Annika Sharma

1.25 stars. a definite improvement over her first book. the writing is better and the audio narrator (who was the same) was better as well, so maybe it wasn't her so much as that she couldn't save/improve the first one.

this still needs improvement, most notably in the deep dive into the emotional content and the exploration of character and the issues that are the main crux of her books. she's drawing attention to the difference in cultures between indian and american families, and showing the way that a traditional upbringing can be in conflict with a more free spirited american way of living. but the conflict resolution itself is really glossed over in this book as well as the other, although not quite so much this time. the conflict, though, was entirely nonsensical to me. payal was upset and wishing that ayaan would do something, give her something, and he was doing exactly that, while she was saying that all he needed to do was... it made no sense. (it's possible that i wasn't paying enough attention because i'd gotten annoyed by it all, but that is certainly how it seemed to me.)

the books also rely on this idea of found family between the 4 friends, but each book really does no character development of the friends, so we aren't made to care about them or to await their own story in the upcoming books.

still, this was a great improvement over the first, and i hope she'll continue to improve with the others. and let someone else name them, maybe?… (plus d'informations)

i really love the ideas she was trying to explore here (conflicting cultures, family obligations vs being true to yourself, how someone who grew up differently can ever really understand someone else's culture or way of life) but it was not well done. the writing was especially terrible for most of it and all of the secondary characters (except, to some extent, payal) were not well rounded but were very important to the story. i assume this is her first book and the others (there will be, i imagine, 4 stories for the 4 friends) should improve, because she has good ideas and this is a first book. but as far as this one goes, the exploration of the issues and the characterization of the friends was all lacking. there was so much opportunity to really go deep with the conflict between kiran and her parents, and the resolution required no conversation, no convincing, no emotional reckoning. very disappointing, but with potential.

example of the writing that needed better drafting or editing:
"Her fists clenched as her heart slowed. Her heart beat raced and she fought back tears again." literally the end of one sentence contradicts the beginning of the next one.

i also thought the narrator for the audio was a poor fit and that may have contributed to my general annoyance while listening to this, but it didn't affect my feelings about the writing.… (plus d'informations)

I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun romance with twists and turns that keeps you turning the pages to see how the story unfolds.

Payal and Aayan have both moved to New York to follow their dreams in their careers of fashion design and marketing, respectively. Their wealthy families of Indian heritage now living in England, where Payal and Aayan were both raised, have different ideas in mind for them however. They soon find themselves pawns in a business merger-slash-arranged marriage situation that each ends up agreeing to for their own selfish reasons, neither expecting to go through with it in the end.

They are in for a bumpy ride, getting to know each other; with ups and some (very low) downs. Just when things finally smooth out and it looks like the engagement might work out (for real), things unravel FAST.

As Payal works towards the fashion show that will get her company launched with indispensable marketing help and influencer boosts from Aayan, the rift that has come between them looms large. Throughout all, her three best friends from this book series, the CMC (Chai Masala Club) are always there for her; through thick and though thin, an irrevocable bond between them.

The detailed description of Payal's clothing designs, combining elements of traditional Indian attire with American and British flairs I found to be absolutely fascinating. The colors, fabrics and designs were so vividly portrayed, that they came to life in my mind's eye--a gorgeous rainbow of fashion that I would love to see in real life!

Though this is Book Number Two in the Chai Masala Club series, it loses nothing by being read as a stand alone book. This is the first book in the series I have had the pleasure of reading.… (plus d'informations)

Payal is finally realizing her dream of being a fashion designer. Moving away from the family business, she's ready to set out on her own. Then she gets summons from her family calling her back to London. Their business is not doing so well and they've worked out a deal to merge with another family-run company. And part of that deal is a marriage between Payal and that family's son Ayaan.

Neither Payal nor Ayaan are wanting to get married, but they understand the sacrifices one makes for family, and their willing to court one another. Especially since they'll both be getting something out of it. Payal will get some support for her growing fashion brand and Ayaan has been promised the role of CMO in his family's business. Both are secretly planning to end the engagement once they get what they want out of the merger. That is, until their feelings for one another start becoming real.

I loved the back and forth between Payal and Ayaan. So alike in their circumstances yet their approaches are often different and it's those points where they end up running up against one another. Both are invested in their families yet they want to be known for their own skills. They don't want to follow in the same path as their parents, but they find themselves on it anyway.

Just each time Payal and Ayan were together was magic. Sparks flew and I equally enjoyed the moments they challenged one another as I did the moments where they were totally in sync.

I felt like we got more time with the CMC this time around and I really enjoyed the further depth and understanding we get of their group dynamic. I cannot wait for Sonam and Akosh's stories.

If you haven't read the first book, you can totally pick this one up on its own. Although, once you do, you'll be compelled to go back to the beginning and fill in the blanks.… (plus d'informations)