Naina Kumar

This book was an interesting romance that wasn't really a romance...or was it. It was based on families from India and I learned a lot about Indian food and customs. Both of the main characters were straddling the fence between being Indian and following their customs or being American which was made more difficult by two sets of parents who believed in things like arranged marriages and a strong work ethic.

Meghna's parents wanted her to be an engineer - something that her mother continued to bring up every chance she got. Meghna wanted to be a teacher and eventually a playwright - professions that her parents didn't think highly of. When she finds out that her writing partner and best friend from college is engaged to be married, she is devastated. Seth never realized what a crush Meghna had on him but he continued to keep in touch with her over the years because she always had good suggestions about the songs he was writing. She decides that it's time to get on with her life and allows her parents to set up a meeting with a potential suitor - something that can lead to an arranged meeting. She's very unimpressed with Karthik who tells her that he has no intention of ever getting married but was letting his mom set up matchmaking meetings to make her happy. After they meet the first time, he calls her and asks her to go along with a fake engagement between the two of them. This will make his mother quit matchmaking and for her, she'll have a plus one for Seth's wedding. The more time they spend together, the more they begin to rely on each other. Is there a chance that the fake engagement will become real or will their initial impressions keep them apart?

I really enjoyed this romance. Both Meghna and Karthik knew what they wanted out of life. She wanted Seth and a happily ever after and Karthik wanted to remain single after living through the kind of marriage that his parents had. Every time it seemed that they may be falling in love, a disagreement or a remark pushed them away from each other again. I loved the way their relationship evolved from strangers to lovers with lots of growth for both of them along the way.

This is a debut novel by Naina Kumar and based on this novel I look forward to her future books.… (more)

Review: Say You’ll Be Mine
Stars: 4 x 5
Author: Naina Kumar @nkumarwrites
Publisher: @randomhouse /Ballentine/Dell
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

Meghana is being pressured by her parent to get married. She is an English/Theater teacher and he mother does not like her choice of profession. She feels that is more to life. Karthik is a grump of a man who is content in his life but his parents want him to get married. He does not want to get married. He just wants his parents to stop
pressuring him about it. Karthik gives into his mom and tells her that she can set him up with some women. This is how Karthik and Meghan meet. After meeting up and talking a while they determine that neither of them wants to get married. They come up with an idea to have a fake engagement. This will agreement will hopefully stop their parents from pressuring them so much. Meghana also wants to make her ex jealous and when she is invited to his wedding she takes Karthik. At the wedding she introduces Karthic as her fiance and this has no effect on her ex. She is devastated. As time goes by Karthic and Meghana have to spend time and slowly they get to know each other. As time goes by they become close and slowly they realize they are in love and perfect for each other.. I learned so much about the Indian culture in this book too.

This was an adorable, charming and unique book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It also happens to be my book club’s BOTM for February.

#sayyoullbemine #sayyoullbeminenainakumar #indianromance #romance #indianromanceauthor #indianromancenovels #românce #romance #romancereader #bookstagram #instabook #bookphotography #bookporn #igbooks #ilovereading #bookhaul #bookhoarder #bookaddiction #bookstoread #whattoread #fortheloveofbooks #bookblogging #bookpics #weekendreads #bookrecs #booknerdproblems #bookpictures #bookstagram #amreading #booksbooksbooks… (more)

Title: Say You'll Be Mine
Author: Naina Kumar
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Say You'll Be Mine" by Naina Kumar

My Thoughts:

Say, You'll Be Mine is an intriguing, unique, sweet romance book featuring Meghna, a teacher and aspiring playwright, and Karthik, an engineer. Their romance started as a farce due to wanting their parents to let up on them finding someone; they decided this was the best way to go for both of them. But will this stop their parent's matchmaking efforts? However, will this work out for them, with both seeming to need help in the love area, Karthik having no interest in getting married, and Meghna wanting to get married? We find Karthik has a lot of daddy issues, and Meghna seems to have feelings for a friend who is now engaged to someone else. Be ready for an interesting fake engagement, chemistry, friends, and family drama that will keep one's attention turning the pages to see what is coming next.

As time goes on in this story, what will happen between them? This is where you will have to pick up this good read to see how this author brings it all out ...as sparks begin to fly between them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishing teams for the ARC!… (more)