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Dimple and Rishi #3
10 Things I Hate About Pinky
The follow-up to When Dimple Met Rishi and There’s Something about Sweetie follows Pinky and Samir as they pretend to date—with disastrous and hilarious results.
Pinky Kumar wears the social justice warrior badge with pride. From raccoon hospitals to persecuted rock stars, no cause is too esoteric for her to champion. But a teeny-tiny part of her also really enjoys making her conservative, buttoned-up corporate lawyer parents cringe.
Samir Jha might have a few . . . quirks remaining from the time he had to take care of his sick mother, like the endless lists he makes in his planner and the way he schedules every minute of every day, but those are good things. They make life predictable and steady.
Pinky loves lazy summers at her parents’ Cape Cod lake house, but after listening to them harangue her about the poor decisions (aka boyfriends) she’s made, she hatches a plan. Get her sorta-friend-sorta-enemy, Samir—who is a total Harvard-bound Mama’s boy—to pose as her perfect boyfriend for the summer. As they bicker their way through lighthouses and butterfly habitats, sparks fly, and they both realize this will be a summer they'll never forget.
Pinky Kumar wears the social justice warrior badge with pride. From raccoon hospitals to persecuted rock stars, no cause is too esoteric for her to champion. But a teeny-tiny part of her also really enjoys making her conservative, buttoned-up corporate lawyer parents cringe.
Samir Jha might have a few . . . quirks remaining from the time he had to take care of his sick mother, like the endless lists he makes in his planner and the way he schedules every minute of every day, but those are good things. They make life predictable and steady.
Pinky loves lazy summers at her parents’ Cape Cod lake house, but after listening to them harangue her about the poor decisions (aka boyfriends) she’s made, she hatches a plan. Get her sorta-friend-sorta-enemy, Samir—who is a total Harvard-bound Mama’s boy—to pose as her perfect boyfriend for the summer. As they bicker their way through lighthouses and butterfly habitats, sparks fly, and they both realize this will be a summer they'll never forget.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2020
About the author
Sandhya Menon
25 books3,447 followersSandhya Menon is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels with lots of kissing, girl power, and swoony boys. Her books have been featured in several cool places, including on The Today Show, Teen Vogue, NPR Book Review, Buzzfeed, and Seventeen. A full-time dog servant and part-time writer, she makes her home in the foggy mountains of Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 823 reviews
May 28, 2020
3.5 stars
I love the way Sandhya Menon writes YA and after meeting Pinky and Samir in ‘There’s Something About Sweetie’ I was thrilled to get their story. I love a good opposites attract romance and when I saw it was a fake dating romance… SOLD.
Pinky is a rebel and a bit of a wild child but she’s sick of her mom always thinking the worst of her. She ends up letting it slip that she has a respectable boyfriend (she doesn’t) and that’s where Samir comes in. Sam is the type of guy that parents love. He’s homeschooled and lives with his mom, who he loves and respects. He lives his life by the book and according to his lists of the day. He and Pinky couldn’t be more opposite. But he’s the perfect guy for her plan.
Samir and Pinky have a mutual friend in Ashish so their story is simple enough. As predicted, Pinky’s parents adore Samir. What really surprises Pinky is that she doesn’t find him nearly as annoying as she used to. I love nothing more than the hate to love troupe and these characters couldn’t stand each other at first. Watching them start to fall for one another was a real treat!
10 Things I Hate About Pinky took me a little while to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. This was a sweet and fun story that had a great message. I loved how passionate Pinky was about her causes and how her parents ended up seeing her in a new light. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more from this author.
“I don’t think we could be more opposite if we were custom-designed to be.”
I love the way Sandhya Menon writes YA and after meeting Pinky and Samir in ‘There’s Something About Sweetie’ I was thrilled to get their story. I love a good opposites attract romance and when I saw it was a fake dating romance… SOLD.
Pinky is a rebel and a bit of a wild child but she’s sick of her mom always thinking the worst of her. She ends up letting it slip that she has a respectable boyfriend (she doesn’t) and that’s where Samir comes in. Sam is the type of guy that parents love. He’s homeschooled and lives with his mom, who he loves and respects. He lives his life by the book and according to his lists of the day. He and Pinky couldn’t be more opposite. But he’s the perfect guy for her plan.
Samir and Pinky have a mutual friend in Ashish so their story is simple enough. As predicted, Pinky’s parents adore Samir. What really surprises Pinky is that she doesn’t find him nearly as annoying as she used to. I love nothing more than the hate to love troupe and these characters couldn’t stand each other at first. Watching them start to fall for one another was a real treat!
10 Things I Hate About Pinky took me a little while to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. This was a sweet and fun story that had a great message. I loved how passionate Pinky was about her causes and how her parents ended up seeing her in a new light. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more from this author.
July 12, 2020
Menon's books are always so adorable and fun. I enjoyed reading about Pinky & Samir's story and how they began their ruse of fake dating.
I think my favorite in the series is still There's Something about Sweetie. I just adored that one but this one is equally cute.
I think my favorite in the series is still There's Something about Sweetie. I just adored that one but this one is equally cute.
Want to read
July 28, 2020IF I DON'T GET UP AND DANCE AT A BOLLYWOOD BEAT WHILE READING THIS BOOK I WON'T CONSIDER IT A SUCCESS!!!
Whom am I kidding...I will probably dance like this😂😅
After some thought...I think I will dance like this..
This Gif is from the song Zingaat
If you haven't heard it...GO AND LISTEN TO IT NOW!!!
But I SHOULD FEEL LIKE DANCING TO A BOLLYWOOD SONG AFTER READING THIS!!!
Why I am excited to read this:
1)FAKE DATING TROPE!
2)Opposites attract but Desi!!!
3)Pinky is relatable
4)Samir is definitely my type of "Book boyfriend"
5)Hufflepuff love interest
6) "Sweet Cinnamon roll" LOVE INTEREST!!!( I am tired of the douchebag alphas!!)
Now for the main part...Whom I will imagine as Samir...
I gave thismuch some thought
He has to be sweet, he must have kind eyes...basically the boy whom your family will approve
It was tough finding one!!!
BUT then my mom was watching a Marathi serial...AND I FOUND THE PERFECT BOY!!!
He will be Samir!!!
Trust me guys...this guy has serious "GOOD BOY" vibes going around him!!
I mean...LOOK AT HIM!!!
Ok guys...just realized how creepy I sounded in this review😂😅
The above-mentioned boy is NOT REAL... I mean he is real BUT not someone I know IRL..
He just looks like the "Boy next door"
Which is probably why he got the role...
He is in this serial
I don't know whether to recommend this serial cause I have never seen it
My friend....she really likes it...and the guy really has a good vibe
P.S.: sorry for the long explanation
But I am soooo EXCITED for this book!!!
Whom am I kidding...I will probably dance like this😂😅
After some thought...I think I will dance like this..
This Gif is from the song Zingaat
If you haven't heard it...GO AND LISTEN TO IT NOW!!!
But I SHOULD FEEL LIKE DANCING TO A BOLLYWOOD SONG AFTER READING THIS!!!
Why I am excited to read this:
1)FAKE DATING TROPE!
2)Opposites attract but Desi!!!
3)Pinky is relatable
4)Samir is definitely my type of "Book boyfriend"
5)Hufflepuff love interest
6) "Sweet Cinnamon roll" LOVE INTEREST!!!( I am tired of the douchebag alphas!!)
Now for the main part...Whom I will imagine as Samir...
I gave this
He has to be sweet, he must have kind eyes...basically the boy whom your family will approve
It was tough finding one!!!
BUT then my mom was watching a Marathi serial...AND I FOUND THE PERFECT BOY!!!
He will be Samir!!!
Trust me guys...this guy has serious "GOOD BOY" vibes going around him!!
I mean...LOOK AT HIM!!!
Ok guys...just realized how creepy I sounded in this review😂😅
The above-mentioned boy is NOT REAL... I mean he is real BUT not someone I know IRL..
He just looks like the "Boy next door"
Which is probably why he got the role...
He is in this serial
I don't know whether to recommend this serial cause I have never seen it
My friend....she really likes it...and the guy really has a good vibe
P.S.: sorry for the long explanation
But I am soooo EXCITED for this book!!!
June 26, 2021
This book lists all the perfect ingredients of a YA contemporary and mixes everything to create a story of unexpected love, familial tension, voicing concerns, and summer days. It justifies as the third and last instalment of Dimpleverse by materialising the perfect boyfriend who not only proves to be a catch for the girl but also a gem for the parents; and by making the girl a fierce, adamant, and slightly flawed teen.
