4.5/5

10 Things I Hate about Pinky is the third book in the young adult own voices series titled, Dimple and Rishi, by author Sandhya Menon. The Dimple and Rishi series is a young adult contemporary romance series, where each book is a standalone. As such, you do not need to read the books in order because each story will focus on a different set of characters and their story. However; they are all set in the same world, and so far, there is some character overlap. For example, There's Something About Sweetie is about Sweetie and Rishi’s brother, Ashish, and 10 Things I Hate About Pinky centers around Ashish's friends Pinky and Samir.

At this point, I have read several of Sandhya Menon's books, and I have a pretty good idea of her writing and characters, and I know that I am likely going to love them. This was exactly the case here. I loved each of the characters so much, and their romance is one full of heart and smiles. 10 Things I Hate about Pinky is told in dual narrative between Samir and Pinky, which is the perfect narration for this story. It helped me get to know both of the characters very quickly, and let me root for them almost immediately. Pinky is a self dubbed social justice warrior, and some of her causes made me chuckle and completely endeared her in my eyes. She is pretty much the complete opposite from straight laced Samir, who is very serious and has his traditional future all mapped out. Samir and Pinky put up with each other for the sake of their mutual friend Ashish, but no one would say they are each other's biggest fans. But when Pinky's parents refuse to see her as anything but a juvenile delinquent, she makes up a boyfriend she knows they would approve of. Samir has a prestigious internship set up at a law firm for his last summer before Harvard. But when that falls through, Pinky convinces him to he his fake boyfriend to impress her lawyer parents. And then the fun begins. I love a fake relationship story and when you couple that with the pure magic that is Sandhya Menon's characters and writing, you have a wonderful feel good romance. I loved the push and pull dynamic between Pinky and Samir. Watching their fake relationship progress into something real was fantastic.

All of Menon's books center on some theme of love, self-discovery and acceptance, which I completely adore. Whether you are a new fan to this series, or if you are fan girl to When Dimple Met Rishi, you will love 10 Things I Hate about Pinky. It will make your heart happy and it will bring a smile to your face. Maybe even a perma-smile. I dare you to read this book and not smile. Go ahead...I really dare you. I don't think it is possible. This is a fantastic companion novel, and I really hope that there are more books set in this world. I don't want to say goodbye to these characters yet. I am a huge fan of Sandhya Menon's writing. I can't wait to read many many more novels by her.