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A review by katiemack
Kismat Connection by Ananya Devarajan
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the themes about feeling connected (or disconnected) to one's cultural identity and the familial relationships--especially the found family aspect between Arjun and Iyer Aunty--and I was excited for the fake dating trope. Overall, though, the chemistry falls flat, and the fake dating trope feels superfluous after a while; it doesn't have the effect I thought it would on Madhuri and Arjun's relationship. I also found the writing to be clunky and overly flowery, but that might be a personal preference.
I was excited for this one, and I'd try other books by Ananya Devarajan--I enjoyed her story in the college-set anthology Study Break, which prompted me to request this one--so I'm looking forward to seeing how her writing develops over time.
I enjoyed the themes about feeling connected (or disconnected) to one's cultural identity and the familial relationships--especially the found family aspect between Arjun and Iyer Aunty--and I was excited for the fake dating trope. Overall, though, the chemistry falls flat, and the fake dating trope feels superfluous after a while; it doesn't have the effect I thought it would on Madhuri and Arjun's relationship. I also found the writing to be clunky and overly flowery, but that might be a personal preference.
I was excited for this one, and I'd try other books by Ananya Devarajan--I enjoyed her story in the college-set anthology Study Break, which prompted me to request this one--so I'm looking forward to seeing how her writing develops over time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Chronic illness