A good croissant needs the perfect balance of butter to make it just right. A musical production -"the right mix of beats, bass, and melody." Maya in Multicolor finds that same sweet spot, blending the clash between tradition and modernity into a vibrant, romantic story about self-worth, cultural pride, and the magic of second chances.

If Maya is romantic and rooted in tradition, Nishant is cynical and unapologetically modern. Neither of them is wrong in their vision is wrong, but both have to find harmony between the two, and watching them do just that is a joy. Their dynamic crackles with witty banter, heartfelt moments, and real chemistry. You can practically see the sparks flying off the page. (Though at times, Maya’s attachment to tradition felt a little repetitive)

I do wish we’d gotten more of Nishant’s backstory—his motivations and emotional reactions would’ve hit harder with a bit more context. Still, this is a lovely romance that's written like a Bollywood rom-com you can devour in one sitting, full of moments that make your heart race.

I hate when people say you don’t learn anything from fiction. It’s just not true. I learned about Holi from my girl Sweetie, and I fell down a rabbit hole of learning even then. Even if we don’t learn specifics, we are able to go out and learn more, as well as seek out other materials that talk about it. And this is one of those materials.

And this one DOES teach of some specifics. Like what it is Holi is celebrating and the reasons why the colors are there. We even find out what the colors are made of when they have to order some. And I love that I have another book in my repertoire that I can recommend to my other librarians as well as students when they’re looking for books on Holi.

I knew this was different when it was actually a rivals to lovers book that I liked lol Y’all know these aren’t my favorite, but this one really stood out to me. I guess because it felt so organically? And when it happened they BOTH tried fighting it. It was very clear that they both felt something but they were both scared. One of my pet peeves in rivals/enemies is when one of them acts mean and the other party is just so accepting of it. Because absolutely not. We either both mad or you’re groveling lol And I’m glad we get some mutual likeness in this one. It really brought home the realness for me.

I do think this was paced a little weird tho. She went HAM as soon as she was out of that situationship and it was a little weird lol Did she ever even like him? And then it was like every time she talked to Nishant she was asking about another date. I think that’s why it took her so long to realize who she really liked. She was too busy trying to make each one of them super specific and that wasn’t even what she wanted. I was glad the love interest helped her find what she wanted.

This was a fun one. I can’t wait to see if there’s more. There’s more holidays for the student union to plan lol I want to see them do something else. Y’all know how I am about holiday books. I will eat them up every time. Just like I did this one!

Maya is looking for two things. A real, true love, and to be an event planner, beginning with planning the annual Holi event for her college. Maya is allowed to try to save the Holi event, with the condition she works with the hottest guy in school, Nashant. She's not happy, doesn't like his ideas, thinks he's trying to ruin Holi and wants to keep Holi traditional. Maya joins a friend's dating app, but is kicked off and reluctantly agrees to Nashant's help in finding someone to date. She is trying to reinvent herself, if she can get herself out of the way.

If she can pull it off, not only will she save Holi, but she may find a real relationship.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

After her first semester of college was somewhat disastrous in the dating realm, Maya wants to give up completely and focus on one thing–throwing the most spectacular Holi festival the college town has ever seen. The only issue standing in her way is Nishant, the boy who is every bit Maya’s nemesis and who wants to turn this traditional festival into a raging music concert. While they work together on the festival, of course their interest in each other grows. Despite this being a very predictable plotline, it is a light and easy read, the characters are loveable, and this offers people a look at what the Holi Festival is. Recommended for 8th grade and up. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

Maya in Multicolor is a delightful and vibrant read that effortlessly blends romance, self-discovery, and cultural identity. The love story between Maya and Nishant feels organic and real, unfolding in a way that makes readers root for them from the very start. The book is pure fun, filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of emotional depth. Maya’s journey is both relatable and inspiring, making her a character you can’t help but adore.

This was such a cute YA freshman college slow burn romance between two South Asian teens forced to work together to plan and organize their school's best ever Holi festival. I loved the Spring vibes, the food and music content and the great banter between the two MCs. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of books like Salaam, with love or Four Eids and a funeral. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Swati Teerdhala, and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Maya is a huge believer in meet-cutes, but she’s done with boys wasting her time. After her freshman romance refuses to label their relationship, Maya decides to reclaim her life and turnaround her college experience. She’s got big plans to throw the most spectacular Holi, which Maya feels she desperately needs.

