Every girl no matter what your background can relate to trying to find love and family/societal pressures and thus book perfectly relates and us so much fun! I enjoyed every minute! I read it right away in one sitting and I loved the characters

3.75*( irl a 4 )
A Dozen Dates to Destiny was a perfect book to sit back and read on a slow day. It talks about the fear of growing older and still being unable to find the one (Mr Right), plus all the meddling aunties and uncles who are dying to set you up with their sons/daughters. Our Main Character, Anjali( I was weird reading a character with the same name as my teacher), was funny and foodie like me, with a competitive side to her and truly a great friend.
Though I never exactly experienced what she was going through, I relate to her more than I expected. I found myself agreeing with her thoughts and ideas. The pressure of getting married and friends moving in a different direction felt real and was told beautifully. I love her friend group and how they are there for each other and provide such different views on things. I loved Priya and found her struggles real and true. My favourite one out of the group was Rina, and how she was always willing to help ( she helped in the happily ever after). Seetal's writing was beautiful yet easy to read, so not once did I feel bored. I look forward to reading her other works as she is on track to become one of my favourite authors if all goes well.
Now let's get into the reason why I rated this book 3.75*( these are slight spoilers, so if you don't want to read, then don't scroll down)
From the moment the author introduced the male love interest and how Anjali reacted to him, it was very obvious that they were endgame. THE Whole book was spent on following Anjali to A dozen dates to destiny, as the title suggests, and I found myself wishing that we spent more time with MLI ( male love interest) and fully fledging his character at times I wondered about his feelings and as to why he was doing the things he was. I felt angry at Anjali for not taking his calls like girl. If someone did that to me i would get pissed. Like, talk to him. So that's my bone to pick with Anjali. The author would take six months exactly, timeskip each time Anjali would start a relationship with someone, like how I would like to see their dates and their cute moments (I understand the author might have done this to keep the book short and not make it 500 pages). I felt both happy and disappointed with the ending. I was happy for Anjali and MLI and found the moment cute and swoony worthly but i didnt like the slightly cheating trope. There was like Anjali was still with D, and yes, she was unsure and didn't talk to him and said i love you when she was tipsy, only to question it. Then to call this perfect man and tell him that she wants to break up with him, and SHE HAS SAID YES ALREADY TO SOMEONE FOR MARRYING MLI WHILE STILL WITH D like we can't not excuse Anjali for that as that was shitty on her part and the mli whyy would you kiss a girl who is dating someone YOU MET THAT IS PERFECT and propose WHEN SHE IS STILL DATING THE GUY. HER FRIENDS EVEN CHEERED HIM ON PROPOSING LIKE LETS ANJALI BREAK WITH THE GUY AND PROPOSE. That's my rant, but this is overall a great book, and I found myself smiling and giggling at times. Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review

This was a fun book. The characters were fun and relatable. The writing felt like I was reading a story from Carrie Bradshaw which was a fun, nostalgic read. I did feel the beginning was a little slow and took too long to get to the “guru” part which was written about in the synopsis so you think it would be the main storyline. Then once we got there, it felt like everything was so rushed. And I felt like even though she ended with who I expected and hoped for, she quick let go of her current partner seemed way too quick for what that relationship was. But all in all I had a good time reading. It was more like a 3.5 star to me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Dozen Dates to Destiny by Seetal Fatania was such a fun read. I flew through this one.

It follows Anjali as she navigates dating, family expectations, and the very real pressure to settle down and get married—all within the world of Indian matchmaking, set in the UK. The setup pulls you in quickly, and from there it’s a mix of blind dates, chemistry, and figuring out what she actually wants versus what everyone else wants for her.

The writing is easy and fast-paced, which made it really enjoyable to pick up and keep going. It has that “just one more chapter” feel. There’s a light, playful tone throughout, but it also touches on that underlying pressure from family and culture in a way that feels relatable without being heavy.

I also loved getting a glimpse into the traditions and family dynamics—it added something different and made the story stand out.

Overall, this was fun, entertaining, and exactly what I wanted it to be.

Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something light, romantic, and easy to get into.

3.5* - Fun, witty, and refreshingly real.

At some point, most of us have walked a path not unlike Anjali’s, searching for something—or someone—meant to last. Her journey mirrors life itself, marked by moments of exhilarating hope as well as the quiet ache of disappointment. Along the way, shaped by the gentle wisdom of family and the steady presence of friends, the story offers a reassuring thought: that what is meant for you has a way of finding its way back, in its own time.

a thoroughly charming read. im sur many a woman can pick out bits they relate to in this one. Anjali wants love. and you cant blame her for that. the pressures from culture and even family dont make this search any easier. so its time for the big gun apparently. along the way she might find love but she will certainly have it with the support of those around her who mean the most. but will Anjali find something to last?
i was really interested in the Indian match making side of things too. and the premise quickly pulled me in as we follow blind dates, time limits and Anjali trying to know what she is trying to actually find versus what others want her to find.
the is lots of wit and warmth throughout this one. its not too light but neither is it ever too heavy. it has just right balance of fun and heartwarming nixed with those deeper moment and explorations. seeing the certain cultural pressure made me feel all the more for our central character. ive friends who have talked of it and it feels like alot to handle or go through at times. there is alot to contend with in dating today. more so than ever not least to know what it means to be dating, exclusive, seeing others but not, then making the next steps so you can or cant date others at the same time? its a chaos if you ask me, haha. so reading books on it and from other cultural points of view is always a ride.

