Melting the Ice Princess: A Review of Sonali Dev's "The Bollywood Bride"

   I’m a total sucker for second chance at love story-lines, and Sonali Dev executes this setup flawlessly in her newest book The Bollywood Bride.

   When Bollywood actress and “Ice Princess” Ria Parkar returns home to Chicago for her cousin’s wedding she is reunited with her childhood friend and former flame, Vikram. Sparks fly between the two as the wedding preparations progress, and Ria is forced to confront the issues of her past as she contemplates walking away from Vikram yet again.

   Sonali Dev is a ridiculously talented writer, and she infuses her characters with such vibrant complexities that I truly felt like I knew them. While the romance is wonderful, (Vikram is a total stud) Dev really excels in portraying Ria’s family, whom she depicts with warmth and tenderness.

   With a passionate, steamy, and sentimental love story, and a look inside Indian-American culture, The Bollywood Bride is a must read for any romance reader. I absolutely loved it, and I cannot wait to read Dev’s next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hunky Highlanders and Scary Fairies: A Review of "Beyond the Highland Mist"

    Please excuse me while I go read everything ever written by Karen Marie Moning. I have no idea why I haven't read anything by her before.

Ehhh, maybe I do

    I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. Reading the synopsis it sounded like an Outlander ripoff, and lots of reviews suggest skipping this book in favor of the later books in the series. Being the completionist that I am, I ignored the reviews and prepared to trudge my way through this book in anticipation of relishing the later books. To my surprise I found myself enjoying this book quite a lot. It was the perfect beach read. Hawk and Adrienne are funny, heartwarming and ~steamy~. Perfect escapism. 
    I can't wait to read the next book, and now I'm dying to read Moning's Fever series, which everyone raves about.

Revenge Among The Bright Young Things: Lauren Willig's "The Other Daughter"

How great is this cover?!?!?

    Lauren Willig is probably my favorite author. I reread the first few Pink Carnation books every year, and they always take me to my happy place. Willig's books are always delightful, and her latest book,"The Other Daughter," is her most compelling stand alone to date.
    Set in the 1920's, governess Rachel Woodley discovers her deceased father is not only alive but also an earl. Rachel decides to infiltrate the world of the Bright Young Things, with the help of Simon Montfort, a gossip columnist with his own questionable motives. "The Other Daughter" is wonderfully atmospherice, and easily transports you to the world of the 1920's filled with nightclubs, cocktails, and cigarettes or "gaspers." 
    Since I am such a massive fan of Willig's Pink Carnation series, I was desperately excited to read this book. I brought it on vacation with me, and happily devoured it on the beach with the sound of waves in the background. found it to be the perfect beach read. 
It's a completely charming read. Rachel, the heroine, is likable and relatable, and Simon is certainly swoon worthy. Willig has written that Simon was influenced by Benedict Cumberbatch. 

It's become a bit of a thing among her fans.   

    My only (small) complaint is that I wish the book was a little longer, I think it would have helped some plots (especially the romance) develop more. But overall it's a winsome and wonderful read, prefect for curling up and reading with a cup of tea. Lauren Willig never lets me down.