Enter college heartthrob Nishant, an upperclassman playboy, and DJ. After student council makes him Maya’s co-planner, she finds herself working closely with the one guy on campus she can’t have and doesn’t want. He plans to turn the event into Holi Fest with a flashy EDM festival blending of old traditions with the fresh new ones. As the two grow closer, Maya realizes Nishant is so much more than a cute guy. Is he just wasting her time, or has she finally found her meet-cute?

I loved both Nishant and Maya! It was a fun and lightheared YA read! I will definitely be recommending it to others.

The greatest feeling in the world is to be seen ✨

Maya in Multicolor follows Maya as she tries to navigate her freshman year at University. Initially, Maya had a plan for how her first year would go, however, that plan gets put on the back burner after a meet cute. When she’s faced with the reality that her meet cute will never give her the title of “girlfriend” Maya decides to change her people pleasing ways, dumps him, and begins her journey to becoming Maya 2.0. Her journey to Maya 2.0 is set around her planning Needham’s Holi celebration. There is a bump in road in the form of Nishant, a DJ who has a two date reputation, and wants to modernize Holi. They are highly encouraged to plan the event together and as they plan they go from rivals to something more.

This book was such a cute little romance with a great message! I found myself relating to Maya and her journey. I saw my best friend in Jana, who fiercely defends Maya and encourages her to try. As I was reading Maya’s story I couldn’t help but cheer her one and kick my feet at all the cute little moments between her and Nishant. As mentioned before I could definitely see myself in Maya and her struggles and younger me would have loved to have picked up this book and seen herself not only represented but being seen and appreciated for all she is.

Maya is sassy and has big dreams. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she wants to figure out who she is. She decided to transform her college experience by organizing the Holi Celebration. When she gets paired with DJ heartbreaker, Nishant Raj, the two clash. Maya wants to focus on tradition whereas Nishant wants a flashy EDM festival. As Maya tried to figure out who she is, she starts to have feelings for Nishant. Will the two figure out a way to put aside their differences and plan a successful event?

The plot is romantic, well developed, and engaging. The characters are well sketched and authentic. The romantic dynamics between the two are realistic. Readers who like clean romance and realistic fiction will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. Gr 8 and up, 5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book, from the characters and the slow burn romance to the cultural celebration details. Maya and Nishant were excellent, complex, lovable main characters. This is a great example of college/new adult romance that is a great option for high school students and younger teens to read because it shows growth and how to establish healthy relationships. I would certainly recommend that my secondary educators keep this in their classrooms.

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A cozy and charming college romance that forces two students to work together despite their differences. Maya dreams of the perfect romance. Nishant Rai is a notorious playboy. What could they possibly have in common?

I thought this was cute, Maya and Nishant were two protagonists that I could cheer on as they slow burned their way to romance. Sure, the ending is predictable, but I was still invested to follow through to the end.

I have to say that I am getting tired of the trope of the playboy helping a socially awkward girl find romance. I have been to college, and yes, playboys have hearts of gold. But they still want to get laid. I realize that makes me sound cynical, but I know YA readers will lap up the plot. In the end, that is all that matters.





#MayainMulticolor #NetGalley.
Expected Publication 11/03/25
Goodreads Review 02/03/25

I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it.

Maya's first semester of college.....it's been OK, but not great. All of her plans, her goals, her dreams have been sidelined because of a meet up with a guy who, despite demanding all her time and attention, insists that she's not his girlfriend.

So, time for Maya 2.0. Time to join the campus Hindu Students Association and put on the best Holi celebration the campus has ever seen. Time to go to campus events. Time to meet new people...maybe even a boyfriend.

This plan hits a snag when Zane, the president of the HSA, asks Maya to co-chair along with Nishant, a dashing, handsome DJ known on campus as a 2 date wonder.

The story progresses as anticipated. There's no doubt that there will be a Happlily ever after. But, having said that, this is an enjoyable YA romance. There is no physicality beyond kisses, the relationships develop organically over time, and the set-backs faced are both logical and reasonable. There is also a lot of detail about Holi and it's role in Hindu culture and what it means to Maya, and the struggles faced by kids who, despite being absolutely successful, aren't necessarily successful in the way their more traditional families expect. This is a wonderful own voices book and one that I believe will be well accepted by it's target audience. It's also a YA book which would be perfectly acceptable for advanced MG readers, which is unusual. Well done.