When Dimple met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?
Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.
The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?
Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.  

After reading so many great reviews about this book I went into it with very high hopes. While I did enjoy reading about Dimple and Rishi, I think the hype surrounding this book did build up my expectations a little too much.

Dimple Shah is excited to attend the summer computer programming course because it meant that it was her chance to spread her wings and be free from her family. Dimple was also hoping that her family’s obsession of finding her an ‘ideal Indian Husband’ was forgotten about. But with the arrival of Rishi Patel on the computer programming course, and with Rishi knowing her name, Dimple thinks that perhaps her family’s obsession is all but forgotten.

When Dimple Met Rishi is told from both the perspectives of Dimple and Rishi, and I really enjoyed reading from both points of view, and reading about how they both dealt with their own problems. I have to say that I liked both Dimple and Rishi equally, and found them both to be very interesting characters to read about. It was nice to read about how their feelings for each other change as the story progresses, and I found that it made me care and become more invested for both of the characters.

With the all the hype and great reviews the book was getting I was expecting something new and different with the story, but I found it to be a little predictable and nothing new. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed reading the book and I found it very interesting, I did manage to read the book in just a couple of sittings. But I found the story to be lacking something different and something that would make it stand out from other YA contemporary books. Yes this book is diverse and something I would not find myself reading, which I found very refreshing, but I just wanted the story to be refreshing and original also.

Sandhya Menon’s writing is another reason why I really enjoyed reading this book. I found her writing to be very engaging and easy to read, which means you end up losing yourself into the story. I liked the bits of humour dotted throughout the story, and one some occasions it did make me chuckle while reading. Also I learnt quite a few new things as I was reading, but the information wasn’t just dumped on you, but instead woven into the plot.

Even thought I was little underwhelmed with the plot of this book I would still recommend this book for any readers of YA contemporary books. If you are looking for a diverse book with great writing, and interesting and engaging characters, then When Dimple met Rishi, is the perfect summer read.

I rate this book 4/5 stars

***I was sent a copy of this book to review. Everything in this review is my own honest opinions.***