door was September pick in the reading club I am a part of. I was so excited because this novel was on my radar ever since it came out. Out of four of us, I think I liked it the best.

Written in first person, the novel is tense and capturing. Jules is a reliable narrator (which was so nice for a change) but what makes this book so good is that you can’t trust absolutely no one but her.

This novel was really something. Now I get why all the hype.
The mysterious atmosphere where you feel like you are trapped along with main character but can’t figure out what is happening and can’t get out was the cherry on top in my reading experience.

I also want to mention how this book touches some important topics like poverty and what goes along with it, and I believe no reader can stay calm or cold to it. Some parts were heartbreaking.
I do believe stories similar to this one happen in real life and often poor people who have no one to look for them are ones who pay the price.

I remember my friend Amanda and me were afraid that this story would be too similar to Turn of the Key, and now I laugh when I think about it, because those two stories can’t be more different. The only thing they have in common is that they are both very good novels.

The end was good. I like how this whole mystery solved out and what was the story behind the curtain, even though some of my friends who I read this with were disappointed.
However, I will admit that I wasn’t satisfied with the very end. In other words, I think justice could have been served better.

Lovely and sweet: New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan (Book Review) #NewYork #Romance #RomCom

GIFTED / I’ve been a fan of Sarah Morgan for some time now and I am happy to talk about the latest book I’ve read that is written by her.
New York, Actually is the fourth book in the From Manhattan With Love series and it was published on May 30th 2017 by Hqn. It has 376 pages.

About the book:

Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

Review:

If you’re looking for a sweet escape when it comes to romances, you can’t go wrong with Sarah Morgan’s books.
I’ve been fan of her work for a while now and every time I read one of her stories, I forget the world around me and lose myself in the passionate occasions.

New York, Actually is the fourth book in the From Manhattan With Love series, but it can be read as standalone.
It is written in third person and it follows perspectives of Molly and Daniel.

I think they were very likeable characters and great company.
I loved spending time with them, but I also really enjoyed reading about side characters, especially Daniel’s sisters Felicity and Harriet. I know next two books in the series are about them, and I am looking forward to read them.

Since this is a series, even though each book can be read as a standalone the same characters do show up in books through the series. I was happy to recognize Eva and Lucas from Miracle on 5th Avenue.

The book itself was really enjoyable, and I really liked how dogs played big part in the story, and how the author gave them their own personalities.
Trust me, dogs were real characters and not just side animals that would trig the plot.

I loved reading about their walks in Central Park and at some point the story even reminded me of the beginning of 101 Dalmatian, even though it is totally different.

New York, Actually is the romance in the first place, but it also touches some serious topics and even asks some important questions (from example, should you try to save the marriage if there are children involved or is it better for children to grow up in house where parents don’t argue).

Overall, this was a fast, relaxing read and I would recommend it to romance lovers.

A story without silver lining: If Only I Could Tell You by Hannah Beckerman #BookReview #IfOnlyICouldTellYou #GeneralFiction

Title: If Only I Could Tell You

Author: Hannah Beckerman

Publisher: Orion

Date: February 21st, 2019

Pages: 368

Format: eARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Review:

Trigger warning: this book talks about serious illness, miscarriage, suicide…

If Only I Could Tell You is a book everyone talked about still in 2018, even though it officially came out few days ago.
Many bloggers said it will be on most people favourite lists for 2019, how emotional and touching it was, and now when the book is released, it’s Goodreads page is full of positive, 5 and 4 stars reviews.

I am aware that I am in minority here, but I have to say I didn’t like this story as much as others. I mean, I do appreciate it, and I do think it was a touching story that talks about so many serious subjects that happen every day and need to be talked about, but I needed some hope from it.

I read books to feel better. I am aware that life is not beautiful, and I also like to read serious book, and hard books, but I like when books have at least one positive thing in the story, a little silver lining hidden between pages.
This book had none.
It was like a punch in the face filled with all the negative things life can bring, with one tragedy after another. And just when the story punched me so hard I was mentally lying on the floor, and I needed that last hope towards the end, it kicked me once again and walked away…

Okay, I know I’m exaggerating, but I hope you got what I mean…

The story follows two sisters, Jess and Lily who have no connection to each other because Jess blames Lily for something that happened in their past, and can’t ever forgive her.
The third character is their mother Audrey who wants to make things right, heal their family before she says her final goodbye.

