Our Founder Picks: 3 Books to Read This Summer

While there is no shortage of good books in the world, it is hard to come by stories that are relatable to our Indian Culture, which is why this weekend, we have picked these three books to read this summer written by Indian Authors. Here is a summary of why we loved the books (without giving too much away

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

The book was extremely well written, with very well thought out complex characters. It is both fun and serious, addressing complex issues that surround arranged marriages and sexual abuse.

About The Book: Ashna Raje is a celebrity chef who has been asked to participate in the latest hottest reality show, Cooking with the Stars. Ashna isn’t desparate for fame, but she is desperate to save her restaurant and prove herself to her estranged, overachieving mother. But her bright idea turns rancid when she’s paired up with Rico Silva.

FIFA winning soccer star Rico Silva isn’t too happy to be paired up with Ashna either. After she dumped him 10 years ago, it took a while for him to get over the stunning beauty. But if he doesn’t have a choice in his partner, he can at least prove to Ashna that he’s definitely over her.

As the kitchen heats up, so does the chemistry between Rico and Ashna. Can they leave the past behind them or are they doomed to repeat their old mistakes?

The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel

A great first book, again touching on issues surrounding first-generation Indian parents who try and keep one foot in America and one firmly in India. The story is engaging and very real touching on marriage setup and sexual abuse (by the allegedly pious god-fearing uncle). Liya, the protagonist was very relatable.

About The Book: Liya Thakkar is a successful biochemical engineer, takeout enthusiast, and happily single woman. The moment she realizes her parents’ latest dinner party is a setup with the man they want her to marry, she’s out the back door in a flash. Imagine her surprise when the same guy shows up at her office a week later — the new lawyer hired to save her struggling company. What’s not surprising: he’s not too thrilled to see her either after that humiliating fiasco.

Jay Shah looks good on paper…and off. Especially if you like that whole gorgeous, charming lawyer-in-a-good-suit thing. He’s also arrogant and infuriating. As their witty office banter turns into late night chats, Liya starts to think he might be the one man who truly accepts her. But falling for each other means exposing their painful pasts. Will Liya keep running, or will she finally give love a real chance?

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

Last but not least, Sara Desai’s book The Marriage Game is on our summer reads list. This book is perfect for the current crazy (nearly recovering) pandemic world. It for real will make you LOL, several times. A great debut, we can’t wait to read the next Sara Desai Book

About the Book: A high stakes wager pits an aspiring entrepreneur against a ruthless CEO in this sexy romantic comedy.

After her life falls apart, recruitment consultant Layla Patel returns home to her family in San Francisco. But in the eyes of her father, who runs a Michelin starred restaurant, she can do no wrong. He would do anything to see her smile again. With the best intentions in mind, he offers her the office upstairs to start her new business and creates a profile on an online dating site to find her a man. She doesn’t know he’s arranged a series of blind dates until the first one comes knocking on her door…

As CEO of a corporate downsizing company Sam Mehta is more used to conflict than calm. In search of a quiet new office, he finds the perfect space above a cozy Indian restaurant that smells like home. But when communication goes awry, he’s forced to share his space with the owner’s beautiful yet infuriating daughter Layla, her crazy family, and a parade of hopeful suitors, all of whom threaten to disrupt his carefully ordered life.

As they face off in close quarters, the sarcasm and sparks fly. But when the battle for the office becomes a battle of the heart, Sam and Layla have to decide if this is love or just a game.