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Jazz in Love

by Neesha Meminger (Goodreads Author)

3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 · rating details · 51 ratings · 24 reviews

Jasbir, a.k.a. Jazz, has always been a stellar student and an obedient, albeit wise-cracking, daughter. Everything has gone along just fine--she has good friends in the "genius" program she's been in since kindergarten, her teachers and principal adore her, and her parents dote on her. But now, in her junior year of high school, her mother hears that Jazz was seen hugging...more

260 pages

Published January 3rd 2011 by Ignite Books (first published December 7th 2010)

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Lists with This Book

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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YA Books With Minorities

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Diversity in Young Adult and Middle Grade

283rd out of 334 books — 39 voters

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Community Reviews

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Feb 21, 2011 Sherwood Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

I started off reading a chapter a day, to make it last, but halfway through I got so caught up in the story I had to stay up way past my bedtime to devour the book.

Teenage Jazz is Indian, specifically Sikh from Punjabi. Her parents have decided that they will be enlightened about matchmaking--they gave her photos of suitable boys from the proper Indian background. She can pick any of them to be her future husband.

But Jazz has the hots for Tyler, who is not on that list. So she develops a plot t...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Noelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: yay-for-ya, reviewed

3.5. The narration was such pitch perfect teenage girl (complete with enthusiastic punctuation and emotional outbursts) that you almost got the sense that Jazz was telling you her story off the top of her head. The effect was both authentic and endearing. Even though the plot was simple, it was told in an engagingly sweet way. More lighthearted than deep, but overall pretty charming.

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Feb 19, 2012 Maggie Desmond-O'Brien rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have a hard time with romance. Mostly because I'm much more the scrawny-gangly-shy-artsy-bangs-in-the-face-and/or-dreadlocks-emo-bohemian type than blond-surfer-boy, and the former doesn't show up so much. (Come to think of it, he doesn't show up much in real life, either. Hmmm...) So why is it that cross-cultural romance is so awesome? Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier. Major win. While not strictly YA and also magical realism, Like Water for Cho...more I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have a hard time with romance. Mostly because I'm much more the scrawny-gangly-shy-artsy-bangs-in-the-face-and/or-dreadlocks-emo-bohemian type than blond-surfer-boy, and the former doesn't show up so much. (Come to think of it, he doesn't show up much in real life, either. Hmmm...) So why is it that cross-cultural romance is so awesome? Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier. Major win. While not strictly YA and also magical realism, Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Even more of a major win. Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger? Absolutely adorable and the most fun I've had reading a book in forever. Anyone else seeing a trend?

Meminger is also the author of Shine, Coconut Moon, which I haven't read but have heard is pretty awesome. Unfortunately, even after the success of Shine she couldn't find a publisher for Jazz, so she decided to self-publish, and produced the perfect example of everything self-publishing could/should be. It's got a cover that's better than most "chick lit" types (read: not totally embarrassing to be seen with in public), it's smoothly edited and well-written, keeps it real, has characters I want to know, and is laugh-out-loud hilarious. Long story short, traditional publishers lost out, because it's a book that I would have bought (and am still planning to buy as a gift!) in a heartbeat.

It's the wisecracking narration by Jazz that really made this book for me. While I occasionally felt like I was outside the SE Asian clique with slang like bindi-bos (bimbos, "but brown") and frequent mocking of American attempts to pronounce Jasbir - jazz-BEER - Jazz's attempts to mesh the Bollywood world of her parents with her teen realities could be related to any teen's frustrations. Her secret romance novel obsession, her "gay best friend," and her crush-maybe-more on the school bad boy were certainly things that transcended cultural differences. It's not an "issue" novel, it's just a novel where the main character happens to be a PoC. The world needs more of them. There were a few things that grated on me, like the overuse of exclamation points (!!!) and several moments where I was beating my head against the wall at Jazz's bad decisions. (What, are you stupid? Well, ARE YOU? Stop. Just. Stop. *puts hands over eyes* *shakes head* *peeks* *keeps reading*) Still, it grated on me less than your average Meg Cabot, which is a Big Deal because The Princess Diaries? Ultimate rainy day book.