From saving a possum and keeping it as a pet till it’s safely left at the animal welfare to immediately voicing her anger against the butterfly habitat that’s closing down, Pinky is the young activist we all aspire to be. Her adamant nature is the strongest aspect of her personality even if it often garners her mother’s disappointed stares—the very usual response of a desi mother to being rebellious. Her fierceness is worth admiring and so are the quirky fashion statements.
An aspiring lawyer who is super understanding, well structured, and witty. Samir is the definition of what many would say a great boyfriend but doesn’t let himself take all the spotlight (or sunlight since it’s a summer read) while Pinky goes through her own struggles. Though I wish his character would’ve been fleshed with more individuality, he did play an excellent love interest who strengthened Pinky’s story. He brought the balance to the chaotic personality of Pinky by being calm, composed, and just as compassionate as Pinky herself.
The two main characters land together at this summer house by a quick pact that would benefit Pinky by helping her climb the ladder of achievements in her mother’s eyes and promise Samir an internship of his dreams. While the start of this fake relationship is a delight with the awkwardness, annoyance, and slip-ups, the trope is soon placed on the backseat. Though, the frenemies-to-lovers romance is well played through the witty banter, forced smiles, and unexpected feelings.
Overall, Sandhya Menon creates yet another entertaining, fun, and character-driven YA contemporary with desi expectations & the idea of standing up for what’s right.
➵ ah, this book had the classic cuteness of dimpleverse and how can I ever read a sandhya menon book and not fall for the good, amazing, and great desi guys because i want one. also, pinky is an inspiration at times and I admired her ferocious personality so much. i just wish there was more romantic build-up but otherwise, this was fun.
➵ while i'm very excited about this book, i'm all the more excited to buddy read it with sim, who I did my first ever buddy read—when dimple met rishi—which basically started our friendship!
10 Things I Hate About Pinky is a desi young adult summer romance with a refreshing frenemies-to-lovers trope.
Pinky is the ferocious girl you’ll cheer on and support right off the bat.
From saving a possum and keeping it as a pet till it’s safely left at the animal welfare to immediately voicing her anger against the butterfly habitat that’s closing down, Pinky is the young activist we all aspire to be. Her adamant nature is the strongest aspect of her personality even if it often garners her mother’s disappointed stares—the very usual response of a desi mother to being rebellious. Her fierceness is worth admiring and so are the quirky fashion statements.
✹ consider reading this review on my blog! ✹
Samir is the adorable and perfect guy who makes to-do lists everyday.
An aspiring lawyer who is super understanding, well structured, and witty. Samir is the definition of what many would say a great boyfriend but doesn’t let himself take all the spotlight (or sunlight since it’s a summer read) while Pinky goes through her own struggles. Though I wish his character would’ve been fleshed with more individuality, he did play an excellent love interest who strengthened Pinky’s story. He brought the balance to the chaotic personality of Pinky by being calm, composed, and just as compassionate as Pinky herself.
Frenemies-to-lovers is true but the fake dating trope was underused.
The two main characters land together at this summer house by a quick pact that would benefit Pinky by helping her climb the ladder of achievements in her mother’s eyes and promise Samir an internship of his dreams. While the start of this fake relationship is a delight with the awkwardness, annoyance, and slip-ups, the trope is soon placed on the backseat. Though, the frenemies-to-lovers romance is well played through the witty banter, forced smiles, and unexpected feelings.
Overall, Sandhya Menon creates yet another entertaining, fun, and character-driven YA contemporary with desi expectations & the idea of standing up for what’s right.
➵ ah, this book had the classic cuteness of dimpleverse and how can I ever read a sandhya menon book and not fall for the good, amazing, and great desi guys because i want one. also, pinky is an inspiration at times and I admired her ferocious personality so much. i just wish there was more romantic build-up but otherwise, this was fun.
↣ digital copy received via the netgalley
➵ while i'm very excited about this book, i'm all the more excited to buddy read it with sim, who I did my first ever buddy read—when dimple met rishi—which basically started our friendship!
September 12, 2020
2020 Fall Bingo (#fallintorombingo🍁): Pets
This is adorable. Pinky’s contentious relationship with her mom, Pinky’s opposites-attract sparks with Samir — all of it worked for me. This one plot-hole really confused me, though. Why did Pinky’s parents let Samir stay in their New England summer house without contacting his mom? Just... he shows up randomly one day and says “hey my DC internship fell through. Can I stay with my fake girlfriend’s family for the entire summer instead of flying home to California?” One would think Pinky’s family would be shocked by the intrusion, but no. Instead they warmly welcome Samir with very little questioning.
Why didn’t they call Samir’s mom to make sure she was okay with this?!? Samir is a rising high school senior and not financially independent! And his mom is such a non-factor in the story despite being hugely important to Samir’s internal issues. His lie to his mom (she thinks that Samir is still in DC! She doesn’t know the internship fell through!) all summer isn’t addressed either. How do you introduce this conflict in the beginning and then never resolve it? Everything about this plot decision deeply confuses me.
Re: Pinky’s contentious relationship arc with her mom, I agree with reviews that say it’s resolved wayyy too fast/unsatisfactorily. It’s excellent for most of the book, and then it doesn’t stick the landing.
I read this via the library despite receiving an arc; the PDF format hurt my eyes and I couldn’t get through the arc.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is adorable. Pinky’s contentious relationship with her mom, Pinky’s opposites-attract sparks with Samir — all of it worked for me. This one plot-hole really confused me, though. Why did Pinky’s parents let Samir stay in their New England summer house without contacting his mom? Just... he shows up randomly one day and says “hey my DC internship fell through. Can I stay with my fake girlfriend’s family for the entire summer instead of flying home to California?” One would think Pinky’s family would be shocked by the intrusion, but no. Instead they warmly welcome Samir with very little questioning.
Why didn’t they call Samir’s mom to make sure she was okay with this?!? Samir is a rising high school senior and not financially independent! And his mom is such a non-factor in the story despite being hugely important to Samir’s internal issues. His lie to his mom (she thinks that Samir is still in DC! She doesn’t know the internship fell through!) all summer isn’t addressed either. How do you introduce this conflict in the beginning and then never resolve it? Everything about this plot decision deeply confuses me.
Re: Pinky’s contentious relationship arc with her mom, I agree with reviews that say it’s resolved wayyy too fast/unsatisfactorily. It’s excellent for most of the book, and then it doesn’t stick the landing.
I read this via the library despite receiving an arc; the PDF format hurt my eyes and I couldn’t get through the arc.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2020
Top Five Reasons to Read and Love 10 Things I Hate About Pinky
1. Lovable characters that are far from perfect and so darn relatable.
2. Swoon worthy romances that are always deliciously slow building.
3. Diverse group of characters that will steal your heart.
4. Great escape read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warmth in your heart.
5. Outstanding writing that is every bit as memorizing as it is fun and entertaining.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
1. Lovable characters that are far from perfect and so darn relatable.
2. Swoon worthy romances that are always deliciously slow building.
3. Diverse group of characters that will steal your heart.
4. Great escape read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warmth in your heart.
5. Outstanding writing that is every bit as memorizing as it is fun and entertaining.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
November 3, 2020
No, I just cannot do this.
I love fluffy, dramatic YA with many characters and all. But I never learn, do I?
A sincere advice to myself: Don't pick up the third book when you didn't like the first two books.
What put me off:
This is the third book for god's sakes!
The characters do not develop at all.
The first book was an average read for me but still the characters and the story were fine.
But now we have come to the third book, I want more plot development, more character development and not just the same old childish drama that was going on in the second book.
I felt like I was reading the many middle grade and YA contemporaries I have read before.
And I felt like I just couldn't reach the characters at all.
I am familiar with Pinky and the rest of the characters but no, this series is just not for me.
And yes, I just cannot stand the dialogues. It's a me thing. But I just cannot.
DNFed at page 156. It felt more and more of a dramatic middle grade book. I just can't continue on with such repetitive lines. Done with this series or with this author I guess.
Until there's an adult book from the author 🙋
I love fluffy, dramatic YA with many characters and all. But I never learn, do I?
A sincere advice to myself: Don't pick up the third book when you didn't like the first two books.
What put me off:
This is the third book for god's sakes!
The characters do not develop at all.
The first book was an average read for me but still the characters and the story were fine.
But now we have come to the third book, I want more plot development, more character development and not just the same old childish drama that was going on in the second book.
I felt like I was reading the many middle grade and YA contemporaries I have read before.
And I felt like I just couldn't reach the characters at all.
