Recipe for Persuasion

Um...romantic comedy? Did the publishers actually read this book?

Another good book that suffers from poor marketing. It's no wonder Recipe for Persuasion doesn't have a great star rating. If you go into this book expecting the light, fluffy romcom the blurb promises, you're going to emerge disappointed.

It tackles a lot of heavy issues. There are some lighthearted moments, but I certainly would never call it a comedy. And the romance takes a back seat to the main story about Ashna, her family, and dealing with anxiety and the repercussions of the past. Her mother, Shobi, also becomes an unexpected focus, which I found jarring at first but wound up really enjoying.

This is not a romance novel. It is a novel about family, trauma, societal expectations, and love in many forms. It is loosely inspired by Persuasion - and even includes a cheeky reference - but it is its own story.

3.5 stars, rounded up.