Ananya Devarajan’s Sanskari Sweetheart is a charming, emotionally resonant YA romance that gracefully weaves together cultural expectations, personal identity, and the sweet ache of first love. A companion to her debut Kismat Connection, this novel works well as a standalone while offering delightful continuity for returning readers.

The story follows Indian-American teen Leena, whose “sanskari” (i.e., traditional, rule-following) persona has always kept her in line—until a fake dating arrangement with her polar opposite, the charismatic and rebellious Amit, threatens to unravel everything she thought she knew about herself. What starts as a ruse to keep Leena’s family appeased quickly becomes a deeper exploration of what it means to be true to oneself while navigating cultural expectations and growing feelings.

The fake-dating trope is executed with heart and nuance here, with just enough tension, cultural specificity, and romantic buildup to keep readers hooked. The pacing is balanced, never rushing emotional beats or overextending conflict. While the plot follows some familiar rom-com rhythms, it does so with freshness thanks to Devarajan’s voice and her thoughtful integration of Indian-American cultural elements. The stakes feel real—not just romantic, but familial and personal—which gives the story more weight than your typical teen love story.

Leena and Amit’s chemistry is undeniable from their very first awkward interaction. Their dynamic is filled with banter, slow-burning attraction, and a genuine sense of mutual growth. Devarajan doesn’t rely solely on swoony moments (though there are plenty!)—she builds their relationship on shared vulnerability and emotional honesty. Their romance is tender, messy, and incredibly satisfying.

The strength of this book lies in its character work. Leena is a beautifully complex protagonist—torn between the desire to be the “perfect” daughter and the need to claim her own identity. Amit, despite being cast as the “bad boy,” is layered and sincere, offering more than just a foil to Leena’s goody-two-shoes image. Their families, friends, and the wider community feel authentic and textured, creating a backdrop that feels both warm and pressurized. Special mention goes to the depiction of parental relationships, which are nuanced and realistic—simultaneously loving and suffocating.

Sanskari Sweetheart is a heartfelt and joyful read that skillfully blends cultural introspection with romantic fun. Fans of Sandhya Menon or Talia Hibbert’s YA work will find much to love here. Ananya Devarajan continues to prove herself a rising voice in contemporary YA romance, and I’ll be eagerly watching for whatever she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the early copy of Sanskari Sweetheart!
As someone who loves Indian culture and anything Bollywood-inspired, I was so excited to dive into this story. It started off really strong and I was totally on Raina’s side, cheering her on as she focused on getting her scholarship. But as the story went on, she started to wear on me a bit. She was so dismissive of her boyfriend, Aditya, and then was completely shocked when he broke up with her? Even as a reader, I could see how hurt he was, so her surprise felt a little out of touch.
The time loop concept was fun at first, but after the third loop, it started to feel repetitive. I began to worry Raina might never get out! Her focus also shifted from her future to just saving her relationship with Aditya, which made it harder for me to stay invested. I didn’t read Kismet Connection, so maybe that book would’ve helped me connect more with Raina and understand her attachment to the idea of first love.
That said, I think this story would hit differently if I was younger. If I had read this in high school, I probably would’ve related more to the characters and their emotional ups and downs. I’d definitely recommend it to teen readers navigating young love and self-discovery.
One major highlight was the narration by Isuri Wijesundara! She brought so much emotion and nuance to Raina’s voice. Any connection I felt to the FMC came from her performance, she truly captured the angst, confusion, and growth. I’d 100% listen to anything she narrates in the future!

- Bollywood dance
- Time loop
- Character development oriented
- Keeping a relationship alive
- Desi characters
- Magical realism
- YA romance

3.5 stars rounded up! <3

I love that this book exists, to make all the desi souls feel seen, and to emphasise that a relationship can't be sustained without communication and emotional maturity. I hope more teens pick this up because the message it conveys is so needed. We definitely need more stories exploring couples post-HEAs, as a HEA doesn't guarantee obstacle-free roads. We go from what seems like a "perfect relationship" to learning that it is not all always sunshine and rainbows, and there's always room for growth <3

As someone who enjoys Bollywood dance so much I was squealing every time a song was referenced (I truly wish there were more of them) -- this book made my Desi soul so so happy! Aditya is a soft gem, and I love that he really tried to make this work T-T green flag 10/10.

