Cover Image: The Emma Project

The Emma Project

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Member Reviews

This was not my favorite of the Raje series but it was still very entertaining. Naina has family trauma she hadn’t dealt with. Vansh is the youngest, privileged Raje sibling. Naina was with Vansh’s brother, Yash, for ten years. These families are so entertwined it was hard to separate them.

Then there’s this jewel of a story interspersed throughout-Isha and Sid which was a relief in the middle of the Naina/Vansh main storyline.

Overall, a good ending to the series. Not sure I’d want to revisit this family again after this book.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for #theemmaproject.

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I was so sad that this was the last book in the Raje series and so disappointed in it! I wish the novel had focused more on the OTHER love story taking place instead of Vansh.

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In The Emma Project, Sonali Dev weaves a heartfelt and emotionally resonant story that explores themes of love, loss, and second chances. With her signature writing style that blends romance, drama, and depth, Dev takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

The story follows Emma, a talented and driven professional who has dedicated her life to her career, often putting her personal happiness on hold. When a tragic event shakes her world, Emma is forced to reevaluate her priorities and confront the choices she has made. In a serendipitous turn of events, she embarks on a project that challenges her to revisit her past and rediscover the essence of who she is.

Dev excels at crafting complex and relatable characters, and Emma is no exception. As readers delve into her journey, they witness her transformation and cheer for her as she learns to embrace her vulnerabilities and open herself up to the possibility of love and happiness. The supporting cast of characters adds depth and richness to the narrative, each bringing their own struggles and perspectives to the story.

One of the strengths of The Emma Project lies in Dev's ability to explore difficult emotions with sensitivity and authenticity. She tackles grief, regret, and self-doubt with grace, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and the power of healing. The emotional depth of the story resonates with readers, drawing them into the characters' lives and eliciting empathy and introspection.

The romance element of the book is beautifully intertwined with the overarching themes. Dev crafts a tender and poignant love story that evolves organically, capturing the essence of two individuals finding solace and understanding in each other. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey is filled with both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.

Dev's writing style is engaging and evocative, painting vivid scenes that transport readers to the vibrant settings of the story. From bustling city streets to serene landscapes, the descriptions bring the world to life and enhance the emotional resonance of the narrative.

While the pacing of the story is generally well-balanced, there are moments when the plot feels slightly predictable, and certain twists and turns may be anticipated by seasoned readers of the romance genre. However, the strength of the character development and the emotional depth of the story compensate for any predictability, keeping readers invested in the outcome.

Overall, The Emma Project is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of life, love, and personal growth. Sonali Dev's masterful storytelling, compelling characters, and poignant exploration of themes make this book a worthy read for fans of contemporary romance. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for new beginnings and the possibility of finding one's true self.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a copy of The Emma Project provided by the publisher.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

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I tried and tried and tried once more… but this wasn’t it for me. I struggle with Jane Austen inspired books, but figured this might give me a different perspective because of who the amazing author is. But it just didn’t. I would have loved it more had it had more umph behind it, but it lacked for me. Lacked plot, pizzazz, and the character development for a great story. Thanks for the oppprtunity!

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This wasn't my favorite of the Raje Series but I liked the characters and the connections to the inspiration novels. The Emma Project in this case was flipped in a way that I liked.

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I was so excited for the final book to the series and it lived up to my hype! I'm sad that it's over but I'm excited for what Sonali Dev comes out with next.
I'm going to be honest - I've never read Emma by Jane Austen but I don't think that hindered my reading experience. This book was about friendship and love and it was done so beautifully. I highly recommend it!!

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I reviewed on GR back when I read it (sorry I never posted here). Love Sonali's books and loved this entire series.

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This was a great story and I will definitely be reading more from Sonali Dev in the future. This is about love, loss, and finding yourself again.

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The Emma Project by Sonali Dev (Women’s Fiction/Multicultural Romance). I think I have a love-hate relationship with this book. This book is most likely the last in the series but it got me reading the whole series (and I think that Recipe for Persuasion is my favorite of the lot). I enjoyed Esha and Siddhartha’s side story – it was sweet and touching – but it could have been a novella maybe? All the characters in this book (and the series) are real and “almost” likeable (despite their flaws). A Bollywood movie or a TV series in the making?
(Thanks to NetGalley for the digital arcs of this book)

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I have really come to love books with stories of Indian families. I am not Indian, but I can relate to some of the family situations that end up happening. Sonali Dev wrote another great book. The characters were interesting and I felt like I was right there in the story. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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LOVED THIS ONE!

Emma is my favorite Austen work (not just because of my name, but kind of!), and Sonali's take on the classic is so amazing! I have read the other books in the series but this is my favorite by far.

I read this so quick, not putting it down once because I loved it that much! It is the most explicit in the series, but nothing too much, but just a warning if that isn't your cup of tea.

I'm not going to go into too much plot just because I feel like it would give too much away. I am in love with the writing! The characters are so real, flawed but perfect as they can be and always trying their best. If you love or hate Jane Austen books I say this is the one for you! 5/5

Thanks to netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

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Happy new year! I'm going through and catching up on NetGalley and trying to clear out any titles I didn't get around to reviewing before publication, but in this case I'm just going to say I stand with the striking members of the HarperCollins Union.

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Will I read absolutely everything Sonali Dev writes? Yes.
Do I love an Austin retelling? Also yes.
Can you read this book without getting hungry? No.

This about sums up all of the books in the The Rajes series, and Dev does not disappoint with her fourth installment in the series. In this book, we finally get Vansh and Naina's story as she might finally get the HEA she deserves.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

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I've read much of Sonali Dev's work, and this one wasn't my favorite. I think it's because the book it pays homage to is tough to copy. Dev has given it a go, for sure, but the characters in this version are just plain icky. To ride the line between likable and odious is a tricky thing, to be sure. This one just didn't work for me. It was a good attempt, but missed the mark.

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Jane Austen's EMMA is the most difficult of her stories to retell because the characters ride the razor-thin line of flawed, but likable and just plain unlikable.

While an okay book, THE EMMA PROJECT doesn't quite pull it off. These characters end up being mostly unlikable.

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I am a huge fan of the Sonali Dev books. The characters are well developed and I love that they parallel the Jane Austen books. I highly recommend to fans of cozy romances. Swoon.

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I adored the rest of The Rajes series, and as much as I wanted to love this one it was just okay for me.

Vansh was an endearing character and after getting a better understanding of who Naina is in this book, I was rooting for her to have a happy ending. However, I had a tough time falling for these two as a couple. They had some great moments throughout the book, but I think the addition of Esha's story sadly took away from the development of Vansh and Naina's story. I wish that Esha's story had been a standalone so that I could have had more detail and character development. I also felt that there was a lot less time with the rest of the Rajes, and I kept hoping for more time with those characters who I already love. The writing itself was great but the plot for this one was just not what I had been hoping for.

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Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for sharing this title. All opinions are my own.
If you've read the other three books in the series, then this will finish off the quartet! While perhaps my least favorite of the group, I've enjoyed the premise of reimagining Jane Austen's heroines through a different cultural lens. Naina is a interesting character and it's great to see her story come through.

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When requesting this book, I didn't realize it was the 4th in a series, and was definitely a cover request by me. Maybe if I had read previous books in the series, I would have enjoyed more. I felt the characters fell flat, and I really found it hard to invest myself into this book. All in all, ended up DNF-ing around 40% since I just couldn't find a genuine interest in the book and wanted to dedicate my time to something I felt more connected to.

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