Language: R (53 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
12th grader Archi is spending the last semester of her senior year studying abroad in Rajasthan, India. Fresh off a breakup, she’s looking forward to a boy-free few months exploring the place where her parents grew up and diving into her dream museum internship. But things don’t go as planned: on her very first day, she meets an incredibly attractive guy on the train, Shiv, who, coincidentally, works in the palace gardens where her museum is located. As they explore the city together, Archi and Shiv fall for each other quickly. Meanwhile, Archi thrives at her internship, where she’s planning and curating her own exhibit highlighting art stolen through imperialism and colonialism.But Shiv is hiding a secret, and when the truth comes out, will Archi understand—or will everything fall apart?
This is a sweet, satisfying romance—but it’s more than just a love story. Through Archi’s adventures with Shiv and her roommate Mohini, we get a vivid glimpse of the city’s beauty and architecture. Her work at the museum highlights artwork stolen during British imperialism, adding depth and historical awareness to the plot. There are also thoughtful mentions of support for the Hijra community, a transgender and third-gender community in India. While the romance and Shiv’s secret are a bit predictable, the story remains a fun, clean, and thoroughly enjoyable international romance. This novel is also a companion to Love Requires Chocolate, which is set in Paris.
All of the characters are Indian or of Indian descent.
A. Snow, Librarian
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