The time loop ended up not being MY thing -- as they go back in time again and again like 9 times before Raina entirely realises what needs to be done -- and I was impatiently screeching at her the whole time LIKE GWORL PLEASE THINKKKKKKKKKK. I know her character makes complete sense in the context of the story, but that doesn't keep her from making me wanting to elder-sister her brain into sense.

(if you love time loops and "Groundhog Day" and "About Time" vibes this one is for you)

I haven't read Kismet Connection at all; and they're interconnected stand-alones, so I am excited to hop onto the prequel next and learn more about Madhuri! (I am very intrigued by her troubles that keep being mentioned)

Thank you so much HarperCollins, Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the audio arc! The narrator was fantastic <3

This was such a cute, light-hearted YA but with the twist of a time loop. Rina's character growth through all of this was absolutely stellar.

The narrator did a fantast job at bringing life to to Rina, Aditya and the other characters.

Sanskaari Sweetheart is a fun, light-hearted YA novel that takes the classic Groundhog Day trope with a desi twist. Raina’s goal? Win the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship to prove that dance isn’t just a hobby, but a viable career. She also wants to show her boyfriend, Aditya, that they’re still the perfect couple despite their growing differences. But when Aditya breaks up with her and her dance routine turns into a chaotic mess, everything spirals even further.
Enter the time loop—Raina keeps reliving the same day, giving her a chance to fix her mistakes and figure out where she went wrong. It’s a cute concept, and the pacing is well-managed, with eight loops before she gets a handle on her life. But fair warning: if you’re expecting a deep dive into Indian-American community life, family dynamics, or Bollywood dance scenes, you might be disappointed. The story is very focused on Raina’s personal growth, with other elements taking a backseat and only getting surface-level attention.
As a fan of Raina from Kismat Connection—where she was Madhuri’s younger sister—it's great to see her character evolve. While she used to be more of the peppy, perfect teen, here she’s flawed, insecure, and navigating the chaos that perfectionism can bring. Her character arc feels authentic and satisfying, especially with her newfound self-awareness. Aditya, though sweet and designed as the “perfect boyfriend,” doesn’t get much room for growth—we only see him through Raina’s lens.
The writing is smoother and less clunky than in the debut, which I appreciated, and Raina’s flaws feel more genuine now. However, despite dance being a key part of her life, the dance scenes are minimal—mostly formations and a couple of moves—so the passion for dance doesn’t really flow through the pages as much as I’d hoped. And the antagonist? She remains a shadowy figure, getting away with her actions without proper accountability, which felt unresolved. Plus, the limited roles of Raina’s mom and sister could have added more depth if given more screen time; their relationships and struggles were mostly unexplored.
There’s a sprinkle of familiar ‘Desi’ moments—tensions with aunties, stereotypical standards—but they felt a bit superficial and predictable. The cultural elements are there, but they don’t really stand out or give the story a fresh perspective; it’s more like a Western YA story with Indian characters and a dash of desi flavor.
In summary, Sanskaari Sweetheart is a decent coming-of-age story that shows improvement from the author’s first book, with a fun premise and stronger character development. It’s enjoyable, light, and worth a read if you’re into YA romances with a bit of a cultural twist—though it could use a bit more depth and dance action. Looking forward to seeing how the author evolves next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

Sanskari Sweetheart is a sweet, entertaining YA romance with a time loop and dancing.

This was delightful. Although I found it difficult to connect to Raina initially, I loved her development. Her romance with Aditya was lovely and exciting. The characters were fun and well-developed. The time loop aspect was engaging and well-written. As someone who grew up dancing and attending dance competitions, I loved the incorporation of dance and competitions. Ananya Devarajan’s prose fit Raina well, presenting a fast-paced and emotional story. I would absolutely recommend this one to fans of time loop love stories and YA romances!

Isuri Wijesundara was a delightful narrator. Her voice and accents fit the characters and story well, and her energy made the story even more immersive. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

The book follows Raina, the younger sister from the author’s debut Kismat Connection. While it can be read as a standalone, I think if I had read the first book, I would have had a better understanding of the family dynamics and Raina’s backstory.

