Love, Chai, and Other Four-Letter Words

Starred review from June 1, 2021

DEBUT Kiran Mathur is a biomedical engineer in New York City. Though she misses her parents, who live in India, she talks to them daily and helps them financially. Kiran has always followed her parents' rules, even after moving to the U.S. Then she meets Nash, a psychologist who recently moved into her apartment building. They quickly become friends, and as they grow closer, they both begin to want more. Unfortunately, Kiran is a dutiful daughter whose parents insist on an arranged marriage, and Nash's childhood taught him that people don't stick around. This well-written contemporary romance features the familiar tropes of forbidden love and friends-to-lovers with characters from different backgrounds and cultures. The likable characters are sympathetically and realistically rendered in chapters told from both Kiran's and Nash's perspectives. VERDICT The plot is captivating, and readers will ride its ups, downs, twists, and turns with Kiran and Nash as they search for a happily-ever-after. Recommended for all collections.--Heather Miller Cover, Homewood P.L., AL

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August 23, 2021
Sharma’s charming if formulaic debut, the first in the Chai Masala Club series, reads like a love letter to both Indian culture and the streets of New York City. Ever since 28-year-old Kiran Mathur’s older sister was disowned by their parents for marrying the wrong man, Kiran has played the role of perfect Indian daughter—even after moving from India to America for school and her career as a biomedical engineer. But as she approaches 30, she yearns to follow her heart and find romance for herself, rather than agree to an arranged marriage. Enter her new neighbor: handsome child psychologist Nash Hawthorne. Kiran resists their immediate chemistry, knowing her parents would never approve of an American suitor. Nevertheless, their easy friendship gradually deepens into a full-fledged relationship, though their romance is challenged by Kiran’s traditional parents and Nash’s own complicated history. As they navigate these obstacles, they must both figure out what they truly want. While this predictably hits all the typical romance story beats, it distinguishes itself with relatable characters, a vibrant setting, ample, well-drawn Indian representation, and a delightful voice. This will surely win Sharma some fans. Agent: Stacey Donaghy, Donaghy Literary Group.

Starred review from September 15, 2021
Kiran Mathur is a Type A biomedical engineer from India now living in New York City. Nash Hawthorne is a pediatric hospital psychologist from Nashville. They connect over chai, philosophy, and the vibrant city around them. They are both shy. They blush in each other's company. But Kiran's conservative parents want her to have an arranged marriage, and she wants to be the perfect daughter. Nash, who is white, would never do. Abandoned by his parents, Nash has given his life over to helping troubled youth, yet he thinks that he's damaged and not good enough for Kiran. In spite of these tormenting obstacles, they find beauty in each other and a sense of home. Can Kiran prove to her parents that happiness with Nash is vital to her well-being? Can Nash learn to trust his instincts and shore up his courage to cleave to Kiran as his soul mate? Sharma further deepens this tender, thoughtful, cross-cultural romance with Kiran's struggles with othering as she faces daily microaggressions. Co-host of the Woke Desi podcast, Sharma drew on her own biobehavorial health background to create the charming characters in her memorable, not-to-be-missed novel of transcendent love, the promising start to her Chai Masala Club series.

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