Rowena
Written on Oct 2, 2018
- ISBN10 1977352162
- ISBN13 9781977352163
- Publish Date 2 October 2018 (first published 30 August 2018)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 16 March 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Tantor Media, Inc
- Edition Unabridged edition
- Format Audiobook (MP3)
- Duration 9 hours and 51 minutes
- Language English
Reviews
EBookObsessed
Written on Sep 17, 2018
Nayna's sister broke her family's heart when she ran away with her college sweetheart and got married. Because of Madhuri's disappointment, Nayna was give stronger curfews and much less freedom. After Madhuri's marriage failed and she returned to the family after her divorce, it is still up to Nayna to keep her family happy. That's why Nayna had agreed to an arranged marriage, but after getting a look at the parade of losers who kept rejecting HER, she isn't so certain she can go through with it. Nayna has spent her entire life paying for her sister's lack of judgment. How can she go from her parent's strict household to being under the control of a husband?
Raj was unwanted and abandoned as a children. He was adopted and cherished by his new family but all he wants for himself is a traditional wife who will support him and raise his children with the love and affection he did not know from his birth parents. He believes an arranged marriage will give him that stability with a woman who will understand the role he wants her to play in his life.
When Raj and Nayna meet at a house party for an important client, Nayna is hoping for one night of rebellion before she is subjected to marriage and Raj is wondering if he should hold off on matchmaking until he can see if the sparks between himself and Nayna could lead to more. Nayna ends up running away, more like Cinderella then Lizzy Bennet, but she and Raj meet up soon thereafter as their parents have already set up their next match.
There are definite sparks between Raj and Nayna but both fear the power the other could hold over them if they fell too hard. Raj's past has made him a bit of a control freak and while Nayna admits to herself that she has strong feelings for Raj and can see herself with him, anytime any of the parents utter the word "marriage," it's like trying to get your dog in the car when the know they are going to the vet. Raj knows that if they push too much, he will loose Nayna forever but the well-meaning matchmakers don't understand what all the fuss is about and their attempts to push Nayna down the aisle, might just cause her to make a break for the door.
I thought I caught a Pride & Prejudice spin to the story but there was no question once a misunderstanding occurs and Raj shows up with a letter for Nayna and her response is..."What? Am I living Lizzy Bennet's life?" This also brings in the actual story since Raj has to find out who Lizzy Bennet is and it is funny to see Raj having discussions with the construction workers on his team about the nuances of Mr. Darcy and Lizzy's relationship.
I am not kidding when I say this book needed illustrations or for the ebook, links to pictures of the gorgeous outfits being described. When Nayna's sister is picking through possible wedding outfits, I really, really wanted to see what Nalini was describing. I tried googling but it just wasn't coming up with anything as nice as what was being described. That part was really disappointing. So I would like to put in my vote for a collector's edition with illustrations.
After reading snippets of Raj and Nayna's romantic chase going on in the background of Cherish Hard, I was really happy that they got their own story and we got to see what was really happening on their way to a HEA.
Received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Linda
Written on Sep 11, 2018
*I received a free copy of [title] from [publisher] via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *Rebel Hard was such a swoon-worthy story. Trying to stay within their families' and culture's tradition, Nayna and Raj had their work cut of for them! But what a beautiful path they were on!
Story:
Singh always makes me swoon - and she did so with Rebel Hard as well. I loved this peek into Indian customs in New Zealand. How many young people choose to follow traditions, but not completely to the letter. And while parents might seem to hold all the power, that was not always the case here. The two main characters were so relatable - even if I don't really have much in common with them apart from being human. And that's legacy to the writing. I felt swept up in the story, and it was impossible to put it down.
Nayna has agreed to an arranged marriage, but she still has more than a little power. Always being the good girl is starting to make her feel like she's living in a cage, though. But not for long! Rebel Hard is about all the little rebellions that can make the difference. How sneaking out to a party can make the world seem more open. How taking a stand is really important. And even more so - how having someone good at your back is crucial.
Rebel Hard is written in third person point of view, but a close third person. The reader knows most of Nayna's inner thoughts, and she's such a great character I loved to stay inside her head. The past tense and even pace made the story flow seamlessly, and I was sad when it was over. The romance was absolutely scorching, even when things were rather slow, and that just delighted me even more.
She'd been such a nerd at school and university that boys hadn't seen her as anything but a source of study notes. With graduation had come professional confidence. She was fine with male clients - but that confidence didn't translate to dealing with men on a male-female level. "Tonight it does." she squeezed the steering wheel. "Tonight you're a fearless femme fatale with no panties and a plan to be bad."