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.
Mili Rathod has been bound by marriage since she was four years old. But when her husband shows no sign of claiming her after twenty years of waiting, Mili grabs the chance to leave India and come to America on a scholarship.
Playboy filmmaker Samir "Sam" Rathod is Bollywood's favorite bad boy. He'll do anything for his big brother—even travel halfway across the globe to take care of the "wife" who just crawled out of his brother's past. Yet Mili isn't the simple village girl Sam expected. She's a whirlwind who sucks him into her roommate's elaborate elopement and soon has him drowning in her onyx eyes. And though Mili fancies herself in love with his big brother, the husband she has never met, Sam is hoping for a very different ending.
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“Mili…is both humorous and lovable because of Priya Ayyar’s talent as a narrator. With an upbeat and lively tempo, Ayyar dramatizes the unexpected ways Indian values contradict with modern American life. Her narration resounds with humor and vitality throughout this sprawling story. Her dialogue captures Indian-accented English in an authentic-sounding manner. She entertains the listener with a rapid pace, and her energy infuses a wide-ranging cast peppered with people of both genders and multiple ages.”
— AudioFile
“Deeply romantic and emotional, with characters I fell in love with.”
— Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author“Deeply felt emotions that will keep readers turning the pages. A Bollywood Affair has it all.”
— Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times bestselling author“A charming contemporary Indian fairy tale…Vibrant and exuberantly romantic.”
— NPR“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.”
— RT Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)“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“This witty confection is sure to delight…Captures all the glamour, mix-ups, and humor of a classic Bollywood film.”
— Shelf Awareness“This tasty Indian American confection will satisfy female readers of any age who would enjoy a contemporary, transcontinental romance told with a light touch and lots of sizzle.”
— Library Journal“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“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 BrideBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Sonali Dev is an award-winning author who writes Bollywood-style love stories that let her explore issues faced by women around the world while still indulging her faith in a happily ever after. Her novels have been on the best books of the year lists from Library Journal, NPR, Washington Post, and Kirkus Reviews. She won the American Library Association’s award for best romance in 2014, was a finalist for the RITA Award, a nominee for the RT Book Reviews’ Reviewers’ Choice Award, and won the RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence. Find out more at sonalidev.com.
Priya Ayyar is an audiobook narrator, actor, and writer with a BFA and MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her acting credits for television and film include Law & Order: Criminal Intent, All My Children, and the documentary The Children of War. She has appeared on stage in War of the Unheard, Aminta, and The Road Home, and she has written and performed in the plays Karmic Fusion and Losing Remote Control.