Alisha Rai does an excellent job of making a catfish situation — something that is terrible and not romantic whatsoever — beautiful and exciting. The relationship between the lead characters is so cute that I started dreaming up a whole follow-up story for them, and that's exactly what a good book should do. While there were some pacing issues for me, overall, I really enjoyed "First Comes Like." Maybe I should give dating apps another try....

I have really enjoyed this series about three friends finding romance. I also enjoy the glimpse into two different sorts of ethnic backgrounds.

Pakistani-American Jia writes about beauty tips on Instagram. She’s not an airhead, but she has fallen for catfishing texts from someone pretending to be Dev, a star of Indian television. When Jia gets to meet Dev and they both realize what has happened, Dev is mortified. He’s also really attracted to Jia. Dev is just the nicest guy, trying to make his own way in Hollywood while raising his niece.

This was a very enjoyable read about good people making their way and figuring out how to have a real relationship while pretending to have a fake relationship.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I was so excited to receive this eARC from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. I loved the first two books in this series and was beyond excited to read Jia’s book. I’m happy to say that I loved this one just as much.
Jia is a beauty influencer. She is feeling like her content is stale and she wants something new. Her dream is to have her own make up line, so that is what she’s working toward. I thought it was really interesting to read about someone that was an influencer. I loved it. I loved how it was shown how hard Jia works, and how much work it really is. But despite all the work she does, her family still doesn’t get it and Jia feels the need to prove herself. I love Jia. I can’t speak to the Muslim representation but I love that this book exists for others to see themselves in. So, Jia has been talking online to Dev Dixit for a while. She manages to get invited to a part that he’s going to be at, so they can finally meet. Except, he has no clue who Jia is.
Dev was a great love interest. He is the guardian of his niece since his brother died and he is trying to cultivate an acting career in America. Dev is just all around a nice guy that is trying to do the right thing for the people in his life. I loved how sweet and thoughtful he was. So, when he learns of what has happened with Jia, he wants to meet with her and make amends. It also helps that he can’t stop thinking about her. (The fact that he watched all of her YouTube videos makes my heart melt.)
I loved their romance. The fake dating trope is such an excellent one. I also thought the book overall did a great job talking about religion and grief, class differences and family differences. I think there were so many good things about this book, but the slow burn, emotional development of Jia and Dev’s relationship was absolutely the best part. While I love a steamy romance, I really loved seeing these two fall in love without any of the usual physical intimacies. They don’t even kiss until after they’re married.
Overall, I cannot get enough of Rai’s books. She made me fall in love with both Jia and Dev (and also all of their family members) while they were falling in love with one another. I adored all the family dynamics, with Jia’s big family and Dev’s grandmother, uncle, and niece. I would love to see the next romance in this series to be one of Jia’s sisters. I think the romance was wonderful and at the same time, it did a great job talking about tough topics like grief. I absolutely recommend this book.

First Comes Like is the third book in the Modern Love series and can be read as a stand alone. I was so excited to finally see that Jia was going to have her love story since she was first introduced in book 2 of the Forbidden Heart series, Wrong to Love You, as Sadia's sister and then she made appearances in the Modern Love series, The Right Swipe and Girl Gone Viral, as Rhiannon and Katrina's friend and roommate. This book is more of a slow burn and is definitely a way more tame than any of Alisha Rai's previous books. The author definitely tackles sensitive issues like traditional beliefs, conservatism, religion, and family pressure in a tactful way while implementing the fake relationship and catfish tropes. I really liked the fake relationship trope in this story which worked out well, but I just couldn't get into the catfishing trope (FYI I have not found any romance book that successfully does the catfish trope). Though both of the main characters are sweet and they're a great fit for each other, the pace of their relationship was a bit off and felt that the main characters overall were a bit flat. I love that we see reoccurring characters from previous books like Rhiannon, Katrina, Sadia, and Lakshmi. We are also introduced to some lovable new side characters like Adil Uncle and Luna. Even though I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed Girl Gone Viral, I absolutely love the author's writing style. I'm really hoping we'll get to read Lakshmi's story next!

First Comes Like is the next in Alisha Rai’s Modern Love series and features Jia…the third of the roommates.

Jia has been talking to Dev ever since he slid into her DMs a while back and she’s determined they are finally going to meet in person. Only issue…once they meet Dev has no idea who she is.

Can you spell C.A.T.F.I.S.H?

But what started as this conflict filled story turns into a sweet and adorable romance. Dev is instantly taken with Jia, feeding his obsession by watching all her social media videos (how adorable is it that he watches her makeup videos and orders the skincare items she recommends??). Jia doesn’t really want to have anything to do with him, despite her attraction, but they are caught by a paparazzo during an innocent night out and both of their families see the photo.

Thus, one of my favorite tropes emerges: fake relationship that turns real. Their relationship progresses really fast, but Jia is Muslim (and one of Dev’s parents was) so there is a cultural aspect to their story that is something I can’t totally relate to. It did make for a very interesting story, and I loved learning more about their traditions and culture.