The ending in particular was excellent, because even though it was a little dragged out, it wasn't perfect. Sorry, but in real life things don't always work out, and Meminger captured that here without making it a downer to read. Still a happy ending, but bittersweet, too.

What this all boils down to? Read this book. It's sweet, funny, real, and just all-around awesome. Trust me! Four and a half out of five stars.(less)

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Apr 06, 2011 Doret rated it 4 of 5 stars

17 yr old Jasbir (Jazz) is very good student and in her schools, Future Stars and Leaders program. When Jazz's mom learns through the Indian community grapevine that she was hugging a boy in public, Jazz's parents begin to play matchmaker. They want to find a parent approved boyfriend who will of course be Indian, preferably with Punjab roots.

This sounds more serious then it really is. Don't get me wrong I like serious but sometimes it nice to read something fun that's hard to put down with just...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Kai (Amaterasu Reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-tbr-pile, books-i-own, teens

Full review posted at Amaterasu Reads

This book is a thoroughly delightful mix of a unique culture, teenage angst, humor and romance. You want a real protagonist with real life problems? Jazz is here. It can't get anymore real than what Jazz went through in this book.

For once I am glad I am brought up the way my parents did. They're strict most of the time, but as I grow up, I learned that whatever they were doing is for my own good. Jazz learned that lesson the hard way. She's a member of the a...more Full review posted at Amaterasu Reads

This book is a thoroughly delightful mix of a unique culture, teenage angst, humor and romance. You want a real protagonist with real life problems? Jazz is here. It can't get anymore real than what Jazz went through in this book.

For once I am glad I am brought up the way my parents did. They're strict most of the time, but as I grow up, I learned that whatever they were doing is for my own good. Jazz learned that lesson the hard way. She's a member of the advance program in her school, bullied because of her intelligence when she was younger, and along with the impeccable school record comes the expectation for her to be the perfect Indian daughter as well, which she is so not.

I guess when you knew what it feels like to have total freedom, you'll probably want to feel it all the time. The restriction Jazz feels and experiences comes from her very own culture, deeply rooted in her family's ways and tradition and its not something bad. We readers are given a taste of how life is as an Indian girl growing up. I guess you can call me old fashion, but I agree with a lot of what her parents said and did. Family pride and honor is always important, and you can't blame Jazz's parents for trying to protect it. However, I do not agree with the "guided dating" though. Ask anyone you know and you wouldn't want your parents to guide you in your relationship every step of the way.

Jazz's journey is insightful and eye-opening. It's eventful and filled with lessons that has shaped her in ways she can never imagine. Like searching for "The One" and realizing that it's never easy, like what happens in the movies or what's written in books. She's also in the age where teens "rebel" against anything and everything their parents say or want them to do. I was once like that. It's normal. And like all other teenagers, Jazz's journey into discovering that is special and unique to herself.

Jazz is a very lucky girl, having very supportive friends who will be there for her no matter how much crazy schemes she comes up with to help her aunt find romance. I would love to be supported and surrounded by all of her friends, who are as much integral part of the story as Jazz is. I adore Mit. He's gay, he's different, and we get to see how difficult it is for him to live the way he wants to because of his heritage. I love the advices he gives to Jazz, and he's there when she needs him the most.

Mit, afraid at first to show what he really is, gradually came to realize that its important to be honest, and no matter what the consequences was, he wants to be himself. It's what's important.

I don't think I can blame Jazz for her choice in guys. I guess we don't get to choose who we love, and even though she know that its wrong in so many ways, she loved Tyler. Even when he's such a jerk, but he's the one who makes her feel that way. In a way, she was also honest with herself.

I never liked it when she was gradually changing to be the person she never really liked in the first place, (a bindi-bo) but I think it was necessary for Jazz to discover that she's not just Jazz, the smart FSL student. That she can also be wild and spontaneous at times, that she can be Baby J, and Jassy at the same time too. And even if I don't like Tyler, I guess he gets the credit because he helped Jazz realize that.

