Title: "Lies and the Other Love Languages" by Sonali Dev

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Review:
"Lies and the Other Love Languages" by Sonali Dev is an emotionally charged and beautifully written novel that delves deep into the complexities of relationships, the power of forgiveness, and the transformative nature of love. With her exquisite storytelling and nuanced characters, Dev delivers a captivating and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Sonali Dev's writing is simply enchanting. Her prose is lyrical, evoking a myriad of emotions that resonate deeply with readers. From the vivid descriptions of settings to the raw and authentic portrayal of complex emotions, every word is carefully chosen, drawing readers into the hearts and minds of the characters.

There are beautifully crafted protagonists, each carrying their own burdens and battling their inner demons. Dev peels back the layers of their personalities, revealing their vulnerabilities, fears, and desires with sensitivity and depth. Their journey is fraught with challenges and heartache, but it is through their struggles that they find strength and discover the true meaning of love.

Beyond the central romance, "Lies and the Other Love Languages" delves into themes of family, identity, and the power of forgiveness. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, adding layers of complexity to the story. Dev effortlessly weaves together multiple storylines, seamlessly blending romance, family dynamics, and personal growth.

The novel's exploration of love languages is a refreshing and insightful aspect of the story. Dev skillfully highlights the importance of communication, understanding, and learning to speak the love language of your partner. It serves as a gentle reminder that love is not one-size-fits-all and that relationships require effort, compromise, and a willingness to truly see and accept one another.

"Lies and the Other Love Languages" is a remarkable achievement that showcases Sonali Dev's talent as a storyteller. With its richly drawn characters, compelling narrative, and emotional depth, this book is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction. Prepare to be swept away by the beauty and poignancy of this captivating tale.

Disclosure: I received an advanced copy of this book for review purposes, but all opinions are my own.

After really enjoying The Wedding Setup: A Short Story (pub Jan 11, 2022) and The Vibrant Years (pub Dec 1, 2022) ... both of which I thought were 5 stars, I jumped at the opportunity to review the advance read copy of Lies and Other Love Languages: A Novel.

Lies and Other Love Languages didn't grab me quite as much as the two Sonali Dev novels that I had read previously. It was good, I'm not a mother and I think that had some bearing on my feelings towards the book. (I really don't want to add any further spoilers.)

Giving 3.5 stars and rounding up to 4 stars. I especially thought the end and authors note were interesting.

Thank you to Sonali Dev; I really do like your writing style. And I love getting a feel for the Indian culture. Also thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for approving my request to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Sept 26, 2023.

Having never read this author before I loved how I sounded from the blurb.
Written by 3 strong woman perspectives about family, love, loss.
Love how the culture of the Indian families was pertrade.
The beggining was slow starting out for me seemed a bit tedious in.parts but look past this and keep reading and your in for a wonderful well written story.
A new author to me to keep my eyes on.


Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

I'm going to split my review in two: a bit about the actual book, followed by a rant about the blurb because I tried to write it starting with the blurb rant because I thought it would make more sense that way round but I decided nobody would read past it and the book really is great!
So firstly, wow! I loved this book so much! Which was so odd to me because at 50% I was a bit unsure because of the blurb stuff that I'll explain later. However, the next 50% was absolutely amazing and now that I understand the point and where it was all going, the first 50% was great too, although I did find some of Vandy's earlier chapters a bit slow and samey but I loved Mallika's and Rani's throughout. Told by the three women in alternating chapters, mostly in three different timelines (until they converge at the end) this was a really beautiful tale of love, loss, family, friendships, the lies you'll tell/truths you'll hide for those you love and how far you'll go for what you want/think is right. Pretty much every character was flawed in some way, many redeemable and some not (in my eyes) but each made a great character and most overcome them, I really loved the ending.
One of the other things I absolutely loved was the Indian family dynamics. I love the big families and how important family is in Indian culture.
As long as you know what to expect from this going into it I think it's an amazing story, truly beautiful and inspiring, but also equally heartbreaking. The book kind of starts almost at the end of the story and then you learn mostly through Rani's flashback chapters how things became the way they are before the final conclusion at the end. If you go into it expecting a poignant exploration of family and friendship you will not be disappointed. And admittedly the book was only categorised as Women's Fiction, which it absolutely is, I just don't usually check genres and go off the blurb which led me astray. I'll definitely be checking out more of Sonali's books because I loved it and now I know what to expect I think I'll enjoy others even more. Last thing to say before my blurb rant is to make sure you check the trigger warnings if you need them though because there's definitely a few.