I am familiar with Pinky and the rest of the characters but no, this series is just not for me.
And yes, I just cannot stand the dialogues. It's a me thing. But I just cannot.
DNFed at page 156. It felt more and more of a dramatic middle grade book. I just can't continue on with such repetitive lines. Done with this series or with this author I guess.
Until there's an adult book from the author 🙋
January 5, 2020
Note: Thank you to the author for providing an e-arc in exchange for a review!
Even in a world full of fear, uncertainty and chaos, it's so reassuring to read a Sandhya Menon novel and know what I will encounter: smart, brave and wonderful desi girls, soft cinnamon roll love interests, focus on sisterhood and most importantly, a happy ending and no one dies!
Honestly, while enemies to lovers isn't my favorite trope, fake dating definitely is my jam so to encounter both in the book? I APPROVE.
Now I wish there was a Dolly sequel!
Even in a world full of fear, uncertainty and chaos, it's so reassuring to read a Sandhya Menon novel and know what I will encounter: smart, brave and wonderful desi girls, soft cinnamon roll love interests, focus on sisterhood and most importantly, a happy ending and no one dies!
Honestly, while enemies to lovers isn't my favorite trope, fake dating definitely is my jam so to encounter both in the book? I APPROVE.
Now I wish there was a Dolly sequel!
Want to read
May 21, 2020So y'all telling me that you're not freaking out because this one has fake dating trope but with Indian protagonists. Yeah, I get it. {sarcasm}
August 8, 2020
A delightful rom-com addition to YA.
When I was reading There's Something About Sweetie, I instantly knew sparks are going to start flying between Pinky and Samir eventually s. They are the complete opposite of one another. Pinky is the social butterfly who's committed to changing the world in a splashy manner; meanwhile, Samir is a homeschooled boy who wakes up every day following the schedule he wrote on his planner. He's a rule follower while she's the rulebreaker. Who doesn't love an opposites-attract romance? From their constant bickering, the cosmo found a way to bring these two characters together.
The story starts as Samir managed to convince his mom to intern for a law firm in DC for the rest of the summer; but unfortunately, his internship was canceled all of a sudden. Here comes the perfect opportunity: Pinky is in need of a boyfriend. During a verbal fight with her lawyer mother, she bragged that she's dating a perfect guy her parents will like. Pinky knows Samir is in tatters right now, she invited him to her summer-vacation house to be her fake boyfriend. In return, she will hook him up with an internship.
The complicated relationship of Pinky and her mom stands out in the plot presumably because it molded the defining traits of Pinky as a teenager. She tends to unintentionally antagonize her parents. She's a social-justice warrior, who's very spontaneous, and likes to date the "bad boys" to her mother's dismay. I like how the story explores that reasoning. If you're a fan of Menon's book, you would have noticed friends and families are highly incorporated into the plot of the story.
10 Things I Hate About Pinky mainly focus on the heroine's life rather than equally including Samir's. I would've liked it better if his mother has actual scene; I find her character fascinating in There's Something About Sweetie. Also, I also just miss the other characters.
The romance is charming, I'm always down for hate to love / archenemies trope. Samir and Pinky's bickering is so delightful. There's the smooth transition to them fake dating to becoming actual romantic pairing.
I just like this book a lot, this is another fun contemporary romance from Sandhya Menon.
Review also posted on Hollywood News Source.
When I was reading There's Something About Sweetie, I instantly knew sparks are going to start flying between Pinky and Samir eventually s. They are the complete opposite of one another. Pinky is the social butterfly who's committed to changing the world in a splashy manner; meanwhile, Samir is a homeschooled boy who wakes up every day following the schedule he wrote on his planner. He's a rule follower while she's the rulebreaker. Who doesn't love an opposites-attract romance? From their constant bickering, the cosmo found a way to bring these two characters together.
The story starts as Samir managed to convince his mom to intern for a law firm in DC for the rest of the summer; but unfortunately, his internship was canceled all of a sudden. Here comes the perfect opportunity: Pinky is in need of a boyfriend. During a verbal fight with her lawyer mother, she bragged that she's dating a perfect guy her parents will like. Pinky knows Samir is in tatters right now, she invited him to her summer-vacation house to be her fake boyfriend. In return, she will hook him up with an internship.
The complicated relationship of Pinky and her mom stands out in the plot presumably because it molded the defining traits of Pinky as a teenager. She tends to unintentionally antagonize her parents. She's a social-justice warrior, who's very spontaneous, and likes to date the "bad boys" to her mother's dismay. I like how the story explores that reasoning. If you're a fan of Menon's book, you would have noticed friends and families are highly incorporated into the plot of the story.
10 Things I Hate About Pinky mainly focus on the heroine's life rather than equally including Samir's. I would've liked it better if his mother has actual scene; I find her character fascinating in There's Something About Sweetie. Also, I also just miss the other characters.
The romance is charming, I'm always down for hate to love / archenemies trope. Samir and Pinky's bickering is so delightful. There's the smooth transition to them fake dating to becoming actual romantic pairing.
I just like this book a lot, this is another fun contemporary romance from Sandhya Menon.
Review also posted on Hollywood News Source.
July 12, 2020
If you need a joyful, funny read, pick this up! It's the perfect summer read and such a delightful romcom! My only regret is that I didn't reread all the other books once again.
Fake dating is really my fave right now and the trope was so well done here - feelings slowly but steadily creep in. I also loved how this wasn't just an (adorable!) romance, it was also a story about the relationship between Pinky and her mother, who seem like they are opposites, but maybe they have more in common than it seems.
Read this for:
☆ Punk heroine with piercings and multi-coloured hair who cares a lot about a lot of things
☆ Very steady and organized love interest who will steal your heart with how earnest he is
☆ Opposites attract, enemies to lovers, fake dating
☆ Cousin who feels more like a sister, no girl on girl hate to be found here
☆ Rescued opossum who likes to play dead
☆ Butterfly sanctuary (I'm actually terrified of butterflies but as long as they stay fictional, it's cute)
☆ All the summer vibes
Fake dating is really my fave right now and the trope was so well done here - feelings slowly but steadily creep in. I also loved how this wasn't just an (adorable!) romance, it was also a story about the relationship between Pinky and her mother, who seem like they are opposites, but maybe they have more in common than it seems.
Read this for:
☆ Punk heroine with piercings and multi-coloured hair who cares a lot about a lot of things
☆ Very steady and organized love interest who will steal your heart with how earnest he is
☆ Opposites attract, enemies to lovers, fake dating
☆ Cousin who feels more like a sister, no girl on girl hate to be found here
☆ Rescued opossum who likes to play dead
☆ Butterfly sanctuary (I'm actually terrified of butterflies but as long as they stay fictional, it's cute)
☆ All the summer vibes
May 26, 2020
Probably more of a 3.5.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that was pure fun, so I finally decided to read this ARC because Sandhya’s books always make me smile. And this one didn’t disappoint.
The writing in the book is so easy to get involved in that I literally flew through the book. There are also many hilarious moments throughout which made me smile a lot. However, owing to the personalities of Pinky and her mom, there were a lot of arguments and confrontations which were interesting in the beginning, but got a bit repetitive soon (Also, I’m personally not a fan of confrontations, whether real or fictional). I also enjoyed the setting of the book at a lake house in summer, and I wish I could have read this while on a vacation, and not when we are all pretty much stuck at home.
Pinky has a soft and vulnerable side to her, but it takes a while for us to get to know that. I think I really liked seeing her through Sam’s eyes, because his insights about her are deep and he understands her very well. I was feeling pretty indecisive about her for a good chunk of the book because, while I really sympathized with her frustrations about having to live up the standards set by her perfect cousin (too relatable to me), it took a long time for me to get used to her forceful personality. Samir on the other hand is like the perfect boy whom you want to introduce to your desi parents, which might make him seem a bit boring but I could see parts of my younger self in him which made me nostalgic. I personally found that it was easier to root for him because he is amiable, confident, maybe scared due to his past but doesn’t let anyone get away with bad behavior.
However, I did have issues with how their arcs played out but I’m not sure if I can articulate them properly. The tension between Pinky and her mom is ever present, but the resolution was so quick that I was surprised. I liked what happened towards the end, but I guess I felt it deserved a bit more introspection and dialogue between the both of them. On the other hand, we see Samir interact with his mom probably twice in the whole book, which was unbelievable because we know since the previous book how overprotective she is of him. It almost felt like he forgot about her, but that’s just not him as a character. I also didn’t like the subplot with Cash and Dolly, because while I could empathize with her wanting to rebel, I really couldn’t see why she was tolerating such douchey behavior from him. The subplot of saving the butterfly habitat felt like a worthy cause, but it was another part which I thought resolved too easily.