I was really rooting for Jeeves though. But he's the "safe" choice compared to Tyler. It's sad that Jazz had to lose her parents trust for her to realize all of this, but like she said "what was broken could heal". That after all that she had done, her parents finally saw that she's not really the perfect daughter. That she can make mistakes and sometimes screw up too. I'm just glad she got something out of all the crazy things she did.

Overall, Jazz In Love is a heartfelt read about a teenager's life we all should be able to relate to. It's a well-written portrayal of Jazz, a slice of her life, her coming of age, witty, funny and engaging!(less)

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Feb 26, 2011 Medeia Sharif rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

Jasbir, aka Jazz, is a nice girl with good grades and strict parents. But then her parents hear that she hugged a boy, which is a no-no in their Indian and Sikh mindset. Her parents become matchmakers and search for a man to curb her lust.

Jazz meets the young man her parents found for her, but under the surface he really does not fit her parents' ideas of suitability. Then there's the new boy at school, Tyler, who she's weak in the knees for. Jazz also gets involved in Auntie Kinder's love life...more

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Jan 01, 2011 Ari rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Shveta, Kaz

"I felt his arms tighten around me. I dropped my head back against his shoulder and stared up into the sky. This time I knew what he was talking about. The stars. they were like a thousand suns. And at night, that's what they felt like, little pricks prodding everyone to do what's deep down inside, and not worry about anyone or anything else. They were like a veil, letting the secret part of you be heard-the part you kept shut and quiet under the harsher light of the daytime sun" pgs 142-143

The...more "I felt his arms tighten around me. I dropped my head back against his shoulder and stared up into the sky. This time I knew what he was talking about. The stars. they were like a thousand suns. And at night, that's what they felt like, little pricks prodding everyone to do what's deep down inside, and not worry about anyone or anything else. They were like a veil, letting the secret part of you be heard-the part you kept shut and quiet under the harsher light of the daytime sun" pgs 142-143

The quote I shared features a good way of describing how different it can feel to stare at the stars. One of the most inspiring things can be a night sky full of stars and it can lead people to self-reflect and do things they might not normally do. This book is almost like the veil letting the secret part be seen. It seems to be some kind of secret that teens of color want chick lit and contemporary fiction that isn't SO INTENSE ALL THE TIME. The stories of tough neighborhoods, alcoholism, drug use, abusive parents, etc. are vital for ALL teens to read. But it's nice to be able to relax and just read about a teen who happens to be a teen of color, living life. That is why I love this book. Yes Jazz has additional troubles of having very tradition Indian parents who are secretly planning out her marriage, but she also has crush troubles like everyone else and like many teen girls today has to deal with parents who don't want her to date. Jazz isn't trying to constantly rebel against her parents or complaining about them, she just wants a little more freedom to have a crush on whoever and to be able to act on her feelings.

Bonus points for Jazz having a crush on Tyler R., who is West Indian (yes a two-culture [bicultural?] romance!). The author introduces a bit of tension that exists between West Indians and Indians but it doesn't overwhelm the reader with details, it's very succinct. While not all readers have to deal with ethnic cultural pressures, we all have to deal with feeling like an outsider and being true to ourselves, the whole coming-of-age deal. "But did it take courage to just keep doing what you're told, without asking any questions? Did it take a different level of courage to not love the person you loved, and do what was considered appropriate-as Auntie Kinder had done? Or to pretend you were something you weren't-like what Mit was doing?" (0g. 105). At times Jazz in Love threatens to be overwhelmed by a second plotline, one involving Auntie Kinder and her abusive ex. I didn't mind all the time, since that plotline kept me feverishly turning the pages, afraid that Jazz's plan would blow up and hoping, hoping that it would all work out. The story with Auntie Kinder has an 'aww' factor (it's never too late for true love), but it does at times, overshadow Jazz and Tyler. Tyler only seemed to come up when it was convenient, sometimes he was pushed aside (and at the most inopportune times!) and I wanted more from him because he was cute and a bit of jerk but he had some family drama that needed to be explored.

