Posts Tagged: Summer Reads

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Imperfect but 100% Lovable: From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

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I received this book for free from Simon Pulse in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Imperfect but 100% Lovable: From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya MenonFrom Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon
Published by Simon Pulse on May 22nd, 2018
Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, YA
Source: Simon Pulse
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four-stars

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2.

When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she’s got is not the one she’s scripted. But will it be enough?

Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you.

So, even though When Dimple Met Rishi was one of my most anticipated books of 2017 and I winded up with two/three copies of it, I actually never ended up reading it. Of course, Sandhya Menon is a champ and regardless of whether or not I had read When Dimple Met RishiFrom Twinkle, With Love was already on my TBR and most anticipated for 2018. Of course, May went back, Twinkle came out and I still hadn’t read it because that’s WHO I AM. A PROCRASTINATOR. But. then. I decided to do a thing. I decided to read the GODDAMN BOOK and it was absolutely, 100% worth it. 

I think it is worth it to mention that I found that Twinkle wasn’t as easy to get into. It’s written exclusively in letters so it was more informal and a little younger than what I was expecting but once I got used to Twinkle’s voice, it was smooth sailing. 

WORDS are hard but anyway, From Twinkle, With Love is a coming-of-age story. Twinkle is struggling with figuring out changing friendships, crushes, her place within her household and her place within the world. 

When Sahil, her crush’s brother, approaches her to help produce a short movie for the upcoming summer festival, she is reluctant but eventually jumps onboard for a chance to pursue her dreams (and potentially a chance to get to know Nikhil better ;)) Of course, her changing friendship with her long-time BFF makes things a little more complicated for her. Especially when she decides to cast said-BFF as the lead of the movie. 

On top of that, she is fielding anon emails from someone who could be Nikhil all the while falling slowly in love with Sahil.

WHAT A SUMMER for Twinkle. 

My summers where never that exciting. 

But of course, this isn’t about me. It’s about Twinkle. Twinkle is just such a well written character. She is kind and yet wholly imperfect. I love that there are times over the course of the novel where she gets SO angry and petty. She is mostly a wallflower but the way people treat her does get to her and I loved seeing that anger expressed and written down. It was kind of cathartic tbh, since I was also once an angry teenager.

The best part of course as that not only do we get to see Twinkle grow stronger and more complex over the course of the book, a number of secondary characters also experience strong character-development arcs as they are forced to confront their insecurities. INCLUDING Maddie, the aforementioned BFF. 

So, if you’re looking for a complex summer-read with characters who aren’t perfect- they will likely piss you off at times but overall win your heart-, funny grandmas, and some filmmaking, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. From Twinkle, With Love should absolutely be on your radar. Not only will it look stunning on your bookshelves but also STUNNING IN YOUR SOUL ONCE YOUVE DEVOURED IT. 

 

four-stars

4 Hot Espressos

The Summer of Jordi Perez and Rashika’s Favorite Burger Place

Posted by on 04/10/2018 • 3 Comments

The Summer of Jordi Perez was everything you can ask from for a summer-y read. Romance, friendship, identity and just a little bit of food-fun, Jordi Perez was truly a package. Also Jordi Perez is the name of the love interest and she was delightful as well.

I always complain about this because I am a whiny baby but it is SO HARD to express feelings in a review for a book you really really enjoyed and Jordi Perez is SUCH A FUN READ. I’ve had a really rough month and a half and have read almost no books this month but Jordi Perez cheered me up when I needed it.

Summer is not going how Abby Ives had thought it would. It’s the summer before senior year and all…

#Throwback Thursday: 5 Books to Take With You To the Beach

Posted by on 07/06/2017 • 0 Comments

Are you getting tired of summer round ups because I AM NEVER GOING TO BE. ITS FUCKING 90 degrees outside, what do you want from me? I can fantasize about going to the beach and doing some ocean-side reading. In the meantime, I present you with a list of older releases if you’re looking for some to read while at the beach or that will transport you to the beach.

1. This is What Happy Looks Like by by Jennifer E. Smith

‘Wrong email address’ situation. Featuring an extremely adorable pet pig named Wilbur.

2. The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

A talented singer for Tobago loses her voice in an accident and accepts an invitation to Atargatis Cove to get away from it all. Featuring an adorable…

Book Aesthetic: Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourne

Posted by on 07/05/2017 • 3 Comments

If you’re expecting this book to change your life, you’re probably going to be disappointed but it IS a perfectly, enjoyable summer book and not everything we read needs to revolutionize our lives. I, for one, have been too tired and too overheated lately to read books that will change my life so Wesley James Ruined My Life was the perfect read for me.

Is Quinn Hardwick stubborn as fuck and will you want to shake some sense into her? For SURE but the book also has so many feel-good vibes and part of the fun is when she does realize she is in the wrong. Quinn is stubborn and holds grudges for all the wrong reasons but we can all be stubborn sometimes and I for one am still angry…

5 Books to Cool Down With in the Summer Heat

Posted by on 06/13/2017 • 2 Comments

🎶It’s getting hot in here so take the dust jackets off all your books🎶

It was 90+ degrees here today and I cannot deal with anything in this heat so TODAY, I am bringing you a list of 5 books that look like a good way to cool down in this summer heat.

1. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch 2. See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles 3. The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Alan McVoy 4. Rocky Road by Rose Kent 5. Shug by Jenny Han Do you have any book recommendations for this heat? Please tell me because I will die soon from being overheated and want to get some reading done before that happens.

3 Books To Get You Geared Up For Summer

Posted by on 04/26/2017 • 2 Comments

Summer is approaching and with temperatures soaring back up within reason, it’s time for everyone to start getting their summer reading lists together! Personally, my fav things to read during the summer are warm, insightful contemporaries that just make me feel good on the inside. SO. HERE ARE THREE great contemporaries that I’ve read and I think would make A+ summer reads.

1. Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett YA Retelling of You’ve Got Mail Online friends who’ve never met but bonded over classic movies Summer romances Surfing Family

I’ve read and loved everything I’ve ever read by Jenn Bennett so I wasn’t surprised to find myself loving this book. Bennett has a knack for writing swoony, shippy romances that’ll make your heart feel mushy inside.

2. The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares…