This one is probably going to get some dings for pacing, but I actually liked it quite a bit. It's a slow burn, Cyrano/catfishing romance turned fauxmance turned romance that captures the drama and dare-we-hopefulness of sliding into someone's DMs in today's dating landscape.

I loved the blend of super contemporary and traditional here: Jia is an online beauty influencer, but she's also Pakistani American and a practicing Muslim. Dev is from an indulgent, excessive Bollywood royalty family, but he's romantic, responsible, respectful, and determined to make his own way. The physical aspects of the relationship are sweet, with sex not happening until after marriage, but realistic. Bonus: A wounded, moody teenager who speaks five languages and steals half the scenes she's in; a warm, caring Uncle who represents the joys of multigenerational extended families; and so much sister and friend and frenemy support!

Topics, tropes and themes: fauxmance, fake dating, PR engagement, one hotel room, abstinence, slow burn, mental health, self confidence, cinnamon roll characters, family, social media, influencer culture, oblique references to illness (COVID-like symptoms)

Content notes: grief, death of family members, infidelity (side character, backstory), car accident (side character, backstory), catfishing, panic attack, estrangement, brief strong language, married sex