The story jumps right into the main conflict: a time loop where Raina relives the same day repeatedly, giving her the chance to reflect, grow, and attempt to fix her crumbling relationship. The pacing is solid, and the Groundhog Day-style plot is the heart of the book. If you enjoy time-loop stories, this will likely appeal to you. However, if you were hoping for a deeper dive into Indian American culture, family bonds, or the fun of Bollywood dance-offs, you might find this one a little lacking, as those elements take a backseat.

I didn't enjoy that the dance competition, which was supposedly central to Raina’s life, barely got any focus beyond brief mentions and then a rival character who causes PROBLEMS is never properly exposed. Also, the roles of Raina’s mother and sister—who could have added emotional depth—were underdeveloped.

While I enjoyed the narration—especially the way the voices and accents added flavor—I struggled with the middle of the book. The time loop sequence dragged on too long, and I found Raina’s indecisiveness and constant blame-shifting toward her boyfriend frustrating. I wasn’t convinced by the romance because I couldn’t tell how Raina truly felt for much of the story.

Conclusively, the book is decent YA romance that has its charms but didn’t fully work for me. I would still read more from this author.

3.75
First let me say, I didn’t read the first book. I didn’t realize it was a series as it isn’t listed that way. I know this is a stand alone and you don’t need to read the first one but I feel like I could have understood the family elements more.
I did enjoy the majority of the book and I liked the arc of Raina’s character. I loved the narrator. I would listen to other books by her.
I did have some issues with the book. First off in the beginning of the book Raina wants to prove that dance is what she wants to do with her life but it doesn’t seem to be that important to her during all the time loops. It takes a back seat to her relation with Aditya and with her friend (I did the audio and can’t recall her name).
Also I don’t understand how she and Aditya both blame him for the relationship issues when she is the one withholding affection and refusing to communicate. At least she learns to do both during the time loops but I don’t get why he is shouldering the majority of the blame. Additionally,I don’t find it plausible that she and Aditya can share a room when they can’t even hold hands or kiss in public because of what might be said. They are in high school. How would their parents not know or be ok with it. Also how did mom stay away after she gets hit on the head. She doesn’t see her again until the next day. Doesn’t seem believable to me.

Even with my issues I’m happy I read this book. I really did love that Raina was able to see what was wrong in her relationship and made the adjustments she needed to. She really grew as a person. i would read more from this author.

Thank you yo NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Can I be honest y'all? I read this book around May 25, 2025 and LOVED it. I did review this book on my beloved, Bookworm app. However, today I received the audiobook from NetGalley. Thank you Thank you NetGalley for giving me this audiobook for review.

When I first picked up this book, I did not realize it was a time loop story. If I am really honest with you then, I admit that I am not a fan of time loop stories and find them really tiresome. HOWEVER, this book implemented time loops in a really fun way.

Sanskari Sweetheart by Ananya Devarajan is a sweet coming of age story about Raina and Aditya (and how they love each other). They're both in a Bollywood Dance Group and Raina is in it to win the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship so that she can go to college. Raina makes mistakes, is uncommunicative, and a hard headed teen girl. Through the time loops, she learns how to stand up for herself, ask for what she needs, and prioritize herself.

The characters can be a little frustrating but the book overall is really fun and enjoyable. The audiobook really added a lot to the story experience, adding dimension and levity and humor the voice in my head lacked.

I love South Asian love stories. I love stories about South Asians being happy. I love stories about South Asians being in love. A great time all around. Highly recommend this YA read!

When I started reading Ananya Devarajan’s Sanskari Sweetheart, I had genuinely forgotten that I knew who this author was, had read her debut, Kismat Connection from 2023. And it wasn’t until this story began delving rather more deeply into the family’s “curse” that I realized.

Now, to fully express my feelings about this novel, I have to admit first that I honestly just hated Devarajan’s Kismat Connection. The return of Madhuri to this novel, even as a simple cameo, therefore didn’t hold a lot of weight for me at all. And ironically enough, my abject distaste for Madhuri as a character played a rather large role in why I was so pleased, surprised, and impressed with Devarajan’s companion novel. For anyone who has read Kismat Connection, it’s very possible that you’ll recall Madhuri as a deeply self-centered and uncaring person who really doesn’t learn from her mistakes and grow into a better person.

This idea of learning and growing, at it’s core, is the key factor in why I hated Devarajan’s first novel and actually really enjoyed her second.

