May 7, 2021
Zoya is a smart, successful young woman whose career is heading in the right direction with a recent promotion. But she is also 26, unmarried, and plump, which has her aunties concerned about her future as a spinster. As her family ramps up to full matchmaking mode, Zoya struggles with her true desires and her family's wishes. Zoya narrates her story, and the reader really gets to know her through her internal dialogues, some laugh-out-loud funny, some thoughtful--almost all dealing with this very real conflict. Secondary characters enhance Zoya's story; particularly the older women in her family who reflect on their lost dreams. It's not only the friction between tradition and her hopes for the future that Zoya grapples with; she also endures fat-shaming and misogyny. VERDICT The bustling city of Mumbai comes alive through Bhatia's sparkling narrative of a young woman finding her place in the world and in her family while maintaining her identity.--Maureen Roberts, Baltimore Cty. P.L.
Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 1, 2021
Zoya Sahni is a high-spirited, dark-skinned, and overweight girl in a world that idolizes fair skin, slim bodies, and subservient women. Not fitting societal standards is only one of Zoya's problems. Choosing between getting married or having a career are her bigger concerns. Sheila Bua, Zoya's boisterous and over-the-top aunt is determined to make a marriage match for her niece. Zoya herself is managing a fantastic marketing career and looking to expand from Mumbai to New York City. With stark reality, Bhatia's debut captures Zoya's struggle as she navigates between pleasing her family or following her dreams. Bhatia delivers a heartfelt romp that includes a loathsome fianc�, a secret admirer, and rollicking family. Her characters exemplify what it means to be true to yourself no matter what others may think. Readers looking for a lighthearted jaunt with humor and a romance that will sneak up on them will find this story a sure bet.
COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.