So blurb rant. I marked this bit as spoilers on Goodreads purely so I can talk about how things happen in the book compared to the blurb. It's not hugely spoilery because I only mention things I think were obvious from the blurb anyway but some people might not want to know so it's up to you if you want to read ahead or not from this point if you're reading this on NetGalley!
I think the blurb is a little misleading for this one, because yes everything it says happens in a way, but the way it's written, the blurb kind of tells you all the big things so the beginning of the book seemed kind of slow for me. Some of the things the blurb says are going to happen don't happen until the second half and yet the blurb makes it seem like that's an early part of the book and will cause a load of things to happen. As I mentioned before, I don't look at genres but from the blurb I thought it was going to be kind of suspenseful and drama-filled whereas it wasn't that kind of book. I loved the book regardless, but I'd have enjoyed the beginning more had I known what it was actually going to be.
I read the blurb when I applied for the ARC but I generally like to go into books blind so I didn't read it again before starting the book and had basically forgotten it when I started the book. (I remembered it was about a mother and a daughter and there were lies, that's about it). So at 16% I thought I'd guessed the big twist and that it was quite obvious (Vir cheated on Vandy with Rani and Mallika is Rani's daughter but raised by Vir and Vandy anyway who stayed together)... I was mostly right but there were a couple of little points where I wasn't (which I did like, and couple of other small little shocks). I was still interested to see how and why and what exactly happened between everyone and was enjoying it but I did then re-read the blurb because I thought if the big twist is obvious so early on maybe something else is going to happen even though it doesn't seem like it. So I re-read the blurb to see if it seemed like anything else was going to happen and I realised that my "big twist" was also quite obvious from the blurb, which seemed weird to me, and it didn't sound like anything else big was going to happen. I also by this point was at about 40-odd% and the beginning of the blurb says "her estranged childhood best friend Rani returns" and yet she hadn't yet. There had not even been the slightest hint of her returning in any of the current timeline Vandy chapters up until then. In fact she 'returns' at 57% (and I'm not even sure I'd really call it returning but that's not hugely relevant). It also says for Mallika in the blurb that "the [genetic test] results reveal her whole life to be a lie, and Rani seems to be the only one who knows the truth." To me, I read the blurb and I expected a drama story of Rani coming back and shattering Mallika's life with this 'truth' and a big quest to find the answers to things, which obviously is not at all what the book is. For us, Rani and Mallika don't meet until the very end (and even then it's down to Mallika). Now I don't really know what I think the blurb should have said, and I absolutely love the book, but it wasn't what I was expecting from the blurb and I think it's a bit misleading. I think I'd have enjoyed the beginning a bit more knowing it was a study in friendship and relationships rather than expecting lots of drama.

An absolutely captivating story with all the beauty and heartbreak that I associate with Dev's novels. The deeper I fell into these characters' lives, the faster I kept reading. Highly recommend!

Sonali Dev’s Lies and Other Love Languages has me speechless, yet again. Her writing has always been able to make my laugh and ugly cry, but this new book has touched my broken heart in all new ways. I want to thank her from the depths of my soul for writing for the fertility-challenged, and those of us that thought ourselves broken and ugly because of awful experiences.

This book has a few timelines and points of view to follow, in order to be able to understand all that has happened in the lives of the protagonists.

Mallika, daughter of the ideal couple of Vandy and Vir, is a dancer and choreographer who is always flitting from one thing to another, much like a real-life fidget spinner of a person. Her projects are well-received, especially after she embraces her culture and culture, but her extended family doesn’t always seem to take her seriously.

Vandy Guru has grown from her column and blog as an Agony Aunt to a successful guru with books of wisdom that she has shared with the world. But, she doesn’t realize just how successful and helpful she is.