Jazz in Love is a splendid read, perfect for those readers who think the only books about poc are 'problem' novels. It's also an essential read for those who like excellent contemporary novels, it's not issue driven. There are some issues underlying this book, but they do not take over the book. At the heart, this book is about being in-like, having a crush and navigating those treacherous waters while not neglecting your family and friends. It's also about deciding how far you will go to make your family happy. The treatment of GLBT people in ethnic communities is addressed as are other unique difficulties to growing up Indian in America. For the most part (more Tyler details!), the major and secondary characters (Auntie Kinder and Dr. Babaloo) are well-thought out, three dimensional. The Jeeves storyline reads like the same old story but it completely surprised me. It was so nice to see the strong friendship between Cindy and Jazz, no guy drama, no self-esteem issues that could ruin their friendship. Their friendship is a strong one and it was lovely to read about. A sequel is a necessity I think (well not really since this book stands strongly on its own but a sequel would be nice). I want to see more of Jazz, Jeeves, Tyler and Cindy.

Disclosure: I may or may not have Tweeted my excitement to my small world when I found out I was in the acknowledgements (ahhhh!!). Received for review, thank you Ignite Books :D

PS Another favorite quote "I decided, right then and there, that I would do anything-anything at all-to have what I was feeling right this moment, as a permanent part of my life. How could a person marry someone not knowing if they'd ever feel like this in their arms, on the hood of a car? So many kids in the world got to do this without hiding it. Without being afraid that someone would immediately force them into a marriage they didn't want if they ever got caught. I liked this feeling. It was huge like the sky above us, and I wanted to follow it to see where it led." (pg. 141)(less)

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Dec 10, 2010 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved this view into a world the same as, yet very different from, the one I grew up in. Jazz's parents launch a Guided Dating Program for her once she is seen hugging an unknown boy. It happens to be her neighbor and friend from childhood, but she fears her parents are so old-word (India) and caste-bound that she can't tell them it was him and meant nothing.

Or did it?

She especially can't tell them about her relationship with Tyler, the new uberhunk in school, who calls her Baby J and leaves her...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, contemporary, 2011, ya, romance

Original post One More Page

I had a pretty quiet childhood. My parents weren't necessarily strict, but I wasn't allowed to do many things either without their permission. They really didn't have to worry, anyway, since I'm a pretty good kid. At least, I'd like to think I am, save for the occasional messy room and laziness with school work. I'd like to think I've outgrown that now, and I've found my own identity, but I know that I wouldn't be me without my somewhat quiet childhood and teen years....more Original post One More Page

I had a pretty quiet childhood. My parents weren't necessarily strict, but I wasn't allowed to do many things either without their permission. They really didn't have to worry, anyway, since I'm a pretty good kid. At least, I'd like to think I am, save for the occasional messy room and laziness with school work. I'd like to think I've outgrown that now, and I've found my own identity, but I know that I wouldn't be me without my somewhat quiet childhood and teen years. :D

Jasbir Dhatt, also known as Jazz, is a lot like I was back then, except maybe she's smarter. She's always been the good girl, with good friends and good reputation, at least until her parents decided that it's time for her to go through a guided dating program after her mother hears she hugged a boy. Before Jazz knows it, her mom presents a set of pictures of boys she could pick from to date, but Jazz doesn't want to. She wants to fall in love the normal way -- preferably with the new hottie in school, Tyler R. Jazz's choices clash with her culture and her family, making her life spin totally out of control, leaving her wondering if she could still have what she wants without losing everything that she had grown up with.

Jazz in Love is refreshing. It's contemporary YA with color, and lots of it. I loved how easy it is to relate to Jazz even if we're different in terms of culture and religion. Even so, Jazz still had the same concerns as every teenager does. This is what really made this novel stand out for me. I haven't really read many novels that feature Persons of Color so I'm not an expert, but being Asian (Filipino), the cultural references isn't really new to me, despite not really sharing the same culture with Jazz. I guess it's because I read a lot of Filipino fiction, and I know that our culture is already different from Western ones, so reading this felt just like reading an ordinary contemporary YA book. What I really liked, though, is how Jazz in Love opened my eyes to Jazz's world without the oppression from another race that makes her and her friends a minority. Jazz has found her place where she lives, and sometimes I even forget that she's Indian because she isn't out of place. This just goes to show that you don't need to put in violence or oppression to make a point about other cultures in novels set in Western countries. See -- even seemingly fluffy sounding novels can tackle serious topics! :)