That is all you have to know before going into the story, because there is so many tragic things that happen in this story, I don’t think any premise can prepare readers for what’s inside.
So many events from the book can be triggering, so be aware of that. Miscarriage, suicide, illness just to name the few…

There was one scene that described miscarriage in such a detailed way that it made me weak. I had to stop reading, skip some pages and then after some time I was ready to continue with the story.

The story is written in third person, following all three main characters’ perspectives.

I think Hannah Beckerman is good author, and I understand why people like her work, but in all honesty, I don’t think she’s the author I’ll come back to. At least not in this point of my life.

However, I have a need to stress out once again that this book is loved by so many readers.

If I should recommend it, I would to readers who like to read tragic and realistic stories.

Book Review: One New York Christmas by Mandy Baggot #BookReview #OneNewYorkChristmas #Christmas #Chicklit

Title: One New York Christmas

Author: Mandy Baggot

Publisher: Ebury, Penguin Random House UK

Date: November 15th, 2018

Pages: 432

Format: eARC

Source: from Publisherr for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Will this Christmas romance be just for the holidays?

A fun, festive romantic comedy to curl up with this winter. If you love Josie Silver’s One Day in December, you’ll love Mandy Baggot’s heart-warming festive romance.

Lara Weeks is heading to New York with best friend Susie for the Christmas trip of a lifetime.

A festive break in the snowy Big Apple visiting the tourist hotspots, not to mention the shopping, seems like the perfect way for Lara to get over her ex-boyfriend. Or maybe make him so jealous he begs for a second chance.

Enlisting the help of gorgeous actor, Seth Hunt, doesn’t quite go to plan, but there’s something about him that has Lara wishing for a different kind of happy ever after…

Review:

One New York Christmas is the second christmassy book written by Mandy Baggot that I have read, and I can officially say that her festive novels are must have during winter.
I loved the previous one (One Christmas in Paris) and I adored this one too.

The story follows Lara who spends her holidays in New York, trying to heal her broken heart.
On the other side there is Seth, a good looking actor with a kind heart, who tries his best to succeed in the acting career, and make his parents proud of him.

At first, I thought this will be a romantic, funny story, and it was, but it was also so much more.
The story explores some complex topics like adoption and unknownness of one’s own origin.
Then, it also talks about being homeless and how there are more then few reasons how one can end up on the streets, even when he’s trying to do something with his life.

The story also talks about family, friendships and human relationships, and it well inquires those aspects.

But at the same time, while talking about such serious subjects, it manages to entertain readers, make them laugh, relax then and put them into Christmas Spirit.

I liked almost all the characters, Seth and Lara, their best friends and their family members. There are only few “unlikeable” characters, which were ment to be “bad guys” of the story, but I didn’t mind them.

However, I have to stress out that one character I admired the most was New York itself.
Yes, you’ve read it right! Mandy Baggot described that city and it’s atmosphere during December so well, that it got his own role in the story, and I as a reader couldn’t forget that we were in New York.
That, my friends, is what I call amazing writing ability!

I loved almost everything about this story, but there is one (probably not that important) thing that made me feel a bit uncomfortable, and I will tell you what it is, because I’m always honest in my reviews. However, I think most people wouldn’t even notice that thing.
I didn’t like how Lara called her brother Aldo, who is adopted, her “almost-brother”. It happened 12 times in the story, and it made me feel like she was trying to separate herself from him, like stressing out that he was not her brother by blood was so important, she had to call him almost-brother instead just calling him brother instead?
I don’t know, we have one adopted family member (my father’s cousin) and I can imagine if his sister was calling him almost-brother it would hurt his feelings. It would make him feel like he wasn’t genuine part of the family, and it would be wrong.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading One New York Christmas and I would recommend it to everyone who enjoys festive chick lits and Christmas stories.

I can’t wait to see what other books Mandy Bagott has written/will write because this author is definitely on my tbr!