To avoid giving spoilers, I will just say that this book is the hard paths that all of the protagonists have had to traverse to find their true selves, as well as to contemplate on true happiness and love. (And I am Here for it alllllll).


Thank you So much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this amazing ARC!

The book started lightly, with issues you could easily relate to, the text you could quickly go through, but as the story unfolded, even if the writing style didn't change, the story became more complex in a way I didn't expect. I have to say, I connected the dots about the plot pretty early in the book, but I was hooked on the way it was revealed to us.
Having read the book, I think I need to sit for a second with it. The relationship between the people in the story is complex and real. And that realness is why I have mixed feelings about the story. That doesn't change my opinion about the book, as the work, as a product itself.
There are some aspects, though, where I was not confused but a bit thrown off by the style or the description choices. Those choices felt like they didn't reach the full potential they needed to build the scene. I would've maybe omitted them.

Full disclosure - if Sonali Dev writes it, I'm reading it. Happily.

* The first chapter and I'm relating to Vandy as another worst case scenario worrying mom, regardless of the fact that my children are nearly adults (meditation has been very helpful).

Love as a mother
Love as a friend
Love as a spouse
Ms. Dev delves into the intricacies that come along with each of these loves. The characters (main and secondary) are vivid, and realistic

Compelling, complex, and richly written, Lies, and Other Love Languages pulled me right in and held on tight.

Recommended!


Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I absolutely love Sonali Dev's stories and this was no exception!

Vandy Guru has build her career teaching others how to look within themselves to find the answers they're seeking. From what started as a weekly column in a newspaper, Vandy travels the world speaking to millions, helping make sense of their challenges. If only there was some way that her work could help her deal with the loss of her husband. Her grief barely allows her to function and she is in constant worry about losing her one and only daughter, Malika.

Malika loves to dance and is a wonderful choreographer that is currently working to choregraph dances for her families upcoming wedding. Her career is at a standstill as all opportunities seem to slip through her fingers and her one love is engaged to be married to someone else.

One fateful day, an opportunity for a genetic study appears and she that maybe she'll find the answers she's looking for only to discover a secret that she didn't see coming. With her whole world turned upside town, Malika takes off in search of answers, with her mom trailing after her, worried about what the truth will do to her family.

Rani Parekh, Vandy's childhood best friend, holds the truth in her hands and could be the one to put Vandy's family back together.

This was an absolutely wonderful story on the strength and power of friendship and love. I loved the characters, as each woman had her own personal strength and struggles. They each tried to work through their struggles on their own but in order for it all to make sense, in the end they all needed each other.

I love her books! Although I have enjoyed her books based on Austen more, this one had all of the emotion and drama.

"Lies and Other Love Languages" by Sonali Dev is a captivating and emotionally rich novel that explores the complexities of love, relationships, and personal growth. Dev's writing effortlessly immerses readers in a world filled with intricate characters and thought-provoking themes.

One of the standout elements of the book is Dev's ability to craft multifaceted and relatable characters. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery, as well as her struggles with trust and vulnerability, are portrayed with depth and authenticity. The supporting characters are equally compelling, each bringing their own unique perspectives and experiences to the narrative.

Dev's exploration of love languages adds an intriguing layer to the story. Through her nuanced portrayal of different communication styles and emotional needs, she highlights the challenges and rewards that come with understanding and connecting with others on a deeper level. This theme adds depth and complexity to the relationships depicted throughout the novel.

The book also excels in its ability to balance heartfelt moments with moments of levity. Dev's writing style is witty and engaging, providing a refreshing and enjoyable reading experience. The pacing is well-managed, with the story unfolding at a steady pace, keeping readers invested and eager to discover what happens next.

Additionally, the book delves into thought-provoking social issues, such as cultural expectations, family dynamics, and the power of honesty. Dev navigates these topics with sensitivity and grace, offering insightful commentary and fostering empathy in the reader.

If there is any room for improvement, it could be in further developing certain secondary characters or subplots to enhance their impact on the overall story. However, this is a minor observation in an otherwise engaging and well-crafted novel.