I think the best part of this is Jazz. Because she is Jazz and never for a moment in the novel that I thought of her as someone else. Her voice rang clear and true all throughout. She made bad decisions, she got into trouble, she "fell in love", but she was always herself. It was hard to see her get in trouble because I know that she had the best intentions for other people, despite some of her selfish intentions, but still, you have to love a girl who just wanted to find out how it feels to fall in love without having someone choose who to love for you. Jazz's overall situation resonates with a lot of teens -- the search for identity outside of what your parents ideals of you, outside of your culture, and the search for that kind of love that makes your insides quiver then realizing that maybe that isn't what you wanted in the end. She put it quite well herself:

Was I too busy looking for the giant, all consuming love I'd read about; the one that woke sleeping beauties out of eternal sleep and whisked lovely maidens away from their wicked stepmothers, transforming them into princesses in glittering ball gowns? A love that sent my heart racing, made my tongue go numb that made an FSL -- Future Star and Leader -- student like me do stupid things despite knowing better?

...What if Love wasn't all that? What if it was quieter, like a whisper on a breeze that you had to listen real hard for? Or smaller, like a cardamom seed that's soothing and pungent and explosive all at once?

Truth be told, I don't think I'd have the same realization at her age. Heh. And true to the real world, the novel didn't offer an easy way out or a clean ending, and those are the endings I like best. :) As a whole, though, Jazz in Love is a very good read not just about love but identity and growing up. If you're like me who's a lot like Jazz when you were younger, then you'll probably enjoy this too. :) (less)

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Mar 06, 2011 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, children-and-young-adult, fiction

A buoyant, good-hearted YA novel with, yes, some romance, but more growing up. And lots of characters of color! Not a one of them served as a token (insert ethnicity or race here) in this novel, which made it so refreshing, and while Jazz's conflict was built around specific cultural constraints, her testing of those boundaries was less rejection and more transformation (of herself, of her relationships), which was also refreshing to read.

The plot was straight-forward and Jazz's actions and atti...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-teen-book-reviews, read-in-2011, teen-general-fiction, with-reviews, teen-romance

Jazz has a problem. Her parents. Sure they love her, and she knows that they are good parents, but ever since a neighbor reported seeing Jazz hugging a boy (a guy whom she has been friends with since kindergarten) they have gone out of their way to make things complicated for her. Now her mother wants her to participate in what she calls "Guided dating" where together they choose a proper Indian boy for Jazz to begin to date. Jazz wants to be able to choose her own boyfriend, starting with the
...more

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Feb 07, 2011 Inspired Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

I enjoyed reading Jazz in Love. This well written book had me caring about the characters and wanting them to find resolution and happiness. A great mix of culture, humor, and romance made for an easy to read book.

The cultural pressures Jazz felt were portrayed very realistically. I'm fairly conservative and found myself able to relate to both Jazz and her parents. I understood Jazz's desire to follow her heart and fit in. I could also see her parent's logic behind their ultra strict views and d...more

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Dec 27, 2010 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was so happy to read this book. There aren’t many YA authors painting stories with the color brown, and this author has clearly increased in confidence and skill with this book.

Jazz, short for Jasbir, is seventeen, and despondent because her strict Punjabi Sikh parents want to start the process of fixing her up with a “suitable boy” as determined by family matchmakers. Jazz, however, is an all-American girl, and wants to date, and have boyfriends, and then fall madly in love, like in the bodic...more

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Mar 08, 2011 bjneary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: multicultural-fiction, psla-2011, realistic-fiction, ya

Jazz is a normal teen with loving Indian parents who decide to put her on the "guided dating plan" after seeing her hug a lifelong friend. Jazz is a bright student, part of the genius club, obedient, and a smart aleck. Now that she is supposed to think about marriage at age 17, things get funny,desperate, and out of control. The guy her parents pair her with is from Canada and gay, but Jazz and Mit decide to have this work to both their advantage. Jazz falls for the "new" guy in school, who woul...more

