Radha and Jai's Recipe for Romance
ISBN13
9781788952132
Review published
13/08/2021
By Reviewer
Natalie J.
Star Rating
By Author / Illustrator
Nisha Sharma
Age range(s)
11+
Review
Radha and Jai’s Recipe for Romance weaves together the worlds of dance and cooking, specifically Bollywood and Kathak dancing and Punjabi cuisine, in a nice romantic drama.
On moving to New Jersey, Radha must deal with a new school, her parents' separation and, most importantly, her drastic fall in confidence regarding her previously award-winning dance ability. Upon meeting Jai, the captain of the school's Bollywood dance team and aspiring doctor, she falls in love with somebody who is facing his own family problems and together, they realise what is truly important.
This is a light, enjoyable story which touches on some serious subjects - especially confidence and self-belief - and has some interesting and likeable characters, although personally, I thought the writing was stilted in places and I didn't really feel any chemistry between the two protagonists. I would have appreciated a glossary to help me understand lots of Indian dance and cookery terminology and its absence might make some readers who have no knowledge of these worlds feel daunted or put off by the story. But for others who enjoy cooking the inclusion of detailed recipes for the likes of samosas, parantha dough, and paneer could just make this a book to come back to again and again.
320 pages / Reviewed by Natalie Plimmer, librarian