To conclude, it might seem like I’m criticizing this a lot but I actually did have a good time while reading it. It’s just that I went into this book with the expectation of finding joy (Sandhya’s books have always given me that feeling), but I found parts of it exasperating and the characters got on my nerves, and I wasn’t prepared for it. So this was definitely me reading the book at the wrong time. However, if you have previously enjoyed the author’s books, you’ll have fun reading this one too.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that was pure fun, so I finally decided to read this ARC because Sandhya’s books always make me smile. And this one didn’t disappoint.
The writing in the book is so easy to get involved in that I literally flew through the book. There are also many hilarious moments throughout which made me smile a lot. However, owing to the personalities of Pinky and her mom, there were a lot of arguments and confrontations which were interesting in the beginning, but got a bit repetitive soon (Also, I’m personally not a fan of confrontations, whether real or fictional). I also enjoyed the setting of the book at a lake house in summer, and I wish I could have read this while on a vacation, and not when we are all pretty much stuck at home.
Pinky has a soft and vulnerable side to her, but it takes a while for us to get to know that. I think I really liked seeing her through Sam’s eyes, because his insights about her are deep and he understands her very well. I was feeling pretty indecisive about her for a good chunk of the book because, while I really sympathized with her frustrations about having to live up the standards set by her perfect cousin (too relatable to me), it took a long time for me to get used to her forceful personality. Samir on the other hand is like the perfect boy whom you want to introduce to your desi parents, which might make him seem a bit boring but I could see parts of my younger self in him which made me nostalgic. I personally found that it was easier to root for him because he is amiable, confident, maybe scared due to his past but doesn’t let anyone get away with bad behavior.
However, I did have issues with how their arcs played out but I’m not sure if I can articulate them properly. The tension between Pinky and her mom is ever present, but the resolution was so quick that I was surprised. I liked what happened towards the end, but I guess I felt it deserved a bit more introspection and dialogue between the both of them. On the other hand, we see Samir interact with his mom probably twice in the whole book, which was unbelievable because we know since the previous book how overprotective she is of him. It almost felt like he forgot about her, but that’s just not him as a character. I also didn’t like the subplot with Cash and Dolly, because while I could empathize with her wanting to rebel, I really couldn’t see why she was tolerating such douchey behavior from him. The subplot of saving the butterfly habitat felt like a worthy cause, but it was another part which I thought resolved too easily.
To conclude, it might seem like I’m criticizing this a lot but I actually did have a good time while reading it. It’s just that I went into this book with the expectation of finding joy (Sandhya’s books have always given me that feeling), but I found parts of it exasperating and the characters got on my nerves, and I wasn’t prepared for it. So this was definitely me reading the book at the wrong time. However, if you have previously enjoyed the author’s books, you’ll have fun reading this one too.
Want to read
January 23, 2021 1) When Dimple Met Rishi - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2) There's Something About Sweetie - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3) 10 Things I Hate About Pinky - To Be Released
June 11th, 2019
Y'all. We got A TITLE and a kind of a SYNOPSIS and our MCs and I am here for all of it! This has the fake dating trope. I love, love, love the fake dating trope so, so much! Plus, like I've loved everything Sandhya Menon has released so far and I'm certain this won't be any different! Is it late spring/early summer 2020 yet? IS IT.
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2) There's Something About Sweetie - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3) 10 Things I Hate About Pinky - To Be Released
June 11th, 2019
Y'all. We got A TITLE and a kind of a SYNOPSIS and our MCs and I am here for all of it! This has the fake dating trope. I love, love, love the fake dating trope so, so much! Plus, like I've loved everything Sandhya Menon has released so far and I'm certain this won't be any different! Is it late spring/early summer 2020 yet? IS IT.
Blog | Twitter | Instagram
July 29, 2020
10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon is the final book, for now hopefully, set in the Dimple-verse. It follows the story of Pinky Kumar and Samir Jha, who we met in There's Something About Sweetie.
Unsurprisingly, I adored this novel with my whole entire heart. The first two books set in the Dimple-verse, as well as Menon's sophomore novel, From Twinkle, With Love are some of my favorite books of all-time. And Menon is one of my absolute favorite authors of all-time.
Okay, I'm going to make a bold claim now: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky may be my favorite Sandhya Menon book to-date.
I find that with each book of hers I read, I fall even more in with her impeccable writing style, her well-developed and brilliant characters, and her wonderful plots.
I have a particularly soft spot for Pinky's story because I relate a lot to Pinky as a character, especially when I was around the age of 15/16. Add in the fact that this is an enemies-to-lovers romance, which is my favorite romance trope, just cements my love for this incredible piece of art.
Now let's break it down:
10 Things I Hate About Pinky takes place during summer break in Cape Cod. Pinky Kumar visits Cape Cod every summer, as her family has a house on the lake. She and her mom's sister's family spend the summer together. However, after reaching the final straw of her mom constantly criticizing her, Pinky reaches out to Samir Jha to pretend to be her boyfriend, as she know he's exactly the type of guy her parents would approve of. Samir just lost the law internship in D.C. that was finally going to give him the freedom he has so desperately craved. Though Samir isn't a fan of Pinky, he really has no desire to go back home, so he takes her up on her offer. The two end up having to find a way to reconcile their differences to survive this summer.
Pinky Kumar is a 17-year-old self-proclaimed social justice warrior. She's the black sheep of her family, constabntly criticized by her mother and compared to "perfect cousin," Dolly. With her dyed hair, eyebrow ring, and pop punk style, her outward appearance perfectly represents her fiery spirit. Pinky's passion for a number of causes often makes her hard-headed, impulsive, and rebellious.
Samir Jha is a 17-year-old teenager with his life entirely planned out, literally. Samir has a planner that plans our each and every one of his days to a t. After losing his dad at a young age, and having to care for his mom while had cancer, Samir found that complete control was the ideal way to live life. He plans to follow a traditional path in life, hoping to be a lawyer.
The connection between Pinky and Samir was truly palpable. Their romance is one that begins with fake-dating and is a story of enemies-to-lovers. Their slow journey from constantly arguing and criticizing each other to seeing how the same exact aspects of the other person they saw as flaws were actually strengths, was done so beautifully. The tension between them, the yearning, was just so well-done that I was incredibly stressed for the majority of the story. I did yell at the book because these two were complete idiots, but I absolutely loved their journey to finding the person they needed in each other, even if it was extremely stressful for a long, long time.
I find that this incredible parallel between quotes that Menon so effortlessly wove into the story perfectly exemplifies how they truly are meant for each other.
also, uh, read these two quotes and tell me they're not meant for each other:
[From Samir]
[From Pinky]
Outside of Pinky and Samir, another character stood out to me as well.
Pinky's cousin Dolly is the other major teenage character in this novel. I so deeply loved the camaraderie and sisterhood between these two girls, in spite of, or maybe because of, their differences. I also truly loved seeing Dolly have a journey of her own over the course of this novel. Her subplot shone through without taking the spotlight, and it was perfectly balanced among the overarching storyline.
The way she and Pinky supported each other was just so heart-warming, as even though Pinky felt inferior to her because of her mom's behavior, neither she now Dolly let that impact their beautiful relationship.
Another significant aspect of this novel was Pinky and Samir's relationship with their respective parents. I very much appreciate the emphasis on how familial relationships can shape such a major part of who we are. As earlier alluded to, Pinky's relationship with her mother, especially, is the root cause of her insecurities and, often, the escalation of her rebellious behavior. As for Samir, losing his father and almost losing his mother led him to feel like structure and complete control is the only way to survive life.
Both of them have certain strengths from their upbringing, but both are also limited due to their inability to move past the belief that, in Pinky's case, she has to impress her mother and she cannot truly be herself without fear of criticism, and, in Samir's case, that his life has to stay the same as it was when he was caring for his mother for fear that he'll end up in that situation once again.
The contrasting differences in all of these parents, from Samir's overbearing mother, to Pinky's overly critical mother and mediator of a father, and even to Dolly's therapist parents, showed how different upbringings really do have a significant impact on who a human being becomes.
But a lot of the story also revolved around the idea that that doesn't have to be the reality. It is possible to wholly and fully be who you are, without sacrificing your relationship and love for your parents. I found that such a strong part of the novel.
