When Dimple Met Rishi (Dimple and Rishi, #1) by Sandhya Menon

Narrated by Sneha Mathan & Vikas Adam

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

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I actually read When Dimple Met Rishi in June of last year, but never got around to reviewing it! I really enjoyed the story, although There's Something About Sweetie is still my favorite of the two. I read it first (out of order, I know) and really connected with Sweetie and what she was going through.

Dimple frustrated me. She was quick to assume the worst, and I wish she'd given Rishi a chance from the start. Her parents were meddling in her life, yes, but they weren't trying to force anything on her. They were simply trying to set up a match they thought their daughter would like (and continuing customs their culture has practiced for years). I could appreciate both sides - - Dimple's and her parent's - - and would've liked more communication between them. Everyone had good intentions, but they didn't always go about expressing themselves in the best way.

I disliked the dishonestly from Dimple's parents, and felt like that hurt Rishi more than Dimple. He went into a situation with certain hopes and expectations, and instead gets a drink thrown in his face. Dimple's response was extreme, but neither were really at fault. Rishi should have handled himself differently (dude came on strong), and Dimple should have been more open-minded and less hostile.

I did like how their friendship started, and the setting for the story. Dimple is into coding and creating apps, and she's presented with a really amazing opportunity to test her skills. Rishi is pursuing Engineering to make his parents happy, because they've always seen his art as a hobby. Rishi is ridiculously talented, and I love that Dimple pushed him to acknowledge that it was something he was passionate about (and potentially wanted to do professionally).

They've both grown up with similar parenting styles, yet they've responded to them in very different ways. Dimple likes to push back and do her own thing, while still being respectful of her parents and their beliefs. Rishi wants to make his parents happy, even if that means sacrificing a part of himself to do it. He believes in duty and responsibility, and wants to live up to his parent's expectations. They're not forceful about it, and had no idea Rishi was unhappy with his current circumstances. He'd never expressed disinterest or unhappiness, so they kept pushing him towards something he didn't really want.

I thought the dual perspectives added a nice contrast, and gave us a chance to see how both characters responded to the same situation. Rishi initially didn't handle Dimple's rejection well, but decided to stay at the computer programming summer camp anyways. He established a tense friendship with her, despite the disinterested signals she sent out in waves. Dimple was at the camp for one reason: to win. She wanted her app to succeed, because she really believed it would help people like her father. Rishi saw her passion for the project, and offered to help regardless of his feelings. The two of them made a great team, and we slowly see them establish a tentative friendship that grows into something more profound.

I really liked When Dimple Met Rishi, and thought their relationship had hints of a friends-to-lovers romance, but that's not quite right. Even when they decide to try dating, the ease of their friendship is what stood out. Especially when the two of them were learning a traditional dance to perform at the camp! Those long, sweaty nights were hilarious! Dimple was a fierce female character that was convinced she didn't need a man to achieve her dreams. Rishi was an unexpected addition to her life, but one she started to appreciate after awhile. Rishi was quietly confident, and his heart oozed kindness. He may have started the story a little brokenhearted, but his sweetness eventually cracked Dimple's walls.

Dimple in no way conceded that she needed a man, or that her parents had been right all along, but found her own path in her own way. Outside factors played a role, but ultimately it came down to a boy and a girl, and the shared feelings between them.

I'm rambling, because I started remembering more and more about the story as I went along, haha. There's a lot to like about this book, and I really enjoyed it despite my initial issues with Dimple. I can understand where she was coming from, but I also think she could have handled herself a little differently and gotten the same result. I would definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a simple romance that's build on friendship and understanding. (★★★⋆☆)