Queen B’s Decree: Arya Khanna’s was a really enjoyable coming of age story (with a sweet romance too!). I loved that this was more than a YA romance story.
Arya’s family was actually pretty complex; her mother struggling with depression, her sweet but emotionally absent father, her estranged sister. And then Arya, feeling the pressure to keep them all together for her sister’s wedding. All while applying for colleges and struggling with being VP on student council to her academic rival, Dean.
I really enjoyed the progression of her sisterhood with Alina, but the friendship with Dean was hashtag goals for me. He reads Pride and Prejudice for her. Brings her brownies. Watches Bollywood movies. And he is emotionally mature enough to realize when she’s struggling with other aspects of her life and taking it out on him, and he calls her out for it. SWOON.
Overall, there was a great balance of family, culture, and romance and I am thoroughly impressed by Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment and surprised this is a debut.
Book: Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat
Series: standalone
Genre: Young Adult
Hotness: no salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: enemies-to-lovers