I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a couple of Sonya Lalli's romances, and this is definitely my favorite! I was skeptical at the start because I hated Jasmine's lack of self-control over her spending and lifestyle, and Jake's random, dickish aloofness put me off. (Also, the five-year age gap is not huge, but it's enough to give one pause.) Ultimately, though, both won me over with their willingness to be vulnerable with one another and address their mistakes in a healthy way. The romance is a slow burn, but in a way that allows them to get to know one another better and appreciate both their shortcomings and their positive traits--I love to see growth in relationships! I also appreciated Sonya Lalli's depiction of cultural expectations and the double standards for boys and girls (aka, sexism) that Jasmine experienced. It was heartwarming to read about how Jasmine's dynamic with her parents and with her local South Asian community changed by the end of the book.