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Feb 13, 2011 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jazz In Love was one of the first books I read this year, and honestly set the tone for me for the rest of my reads. It is a light, fun read that really opens your eyes into the Indian culture. Honestly, to dive into a culturally driven book that wasn't about an immigrant or about fighting blatant racism was really refreshing. It's not that I dislike books like that, not at all really. It's just nice to have a light and fun read about a girl who comes from another background. I fell in love with...more Jazz In Love was one of the first books I read this year, and honestly set the tone for me for the rest of my reads. It is a light, fun read that really opens your eyes into the Indian culture. Honestly, to dive into a culturally driven book that wasn't about an immigrant or about fighting blatant racism was really refreshing. It's not that I dislike books like that, not at all really. It's just nice to have a light and fun read about a girl who comes from another background. I fell in love with Jazz, and the rest was history.

Jazz, or Jasbir, is one of those characters that is so easy to relate to. Growing up in a very strict Punjabi family means Jazz isn't allowed to hug a boy in public, much less actually be attracted to one. Her future husband, because that's what she should be looking for, needs to meet all the requirements that her mom sets forth in the "Guided Dating Plan". After all, Jazz needs to have the structured life that her family sets forth. Right? Not according to Jazz. With heaping helping of wise-cracking and lots of sneaking around, Jazz is determined to live her own life. When Jazz sets her sights on the very UNsuitable hottie, I think that was my favorite part! Watching her grow and change was fabulous.

There are a lot of underlying messages in this story. Of course on the surface we watch Jazz as she learns to deal with (and bend) her parents very strict rules. She tackles figuring out what parts of what they say she should follow, and which parts she needs to forge her own opinion on. However there is also commentary on friendship here, as well as that battle that all adolescents fight: what is love? Jazz goes through what every teen girl or boy has at some point. An endless crush that seems like the real thing, but is it?

Honestly I loved every single part of Jazz In Love! I wish I could share more, but I failed to write my review right after I read the book and that book is on a tour. Yes my friends, I'm going off of pure memory right here. I can tell you that watching Jazz navigate her love life, her home life, and just the pitfalls of being a teenager was so much fun! I found myself completely in love with all the characters and their lives. This is one of those books that is so much fun to read that you'll breeze right through it! Quick, refreshingly sweet and amazing. Enjoy!
(less)

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Sep 27, 2011 Canadian Children's Book Centre added it

Shelves: books-news-reviews

Neesha Meminger, in her second young adult novel, shares the tale of 17-year-old Jasbir, a.k.a. Jazz, who has spent her life living within the constraints of a strict Sikh household. So, when her parents learn that Jazz was spotted hugging a boy, life goes from bad to worse. She is forced to begin the search for a suitable husband.

Jazz has no choice but to go along with her parents’ wishes, that is, until she meets Gurmit. He, too, is placating his parents. Gurmit has yet to reveal the truth ab...more

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Feb 22, 2011 JL (An Avid Reader's Musings) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: tbs, purchased, ebook, reviewed, mg-ya-books-read-in-2011

JAZZ IN LOVE is a great coming of age story about a teenage girl trying to break away from her parents' influence and be a strong, independent young woman.

My favorite character in JAZZ IN LOVE is the main character, Jazz. I know this sounds like a well, duh statement, but I have read many books where I could not connect with the main character(s). Such was not the case in this book. Jazz, who has been raised in a traditional Indian household, is a smart and funny seventeen year old girl trying t...more JAZZ IN LOVE is a great coming of age story about a teenage girl trying to break away from her parents' influence and be a strong, independent young woman.

My favorite character in JAZZ IN LOVE is the main character, Jazz. I know this sounds like a well, duh statement, but I have read many books where I could not connect with the main character(s). Such was not the case in this book. Jazz, who has been raised in a traditional Indian household, is a smart and funny seventeen year old girl trying to navigate the waters of young-adulthood while having a crush on a boy deemed "inappropriate" by her parents. I liked how Jazz was willing to go against her parents to stand up for something she really wanted and/or believed in. Not that I am advocating for teens to disobey their parents, but I do believe that ANYONE, teen or otherwise, should stick by their beliefs and be willing to sacrifice for something they really believe in. This ideal is what really allowed me to connect with Jazz and her story.

