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Marriage Unarranged by Ritu BhathalPublished by RBW Books on February 9, 2020
Pages: 378
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: Marriage Unarranged, Straight As A Jalebi
Aashi’s life was all set.
Or so she thought.
Like in the Bollywood films, Ravi would woo her, charm her family and they’d get married and live happily ever after.
But then Aashi found the empty condom box...
Putting her ex-fiancé and her innocence behind her, Aashi embarks upon an enlightening journey, to another country, where vibrant memories are created, and unforgettable friendships forged.
Old images erased, new beginnings to explore.
And how can she forget the handsome stranger she meets? A stranger who’s hiding something…
✮ My Review ✮
I have been dying to read this book for ages, ever since Ritu told me at the last Blogger’s Bash that she was writing it! So when she asked me if I wanted to read it I jumped at the chance!
When I got my copy, I do what we all do went on to Goodreads and marked it as Currently Reading and I checked out how many pages and then I panicked! Because I thought that is a lot! Will I like it? Will it drag? Because according to Goodreads it’s nearly 400 pages!
However!!! And it is a HUGH HOWEVER!! Do not let that put you off! Once you meet Aashi and her plight you won’t want to let go of the book. She is naive, bless her, when we first meet her and arranged husband Ravi, he is a bit shifty and we know before she does what he’s been doing! Douche bag alert! What then follows is such a lovely tale of not only letting go but of rediscovering yourself.
I love that this is heavily loaded with the traditionalism of Sikhs, down to the terms of endearments and phrases. We learn about arranged marriages and what happens with broken engagements and the dispersions of gossip and social cast that come with it.
Aashi trying to deal with her heartbreak still wants to go to India with her best friend Kiran and her brothers Bali and Sunny. This unit is such a fab unit to have the pleasure of being a part of for 2 weeks while we get to discover the “true” India with them. Plus the addition of Arjun who is out to discover it too all makes you feel like you are on the journey with them. We are not on the outside looking in, we are on the adventure with them, on rickshaws travelling through the streets, to the sounds of the markets with everyone vying for your business and attention. To the breathtaking celebration of Vaisakha with the temple lit up by the lights at 4 am and then the dawn as the sun broke. Everywhere you look on the tour is bright and bursting with colours and this is definitely a book that will leave you with a smile on your face.
I learned so much with Marriage Unarranged, growing up one of my best friends was a Sikh and the other was a Muslim, and they tried to teach me so much of their traditions and how everything was set out for them. I found it, still do, so fascinating as it is not the life I have lived. Having to have parents permission today date someone and to have chaperones is something I can not comprehend.
I love this journey of growth and strength for Aashi. She is someone I felt protective of, but not too sympathetic because she would hate that! She starts a timid naive girl, but when confronted at the end by the douche Ravi, and his sister Narinder. The strength Aashi has in front of them shows how much she has grown into a confident young woman!
It’s hard to talk too much about the plot but Ritu has created such a pool of wonderful characters that I want to be back with them and I told her I needed a sequel. Good news there is one on its way! For a debut, the writing is strong and eloquent and you feel like you are there experiencing India with all the characters. The smell and sounds of the markets, the lumpy beds, the stunning and bright array of colours and the fear for your life on a rickshaw! It was just such a wonderful story to lose myself in. It made me smile and it is, to me, a love story with a difference. Especially with that ending!!! I can’t wait to find out more and soon!
I loved, loved and breathed Aashi story and I can’t wait to get back with the gang. Now I need to save my money to go on a trip to India and experience what they have done! It just sounds amazing!
Until next time xxx
Thank you to Ritu for a copy of her book in return for my honest and unbiased review
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Ritu says
Thank you so much, Zoe, for such an amazing review! you don’t know how happy you’ve made me! <3
Zoé says
Aw your kind words have made me so happy! I am so glad you liked my review ❤️❤️ hope no more tears though! X
Ritu says
Any tears are joyous!!!! <3
Ritu says
Seriously, you rock <3
willowdot21 says
What a great great review Zoe sounds like you had the same reading experience as I did. I loved the book too such a great story. Like you I am looking forward to a sequal or three ?. Well done Ritu too.?
Ritu says
Thank you Sis!
willowdot21 says
???
Zoé says
Thank you Willow! It’s so easy to write a review for a book that you enjoy as much as I did this one! ?
Ritu says
Blushing over here….
willowdot21 says
Yes it is isn’t ?
Mary Smith says
Great review.
Zoé says
Thanks Mary
Ritu says
Thank you Mary! <3
OIKOS™-Publishing says
Thank you to another lovely review for this very interesting book. Nearly 400 pages is a challenge, but i think worth to read. Michael
tidalscribe says
Good, not long to go now till I get my copy… Goodreads says 400 pages, my latest novel in paperback is 370 pages and that’s not my longest novel… How many thousand words is it Ritu?
Zoé says
It’s fab! I hope you really enjoy it like I did!
Ritu says
It was around 87,000 words! Thank you!
Rebecca Moon Ruark says
Great review! Well done, Ritu!
Zoé says
Thanks Rebecca! X
Ritu says
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I was thrilled! <3
Janet MacLeod Trotter says
I love the sound of this book! Thanks for flagging it up 🙂
Ritu says
Thank you so much for taking an interest!!!
Zoé says
You are so welcome Janet glad you are interested!! X
OIKOS™-Publishing says
Great review. Thank you! Michael
Zoé says
Thank you!
OIKOS™-Publishing says
Thank you for honouring Ritu, and for the great review. Best wishes, Michael
Ritu says
Thank you Bro! <3
Zoé says
It’s easy to do when she writes like that -amazing!
Marje @ Kyrosmagica says
I love this story so much and agree with you on all your points Zoe. I’ll be writing a review too and looking forward to being a blog tour host for Ritu. 🙂
Ritu says
Thank you so much! I’m excited to see your review ?
Marje @ Kyrosmagica says
Awesome. <3 x
Zoé says
Ah thanks Marje! It was lovely wasn’t it! Can’t wait for your review!
Marje @ Kyrosmagica says
Welcome. Looking forward to sharing my thoughts. 🙂
Jacquie Biggar says
Fabulous review, Ritu! You must be dancing in the clouds about now 🙂
Zoé says
Thank you for your kind words! I hope she is ?
Ritu says
I am thrilled, Jacquie!
robertawrites235681907 says
A wonderful review of Ritu’s book, Zoe. Thank you for sharing it.
Zoé says
Thank you for your kind words! It is such a lovely book! x
Rae Reads says
I love stories of second chances and rediscovery. Great review. I will buy this one for sure.
Zoé says
Oh it’s such a lovely story! And I love all the cultural take on it too!
Rae Reads says
Absolutely.
Ritu says
Thank you so much Rae! I hope you enjoy it! ?