Another delightful read from Sonalie Dev! 

Lies and Other Love Languages tells the stories of family, found family, and how far we will go for the ones we love. What is the cost of your life dream? 

I loved these characters and their story, woven through three POVs and two timelines. I highly recommend! 

Note that there are themes of infertility and miscarriage if that is a topic you are sensitive to.

This is a good book. it is a heartwarming book about family, friends, connection, and secrets along the way. The book follows a woman who is estranged from her daughter and the daughter stops answering her calls. The daughter goes out on her own adventure- unknown to family- to find out her true identity. Then a mysterious man reenters the life of the main characater who she thought she'd never see again. It follows the three as they embark on their own individual journeys and the ones intertwined together. Recommended for a light beach read- but it may feel too familiar or like something you have read before.

This cover drew me in! While this was a good book and I loved the different relationships shown. I struggled with the issue of miscarriages. That really diminished my enjoyment of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sonali Dev may be best known for her charming Jane Austen-inspired romances, but with her latest, Lies and Other Love Languages, Dev takes a step into more deeply exploring family secrets (but don’t worry, romance-lovers…there are still some swoon-worthy moments). Mallika and her mother Vandy have a beautiful, openly communicative relationship – or so they both think. But when it becomes clear that they are each keeping something from each other, not only does their relationship take a hit, but their senses of self do as well. Throw in flashback chapters told from the perspective of Vandy’s childhood friend Rani (who is mysteriously missing from the present-time narrative), Lies and Other Love Languages leaves the reader unraveling the secrets a few steps ahead of the characters. The real narrative intrigue rests not in the content of the secrets, but in watching how they are discovered and revealed to the characters – and how those characters choose to react.

3.5 stars rounding up. 
There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed but it was an up and down read sometimes really engaging and other times less compelling to me. . Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion..

"Lies and Other Love Languages" by Sonali Dev is a poignant and beautifully written tale of love and deception. Dev masterfully weaves complex relationships and cultural nuances into the narrative, creating an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impact. A powerful exploration of the many facets of love.

This is the first novel by Sonali Dev that I have read, but it won't be my last. I enjoyed the character development throughout the story. Exploring the paths through life that we choose and the consequences of those choices. Consequences that we as well as our loved ones must endure. Well-written with both raw emotion and humor, this novel took me on quite a journey.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Sonali Dev always writes with heart and compassion.  Vandy started out with an Agony Aunt column, becoming famous and well loved for her advice.  Mallika is her daughter, a choreographer trying to break out of choreographing wedding dances for Indian weddings..  Both Mallika and Vandy are mourning the loss of Vir, a devoted husband and father when Mallika finds out something that makes her question everything she knows about herself.  The third main character is Rani, an orphan who finds her way into the hearts of Vandy’s family and becomes her closest friend.  I loved the way the story develops, as well as the relationships that are deciphered.  Highly recommended.  Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, and though I didn't get to this until after the publication date, the ARC was still the one I read.

This was a tough read for me. I'm currently pregnant, and went through a pregnancy loss earlier this year. There was a lot of talk about pregnancy lost in this one, so that was difficult. I mostly figured everything out before it was revealed, but I still thought it was interesting how things were resolved. I don't agree with Vandy's efforts, but I've also never been in that position. I did like the relationships between the main characters. I missed the description of food that Dev usually includes in her books.

I really liked/cared about the 3 main characters and all of their relationships with each other and others too. That makes a good read for me! A book about secrets, friendships, mother/daughter relationships, being a mother and what that means. Friendships and rebuilding a broken friendship. A good read.

Very interesting book how they took a modern story. And we're back in time and talking about this girl who was from India. The girl named R Ana. She had a hard life in India. Her mother had to struggle for everything.. When her mother died she came to america to live with her aunt. She had a lot of difficulty adjusting to this new life, especially when it came to food. And then she met her friend Van GP. When she was eating her leftover fries from McDonald's when she threw them away.. Then they went back to her house. She It was shocked to see how this girl had everything. If it came best friends through the years. A n a with more practical Then Van g.. As the years passed they went to college.. While they were in college V, ANG met a man. And feel l And in love with him. She married this man, but things didn't turn out the way she thought it wouldw. She wanted a child so bad she tried everything to have a child. This made this book very interesting. Because her friend, what's all I'm involved in this and a child was made. It is interesting how this girl.
Mallik. Was raised, but she had a lot of problems because her mother didn't know what to do with her that her father died. And things started getting really crazy in this book. It's like a mystery based on a love story. And based on lies and everything seems to come out at the end of the book. Everybody got what they wanted in this book. And they could understand each other at the end.

Inspiring story about family secrets, reunions, friendships, relationships, love. Finding your true self.

I have read and loved previous books by Sonali Dev so perhaps I am a bit biased but I really enjoyed this book. The narrative structure is unique in terms of character, POV, and timeline. Rather than feeling disjointed I was compelled to keep going and turn the pages. I could hardly put it down. The themes Dev has on her mind are prevalent in most women's fiction books but she has a fresh perspective that I found both refreshing and illuminating. I adored the friendships and relationships at the core. The one weak part is the romance plotline.

I wasn't really sure that I got into this book all that much. I enjoyed it, but it didn't really grip me or stay with me that much.

This book was beyond my expectations. 

I really appreciate how layered and nuances Sonali’s writing is, and how all the characters felt so developed and well thought out. This book was fabulous and I absolutely loved it.

A story told from the point of view of three women-a mother, a daughter, and the estranged best friend and the secrets that are kept and how that shapes who we are. I enjoyed this one and would round up to 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the characters and side relationships in this story. I also thought it was interesting to think about the traits and genes that we get from our parents and how it shapes who we are.

Lies and Other Love Languages by Sonali Dev
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ Ever since her daughter was born twenty-seven years ago, Vandy Guru’s greatest fear had been losing her.

Lies and Other Love Languages is a touching and thought-provoking novel that reminds us of the importance of truth, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. Sonali Dev's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this captivating tale, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and heartfelt family dramas.

I've loved Sonali Dev's previous books, and this one did not disappoint. It started a bit slow, because there was a lot of character building to do. But once we knew Mallika and her mother, Vanda, and Vandy's best friend, Rani, the story took off. A beautiful portrait of motherhood, love and friendship.

As always, Dev addresses complicated family issues with humor, wit, and lots and lots of love.  In this case, she dives into the very painful topic of reproductive challenges with exceptional compassion.  As much as this is a story of a mother and daughter, this is also a story of best friends.  What could make a pair of women as close as sisters become estranged?  What can make a daughter cut off all communication with her tightly attached mother?  The answers are heart-wrenching in a number of ways, but Dev's characteristic positivity brings us to a healthy, happy resolution.

There were some incredible parts of this book, but it was definitely a tougher emotional read than I expected or was honestly in the mood for. The characters and their relationships were great, their experiences together and apart were (written in different perspectives and timelines) was done flawlessly. I was never confused and always aware of what was going on. That being said, the topics of miscarriage, death and grievance, lies and friendship.

When Vandy’s adult daughter disappears at the same time her estranged best friend Rani appears, she is forced to face long hidden secrets. Together these 3 women travel around and are forced to confront one another and their shared past.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.