(also i love howard yeung and would do anything for pinky's dad. such a good man who just wants to play boggle and make some good food :') )
it is also important to me to note pinky's love of kali, as she most certainly made points.
and i find it absolutely crucial to highlight sandhya's inclusion of the importance of mental health in the novel:
There were definitely so many more stand-out points in this novel, and I'm sure I'm missing a lot. But I just have to emphasize how wonderful this novel is. (i cried four times while reading it, who even am i??? :( )
To close out my review, I'd like to end on this clever quote Menon included (i see what you did there sandhya).
(and yes, mr. howard yeung and drama queen the possum were the superior characters in the book)
disclaimer: i received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. this in no way impacted my opinions.
Unsurprisingly, I adored this novel with my whole entire heart. The first two books set in the Dimple-verse, as well as Menon's sophomore novel, From Twinkle, With Love are some of my favorite books of all-time. And Menon is one of my absolute favorite authors of all-time.
Okay, I'm going to make a bold claim now: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky may be my favorite Sandhya Menon book to-date.
I find that with each book of hers I read, I fall even more in with her impeccable writing style, her well-developed and brilliant characters, and her wonderful plots.
I have a particularly soft spot for Pinky's story because I relate a lot to Pinky as a character, especially when I was around the age of 15/16. Add in the fact that this is an enemies-to-lovers romance, which is my favorite romance trope, just cements my love for this incredible piece of art.
Now let's break it down:
10 Things I Hate About Pinky takes place during summer break in Cape Cod. Pinky Kumar visits Cape Cod every summer, as her family has a house on the lake. She and her mom's sister's family spend the summer together. However, after reaching the final straw of her mom constantly criticizing her, Pinky reaches out to Samir Jha to pretend to be her boyfriend, as she know he's exactly the type of guy her parents would approve of. Samir just lost the law internship in D.C. that was finally going to give him the freedom he has so desperately craved. Though Samir isn't a fan of Pinky, he really has no desire to go back home, so he takes her up on her offer. The two end up having to find a way to reconcile their differences to survive this summer.
Pinky Kumar is a 17-year-old self-proclaimed social justice warrior. She's the black sheep of her family, constabntly criticized by her mother and compared to "perfect cousin," Dolly. With her dyed hair, eyebrow ring, and pop punk style, her outward appearance perfectly represents her fiery spirit. Pinky's passion for a number of causes often makes her hard-headed, impulsive, and rebellious.
"Pinky Kumar knew who she was - a social justice warrior. She wore that metaphorical badge with pride, laughing at those anonymous Internet trolls who used the phrase as a slur. What was wrong with being passionate and fiery and outraged? What was wrong with wanting the world to change, to expand its collective mind, to dig a little to find the last dregs of empathy it could find?"
"The girl was like a closed book - with some of the pages ripped out."
"Pinky, on the other hand, lived for herself. She knew what it was she needed to do in this world, she knew her purpose, and she charged into the fire willingly, over and over, if it meant she could help anyone else. It didn't matter if she was sad or afraid or hurt [..]. All that mattered was she lived bravely, that she lived passionately, that she lived."
Samir Jha is a 17-year-old teenager with his life entirely planned out, literally. Samir has a planner that plans our each and every one of his days to a t. After losing his dad at a young age, and having to care for his mom while had cancer, Samir found that complete control was the ideal way to live life. He plans to follow a traditional path in life, hoping to be a lawyer.
"Samir level a gaze at her. 'Sometimes, being in control is the only thing you have going for you.'"
"It didn't take a shrink to see that planning every minute detail of his life also helped Samir feel like he was in control. And now, it just made good sense. Lists helped him feel balance, like drinking a green smoothie in the morning or going on a six-mile run."
The connection between Pinky and Samir was truly palpable. Their romance is one that begins with fake-dating and is a story of enemies-to-lovers. Their slow journey from constantly arguing and criticizing each other to seeing how the same exact aspects of the other person they saw as flaws were actually strengths, was done so beautifully. The tension between them, the yearning, was just so well-done that I was incredibly stressed for the majority of the story. I did yell at the book because these two were complete idiots, but I absolutely loved their journey to finding the person they needed in each other, even if it was extremely stressful for a long, long time.
I find that this incredible parallel between quotes that Menon so effortlessly wove into the story perfectly exemplifies how they truly are meant for each other.
"Ash [Ashish from TSAS]: behind every hateful relationship is a tsunami of passion"
"Considering her, Samir couldn't help but smile a little. Impractical and hot-headed as she was, he had to hand it to her. She approached everything she did with a tsunami of passion that he didn't think he'd ever felt, let alone for a game of Boggle.".
also, uh, read these two quotes and tell me they're not meant for each other:
[From Samir]
"But listen, people can change all the time. Maybe not in big, profound ways, but in little, incremental ways that end up changing essential parts of them anyway. It's like a Rubik's Cube - you start with one line at a time, and then everything begins to fit together."
[From Pinky]
"It's crazy how all these little moments weave together and become this, like, tapestry of life, isn't it? [...] "I mean, really, it's just these mundane moments. Setting up the tent, grabbing lanterns from the shed. Putting on sunscreen. But in the larger framework of life, it's all so vital to who we are."
Outside of Pinky and Samir, another character stood out to me as well.
Pinky's cousin Dolly is the other major teenage character in this novel. I so deeply loved the camaraderie and sisterhood between these two girls, in spite of, or maybe because of, their differences. I also truly loved seeing Dolly have a journey of her own over the course of this novel. Her subplot shone through without taking the spotlight, and it was perfectly balanced among the overarching storyline.
The way she and Pinky supported each other was just so heart-warming, as even though Pinky felt inferior to her because of her mom's behavior, neither she now Dolly let that impact their beautiful relationship.
Another significant aspect of this novel was Pinky and Samir's relationship with their respective parents. I very much appreciate the emphasis on how familial relationships can shape such a major part of who we are. As earlier alluded to, Pinky's relationship with her mother, especially, is the root cause of her insecurities and, often, the escalation of her rebellious behavior. As for Samir, losing his father and almost losing his mother led him to feel like structure and complete control is the only way to survive life.
Both of them have certain strengths from their upbringing, but both are also limited due to their inability to move past the belief that, in Pinky's case, she has to impress her mother and she cannot truly be herself without fear of criticism, and, in Samir's case, that his life has to stay the same as it was when he was caring for his mother for fear that he'll end up in that situation once again.
The contrasting differences in all of these parents, from Samir's overbearing mother, to Pinky's overly critical mother and mediator of a father, and even to Dolly's therapist parents, showed how different upbringings really do have a significant impact on who a human being becomes.
But a lot of the story also revolved around the idea that that doesn't have to be the reality. It is possible to wholly and fully be who you are, without sacrificing your relationship and love for your parents. I found that such a strong part of the novel.
(also i love howard yeung and would do anything for pinky's dad. such a good man who just wants to play boggle and make some good food :') )
it is also important to me to note pinky's love of kali, as she most certainly made points.
"Dude, how could anyone not love [Kali]? She's always shown physically dancing on Shiva - a god - while he lies quitely under her. And in one story, she was the only one who could defeat hordes of demons. Oh, and let's not forget she wore a garland of freaking skulls while she did it. And then, when all the demons had been slain, she danced on their corpses. I mean, seriously, how metal is that? She's the OG feminist."
and i find it absolutely crucial to highlight sandhya's inclusion of the importance of mental health in the novel:
'That's not a judgement. There's absolutely nothing wrong with therapy. [...] What would you if you fell off this ledge right now and broke your back on the ground?'
[...] 'I'd hope you call an ambulance for me.'
'Right. Exactly. You'd get medical help for a medical problem, right? So why is it any different to get help for a life problem that's causing you so much grief. Why will you accept one professional's help but not another's? [...] There's such a stigma about mental health and asking for help,' Pinky said. 'And it's really bad in the Indian-American community. But there shouldn't be.'"
There were definitely so many more stand-out points in this novel, and I'm sure I'm missing a lot. But I just have to emphasize how wonderful this novel is. (i cried four times while reading it, who even am i??? :( )
To close out my review, I'd like to end on this clever quote Menon included (i see what you did there sandhya).
"Dolly sat back and laughed. 'Wow...this is...I feel like I'm in a Heath Ledger rom-com or something.'
Pinky shook her head. 'If it's is a movie, it's the most effed-up movie on the planet.'
(and yes, mr. howard yeung and drama queen the possum were the superior characters in the book)
disclaimer: i received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. this in no way impacted my opinions.
July 22, 2020
Review to come
July 25, 2020
3.5 stars
I’ve been a fan of Pinky since the first time we saw her and I was quite excited for the fake dating slash hate to love...sadly, for me this one wasn’t up to the same level at the other two books.
