Veena’s review of Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev
Contemporary Romance published by Kensington 29 Sep 15
In the same way as the movie Slumdog Millionaire put Bollywood on the world map, Sonali Dev’s writing is opening up windows into contemporary Indians at home and abroad. The emotional intensity of this love story plays itself out on a global stage that spans from India to Chicago to England, showcasing all that is bright and bold and dark about life in general and Indian lives in particular.
Ria’s fame at the pinnacle of Bollywood has come at a price. A price paid in blood, sweat, and tears. When her cousin’s wedding forces her to finally face up to her past, she finds that regardless of the elapsed time and her success, she’s actually stuck in the same place in her childhood when her mother’s mental illness forces her into years of silence. The chemistry between her and her childhood sweetheart Vikram blazes as bright today after ten years as it did when their love affair first began.
Ria’s cousin’s wedding in Chicago is lovingly described with all the colors, customs, and rituals that make an Indian wedding. The author brings to life the bonds of camaraderie and friendship that are woven tighter than blood family into the immigrant families that are settled outside of India. These immigrant families lovingly preserve their memories of the traditions and culture they left behind in India and observe slavishly.
Vikram and Ria have always struck sparks when they’re together and the distance and years have had no impact on that. As they tentatively edge closer together under the cover of her cousin’s wedding, will they be able to find a way to bridge the gap of the past and forge a future together?
I enjoyed this story and look forward to more from this author.
Grade: B
Summary:
Ria Parkar is Bollywood’s favorite Ice Princess–beautiful, poised, and scandal-proof–until one impulsive act threatens to expose her destructive past. Traveling home to Chicago for her cousin’s wedding offers a chance to diffuse the coming media storm and find solace in family, food, and outsized celebrations that are like one of her vibrant movies come to life. But it also means confronting Vikram Jathar.
Ria and Vikram spent childhood summers together, a world away from Ria’s exclusive boarding school in Mumbai. Their friendship grew seamlessly into love–until Ria made a shattering decision. As far as Vikram is concerned, Ria sold her soul for stardom and it’s taken him years to rebuild his life. But beneath his pent-up anger, their bond remains unchanged. And now, among those who know her best, Ria may find the courage to face the secrets she’s been guarding for everyone else’s benefit–and a chance to stop acting and start living.
Rich with details of modern Indian-American life, here is a warm, sexy, and witty story of love, family, and the difficult choices that arise in the name of both.
