Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment Hardcover – January 9, 2024

Arya is an endearing character whose challenges as she navigates her senior of high school feel very real and compelling to the reader. It's fun to spend time with this narrator and I cared a great deal about her immediately. I worried about her mother, enjoyed her camaraderie with her brother-in-law-to-be, grieved with her over her distance from her best friend, and cheered her on as she tried to figure out her relationship with a boy she hates. I loved that this book gives friendship and family relationships equal importance with romance even as Arya edges sideways into her first love. I also loved learning about Bollywood movies, Hindu wedding traditions, and much more that was unfamiliar to me. This book is a delight! I have already loaned my copy to a friend and bought another copy to gve as a gift.

A sweet, filmy young adult rom com! As a lover of romance books and Bollywood, it is rare to see the intersection of both of these lovely things, so thank you, Arushi, for writing this and sharing with us <3 As an Indian girlie and lover of film, I have enjoyed books like Better Than the Movies, but really felt seen in this one where we're talking about ShahRukh Khan, Karan Johar, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham lol. I hope this book encourages more lovers of romance to watch Bollywood movies and learn about Indian cinema as these are in a league of their own <3 Arya herself has a list on page 149!This book was a delightful, fun read! I enjoyed the wedding shenanigans, Bollywood references, and the relatable dynamics with Arya's family and friends as they all struggled in their own ways to have the hard conversations around hurt, disappointment, and change. The character named Sheila Jawani made me LAUGH and I kept reading it in my mind as Sheila Ki Jawani :') (look up this iconic song if you are unfamiliar please!)Loves:- The FMC is Punjabi American and the MMC is Jewish. I appreciated the details in this book including latkes, Hannukah, shaadi (wedding) season events, pooja, and tons of delicious Indian foods and romantic movies.- Arya writes in a way that the reader (regardless of familiarity with Indian traditions or customs) can easily learn and understand.- Arya's sister prioritizing her dreams instead of the career expectations her parents had for her - extremely difficult to do within a South Asian family.- Arya getting Dean (the MMC) to read Pride and Prejudice !!!- Arya works at a bookstore! Just a cute, lovely environment I enjoyed reading about in all the scenes she was at work.Quotes:- "Romance is a perfectly valid genre."- "I've always wanted to be your friend, Arya. You've just never let me."- "You deserve your Bollywood moment, Arya Khanna."- "Karan Johar needs to pay for my therapy."- "I'll see you tomorrow; and the day after that."

My first YA romcom and I’m obsessed!!! Loved how personal the writing felt and the cozy New England town vibe! Will definitely recommend this to my friends.

This was a cute book about family and traditions. It was a good read and I enjoyed all of the Indian festivities featured in the book. While I enjoyed it it wasn't a favorite for me. Not that it wouldn't be for someone else.

Weddings always bring out family dysfunction, and Arya’s sister’s wedding is no different. Her life is already complicated by her friends fighting and butting her own head against a rival student councilor. Will she survive the wedding or will all of the drama crash and burn everything.So much drama! I think if I had been Arya, I would have said “Enough already” and walked away. Family just won’t let you though (chuckle). Arya is in the middle of everyone’s disagreements and not by choice. Arushi Avachat creates realistic scenarios where all of this can be happening at once. Some of it is funny as being an outside observer can make family events funny. Other scenarios are frustrating. The author does a great job of connecting you to the drama.The romance between Dean and Arya is sweet and just the right counterbalance to all of the other drama. It brings humor when it needs to and heart swoon when you want it. I loved learning about all of the customs involved in an Indian wedding. The blurb says it will make you get up and dance, I don’t know about that but it did make me smile and chuckle a time or two.

Truly an amazing book I loved reading it so much I finished in 2 days ! I loved the ending and the whole thing

I really enjoyed this one