Pinky and Samir are both good characters. She’s passionate and he’s steadfast and there’s so much damn potential between them. I didn’t quite see their connection between them and found myself setting the book down more often than not.
Plot wise, it was okay. There’s a bit of repetitiveness and the entire plot arc with Dolly seemed to be filler rather than relevant. Honestly, I could have overlooked these things if the chemistry between the two of them felt authentic.
Overall, I did enjoy the story and there were some sweet moments, but honestly, I wanted so much more for these two.
**Huge thanks to Simon Teen for providing the arc free of charge**
I’ve been a fan of Pinky since the first time we saw her and I was quite excited for the fake dating slash hate to love...sadly, for me this one wasn’t up to the same level at the other two books.
Pinky and Samir are both good characters. She’s passionate and he’s steadfast and there’s so much damn potential between them. I didn’t quite see their connection between them and found myself setting the book down more often than not.
Plot wise, it was okay. There’s a bit of repetitiveness and the entire plot arc with Dolly seemed to be filler rather than relevant. Honestly, I could have overlooked these things if the chemistry between the two of them felt authentic.
Overall, I did enjoy the story and there were some sweet moments, but honestly, I wanted so much more for these two.
**Huge thanks to Simon Teen for providing the arc free of charge**
August 30, 2020
Without any surprise, another 5 stars book from Sandhya Menon! My heart exploded in a million heart emojis when I finished reading it. I knew that any story with Pinky would be good, but I wasn't prepared for it to be this good🥰
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 21, 2021
This one is as good as "When Dimple Met Rishi"
Super sweet and I love this couple. I very fun and entertaining read.
Sandhya Menon's books are always the best choice when you are looking for feel good light hearted read !!
3.5 stars
Super sweet and I love this couple. I very fun and entertaining read.
Sandhya Menon's books are always the best choice when you are looking for feel good light hearted read !!
3.5 stars
November 14, 2020
Sandhya Menon's books are a constant joy in my life and 10 Things I Hate About Pinky was no different. This book, like all Menon's others, is filled to the brim with heart, humour and hope. With a cast of loveable, headstrong and interesting characters, fake dating AND enemies-to-lovers, a freaking adorable opossum and so much more, this book was the easy, fun and uplifting read I needed.
October 10, 2020
4 only for pinky stars
I really liked her I think this is my favorite book out of the three in the series, that I have read.
Usually, I don't read YA but there have been some winners this year...
I really liked her I think this is my favorite book out of the three in the series, that I have read.
Usually, I don't read YA but there have been some winners this year...
July 16, 2020
3.5 stars (but a good 3.5 stars!!)
read on my blog
**I received an ARC as a part of Sandhya Menon's street team. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
rep: ownvoices Indian-American protagonists and side characters, Chinese-American side character
Sandhya’s contemporary books are the best and I love being on her street team! I was so excited for the next installment in the Dimple and Rishi universe, especially after meeting the protagonists in the last book. 10 Things I Hate About Pinky has hate-to-love fake dating and the same heart that you can feel in all of Sandhya’s books.
We first met Pinky and Samir in There’s Something about Sweetie and now their dynamic returns at full strength. Pinky is at her family’s vacation house when her tension-filled relationship with her mom comes to a peak. After being accused of burning their backyard barn down, she lies and says she has a “good” boyfriend now. Luckily for her, Samir is stranded after his prized internship is unexpectedly canceled, so he decides to make an impulsive decision for once and agrees to be Pinky’s fake boyfriend for the summer.
I love when secondary characters get their own book, and it was so interesting to see Pinky and Samir at the forefront of this book. An activist, Pinky is strong-willed and stubborn. Meanwhile, Samir is uptight and adverse to change. Over the course of the book, however, we get to see real growth in both of their characters. Pinky’s stubbornness becomes less hostile and Samir realizes that sometimes it’s okay to let go of his plans.
The secondary characters were also great. Dolly, Pinky’s cousin, was a voice of reason throughout the book. A perfect student, she wants to rebel from her “boring” image although that might have more consequences than she expected. Pinky’s and Dolly’s parents are very prominent in this book as well.
I found Pinky and her relationship with her mom fascinating; both of them overreact over trivial comments that escalate into full-blown arguments. I related to this honestly, and I loved seeing Pinky slowly realize that this all comes from a place of love and that her mom just wants what’s best for her.
The romance was cute! There’s an tension between Pinky and Samir that neither of them expected. The hate-to-love is also very real; there’s lots of bickering and arguing but also lots of heart-to-heart conversations. The fake dating aspect added a layer to the story but I did feel like it was more secondary to the plot and the characterizations.
This book was adorable and was an amazing addition to this universe. The romance was cute, and I loved the growth among all the characters. 10 Things I Hate About Pinky is a perfect summer read! You don’t want to miss it.
read on my blog
**I received an ARC as a part of Sandhya Menon's street team. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
rep: ownvoices Indian-American protagonists and side characters, Chinese-American side character
Pinky was in need of a boyfriend. A perfect summer boyfriend.
Sandhya’s contemporary books are the best and I love being on her street team! I was so excited for the next installment in the Dimple and Rishi universe, especially after meeting the protagonists in the last book. 10 Things I Hate About Pinky has hate-to-love fake dating and the same heart that you can feel in all of Sandhya’s books.
We first met Pinky and Samir in There’s Something about Sweetie and now their dynamic returns at full strength. Pinky is at her family’s vacation house when her tension-filled relationship with her mom comes to a peak. After being accused of burning their backyard barn down, she lies and says she has a “good” boyfriend now. Luckily for her, Samir is stranded after his prized internship is unexpectedly canceled, so he decides to make an impulsive decision for once and agrees to be Pinky’s fake boyfriend for the summer.
I love when secondary characters get their own book, and it was so interesting to see Pinky and Samir at the forefront of this book. An activist, Pinky is strong-willed and stubborn. Meanwhile, Samir is uptight and adverse to change. Over the course of the book, however, we get to see real growth in both of their characters. Pinky’s stubbornness becomes less hostile and Samir realizes that sometimes it’s okay to let go of his plans.
The secondary characters were also great. Dolly, Pinky’s cousin, was a voice of reason throughout the book. A perfect student, she wants to rebel from her “boring” image although that might have more consequences than she expected. Pinky’s and Dolly’s parents are very prominent in this book as well.
I found Pinky and her relationship with her mom fascinating; both of them overreact over trivial comments that escalate into full-blown arguments. I related to this honestly, and I loved seeing Pinky slowly realize that this all comes from a place of love and that her mom just wants what’s best for her.
The romance was cute! There’s an tension between Pinky and Samir that neither of them expected. The hate-to-love is also very real; there’s lots of bickering and arguing but also lots of heart-to-heart conversations. The fake dating aspect added a layer to the story but I did feel like it was more secondary to the plot and the characterizations.
This book was adorable and was an amazing addition to this universe. The romance was cute, and I loved the growth among all the characters. 10 Things I Hate About Pinky is a perfect summer read! You don’t want to miss it.
May 23, 2020
i am trash. rtc.
November 26, 2020
Enemies to friends to lovers AND fake dating??? Bro.
Trigger warnings: contentious relationship with mother, unplanned pregnancy mention, estranged grandparents, cancer mention, anxiety
Read my blog review here: https://decklededgess.wordpress.com/2...
Sandhya Menon continues to blow my mind with her incredibly cute and summery romances. I love love love the trend of romcom titles with a bollywood twist. Seeing these books make me so happy!!!
Pinky is a formidable leading lady with a powerhouse personality and absolutely no chill. I have honestly never related more. Her character arc was so fun to watch. Seeing Pinky struggle with and come to terms with her stubbornness and subconscious desire to poke a sleeping dragon was like watching one of my students grapple with complex math. Kinda hilarious kinda sad. But that felt really teenager appropriate!!!
Samir was so cute!! What a wholesome boy. He wanted to keep his mom happy but also wanted to choose his own path. Even Samir had a massive character change that was facilitated by Pinky's inability to quit. Both of them pushed each other to see a new perspective and open up to new choices in life. I thoroughly enjoyed how Pinky and Samir had character arcs that intertwined and changed in tandem.
The ensemble cast is also really really incredible. Dolly was so wholesome, Pinky's dad was a dork and a half, Pinky's mom is every terrifying brown mom on the planet and I couldn't help but respect and also mildly resent her. I love parents who are present and active participants in the story!
