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A Bollywood Affair
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
"Deeply-felt emotions that will keep readers turning the pages." --Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times bestselling authorMili Rathod hasn't seen her husband in twenty years--not since she was promised to him at the age of four. Yet marriage has allowed Mili a freedom rarely given to girls in her village. Her grandmother has even allowed her to leave India and study in America for eight months, all to make her the perfect modern wife. Which is exactly what Mili longs to be--if her husband would just come and claim her. Bollywood's favorite director, Samir Rathod, has come to Michigan to secure a divorce for his older brother. Persuading a nave village girl to sign the papers should be easy for someone with Samir's tabloid-famous charm. But Mili is neither a fool nor a gold-digger. Open-hearted yet complex, she's trying to reconcile her independence with cherished traditions. And before he can stop himself, Samir is immersed in Mili's life--cooking her dal and rotis, escorting her to her roommate's elaborate Indian wedding, and wondering where his loyalties and happiness lie. "Heartfelt, witty, and thoroughly engaging, Sonali Dev's debut is both a vivid exploration of modern India and a deeply honest story of love, in all its diversity. "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 bestselling 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 bestselling author "An impressive debut and a charming contemporary Indian fairytale...Vibrant and exuberantly romantic, 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 A delightful debut packed with complex characters, deep emotions and just the right touch of humor. A tale of love, loss and second chances.Shobhan Bantwal, author of The Dowry Bride "In this enthralling tale of romantic complications Sonali Dev not only entertains but provides new insight into the human condition. A must read."Mingmei Yip, author of Peach Blossom Pavilion It is a true joy when a fresh new voice enters the genre, so make note of the name Sonali Dev! Based on this marvelous debut, Dev is set to become a star. Filled with warmth and completely unforgettable characters, this occasionally poignant story explores what happens when best laid plans go awry. An absolute winner from beginning to end, this spellbinding tale grabs your heart and never lets go! RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars, TOP PICK "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
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suvata
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

• Bookly Winter Readathon 2021
• Audible audiobook • Scribd e-book

Publisher's Summary:
In the tradition of Shobhan Bantwal's successful Indian American novels, Sonali Dev's debut captures the colorful spirit and fascinating details of Indian and Bollywood culture - including a lavish wedding - while delivering an emotionally layered and accessible story.

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bookandbedandtea
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

This is a sweet, if predictable, romance. Some of the minor characters didn't thrill me but I liked Mili and Samir a lot which is what matters. I listened to this one and loved the narration. 😊

28 likes1 stack add
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bookandbedandtea
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pretty much my exact thoughts on the subject of chocolate! (Hershey isn't actually the best chocolate but I sure don't turn it down. Something about those kisses! 😋)

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NeedsMoreBooks
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Thank you for the tag, Akhila @Blackink_WhitePaper and sorry for the late response. #IndianIndependenceDay

1. The tagged one is the last book I read. Need to read more 😅

2. Yes.

3. Yes, everyday 😉😋

Blackink_WhitePaper Thanks for playing 😍💐 4y
41 likes1 comment
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BethM
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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2. I think just Sonali Dev maybe, but I enjoy her and she‘s awesome to meet!
3. Yes! #indianindependenceday

ChasingOm Oooooh, Sonali Dev! Love her as well. 😍 4y
32 likes1 comment
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NeedsMoreBooks
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

My second Sonali Dev after Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors, her debut novel fell flat after my high expectations. It is the love story of Mili Rathod and her ex-brother-in-law, Samir. Mili was a child bride and her marriage was annulled but she believes she‘s still married. Samir meets her in the US to persuade her to sign the divorce and property claim papers. Despite using exotic stereotypes, the women are interesting & the plot is all right

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annahenke
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Need a little romance.

92 likes1 stack add
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aroc
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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@Heatherfeather Thank you so much for the wonderful #LitsyLove #WinterSwap package! You were so kind to have it signed for me. I cannot wait to read it! Thank you so much! 💛❄💛

Heatherfeather YAAAAAAAY! So glad you love it ❤️ 5y
41 likes2 comments
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llwheeler
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Super excited about my #littlefreelibrary find today! I've been wanting to try one of Sonali Dev's books for quite a while. This will be perfect to bring on an upcoming trip... if I don't read it first.

llwheeler I also found another #littlefreelibrary that I didn't know about within easy(ish) walking distance, that was pretty well stocked with good kids books. Made me happy to see! 5y
xxjenadanxx Ooh I might have to try and find this book, I LOVE Bollywood! I'm always scared irrationally to visit the little free libraries here lol. 5y
llwheeler @xxjenadanxx I'm hoping the book is good! I guess it depends on the area, but I love little free libraries. There are a couple around me that are well curated and I check out periodically, and one that I never check anymore because it's not maintained. 5y
35 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Verity
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

This was just too melodramatic for me. But then that‘s probably the aim a because it‘s Bollywood themed and Bollywood movies can be super melodramatic. Fun, just not my sort of fun.

