There's Something About Sweetie

 

Hi everyone!  Today, I will be reviewing the second installment of the When Dimple Met Rishi series, There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon.  Reminder: This book can be read as a standalone.  Here is the synopsis:

Ashish Patel didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After he’s dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.

The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?

Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.

Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.

Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other?

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved Sweetie.  She is a beautiful character from any angle you look at her.  She has this ability to be undeniably kind and always see the good in everyone, while still being a confident young woman who exhibits great bravery and advocacy for herself.  From the very beginning, Sweetie knew her worth and constantly proved that to everyone around her.  I loved that she was never self-pitying.  Sweetie never let other people's opinions about her weight determine what she could and could not do.  She is strong, independent, and just a total badass with a heart of gold.

Ashish may seem cool and confident on the outside, but on the inside he's struggling.  It took a little while for me to warm up to him, but once he showed his true colors, I was sold.  Throughout the course of the novel, Ashish's character has internalized some great lessons.  He truly developed into a more emotionally mature young man who still retains his fun and fresh sense of humor.

The romance was more than brilliant.  The way Sweetie and Ashish both compliment each other is so wholesome.  Despite their differences, they bettered each other.  They fit and complete each other so well and every interaction they had just solidified that. They are literally made for each other.  My words can't fully do this couple justice, you'll just have to discover the beautiful connection between these two teens for yourself.

And the way this book confronts fatphobia is just SO GOOD.  I'm not going to lie, this can be a challenging read because of how much fatphobia is in it, but it is also ultimately affirming and positive.  It is a love story to young fat girls, especially young fat girls of color, as Menon expertly weaves in the cultural intricacies necessary to discuss this important subject. 

There’s Something About Sweetie will engross you completely.  It’s not only a romance, but a journey about self-love and knowing your worth.  It will make you happy, laugh, cry, swoon, and a little mad.   Sweetie and Ashish's dynamic will constantly make you smile from ear to ear.  There is nothing but utter joy and happiness in this book.  I absolutely love it so much!!  I 100% recommend to everyone looking for a little sweetener in their lives.

See you next time! 

XOXO, Michaela