I thought the plot was well developed and the timeframe of one month gave it a decent length for their relationship to appropriately develop. The various minor conflicts that cropped up didn't seem out of the blue and blended nicely with the romance plot as well. Additionally, parents versus kids struggle was real and honest. It felt real to how I expressed emotions and understood my bond with my parents as a teen. I was a little annoyed with how quickly that struggle was resolved. It seemed more like an issue that required therapy than one simple conversation with apologies and "I love you you're my family."
Frankly, any book by Sandhya Menon I will auto buy and read. There's no doubt I will enjoy the crap out of them.
Trigger warnings: contentious relationship with mother, unplanned pregnancy mention, estranged grandparents, cancer mention, anxiety
Read my blog review here: https://decklededgess.wordpress.com/2...
Sandhya Menon continues to blow my mind with her incredibly cute and summery romances. I love love love the trend of romcom titles with a bollywood twist. Seeing these books make me so happy!!!
Pinky is a formidable leading lady with a powerhouse personality and absolutely no chill. I have honestly never related more. Her character arc was so fun to watch. Seeing Pinky struggle with and come to terms with her stubbornness and subconscious desire to poke a sleeping dragon was like watching one of my students grapple with complex math. Kinda hilarious kinda sad. But that felt really teenager appropriate!!!
Samir was so cute!! What a wholesome boy. He wanted to keep his mom happy but also wanted to choose his own path. Even Samir had a massive character change that was facilitated by Pinky's inability to quit. Both of them pushed each other to see a new perspective and open up to new choices in life. I thoroughly enjoyed how Pinky and Samir had character arcs that intertwined and changed in tandem.
The ensemble cast is also really really incredible. Dolly was so wholesome, Pinky's dad was a dork and a half, Pinky's mom is every terrifying brown mom on the planet and I couldn't help but respect and also mildly resent her. I love parents who are present and active participants in the story!
I thought the plot was well developed and the timeframe of one month gave it a decent length for their relationship to appropriately develop. The various minor conflicts that cropped up didn't seem out of the blue and blended nicely with the romance plot as well. Additionally, parents versus kids struggle was real and honest. It felt real to how I expressed emotions and understood my bond with my parents as a teen. I was a little annoyed with how quickly that struggle was resolved. It seemed more like an issue that required therapy than one simple conversation with apologies and "I love you you're my family."
Frankly, any book by Sandhya Menon I will auto buy and read. There's no doubt I will enjoy the crap out of them.
February 15, 2023
Cute YA fluff
3.75 rounded up
3.75 rounded up
June 30, 2020
I think this is my favorite of Sandhya Menon's books to date.
It has my two favorite romance tropes--enemies to lovers AND fake dating trope--with a bit of "opposites attract" thrown in there as well. I knew as soon as these characters appeared in There's Something About Sweetie that they would have their own book, because their banter was too electric for them NOT to have one! Their relationship was just slow-burn enough to have me on the edge of my seat while I was reading, but not so much that I got bored.
I also really loved the side characters. Pinky's cousin, Dolly, was so fun and reminded me a lot of myself in high school. I don't know if Menon plans on having more books in this extended universe, but if she does, I'd love to see one about Dolly at some point. Menon also always has wonderful parents in her books who are fully fleshed out, which is something that I find lacking in some other YA books. Pinky's relationship with her mom was really complex and interesting to read about, especially after some things are revealed about her mom's past. One thing that confused me, though, was Samir's relationship with his mom. If you've read the previous book, you know that Samir's mom is a little overprotective, and Samir stretches the truth to her throughout this entire book, and yet there was no fallout from that? I thought his lying to her would be a major plot point, but I guess not. I definitely feel like that would have fleshed out his sections of the book just a bit more.
As always, I was happy to be with characters in this world again and follow along with their shenanigans. There aren't very many authors whose entire (or almost entire: I forgot about the novellas) body of work I have read, but I'm glad Sandhya Menon is one of them. I'm excited to see what she comes out with next!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy free for review. All opinions are my own.
It has my two favorite romance tropes--enemies to lovers AND fake dating trope--with a bit of "opposites attract" thrown in there as well. I knew as soon as these characters appeared in There's Something About Sweetie that they would have their own book, because their banter was too electric for them NOT to have one! Their relationship was just slow-burn enough to have me on the edge of my seat while I was reading, but not so much that I got bored.
I also really loved the side characters. Pinky's cousin, Dolly, was so fun and reminded me a lot of myself in high school. I don't know if Menon plans on having more books in this extended universe, but if she does, I'd love to see one about Dolly at some point. Menon also always has wonderful parents in her books who are fully fleshed out, which is something that I find lacking in some other YA books. Pinky's relationship with her mom was really complex and interesting to read about, especially after some things are revealed about her mom's past. One thing that confused me, though, was Samir's relationship with his mom. If you've read the previous book, you know that Samir's mom is a little overprotective, and Samir stretches the truth to her throughout this entire book, and yet there was no fallout from that? I thought his lying to her would be a major plot point, but I guess not. I definitely feel like that would have fleshed out his sections of the book just a bit more.
As always, I was happy to be with characters in this world again and follow along with their shenanigans. There aren't very many authors whose entire (or almost entire: I forgot about the novellas) body of work I have read, but I'm glad Sandhya Menon is one of them. I'm excited to see what she comes out with next!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy free for review. All opinions are my own.
July 17, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
WHO DOESN’T LOVE FAKE DATING?!? And in the Dimple and Rishi universe???? SIGN ME UP.
This is a story about how opposites attract. It also gave some major Friends vibes... please refer to “The One With the List.” Sandhya Menon is the bomb and I will read all of her books no matter what they are about.
A note to my husband, prompted by this read:
Thanks for always staying calm when I feel like I’m losing my mind.
Five stars!
WHO DOESN’T LOVE FAKE DATING?!? And in the Dimple and Rishi universe???? SIGN ME UP.
This is a story about how opposites attract. It also gave some major Friends vibes... please refer to “The One With the List.” Sandhya Menon is the bomb and I will read all of her books no matter what they are about.
A note to my husband, prompted by this read:
Thanks for always staying calm when I feel like I’m losing my mind.
Five stars!
January 13, 2022
thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
sandhya menon writes about strong and independent desi girls who are doing some good in the world. i flew through 10 things i hate about pinky. the slow burning romance left me wanting more, the delicateness when handling family issues made everything more relatable, and the growth and maturity of all the characters (including the side characters) were impressive. in the dimple & rishi series, apart from the romances, sandhya menon has always emphasised on parent-child relationship. this one is no different.
samir and pinky are fake dating because (a) pinky needs to prove to her parents that she can date a decent boyfriend and (b) samir needs an internship at pinky’s mom’s law firm after the first one fell through. the two of them are opposites. where pinky is bold, carefree and colourful, samir is reserved, formal and consistent. pinky brings a little craziness into samir’s life while samir provides some seriousness into pinky’s.
even though pinky loves being fiery, passionate and unyielding, she’s often insecure about these qualities especially when she’s surrounded by people who are total opposites of her (e.g., dolly, pinky’s mom, samir). she recognises that her immediate response to her mom is hostility and defiance. i think it’s incredible that she’s fired up about so many things in life. she may not be the most obedient daughter, or the calmest, but she’s the kind who inspires others to take a stand and to care for things other than what directly affects them. not going to lie, her stubbornness can be annoying and overboard at times but her desire to make changes by sheer will and out of love is commendable and admirable.
samir is the boy you bring back home for your parents to meet, and hence, he’s the prime candidate to pick when pinky needs a boyfriend. as a dependable and reliable person, it’s easy to fall for him. the romantic development between pinky and samir is a definite improvement from the hostility in there’s something about sweetie. being homeschooled since fifth grade, after his mom had breast cancer, isolated samir quite a bit which explains his social awkwardness in book two. he feels a lot of guilt towards his mom so he doesn’t even talk about the things he want to do in his life. meeting pinky is going to change things.
other than the romance, 10 things i hate about pinky heavily focused on the mother-daughter relationship between pinky and her mom. they have a lot of misunderstandings. while her mother is serious, focused and no-nonsense, pinky is vibrant and enthusiastic. being opposites, pinky and her mom often lash out on each other with anger and hurtful words. their inability to communicate has caused some rift in the relationship. pinky assumes that her mom just hated all the elements that made pinky, pinky. we do get some tender moments between the two scattered throughout the novel which showed how much the pair care and love one another despite their disagreements.
add in a baby possum, named drama queen, who sees every single thing as a threat (e.g., a free falling leaf), and who is prone to fake her own death whenever the situation deems necessary (which is every single time).
as usual, a wonderful book about a girl who finds love in someone totally opposite of her and about a mother and daughter figuring things out between them. sandhya menon’s contemporary romances never fails.
