Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After hearing great reviews of Dev’s romances, I was excited to start this one. Lies and Other Love Languages took me a while to get into because the changing POV and jumps from past to present slowed the momentum of the plot lines, but these jumps all came together and I loved how changing perspectives layered the depths of each character. The family dynamics were impeccably done. I especially loved Rani’s storyline, so much that I wish we had more chapters with her. I would love to see how her adult life went from her point of view, beyond what is revealed near the end of the book.

The one plotline I couldn’t get into was Mallika (Mika). It felt like every time I was back in her storyline she was repeatedly complaining about how she doesn’t want to retape an audition for a part she desperately wanted and was anxious about why Rex didn’t choose her over his now-ex. For a woman who was born to incredibly loving parents with successful careers, it was hard to sympathize with Mallika’s career struggles. It was also hard to root for her and Rex. I found his actions with her DNA study incredibly unethical and was a huge red flag to me, but were presented as a loving act. Mallika also refusing to do the bare minimum to ask Vandy for answers Mallika is desperately searching for slowed the momentum of the plot, but I did love coming to understand Vandy's motivations. 

Rani and Vandy’s stories really made me think and reflect. I’m so glad I read this, it's made me even more excited than ever to read Sonali Dev’s other works.