I also liked the amount of family involvement in JAZZ IN LOVE. I've probably mentioned this in other reviews, but I don't like the old trope that teens can only have a "story" or be involved in something interesting because their parents are absent or don't care. Even when Jazz was doing something against her parents wishes, there was still an obvious and underlying respect for them as people. And this went both ways. Jazz's parents had such strict rules, not just because of their traditional family values, but because they HAD family values and wanted to make sure that Jazz lived up to her potential and respected herself. Even though some of her parents' actions may have been misguided, it was all because they loved Jazz and were trying to do what they thought was best for her.

JAZZ IN LOVE was a departure from my usual reading as it was purely contemporary YA fiction. There were no vampires, werewolves or other paranormal creatures/species. But I'm glad I decided to read JAZZ IN LOVE because it is a well written, slice-of-teenage-life story that has engaging characters, an interesting storyline and witty dialogue.(less)

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Feb 24, 2011 Lindsay Paige rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

WARNINGS: I really loved this book!

This book was just fantastic. Jazz has to face what many of us face (what our parents wish for us) but her situation is different. There is a cultural difference. You see, the family is from India but live in America. It was good to see a different view of parent pressures.

Jazz sure does know how to get into trouble. It was so easy to connect with her. We've all had that one boyfriend who our friends warn us about and we ignore them anyway. (They were right in...more

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Mar 16, 2011 C. Lee McKenzie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Caught between two cultures, Jazz does her best to live in both. I loved this story. The MC has spunk, intelligence and the genius for getting into trouble. You keep wanting her to be the American girl, but you understand how important her parents and her heritage are to her. Bravo, Meminger!

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Feb 03, 2011 Sarah added it

Shelves: multicultural, realisticfiction, south-asian, ya

I loved SHINE, COCONUT MOON, so I was pleased to see a new book by Neesha Meminger. I'm always interested in stories that address what it means to live the second-generation, children-of-immigrants life. Jazz in Love does that with a premise sure to hook not only South Asian readers but any young reader with strict parents, especially those who go a little overboard with respect to controlling their child's social life.

Full review at Finding Wonderland: http://writingya.blogspot.com/2011/01...

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Apr 10, 2012 Laurie D'ghent rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very realistic, 17-year-old story that was funny and sweet and enthralling. It lost a star for swearing and the few sexual references.

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Nov 20, 2011 Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2011

Cute but ultimately forgettable. I wish Jazz had been more developed and had hobbies outside boy chasing and romance.

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May 27, 2011 Akilah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Cute book. The beginning was better than the end, but Meminger does some interesting things here.

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May 14, 2011 Hallie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Really enjoyed this story a lot - I love stories of families who've moved to other countries, especially from the perspective of the kids, and Jazz's voice was great. Even when you could see likely bad consequences to some of the choices she made, they felt realistic, and you cared enough about her (and the other characters) to hope they could avoid the worst. And despite seeing things from Jazz's perspective rather than that of her parents, it was also easy to see how hard it is to hold on to y...more

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Jun 06, 2013 Rachel marked it as to-read

May 27, 2013 Julia marked it as to-read

May 21, 2013 Nicholas marked it as to-read

May 08, 2013 Andrea marked it as to-read

Shelves: adult

May 07, 2013 Samiya marked it as to-read

May 05, 2013 M.V. marked it as to-read

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Romance

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Contemporary

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About Neesha Meminger

Neesha Meminger was born in Punjab, India, grew up in Toronto, Canada, and currently lives with her family in New York City. Her debut novel, SHINE, COCONUT MOON, was listed as a Smithsonian Notable Book for Children and made the New York Public Library's Top 100 Books for Teens - Stuff For the Teen Age list. JAZZ IN LOVE, Neesha's second novel for young adults, released to rave reviews from onlin...more

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