I’m not going to lie, the dedication for this book really reeled me in. The first 40% for me was kinda meh. I found myself getting a bit irritated with the female main character and it almost felt like she was more focused on checking off boxes than figuring out if this was what she really wanted. My favorite thing about the whole book was the deep female friendships and community that was maintained throughout even as their lives changed. The last 60% had me by the neck and that’s really when I sat up and locked in. The ending felt a little rushed to me but overall it was an enjoyable read. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions truly and I felt like I was watching a soap opera, which I love. I had a really good time with it and I loved who she ended up, I just wished it happened a little differently and we got to see more of them actually being together.

A dozen dates to Destiny was a refreshing modern take on the age old practice of Indian Matchmaking. It had it's fleeting glimpses of the older days with the bio-datas, and pandits, but also showed how a girl in this world navigates its with ease with the help of those around her. This book was an easy, one-sitting read, and a great option for when you want a light-hearted, quick romance with its Indian touches.

ARC Review - thanks to NetGalley and Seetal Fatania

I enjoyed this book. The cover is beautiful and the characters are so relatable, the plot was good however the ending was a bit weak for me

A Dozen Dates to Destiny offers a refreshing, modern twist on the age-old practice of Indian matchmaking. I was especially drawn to that cultural aspect, and the premise quickly hooked me as we follow a series of blind dates, ticking time limits, and Anjali’s journey to understand what she truly wants—rather than what others expect her to find.

This was an easy, one-sitting read and a great choice when you’re in the mood for a light, quick romance infused with Indian cultural touches.

Thank you to NetGalley and BeRead LTD for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for the opportunity to read and honestly review this novel.

"A Dozen Dates to Destiny" is a fun read. Readers meet Anjali, a young woman sorting through cultural expectations, dating, and self-discovery. She is a leading lady worth rooting for. I admire her perseverance, confidence, and vulnerabilities. These traits make the plot even more engaging. If you enjoy the "Sex and the City" franchise and want people of color included, this book delivers. A “Dozen Dates to Destiny” is rooted in Southeast Asian culture. Young adults are expected to find their matches quickly. Fortunately, Anjali is surrounded by loving friends who help her find "the one." The writing is light and fun. It makes anyone want to dive in and read what happens next. I loved how the intricacies of Southeast Asian culture are displayed. We need more books where characters are proud of their heritage, and this book delivers. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a little gossip, romance, and helpful friends. It’s perfect for a summer read or bringing someone back to romance. It is never too cheesy and remains perfectly palatable.

Reseña de la copia anticipada recibida de NetGalley

El libro me gusto. Es facil de leer y es de esas historias que son ideales para aquel que busca una lectura sencilla y rápida de leer
Me hubiese gustado quizás un poco mas de intriga sobre el final y hasta un poquito mas de drama.
Mencion honorifica al valor que se le da en este libro a la amistad, eso me encanto!

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Review of the advance copy received from NetGalley

I enjoyed the book. It's easy to read and one of those stories that are ideal for someone who is looking for a simple and quick read.
I would have liked a little more suspense towards the end and even a bit more drama.
Honorable mention to the value given to friendship in this book; I loved that!

This was a fun book. The characters were fun and relatable. The writing felt like I was reading a story from Carrie Bradshaw which was a fun, nostalgic read. I did feel the beginning was a little slow and took too long to get to the “guru” part which was written about in the synopsis so you think it would be the main storyline. Then once we got there, it felt like everything was so rushed. And I felt like even though she ended with who I expected and hoped for, she quick let go of her current partner seemed way too quick for what that relationship was. But all in all I had a good time reading. It was more like a 3.5 star to me!

The cover of this book is really cute and the premise is great. Anjali and her friends are all looking for love. One by one, they start to get married off, but Anjali keeps going on unsuccessful dates. She doesn't give up though, especially with some extra nudging from her mother. 

What I liked: This is a pretty spot on interpretation of the immigrant experience abroad. Anjali and her family and friends all live in the UK, but their Indian traditions and the culture takes center stage. It never shies away from it, which I really appreciated.

As a whole, I so wanted to love this... but unfortunately it didn't land for me. I think my number one issue is the writing didn't seem to flow easily. It felt like there was a list of plot points that had to be hit and it was systematically going through them. It also felt at times like things were over explained for a Western audience. (For example, there's no way not one single one of Anjali's friends wouldn't know what a bio-data is.) 

The jokes came off extremely stilted and the timing of everything was all over the place: Anjali's best friend got married and then a couple of pages later, a whole month had passed, or Anjali meets Nimesh and the next chapter they've been dating for six months already. 

Also I understand what was trying to be done with Rakesh but it completely fell flat. She's texted with him numerous times, and clearly has his number saved in her phone, but when he calls her she doesn't know who it is? The resolution to that story also felt unearned and I didn't like the way that it was resolved.

The potential for this was definitely there, but the follow through wasn't.