SONALI DEV
USA Today Bestselling Author
Bollywood Affair
Mili Rathod hasn’t seen her husband in twenty years—not since she was promised to him at the age of four. Yet marriage has allowed Mili a freedom rarely given to girls in her village. Her grandmother has even allowed her to leave India and study in America for eight months, all to make her the perfect modern wife. Which is exactly what Mili longs to be—if her husband would just come and claim her.
Bollywood’s favorite director, Samir Rathod, has come to Michigan to secure a divorce for his older brother. Persuading a naïve village girl to sign the papers should be easy for someone with Samir’s tabloid-famous charm. But Mili is neither a fool nor a gold-digger. Open-hearted yet complex, she’s trying to reconcile her independence with cherished traditions. And before he can stop himself, Samir is immersed in Mili’s life—cooking her dal and rotis, escorting her to her roommate’s elaborate Indian wedding, and wondering where his loyalties and happiness lie.
Heartfelt, witty, and thoroughly engaging, Sonali Dev’s debut is both a vivid exploration of modern India and a deeply honest story of love, in all its diversity.
“An impressive debut and a charming contemporary Indian fairytale… Vibrant and exuberantly romantic, Affair is chock full of details that reflect India’s social and cultural flux.” – NPR.org (Best Books of 2014)
“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 tasty Indian American confection will satisfy readers of any age who would enjoy a contemporary, transcontinental romance told with a light touch and lots of sizzle.” – Library Journal (Best Books of 2014)
“It is a true joy when a fresh new voice enters the genre, so make note of the name Sonali Dev! Based on this marvelous debut, Dev is set to become a star. Filled with warmth and completely unforgettable characters, this occasionally poignant story explores what happens when best laid plans go awry. An Absolute winner from begining to end, this spellbinding tale grabs your heart and never lets go!” – RT BookReviews (4.5 Star Top Pick, Seal of Excellence winner)
“Sonali Dev is a fresh new voice in romance. A child bride who’s all grown up, a sexy Bollywood director, and deeply-felt emotions that will keep readers turning the pages. A Bollywood Affair has it all.” – Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times Bestseller
“Deeply romantic and emotional, with characters I fell in love with, A Bollywood Affair is simply unputdownable. It’s sexy, it’s dramatic, but most of all, it’s a sweet, hot love story that made me sigh and smile and want to read it all over again as soon as I turned the last page.” – Nalini Singh, New York Times Bestseller
“A Bollywood Affair was one of the best books I’ve read this entire year. The characters are so richly drawn, the writing is utterly breathtaking. She has a voice like none other. I highly recommend you read this book. I’ve read it twice. And I never do that.” – Kristan Higgins, New York Times Bestseller
“Sonali Dev’s A Bollywood Affair… just blew me away. The characters were so complex and compelling, and the emotions just ripped me apart. It was one of those books that had me racing through pages to get to the happy ending, but then forcing myself to slow down so I could savor every sublime page of Dev’s prose. I just loved it.” – Tessa Dare, New York Times Bestseller
“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 Bride
“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 The Nine Fold Heaven
“As intricate as a henna tattoo and as sweet as gulab jamun, Sonali Dev’s debut novel takes its inspiration from the world of big Indian cinema…With a setup as far-fetched and irresistible as that of a classic Bollywood musical, this witty confection is sure to delight.” – Shelf Awareness