I loved everything about this book – the characters, the setting, the internship at a museum with an exhibit about stolen artwork – and it was a five-star read until the third act breakup; the breakup was uninspired and it’s been overdone. It made me so sad that this original, fun book was spoiled by the typical, bratty, I-know-he-lied-to-me-for-a-good-reason-but-why?!!! wails. Otherwise, I truly enjoyed getting to know Archi, Shiv, and their friends, and look forward to reading more from this author.

Super cute and a really quick read! I did find Archi’s obliviousness to get to a ridiculous point—how on earth was she not putting the pieces together?—but sometimes a ridiculous plot point is exactly what you need. Would definitely recommend this to younger teens and older tweens just getting into romance.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a good book. Love the setting and descriptions. Quite enjoyable

Read this book if you love being transported to other places through reading and also if you love Bollywood. 🤭.

I absolutely loved that Love Craves Cardamom was set in Jaipur. While reading it, I truly felt like I was alongside Archana in Jaipur drinking chai. I was expecting a cute romcom, but this was so much more than just that. I love how the author included important topics like colonisation and the non-binary, trans and intersex communities in India.

Characters
Archana Dhawan
Archana is a very well-written character; I could see how meticulously the author has crafted her. I adored her relationship with her friends and family; Mohini (Archana’s roommate) and her bond was to live for.
Shiv
Shiv was the perfect love interest one could ask for. I love how he was always bringing Archana flowers. When I read, I love seeing good sibling relationships in books, and I was glad to have witnessed one here too. Vidya and Shiv were sibling goals.

Archana’s growth throughout the novel was exceptional; I loved seeing her discover her parents’ city and achieve her dreams of becoming a museum curator. Reading about her curating a whole exhibit from scratch was super cool. She is one of the coolest characters ever, and I would love to befriend her.

The romance was AMAZING, as it should be because Shiv is a literal prince😌. I loved the dates across Jaipur; Shiv was always cooking for Archana, and I loved reading about them making food together. These last few days I’ve been feeling very anxious with everything that is happening around me, and Love Craves Cardamom really comforted me :)

The only critique I have is that it was pretty obvious who Kavi was from the start, and I felt like Shiv as a prince should have been revealed a bit earlier. If it weren’t for these things, I would have given the book five stars.

Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat is a YA romance full of flowers and flavor. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India, sets the scene for a swooning love story and an inspiring story of a culture healing from colonization. Archi Dhawan’s plans for a boy-free semester abroad quickly derail when she meets Shiv on the train.
Using his “palace perks” as the royal gardener, Shiv shows Archi a new side of Jaipur and finds herself falling for him despite his mysteries. At the palace museum, Archi plans an art exhibit to bring light to stolen Rajasthani art at her dream internship.
Archi and Shiv’s young love and easy chemistry were a joy to watch play out. I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout. My favorite romances always shed light on an important topic. In this book, that topic was the lasting impacts of British colonialism in India. As previously mentioned, this includes stolen artifacts, but it also includes how LGBTQIA+ people in India, such as the Hijra community, are impacted. I also loved all the references and nods to Bollywood movies. And don’t even get me started on how all the food and cooking scenes had my mouth watering…
This book is truly a love letter to the rich culture in Rajasthan, and India as a whole, as well as a vision of a brighter future. I highly recommend Love Craves Cardamom to anyone who wants a fun YA romance with a lot of heart.

First and foremost, this book made me deeply miss India. I cried during the first few chapters as I remembered all the different parts of my homeland. I loved the writing and the pacing and the romance. Shiv and Archi’s love was so real and sweet. Archi’s goals and the message of her gallery touched me in my soul (as someone who vehemently opposes the continued BS of British Museum). I hope to be as brave as her.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that element that I wanted from a romance novel, it uses the concept perfectly and enjoyed the international aspect to it. The characters worked well overall and was invested in what was happening with them. Aashna Avachat has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

This would have been 5 stars if there hadn’t been a breakup in the 3rd act. Although for the most part it fit so it’s not a lower star rating. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the E-ARC. I loved reading about Desi culture, art theft and returning art, about having a “boy free semester” and love finding you anyways. Super cute.

When a book is billed as YA swoony romance but ends up with more than that, the reader is in for a delicious morsel of a read.

Traveled along with Archana or "Archi' for her DC high school Capstone project to India. She's been there before with family members. On the cusp of adulthood, she opts to travel to her parents' homeland where her passion for curation lands her an internship near the royal family. The sights from the rascal monkeys to the tastes of local cuisine will bring the reader along for a wonderful physical journey of famous sites but also a metaphorical one as she explores the politics surrounding art ransacked from its homeland.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Random House Children's | Joy Revolution , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#LoveCravesCardamom #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this.

Love may crave cardamom, but you should crave this book!

So much love is poured into the pages of this book. Love of Jaipur, love of art, love of cooking, love of romance...this was truly such a joy to read (fitting for a Joy Revolution book!). Archi is such a dynamic narrator, and her passion is infectious. Her outings with Shiv are written with such lush prose, and it perfectly honors both the history and the current culture of Jaipur. Are there a few times you want to shake her? Of course, her obliviousness is a bit much. But you'll root for her and Shiv the whole way through.

Note: This is an inter-connected standalone, but you don't need to read the first book to understand this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joy Revolution for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a vibrant journey through art, love and self-discovery set in the heart of Rajasthan. Archa and Shiv’s chemistry is effortless, their moments together filled with warmth adventure, excitement and anticipation, reflecting the emotional tension and growing mystery between them. With royal secrets breathtaking settings and a heroine chasing her dreams this story is as sweet as it is unforgettable. Highly recommending it.

Archi just wants a semester boy free. But when she meets Shiv on the train, something sparks between them.
As she learns more any art and the history of the royal collection, she also falls for Shiv. But when she finds out that he isn't who he seemed to be she has to figure out what she wants.
Filled with art history, friendships, college fun, and good food, we see Archi come into herself and find some people that make a big impact along the way.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.