Praise for the Novels of Sonali Dev
A Change of Heart
“In Dev’s seductive and complex story of love lost and then found, one layer of mystery leads to the next. Dev moves so expertly through the subtle layers of the tender love story that Nic and Jess—and even Jen—will hold a permanent place in readers’ hearts.”
—Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Mystery, adventure, and romance are spiced with Bollywood glamour in this heart-stopping novel. Dev masterfully probes Jess’s and Nikhil’s rawest emotions through her multilayered Rubik’s cube of a plot. Every time the reader thinks he or she has figured out the end of the novel, the story’s quick-paced narrative, which races back and forth from the U.S. to India, takes another hairpin turn, leaving the reader breathless. This is riveting, heart-pounding drama. Dev takes the characters and the readers on a death-defying ride. A novelist at the height of her powers.”
—Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
“Dev deftly navigates the complex themes of bereavement, motherhood, and how the culture of India exists in America. All the while, she swathes tough, fully realized characters in delicate prose and tackles tragedy with both grittiness and sensitivity. Most impressively, Dev manages to keep the vibrant spirit of the late Jen alive, be it through her diary entries or the way other characters talk about her. With richly rendered characters, heavy topics, and soulful writing, this is stunning all around.”
—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Dev walks straight into the fire, building her narrative on an unlikely foundation of wrenching grief, gender discrimination and sexual assault trauma, addressing each issue thoroughly and with incredible compassion . . . Dev’s power to wrap the reader in her characters’ pain and then soothe it is nothing short of exhilarating . . . A Change of Heart cements this author’s standing as not only one of the best but also one of the bravest romance novelists working today.”
—Shelf Awareness
“It has only taken a few books for Dev to prove that she is an author on the fast track. Her ability to deliver richly layered and compelling stories filled with stunning emotional resonance is second to none. Utterly compelling and filled with wrenching emotion, this is one book readers will not soon forget!”
—RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars, Top Pick
The Bollywood Bride
“Exquisitely written . . . The modern Indian-American setting offers a glimpse of a rich culture and enhances the book’s overt and subtle messages of love, compassion, hope and common ground. A bright, beautiful gem.”
—Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
“A vibrant, emotional story . . . [R]eaders will rejoice at the results.”
—The Washington Post, Best Romances of 2015 Selection
“Dev’s second novel, following A Bollywood Affair, proves that she is a rising talent. Dev’s prose captures the rich and unique beauty of Indian culture while telling a story that is complex, culturally accurate, and full of emotion.”
—Booklist
“An exquisite, romantic novel with haunting universal themes.”
—NPR.com, Best Books of 2015 Selection
“For those who like substance with their steamy romance, this novel is both a sexy love story and an exploration of how a tormented young woman learns to overcome family turmoil and look forward to a future with the man she loves.”
—Library Journal
“The Bollywood Bride has it all: mystery, romance, and ghosts from the past that won’t be forgotten. It’s gorgeous, lush, and entirely consuming.”
—BookRiot, Best of 2015
“A lush, emotional, vivid story about the power of first love told in a breathtaking, lyrical voice. Sonali Dev is one of a kind.”
—Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author
A Bollywood Affair
“A fresh new voice . . . Deeply felt emotions that will keep readers turning pages. A Bollywood Affair has it all.”
—Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times–best-selling author
“Deeply romantic and emotional, with characters I fell in love with, A Bollywood Affair is simply unputdownable. It’s sexy, it’s dramatic, but most of all, it’s a sweet, hot love story that made me sigh and smile and want to read it all over again as soon as I turned the last page.”
—Nalini Singh, New York Times–best-selling author
“An impressive debut and a charming contemporary Indian fairy tale . . . Vibrant and exuberantly romantic, A Bollywood Affair is chock full of details that reflect India’s social and cultural flux.”
—NPR.com
“As intricate as a henna tattoo and as sweet as gulab juman . . . this witty confection is sure to delight . . . Captures all the glamour, mix-ups and humor of a classic Bollywood film.”
—Shelf Awareness
“Dev’s heartfelt debut novel is rich in scenes and images illuminating Indian culture, leaving readers with a greater understanding and appreciation of Indian traditions while beautifully capturing the struggle between familial duty and self-discovery.”
—Booklist
“This tasty Indian American confection will satisfy female readers of any age . . . A contemporary, transcontinental romance told with a light touch and lots of sizzle.”
—Library Journal