Publishers Weekly
03/10/2025
It’s a classic case of opposites attract in this spirited romance by Teerdhala (The Boyfriend Wish). Indian American Maya Sastry, a freshman at Neadham University, is on the lookout for love. When her first shot at romance with white-cued playboy Thomas ends in heartbreak, she endeavors to revamp her life and approach to love by joining a dating app and volunteering with her school’s Hindu Student Association to plan an epic Holi celebration. She’s soon appointed as the event’s co-planner alongside upperclassman Nishant Rai, aka DJ Nish, who insists on turning the festival into an EDM rave. After Thomas plays a malicious prank that results in Maya getting banned from her dating app, Nish volunteers to set her up on dates himself if she agrees to help plan Holi his way. Yet even as Maya meets new romantic prospects and she continues to butt heads with Nish, she starts falling for her matchmaker. While Nish aims to add contemporary flair to the “old-fashioned Holi dance party,” Maya finds value in the “nostalgic and traditional” celebration. Romance tropes abound, making for a satisfying and upbeat rom-com bursting with charm. Ages 12–up. (Mar.)
School Library Journal
03/01/2025
Gr 9 Up—Maya, a lovable protagonist with big dreams and a touch of sass, decides to transform her college experience by organizing a Holi celebration. But when she's paired with Nishant Rai—a campus DJ infamous as a heartbreaker—the event takes an unexpected twist. Maya's focus on tradition clashes with Nishant's vision of a flashy EDM festival, setting the stage for a heartwarming and entertaining story. Their opposing perspectives create engaging tension, while Maya's journey of self-discovery and her growing connection with Nishant add depth and charm. This book skillfully balances themes of personal growth, cultural identity, and the complexities of modern romance, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read. VERDICT Anyone heading to college will enjoy this novel, and it's a good fit for high school collections.—Jessica Siddharth
Kirkus Reviews
2024-11-23
A college romance with festivities at its heart.
Maya Sastry’s first week at Neadham University starts off in a hopeful way, with a meet-cute involving a boy with “heart-melting dimples” who helps her after she drops all her notebooks on the ground. However, despite this promising beginning, self-centered gamer Thomas turns out to most definitely not be the man of Maya’s dreams. Instead, Indian American Maya puts all her effort into her classes, baking, and putting together the best Holi bash Neadham has ever seen. As it turns out, getting involved with the Hindu Student Association’s event committee means working with gorgeous, charming upperclassman Nishant Rai. He and Maya have what seem to be very different plans for both the festival and life. Nishant, who’s a DJ, is imagining an “EDM festival meets old-fashioned Holi dance party with bhang,” a traditional drink containing ground cannabis. To Maya, Holi is a meaningful time, “the festival of renewal. A time to celebrate life and love…traditional and nostalgic.” But ideas meld, as do lives, and what follows is the distinct possibility of romance. The story, which is populated by a cast of well-sketched characters, explores the leads’ personal insecurities and toxic exes alongside the vagaries of college life and event planning. A small amount of family baggage gets checked in as well. Altogether these elements make for a bright and fun read.
A story of self-discovery and falling in love, with a dash of color and a sprinkle of breeziness.(Romance. 15-18)