Raina, Madhuri’s younger sister, is introduced to us as a very driven and focused sort of character, inherently determined to follow her dreams. Those dreams, however, require that she win the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship, something that has caused her to lose sight of the needs and wants belonging to everyone else around her. Raina, much like her sister, begins the novel as a rather self-focused person. The difference in the two girls, however, is that as Raina finds herself stuck in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again, she actually learns and grows as a person.

Through each step of Raina’s journey to figure out why so many things went wrong and her varying attempts to fix each situation, she is forced to consider the thoughts and needs of those in her life, to delve deeper into how to prioritize care and kindness while also still achieving her goals and dreams. As her boyfriend, Aditya, breaks up with her near the end of each repeated day, Raina’s narrowed focus on her life broadens to include not only him, but her friends and her parents as well. And though she, rightfully, still makes efforts to live a life she is proud of and happy with, no longer is she a character singularly centered on herself.

And I loved so much about this girl’s journey; seeing genuine character growth in Sanskari Sweetheart is so exciting and I’m genuinely intrigued to see what Davarajan comes up with next!

Isuri Wijesundara does a phenomenal job of bringing Raina to life, taking us on her path to learning more about those around her and how to be a more considerate person. Her voice matches the strength I find myself picturing for a girl who develops a considerable understanding for how to care for her friends and family alongside herself.

This was a sweet and emotional romance from Ananya Devarajan! As a Bollywood dancer myself and a former participant of the collegiate national Bollywood dance circuit, I really appreciated all the themes and inclusions of Bollywood dance in this book. This book really highlighted the team spirit that's involved in dance as well. The time loop was also interesting to read about, and I appreciated how in-depth this book went into Raina and Aditya's relationship. This book had very mature conversations between the two about their feelings, future, and compatibility. The narration was also engaging, but some times I found her pronunciation of South Asian words not accurate. Overall, I'd rate this 4 stars!

I loved that this book focused on the world of competitive Bollywood Dancing - throw in a time loop element and it had everything I usually need for a 5 star read. HOWEVER, I felt kind of bored by the repeated repeatings and felt like not a lot of progress got made until the very end. Overall I liked the characters and premise but it was a bit too slow-moving for me. Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Dance with me by Sundari Venkatraman. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

This audiobook narrator was the perfect choice for these characters! She brought the story to life.

Sanskari Sweetheart was a well-written, well-paced YA romcom that I think will resonate with many people in the desi diaspora community. I, however, was one member of this community that this did not resonate with because I have tired of the “indian teen standing up to their parents and refusing to pursue a career in STEM while chasing their passion for the arts” trope. It’s overdone and over saturated in my humble opinion and I just wish Desi diaspora authors chose something else.

Overall it was a good book, just predictable which made it feel stale.

The only thing worse than living through the worst day of your life is living through it...again...and again...

Raina has the perfect boyfriend. And by perfect, I do mean perfect. While I get that romance is wish fulfillment, this boy is appropriately Bollywood level perfection, right down to the kohl smeared on his water line that Raina mentions every time she gazes into his deep brown eyes. Which is why it comes as a shock when he breaks up with her. Repeatedly. As she keeps reliving the worst day of her life. How can she make him stay so she can get free of the time loops?

I love me a good time loop, and the more time loops the better. The only downside is sometimes it did get a bit repetitive. And the ending did drag on for a bit.

But! It was a really cute YA romance. The breakups did keep coming out of nowhere, but it might have been because we were seeing it from Raina's POV. There was also a blossoming friendship between Raina and a rival dancer, which I'm always here for because I love me a good friendship.

Content wise, there were a few f-bombs, kisses, bare male chests, sleeping (and just that) in the same bed, and swimming under the stars in one's underwear.

Recommended for readers who love Bollywood dance, time loops, and the messiness of young love. I also recommend the audiobook because the narrator did a great job, right down the the aunties' accents.

let me just start by saying i love romance but two of my least favorite tropes are second chance and time loop. that being said, i really enjoyed this book! the characters were so likable even when they were trying to figure it out. Raina and Aditya are such sweet characters 💞 and them trying to figure themselves out felt really real to me. the time loop did drag things out a bit for me, particularly tying up loose ends. but this story made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.

i listened to the audiobook for this one and the narration was also so well done! the narrator did an excellent job.