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Verity
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Latest contemporary romance read.

17 likes1 stack add
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ScientistSam
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book and its description of a traditionally raised young woman who still manages to break some barriers and go study in America... while waiting for the husband she met and was married to at the age of four and hasn't seen since. When her brother-in-law comes to the States to get her to sign annulment papers, the story gets, well, complicated.

4⭐
#romantsy

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Crinoline_Laphroaig
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

A friend recommended Sonali Dev to me. Her 2nd book in series Bollywood Bride has been in my TBR for awhile. I don't think you have to, but since my Library had this 1st one, thought I would read in order. Wasn't crazy about this one. To many Romance Novel Tropes: misunderstanding, helpess female, & bad boy changed by good girl. Going to read next one and give author another chance.

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Jeanne_S
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

Cute.

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BookInMyHands
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Panpan

Just no. If your name is Samir and you name your penis “Little Sam” and often refer to it, you are a dick. Actually, if you name your penis at all, you are a dick.

I wanted to like this book, but I can‘t go along with rape culture. I hated the sex scene in this book, it made me feel sick.

Soubhiville I bailed early on. I feel you! 6y
DGRachel I was considering this book based on a review I just read. I‘m glad I kept scrolling and saw your review. I think I‘ll skip this one! 5y
45 likes2 comments
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Posh_Salad..AKA..LazyLimaLife
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Sick in bed, taking advantage of the down time to catch up on my reading.

I‘m enjoying this title but am growing eager for some action. Hopefully it‘s just a few pages away....

Dragon Hope you‘re feeling better soon! 💐 6y
17 likes2 comments
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RebelGrrrl
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

This was an entertaining read with some really excellent details and characters worth rooting for. It was not a perfect book (partly because I think the characters were a little *too* perfect and I don't love the trope of the super clumsy heroine), but I enjoyed reading this, and it was absolutely a page turner. I read this b/c my fave podcast, Book Club For Masochists is taking on the romance genre!

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RebelGrrrl
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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So apparently my cat isn't into this book. I'm really glad that the library copy I checked out was older and already had some water damage from previous patrons, otherwise I'd be buying the system a new copy. For what it's worth, I think her judgment was a bit quick and she should give it another chance. I think the book is pretty good so far.

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aliasNayNay
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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I‘m one of those people who carry a book around with them absolutely every where I go. I have read waiting for a movie to start, in countless airplanes and at the base of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.


Do you take a book everywhere you go, and where‘s the best place you read a book?

JeaMar82 My Kindle is always in my purse. Last place I read was in my room just now. 😂 6y
aliasNayNay @JeanMartin_82 I love the kindle, knowing I have hundreds of books with me is great, lol, it is an addiction a good one though. 6y
JeaMar82 @aliasNayNay Definitely a good addiction 😂 6y
1 like3 comments
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Lauredhel
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

Sooooo much toppling over, and sobbing, and I'm personally of the opinion that one vomit scene in a romance is generally one too many. I also got stuck, as I am wont to do, on the medical inaccuracy of the heroine's injury and its treatment.

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Lauredhel
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Unicorn chaser!

50 likes1 stack add
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silentrequiem
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

Why did it take me so long to finally read this? I adored this way more than her later books. It's sweet, charming, and full of heart. #romantsy #ownvoices #authorofcolor

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VanChocStrawberry
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

So good. A little steamy, but with depth and character development=the best kind of romance.

23 likes1 stack add
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janeycanuck
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

Dev is fantastic and this was so cute. I don‘t see how it ties into the other books, I suspect it‘s a passing reference to a character.

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Mrs_Black
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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For the #readharder2018 challenge, this is my pick for a romance by or about a poc. I haven‘t really read romance since I was a kid... but it will be a light read after Homegoing.

ChasingOm I read these books in December and loved them! 7y
12 likes1 comment
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daniwithtea
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

With 20 minutes to go until the 12-hour mark, this was a delightful read. Challenges: author of a different ethnicity for #pop2018, romance novel by/about a person of color for #readharder, and 16/100 for the year. #24in48

14 likes1 stack add
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daniwithtea
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Shifting from audiobook back to physical book as I head into hour 9...woo!! #24in48

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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

While I did enjoy the humour a lot of the time and enjoyed this peek into Indian cultures from different regions, overall it didn't really do it for me. The playboy tamed by the innocent virginal woman trope in general does not appeal to me at all and I don't think the author sold this pair in particular well either. Plus the way the author dealt with a few aspects (the sex scene and a woman lying about domestic violence) felt not very feminist.