First Comes Like was sweet and adorable and Dev is 100% my next book boyfriend.

I was really excited about the third book in the Modern Love series, especially after reading the second book earlier in the month. This story follows Jia, the insta influencer, who falls in love with a guy she's never met and then finds out she's been catfished. Dev is a Indian soap opera actor who comes from a famous family of actors and actresses - and he has no idea who Jia is when she approaches him expecting him to know her and love her.

I really wanted to love this story and root for Jia and Dev. I think it's nice how it worked out in the end, but I just...meh. Jia reads extremely young at (26 or 29? I can't remember) and I think the previous book set that up as well as it being continued in this book. She's super naive. So when Dev and her pursue fake dating, it seems kinda skeevy and like he's taking advantage of her. And she thinks that at multiple points too, as does her family and friends. I can't speak to the cultural aspects of arranged marriages and how involved Indian and Pakistani families are and I actually really enjoyed the family moments, but I will say I'm not a fan of the instalove - especially with no action at all - no kissing or anything. I felt there wasn't enough substance with these characters like there was with Rhiannon/Samson and Katrina/Jas, so I didn't feel as connected to them. I was also bummed that the CTE work was MIA in this story. I do sort of hope for more in the series, but I hope it gets back to more of that first book vibe. I loved the first book so much. I will also say that I appreciate so much that the first couple isn't rushing towards marriage like so many of these adult rom-com series do. They'll be like first book couple is married and has a baby now. This one is like I haven't moved in with him yet and not doing the whole marriage thing. I love that.

First Comes Like is the third book in Rai's Modern Love series. What I enjoy about this romances is the global thinking of romance novels. I appreciate the multi-faceted, multi-national perspectives.

I love the Modern Love series and this newest installment is a perfect addition to a great series. We met Jia Ahmed in book 2 of the Forbidden Hearts series (Wrong to Need You) and Jia is featured in Rhiannon and Katrina's books as their friend and roommate.

In First Comes Like, Jia has been having online and text conversations with Dev Dixit for a year and wants to finally meet him in person. Dev is a well known Indian soap actor from a Bollywood family and he is in LA shooting a new show. Unfortunately, when Jia searches Dev out and he doesn't know who she is, she realizes she has been catfished. I was worried about the catfishing theme but Rai did it so well and it didn't take them too long to figure it out and get passed it. Then came one of my favorite tropes, fake relationship, which I love love loved. Dev is literally the perfect cinnamon roll - he is so sweet and thoughtful. He is family oriented and his slow love for Jia is beautiful. I also really loved Jia - her insecurities felt real, she was strong and powerful. This is just a super sweet book. Some people might be thrown off by the lack of steamy times, but it fits with the characters and I loved it.

Thank you Avon for an ARC to review!

First Comes Like is a fun and swoony entry in Alisha Rai's technology-romance Modern Love series. Beauty influencer Jia has been DMing with Bollywood star Dev, or so she thought-- but it's clear when she confronts him at a party that she's been catfished. But once he meets her and watches all her tutorials, Dev can't keep her out of his head. I found Jia's struggles with being an "older" YouTube star trying to keep up with the TikTok dance generations really interesting. Also got engrossed in the stories around Dev being the less-famous son of a complicated Bollywood-royalty clan doing some crossover work in the US to establish some distance. I love a good "let's have a fake relationship" plot, and was really impressed with how Jia and Dev's interest in each other was respectful of each other's religious beliefs and family expectations. There are some throwaway COVID mentions that I found jarring and took me out of the moment-- I think they could be trimmed out to no ill effect. Let's keep pandemics out of our romance books until this one is well and truly over, unless they're vital to the plot.

I'm a huge Alisha Rai fan, so it's no surprise that I absolutely loved her latest book focused this time on Jia. It's a slow burn romance between Jia and Dev with some of the best romance tropes: fake dating and only one hotel room. Throw in families forgiving each other for past hurts, and this book was basically made for me. I cried happy tears multiple times while reading. It was a truly wonderful book, and I'm very hopeful we'll get a book about Jia's twin Ayesha in the future.

I received an ARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Influencer Jia has secured an invite to an exclusive party to meet Dev, the handsome actor who slid into her DMs and with whom she's been falling in love via text message. And Dev.....doesn't know anything about any of them. As usual, Alisha Rai's characters plots are practically ripped from the headlines. They seem realistic, believable, and you always root for her charming, charmingly flawed, characters.

I did have a problem with the sort of is it/isn't it nature of the mysterious Covid-like illness that befell Jia and her sister on the opposite coast, at the same time. Vague allusions are made to a "tough time" in the country and in the medical field, but no other indications that it was a pandemic (there are parties, drinks out, flights from India, and no masks or social distancing). I would have preferred if the whole pandemic were ignored if it's not going to be an actual plot point...Jia could have had the flu. I don't think you can have there be both a pandemic and not a pandemic. It strains credibility.

