Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Ambika Vohra's debut novel, "The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal," is a delightful coming-of-age story that will have you laughing out loud while rooting for the relatable protagonist, Aisha. Faced with a college essay prompt that demands an experience outside her comfort zone, Aisha finds herself in a whirlwind adventure thanks to a case of mistaken identity and a proposition from the charming Quentin Santos.
Vohra's witty writing brings Aisha and her friends to life. Their banter is realistic and funny, making you feel like you're part of their inner circle. The "sticky note manifesto" itself, a series of challenges designed to push Aisha out of her shell, becomes the source of many hilarious situations. From attending a high school party to stealing a kiss at midnight, Aisha's escapades are both cringe-worthy and endearing.
While the humor is a strong point, the novel doesn't shy away from exploring the emotional complexities of senior year. Aisha grapples with friendships, crushes, and the pressure of college applications. The challenges on her sticky notes become more than just fodder for her essay; they force her to confront her fears and discover who she truly is.
A fun read for everyone.

Sticky notes and listicles…I felt seen reading this book. It was so good! I recommend high achievers and former high achieves read it to realize that life doesn’t always go as plan but it is the unexpected that makes it joyful.

This was such a fun, heartfelt, fully-realized YA contemporary! The characters were so real, sympathetic, and intriguing from the jump, and I loved following their adventures as they grew and fell in love.

Rarely do I read a high school romance where the characters actually seem to be attending high school so *massive* plus on this one. Around the story of relationships (parents, siblings, friends, possible romances) is the setting of tests, reports, admissions essays, and group projects. This was a rare YA book that feels like it focuses on a specific slice of life as a teen, rather than dropping me into spring or summer break (ie: vacation) mode.

Aisha is a delight, as a driven, first generation student who is trying hard to measure up to some nebulous bar set by her older sister, parents, and society at large. As the story progresses she realizes the bar is mostly her own creation and she shifts in her perception of the world around her and how she fits into it.

There’s a fish/bird dichotomy that Aisha keeps invoking that drives a lot of her decisions. As an adult reader, it’s hard to keep encountering this line of thought because I believe (decades after high school) there’s a lot more nuance to life. But I think the author does a good job of capturing the ways I thought about the world as a high school senior, so it ultimately worked.

This is a good YA book looking at taking steps out of your comfort zone and conquering your insecurities in the process.
Aisha is a good character with some insecurities and has a crush on a guy that doesn't really deserve her crush. He was her friend a long time ago, but he seems pretty full of himself now.
I liked how Quentin brought Aisha out of her comfort zone and what blossoms between them.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I love Never Have I Ever on Netflix and this was like reading the book version! So soooo good. Very relatable. Had me laughing and crying. One of my ya favorites for 2924 although all ages will enjoy it

The Sticky Note Manifesto feels like a mix between Never Have I Ever and Book Smart, and I was digging it. I loved the personality of the main character, Aisha, even though some of the love decisions she was making were cringey from the very beginning. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves snappy, YA fiction.

this was a fun book! I liked the college application plot point and the writing was really good!!!!!!!!!!

Looooved Aisha’s voice. She’s funny; she’s dramatic; she would be right at home in a Netflix teen comedy, but she doesn't feel like a carbon copy of any existing characters (that I know of). Her narrative voice--along with the array of colorful secondary characters--made this a joy to read.

This is absolutely adorable. All the characters, but especially Aisha and Quentin, are so well written. The family dynamics, high school worries, and daily struggles are so well written. You’ll be cheering for Aisha from the first page.

Absolutely adored this book. It had wonderfully unique perspective, multiculturalism, and recognition of the overly stressed life of American teens. Aisha is a straight A, scholarship student at a prestigious private prep school. She is 1st generation Indian American and highly focused on college admissions. Actually, she is stumped by the essay prompt for her dream school, Stanford, which asks her to write about a time when she left her comfort zone. Unfortunately, in her goal to get top grades, she has not really lived her life. She thinks that her luck has finally changed when her crush asks her to the winter formal and then stands her up.

Like the rom-com this is, cue the drama and the decision to make a change. Of course, before she can make that decision, she gets into a car meant for a friends' grandmother and has a good sob. Fortunately, the driver is also a high school senior going to the local public school and he is failing math. The two strike up a deal to help each other and of course a love triangle is created. While hitting the cheesy rom com tropes at times, all in all, this was a really wonderful story.

The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal is entertaining. This could have even been a four-star read if not for Aisha.

In my opinion, Aisha is incredibly unlikeable. She comes across as controlling and can sometimes be snobby. I am sympathetic to the fact that Aisha has been shaped by her insecurities. Even so, if we knew each other in real life, I would actively avoid her.

Also, Aisha is delusional.

I saw no reason for her to like Brian. I understand romantic feelings can be irrational, but Brian hasn't done anything crush-worthy. Brian is not charming. He is a desperate, serial monogamist who took advantage of Aisha. As the reader, I remained unconvinced that Brian could ever be an option.

But don't let my review scare you because Aisha does have a believable redemption arc.

On the flip side, I am such a fan of Quentin. He is the reason why I kept reading. I had to see Quentin get his happy ending.

Plus, the cultures represented by both main characters warm my heart. I love that there is foreign language dialogue. It makes the story more immersive. In particular, I love love love the depiction of Filipino culture. As a Filipino-American, I am always happy to see some of my traditions in books.

The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal is a delightful debut. This book is a perfect snapshot of an American high school experience. It's too bad I did not like it more.

Bottom line: I feel validated in my stationary collection.

Aisha realizes she needs to write a stronger essay about sharing a time you left your comfort zone for her Stanford application. She accidentally meets Quentin who needs help with Math, and they agree to help each other. Aisha makes her manifesto or to-do list with Quentin’s help. Aisha tells Quentin she needs help in getting Brian to like her again. As Aisha and Quentin become better friends working on her to-do list, Quentin asks Aisha if Brian is really the one she likes. When she says yes, Quentin walks away, but Aisha wonders could she like Quentin? Does Aisha end up with Brian? Does she complete her to-do list?

I loved the culture presented in this book, the unique and entertaining chatscters and the challenges presented. Cute ya book with realistic storylines.

The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal by Ambika Vohra is a charming coming-of-age tale that immediately grabs your attention. Aisha Agarwal, a valedictorian stuck in the monotony of homework and junk food, faces a challenging Stanford admissions prompt after being stood up by her crush, Brian. Enter Quentin Santos, a seventeen-year-old with a banged-up Volkswagen, who proposes an unconventional deal – Aisha helps Quentin with math, and he, in turn, pushes her out of her comfort zone using sticky note to-do's.

What unfolds is a delightful journey of self-discovery, friendship, and personal growth. Ambika Vohra's storytelling is both engaging and authentic, capturing the essence of the teenage experience. The creative use of sticky notes as a tool for personal development adds a whimsical touch to the narrative. As Aisha and Quentin navigate challenges and push each other beyond their comfort zones, readers are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions, from New Year's Eve kisses to high school parties.

The book's brilliance lies in its ability to balance lighthearted moments with profound reflections on victory and the potential cost of losing oneself in the pursuit of success. Aisha's character is well-crafted, and readers will find themselves cheering for her as she grapples with the complexities of teenage life. Ambika Vohra's witty writing style and perfect pacing make this novel a joy to read. In conclusion, "The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking story that entertains while leaving a lasting impression. Highly recommended for those seeking a feel-good narrative with a meaningful message.