Book Review: The Empire State Cat’s Christmas Gift by Nic Tatano

the-empire-state

Title: The Empire Cat’s Christmas Gift

Author: Nic Tatano

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Date: November 4th, 2016

Pages: 265

Format: eARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The purrfect gift this Christmas…

The night her house catches fire, kick-ass lawyer Tish McKenna’s neatly ordered life is thrown into chaos. At least she’s alive—thanks to her adorable cat, Socks!—and after her near-death experience Tish realises she wants more in her life than late nights and case files…

Professionally speaking, hot-shot attorney, Spencer Capshaw hadn’t realised how far off track he’d come. Sure, he had his reasons originally—saving his dad’s life required more money than the DA’s office paid him—yet helping corrupt corporate bigwigs was not why he became a lawyer…

With a little help from a furry friend, these two lost souls find each other in the heart of Manhattan. But when Tish and Spence are pitted against each other in a trial that pushes them both to their limits, can their budding relationship survive?

Will there be a diamond in Tish’s stocking this Christmas? Find out in new festive favourite The Empire State Cat’s Christmas Gift by Nic Tatano!

Review:

One look at The Empire State Cat’s Christmas Gift is all you need to figure out why I wanted to read this book.
It has a cat (and I adore cats, cats are my weakness) and it screams “festive”.
I mean, what more do I need?
Nothing, that’s what.

Except… the only thing that’s festive when it comes to this story is it’s title (in reality, if we remove the title from this cute picture, it doesn’t feel so festive anymore, does it?).
It all comes to good marketing, because the book came out around Christmas time, but the story itself is festive as much as I Heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelk – the story takes place during several months and the last chapter happens around Christmas. That’s it.

But don’t let my complaining stop you from picking this book up! It was a good story, after all!

I had some problems with it (I will get to them soon), but overall I pretty much enjoyed it the whole time.

I am not sure what it is about Nic Tatano‘s writing, but it feels like everytime I read one of his books, I can’t seem to stop myself. “One more chapter” – that’s what I say to myself and before I even realize, I read half of the book.

The story centers around Tish, a lawyer and an owner of a really cute tuxido cat called Socks.
At the very beginning of the story, Sucks turns out to be a hero – she wakes up Tish while their apartment is on fire and, therefore, she saves their lives.

Although Sucks plays a role in The Empire State Cat’s Christmas Gift, her presence is not what keeps this story going.
When in The Lost Cats and Lonely Hearts Club, the first book in this series, the story centers around cats (so much that it was even overwhelming at times), in this sequel the balance between the two (cat’s and people’s stories) was done better.

Spencer is Tish’s love interest. He is a successful attorney with good manners, and I even dare to say that his character represents a knight on white horse.

He acted perfectly, but I find it hard to believe that today a guy of his age would use phrases like “fine young lady” for a woman he likes.

I also didn’t feel the chemistry between the two of them. I felt like the whole thing was happening way too slow at first, and then, all of a sudden, way too fast.
When we’re taking only that part of the book into cosideration (chemistry/relationship development between Tish and Spencer), it almost felt like reading a christian fiction.

As I already said, I had some problems with this story.

My first problem was slut shaming. This is not the first time happening in chick lit genre that a woman who “looks like a plastic doll” is immediately portraited as a cheap slut who doesn’t know how to behave herself and is stupid.
I was very dissapointed when I read how characters were judgamental and I couldn’t help but feel that the writer’s own points of view blended to pages, because if every single character speaks down about something/someone in the same way, I can’t help but think that the author shares the same opinion.

Secondly, we should believe that Tish is “shark” in court, but she seemed unprofessional to me. Spencer was even worse.
So, even though Tatano told us they were very good lawyers, he showed us a different story (spoiler: great lawyers do not talk about movies they watched the night before in front of the court, they do not talk about their personal life with the judge in the middle of the case, they do not have to win one case so they wouldn’t end up on a street and if they do, they are not too picky when it comes to cases and people they will represent, and they surely don’t represent people they want to see lose the case).

Thirdly, the villian of this story was underestimated. I believe he would do what he did, but I don’t believe for a second he would be so stupid to do it the way he did it in this story, and got so easily caught in his crime.

Altogether, this was a quick read that I would recommend to chick lit lovers.

3,5