From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

From Twinkle, With Love

by Sandhya Menon

Menon is a bright new talent' Bustle

The next heartwarming YA romcom from Sandhya Menon, bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi.

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories to tell and universes to explore - if only the world would listen. So when nerdy classmate and fellow film-obsessive Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a film for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle can't wait.

The chance to showcase her artistic voice? Dream come true.

The opportunity to get closer to longtime crush, Neil Roy-aka Sahil's twin brother? Dream come even truer.

When Twinkle receives an email from a secret admirer - the mysterious 'N' - she is sure it's Neil, finally ready for their happy ending.

The only problem is that, in the course of their movie-making, she has found herself falling for Sahil - the wrong brother.

Twinkle soon realises that resistance is futile: the romance she's got isn't the one she scripted...

But will it be enough?

'A celebration of artistic sensibilities and a fun romantic mystery' Entertainment Weekly

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Praise for When Dimple Met Rishi:

'Funny, warm, and utterly charming, When Dimple Met Rishi is the modern rom-com YA we've all been waiting for . . . Sandhya Menon is a welcome and needed new voice in YA' Katherine Webber

'Menon wrote an utterly delightful novel and broke my heart by writing an ending because I want nothing more than to keep reading about Dimple and Rishi forever . . .' Book Riot

'Sandhya Menon's When Dimple Met Rishi is a refreshing Young Adult romance, providing the reader with much-needed delight . . . this story is a laugh riot and utterly heartwarming.' Times of India

Reviewed by Kelly on

4 of 5 stars

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Twinkle Maher is an aspiring director, destined to share the untold stories of the world. As a young Indian American woman of a low socioeconomic status, Twinkle is determined to persevere within the patriarchal dominated society with tenacity. Twinkle is the primary caregiver for her grandmother, her father an aide for displaced adolescents, her mother tormented by undiagnosed depression and unable to return to India. Her grandmother is an inspiring and wonderful support for Twinkle, also offering perspective in the absence of parental influence.

I admired her fortitude but Twinkle is often unable to compromise. Whether a necessity for perfection or to control her environment, she describes it as not having her voice heard, often accompanied by feelings of being a woman of colour within a patriarchal system. It intensifies the need to raise marginalised voices but often excuses her demanding behaviour throughout the narrative. Twinkle's journey of realisation is difficult as her popularity cultivates, friendships are constrained as her world becomes increasingly more exclusive, alienating Hannah her childhood companion.

Sahil Roy is a film aficionado, a connoisseur of stories told. Dissimilar to sibling Neil, Sahil is an academic who is determined to be recognised for his own achievements. Serendipitously, Twinkle and Sahil collaborate on a film tor the Pikes Peak Charter Midsummer Night, an annual event celebrating cinematography.

The tentative companionship is lovely, Sahil encouraging Twinkle foremost as a creative young woman and professionally, financing the film. I appreciated that Sahil was incredibly gentlemanly throughout the process, allowing Twinkle freedom of creativity. Through interactions with friends and an anonymous online journal, Sahil is incredibly attracted to Twinkle. Unfortunately, although Twinkle has developed a fondness for Sahil, she believes Neil Roy is the ideal brother to enhance her social status, unbeknownst to Sahil. The romance is convoluted, tumultuous but entirely authentic as Twinkle discovers Neil represents an ideal, rather than the connection she shares with Sahil.

Sandhya Menon is an exceptional author, creating vibrant and diverse characters and beautifully imperfect narratives of adolescent exploration and actualisation. In a series of letters written to accomplished female filmmakers, From Twinkle, With Love will captivate and delight readers until the final page.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 15 July, 2018: Finished reading
  • 15 July, 2018: Reviewed