It's not a deal-breaker on this book though. Rai continues to bring a joie de vivre to her writing, a sweetness and optimism to her characters, and an up-to-the minute contemporary feel to her plots.

First Comes Like was a charming story about second chances and embracing what life throws at us. It's an action packed fast read - I devoured this book in one day! I just couldn't stop reading and I adored reading Jia and Dev's chemistry. Talk about instant and sizzling! This dual POV story allows readers to get to know both Jia and Dev better. To see the ways that Jia feels "too much" and how that phrase affects her life. I hate that phrase! To see the ways Dev struggles with raising his niece and envisioning a future in Hollywood.

Jai stole the show. I knew she would because not only does she have a savvy business sense, but there were so many pieces of her character I adored. I loved that she records affirmations for herself, that she feels that people do not take her seriously - all of it hit a bit too close to home! As I kept reading, my instant love for Jia only deepened. At the same time, I began to love Dev. His interactions with his niece were instant swoon for me, but I began to love how feminist Dev was and the impact of his past.

I enjoyed this series so much! The main characters and love stories were all so different from book to book and while I think Girl Gone Viral was my favorite, it was a close race between all three. Jia was both strong and sensitive, a combination that made her so easy to root for. And Dev was such a gentlemen: strong, protective, and soft inside. They made a really nice couple. I hope the next book features Lakshmi's love story, but if the series is over, I will still look forward to Alisha Rai's next book.

I loved this book so much! The characters have great chemistry and the pacing was great. I need more Alisha Rai novels in my life.

Dev is a world-famous Bollywood actor. working to make it in Hollywood. Jia is a Pakistani-American Instagram and YouTube model and makeup guru. Through an unfortunate prank they meet in real life and romance blossoms. The pace was alternately fast and slow and completely delightful. And the development of their love was shown, not just told, which is key to a believable romance. I loved this book.

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks for the gifted copy of First Comes Like by Alisha Rai!

Well I didn’t want that to end...it ended so endearing and unexpected considering it all started out as a CATFISH! I said in the beginning that I wasn’t a fan of the fake relationship trope because I could see the train wreck coming but in this case it delivered a true romance that I’m sad it’s over! I want more of Dev and Jia NOW! I found myself overjoyed for them both having found something real, something they didn’t think possible.

The chemistry between Dev and Jia was undeniable, they talked like they were meant to be together and truly understood one another. Dev,a true gentlemen and Jia, an impulsive jokester. I loved both characters.

I wish they would’ve stood up to their families more BUT I really appreciated them both honoring their culture and cultural norms.

The pacing was great and I only felt like I wanted to rush through the “almost scandal” because I wanted to see how they’d recover, which I might add, they recovered beautifully. Don’t even get me started in the girlfriends and the family support! LOVED LOVED LOVED both Dev and Jia’s support systems as they each figured out the mess they both made.

My favorite character (aside from Dev ad Jia)?! A tie between Adil Uncle ( the caring and understanding uncle) and Lakshimi (the frenemy by default)...and Jia’s sisters too! So many likeble characters in this book!

The bad side to reading a great story is a book hangover and now I’m suffering! I love the feelings romance reads gives me. This is my first book by Alisha Rai but will certainly not be my last!

First Comes Like, publishes February 16, 2021! If you like swoon worthy romances among “fake lovers(even if you don’t)” this one is for you!

What should I read next?!

After the success of "The Right Swipe," I know "First Comes Like" is on many people's list of 2021 anticipated releases, and I'm here to tell you that unlike most of 2020, this book won't let you down; Alisha Rai has done it again! Ms. Rai truly captured society's current state when it comes to sensitive societal and political issues and handled them with complete and absolute grace, while also writing a memorable and heartwarming love story. This is a story of family beliefs, traditions, relationships, and romance in an an ever-evolving and changing world.

When it comes to the romance - Jia and Dev have a SPARK that cannot be denied. While this is no love-at-first-sight plot, it is a fast-moving love story filled with enough antics and humour for those looking for something on the lighter side, while also providing enough angst and relational challenges for those looking for a deeper story that tugs at their heartstrings.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to see the romance book community go crazy over it!

Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Once again, Alisha Rai did not disappoint! I really liked this book and the diverse cultures and experiences it represented. And it was fun to get a glimpse into the lives of characters from previous titles as well.

This book was adorable, and surprisingly hot despite the fact that the two main characters don't even kiss until one of the last chapters! An excellent addition to Alisha Rai's Modern Love series, and bonus points for having diverse relatable characters. 4/5 stars only because there were too many loose ends. All signs are pointing to a Lakshmi/Tina pairing (F/F) for the next installment!

This was a very sweet book about catfishing gone bad. The characters were fun and I enjoyed seeing glimpses of the other Modern Love characters. However, I wasnt into the insta-love in this one and was left feeling a little unfulfilled. I cant comment on the cultural representations because I dont know enough about them but I sure am glad to see more diverse romances.