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian Unfortunately in terms of my romance reading project, this book confirms my negative previous assumptions about the genre. I know that's not true after reading a few books now, but I'm sure glad I didn't try this one first! 7y
29 likes2 comments
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Very funny and very romantic so far. #Romantsy #AwesomeAudiobooks #Audiobooks

QueenJen AND I have this one on hold at the library too!! 😉🥃 7y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @QueenJen We're reading twins! 7y
QueenJen Indeed! 7y
30 likes3 comments
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CaitZ
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

This one suprised me. I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It's a sweet and funny romance with fascinating insights into Indian culture. I'll definitely read her other books.

17 likes4 stack adds
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sb3626
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
Pickpick

I saw this on Overdrive‘s books for the book riot read harder challenge and I‘m so glad I got down to reading it! It was so cute and it taught me a lot about the Indian culture and the differences of the areas of India! It‘s a great cutesy read about Milli and her search for her husband. Definitely not what I expected. It was so much better!

janeycanuck Read Bollywood Bride - it‘s even better if you ask me! 7y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CaitZ
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Starting my second book for #LitsyPartyOfOne I've never read any books with an Indian theme and since the author lives nearby, I thought I'd try this one. @Ambrosnazzy

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MMFinck
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this book. Surprisingly sexy. Deep characters I wanted to be real. I can't wait to read the next one! I read so much as an author interviewer and book reviewer and the pressure to read even more is intense - yesterday two ARCs arrived in the mail from the same publicist! I'm only one person! :) - so for me to say I can't wait to read the next one for pleasure is the highest compliment I can give.

10 likes2 stack adds
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BethM
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

What a good story! More plot and story than a generic romance. Being set in, and written by an author of a different culture from mine was enlightening and enjoyable. The narrator was excellent as well.

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SamLBooks
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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17/52 Reading challenge. Very cute! Mili drove me crazy in the beginning but it ended great! #romantsy

6 likes2 stack adds
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SamLBooks
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Starting my read with a passed out pup ☺️ #petsoflitsy #romantsy

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annamae
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Pickpick

4.5🌟
In love. Loved Mili. Loved Samir. Loved all of the Indian food descriptions. This story was sweet but also dealt with real issues. I am now solidly a Sonali Dev fan. #romantsy
Book 4 of Summer

24 likes3 stack adds
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annamae
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Reading at the beach is so hard to beat. I am loving this book so far. #romantsy #beachread

Christy2318 Great book! Lovely view. 7y
Alfoster So pretty!😍😍😍 7y
annamae @Christy2318 I am really enjoying it so far, especially Mili, she is delightful! 7y
annamae @Alfoster the Oregon Coast is my favorite 😍 7y
24 likes4 comments
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eawestauthor
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

Too much foul language and sex for my tastes. If you don't mind that sort of thing, it's a lovely, complicated romance that offers a fascinating look at Indian culture.

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eawestauthor
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Can't wait to dig into this one!

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bookninja
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
Mehso-so

This was my second book by Sonali Dev and I was a bit disappointed. I wasn't invested in the characters as much as I was in the first book. The story felt too rushed. But I still love the author and will definitely read her other books.

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Mulberrymom
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Can't wait to dive into A Bollywood Affair, which takes place in the town where I went to grad school as well as places I visited in India last year!

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LeahsBookNest
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Mehso-so

I can appreciate the Indian dishes, customs, and traditions mentioned so it's a 3 star book for me. The romance made me roll my eyes one too many times but I'd be open to reading book #2. Most of the book takes place in America; you will also visit Mumbai and Rajasthan too. I think I'm going to watch my first Bollywood film. 😊

RealLifeReading Haha so much eye rolling in this book!! 8y
LeahsBookNest @RealLifeReading the slut shaming and misogyny made me cringe! 8y
24 likes2 comments
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B.Reader
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Three #DiverseRomances for today's #fiestyfeb from my #tbr. Want to get to these asap!!

Christy2318 Sonali is fabulous. 8y
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LeahsBookNest
Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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40% in. The characters are meh, plot is meh. Going to keep reading anyway.

EmilyAnne I thought this one was ok, I liked her second one better 😊 8y
LeahsBookNest @EmilyAnne it's getting better! 75% in now. ☺ 8y
19 likes2 comments
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Giabow
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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New book, new yarn, another pussyhat. #pussyhatproject #ReadHarderChallenge2017

7 likes1 stack add
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Magpiegem
A Bollywood Affair | Sonali Dev
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Really looking forward to starting my first ever reading challenge! The list is almost complete. Here it is (in parts) so far! #LitsyAtoZ #readingchallenge