books in the series:
1. when dimple met rishi: ✰✰✰✰
2. there’s something about sweetie: ✰✰✰✰
3. 10 things i hate about pinky: ✰✰✰✰
sandhya menon writes about strong and independent desi girls who are doing some good in the world. i flew through 10 things i hate about pinky. the slow burning romance left me wanting more, the delicateness when handling family issues made everything more relatable, and the growth and maturity of all the characters (including the side characters) were impressive. in the dimple & rishi series, apart from the romances, sandhya menon has always emphasised on parent-child relationship. this one is no different.
samir and pinky are fake dating because (a) pinky needs to prove to her parents that she can date a decent boyfriend and (b) samir needs an internship at pinky’s mom’s law firm after the first one fell through. the two of them are opposites. where pinky is bold, carefree and colourful, samir is reserved, formal and consistent. pinky brings a little craziness into samir’s life while samir provides some seriousness into pinky’s.
even though pinky loves being fiery, passionate and unyielding, she’s often insecure about these qualities especially when she’s surrounded by people who are total opposites of her (e.g., dolly, pinky’s mom, samir). she recognises that her immediate response to her mom is hostility and defiance. i think it’s incredible that she’s fired up about so many things in life. she may not be the most obedient daughter, or the calmest, but she’s the kind who inspires others to take a stand and to care for things other than what directly affects them. not going to lie, her stubbornness can be annoying and overboard at times but her desire to make changes by sheer will and out of love is commendable and admirable.
samir is the boy you bring back home for your parents to meet, and hence, he’s the prime candidate to pick when pinky needs a boyfriend. as a dependable and reliable person, it’s easy to fall for him. the romantic development between pinky and samir is a definite improvement from the hostility in there’s something about sweetie. being homeschooled since fifth grade, after his mom had breast cancer, isolated samir quite a bit which explains his social awkwardness in book two. he feels a lot of guilt towards his mom so he doesn’t even talk about the things he want to do in his life. meeting pinky is going to change things.
other than the romance, 10 things i hate about pinky heavily focused on the mother-daughter relationship between pinky and her mom. they have a lot of misunderstandings. while her mother is serious, focused and no-nonsense, pinky is vibrant and enthusiastic. being opposites, pinky and her mom often lash out on each other with anger and hurtful words. their inability to communicate has caused some rift in the relationship. pinky assumes that her mom just hated all the elements that made pinky, pinky. we do get some tender moments between the two scattered throughout the novel which showed how much the pair care and love one another despite their disagreements.
add in a baby possum, named drama queen, who sees every single thing as a threat (e.g., a free falling leaf), and who is prone to fake her own death whenever the situation deems necessary (which is every single time).
as usual, a wonderful book about a girl who finds love in someone totally opposite of her and about a mother and daughter figuring things out between them. sandhya menon’s contemporary romances never fails.
books in the series:
1. when dimple met rishi: ✰✰✰✰
2. there’s something about sweetie: ✰✰✰✰
3. 10 things i hate about pinky: ✰✰✰✰
October 19, 2019
It should be no surprise to anyone that I love Sandhya Menon's books, so when I saw 10 Things I Hate About Pinky up on Edelweiss, I immediately downloaded it and basically binge read it. I have no regrets.
If you're a fan of Menon's other books, especially if you loved When Dimple Met Rishi, you will love this!
Like Menon's other books, Pinky is filled with a lot of heart and humour, along with an entire cast of Desi characters. Pinky and Samir are two characters that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to. Pinky is very hard-headed and passionate, determined to make a change in the world, even when - and maybe especially when - her parents don't quite approve of what she's doing. Samir is the exact opposite. Having had to take care of his Mom from a young age, he values following all the rules to a T and living life on the straight and narrow. The two of them together makes for a relationship that is filled with a lot of friction, along with sexual tension.
There is also another discordant relationship in Pinky's life - the one with her mother that she just can't seem to fix. Because no matter how hard she tries, it seems her mother just doesn't want her to be herself. I really enjoyed the way this relationship was handled, and I don't think it's often we get to see mother/daughter relationships handled with so much depth and care in YA fiction.
There only thing I didn't love about the book was the pacing. There was a lot of back-and-forth with some of the plotlines, that I feel like could have been streamlined a little bit. The ending felt incredibly rushed, with all of the problems the characters were facing wrapped up in a pretty little bow in the second-last chapter. A lot happened towards the last three or so chapters of the book, but everything also managed to get resolved a little too easily.
But overall, this is definitely another great Sandhya Menon book! If you're a fan of low-stakes romcoms filled with a lot of heart, swoony moments, and lots and lots of Desi characters, you should definitely pick this up!
If you're a fan of Menon's other books, especially if you loved When Dimple Met Rishi, you will love this!
Like Menon's other books, Pinky is filled with a lot of heart and humour, along with an entire cast of Desi characters. Pinky and Samir are two characters that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to. Pinky is very hard-headed and passionate, determined to make a change in the world, even when - and maybe especially when - her parents don't quite approve of what she's doing. Samir is the exact opposite. Having had to take care of his Mom from a young age, he values following all the rules to a T and living life on the straight and narrow. The two of them together makes for a relationship that is filled with a lot of friction, along with sexual tension.
There is also another discordant relationship in Pinky's life - the one with her mother that she just can't seem to fix. Because no matter how hard she tries, it seems her mother just doesn't want her to be herself. I really enjoyed the way this relationship was handled, and I don't think it's often we get to see mother/daughter relationships handled with so much depth and care in YA fiction.
There only thing I didn't love about the book was the pacing. There was a lot of back-and-forth with some of the plotlines, that I feel like could have been streamlined a little bit. The ending felt incredibly rushed, with all of the problems the characters were facing wrapped up in a pretty little bow in the second-last chapter. A lot happened towards the last three or so chapters of the book, but everything also managed to get resolved a little too easily.
But overall, this is definitely another great Sandhya Menon book! If you're a fan of low-stakes romcoms filled with a lot of heart, swoony moments, and lots and lots of Desi characters, you should definitely pick this up!
Shelved as 'to-buy'
October 25, 2019Sandhya's covers are always so beautiful!
August 25, 2020
I have always loved all of Sandhya Menon books but this one is just hitting it for me. I don't think it was the book, it was just the time I read it. So I might be a little pessimistic with my review. However, I plan on reading this book again soon when my thesis is not oppressing me.
We follow Pinky and Samir who are characters that we know a bit of them from the other books in the Dimple and Rishi Universe (I heard rumors that there would be a movie adaptation of the first book and I am hoping that is true). Pinky is the rebel who loves getting on her conservative parent's nerves. she dyes her hair and dates boyfriends that she knows that they don't approve of, not really because she likes these boys but because she knows it irks them. Then comes Samir who Pinky has met a few times and she knows he is stuck up and the perfect Indian son. He is basically a walking breathing stereotype, however, he is just himself and he is fine being the person he is. However, he does feel some sort of responsibility for his mother who has been struggling since the death of his father through her loss and also her illness.
But on the first day at his internship, the lawyer he is meant to shadows is sent to rehab and he has to either find something quick or spend his dream summer living at Pinky's parent place. They decide to lie to Pinky's parents that they are dating and her parents welcome him with open arms. He is everything they want and more. He is perfection, they offer him a place at their firm, and the book kind of picked up from here.
At this point in the book, I kind of drifted off but I really enjoyed it. Like I said before this was not because the book was boring, it was my state of mind.
We follow Pinky and Samir who are characters that we know a bit of them from the other books in the Dimple and Rishi Universe (I heard rumors that there would be a movie adaptation of the first book and I am hoping that is true). Pinky is the rebel who loves getting on her conservative parent's nerves. she dyes her hair and dates boyfriends that she knows that they don't approve of, not really because she likes these boys but because she knows it irks them. Then comes Samir who Pinky has met a few times and she knows he is stuck up and the perfect Indian son. He is basically a walking breathing stereotype, however, he is just himself and he is fine being the person he is. However, he does feel some sort of responsibility for his mother who has been struggling since the death of his father through her loss and also her illness.
But on the first day at his internship, the lawyer he is meant to shadows is sent to rehab and he has to either find something quick or spend his dream summer living at Pinky's parent place. They decide to lie to Pinky's parents that they are dating and her parents welcome him with open arms. He is everything they want and more. He is perfection, they offer him a place at their firm, and the book kind of picked up from here.
At this point in the book, I kind of drifted off but I really enjoyed it. Like I said before this was not because the book was boring, it was my state of mind.
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