Overall, "Lies and Other Love Languages" is a captivating and heartfelt read that showcases Sonali Dev's talent for crafting intricate characters and exploring complex themes. It is a compelling addition to the contemporary romance genre, and fans of Dev's previous works will undoubtedly find themselves enthralled by this latest offering.

Sonali Dev's books are always a treat! I loved her other series. But this one was really good. I would recommend for a quick summer romance read.

If you have never read Sonali Dev, first off - why not? And second off, run and read all of her books if you haven’t! This book is told through alternating perspectives of 3 women whose lives are intricately tied together. It tells the story of love, loss, trial, friendship and ultimately familial love! I could not put this book down! I had to slow myself down and re-read sections because I found myself skimming ahead just to find out what would happen!

A wonderful novel about love, loss and lies. The three narrators are the strong Indian women Mallika, Vandana, and Rani and they all have distinct voices. Vandana and Rani tell their story from past to present and Mallika tells her story from about a week prior to present day.

Vandana (Vandy) and her daughter Mallika are reeling from the recent death of their beloved husband and father, Vir. Vandy is a successful advice guru and Mallika is a talented dancer trying to find herself and break into the Hollywood scene. When Vandy is unable to locate Mallika, she fears the worst. With the flashbacks to Rani as a child and how she and Vandy became friends we also learn what led to Mallika being unreachable. The truth takes is from California to India and really weaves a great tale of true friendship, true love, and the pain that secrets and lies can cause. Excellent novel.

Thanks the NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

4 stars.

This was fun to read! I don’t necessarily mean it was a fun book, it was very deep, touching, bittersweet, and loving, but not really funny per se. But I had a lot of fun reading this book because I loved the reading the different stories of three women navigating life, revealing long buried truths, and figuring out their new future. There is a lot of “uncovering” in this book, and the suspense that comes with that, it was very compelling for me.
I didn’t love some of the deception & narrow-mindedness of some of the characters but I appreciated the contributions to the story.
Thank you for the ARC!!!

Oh my goodness this book was absolutely un-put-downable and I was hooked from the very first chapter! Really enjoyed it.

I absolutely loved Sonali's first book so I had to have this. I enjoyed this story but definitely not to the extent I loved her first. Some things I’m still just confused about and felt that some parts of the story were rushed or thrown together. Some random info just tossed in with no explanation.

Lies and Other Love Languages was the first book that I have read from Sonali Dev. Family and their relationships within is the main theme here, and along with multi generational and cultural viewpoints and dual timelines, make this a very colorful read. I don't want to spoil the plot by revealing too much but it is a charming and light-ish story, not quite a rom-com, but still an easy read.

One issue about the writing is that the pacing in the first half of the book felt off. It felt like slow dancing to a super fast disco beat. I think when Vandy kept looking for her daughter, that idea became so repetitive and tedious that it slowed down the new info that came along. It was a struggle to get through the first part.

I loved Vandy and Rani's friendship and how it developed became the heart of the book. I would have loved more details and stories about Rani, which to me seemed to carry more weight than the discord between Vandy and her daughter, which feels like it should have been the back story and not taken so much space.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Loved this book.
What a great love story! If you are looking for something that warms your heart with friendship, love and parenting this is it.
All the characters are heart warming and you can easily connect with each one.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced reader's copy.

Wow, what an emotional toll this book was for the characters. Although slightly predictable, it was well written to keep the reader engaged to watch the story unfold. This story is a classic example of why you should treat people with kindness because you never know what they are struggling with behind closed doors. My one complaint is the first half or so the few comments about ‘colonizers’ in reference to white people. That was uncalled for and took from the story, As a white woman I enjoyed reading the book, stopping to google things to learn about Indian culture. The colonizer remarks made me feel.like Sonali Dev didn’t want white readers.
I read this during my bed rest recovery period after having to undergo a hysterectomy. I do have two children but I also miscarried a baby. It’s been seventeen years since I have spoken to my mother because I didn’t want her to have the opportunity to treat my children the way she treated me, even laughing in my face saying “you probably deserved it” when I told her I was raped. - I mention all of this because these are all things mentioned in Lies and Other Love Languages so I has several parts that I could relate to.